HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc158-9W
48. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Colombia concerning Mr. Wesley R. Driver, a British Protestant missionary, who has been prevented from returning to his post among the Cuheo Indians in Mitú.

Mr. Nutting

Mitú, where Mr. Driver lives, lies in the Eastern Plains which are classified as a special military area. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Bogotá has requested the Colombian Government to issue the necessary military permit to enable Mr. Driver to return there. So far, this has not been forthcoming and Her Majesty's Ambassador has been instructed to renew his representations.

49. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ask the Colombian Government to honour the Anglo-Colombian Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, by allowing Miss Mary Wilkinson, a British Protestant missionary, freedom to continue her work.

Mr. Nutting

The Anglo-Colombian Treaty of 1866 guarantees to British subjects in Colombia the rights of freedom of conscience and freedom of private worship. So far as I am aware these rights have not been denied to Miss Mary Wilkinson; and I therefore see no occasion for representations to the Colombian Government in this case.