Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Prime Minister, whether she received assurances during her recent visit to India of assistance from the Indian government to secure an early return to the UK for the six men imprisoned following seizure of the Seaman Guard Ohio.

I raised the case with Prime Minster Modi during my visit to India, making clear the importance of seeing progress. We have now raised it with the Indian government over 40 times at Ministerial level, although we cannot interfere in the legal system of another country.

There is an appeal against the verdict and the matter is scheduled to be heard on 21 November.

In the meantime, we will continue to focus on the welfare of the six men and providing support to their families.