§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations his Department has had with the Iraqi authorities over the forthcoming trial of British citizen Daphne Parish charged with spying; and what assistance will be given by his Department for her defence.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe have made almost 50 representations to the Iraqi authorities on Mrs. Parish's behalf since the arrest last September, and have been in close contact with her family throughout.
In response the Iraqi authorities have assured us that Mrs. Parish's lawyer will be given proper access to her and her case file before the trial takes place, and that a representative from the embassy will be able to attend the trial. We look to the Iraqi Government to ensure that the trial is a fair one and that Mrs. Parish has the opportunity to present a full defence.