asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received from Survival concerning the benefits which could be achieved if the United Kingdom were to ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on land ownership by tribal peoples. [HL4225]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not received any direct representations from Survival International on International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 169.

The UK is concerned that many indigenous people do not enjoy their full human rights and is committed to helping to improve this situation. However, the convention cannot be applied in the UK, as there are no indigenous, tribal or semi-tribal people. To date, only 17 states have ratified this convention.

We are in contact with a number of non-governmental organisations on the UN draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In June 2006, the UK voted in favour of the declaration’s adoption at the UN Human Rights Council.