HC Deb 20 February 1987 vol 110 cc874-5W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protests were made about the illegal detention of Mr. C. Bennet in Zambia; and how often he was visited by consular officials.

Mr. Eggar

Mr. Bennet was detained on 13 December 1986. He was unfortunate enough to have been the innocent travelling companion of a man who has since pleaded guilty to having explosives and a timing device in his vehicle.

His arrest was in accordance with Zambian law. It would not therefore have been appropriate for a protest claiming illegal arrest to have been made. Mr. Bennet was visited on 19, 23 and 30 December by a consular official. He was released on 2 January.