§ 30. Mr. BoothTo ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the current work of his office in applications for extradition. [5199]
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Nicholas Lyell)Extradition is primarily a matter for the Home Office, but the Crown Prosecution Service is currently assisting in the implementation of extradition proceedings in respect of some 380 cases involving a substantial number of the 120 countries with which we have extradition arrangements.
§ Mr. BoothIn recalling to the House that the Government were instrumental in reforming the 1870 and 1967 legislation on extradition, may I ask my right hon. and learned Friend to assure the House that extradition law is important as a priority in his work as Attorney-General?
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes, I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance, in relation to the great diversity of extradition cases, both inward and outward, seeking to bring people back to this country and assisting other countries to obtain extradition in proper cases, and in relation to cases in respect of the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. John MorrisLike the Attorney-General, the Opposition are anxious that our extradition arrangements with Ireland work properly. Can he give an assurance that there is full co-operation between his office and that of his counterpart in Ireland, and that in individual cases we meet the requirement of the Irish courts?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI can indeed give the right hon. and learned Gentleman that assurance. He is well aware of the sensitivities in that difficult area, but I am able to assure him that there is a constructive working relationship between those for whom I am responsible and their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland.