HL Deb 15 November 1972 vol 336 cc707-9

2.37 p.m.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

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 propose to enable members of both Houses of Parliament to obtain free on demand a copy of the European Community's Journal Officiel in both parts, namely, "Legislation"and" Communications et Information", as distinct from the existing opportunity to consult a single copy on file in the Library of each House.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, from January 1 next both the "L" and "C" series of the Official Journal of the European Communities will also be published in English. Copies of the English version will be made available to Members of this House free, and on demand, at the Printed Paper Office. I understand that parallel arrangements are being made in another place. In the meantime, Members wishing to have their own free copies of the French edition of the Official Journal may order them through the Printed Paper Office in the usual way.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, in thanking my noble friend for that much more satisfactory reply than I had dared to hope for, may I ask whether she has given her mind, and will the Government give their mind, to the whole problem of access by working Members of either House of Parliament to the major E.E.C. documents, and whether this may not call eventually for the establishment of a special office in this building to service that requirement?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I understand that the detailed proposals on how these documents are to be made available are at this moment being considered in this House by the Offices Committee.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness a question which has a bearing on the matter of furnishing information to Members of your Lordships' House about transactions and decisions associated with the Common Market Commission? After January 1, if and when we enter the Common Market, do I understand that if questions are asked about transactions associated with the Common Market, the actions of the Commission and the Council of Ministers, such questions will be answered in this House, or are we likely to be referred to Brussels for information?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I should have said that that was an entirely different question from the one on the Order Paper.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, does the noble Baroness understand that I asked that question because the Government and Members of your Lordships' House should be prepared?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I am sure I understand the reason why the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, asked the question, and I may say that I have taken note of what he said.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, may I put a further supplementary to my noble friend, as she is in such a receptive mood to-day? Is she aware that there is a problem and that there will be a mounting problem of enabling Members of Parliament to know what in fact are the important E.E.C. documents at any one moment? I mentioned the Journal Official because that is the beg index currently available. Will my noble friend consider some means whereby we can all know, as we do at present with pink papers from the Printed Paper Office, what is available, what is most worth asking for and how to get it?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, any question about what is worth asking for is surely for the individual judgment of each noble Lord. As I said in answer to the Question on the Order Paper, the Journal Officiel, which comes out daily as far as legislation is concerned and three or four times a week as regards information and communication, will be available in the English language as from January 1.