HC Deb 13 February 2002 vol 380 cc433-4W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conditions inside prisons in Afghanistan holding UK prisoners. [34936]

Mr. Bradshaw

Continuing security risks to our staff travelling outside Kabul and limited capacity place practical limits on what activities we are currently able to undertake in Afghanistan.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to assist in providing information to relatives in the UK about the condition of detainees who are British nationals held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [34935]

Mr. Bradshaw

Following the visit of British officials to the three detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials passed messages from the detainees to their families about their health. Officials are in regular contact with those family representatives who wish to be in contact. The ICRC remains the most appropriate body for passing messages to and from the detainees. The organisation has a special role under the Geneva Conventions to do so. The ICRC also has a presence on the base in Guantanamo Bay and is permitted to visit each detainee privately.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to all places of detention in Afghanistan. [34934]

Mr. MacShane

The ICRC have informed us that they have access to all known places of detention in Afghanistan, both those under the control of the Afghan authorities and those under the control of US forces.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what logistical support is being offered by Her Majesty's Government to the Afghan Government to assist in the detention of prisoners. [34932]

Mr. Bradshaw

HMG are not offering any logistical support to the Afghan Government to assist in the detention of prisoners. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development gave her on 5 February 2002,Official Report, column 913W—question number 33607.