§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Thai Government concerning the prosecution in the United Kingdom of British tourists found committing child sexual abuse in Thailand; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 8 March 1993]: The Home Secretary (or Home Office) has had no direct discussion with the Thai Government on this matter.
Our courts have no jurisdiction to try those who commit child sexual abuse in Thailand, who properly fall to be dealt with by the Thai authorities under Thai law.
We are willing to assist in this by extraditing British nationals back to Thailand where appropriate, and also by offering other forms of legal assistance under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act (International Cooperation) Act 1990.
However, I understand that our ambassador in Bangkok has raised our concerns about the problem of prostitution recently with Thai Ministers, including the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister. They have assured him that the Thai Government are looking urgently at ways of combating this problem, particularly as it affects children.