§ 24. Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of Mr. Robert Maxwell's two years' detention without trial, he is satisfied that Her Majesty's Government are able to extend adequate protection to British subjects living and working in Middle East States.
§ Mr. HurdWe do what we can to ensure that a British person who is detained is aware of his rights; is legally represented; is detained in conformity with civilised standards; and is brought to trial as soon as possible. As the case of Mr. Maxwell illustrates, we do not always succeed in these efforts. Many thousands of British subjects live and work in the Middle East and North Africa without difficulty, but it is essential that anyone doing so should realise that, in case of trouble, it will be local not British laws and standards of justice which will prevail.