§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being put in place to ensure that the United Kingdom complies with the 849W provisions in the Europol Convention related to breaches of discretion or confidentiality following its entry into force on 1 October. [54969]
§ Mr. StrawArticle 32(4) of the Europol Convention requires that prior to the entry into force of the Convention, each member state shall introduce the provisions required under national law to proceed against breaches of discretion or confidentiality. To this end, I am certifying the Europol Convention as an agreement to which an international organisation is a party, under section 12(2)(b) of the Official Secrets Act 1989. This will have the effect of ensuring that members and employees of Europol will be treated as "government contractors" for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act, and will ensure that the United Kingdom will comply fully with the relevant provisions in the Convention.
§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom role in data exchange in Europol. [54953]
§ Mr. MichaelThe role of Europol and European Union member states in relation to Europol is set out in the Europol Convention. The role of the United Kingdom will be the same as any other member state.