HC Deb 03 August 1978 vol 955 c557W
Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist to help the relatives and friends of British subjects who are murdered in foreign countries with which the United Kingdom has normal diplomatic relations, in cases where the murdered person died while engaged in a normal professional pursuit, if the relatives believe there to have been a miscarriage of justice and wish to pursue the matter further; and if he is satisfied with their effectiveness in the light of the case of Miss Ann Chapman who was killed in Athens in 1971.

Mr. Judd

British consular officers abroad and consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide general assistance and advice to the relatives and friends of any British national who dies outside this country whatever the circumstances. Diplomatic Service officers are not, however, qualified to give legal advice. Anyone requiring to become involved in legal processes following a death may obtain from the consulate a list of the names and addresses of local English-speaking lawyers.

In the case of Miss Chapman I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave him and my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee) on 31st July.

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