Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Thank you for your letter of 9 February.[1]
In answer to your question about the alleged
detention and maltreatment of Pakistanis in Greece last year,
I can confirm that no British Official was present at their alleged
detention.
On rendition, the focus of questioning, and
therefore of our answers, last year were the allegations of "extraordinary
rendition" via the UK over the previous four years. When
we extended our research further back in time, we found the 1998
cases, about which I then informed Parliament. I have kept Parliament
updated as information became available to me, and I will continue
to do so. I have also responded to new questions as best I could
when they have been put to me. William Hague's question about
discussions between US authorities and UK officials about rendition
via the UK was such an example. You will recall that I placed
a copy of my reply in the Library of the House, and referred to
this in my Written Ministerial Statement.
You say you do not accept what I have said about
the role of the Intelligence and Security Committee. But there
is some information which cannot be made public and which Parliament
has decided, by passing the Intelligence Services Act, is a matter
for the Intelligence and Security Committee. The ISC is a committee
of Parliamentarians, and does a very effective job of holding
the Agencies and responsible Ministers to account. The information
you have sought about Benyam al-Habashi falls into this category.
I look forward to seeing you on 15 March.
Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
27 February 2006
1 See Foreign Affairs Committee, Human Rights Annual
Report 2005, First Report of Session 2005-06, HC 574, Ev 75. Back
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