§ 30. Lieut.-Colonel Hydeasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will initiate talks with the Government of the Irish Republic with a view to concluding an extradition treaty to cover individuals guilty of thefts of arms from military establishments in the United Kingdom and similar crimes.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Foster)No, Sir. I do not think that this would be appropriate.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HydeDoes my hon. Friend not consider that recent thefts of Crown property in Northern Ireland are extremely deplorable, and does he not think that it would help if an extradition treaty covering Northern Ireland were concluded?
§ Mr. FosterNo, Sir. There is a procedure in force for the mutual endorsement and execution of warrants of arrest between the Republic and Great Britain. With regard to the position in Northern Ireland, I am in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary as to improving the position.