HC Deb 06 February 1957 vol 564 c61W
Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are available, including the services of an interpreter, to enable Abdul Rahman Al Bakir, Abdul Aziz Shemlan and Abdul Ali Alaiwat, to present requests or petitions to the prison governor in St. Helena, to the Colonial Governor, or to Her Majesty.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It is open to these three men to present requests or petitions in the normal way at any time. An interpreter is not required as all three speak English.

Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions are placed on the right of Abdul Rahman Al Bakir, Abdul Aziz Shemlan and Abdul Ali Alaiwat, now in custody in St. Helena, to obtain materials for reading and writing, to procure documents and literature in their own language, to write and receive letters, and to receive visitors.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Arrangements have been made for the men's families to be informed that they can send literature in Arabic or English to them through the Bahrain Government. They will also be provided locally with a reasonable quantity of English newspapers, periodicals and books. Facilities will be provided for them to write and receive letters subject to censorship by the Bahrain Government. The receiving of visitors, as and when it arises, will be a matter for consultation between the Governments of Bahrain and St. Helena.