§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he has made into allegations of torture to Christopher Westen held in a Greek gaol without trial since 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. EnnalsMr. Westen was asked more than once by consular officers if he wanted to make a formal complaint to the Greek authorities. As he said he did not, there was no basis for requesting an investigation.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make urgent inquiries of the Greek Government concerning Christopher Westen, held without trial in a Greek gaol since 1st March 1974, and who alleges that he has been placed handcuffed in solitary confinement as a result of an escape attempt by another prisoner.
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§ Mr. EnnalsI understand that Mr. Westen was placed in handcuffs for three days because he was suspected of being involved in an attempt by a number of foreign prisoners to escape. His handcuffing was obligatory under prison regulations. As soon as Mr. Westen was exonerated the handcuffs were removed.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made to ensure that Christopher Westen, who has been held in a Greek gaol since 1st March 1974, is legally represented at his trial when it is held.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is for a detainee to arrange his own legal representation, by either engaging a private lawyer or applying for free legal aid. The Consul in Athens ensured that Mr. Westen knew how to do this, and he is represented by a private lawyer of his own choice.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the harmful effect on his parents of the continued detention without trial in a Greek gaol of Christopher Westen; and if he will provide facilities at Government expense for his parents to visit him.
§ Mr. EnnalsWhile I have much sympathy for Mr. Westen's parents and can well understand how worried they must be, I regret that there are no public funds that may be used to help them visit their son.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits have been made by British consular officials to Christopher Westen held without trial in a Greek gaol since 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. EnnalsTwelve.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
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£ million at historic prices and net of repayments 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 England … … … 540 506 351 405 Scotland … … … 134 128 122 121 Wales … … … 69 65 52 59 Unallocated … … … 177 121 121 112 Total … … … 920 820 646 697 Affairs what was the date of the last visit of a British consular official to Christopher Westen held without trial in a Greek gaol since 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. Ennals9th November.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has been informed by the Greek Government that the trial of Christopher Westen, due to be held on 11th November, has been postponed; and, if so, whether he has inquired the reason for such postponement, bearing in mind that Mr. Westen has already been held in gaol since 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. EnnalsThere was never any suggestion that the trial, fixed for 11th November, would be postponed. It began on that morning.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Greek Government with a view to bringing to trial immediately Mr. Christopher Westen, who has been held in a Greek gaol since 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. EnnalsMr. Westen's trial began, as scheduled, on 11th November. He was found guilty of buying and using drugs and was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment, to run from 1st March 1974, the date of his arrest.