HC Deb 30 January 1961 vol 633 cc68-9W
23. Mr. Dodds

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the arrest of George Matthews, a British subject, of the cargo ship "North Britain". who was arrested on going ashore at Iskenderun in Southern Turkey, giving details of the date of arrest, the nature of the charge, where he is detained. what assistance has been given to Matthews by the British Embassy, and when it is anticipated that a final decision will be made in this case by the Turkish court.

Mr. Ormsby Gore:

Mr. Matthews was detained on 11th December while climbing in the hills near Iskenderun. He was sent to a detention centre first at Iskenderun and later at Ankara, where he was charged with

  1. (a) having left his ship without permission and having entered a restricted zone without authority, knowing the zone in question to be restricted;
  2. (b) having been instructed by some outside agency to enter the restricted zone to collect information.

His trial, which opened on 28th December, was adjourned until 20th January, when he was acquitted and allowed to return to this country.

Mr. Matthews was visited by Her Majesty's Consul on 12th December and subsequently was visited regularly by members of the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy at both of the places where he was detained. The Embassy also made arrangements for legal aid and representations were also made at all levels to the Turkish authorities in order to secure his early release or trial.