§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the German constitutional court to rule on the constitutional validity in Germany of the Maastricht treaty; and what is his estimate of the effect on the ratification process.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe German Constitutional Court held an oral hearing on the constitutional validity of the Maastricht treaty on 1–2 July. A ruling is not expected before the end of September. The Maastricht treaty will enter into force on the first day of the month following ratification by the last signatory state to do so.