HC Deb 01 July 1997 vol 297 c77W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the extradition treaty with Brazil is to be concluded; and what steps he is taking to secure the extradition of Mr. Ronnie Biggs. [5605]

Mr. Michael

The United Kingdom/Brazil extradition treaty was signed on 18 July 1995. Both the United Kingdom and Brazil have now completed the necessary domestic parliamentary procedures for ratification. Preparations are in hand for the drawing up of the instrument of ratification for signature by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. This will then be forwarded to Brazil where Her Majesty's ambassador will exchange instruments with a representative of the Brazilian Government. The treaty will come into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification. Only then could any request for extradition be made. In line with normal practice, I would not disclose the existence of any request until proceedings had been instituted in the requested state.