REPATRIATION OF PRISONERS ACT 1984

HL Deb 31 October 1984 vol 456 c606WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 comes into force, what discussions will they have held or be planning to hold with other governments about the provisions of the Act; and, in particular, whether conversations have begun with the Republic of Ireland.

Lord Elton

We hope to be able to bring the Act into force at around the end of this year. We are in touch with the Governments of Thailand and Peru about the possibility of bilaterial agreements with those countries for the repatriation of prisoners. The Republic of Ireland is a fellow member of the Council of Europe, which has already drawn up a Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This convention, when it comes into force, will provide for transfers between states who become parties to it. We have had no separate discussions with the Republic on the matter.