PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has demanded the Government ensure a fair trial in US courts for four Britons held as alleged Taleban or al-Qaeda terrorists in the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba.

Following a recent American Supreme Court decision that US citizens should have recourse to the civil judicial system he urged Solicitor General Harriet Harman to get the same privilege for British detainees. Labour backbencher Mr Prentice asked her: "What recent discussions have you had with your counterparts in the United States concerning the fate of UK citizens held in Guantanamo Bay?

She replied: "The Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith last had discussions with his counterparts in the US about Guantanomo bay in February 2004.

"Following discussions with the US led by the Attorney-General, the UK Government concluded on the basis of his views that the US military commission process would not provide sufficient guarantees of a fair trial in accordance with international standards.

"The UK Government's position remains that the British detainees should either be tried fairly in accordance with international standards or be returned to the United Kingdom. "

Mr Prentice told her: "I thank you for your reply. In a landmark decision, the American Supreme Court said that the detainees can challenge their detention without trial in Guantanamo bay in the United States courts.

"Will the British Government act on behalf of the four UK citizens and take their case to the American courts? "

Mrs Harman said:" We are not yet aware whether or not any applications have been made on behalf of the British detainees."