§ 2.49 p.m.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will confirm their 1977 conclusion that responsibility for the fate of William Beuasire rests with the Chilean secret police; and whether they will make a public protest, and require a statement and compensation from the Chilean Government.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Trefgarne)My Lords, the Government remain convinced that the evidence of Mr. Beausire's detention in Chile is strong. In the absence of a full and satisfactory explanation from the Chilean authorities we cannot regard the case as closed, and we shall continue to press the Chilean authorities to resolve it. Because of Mr. Beausire's status as an Anglo-Chilean dual national, we would have no formal standing to demand compensation from the Chilean Government on his or his family's behalf.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. Will he say, however, that it would be possible for the Government to ask the Chilean authorities to make a statement on this issue—indeed, to demand it? Will he do that?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, an investigation was taking place into Mr. Beausire's fate. This investigation was suspended, but we understand that there is a possibility of these inquiries being reopened, and we very much hope that that will happen.
Lord MorrisMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether the Anglo part of Mr. Beausire's nationality is satisfactorily established?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, so far as I am aware, there is no doubt about Mr. Beausire's status; that is, that he is an Anglo-Chilean dual national. Therefore, while the difficulties surrounding his circumstances relate to Chile, we do not have a status in this case.