§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any reason to doubt the reports in the International Herald Tribune of 9th March that British mercenaries are reappearing in Colombia, in the employ of the drug barons; and if they have not, whether they have identified the men named and established their service records (if any), and whether they will withdraw their passports until their assistance to the drug trade is terminated.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Brabazon of Tara)We have seen unconfirmed reports that at least one British citizen has renewed an association with drugs traffickers in Colombia. The Government deplore the actions of any British citizen involved in such activities. We believe, however, that it is primarily up to the Colombian Government to take action in respect of any offences committed in Colombia. We have discussed the matter with the Colombian authorities and reaffirmed our willingness to co-operate with them in their investigations. Two men with the names quoted in the newspaper report have served in the army. On the basis of the evidence available to us at present, we do not think that withdrawal of passports would be a justifiable action.