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Proceeding contribution from David Heath (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 24 October 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Police and Justice Bill.


Police and Justice Bill

I am grateful to the Minister, as I want to speak from the consistent Benches. I draw her attention to article 2, clause 4 of the treaty. As she knows, America claims extraterritorial jurisdiction over a wide range of American offences, whereas we tend not to do the same. The passage to which I refer is interesting, as it states that"““if the laws in the Requested State do not provide for the punishment of such conduct committed outside its territory in similar circumstances…the executive authority of the Requested State, in its discretion, may grant extradition provided that all other requirements of this Treaty are met.””" In other words, there is discretion if America is claiming extra-territorial jurisdiction in circumstances in which we do not, but that is not transposed into our law either through the Extradition Act or through the regulations that flow from it. Why is the one element of discretion available to us to prevent inappropriate extraditions not being dealt with in British law?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
450 c1398 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Crime Burglary Evidence Extradition Inspections Drugs Fines International cooperation HM Inspectorate of Prisons Police Powers Prosecutions Prisons Offensive weapons Mergers Police authorities Police community support officers Police cautions Reciprocal arrangements Treaties USA
Legislation
Police and Justice Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk