asked the Secretary of State for Foreign ad Commonwealth Affairs whether he will sign and submit for ratification the European Agreement on au pair placement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have signed or ratified the Council of Europe Agreement on au pair placement (1969).

The Agreement has been ratified by Denmark, France, Italy and Norway; and signed but not ratified by Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in the light of the fact that the United Kingdom's failure to sign and ratify the au pair placement agreement is preventing other Governments of Council of Europe member States signing or ratifying this agreement, if he will make a statement.

The agreement entered into force on 30th May 1971 following its ratification by the required number of signatories—three. It has since been ratified by one other. That the United Kingdom has not signed does not prevent other Council of Europe member States from doing so.