§ 65. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the operation of extradition procedures between the United Kingdom and other countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhere the United Kingdom has an extradition treaty with a foreign state other than a member of the Commonwealth, the provisions of that treaty and of the Extradition Act 1870 presently apply. With effect from a day to be appointed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary provision for new extradition arrangements with foreign states will be made by part I of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Extradition procedures involving a fugitive from a Commonwealth country apprehended here are governed by the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967, and those sought by our own prosecuting authorities who are within the jurisdiction of one of our Commonwealth partners are subject to reciprocal legislation in substantially the same terms.
Finally, the position of the Republic of Ireland is different again and is unique. Extradition procedures depend upon reciprocal legislation enacted by both nations in 1965. The Irish Extradition Act was amended in certain significant respects at the end of last year. Our own legislation has not been altered correspondingly.
The Government are satisfied that the procedures under the United Kingdom legislation and associated treaties with foreign states provide the basis for satisfactory extradition arrangements.
§ 66. Mr. MullinTo ask the Attorney-General what is the number of outstanding extradition warrants against residents of the Irish Republic who are wanted in connection with terrorist offences.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWarrants issued in the United Kingdom for the arrests of 24 fugitives believed to be in the Republic of Ireland are presently outstanding. I do not think it would be in the public interest to specify how many of these warrants have been issued in connection with terrorist offences.