§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following the medical report on General Pinochet's fitness to stand trial, what steps the Home Secretary is taking to monitor the health of General Pinochet. [HL1061]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary ensured that he was fully informed about the state of Senator Pinochet's health in general and his fitness to stand trial in particular by commissioning a medical report on him. Any further relevant representations to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on this matter will be taken into account as appropriate before he reaches a decision on the implications of Senator Pinochet's health for the current extradition process.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it would in any circumstances be open to the Home Secretary to allow General Pinochet to return to Chile, even before the legal processes are completed. [HL1062]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonSenator Pinochet was committed by the Magistrate on 8 October 1999 to await my right honourable friend the Home Secretary's decision as to his extradition to Spain. In those circumstances, although my right honourable friend the Home Secretary could not make an order for Senator Pinochet's extradition to Spain, it would be open to him in appropriate circumstances to decide that he will not make such an order.