§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have not ratified the Council of Europe Protocol Number 6 to the convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms concerning the abolition of the death penalty; and if he will make a statement. [77284]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Home Secretary signed Protocol 6 in Strasbourg on 27 January 1999. An Explanatory Memorandum and a Command Paper relating to the ratification process will be laid before the House shortly.