§ Mr. Spearingasked the Prime Minister what practices have been adopted in respect of dating and signing of explanatory memoranda on EEC documents; why some memoranda to the House have not been signed by Ministers; and if he will ensure that ministerial signatures are appended to all such documents.
§ The Prime MinisterSince May 1974 standing instructions to Departments have provided for all explanatory memoranda on EEC documents deposited in Parliament to be dated and to be signed by a responsible Minister except in the case of certain routine documents of a technical administrative nature where short explanatory memoranda not signed by a Minister are provided. If my hon. Friend would like to let me know of any particular cases which he may have in mind, I will look into them.