§ Mr. Brewisasked the Attorney General if he will make a statement on the fifth Conference of European Ministers of Justice which met in London recently.
The Attorney GeneralThe Fifth Conference of European Ministers of Justice was held in London on 5th, 6th and 7th June, under the auspices of the Council of Europe. This is the first time the Conference has been held in London. The Lord Chancellor took the chair.
All the 18 member States of the Council sent delegations, headed in all cases but four by their Ministers of Justice. The Ministers of Justice of Finland and 149W Spain were present as observers. The Conference reviewed the legal work of the Council of Europe, particularly that of its two legal committees, the European Committee on Legal Co-operation, and the European Committee on Crime Problems, and it discussed plans for the future. Specific subjects discussed included methods of achieving law reform in Europe, the interaction of the recently concluded United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with the European Convention on human Rights, the proposals of a number of countries to reduce the age of majority, and the possibility of harmonising at least some aspects of the law of inheritance in Europe. In the field of criminal law the particular problems discussed were how to achieve the more effective deployment of economic and manpower resources in the fight against crime, and the general policy to be followed in respect of road traffic offences.
During the Conference two new Conventions were opened for signature. These were the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law, and the European Convention on the Abolition of Legalisation of Documents Executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officers. The United Kingdom signed both Conventions.
I have no doubt that this Conference achieved useful results, and has played its part in promoting good will and cooperation between European countries.