§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government intend to sign and ratify the United Nations convention against torture; whether Her Majesty's Government support the principle of an optional protocol to the convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe hope to sign the United Nations convention against torture shortly. We shall have to consider what reservations, interpretative declarations or domestic legislation may be required before we can ratify. We shall also need to consult the dependent territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
We are still considering the optional protocol, which has not yet been the subject of detailed discussion at the United Nations.