§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the families of Stephen Miles and Paul Loseby, currently detained in Venezuela. [20156]
§ Dr. Liam FoxThe families of both men met Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on 26 November, and Mr. Miles's father met embassy officials in Caracas on 28 November. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in close contact with the families.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to secure the release of Stephen Miles and Paul Loseby, detained in Venezuela; what assessment he has made of the conditions in which they are detained; what representations he has(a) made and (b) received from the Venezuelan authorities on this matter, indicating the dates of all correspondence; and when he next expects to take measures to secure their release. [20189]
§ Dr. FoxThe release of James Miles and Paul Loseby is a matter for the Venezuelan authorities.
Following written representations by the British ambassador on 19 November 1996, the two men are being held in La Vega police cells, where conditions are better than in the prison where they would otherwise be held.
That was the last correspondence we have sent to the Venezuelan authorities, from whom we have received no representations.