§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the British captives held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were last visited by:
whether they consider that the British captives are allowed sufficient time and space for exercise. [HL3463]
- (a) British representatives; and
- (b) the International Committee of the Red Cross; and
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanBritish officials last visited Guantanamo Bay from 21 to 28 April and saw each of the British detainees during that period. The International Committee of the Red Cross has access to the detainees on request. The British detainees have twice-weekly exercise periods outside and are also allowed to exercise in their cells and communal areas. We do not consider this to be sufficient and have raised this issue with the US authorities.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many British citizens, or former residents, are still held captive at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; whether any have been released or have received release or trial dates; what information they have received from the United States Government about 58WA the reasons for releasing 41 captives since January 2002; and, if none, whether they will ask for the reasons. [HL3462]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere are nine British nationals currently detained at Guantanamo Bay. We do not have any standing as regards those who are not British nationals, even if they were once resident in the UK.
The United States authorities have not yet made a decision to charge or release any of the British detainees. We are pressing the United States authorities to come to a conclusion on the detainees' future.
None of those who have already been released from Guantanamo Bay were British nationals. The US Government have said that the detainees were released because they did not pose a threat to US security.