§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 74–76, concerning the Customs Information convention of the European Community, by what means the convention was ratified by the United Kingdom; and what was the date of the relevant parliamentary proceedings.[15567]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Convention on the use of Information Technology for Customs Purposes (the Customs Information System Convention) was ratified by the United Kingdom in accordance with the agreed practice and procedure for the ratification by the United Kingdom of international agreements, known as the Ponsonby Rule. The procedure provides Parliament with the opportunity to consider the text of any agreement which requires ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by the United Kingdom by laying before Parliament a text of the agreement at least 21 sitting days before ratification can be effected. Provided that Parliament does not seek a debate on the agreement, the Foreign Secretary signs the instrument of ratification which is subsequently deposited with the Secretary General of the Council.
In the case of the Convention on the use of Information Technology for Customs Purposes; the Command Paper was laid before Parliament on 13 November 1996, no Parliamentary debate was sought and the Convention was ratified on 18 June 1997—the date when the United Kingdom instrument of ratification was deposited with the Secretary General to the Council.