HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 cc496-7W
Mr. Trend

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning Senator Pinochet, what discussions his Department held with the Chilean Embassy on 15–16 October about the possible arrest of Senator Pinochet. [68491]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

The discussions with the Chilean Ambassador on 15 and 16 October referred to in my earlier answer took place before the receipt of the request from the Spanish authorities for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet and did not relate to that subject.

Mr. Trend

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning Senator Pinochet, if his Department informed the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October that the Metropolitan Police were interested in Senator Pinochet's possible diplomatic immunity. [68490]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

No. The inquiry from the Metropolitan Police about Senator Pinochet's possible diplomatic immunity was received after the telephone conversation between this Department and the Chilean Ambassador.

Mr. Trend

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning General Pinochet, if the discussions between his Department and the Metropolitan Police on 16 October 1998 took place before his Department was telephoned by the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October. [68489]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

The contacts with the Metropolitan Police concerning immunity took place after the conversation with the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October. Contacts with the Metropolitan Police before the conversation on 16 October concerned only the request from the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid to interview Senator Pinochet, received on 14 October and of which the Chilean Ambassador was aware.