HC Deb 27 April 2004 vol 420 c966W
Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are in prison in the Dominican Republic. [167284] Date answered 27 April 2004

Mr. Mullin

At present, there is one British Citizen and two British Overseas Territories Citizens (both from Bermuda) in prison in the Dominican Republic.

Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Dominican Republic to seek the release from prison of Miss Marianne Telfer, of Colchester; and if he will make a statement. [167285]

Mr. Mullin

Since Miss Telfer's arrest in February, both she and her family have been receiving all appropriate consular assistance from our Consular Directorate in London and our Embassy in Santo Domingo.

Our Ambassador in Santo Domingo called on the Attorney General on 13 April to register our continuing interest in Miss Telfer's case and sought clarification of the next steps. Our Ambassador also met officials from Fair Trials Abroad during their recent visit to the Dominican Republic in connection with her arrest.

Miss Telfer's lawyers have requested a re-hearing of her Habeus Corpus appeal. We will continue to monitor the case at the highest levels and provide the Telfer family with all possible consular assistance.