Romsey MP Sandra Gidley accused the government of failing to adequately support a deaf and disabled British charity worker jailed in India on drugs charges.

Mrs Gidley was speaking yesterday at an adjournment debate called because of her strong belief that the Foreign Office and the British High Commission have failed Ian Stillman, whose sister, Elspeth, lives in Braishfield, near Romsey.

Elspeth and her family have been campaigning since Ian's arrest in August 2000 for his release after he was found guilty of carrying 20kg of cannabis.

She argues that because of his deafness Ian - who is now preparing an appeal to the Supreme High Court in India - was denied a fair trial.

Mrs Gidley told backbenchers she was "extremely disappointed" and found it "beyond belief" that High Commission staff could approve conditions at the jail where Ian is being held.

The 51-year-old, who has diabetes and an artificial leg, is being kept in a freezing cold prison cell with up to 35 other inmates.

Mrs Gidley called for the Foreign Office to repeat a press release in India refuting claims that he was a criminal and that he was not deaf.

Mrs Gidley added: "It is a disappointment to the family that more strenuous attempts have not been made to plead Ian's case when government ministers have travelled to India."

Junior Foreign Office minister Ben Bradshaw insisted his department had done all it could to help Ian since his arrest and was taking a "close interest" in his welfare.

This included visits from consular staff in New Delhi and helping him move to a new jail with access to a wheelchair and computer.

He said: "International law prevents us from getting involved in the judicial process of another country.

"Our objectives remain to ensure proper conditions for Mr Stillman and a transparent and expeditious judicial process."