HC Deb 05 March 1979 vol 963 cc538-40W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the state of the procedure for ratification of those Council of Europe agreements which the Government have signed as at 31 December 1976, but which have not yet been ratified;

(2) what agreements concluded in the Council of Europe framework have not yet been signed by the Government and for what reasons.

Mr. Judd

, pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 23 February 1979; Vol. 963, c. 368], gave the following reply:

The information is as follows:

(1) Five Council of Europe agreements, signed by the United Kingdom Government before 31 December 1976, have not yet been ratified. These are listed below, with a brief explanation of the state of procedure in each case.

Fourth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights Her Majesty's Government is currently reviewing the question of ratification of the Fourth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, but no decision has yet been taken.

European Convention on the Legal Status of Children born out of Wedlock Her Majesty's Government is at present considering ratification but the matter of any necessary reservations remains to be resolved.

European Convention on State Immunity It is hoped that the United Kingdom Instrument of Ratification will be deposited at the end of April.

Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills This Convention can only be given effect by its incorporation into United Kingdom national law by Act of Parliament. Further, some consequential amendments would be necessary to existing legislation and rules. The Government are giving active consideration to both these matters.

Convention relating to stops on bearer securities in international circulation Her Majesty's Government will give consideration to ratification following the conclusion of present consultations with those institutions which deal in bearer securities in international circulation. These centre upon the question of the United Kingdom participating in a stop list system.

(2) The United Kingdom has not signed the following Council of Europe Agreements:

  1. 1. Protocol to the European Code of Social Security.
  2. 2. European Convention on Social Security and Supplementary Agreement for the Application of the European Convention on Social Security.
  3. 3. European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers.
  4. 4. European Agreement on "Au Pair" Placement.
  5. 5. Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses.
  6. 6. European Convention on Consular Functions and 2 Protocols.
  7. 7. Additional Protocol to the European Convention on State Immunity.
  8. 8. European Convention on the Establishment of Companies.
  9. 9. Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality.
  10. 10. European Convention on the Service Abroad of Documents relating to Administrative Matters.
    11. 540
  11. 11. European Convention on Compulsory Insurance against Civil Liability in respect of Motor Vehicles.
  12. 12. European Convention on Civil Liability for Damage Caused by Motor Vehicles.
  13. 13. European Convention on Foreign Money Liabilities.
  14. 14. European Convention on the Place of Payment of Money Liabilities.
  15. 15. European Convention on Products Liability in regard to Personal Injury and Death.
  16. 16. Agreement relating to Application of the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration.
  17. 17. European Convention providing a Uniform Law on Arbitration.
  18. 18. European Convention on the Calculation of Time Limits.
  19. 19. European Convention on Extradition with Additional and Second Additional Protocols.
  20. 20. European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and Additional Protocol.
  21. 21. European Convention on the Supervision of Conditionally Sentenced or Conditionally Released Offenders.
  22. 22. European Convention on the Punishment of Road Traffic Offences.
  23. 23. European Convention on the International Validity of Criminal Judgments.
  24. 24. European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters.
  25. 25. European Convention on the Repatriation of Minors.
  26. 26. European Convention on the Non Applicability of Statutory Limitations to Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes.
  27. 27. European Convention on the International Effects of Deprivation of the Right to Drive a Motor Vehicle.
  28. 28. European Agreement on Regulations Governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe.
  29. 29. Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law.
  30. 30. European Convention on the Obtaining Abroad of Information and Evidence in Administrative Matters.

It is the practice of Her Majesty's Government to sign Agreements only where there is a genuine expectation of ratification within a reasonably short time span. The possibility of signature of several of the more recent agreements is therefore still under examination. Most of the other agreements have not been signed, either because their provisions are at least in some measure unacceptable to the United Kingdom or because there would be no practical advantage to the United Kingdom in adhering to the agreement. The question of signing these agreements is, however, kept under review.