§ Lord Mackay of Drumadoonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 8 June (WA 73–76) that the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 28 and 29 May had failed to reach political agreement on the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance, when they anticipate that such agreement will be achieved. [HL2514]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe timescale for completion of the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance will depend on how quickly outstanding issues can be resolved, in particular concerning interception of telecommunications, data protection, the role of the European Court of Justice and the territorial scope of the application of the convention. The Austrian Presidency has indicated that it will give high priority to finalising the convention during its six-month term of office (ending December 1998).