§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if consular access has been granted and made to Mr. Krishna Maharaj in Florida. [11480]
§ Dr. Liam FoxOur consular staff became aware of Mr. Maharaj's situation in October 1988. He received his first consular visit on 3 January 1989. We have been in regular touch with him ever since.
§ Mr. BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad his Department estimates to have been(a) sentenced judicially to death and (b) executed in the past 10 years. [11476]
§ Mr. BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the reason for the replacement of the judge who initially presided in the Florida murder trial of Mr. Krishna Maharaj. [11478]
§ Dr. FoxThe first judge was removed from the trial in order to face bribery charges in an unrelated case.
§ Mr. BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad outside the EU have been provided with financial resources to defend themselves or to appeal against verdict or sentence in cases that could end with judicial execution in the past 10 years. [11477]
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§ Mr. BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legal options available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj; and how much time has been made available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj to present arguments to the Florida Supreme court for a new trial. [11479]
§ Dr. FoxMr. Maharaj is able to make use of the US post-conviction appeals process. His state appeal was heard in April 1996. The Florida Supreme court ruled in December 1996 that his case should be returned to the Miami court for an evidentiary hearing to decide whether or not he is entitled to a retrial.