§ 67. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the four soldiers recently released by the Saudi Arabian Government.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe four soldiers were engaged in a night exercise on 29th September when they lost their way and accidentally crossed the Saudi Arabian border. They were detained by the Saudi authorities and, when local negotiations failed to secure their release, I asked the Government of Pakistan, who are the protecting Power, to make representations for their return. Informal approaches were also made through other friendly channels. The four soldiers were returned by the Saudi authorities on 30th October. They reported that they had been well treated.