asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 561 on the protection of minors against ill-treatment, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 30th September, 1969; and whether they will comply with the proposals made in this text, in particular in paragraph 9 (b).
Written Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendations.
124.
The Government appreciate the motives of the Consultative Assembly in adopting this Recommendation. The question of complying with the proposals in the Recommendation must, however, await examination by the appropriate committee of governmental experts of the Council of Europe. With regard to paragraph 9 (b) the issue of professional secrecy is one of major significance.
125.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government to Recommendation No. 562 on the administration of environmental health systems, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 30th September, 1969; and whether they will comply with the proposals made therein, in particular with regard to paragraph 6 (b) (i).
Recommendation 562 of the Consultative Assembly calls for a coordinated service at national and international level on the administration of environmental health systems. The Government take the view that, while some of these matters are on common ground with each other, some are unrelated and, in this country, involve separate Departments. Fusion of these on the sole basis of the objectives of the Recommendation would not be justified. There is no objection to harmonisation of legislation as recommended in paragraph 6 (b) (ii) of the Recommendation.