HC Deb 10 February 1999 vol 325 cc291-3W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby, who are imprisoned in Venezuela, in the last three months. [70001]

Mr. Fatchett

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, received a letter from my hon. Friend in December 1998 about his constituent James Miles. My noble Friend replied on 5 January 1999.

Officials in the Consular Division of the FCO are in regular contact by telephone and letter with James Miles' and Paul Losebys' parents.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) the British Ambassador to Venezuela and (b) a representative from the British Embassy last visited Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby. [700021]

Mr. Fatchett

The British Ambassador to Venezuela has not visited James Miles and Paul Loseby. UK based Consular staff visit James Miles and Paul Loseby at least every quarter and last did so on 2 February, when James Miles declined to see the UK-based member of staff. Other consular staff visit more frequently and have seen both on numerous occasions.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of(a) the conditions in which Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby are being held and (b) their medical and dental situation. [70003]

Mr. Fatchett

Consular staff at our posts overseas monitor prison conditions to satisfy themselves that British prisoners are not discriminated against, that their basic human rights are met, and that illnesses are treated.

Consular staff have interceded with the Venezuelan authorities whenever James Miles or Paul Loseby have requested medical or dental treatment.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings representatives of the British Embassy in Caracas have had with Venezuelan Government officials in respect of Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby. [70004]

Mr. Fatchett

Consular staff at the British Embassy in Caracas meet regularly with Venezuelan officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Prisons to discuss consular aspects of their imprisonment. The most recent meeting was on 3 February 1999 between the Vice Consul and an official from the Prisons Directorate at the Ministry of Justice.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the inauguration of the new Venezuelan President on the case of Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby. [70005]

Mr. Fatchett

The new President of Venezuela was inaugurated on 2 February. It is too early to say what, if any, policies might be introduced which will affect foreign prisoners.

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