HC Deb 16 February 1977 vol 926 cc252-3W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the number of visits made by officials of his Department to Mary Tyler during her period of imprisonment in India, indicating for each the length of the visit and the extent to which each visit was monitored by the Indian prison authorities.

Mr. Luard

Officials made a total of 26 visits to Miss Tyler. Each visit, which required a three day journey from Calcutta, lasted on average between one and two hours. On each occasion an English-speaking prison officer was present.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of the reports dispatched by his officials in India concerning Mary Tyler laid any emphasis on the suggestion of her alleged Left-wing political beliefs.

Mr. Luard

The reports were objective and were primarily concerned with Miss Tyler's welfare—i.e., the reasons for, and conditions of, her detention and the efforts made to secure her release or early trial. Action on behalf of United Kingdom citizens abroad is not affected by their political beliefs.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretaary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he proposes any changes in his Department's procedure, following his Department's handling of Mary Tyler's imprisonment.

Mr. Luard

No.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the help given by his Department to Mary Tyler during her imprisonment in India; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luard

Yes. The British High Commissioner in Delhi and the British Deputy High Commissioner in Calcutta made repeated representations to the Government of India and to the Government of Bihar seeking the release or early trial of Miss Tyler. These representations were rejected on the grounds that Miss Tyler refused to be tried separately from colleagues who had been arrested on similar charges. Committal proceedings started on 30th June 1973, and on 25th August 1974. Miss Tyler was moved to Jamshedpur for trial. Further representations were made at the highest level and on 4th July 1975 the Public Prosecutor informed the court that he was to withdraw all charges against Miss Tyler on instructions from New Delhi. Miss Tyler arrived at London Airport on 7th July.