HC Deb 20 December 2000 vol 360 cc201-2W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British representations there has been at the recent legal action in Chile against Augusto Pinochet Ugarte. [143396]

Mr. Battle

None. It would not be appropriate for us to be represented at legal proceedings against Senator Pinochet in Chile, which are a matter for the Chilean courts. President Lagos has frequently emphasised the independence of the Chilean courts to administer justice in Chile. We welcome this.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those documents held by his Department concerning United Kingdom relations with Chile from 1970 to 1990; how many of these have been made public; and what plans he has to publish the remainder. [143400]

Mr. Battle

It is not possible to provide a fully comprehensive list of documents without incurring disproportionate costs. Release of official files by Her Majesty's Government is governed by the Public Records Acts of 1958 and 1967; files are not normally released until they are thirty years old. Accordingly files on UK-Chilean relations in 1970 will be available at the Public Record Office from 2 January 2001 in class FCO 7.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held by staff of the British Embassy in Santiago with(a) human rights groups, (b) lawyers and (c) the Pinochet Foundation since October 1998. [143401]

Mr. Battle

In the course of their normal work, staff of Her Majesty's Embassy in Santiago have had regular contacts with a wide range of organisations since October 1998.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Chile concerning the deaths of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward; and if he will make a statement. [143397]

Mr. Battle

The Government have made numerous representations to the Government of Chile, both through ministerial contacts and staff at HM Embassy in Santiago, concerning the deaths of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward. The events surrounding their deaths were investigated by the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, and their conclusions are set out in the resulting Rettig Report. No new information about these deaths has come to light as a result of our representations.