§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the proposed(a) International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and (b) International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings; what plans he has to seek the views of the Northern Ireland Commission on Human Rights; and what plans he has made to open the consultation process concerning the conventions to non-governmental organisations. [118974]
§ Mr. BattleWe have received no recent representations concerning these Conventions, both of which the UK signed on the day they were opened for signature in January 2000 and January 1998 respectively.
The Government have no plans to seek the views of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or re-open a consultation process to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at this stage. The Terrorism Bill, which provides the vehicle for the implementation of both these conventions in UK domestic law, was subject to a long and comprehensive consultation process which included the views of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and all interested NGOs. The Government have stated their intention to ratify both these Conventions. If organisations would like to comment on any aspect of the ratification process they are welcome to do so.