§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (i) judicial and (ii) legal harmonisation called for in paragraph 33 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions. [96509]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe European Council at Tampere concluded that the principle of mutual recognition, which the United Kingdom put forward, should become the cornerstone of judicial co-operation in both civil and criminal matters within the Union. The European Council conclusions in particular highlighted mutual recognition in relation to extradition, pre-trial orders and evidence, and asked the Council and the Commission to adopt, by December 2000, a programme to implement the principle of mutual recognition,114W including common minimum standards of procedural law which respect the fundamental legal principles of Member States.
United Kingdom proposals in this area were described in reply to a question from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 13 April 1999, Official Report, columns 12-13, given by the former Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey).
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to paragraph 19 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions, what national programmes he plans to establish to fight against discrimination. [96512]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are still awaiting publication by the European Commission of the package of proposals referred to in paragraph 19 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions. Without sight of the package, it is difficult to say what national programmes we plan to establish pursuant to it.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has, however, committed this Government to bring forward legislation at the earliest opportunity in order to extend the Race Relations Act 1976 to all public services, including the police. In addition, the Home Office Race Equality Unit expects to launch a new Race Equality Grant early next year. Both these developments could include any relevant proposals covered in the package.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) role and (b) teaching matter, of the European Police College as agreed at Tampere. [96575]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 716.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to paragraph 29 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions, if he will make a statement on the planned information campaign, with special reference to the(a) cost, (b) target audience and (c) maintenance of political neutrality. [96508]
§ Mr. LockI have been asked to reply.
The campaign is intended to provide published information about judicial co-operation and legal procedures in the member states for the benefit of those, particular consumers and other small claimants, who may need to litigate from other member states. Making such information available is an important first step in improving access to justice across European borders. The Commission has not yet proposed how they intend to publish such information so it is not possible at this early stage to estimate the cost. Since this is factual information political neutrality should not be an issue.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to paragraphs 38-9 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the(a) method, (b) nature and (c) extent of convergence in civil law. [96510]
§ Mr. LockI have been asked to reply.
115WThe Government support, in principle, the elimination of obstacles to the good functioning of civil proceedings in cross border cases where this is necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market, including by promoting the compatibility of applicable civil procedure where there is a real and demonstrable need for such measures. However, the Government do not support blanket harmonisation of civil law and procedure, which would be unnecessary and impracticable, nor has any such proposal been made.