§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the document "Corpus Juris" sponsored by the Directorate General (Financial Control) of the European Commission; what Her Majesty's Government's policy is on this document; and if he will place a copy of the document in the Library. [12813]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 27 October 1997]: We understand that the document in question is a discussion paper with no formal status. We disagree with many of its recommendations which are incompatible with the legal traditions of this country. However, for any of them to have effect, they would need to be proposed formally and agreed unanimously in the Council. I understand that an English translation of the document should be obtainable from the European Commission. I am arranging for copies to be obtained and placed in the Library as requested.