§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury, 28 November,Official Report, columns 107–8, what representations he has made to the Thai authorities regarding British citizens imprisoned there, in particular in respect of those held in chains; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarWhen British prisoners have been shackled in circumstances not covered by normal Thai practice, Her Majesty's embassy at Bangkok have made effective representations and the chains have been removed.
Her Majesty's embassy continue closely to monitor conditions under which British prisoners are held, to ensure that these are no worse than those applied to Thai or other prisoners.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations6W he has made about the treatment of Edward Heaton-Smith, presently held in Phitsanalok prison, Thailand; what information he has about the conditions in which he is held, particularly with regard to his continuing isolation from other foreign nationals, the duration of his being shackled in leg-irons and his ill-treatment at the hands of the prison authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarRepresentations made to the Thai authorities by Her Majesty's Embassy at Bangkok have met with the following responses:
- (a) Leg-irons are worn by all new arrivals at a prison. Their release is conditional on the prisoner satisfying the prison authorities as to his conduct. Mr. Heaton-Smith has not met the latter criterion;
- (b) a report on the alleged ill-treatment is awaited from the prison governor;
- (c) Mr. Heaton-Smith will be transferred to Klong Prem prison, where there are British prisoners; but he first has a charge to face in Phitsanulock.
The British Consul visited Mr. Heaton-Smith on 16 March 1989, when he showed no signs of malnutrition or abuse.