§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the aims of the European Foundation treaty; and what information he has on the Dutch refusal to ratify it.
§ Mr. EggarThe aims of the European Foundation, which the 10 then members of the European Community 741W agreed to establish in 1982, were to promote European consciousness by various means including cultural activity. The Dutch Government have recently announced that they have been unable to ratify the agreement because of opposition in their Upper House. Without ratification by all the signatories, the foundation cannot come into existence.