Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action it is possible for the Metropolitan Police or other police forces to take over the kidnapping of a British citizen in the Republic of Ireland last week or in similar circumstances.
§ Lord EltonThe Gardai are in close and constant touch with the Metropolitan Police over the kidnapping. There is no further information I can give at the moment. It has been the policy of successive British Governments to oppose payment of ransom to terrorist organisations; and, should that question arise within this jurisdiction in the present instance, all concerned have been asked to respect this policy and to act only after consultation with the appropriate authorities.