HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 cc1108-9W
Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Attorney-General on sending Crown Prosecutors to Guantanamo Bay to consider what charges might be brought against the British detainees. [144838]

Mr. Mullin

None. Any prosecution of the detainees in the UK would be a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency arrangements have been made for the transport of British detainees in Guantanamo Bay to the United Kingdom to stand trial. [144839]

Mr. Mullin

None. Discussions between the Government and the US Administration on the position of all the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay continue. We have discussed, and are discussing, a range of options with the US, including the possibility of repatriation. The question of whether there will be a prosecution in the UK is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the cases of the British prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. [144331]

Mr. Mullin

Discussions between the Government and the US administration on the position of all the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay continue. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said during Prime Minister's questions on 22 October (Official Report, Columns 632–633), " … there are two alternatives: either sufficient undertakings will be given about the form of trial that the detainees will have under a military commission, or they will be returned to the United Kingdom". We hope to resolve the situation soon.

Forward to