HL Deb 27 January 2000 vol 608 c205WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make available explanatory memoranda about international conventions awaiting ratification to the House in hard copy as well as on the Internet. [HL545]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

Explanatory Memoranda (EMs) are already available to the House in hard copy. The FCO sends two sets of a treaty command paper and its accompanying EM to the Clerk of the Parliaments on the day of laying. One of these sets is marked for the attention of the Printed Paper Office so that copies can be made for distribution to Peers.