HL Deb 30 July 1998 vol 592 cc222-3WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 21 April (WA 203), whether they will introduce a procedure to give Lords notice of the publication of explanatory memoranda relating to international treaties signed by or on behalf of Her Majesty's Government and laid before Parliament under the so-called "Ponsonby Rule" while awaiting ratification. [HL2889]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Notice of the publication of an Explanatory Memoranda (EM) is given in the Minutes of Proceedings and Votes with each entry for a treaty laid under the Ponsonby Rule. Paper copies are available in the Printed Paper Office on the day after the treaty is laid together with copies of the relevant Command Paper. In addition, as stated in my Written Answer of 21 April (WA 203), EMs are published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Internet Site.