§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens, or the relations of British citizens, have complained to his Department on the grounds that they have been tortured while abroad since 1976.
§ Mr. EggarSpecific complaints of torture have been received in respect of one British citizen in the last three years. We raised the allegation with the authorities concerned but they have denied them. Information on allegations of torture made between 1976 and 1982 is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the European convention for prevention of torture.
§ Mr. EggarThe text of the draft European convention on torture is currently being discussed in Strasbourg by a committee of experts on which the United Kingdom is represented. Our aim is to reach agreement on a convention that can be signed and ratified by all members of the Council of Europe.