§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will seek to obtain a transcript of the "Face the Facts" programme on BBC Radio 4 of 7 January regarding the death of Gary Maher and the near fatal injuries to his sister Sheree; if he will now make representations to the Spanish Government for the reopening of the inquiries into this case; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will outline the assistance given by Her Majesty's Government to the Maher family following the death of Gary Maher in Tenerife in February 1985, itemising those letters and telexes sent to the Spanish authorities regarding this case.
§ Mr. EggarA transcript of the programme has been made. Successive Governments have followed a policy whereby representations to another Government are considered only if all legal procedures available have been used and there appears to have been a miscarriage of justice. It appears that all legal avenues have not yet been exhausted in this case.
The consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has offered all proper assistance to the Maher family, including an offer of discussions with officials, and will continue to inform them and my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) of any developments; consular officials remain ready to discuss the case with the Maher family.