§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that no action will be taken to deport Viraj Mendis before his Department replies to solicitors' letters dated 21 and 30 December 1988 concerning the changed situation in Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if there is intention to take any 749W action against Mr. Viraj Mendis in Manchester before all domestic legal remedies have been applied; and if he will make a statement:
(2) if it is his intention to reply to the two letters from Mr. Viraj Mendis concerning the situation in Sri Lanka, dated 21 and 30 December 1988 respectively, before any action is taken against him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonThe decision to deport Mr. Mendis has been reviewed and endorsed by the independent appellate authorities, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal. His petition for leave to move to the House of Lords has also been rejected. On 28 December, the court rejected a subsequent application for judicial review of my right hon. Friend's refusal to give assurances to his solicitors, first, that no steps would be taken to remove Mr. Mendis pending a substantive response to their representations and, secondly, that no steps would be taken to remove him for at least 48 hours following notification of the response.
We are further considering the representations received from Mr. Mendis' solicitors.