§ Lord Kilbrackenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why Mr. Patrick Hannon was arrested without charge in East Beirut on 4th March and extradited in handcuffs to Cyprus and hence to Britain; what part in this was played by the British Embassy East Beirut apart from paying £ 1,218–81 in respect of sea and air tickets for him and his escorts; and whether they feel it justifiable to retain his confiscated passport unless he pays them that sum, bearing in mind that he held a valid Beirut-London air ticket.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)Mr. Hannon was not formally arrested nor, to our knowledge, handcuffed in East Beirut.
HM Ambassador in Lebanon believed that, given his declared purpose, Mr. Hannon was endangering his own life by entering West Beirut. The Lebanese authorities were informed. They revoked Mr. Hannon's visa and deported him to Cyprus by ferry, the safest route. Hence his air ticket could not be used. Accordingly, High Commission staff in Nicosia purchased tickets for his return to London.
It is normal practice to retain passports until such costs are repaid.