§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Home Secretary has at any time written to Mr Valdes, the Chilean Foreign Minister, about General Pinochet. [HL297]
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the version of their reply to the Chilean Government's representations for the release of General Pinochet, as released by Mr Valdes, the Chilean Foreign Minister, was accurate; and [HL318]
Why the reply given to the Chilean Government in reponse to their representations for the release of General Pinochet cannot be published in this country when it has been published in Chile.[HL319]
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§ Lord Bassam of BrightonI understand that the Chilean press has carried reports concerning the contents of this correspondence. Those contents are confidential to the Chilean Government and Senator Pinochet. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate to comment on the accuracy of any press reporting on that correspondence.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the medical tests to be undertaken on General Pinochet as announced by the Home Office have not taken place. [HL320]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonArrangements are in hand for a medical examination of Senator Pinochet to take place as soon as practicable.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Mr Lagos, the Socialist candidate for the Presidency of Chile, has made any representations, either directly or indirectly through Socialist International, for the release of General Pinochet. [HL360]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonHer Majesty's Government have not received any representations from either candidate in the Chilean Presidential elections on this matter.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice has been given to Ministers other than the Home Secretary about comments they may make on General Pinochet. [HL362]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonI refer the noble Lord to my Answers given to him on 11 November (Official Report, WA 185) and 9 December (Official Report, WA 101).
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a doctor, or a team of doctors, have yet been agreed to conduct the medical examination of General Pinochet announced by the Home Secretary [HL428]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonYes. A team of clinicians has been appointed.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is permissible for demonstrators to show their disapproval of a particular prisoner on remand in one of HM Prisons by banging drums so as to disturb the prisoner and keep him awake; and, if not, why such practices are allowed outside the house where General Pinochet is currently detained. [HL459]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThis would be an operational mater for an individual Governor to respond to after consultation with his or her Area82WA Manager and the local police. The role of the police in controlling demonstrations is to preserve the peace, to uphold the law and to prevent the commission of offences. Police tactics and decisions on how to achieve these objectives are a matter for the independent operational judgment of chief officers of police. They are not matters in which government Ministers can intervene.