§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the ratification of the following Council of Europe treaties, conventions and protocols: and, if appropriate, what is their target date for such ratification:
- (a) Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (signed 16 September 1963);
- (b) Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills (signed 16 May 1972);
- (c) European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals (signed 28 June 1978);
- (d) European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter (signed 10 May 1979);
- (e) European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Purposes (signed 18 March 1986);
- (f) Protocol of Amendment to the Convention at
- (e) above (signed 8 September 1998);
- (g) Protocol Amending the European Social Charter (signed 21 October 1991);
WA 134 - (h) European Social Charter (Revised) (signed 7 November 1997);
- (i) European Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage (Revised) (signed 16 January 1992);
- (j) Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (signed 5 February 1992); and
- (k) European Convention Relating to Questions on Copyright Law and Neighbouring Rights in the Framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by Satellite (signed 2 October 1996). [H L4408]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOur policy on ratification of the Council of Europe Treaties, Conventions and Protocols listed is:
Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those included in the Convention and in Protocol No. 1 (signed 16 September 1963)
We wish to give formal recognition to the rights contained in this Protocol in a way which is compatible with our immigration legislation. At present we are considering whether to enter a reservation or draft fresh legislation to accommodate provisions of the Protocol conferring rights to passports and right of abode which are not compatible with existing legislation.
Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills (signed 16 May 1972)
The UK is unable to ratify this Convention because it is incompatible with the law of Scotland. Ratification is not seen as a priority.
European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals (signed 28 June 1978)
Ratification would require amendments to the Firearms Act 1968. There are no plans to make such amendments and ratification is therefore unlikely in the foreseeable future.
European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter (signed 10 May 1979)
UK legislation is now compatible with the Convention and we are in the process of ratifying.
European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (signed 18 March 1986) and Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention (signed 8 September 1998)
The UK is committed to the ratification of the Convention and Additional Protocol by 1 January 2000.
Protocol Amending the European Social Charter (signed 21 October 1991) and European Social Charter (revised) (signed 7 November 1997)
135WAUK ratification is under active consideration. Consultations are continuing within Whitehall on the provisions that we might accept upon ratification.
European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (revised) (signed 16 January 1992)
UK ratification is envisaged by March 2000.
Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (signed 5 February 1992)
UK ratification is under active consideration. Consultations are continuing on whether we can ratify specifying only Chapter A at this stage.
European Convention Relating to Questions on Copyright Law and Neighbouring Rights in the Framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by Satellite (signed 2 October 1996)
UK ratification would require amendment to domestic law.