HC Deb 17 January 2002 vol 378 cc413-4W
Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he has been informed by the Government of Pakistan(a) on what charges and (b) in which prison James A. McLintock is being held; [28123]

(2) if (a) he and (b) the UK High Commission in Pakistan has requested that James A. McLintock receive legal representation; [28122]

(3) on what date the UK High Commission in Islamabad first requested information from the Government of Pakistan on the case of James A. McLintock; [28120]

(4) what information has been received from the Government of Pakistan on the case of James A. McLintock; [28125]

(5) when (a) he last contacted and (b) were his most recent discussions with the Government of Pakistan on the case of James A. McLintock; and what was the outcome of these discussions; [28121]

(6) on what date representatives from the UK High Commission in Islamabad were first allowed consular access to James A. McLintock; and on how many occasions representatives have been granted such access; [28124]

(7) what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan on the case of James A. McLintock; [28119]

Mr. Bradshaw

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not been in contact with the Pakistani authorities about this case.

Staff at the British High Commission in Islamabad first sought information about a detained British national, later identified as James A. McLintock, on 21 December 2001. British officials saw Mr. McLintock on 4 and 5 January 2002. Confirmation of his health and welfare was made and this information was relayed to his family by FCO staff in London on 9 January. Access to Mr. McLintock was given again on 16 January 2002 and more information was passed to his family. Mr. McLintock is being held in Islamabad and has not been charged. Our staff have not requested legal representation, but instead have advised the Pakistanis that if Mr. McLintock is charged he must have legal representation. We continue to be in consultation with the Pakistani authorities about Mr. McLintock's situation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary would, of course, be happy to see the hon. Member about this case if that would be helpful.

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