§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK has ratified the UN protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition; and which other states have ratified the protocol. [112169]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienOn 6 May 2002, the UK signed the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts, Components and Ammunition, one of three protocols to the UN Convention on Trans-national Organised Crime. We are now working in conjunction with the European Commission to ensure that the necessary measures are in place for the UK to ratify the Protocol. We are also encouraging others to sign the Protocol and work towards its implementation.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Organised Crime there have been 52 signatures and four ratifications to the Protocol.