§ 3. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the United States of America resulting from his discussions there concerning extradition of Irish Republican Army suspects wanted by the police in the United Kingdom.
§ Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Nicholas Scott)On 17 July the United States Senate approved the United States-United Kingdom supplementary extradition treaty by an overwhelming majority. This is an important step forward in our mutual fight against the evils of terrorism. Orders to enable the supplementary treaty to be ratified will shortly be brought before the House.
§ Mr. AdleyDoes my hon. Friend agree that this is a matter for congratulation for the Administrations on both sides of the Atlantic? Is this success not epitomised by the extradition to this country of William Quinn? Can my hon. Friend confirm that this is the first time that a terrorist suspect has been extradited to this country? Will my hon. Friend please make sure that good care is taken of the documentation and administration so that the police work on both sides of the Atlantic is not frustrated?
§ Mr. ScottI can give my hon. Friend the assurance that he sought in the last part of his question. I am sure that the House will welcome the vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and in the full Senate, where the treaty attracted widespread and bipartisan support. The House should recognise that the passage of the supplementary treaty demonstrates the value of the very closest bilateral and multilateral co-operation in the fight against terrorism. I welcome the fact that that is going beyond the transatlantic concept. Wider co-operation will improve everyone's chances of defeating terrorism in the long run.
§ Mr. DickensDoes my hon. Friend welcome the cooperation of the Dutch authorities in their moves towards the extradition of MacFarland and Kelly, the two prisoners who excaped from the Maze prison?
§ Mr. ScottThe whole House will welcome the decision of the Dutch courts. The judgment is complex and we are studying it very carefully. Co-operation with the Dutch authorities in this matter has been excellent, and they have made a considerable contribution towards improving international co-operation against terrorism.