§ 55. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what criteria he decides to make, or withhold, representations to foreign Governments on behalf of British-born citizens who possess dual nationality and who are detained in foreign countries without trial.
§ Mr. MathewHer Majesty's Government do not make formal representations to the Government of another country on behalf of citizens of that country who may be detained there. Her Majesty's Government are not entitled under international practice to accord such protection to a British subject possessing the nationality of a second country, when the person concerned is in that country.
§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in how many cases his Department has been asked to make representations to foreign Governments on behalf of United Kingdom citizens who possess dual nationality and who have been detained without trial abroad in the last three years; if he will give details of each case; and what action was taken by his Department.
§ Mr. MathewExamination of the immediately available records has disclosed no case within the last three years in which Her Majesty's Government have made or have been asked to make representations on behalf of a dual national to the Government of the country of his second nationality on account of the detention without trial of the person concerned, with the exception of Mr. Sydney Kitching.
Mr. Kitching is a dual national. He was born in this country and went to South Africa where he acquired South African citizenship in accordance with the South African Citizenship Act, 1949. Her Majesty's Embassy reported on 17W 22nd April last that Mr. Kitching had been detained in Johannesburg. Her Majesty's Consul General made informal inquiries of the South African authorities who confirmed that Mr. Kitching was being detained under the General Law Amendment Act, 1963, but declined to comment on the reasons for his arrest or on the prospects of his release.
Her Majesty's Government are not entitled by international law and practice to make formal representations to the Government of another country on behalf of citizens of that country who may be detained there.