§ 2. Mr. Stanbrookasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards seeking the adherence of those States which are parties to the international convention on genocide but not the European convention for the suppression of terrorism, to the latter convention.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Douglas Hurd)We strongly support the European convention on the suppression of terrorism, and would like all eligible States to become a party to it.
§ Mr. StanbrookAs the convention on terrorism is just as consistent with the general principles of international law as the convention on genocide, and as both 289 conventions deny to political offenders the right of immunity from extradition, are not the Government of the Irish Republic hypocritical, considering that they have already signed the convention on genocide, to assert that they cannot sign the convention on terrorism on constitutional grounds? If that is a demonstration of their sincerity, what reliance can be placed on their promises to respect the will of the majority in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. HurdMy hon. Friend's question is really for the Irish Government. I can only say that we hope that they will find a way through the constitutional difficulties that they seem to see and will join the convention.