---

Binyam Mohamed

My Lords, the most recent direct contact at the political level was this week between the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State. There is no lack of understanding at the highest reaches of the new Administration of this case and the issues that it raises. Again, however, the decision must rest with the new Administration on whether it chooses that it is in the American public interest to make that information available. We cannot breach the third-country rule and make that decision for them. On the issues of concern about the withheld information, I really do not think that it is appropriate for me to comment. I hope that noble Lords will understand why.