HC Deb 05 February 1986 vol 91 c176W
48. Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of South Africa on behalf of Mr. Oscar Mpetha, a trade unionist, who commenced a five-year jail term in August 1985.

Mrs. Chalker

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) told the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs) on 16 July 1985 there are strong humanitarian grounds for intervention in Mr. Mpetha's case. We therefore instructed Her Majesty's ambassador in South Africa to appeal to the authorities to exercise clemency. This was done on 11 June 1985 and again on 27 September 1985.