§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what effect the agreement concerning the application of the European convention on the suppression of terrorism among member States of the European Community has on the existing arrangements for extradition between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; and what consequential changes, if any, will be needed in United Kingdom law.
§ Mr. BrittanThe agreement has been signed by all the present member States of the European Communities but not, as yet, ratified by any. It can enter into force only when it is ratified by all nine States. The Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978 confers power to make orders that would enable the United Kingdom to discharge the agreement's obligations.
If the agreement entered into force, and on the assumption that the Republic of Ireland made the declaration allowed by article 3.3, the main effects on the arrangements for the return of fugitives from the United Kingdom to the Republic and vice versa would be as follows.
Within the United Kingdom, a request for the return to the Republic of Ireland
28Wmanning levels for the Metropolitan Police and police in the rest of England Wales for the last 20 years.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe figures are as follows:
of a person accused or convicted of an offence described in articles 1 or 2 of the European convention on the suppression of terrorism could not be refused on the ground that the offence was of a political character. Within the Republic, any case in respect of which a request for the return to the United Kingdom of a person accused or convicted of an offence described in article 1 of the convention were refused on the ground that the offence was of a political character would have to be submitted to the Republic's prosecuting authorities.