Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 May 2007.

People Trafficking

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they will take to encourage other states in the Council of Europe to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings so that it may enter into force.

Answer: Thirty-six member states have signed the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. It requires 10 ratifications, eight of which must be by member states, to bring it into force. So far, seven states have ratified. The UK signed the convention and published its national action plan on tackling human trafficking on 23 March. The Government will ratify the convention once the necessary changes to domestic legislation, processes and guidance are in place to ensure that we comply fully with its terms. We cannot specify when this will be but shall do so as soon as possible. Once the UK has ratified the convention, we shall encourage others to do the same. We shall meanwhile continue to urge other states to enter into the spirit of the convention and to implement as many of its provisions as possible, as the UK is itself doing through the action plan, until such time as the convention comes into force.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3638; 692 c51WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk