§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive a Council of Europe Convention on the custody and kidnapping of children; and whether Her Majesty's Government will endorse and ratify such a convention.
§ Mr. BrittanWe expect the convention on recognition and enforcement of decisions relating to custody of children to be submitted in draft for the approval of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the autumn. Consultations will be necessary with the judiciary and other interested bodies before a decision is taken on whether to ratify it.