HC Deb 03 March 1983 vol 38 c368
19. Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the representations made to him following the publication of the report of the inter-departmental working party on extradition law.

Mr. Mayhew

Comments are still being received. We are considering the responses and will be deciding what action to take on the working party's recommendations.

I should like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all those who have given such detailed consideration to the report and have been willing to give us the benefit of their own knowledge on the issues that have been raised.

Mr. Stanbrook

Is it not a fact that we have only 44 extradition treaties and that most of them are more than 100 years old? Is it not desirable to dispense with the need for a treaty and agree to extradite for all offences that are made extraditable by the laws of both countries?

Mr. Mayhew

That is an important matter, about which my hon. Friend is a great expert. We should be unwise to reach a final conclusion until we have considered all the responses to the working party.