§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why bail was originally refused to Mr. Lorrain Esmé Osman, now aged 58, and what is the present justification for holding him in prison after three and a half years in custody without trial.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Mr. Osman's case remains unresolved because of the complexity of the matters with which the court had to deal in considering the application for his extradition, and the succession of appeals which Mr. Osman himself has made. The Home Secretary cannot surrender him to the Hong Kong authorities so long as proceedings on an appeal are pending. Question of bail and the timing of proceedings are matters for the court.