CHILD SOLDIERS

Early day motion 355, tabled 3 February 2000 by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 80 members.

That this House welcomes the drafting of an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on child soldiers which establishes 18 as the new minimum age for direct participation in hostilities; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to sign and ratify this new international standard as soon as it is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

Signatures by party: Labour 53, Liberal Democrat 16, Labour/Co-operative 6, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 1, UUP 1.