Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Elystan-Morgan (Crossbench). It was answered on Thursday, 12 November 2009.

Prisoners: Voting

Question: Does the Minister not agree that, with so many years having elapsed since a clear and unambiguous judgment was given by the European Court, however sincere the Government may be in their desire to obtain a perfect solution to the situation, inevitably the impression will be given to other countries that they would not be heartbroken if the matter sailed on for all eternity like some legislative "Flying Dutchman", never finding port or harbour?

Answer: My Lords, we are looking not for a perfect solution but for a workable one—one that will work in practice. Of course we accept that we have to implement the judgment.

Secondary information