§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Mr. Donald Coles of Bere Regis in Dorset was seized by armed Zambian troops ; on what date he was first seen by the British Consul ; what was the nature of his injuries and how they were sustained ; how many days Mr. Coles was in hospital ; and what 147W protest has been made to the Zambian Government, and what reply received.
§ Lord BalnielMr. Coles was apprehended by Zambian security forces on 15th November. He spent eight days in hospital in Lusaka before he was released and returned to Rhodesia on 24th November. A representative of the British High Commission in Lusaka visited Mr. Coles on 21st November and observed heavy bruising consistent with severe beating as reported in the Press. Mr. Coles did not give details of how he was arrested or how he came by his injuries.
Our High Commission has expressed our concern to the Zambian Government about this incident and has asked for an explanation. It was told that the Zambian authorities were carrying out an investigation. The High Commissioner has discussed the case with the Zambian Prime Minister.