§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the State of Georgia, USA, regarding the proposed execution of Tracey Housel; and if he will make a statement. [20855]
§ Mr. BradshawWe have taken and will take all the steps we properly can to ensure that Mr. Housel, a dual US/British national on death row in Georgia, USA, is not executed. The FCO is in close contact with Mr. Housel's legal team and the Georgia authorities are aware of our opposition to the death penalty.
Mr. Housel's final appeal is due to be heard by the US Supreme Court early next year. International law prevents us intervening in the judicial procedures of another sovereign state. However, if the court rejects Mr. Housel's appeal, we will immediately urge the Georgian authorities to commute his sentence to a term of imprisonment.
630W