New Writ (Brecon and Radnor)

Part of Prayers – in the House of Commons at 10:39 am on 7 June 1985.

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Photo of Mr Max Madden Mr Max Madden , Bradford West 10:39, 7 June 1985

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You and the House will recollect that the Home Secretary confirmed yesterday that a young Tamil had been returned to Sri Lanka by mistake. The Home Secretary said: The high commission in Colombo has been asked to contact the person in question".—[Official Report, 6 June 1985; Vol. 80, c. 435.] I understand that the Home Office has received telegrams overnight from the high commission in Colombo confirming that the young man has been located.

I have two questions. May I urge the Home Office to make a statement to confirm the facts and what the Home Secretary said yesterday about ordering an urgent and thorough investigation? We need to know the outcome of any such investigation. Secondly, as Speaker and the honorary president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, will you consider contacting the Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament to see whether he will reinforce the assurances given by the President of Sri Lanka that no Tamil seeking entry to this country need have any fear for his well-being?