HC Deb 16 July 1990 vol 176 c417W
Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how long Brian Tristram has been in the Peruvian gaol San Pedro de Lurigancho without trial; whether it is possible to extradite him for trial in the United Kingdom; what is his current state of health; when British embassy staff last saw him in the gaol; and what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that proceedings in Peru against Brian Tristram are either expedited or discontinued.

Mr. Sainsbury

Mr. Tristram was arrested at Jorge Chavel airport, Lima on 6 December 1988, allegedly with a suitcase containing 772 grams of cocaine. On 27 December 1988 he was formally charged with illicit trafficking in drugs and remanded in custody to Lurigancho prison. His case has been submitted to the fifth Callao provincial court for trial. I am not aware that Mr. Tristram has committed any offence in the United Kingdom for which his extradition might be sought.

He was last seen by British consular officials on 22 June 1990. He was comparatively cheerful during that visit. He has no specific complaints about his health, other than that his epilepsy pills had earlier been stolen. They have since been replaced. The British embassy in Lima has made representations to the Peruvian authorities in an effort to have the case brought to trial.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the breakout recently from the maximum security prison, the Canto Grande, in Peru has had any effect upon the conditions in which Brian Tristram is held at San Pedro de Lurigancho gaol.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have consulted the British embassy at Lima, which has seen no evidence that conditions in Lurigancho prison have been affected by events at Canto Grande.

Forward to