§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages to the United Kingdom of membership of(a) the European Court of Justice and (b) the European Court of Human Rights; and by what mechanism the United Kingdom can withdraw from membership of each. [17766]
The Deputy Prime Minister[holding answer 4 March 1996]: I have been asked to reply.
Accepting jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice is an essential element of European Union membership, the advantages and disadvantages of which have been discussed many times in this House. The UK could withdraw from the jurisdiction of the ECJ only by withdrawing from the EU.
Our policy in respect of the European convention on human rights was set out by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 13 December 1995, Official Report, column 647.