§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a United Kingdom subject, who had not been convicted of any crime, escaped from his Congolese captors, swam a lake, and surrendered voluntarily to a Malayan regiment, who subsequently handed him back to the Congolese; and what representations he has made in this matter.
§ Mr. P. ThomasMy hon. Friend doubtless refers to Mr. Derek Gauden, about whom I can add little to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 2nd August. It is not yet apparent what Mr. Gauden's intentions were in visiting the Congo. I understand that the United Nations handed him over to the Kivu Province authorities on the grounds that they had no reasonable excuse to withhold him. Her Majesty's Embassy are continuing to press for his release.