HL Deb 22 April 1998 vol 588 c216WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the remaining reservations on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in relation to asylum and immigration legislation; and when these reservations will be lifted. [HL1523]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The United Kingdom ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on 16 December 1991, subject to the reservation that the United Kingdom reserves the right to apply such legislation, in so far as it relates to the entry into, stay in and departure from the United Kingdom of those who do not have the right under the law of the United Kingdom to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, and to the acquisition and possession of citizenship, as it may be deemed necessary from time to time.

We take the view that the United Kingdom's immigration and nationality law is entirely consistent with the thrust of the convention, but we believe it is necessary to make it clear that nothing in the convention is to be interpreted as overriding the provisions of our immigration and nationality legislation.