§ Mr. Newensasked the Lord Privy Seal what responsibilities are accepted by her Majesty's Government to care for the interests of British subjects in difficulty abroad as the result of participating in mercenary operations.
§ Mr. LuceWhile there is no statutory right to consular assistance or protection, we do our best within the limits of our resources to provide, on request, advice and assistance, excluding legal advice or aid, which is appropriate to the circumstances to any of our nationals in difficulty overseas regardless of the origin of the problem.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Lord Privy Seal if he has received any representations or communications from the 235W relatives or friends of British subjects involved as mercenaries in a recent military operation against the Seychelles; and what action he has taken to discover whether any British subjects are still in the Seychelles and whether any of them were among the casualties suffered.
§ Mr. LuceWe have received two enquiries from relatives of two United Kingdom citizens detained in the Seychelles following the attempted coup. I understand that one of the two British subjects has been injured.
We estimate that there are 800 British residents and up to 300 tourists in the Seychelles. We have no reports of any casualties among them, and all are believed to be well.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make inquiries to ascertain how many British subjects are at present in custody in South Africa following their involvement as mercenaries in a military operation against the Seychelles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceInquiries were made earlier this week, but there are now no British subjects in custody in South Africa in connection with that event.