§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom is to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
§ Mr. EggarAs I told the House on 5 February 1986, we intend to ratify the convention as soon as possible but we need first to ensure that our current legislation and other arrangements accord with its provisions. For example, the convention would require us in certain circumstances to take jurisdiction over acts of torture committed abroad. Legislation is necessary to ensure that572W our courts have power to try such cases and to deal with other points arising from the convention before we can ratify it.