§ 50. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Cuban Government in respect of compensation for Mr. J. Topham, who was shot in Cuba a year ago; what reply he has received; and what action has ensued therefrom.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyAs the then Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary informed the hon. Member on 3rd December, Her Majesty's Embassy at Havana had at that time been instructed to revert to the question of compensation after the trial of Mr. Topham's assailant, which was then expected to take place shortly.
Since that date Her Majesty's Ambassador has several times pressed for the acceleration of the trial which, he is informed, is held up while Mr. Topham's evidence is being translated into Spanish. Her Majesty's Ambassador has also urged the Cuban authorities, without success, to reconsider their view that a decision on 167W the payment of compensation to Mr. Topham must await the outcome of the trial. Her Majesty's Ambassador will, of course, continue to do everything he can to ensure that Mr. Topham receives adequate compensation as soon as possible.