Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on a likely release date for Billy Irving and his 34 colleagues from the anti-piracy ship held in India since October 2013.
Answered by Lord Swire
We continue to follow the case of Mr Irving and his colleagues extremely closely. The men are currently on release in India while their case is considered by the Indian judicial system. The Supreme Court will consider it in February, but we cannot predict when this will conclude. We recognise how difficult this is for the men and their families and have repeatedly called on the Indian authorities for a speedy resolution to the case to allow the men to be reunited with their families. We will continue to use all appropriate opportunities to do so.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to Tanzania and Dubai to prevent the expropriation of traditional Masai land in Tanzania for a big game hunting reserve for the Royal Family of Dubai.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are aware of media reports about expropriation of Maasai land in Tanzania for a hunting reserve for the Royal Family of Dubai. In a press conference on 20 November, the Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism refuted the claims as inaccurate. The British High Commission and Department for International Development in Tanzania regularly raise land issues with the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the High Commission in India (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide to Billy Irving.
Answered by Lord Swire
We continue to follow Mr Irving's case closely. I have personally raised it at the highest level with the Indian authorities, most recently with Indian Minister of State, General VK Singh, as have other Ministers. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Whitney (Mr Cameron) did so last year and the Deputy Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Hallam (Mr Clegg) discussed it with Prime Minister Modi when they met in August. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymeade and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) also raised the case with the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj in October. Our High Commissioner continues to raise it regularly with the Indian authorities.
I have met Mr Irving’s family and therefore appreciate how difficult the last year has been for both him and them. Consular officials have consistently sought to provide assistance to him and the other British nationals involved, as well as their families in the UK. This support included fortnightly visits when they were in prison and liaison with the prison authorities, including the Director General of Prisons for Tamil Nadu, on any welfare concerns. We have also regularly pressed the men’s company, AdvanFort, to honour their commitments to pay the men, provide legal representation and fund their living costs while the legal proceedings continue.
We are currently awaiting the outcome of the Supreme Court Appeal hearing and will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance. We will also continue to raise the case with the Indian authorities at all levels.