§ 42. Mr. Rifkindasked the Lord Advocate what contact he has had with the law officers of member States of the European Economic Community.
§ The Lord AdvocateI have had contacts on two occasions since I took office. The more recent was a meeting of the 511 Council and Conference of EEC Ministers of Justice held in Brussels in November, at which I was a member of the United Kingdom delegation. Earlier, in May of this year, I attended the Ninth Conference of European Ministers of Justice, held under the auspices of the Council of Europe, at which Ministers from the other member States of the European Economic Community were present.
§ Mr. RifkindThe House will value the contact that has taken place, but will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether he is satisfied that the Community appreciates the problems arising from a separate Scottish legal system? Will he give an assurance that these considerations are taken fully into account in determining regulations which will affect Britain, including, of course, Scotland as part of it?
§ The Lord AdvocateI can answer the hon. Member affirmatively on each branch of his question. Where I have been personally involved I have taken particular care to ensure that officials and members of the European Community are aware of the separate nature of Scottish law and Scottish legal institutions, and at official level this point has been brought home perhaps almost to the extent of boredom in Brussels.