Guantanamo Bay: Detainees

Mr. Tyrie
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on his request for the release of Shaker Aamer, Jamil El Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohamed and Abdennour Sameur from Guantanamo Bay; what assessment he has made of the likelihood of their release; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Howells
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on 7 August to request the release from Guantanamo Bay and return to the UK of five men (Shaker Aamer, Jamil El Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohamed and Abdennour Sameur) who, while not British nationals, were legally resident here prior to their detention.

Discussions with the US Administration are ongoing and are confidential between our Governments. While we continue to give the matter due priority, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful.