§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give particulars of British nationals holding United Kingdom passports, now in custody in Rhodesia, specifying which are under trial and which are not; what arrangements are made for consular access to such prisoners; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoleyI am unable to say how many British subjects or citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (it is not clear to me which category the hon. Member intends) are in custody in Southern Rhodesia or how many of those in custody hold United Kingdom passports. Since the usurpation of lawful authority in Southern Rhodesia we have been unable to extend any effective form of protection, and even before the illegal declaration of independence we should not have been in a position to do so in respect of those who were simultaneously Rhodesian citizens.