HL Deb 06 June 2003 vol 648 cc199-200WA
Lord Goodhart

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British citizens have been released from detention at Guantanamo Bay. [HL3067]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

None. We have been pressing the US to move forward with the process of determining the future of the British detainees. We shall continue to do so.

Lord Goodhart

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that the continued detention of British citizens at Guantanamo Bay is lawful, and if so, on what basis. [HL3068]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

The question of the legal status of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay under international law is complex and has to be considered in the light of the facts relating to each individual detainee.

We believe that, whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment, and, if prosecuted, a fair trial. The United States has told us it will treat the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva conventions. We have been pressing the US to move forward with the process of determining the future of the British detainees.

Lord Goodhard

asked Majesty's Government:

If they are not satisfied that the continued detention of any of the British citizens detained at Guantanamo Bay is lawful, what action they are taking to obtain their release. [HL3069]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him today (HL3068)

We remain in regular contact with the United States, at both ministerial and official level, about the situation of the detainees. We have been pressing the US to move forward with the process of determining the future of the British detainees. We shall continue to do so.