§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
How British Embassies in the European Union can perform their consular functions in relation to United Kingdom citizens held in gaol when they have no centrally held information about the reasons why those citizens are being held. [HL5006]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanConsular staff in European Union countries provide a consistent level of consular assistance to all British nationals who have been detained and have requested consular assistance, irrespective of the reason for their detention.
Specifically, consular staff can give information on the local legal system and help detainees obtain a lawyer and receive money from family and friends. Our primary concern is to ensure the welfare of all British nationals detained abroad and our consular staff will take up any appropriate complaints or other serious difficulties with the local prison authorities.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 16 October (WA 133) that information about British citizens in European Union gaols can only be obtained at disproportionate cost, whether she will give a limited and less expensive Answer and update the table given on 6 June by specifying how many of those listed were subsequently released without standing trial. [HL5007]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanI am writing to the noble Lord to explain that we do not maintain real time statistics on British prisoners held overseas, and that to update the Answer I gave on 6 June would be a significant burden on consular resources.