§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Prime Minister how many times the United Kingdom Government have appeared at the European Court of Justice in each of the past seven years in order to defend themselves against allegations concerning breaches of EC directives; which Departments of state were directly involved; in which of these cases the decision went against the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterSince 1986, 10 direct actions against the United Kingdom have been brought before the European Court of Justice by the Commission, in accordance with article 169 of the treaty of Rome, involving allegations that the United Kingdom was in breach of its obligations under EC directives. Such actions are addressed to Her Majesty's Government and not to any individual Department, but the Departments with the leading interest in the cases were:
Number of cases Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1 Her Majesty's Customs and Excise 2 Department of Employment 3 Department of the Environment 2 Department of Trade and Industry 1 Department of Transport 1 Two of the cases were withdrawn before reaching judgment; in three cases the judgment has not yet been delivered. In one of the remaining cases, the court dismissed the application; in the other four the United Kingdom was held to be in breach of the relevant directives.
Further details of cases brought against the United Kingdom are contained in the six-monthly White Papers on developments in the European Community, which also contain details of references to the European Court of Justice from United Kingdom courts under article 177 of the treaty.