§ Mr. McWalterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities there are for arranging the transfer of a person arrested abroad in an EC country to face charges in a United Kingdom court; what legal aid facilities are available to such persons; and if he will make a statement. [61664]
§ Kate HoeyThere are two ways in which a person may be brought back to face criminal charges. The United Kingdom's extradition arrangements with most European countries are governed by the European Convention on Extradition. Where a person living in a Convention country stands accused in the United Kingdom of an extraditable offence, there is provision for an extradition request to be made. If the request is granted, the person concerned will be surrendered to stand trial in this country.
Provision also exists for the voluntary repatriation to this country of convicted prisoners serving sentences in European Community countries. Such transfers take place in accordance with the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984. Any outstanding charges could be brought against a prisoner
190W
§ Mr. BoatengPolice staffing levels are an operational matter, to be determined by individual chief officers. Equally, it is for each force to assess the likely impact of the Millennium Bug, both on policing needs during the celebrations and on their own police Information Technology systems.
Central guidance is being issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) Millennium Co-ordinating Committee (MCC), chaired by John Evans (Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall) who will be ACPO president during the Millennium. He has met with the Prime Minister's adviser to discuss the issues. I understand that ACPO are advocating a multi-agency approach to dealing with public order and public safety issues over the Millennium. Forces will be establishing contingency plans and liaising with local agencies and organisations accordingly.