§ Lord Carter rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 21st May be approved [20th Report from the Joint Committee].
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, the order confers a legal capacity as required to fulfil our obligations under the terms of reference of the ICSG, which the Government provisionally accepted on 5th June 1998. ICGS is an inter-governmental organisation formed in 1989 under the auspices of the United Nations. There are currently 17 member states—including France, Germany and Italy—and the European Union. The headquarters are in Lisbon, where the study group meets formally twice a year. My brief helpfully informs me that Lisbon is in Portugal.
§ UK industry firmly believes that there is considerable value in membership of the group; indeed, it says that it is enormous. It provides market transparency and is a forum to bring together industry and governments. The UK is among the world's top 10 consumers of copper, so it is logical that we should be members. Membership will ensure that the UK and the copper industry are not disadvantaged by the activities of the ICSG, and will be able to influence the future direction of the study group, which provides a useful vehicle for regular dialogue on a wide variety of issues affecting copper.
§ It is a straightforward order, just to deal with the legal capacity. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 21st May be approved [20th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Carter.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.