§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Lord Privy Seal how many incidents have been reported to him of British citizens being the victims of violent attacks while travelling in Spain; how many of these incidents have led to successful prosecutions in Spanish courts; and whether he is satisfied that the Spanish authorities are able to provide adequate protection to British citizens visiting Spain.
§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins:Seventy-one, all tourists, out of some 3.5 million this year. We know of only two prosecutions: in one the defendant was discharged, the second case is still pending. We would normally only be notified of prosecutions when the assailant was also a United Kingdom citizen.
Where the incidence of assaults on United Kingdom citizens has caused concern in an area of Spain we have brought this to the attention of the Spanish authorities, whose interest in preventing attacks is clearly as deep as ours.