§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General what action he has taken, or intends taking, to ensure that in the event of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community, no British citizen or company will ever be convicted by the Appeals Court in Luxembourg, except on the basis that he or it is held to be innocent until proved guilty.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo such action is required. The European Court of Justice has no original jurisdiction in criminal matters. In any event, the rules of procedure of the European Court ensure that all parties receive a full and a fair hearing.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General what action he has taken, or intends taking, to ensure that legal aid will always be available to enable people to contest any case in the Luxembourg Court, in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe European Court operates its own system of legal aid. I propose to examine in due course whether it would be appropriate to supplement the European Court's system.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General what action he has taken, or intends taking, to ensure that Great Britain, in general, and his Department, in particular, are fairly represented on the bench of the Common Market Court, if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community, and that civil servants and legal representatives from our courts will form a reasonable part of the court secretariat.
§ The Attorney-GeneralProvisions have been agreed for the enlargement of the European Court of Justice with a view to the representation on the bench 445W of the new member States on the same scale as the existing ones. It is the policy of the European Court to include nationals of each member State in a fair proportion on the bench and among the staff of the Court. I have every confidence that this policy will be adopted towards the nationals of new member States.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will ensure that before accession to the European Economic Community English will be accepted as the only language of the Common Market Court of Justice; and that all Common Market laws and regulations must be translated into accepted legal English before becoming valid in this country.
§ The Attorney-GeneralEnglish will be added to the official languages of the European Court, which will also include French, German, Dutch, Italian and, if the other three applicants also join, Norwegian and Danish as well. In accordance with the rules of procedure, English will be the language normally used in proceedings brought by a United Kingdom subject if he so chooses. All Common Market laws and regulations will be available in agreed English texts by the date on which we accede to the Communities.