§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 8 April (WA 19), whether they have asked the United States authorities to give the Government access to all the facts of the nine individual cases of the British subjects held at Guantanamo Bay, which are necessary to determine their status; and, if not, why not. [HL3798]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe assessment of the status of the detainees is a matter for the US, as 75WA the detaining power. We have, however, discussed the detainees' status with the US authorities. They have told us that they do not consider any of the British detainees to be entitled to prisoner of war status. The US authorities have assured us that the detainees are being treated humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Conventions.
Whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment and if prosecuted, a fair trial.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 28 April (WA 61), what is the current response of the United States authorities to the Government's continuing pressure on them to make decisions on the future of the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay; and for how long the Government are prepared to tolerate their detention without trial. [HL3799]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanI refer the noble Lord to the Statement I made on 7 July (Official Report, col. 27).
We continue to press the US to resolve the position of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
§ Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in their view, the national security of either the United States or the United Kingdom would be put at risk if the nine British subjects held at Guantanamo Bay were now to be transferred to United Kingdom custody. [HL3800]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe understand that the United States authorities have not made a decision to transfer any of the British nationals held at Guantanamo Bay to the UK. The impact on US and UK security would be taken into account by the Government in their approach to any potential transfer of the detainees to the UK.