Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 18 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 June 2007. It was answered by Joan Ryan (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Security Measures

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007, Official Report, columns 618-20W, on security measures, what the timetable is for consulting on setting a maximum time limit for all future extradition cases involving terrorism; and when he expects to reach a decision on that matter.

Answer: The working group referred to in the answer of 6 June 2007, Official Report, columns 618-20W, has engaged in a continuous consultation on extradition request made to the UK involving allegations of terrorism.A statutory maximum time limit might hinder the ability of our independent courts to give full consideration both to the arguments of the requesting state and to those of the wanted person. Under the Extradition Act 2003 and its predecessor legislation, different procedures have had to be applied to different cases. Accordingly, the duration of each stage in each terrorist-related extradition case is now being expedited, so far as possible, through the working group.Since the working group was initiated under the Prime Minister's 12-point plan, seven people have been extradited for terrorist-related offences; while two have exhausted all domestic proceedings under extradition legislation but have outstanding applications before the European Court of Human Rights.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 144382; 462 c324-5W
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Security Measures
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Extradition Terrorism
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk