HC Deb 17 October 1973 vol 861 cc190-2W
Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of extradition warrants issued in the Republic of Ireland and received by the Home Office which have not been executed because the person concerned was serving a prison sentence or could not be traced, respectively; and how many are pending.

Mr. Carlisle

I regret that these figures are not readily available. Warrants issued in the Republic are sent direct to the police force in this country in whose area the alleged offender is thought to be, and police forces do not maintain separate records of such warrants.

Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions have taken place about a new extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland;

(2) whether he will publish a draft of a new extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Carlisle

The arrangements between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic for the return of fugitive offenders are governed by reciprocal legislation in each country and not by treaty. Her Majesty's Government have had discussions on several occasions with the Government of the Republic about the operation of these procedures.

Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what differences exist between the conditions which allow men to be extradited from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland and from the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Carlisle

The provisions of the Irish legislation correspond closely with those in the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965. Irish law differs in precluding return not only in respect of a political offence but also in respect of an offence connected with a political offence; this corresponds with the relevant provision of the European convention on extradition, to which the Republic is a party. There are also Various differences in procedural provisions deriving from differences in the legal systems of the two countries.