§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the outcome of his discussions on terrorism at the recent conference of the Council of Europe Ministers of Justice.
§ Mr. BrittanWith my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General for Scotland I attended this conference, which was held in Madrid on 29 to 31 May.
Against a background of common concern about the growing threat from international terrorism and with the recent tragic incident in St. James's square fresh in my mind, I raised with my European colleagues the need for a common approach to the problem of terrorist activities, including those committed by abuse of diplomatic privileges and immunities. I urged the need for member states to act in concert against this new and dangerous threat to peace and security—for example, by refusing to accept as diplomats those who have been expelled from any other member state on grounds of involvement in terrorism, and by improving arrangements for the exchange of information between us about threatened terrorist acts and the individuals who pose such threats.
The Ministers of Justice of the 21 Council of Europe nations subsequently unanimously agreed on the need for a concerted approach to action against all forms of terrorism and international organised crime, including acts of violence against diplomats and the abuse of diplomatic 170W immunities and privileges for terrorist purposes, recognising in particular the urgent need to improve the exchange of information between member states. They recommended to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe that these questions should be studied urgently by an ad hoc body open to all Ministers exercising responsibilities relating to terrorism.
I very much welcome this significant new development, which I regard as an encouraging indication of the determination of our European colleagues to work together against international terrorism.