§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will announce the United Kingdom's ratification of the United Nations Covenant on Economic and Social Rights 1966 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political 233W Rights 1966; and whether such ratification will extend to the optional clause and the optional protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
§ Mr. EnnalsOur studies of ratification by the United Kingdom of the International Covenants on Human Rights, including the optional clause and the optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, are continuing. Therefore I cannot yet indicate a date by which an announcement on ratification may be possible.