§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the effect of the infringement procedures begun on 20 April by the EFTA surveillance authority against Finland, Austria and Norway for failing to implement within the set time period the environmental impact assessment directive, on the elegibility of those countries to join the European Union.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryProceedings by the EFTA surveillance authority under the European Economic Area agreement will not effect the eligibility of Finland, Austria and Norway to join the European Union. Article 171 of the treaty of accession—a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library—provides for any cases pending before the EFTA surveillance authority at the time of accession to be transmitted without delay to the European Commission, which will continue to deal with them under the relevant Community provisions.