Treaties: Explanatory Memoranda

HL Deb 21 April 1998 vol 588 cc202-3WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, before ratifying international conventions and treaties on the United Kingdom's behalf, they will publish explanatory memoranda containing the Government's reasons for, and the benefits and costs of, such ratification, so as to facilitate effective parliamentary scrutiny. [HL1425]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Since 1 January 1997, all treaties which have been concluded subject to ratification or to which we intend to accede, and which are laid under the Ponsonby Rule, have been accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum.

The Explanatory Memorandum contains a description of the subject matter of the treaty and an account of the reasons why it is proposed that the United Kingdom should become a party to the treaty. It further highlights the benefits for the United Kingdom from participation as well as any burdens on the United Kingdom which would result.

So far, 21 Explanatory Memoranda have been laid before Parliament. They are published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Internet site at www.fco.gov.uk/treaty.