◆ SpookStack

Our High Commissioner in Kampala has now received a further m written communication from the Ugandan Government following on his representation yesterday to President Amin. The statement repeats that the Ugandan Government has no knowledge of Mrs. Bloch's whereabouts and that Israel shoulders the responsibility for her. It is, however:, incontrovertible that many hours after the raid Mrs. Bloch was seen by a member of the High Commission in Kampala in Mulago Hospital, where she was apparently under guard. She was also seen by an independent witness on a separate occasion. Moreover, in his meeting on 9 July with our High Commissioner, President Amin confirmed that while in hospital Mrs. Bloch had developed ulcers of the leg, during her treatment for the digestive disorder, which had necessitated her admission in the first place. Nonetheless, he had ordered her return to join the other hostages. He admitted, however, that he could not ensure that all his orders were alwa2's carried out. President Amin, therefore, did not deny the possibility that the Ugandans had custody of Mrs. Bloch at the time of the Israeli raid and thereafter. In the view of the British Government responsibility for her safety rests squarely with them. This totally unacceptable reply from the Ugandan Government adds to the gravity of our fears for Mrs. Bloch's life. We are at once recalling our High Commissioner from Kampala to make his personal report to the Foreign Office Ministers.