§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and whether they will confirm that three other countries have now ratified the convention, and that the convention is likely to come into force this summer.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)We plan to ratify the convention before the end of April. It has been ratified by France, Spain, Sweden and the USA, and will come into force for those countries on 1st July 1985. The convention will come into force for the United Kingdom on 1st August 1985.
§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have completed all the necessary administrative and legal formalities to allow them to begin considering applications from United Kingdom citizens imprisoned abroad for transfer to the United Kingdom under the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons as soon as the convention comes into force.
§ Lord GlenarthurThe necessary administrative preparations are well advanced and the only remaining legal requirement is ratification of the convention. We shall be ready to consider applications for transfer with effect from 1st August, the date on which the convention will come into force for the United Kingdom.