HC Deb 13 July 1977 vol 935 cc192-3W
32. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he intends to make to the Somali Government about the actions of the Somali authorities after the accidental stranding of a pleasure craft on a sandbank off the Somali coast last November; whether he will draw their attention to the practice of other nations in such circumstances; and why he thought it appropriate to convey to them the gratitude or Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Rowlands

We will be asking the Somali Government to investigate the alleged ill treatment of a United Kingdom national who was a crew member of the yacht Julie II which went aground off the Somali coast in November last.

As regards grounding, there is no formal international practice to which we could draw attention.

We indicated at the time of the United Kingdom national's release that we were relieved at the Somali President's intervention, but no formal message of thanks was sent, and this would clearly have been inappropriate.