HL Deb 17 April 1996 vol 571 c70WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the International Law Commission's draft statute on the international criminal court, and of the amendments proposed by the United Kingdom, together with an explanatory memorandum setting out the Government's reasons for the changes they propose.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

A copy of the International Law Commission's draft statute on the international criminal court will be placed in the Library of the House.

The United Kingdom has participated fully in discussions concerning the draft statute, most recently at the first session of the Preparatory Committee which has just concluded in New York. The delegation's negotiating position reflected the Government's objectives as set out in Sir Nicholas Bonsor's answer in another place on 6 February.

At that meeting the United Kingdom participated in the discussions on various aspects of the matter and circulated an informal document which suggested how the relationship between a new court and national systems might best be provided for in the draft statute. A copy of that paper, which contains proposals for specific amendments, will also be placed in the Library of the House.