asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are experiencing delays in securing the return of former British residents detained at Guantanamo Bay; and, if so, what are the reasons for such a delay. [HL962]

In August this year, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to US Secretary of State Rice to request the release and return of five men, who while not British nationals, had close links to the UK having been lawfully resident here prior to their detention in Guantanamo Bay. Three of these men, Mr Sameur, Mr El Banna and Mr Deghayes, returned to the UK on the evening of 19 December 2007.

The US has so far declined to agree the request for the release and return of a fourth man, Mr Aamer, and we are no longer in active discussions regarding his transfer to the UK. We are still discussing with the US the case of a fifth man, Mr Mohammed, although again the US Government are not inclined to agree to his release and return because of security concerns.