§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when it is intended that the European economic area agreement signed on 2 May will come into force.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have been asked to reply.
The agreement establishing the European economic area provides for it to come into force from 1 January 1993. Before it comes into force it will require ratification by all the EC and EFTA member states and the assent of the European Parliament. To this end the Government introduced a Bill to the House of Lords on 22 October. Subject to parliamentary progress, the Government intend to ratify the EEA as soon possible.