§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an exception to the next-of-kin rule to facilitate the attendance of Mr. Terry Jeans at the trial in Croatia of the people alleged to have murdered his son. [133732]
§ Mr. CaplinIn July 2002 public funds were exceptionally made available to enable Mr. Jeans to be present at the trial of those accused of killing his son. It was made clear to Mr. Jeans at that time that this action constituted a one-off payment for a final trip to Croatia which in no way constituted a precedent. It was also made clear to Mr. Jeans that the Ministry of Defence could not envisage making any further public funds available to support him. This remains the position.