§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British citizens now detained in Libya.
§ Mr. LuceThe continued detention of four British citizens in Libya is a matter of deep concern. We have made and continue to make use of every opportunity to persue the release of the hostages.
The four British citizens detained in Libya since mid-May are held together in a villa. The premises are clean; their food is prepared by a local hotel; and according to our latest information they remain in good health. The wives of three of the detainees have visited their husbands in the past three months and the sister of the fourth plans to visit her brother towards the end of this month.
Although formal consular access has not been granted since 19 July our consular official in Libya has seen the men individually when next of kin have visited them.