HC Deb 05 July 1984 vol 63 cc295-6W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there have been intergovernmental communications between Oman and the United Kingdom on the subject of Mr. Robin Walsh.

Mr. Luce

Yes.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the holding of Mr. Robin Walsh in Rumacs prison or other prisons in Oman has been communicated to the British Government.

Mr. Luce

Yes.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British embassy in Oman has at any time been aware of the whereabouts of Mr. Robin Walsh.

Mr. Luce

Yes. Mr. Walsh never registered with the embassy, but he did apply for renewal of his passport in 1980 and embassy officials were aware of his presence in Muscat.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government intend to carry out inquiries into the treatment of Mr. Robin Walsh by the Omani prison service.

Mr. Luce

No. We are aware of the circumstances of Mr. Walsh's detention, and have no reason to believe that his treatment while in detention differed from normal Omani practice.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the employment notified to Her Majesty's Government of Mr. Robin Walsh in Oman.

Mr. Luce

There is no obligation on British civilians to notify us of their employment overseas, nor on other Governments to notify us when they employ British civilians on contracts.