§ Lord AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the name of the working party of officials whose aim is to examine how the United Kingdom might enter into agreements with other countries in Europe and elsewhere for the repatriation of prisoners; what departments are represented on it; on what dates the working party met; when it is expected to report and whether its report will be published.
§ Lord BELSTEADThe Working Party on the Repatriation of Prisoners consists of officials from the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Northern Ireland Office and the Scottish Home and Health Department. The working party met in 1978 on 1st June, 28th June, 19th July, 13th September and 23rd October. Since then work has proceeded, as other departmental commitments have permitted, on the exploration of a number of difficulties of principle and practice which were exposed at the working party's meetings. My right honourable friend hopes to have the working party's views by the end of this year and will consider then whether any publication is desirable.