UK Nationals (Cuba) (Hansard, 28 January 2002)

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if members of the UK delegation who visited the UK nationals being held by US forces in Cuba will be involved in the interrogation of those UK nationals. [30662]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The UK team which visited Guantanamo Bay has interviewed those detainees held there who claim British nationality. The team comprised members qualified to ask questions about the identity, nationality and welfare of the detainees and also to ask questions relevant to international terrorism and UK national security.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if UK nationals held by US forces in Cuba were informed before they left Afghanistan that they were to be taken to Cuba and of the length of the journey. [30656]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The report by officials did not cover this point, which is one for the US authorities.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there were United Kingdom nationals among the wounded prisoners who arrived at the US base in Cuba in the week beginning 21 January. [30660]
35W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We have not been informed of any further transfers of British detainees. The US have assured us that they will keep us informed.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if members of the UK delegation who visited the UK nationals being held by US forces in Cuba discussed allegations of sensory deprivation with them. [30661]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The British officials responsible for the interviews gave the detainees full opportunity to express concern about their treatment, including sensory deprivation. None complained of ill-treatment and they all appeared to be in good physical health.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that Parliament is kept informed on a regular basis of the conditions under which UK nationals are being held by US forces. [30654]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
I will be happy to bring any significant changes to the attention of Parliament.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US Government about the tribunals by which the UK nationals who are being held by US forces at Guatanamo Bay will be tried. [30658]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The US has yet to make public the procedures. We have asked for information and made clear our view that these should be consistent with international norms for trial.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the UK Government were notified that the first planeload of prisoners to the US base for prisoners in Cuba included UK nationals. [30653]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We have had many discussions with the US authorities about detention of British nationals, including their possible transfer. Their transfer was confirmed to our Embassy in Washington on 11 January, the day the detainees arrived in Guantanamo.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the officials who were members of the UK Government delegation who visited the UK nationals held by US forces in Cuba. [30657]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Under Exemptions 1a and 15 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, I am unable to publish the names of the officials.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if US personnel were present at the meetings held between the UK delegation and the UK nationals being held by US forces in Cuba. [30663]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
British officials visiting the detainees were accompanied by representatives of the US as the detaining power.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what charges have been laid against the UK nationals held by US forces in Cuba; whether their legal rights have been discussed with them; and whether they have been offered legal representation. [30655]
36W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We are not yet aware of any charges but are in regular contact with the US regarding next steps. If the detainees face prosecution, under international norms they are entitled to legal representation.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from foreign Governments on the conditions in which prisoners are being held by US forces at Guantanamo Bay. [30659]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
None.