§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish Orders in Council rescinding the designation under Section 2 of the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967 of any former Commonwealth country immediately after that country has left the Commonwealth and whether they will decline to extradite any person who is a citizen of a former Commonwealth country where such an Order in Council has not yet been made.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)When a country leaves the Commonwealth, the question whether its designation under Section 2 of the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967 should be rescinded is considered on its merits, having regard to all the relevant circumstances. The fact that a country seeking extradition of a person is no longer in the Commonwealth, but remains designated under Section 2, would not in itself lead my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to refuse extradition.