§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhosasked Her Majesty's Government:
What further steps have been taken to secure the release of Dr. Francis Bertrand who has been in prison in Zimbabwe since November 1981 and is reported to be suffering from poor health.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The Consul in Harare has regularly visited Dr. Bertrand since he renounced his second nationality and has raised any problems, especially on health, with the authorities. During the most recent consular visit on the 12th of November, Dr. Bertrand told the Consul that he felt reasonably well. We have also assisted Mrs. Bertrand, in every way we properly can, in her very active representations to secure her husband's release. Most recently, we have helped her in the preparation of a petition to the President of Zimbabwe.