§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the context of the Children Bill they will withdraw their reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as regards children affected by immigration legislation; and, if not, why not. [HL2092]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Government have no plans to withdraw the United Kingdom's immigration and nationality reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. No child in the United Kingdom is deprived of UN rights but entry to the United Kingdom solely to claim such rights should not be permitted. It would not be right for the immigration rules to be utilised simply in order to make use of convention rights when there already exists in United Kingdom law comprehensive provision for the care and protection of children. The Children Bill does not alter the Government's conclusion that the reservation is necessary to maintain an effective immigration control.
Table A Proceedings at magistrates' court and findings of guilt at all courts for offences of failing to stop after an accident1 1997–2001, England and Wales Number of offences 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total proceedings 15,829 15,387 14,923 14,663 15,392 Total findings of guilt 10,172 9,785 9,403 9,190 9,212 1 Offences under s. 170(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Table B Persons proceeded against in Scottish courts where the charge was failing to stop or report a road traffic accident 1996 to 2002 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Crimes recorded by police 9,405 9,356 9,594 9,150 8,884 7,749 7,226 Persons proceeded against 1,033 1,041 853 861 715 462 542 of which, charge proved 956 892 745 631 460 462 439