28. Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Attorney—General if he will make a statement as to the implications of the Amsterdam treaty for his Department. [7307]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Amsterdam treaty does not have any specific implications for the work of my Department, but as a member of the Government I welcome the outstanding achievement of my colleagues in securing such a treaty which meets our key objectives.
Mr. ThomasI am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Does he agree that a strong and effective European Court of Justice is essential if this country is to gain the maximum advantage from 521 membership of the European Union and essential to the interests of British industry if it is to take advantage of the single market?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. A strong European Court of Justice is essential if we are to ensure compliance with the rules of Community law, such as the rules governing the internal market. As my hon. Friend says, the overwhelming majority of those rules benefit us—so I endorse his views.
§ Mr. BurnettCan the provisions of the Amsterdam treaty be used to enable United Kingdom judgments more easily to be enforced in other European Union countries?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs the hon. Gentleman will have heard, I made my Department's responsibilities quite clear in my main answer, and the implications are as I have said. I could tell him what objectives we achieved, but the details of the treaty are matters for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I would respectfully suggest that the hon. Gentleman puts the question to him.