§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to accept the proposed Article 15 of the draft Brussels Regulation on e-commerce and Article 13 of the Regulation in their current form. [100303]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 29 November 1999]: The Commission's proposals seem to go further than member states envisaged when they reviewed the Brussels Convention on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments. We are actively discussing the implications with the Commission and other member states and we are consulting business and consumer organisations. We aim to finalise our negotiating position shortly. It is vital to accelerate the contribution of e-commerce to economic growth in the EU by agreeing as soon as possible on a legislative framework which gives maximum confidence to everyone engaged in buying and selling on-line.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to change the home country principle contained in the draft e-commerce directive to amend private international law; and what plans he has to seek changes in the use of private international law to remove barriers to the completion of the EU internal market. [100304]
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§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 29 November 1999]: We have no plans to seek to change the country of origin in the draft e-commerce directive. In a case where rules of private international law would adversely affect the freedom to provide information society services in the internal market, the country of origin principle would take precedence. We support this general approach and the proposed exceptions to it, such as for contractual obligations concerning certain consumer contracts. As regards rules of private international law, the Government are considering the Commission's proposals to convert the Brussels Convention, concerning choice of jurisdiction, into a Community Regulation. A revision of the Rome Convention, concerning applicable law, may begin next year.