§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the statement made by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey that "the acquis communautaire is not sacred, nor is it untouchable" (H.L. Deb. 8/3/95, col. 353), and if so, whether they believe that that view is shared by any other country of the European Union.
§ Lord InglewoodThe"acquis communautaire" is not defined in the Community treaties. It is the sum of what has been achieved since the founding of the Communities by the development and establishment of Community law and practice. This can be developed and changed wherever appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the treaties. Examples of change include the subsidiary review of existing legislation and the deregulation initiative undertaken by the Commission at the Brussels European Council in December 1993. This initiative has the support of all the member states of the Union.