§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to enable the prosecution in United Kingdom courts of British nationals and residents for sexual offences against children abroad.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government consider that it should be the responsibility of the country where the alleged offence has occurred to enforce its own law.
Unlike some countries which claim a wide extra-territorial criminal jurisdiction over their citizens, the United Kingdom is willing to extradite its nationals to stand trial in the places where they are alleged to have offended, subject to the usual safeguards. We are also willing to provide legal assistance to other countries under the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990. We are currently considering ways in which it may be possible to improve liaison between our police and foreign enforcement agencies.