HC Deb 22 May 1972 vol 837 cc262-3W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Customs Treaty Series No. 47 (1972) Amendment to the Convention on the Valuation of Goods for Customs Purposes done at Brussels on 15th December, 1950, was made available to Members of Parliament in the English translation; and what action he proposes to take to speed up the publication of such documents in the future.

Mr. Anthony Royle

The Amendment entered into force on 18th April, 1972, and the English and French texts (both equally authentic) were laid before Parliament on 11th May, 1972, and published in the Treaty Series on 12th May, 1972.

It is the practice of Her Majesty's Government to lay before Parliament the texts of all Agreements and Amendments thereto signed by the United Kingdom, as soon as possible after signature or adoption. On some occasions there are administrative and technical reasons why such texts cannot be laid and published immediately, but every effort is and will continue to be made to provide Parliament with such information as speedily as possible.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the English translation of Part 3 of Community Institution Regulation 2533/71/Euratom of 22nd November, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament; and what action he proposes to take to speed up the publication of such documents in the future;

(2) when the English translation of Part 2, Commercial Policy, Regulation 160/72/EEC, of 25th January, 1972, became available to Members of Parliament;

(3) when the English translation of Part 5, Customs Questions, Regulation 2861/71/EEC, of 20th December, 1971, became available to Members of Parliament; and what action he proposes to take to speed up the publication of such documents in the future.

Mr. Rippon

English texts of the instruments referred to were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on 5th May and became available to hon. Members through the Vote Office on that day.