HL Deb 22 February 2005 vol 669 cc53-4WS
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

During the course of his Statement of 11 January to the other place(Official Report, cols. 173–186) on the release of British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Jack Straw). said that there were no other British citizens detained in Guantanamo Bay. He also stated that he knew of no other citizens detained in similar circumstances elsewhere. That statement was clear and remains accurate.

I would however like to bring to the attention of the House the cases of two British nationals being held as security internees by the coalition forces in Iraq. One is a British national being held by US forces at Camp Bucca, the other is a dual. British/Iraqi national and is being held at Shaibah by UK forces.

Both men are being held as security internees in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 (2004). The International Committee of the Red Cross has access to both detention facilities and family visits are also permitted. Both internees' cases are reviewed regularly by the appropriate authorities.