Written question asked by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 November 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What action Her Majesty's Government took to help secure the release of James Mawdesley from imprisonment in Burma. (Failed OPQ) - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government took to help secure the release of James Mawdesley from imprisonment in Burma. [135186] Mr. Battle: From the moment of his arrest, we gave James every consular assistance: we visited him 14 times and sent 64 diplomatic notes. We began calling for his release after he was beaten by prison guards in October. Immediately following the UN Working Group's decision on 10 October that James was being held arbitrarily, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary demanded James' release. Baroness Scotland repeated this demand when she summoned the Burmese Ambassador the next day. Our Ambassador in Rangoon also made representations. The Burmese Ambassador came to inform me on 16 October that James was being released.

Secondary information