§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is making representations to ensure that Mr. George Atkinson will be released from custody in Dubai on or before 1 September 2003; [117478]
(2) whether he has sought assurances from the Government of Dubai that Mr. George Atkinson will be deported to the United Kingdom when he is released; [117479]
(3) pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2003, Official Report, column 370W, whether he expects Mr. George Atkinson will be released from custody in Dubai on 1 September 2003. [117964]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe UAE courts sentenced George Atkinson to six years imprisonment for financial crimes and payment of fines and compensation totalling approximately £1,560,000. George Atkinson is currently serving an additional six-month sentence for non-payment of fines. The Dubai Ruler's Court has informed George Atkinson's lawyers that he can expect to be released at the end of this period on 1 September 2003. The original judgement also indicated that Mr. Atkinson will be deported from the UAE on completion of the sentence.