HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc232-3W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many political prisoners have been released by the Indonesian Government subsequent to the assurances given by the Indonesian authorities to Her Majesty's Ambassador in Jakarta that those who were not being brought to trial would be set free.

Mr. Luard

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the assurances about which I informed the House in answer to a Question on 20th July from the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox). These assurances were conveyed to our Ambassador on 18th July. I am unaware of any releases that may have taken place since that date.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights the matter of atrocities committed by Indonesia in East Timor.

Mr. Luard

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 21st July.—[Vol. 935, c. 653.]

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will hold further discussions about the atrocities in East Timor with the Indonesian Government.

Mr. Luard

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 21st July, we have already been in touch with the Indonesian Government about allegations of atrocities, which they have denied.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's expressed concern about political prisoners in Indonesia, he has taken steps to find out the number of prisoners and their names from the Indonesian Government.

Mr. Luard

The Indonesian Government announced on 1st December 1976 that they held 30,934 political detainees, whom they intended to release or bring to trial by 1979. We have not asked for the names of those in detention; but, as I informed the hon. Member for West Stirlineshire (Mr. Canavan) on 22nd July, the names of some released detainees are known.