HL Deb 19 June 1985 vol 465 cc359-60WA
Baroness Gardner of Parkes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to ratify the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Baroness Young

The Government have decided to ratify this convention. Our ratification will be accompanied by various declarations and reservations. We do not envisage that it will be necessary to make changes to United Kingdom legislation to enable the United Kingdom to ratify. Before our instrument of ratification can be deposited we have to consult the Dependent Territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man to ascertain whether they wish to be included in our ratification, and, if so, with what declarations and reservations. We are now doing this. I have arranged to have copies of our declarations and reservations placed in the Libraries of both Houses.