APPENDIX 13
Letter from the Chairman of the Committee
to the Foreign Secretary on the draft International Criminal Court
Bill (24 October 2000)
At its meeting this morning, the Committee considered
its response to the consultation on the draft Bill on the International
Criminal Court.
The Committee regrets that the consultation
period took place during the summer recess, and that the publication
of the draft Bill was postponed from 22 to 25 August.
As the Committee has made plain on several occasions,
our priority is that the legislation should be enacted as soon
as possible. We therefore urge the Government to include the Bill
in the Queen's Speech; to consider its introduction at an early
date in the House of Lords, and to expedite its progress in both
Houses.
Letter from the Foreign Secretary to the
Chairman of the Committee on the draft International Criminal
Court Bill (7 November 2000)
Thank you for your letter of 24 October about
the draft International Criminal Court Bill.
I share the Foreign Affairs Committee's desire
to see the UK to ratify the ICC Statute as soon as possible. The
aim of consultation has indeed been to facilitate the Bill's smooth
passage by ensuring that its provisions have been thoroughly reviewed
prior to introduction. The Bill will be introduced as soon as
the Parliamentary timetable allows. You will understand that I
cannot be any more specific on timing in advance of The Queen's
Speech.
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