§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to ratify the convention on the protection of financial interests of the Council of Ministers; and how this convention will be enforced. [34888]
440W
§ Mr. HowardThe European Union convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests cannot be ratified by the United Kingdom until part I of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, which extends the courts' jurisdiction over certain fraud and dishonesty offences where a significant element of the offence is committed within the United Kingdom, is in force. We are currently considering the practicalities of bringing part I into force and it is not at present possible to specify a date for ratification. For Scotland, some changes to primary legislation may also be required. The convention comes into force only after all 15 European Union member states have ratified it; none has so far done so. Enforcement will be a matter for the Council of Ministers.