§ 50. Mr. Sandelsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake to keep the House informed of changes in the current state of progress in the other member States of the European Community on
Adoption of Council Decision of 20th September 1976 Legislation laying down the electoral procedure Belgium … … Bill introduced. Parliament to discuss it at beginning of next session. Bill approved by Cabinet on 14th October. Referred to Conseil d'Etat for clearance, which is expected in a matter of days. Government committed to giving Bill priority. Denmark … … Direct Elections Bills for Denmark and 2nd December. Greenland passed by the Folketing on Germany … … Bill adopted by Bundestag on 17th June 1977. Notification given to Secretariat. First reading completed by Bundestag. Second and third readings shortly. France … … Law adopted on 16th June 1977 by National Assembly on 23rd June by Senate. Law adopted on 30th June 1977 by Senate and National Assembly. Ireland … … With the June elections the Bill introduced in April ceased to be applicable. An ad hoc Commission reported in mid-October. The Government introduced a new Bill on 14th October. Committee stage has now been completed. Legislative process expected to be over by end of 1977. Italy … … Law adopted in January 1977. Notification given to Secretariat. Bill still under consideration by inter-party committee and officials. Luxembourg … Law adopted on 6th July 1977. Bill in preparation. Expected to be presented in November with a view to enactment in the New Year. Netherlands … Law adopted on 23rd June 1977 by Second Chamber and 28th June 1977 by First Chamber. Draft Bill is with the Council of State for clearance prior to submission to the Second Chamber. United Kingdom … Draft legislation was tabled in Parliament on 24th June 1977 and passed on second reading by the House of Commons on 7th July 1977. The Bill was debated in second reading on 24th November.