§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cases of James Miles and Paul Loseby, imprisoned in Venezuela. [44996]
§ Mr. FatchettI refer my hon. Friend to my remarks in the Adjournment debate of 9 July 1997,Official Report, columns 1044–52 and to my answer to his question of 18 February 1998, Official Report, column 679. On 18 July, Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby were informed that they had been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. On appeal, this was increased to 5 years. The result of the appeal was made known to them on 5 February 1998.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been made by James Miles and Paul Loseby to the British Embassy in Caracas for dental treatment; what assessment the Embassy has made of the requests; and what steps are in place to ensure that their medical and dental requirements are met. [44997]
§ Mr. FatchettMr. Miles and Mr. Loseby have made several requests to see a doctor and a dentist. Such requests are always taken seriously and given high priority by the British Embassy in submitting them to the Venezuelan authorities. The British Ambassador has written on 5 occasions to the judges involved in the case requesting appropriate medical attention: on 27 November 1996, 10 April 1997, 10 July 1997, on 27 January 1998 and on 17 March 1998. On 14 April the judges informed the Ambassador that instructions had been issued for Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to be seen by a doctor and a dentist.
Mr. Loseby was seen by a doctor on 3 April 1998. Both men were seen by a doctor on 23 April 1998. The Embassy continues to press the Venezuelan authorities to arrange for both men to be seen by a dentist.