§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases have been brought to his attention of British citizens being held in French prisons and refused parole due to imposition of customs fines.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydTwo since 1991. But there are 213 British citizens detained in France of whom 93 are serving sentences for drugs offences. Some three quarters of these are known to have customs fines. The exact number of those serving time in prison for non-payment of customs fines is not known, but we believe there are at least 13.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is given to British citizens who are detained in French prisons and to their families in regard to the imposition of customs fines and imprisonment for non-payment.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydInformation on the French system of customs fines is included in the leaflet "Detainees in France" sent in advance of the first consular visit to each detainee. If a person is convicted and a customs fine imposed he or she is told of the possibility of negotiating a reduction of the fine and that the organisation Prisoners Abroad may be able to help in gathering together the necessary documents.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the French authorities about the imposition of customs fines on British citizens imprisoned in France.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNone. The imposition of customs fines is a matter for the French authorities alone. The fines are applicable to all nationalities including French.