HL Deb 23 May 2002 vol 635 c115WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. [HL4254]

Lord Bach

Yes. Officials in both the Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office are working actively towards ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvment of children in armed conflict, and we hope to be in a position to ratify soon. As part of the ratification process, an explanatory memorandum will be laid before Parliament to explain the significance of the Optional Protocol.

Forward to