§ Mr. Ancramasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will make a statement about the outcome of the Council of Justice Ministers meeting on 25 October.
The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI led the delegation at this meeting, al, which some progress was made on a number of proposals, and the Convention on the. Accession of Greece to the Brussels Convention on Jurisdiction and Enforcement of Judgments was signed. A number of member States reported the progress being made towards ratification of the Brussels convention.
The council passed a resolution encouraging the Commission in its work on the consolidation of Community law.
There was discussion of proposals to give the Court of Justice of the European Communities power to give judgments on the interpretation of the Rome Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations, and the matter was referred to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further consideration in light of the views expressed.
Proposals to create a body to hear cases involving the employees of the European Communities were discussed. and referred to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for study of the cost implications and to enable the staff associations to be consulted.
The Council heard of the progress being made by certain member States which have not yet ratified the Luxembourg Convention on Community Patents, and of the commission's plans for further work on the draft Community bankruptcy convention, including an international symposium to discuss bankruptcy procedures in the national laws of the member States.
A number of member States emphasised the importance of legal co-operation among member States and urged further work on the Genscher/Colombo proposals for a European Act to this end.
473WIn a conference of Justice Ministers of the member States held after the Council meeting there was discussion of the adequacy of existing Conventions on the rights of victims of criminal acts and the transfer of offenders. A proposal for work on legal co-operation among member States in civil matters was referred to the Political Committee for further consideration.
There was discussion of the effect of trade boycotts on companies in member States, and the possibility of Community action in this field. The Commission undertook to prepare a report on the work already done and the scope for further action.
A proposal was made for a new European extradition agreement and the setting up of a European tribunal to deal with crimes with an international element. The proposal was left for member States to consider.