HL Deb 05 April 2004 vol 659 cc188-9WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 6 October 2003 (WA 23) and 22 March 2004 (WA 76):

  1. (a) what representations they have received from constituency Members of Parliament concerning five former British residents held as prisoners at Guantanamo Bay;
  2. (b) what are the names of the men in question;
  3. (c) where they were arrested;
  4. (d) whether the five men had refugee status or indefinite or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom;
  5. (e) whether the men are British protected persons under the British Nationality Act 1981 or subsequent legislation; and
  6. (f) why Her Majesty's Government appear to have taken no steps to visit the men or to protect their interests. [HL2145]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

In accordance with our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, we are not in a position to give details requested in parts (a) to (d) of the question. I am withholding this information under exemptions 12 and 15 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

We have received no indication from their families or lawyers that any of the British residents detained at Guantanamo Bay are British nationals or have the status of British protected persons. The Government are therefore not in a position to provide them with consular or diplomatic assistance

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