§ Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further representations he has made since 9th May to the Government of Togoland concerning British members of the aircraft which recently landed there and was held by that Government; and what information he has of the conditions of these British subjects and of when they are likely to be brought to trial.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsNone.
There has been no change in the conditions under which the prisoners are detained since the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 10th May, except in the following respect.
Mr. Wicks and Mr. Deegan were released on bail on 19th April and have since returned to the United Kingdom. They are not required to return to Lomé for the trial, having given their lawyer in Lomé powers to represent them.
The trial began on 29th May and will resume on 5th June. The prisoners' lawyer sought provisional liberty for them without payment of bail but this was refused. I am advised that if the two remaining British prisoners can find the sum required as bail, they can obtain their release and return to this country in the near future.
The Vice-Consul in Lomé is in regular communication with the prisoners.