§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 February 2000,Official Report, column 545W, what assessment he has made of the compatibility between the United Kingdom's obligations to the Council of Europe and under other international undertakings and the United Kingdom Privy Council presiding over appeals in cases where the death sentence has been imposed following conviction in the High Court of an independent Commonwealth jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement. [108672]
§ The Prime MinisterIn the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend, the Privy Council is acting as part of the judicial structure of the independent state concerned, and not of the United Kingdom. There is no incompatibility with any of the United Kingdom's international obligations including those under Council of Europe instruments. Nevertheless, as I have made clear, the Government actively oppose the use of the death penalty by all states, including those from whose courts there is a right of appeal to the Privy Council.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 February 2000,Official Report, columns 544–45W, on the Privy Council, if the Queen appoints any judges or members of the United Kingdom's Privy Council on the recommendation of her Ministers from countries other than the United Kingdom. [108675]
§ The Prime MinisterYes. It is, of course, not the United Kingdom Privy Council as such. Membership is also accorded to eminent people in some independent countries of the Commonwealth, of which Her Majesty is Queen.