§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) further to his answer of 21 November, Official Report, column 381–2, what subsequent representation he has made to, or what dealings he has had with, Spanish authorities concerning the shooting by the Spanish police of Mr. J. Rajiah, the late constituent of the hon. Member for Basingstoke;
(2) what information has been received by the British embassy in Madrid about the availability and willingness of Spanish witnesses to the shooting of Mr. J. Rajiah, the late constituent of the hon. Member for Basingstoke. to attend the inquest in the United Kingdom;
(3) if he will make immediate representations to Spanish authorities requesting that Spanish witnesses to the shooting of Mr. J. Rajiah, the late constituent of the hon. Member for Basingstoke, and other Spanish people whose testimony may be relevant, be encouraged to attend the inquest due to be held in the United Kingdom towards the end of February.
§ Mr. EggarMr. Rajiah was a Sri Lankan citizen. Our initial action in expressing concern to the Spanish authorities was taken in the interests of speed (as Sri Lanka is not represented in Madrid).
The matter is before the High Court in Seville; and Her Majesty's Consul in Seville will be seeing its president next week to ask whether he can agree to our request for a copy of the police report, and other documents. Any further approaches to the Spanish authorities should be taken by the Sri Lankans.
The attendance at an inquest in this country is entirely a matter for the coroner. Even if Mr. Rajiah had been a British national, it would not be appropriate to make representations to the Spanish authorities about the attendance of witnesses. This would be a matter for the Spanish legal representative appointed to represent the interests of the Rajiah family.
No information has been received about the attendance of witnesses.