§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey on 1 November 1995 (WA 159), Whether they have issued notes of guidance for Ministers and civil servants about the proper operation of the Ponsonby Rule and, if so, Whether they Will publish them.
§ Lord CheshamGeneral guidance is issued to government departments by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which retains responsibility for compliance with the Ponsonby Rule and all other matters to do with the ratification of treaties. The gist of this guidance was published in theBritish Year Book of International Law 1992(volume LXIII at page 704)
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§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey on 1 November 1995 (WA 159), what are the criteria by which they interpret what are "important" treaties which the Government submit to each House of Parliament for discussion under the Ponsonby Rule.
§ Lord CheshamThere are no fixed criteria for determining which treaties are debated in Parliament for discussion. The matter is decided case by case.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which of the other Member States of the Council of Europe require, or do not require (as the case may be), parliamentary approval to be given for the ratification of treaties.
§ Lord CheshamThis information is not readily available either in the FCO or via the Council of Europe Secretariat and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.