§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in seeking the release of Mr. Peter Bleach from prison in India; and if he will make a statement. [126233]
§ Mr. MullinThe Indian Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, visited the UK in June. He called on my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary during his visit. Mr. Bleach's case was raised at both meetings.
Mr. Advani undertook to take a fresh look at Mr. Bleach's case when he returned to India. Our High Commissioner in New Delhi called on the Indian Home Secretary on 4 July 2003. The Indian Home Secretary told the High Commissioner that his Ministry were preparing and submitting papers on Mr. Bleach's case to Deputy-Prime Minister Advani's office. We continue to monitor developments and are in close contact with Mr. Bleach.