§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the laws on homosexuals in dependent territories will be changed. [67569]
§ Mr. Tony LloydHomosexual acts remain an offence in the five Caribbean Overseas Territories. We have pointed out to the Governments of these Territories that their legislation must comply with the international obligations which Britain has extended to them, and that, in the absence of local reforms in this area, we may have to impose appropriate legislation by Order in Council.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK overseas territories have brought their law on human rights in line with that of the UK since May 1997. [67566]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThere are three human rights issues on which the laws of some of the UK's Overseas Territories differ substantively from those of the UK; capital punishment for murder (though only in Bermuda), judicial corporal punishment, and the law relating to homosexual acts. Since May 1997 three Overseas 151W Territories have abolished judicial corporal punishment. No other human rights legislation has been enacted in the Overseas Territories since May 1997.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the White Paper on Dependent Territories. [67565]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe expect that the White Paper will be published shortly. Preparation for the Paper has involved wide ranging consultation on a broad range of subjects. It has been a complex process now drawing to a close.