HL Deb 07 May 1981 vol 420 c324WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have ratified the Common Fund Agreement planned to come into operation in March 1981; if not, why not; and which of the 91 nations needed to ratify the Agreement have done so.

Lord Trefgarne

The Common Fund Agreement will enter into force after 31st March 1982 if it has by then been ratified by 90 states accounting for two-thirds of directly contributed capital. One state, Indonesia, had ratified the Agreement up to 1st April. The United Kingdom is not able to ratify the Agreement until the necessary parliamentary procedures, such as the approval of an Immunities and Privileges Order, have been completed. We shall also wish to act in consultation with other members of the European Community.