HC Deb 10 February 1959 vol 599 cc189-90W
Mr. Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made by the Committee of Experts on Arbitration, set up as a result of Recommendation 156 (1958) of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement with regard to the terms of reference of such committee.

Mr. R. Allan

The Committee of Experts on Arbitration were asked, under their terms of reference, to advise on the practicability of concluding, within the framework of the Council of Europe, a Convention in accordance with the principles laid down in Recommendation No. 156.

They have now advised that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe should promote the drawing up of a draft Convention on a uniform arbitration law which might take the place of the domestic laws of the Contracting States, at least in their relations with one another. This reply is being studied.