Piracy Debate

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Department: Home Office
Monday 26th March 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, the simple fact is that, much as we deplore the payment of ransoms—Her Majesty's Government have made that clear for some time—they are not illegal as such. That is why, in answer to the supplementary question from the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, I made it clear that the Prime Minister has asked for work to be conducted in this field.

Earl of Sandwich Portrait The Earl of Sandwich
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My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that a heavy burden has fallen on the criminal court in Mombasa, in Kenya? To what extent are the Seychelles and Mauritius taking that burden from Kenya?

Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I think we are going slightly beyond the original Question, but the noble Earl raises an interesting point and I would prefer to write to him about that.