§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which United Kingdom government bodies have made representations to the Council of Europe in order to assist the preparation of European Cybercrime Convention. [HL1324]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)On behalf of the Government as a whole, Home Office officials lead the United Kingdom delegation at the Committee of Experts on Crime in Cyberspace negotiating the draft Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. The delegation has included officials of other government departments. Preparation of the United Kingdom's negotiating position is undertaken in consultation with a range of government departments which have interests in the draft convention.
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of recent reports suggesting that the United States regulators are likely to reject the proposed European Cybercrime Convention, what consultations they have had with the United States Administration on this issue; and what are the implications for Europe-wide e-commerce generally in the event that the authorities decide to reject the convention. [HL1325]
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§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe United States is one of four non-member states of the Council of Europe invited to participate in the negotiation of the draft Convention on Cybercrime. Like all governments involved in negotiating the convention, the United States Administration will decide whether it is in the interests of the United States to become a party to the convention when its drafting is concluded. Our respective delegations to the Committee of Experts drafting the convention work closely together and we believe the United States is likely to seek to become a party to the convention.