We have taken a close interest in Mr Stillman's welfare since his arrest

Ben Bradshaw, junior Foreign Office minister

Ms Gidley said: "As I have learned more about this case, I have developed a sense of outrage that Ian's human rights have been so ignored by the Indian authorities.

"I have been extremely disappointed at the extent of Foreign Office support."

Mr Stillman was jailed for 10 years in June 2001 after being arrested in the foothills of the Himalayas for possessing 20 kilograms of cannabis.

He is awaiting an appeal hearing at the Indian Supreme Court claiming his trial - which was carried out in Hindi - was unfair because his profound deafness excluded him from the proceedings.

For almost a year, Mr Stillman had been kept in a freezing cold prison cell with up to 35 other prisoners.

'Damming indictment'

Ms Gidley said: "What I find completely beyond belief is that apparently the High Commission staff thought that these standards are acceptable.

"Quite clearly they are not and it is a damning indictment on our officials that they appeared to do so little at a time of such need."

Sandra Gidley raised the case in the Commons

Ms 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.

Junior Foreign Office minister Ben Bradshaw said his department had done all it could to help Mr Stillman since his arrest.

He said ministers - including Foreign Secretary Jack Straw - had repeatedly brought up the case with Indian authorities and senior ministers.

Consular officials had visited Mr Stillman less than a week after his arrest and he had no complaints about his treatment at that stage.

Mr Bradsahw said: "We have taken a close interest in Mr Stillman's welfare since his arrest.

Closely monitored

Our consular staff in New Delhi have monitored Mr Stillman's welfare closely during consular visits which generally take place every three months."

Mr Bradshaw said he had no objection to reissuing a press release outlining that Mr Stillman was not wanted in Britain as a known criminal.

"International law prevents us from getting involved in the judicial process of another country, our own judicial proceedings are similarly protected from outside interference.

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

Mr Stillman, originally from Reading, set up the Nambikkai Foundation in 1978 to provide training, employment and education for deaf people in India.