Foreign &

Commonwealth

8 November 1996

Office

London SWIA 2AH

Bill Etherington Esq MPThe Minister of State

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

Thank you for your letter of 25 October to the Foreign Secretary concerning the establishment of an International Criminal Court. I am replying as Minister responsible for International Organisations.

The Government supports the establishment of an International Criminal Court to try certain of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. Our support for the establishment of such a court is dependent, among other things, upon its being a court of last resort in cases where states are unable or unwilling to act. A court should only be established if it is generally accepted by the international community.

We will take a final decision as to whether to become party to the statute establishing such a court once the statute is finalised.

Sir Nicholas Bonsor