HC Deb 16 November 1983 vol 48 c458W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Billericay on 3 November, Official Report, c. 447, if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the five British citizens and one British subject who are presently detained by the authorities without trial in the Republic of Zimbabwe; what information he has as to the specific grounds on which each has been detained; what response has so far been forthcoming from the Zimbabwe Government following representations by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement on the position of the one mono-British citizen.

Mr. Rifkind

The six men detained under the emergency powers regulations are Philip Hartlebury—the only mono-British citizen — Colin Evans, Nigel Lewis-Walker, Barrington Lloyd, Neville Weir and John Cox.

The reasons given by the authorities in respect of Mr. Hartlebury and Mr. Evans are allegations of spying and, in respect of the other four, allegations of involvement in the sabotage at the Thornhill air base in July 1982.

The Zimbabwe Government have said that the review tribunal procedure is to be followed. They are well aware of our concern that the men should be released as soon as possible.

We understand that the review tribunal in respect of Mr. Hartlebury has not recommended his release. The tribunal procedure provides for a review every six months. When Mr. Hartlebury was last visited by a consular officer on 25 October he was reported to be fit and well.