§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, for the last year for which figures are available, the number of cases brought by the Commission of the European Communities before the European Court of Justice against each member state for breach of their Community obligations; if he will express in tabular form the percentages relating to each member state; and if he will list the penalties imposed in each case.
§ Mr. LuceIn a report (COM(84)181) to the European Parliament the Commission listed 42 instances in 1983 of action being taken against member states in the European Court of Justice. The Commission statistics for that year are as follows: 511W
Member state Number of cases Percentage of total Belgium 4 9.52 Denmark 3 7.14 France 12 28.57 Germany 4 9.52 Greece 2 4.76 Ireland 1 2.38 Italy 12 28.57 Luxembourg 0 0 Netherlands 3 7.14 United Kingdom 1 2.38 Total 42 100.0 Some of these cases are still before the court. Of the cases concluded in 1983 the court found against the states concerned in all but three instances. In accordance with article 171 of the Treaty of Rome the member states concerned are required to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment of the court. Copies of the Commission's report are in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek to reduce the number of infractions of Community obligations of the type which lead to proceedings against member states by the Commission of the European Communities, particularly regarding those states which in the last year for which figures are available had 10 or more such proceedings taken against them.
§ Mr. LuceThe United Kingdom has a clear interest in Community law being upheld. But under the Community treaties it is the Commission which is responsible for ensuring that Community obligations are observed. The United Kingdom's record is a good one. Since we took office in 1979, seven cases have been brought against the United Kingdom in the European Court, a lower number than for any other member state except Denmark.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on human rights in Uganda; and if he has raised any such representations with the Ugandan authorities.
§ Mr. LuceWe have received letters concerning human rights in Uganda from several Members of Parliament, Amnesty International and members of the public. My Ministerial colleagues and officials have also discussed the matter with other organisations, including British relief agencies. We take every opportunity to stress to the Ugandan authorities our concern for the observance of human rights.