§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the anticipated timetable for ratification of the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons;
(2) whether, in view of a statement to the National Council for the Welfare of Prisoners Abroad on 30 June 1982 by his Department that it had no objection to the terms of the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, Her Majesty's Government will sign the convention when it becomes open for signature on 21 March.
§ Mr. MayhewAs stated by my noble Friend in answer to a question in another place on 28 January—[Vol. 438, c. 508]—the text of the convention has been agreed at official level. We hope to decide shortly whether the United Kingdom should sign the convention. We cannot yet say when legislation could be introduced to enable the convention to be ratified.