§ Mr. Butcherasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to negotiate a treaty with the Spanish Government for the return of British offenders convicted in Spain of serious offences relating to soccer hooliganism.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsWe have no plans to negotiate a treaty of this kind with Spain. However, the United Kingdom is currently taking part in discussions in the Council of Europe for a convention on the transfer of prisoners. If, in due course, both the United Kingdom and Spain were to become contracting parties to such a convention, provision would exist for British offenders convicted in Spain of serious offences to serve their sentences of imprisonment in this country. This would not be confined to offences committed by football supporters.
§ Mr. Butcherasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take into account the level and type of demands made upon British consular staff in Switzerland as a result of violent behaviour by British supporters during the recent World Cup qualifying match in assessing the consular requirements associated with the large numbers of British soccer supporters expected to visit Spain in 1982.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsYes.