HC Deb 10 July 2003 vol 408 c959W
Mr. Cash

To ask the Solicitor-General what role the Attorney-General has in ensuring that the UK nationals detained in Guantanamo Bay receive a fair trial; and if he will exercise extradition rights in relation to the UK nationals held at Guantanamo Bay. [124822]

The Solicitor-General

The Attorney-General has been involved in discussions within Government about the position of UK nationals detained in Guantanamo Bay. He has also raised the matter with those responsible in the United States Administration, to express the Government's profound concern that if the UK detainees are to be tried they should have a fair trial with all proper safeguards, and to make plain the Government's opposition to the imposition of the death penalty.

Requests for the extradition of persons from other jurisdictions are made under the Crown prerogative, where a person stands accused or convicted of an extradition crime, and it would be in the public interest to do so. It is not the practice or policy of the Government to comment on whether an extradition request may be made in any individual case.

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