HC Deb 19 February 1993 vol 219 c356W
Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his statement of 15 February,Official Report, columns 27–28, why he considers it desirable for the social protocol to be incorporated into domestic law, other than for reasons of completeness and tidiness.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The social protocol is an annex to the treaty of Rome, and is therefore an integral part of that treaty. It has been the United Kingdom's consistent legislative practice to incorporate all amendments to the Community treaties into domestic law. This avoids unnecessary complexity in the implementation of our Community obligations.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his statement of 15 February,Official Report, columns 27–28, why he decided to seek legal advice from the Law Officer on the impact of amendment No. 27 to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The decision to consult the Law Officers on the impact of amendment No. 27 was taken in the light of discussion in the House of Commons and elsewhere which highlighted the importance of this question.