HL Deb 27 January 2000 vol 608 c205WA
Lord Alton of Liverpool

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made over the past month to the Burmese authorities about the continued imprisonment of Jame. Mawdsley; and what news they have of his ability to receive and send letters. [HL638]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The British Embassy secured a call or the Minister of Home Affairs for Mr David Mawdsley, James' father, to discuss James' case on 10 January. He was accompanied by HM Consul.

Only one in five of the letters that James has written has been cleared by the Burmese authorities. The Embassy has spoken to the prison authorities at each of its regular consular visits about this, and has now written formally to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest. It is awaiting a reply.

James has received over 150 letters and cards, which are shown to him by Embassy staff during consular visits. These are returned to him after they have been censored by the Burmese authorities.