European Economic Community

HC Deb 19 January 1972 vol 829 cc198-9W

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he now expects an official version of the Treaty of Rome to be published in the English language.

Mr. Rippon

The official and authentic English language version of the European Economic Community Treaty will be laid before the House at the same time as the Treaty of Accession.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official versions of the Treaty of Rome there will be in the event of the four applicant countries becoming members of the Community.

Mr. Rippon

In the event of the four applicant countries becoming members of the Community, there will be eight official and authentic language versions of the European Economic Community Treaty. These will be in Danish, Dutch. English, French, German, Irish, Italian and Norwegian.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will negotiate for the Treaty of Rome to be officially translated into the language of minority nations within the member States of an enlarged Community.

Mr. Rippon

No. Community practice is that authentic versions of the European Economic Community Treaty are published only in the official languages of the Community.