§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was first informed of the arrest of the Britons related to bombing incidents in Saudi Arabia; and when he and officials in his Department made representations to the Saudi Government on behalf of the accused. [53916]
§ Mr. StrawThe five British nationals accused of involvement in bombings in Saudi Arabia were arrested on separate occasions between 17 December 2000 and 8 June 2001. FCO officials learned of each arrest shortly after it had happened.
Ministers and FCO officials have made repeated representations on these cases from the outset. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made representations on numerous occasions directly with the Saudis. We will continue to do all we can for the detainees.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was informed of the sentences passed on the Britons accused of the bombing campaign in Saudi Arabia; and what sentences were passed against each of the accused. [53917]
§ Mr. StrawThe Saudi authorities have not informed us that sentences have been passed on the five British nationals accused of involvement in the bombings. We cannot release details of individual consular cases and the men have a right to confidentiality.