§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give details of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies imprisoned and detained in African States; and what action has been taken on their behalf.
§ Miss Joan LestorOur records show the following numbers of United Kingdom citizens under detention in African States:
Arab Republic of Egypt … 1 Ghana … 1 Kenya … 3 Malawi … 17 Morocco … 14 Rhodesia … 2 South Africa … 46 Tanzania … 5 Zambia … 4 93 Of these, 18 are held under valid provisions of local law that provide for indefinite detention without charge or trial. Sixty of the rest have been charged, tried and convicted of specific offences, and 15 are awaiting trial. Whatever the provisions of local law, our missions continue to press that United Kingdom citizens who are in custody should be charged and brought to trial as speedily as possible or else released.