§ Mr. WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to furthering mutual assistance in criminal matters between the United Kingdom and other countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenAt present the United Kingdom can provide only limited assistance to other countries in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. Unlike most other European states, we are not a party to any treaties or conventions establishing mutual assistance arrangements of wide scope. The assistance we receive from other countries is inevitably limited by our inability to offer them the full assistance which we would wish. The nature of much crime ߞ terrorism, drugs, fraud, kidnapping, racketeering and so on ߞ has become increasingly international and we must play our part in combating it.
In November 1986 my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set up an interdepartmental group of officials to review the position. They have concluded that there are strong arguments in favour of legislation which would enable us to accede to the European convention on mutual assistance, implement the scheme relating to mutual assistance in criminal matters within the Commonwealth adopted at Harare in 1986, and enter into bilateral arrangements of a similar nature. Their proposals are outlined in a discussion paper which has been issued today. Copies have been sent to a wide range of interested organisations, and I have placed a copy in the Library. The Government would welcome the views of hon. Members and others on the group's proposals, and we shall be glad to receive comments by 30 April.