§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the United Kingdom should become a party to the sixth protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanIn this country questions relating to the death penalty are decided by a free vote of this House without the Government expressing any collective view. Accordingly, while respecting the views of those member states of the Council of Europe which may be willing to be bound by the terms of the sixth protocol, Her Majesty's Government have no plans to ratify it.