Written question asked by Baroness Featherstone (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 22 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 March 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 16 April 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Human Trafficking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister expects the UK to ratify the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Answer: [holding answer 27 March 2007]: The Home Secretary signed the Council of Europe Convention on 26 March and we are now beginning to develop details on how implementation will be taken forward.It will inevitably take some time to move from signature to ratification of the Convention. Unlike some of our Council of Europe colleagues the UK will not ratify the Convention until all changes to domestic legislation, processes and guidance are in place to ensure that we fully comply with its terms.

Secondary information