HC Deb 02 September 1895 vol 36 cc1459-60
MR. BYRON REED

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British and French Governments have come to an agreement regarding the modification of the Extradition Laws between the two countries, so that for the future any person whose extradition is demanded may be examined at his residence without being arrested; and, if so, whether it may be understood that this applies to the case of Dr. Cornelius Herz?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

Her Majesty's Government have suggested to the French Government that a Supplementary Convention should be signed in order to give effect to the Extradition Act 1895, and have reason to hope that there will not be any difficulty in coming to an agreement. No Convention has, however, yet been signed.

MR. BYRON REED

asked whether, assuming than an agreement was come to, it would apply specifically to the case of Dr. Herz?

* MR. CURZON

I am afraid my hon. Friend has not quite accurately stated the effect of the Extradition Act of last session. According to that Act it is not true that a person whose extradition is demanded may be examined at his own residence without being arrested. The Extradition Act states that when a fugitive criminal has been apprehended the case may be heard by a magistrate elsewhere than at Bow Street.

* SIR ALBERT ROLLIT

asked, was it to be understood that the Act of last Session was found to be ineffective and not to apply to the case of Dr. Herz?

* MR. CURZON

That is not exactly the case. That Act cannot come into operation until a Convention has been signed with the French modifying the Extradition Treaty.

* SIR ALBERT ROLLIT

What is the need of a Supplementary Act, if the Act itself will apply when the Convention is agreed to?

* MR. CURZON

We require a Convention to secure the modification of the Extradition Treaty at present in operation between them and ourselves.

MR. WEIR

Has anything been done to bring about an agreement between this and the French Government?

* MR. CURZON

I have stated that we have approached them with that object in view, and we have reason to believe that the arrangement the hon. Member desires may shortly be arrived at.