§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken following the adoption of the United Kingdom's signature to the Council of Europe convention on recognition and enforcement of decisions relating to custody of children on 20 May 1980 to give effect to its terms.
§ Mr. MayhewRatification of the Council of Europe convention cannot be considered in isolation from the question of signature and ratification of the Hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. The legislation which would be required to give effect to the conventions would also need to establish which should apply in areas where the two conflict.