§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for notification of the UK authorities by other countries of sex offences committed by UK citizens within their jurisdiction. [23113]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 15 January 1998]: While there is no formal requirement for other countries to notify us of convictions of British citizens, I understand 324W that existing arrangements via the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) work well. These allow Interpol member countries, of which there are 178 throughout the world, to use the Interpol Notice system to notify criminal activities of citizens to national authorities.
Interpol International Notices are circulated to all member countries via the Automated Search Facility (ASF) and give the identity particulars, physical description and, where possible, the fingerprints and photograph of an individual.
The Interpol Green Notice is used to seek information on people who have committed or are likely to commit offences affecting several countries and are often used to exchange information on travelling paedophiles. With 178 Interpol member countries, including the principal sex-tourism destinations, this offers an effective and efficient method of information exchange.
It is our policy to encourage the use of the system to inform preventive strategies for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It is also out intention to use this system to ensure that the proposed Sex Offenders Orders can be used to maximum effect against sex offenders convicted abroad.