§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken by the British consulate in Thailand to advise(a) Karyn Smith, (b) Stephen Harris and (c) other British citizens accused of crimes in Thailand, of the existence of a public defender system in that country; and what consideration he has given to making ex-gratia payments to the families of British prisoners in Thailand who have been caused hardship by the failure of the consulate to inform them of the public defender system.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn the cases of Karyn Smith and Stephen Harris the question did not arise. Karyn Smith's parents arrived in Thailand shortly after her arrest and assumed responsibility for appointing a lawyer. Mr. Harris specifically asked the embassy not to become involved in the legal aspects of his case. The public defender system in Thailand is well known among detainees. But because it is not regarded by Western embassies as a viable alternative to private legal representation, our embassy has not made a practice of recommending it. Few British detainees have opted to use it. Most opt for private legal representation. There are no grounds for making ex-gratia payments to the families of British prisoners in Thailand.