§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Government of Malawi about the circumstances in which Orton and Vera Chirwa are detained, with particular reference to the reported renewed use of leg irons on Mr. Chirwa; the lack of medical care afforded to both of them; the quality of food they are given, and the denial of family visits; and whet her they will consider a token reduction of Britain's aid to Malawi, pending an improvement in a e treatment of the Chirwas.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)We have asked our High Commissioner in Lilongwe to raise this matter with the Malawian authorities. We have already cut our programme aid to Malawi this year from £10 million to £5 million because of lack of progress on human rights and good government. The Malawi Government is aware that we will place increasing emphasis on adherence to these principles in determining future aid levels.
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