Written question asked by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 January 2011. It was answered by Lord Herbert of South Downs (Conservative) on Monday, 7 February 2011 on behalf of the Home Office.

Extradition

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are held in the UK awaiting extradition to (a) EU countries and (b) non-EU countries.

Answer: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland are the designated UK authorities responsible for processing European arrest warrants (EAWs). The EAW governs extradition arrangements between member states of the EU.As of 31 January 2011, according to SOCA records, there are 215 people remanded in custody in the United Kingdom at varying stages of the EAW extradition process.55 people are currently in detention pursuant to extradition requests received by the Home Office from non-EU countries. This figure includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does not include extradition requests made directly to Scotland.

Secondary information