§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has asked the Turkish Government to repatriate British prisoners in Turkish prisons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyI have been asked to reply.
There are at present no arrangements under which the repatriation of British prisoners in Turkish prisons can be requested. Repatriation will be possible if the United Kingdom and Turkey become parties to the Council of Europe convention on the repatriation of sentenced persons. We have signed this convention and intend to ratify it as soon as enabling domestic legislation, which the Repatriation of Prisoners Bill is aimed to provide, is in force. From informal inquiries made of the Turkish authorities, we understand that Turkey is also actively considering becoming party to the convention.