HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 cc421-2W
Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements were made by the consular staff in Cuba to facilitate payment for private legal assistance to Rachel McGee prior to her trial there in September 1999. [131908]

Mr. Hain

[holding answer 21 July 2000]On 18 March 1999 Consular Division in London contacted Ms McGee's mother, Mrs. Griffen, about the cost of private legal assistance for Rachel. This was estimated by Bufete Internacional, the Cuban law firm that is allowed to represent foreign nationals, to be a minimum of US$2000.

Mrs. Griffen deposited US$2000 with Consular Division on 6 April 1999. The money was made available to our Embassy in Cuba on the same day.

On 23 April 1999 Consular Division told Mrs. Griffen that the costs of the lawyer was now estimated by Bufete Internacional to be US$5000. Mrs. Griffen decided she could not afford that amount.

Mrs. Griffen asked our consular staff in Cuba to use the money deposited with them to fund her visit to Cuba.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance for the payment of private legal assistance consular staff in Cuba offered to Rachel McGee prior to her trial there in September 1999. [131909]

Mr. Hain

[holding answer 21 July 2000]None. There is no provision for public funds for legal assistance for British Nationals overseas.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British consular staff in Cuba were acting on the understanding that Rachel McGee had waived her right(a) to give evidence and (b) for a lawyer to represent her, at her trial there in September 1999. [131910]

Mr. Hain

[holding answer 21 July 2000]The information is as follows:

  1. (a) No.
  2. (b) No.

The Consul met with Rachel at court prior to the trial. Up to then she had not said that she did not want to give evidence nor had she indicated that she did not want a lawyer to represent her.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times lawyers from the law firm that is allowed to represent foreign nationals in Cuba(a) met Rachel McGee prior to her trial in Cuba in September 1999 and (b) discussed the case with her during or after her trial. [131911]

Mr. Hain

[holding answer 21 July 2000]The information is as follows:

  1. (a) Rachel McGee has stated that she did not see her lawyer prior to her trial.
  2. (b) Rachel said she did not discuss the case with her lawyer during the trial and that she has not seen her lawyer since the trial.