HL Deb 21 February 1962 vol 237 cc709-10

2.11 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making to keep Parliament informed of the steps taken for the setting up and equipment of Eurocontrol and of the policy and performance of Eurocontrol, including those of its Permanent Commission and Agency, when it is in operation.]

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Aviation will arrange for Parliament to be informed when Her Majesty's Government come to ratify the Eurocontrol Convention. That Convention, which was published in June, 1961, as a Command Paper (No. 1373), states the procedure necessary for the setting up of the permanent organisation and contains provisions governing its policy, programmes and performance. The actions of the responsible Minister and his representatives and the contributions of the United Kingdom will be open to Parliamentary questioning and inquiry in the usual way. In addition, Her Majesty's Government are promoting the idea of the publication by Eurocontrol of an annual report, copies of which could be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. The initial reactions to this proposal have been favourable.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply, which I think takes the matter a little further. Would he give some indication to those of us who are interested in this subject of the time when the annual report will be made, so that, if necessary we can put down a further Question on the Order Paper to bring it to the attention of Members generally?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, it is difficult to know at what time the annual report will be made, until the Permanent Commission and Agency comes into being, and that will not be until it has been ratified by all the members. It seems at present that ratification will be completed during the first half of this year. After that, it may be possible to give a slightly better answer.