HC Deb 26 October 1999 vol 336 c855W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the Government's current position in relation to the European Commission proposal to adopt the amended Brussels Convention and the new draft Rome II Convention, pursuant to Article 65 of the Amsterdam Treaty; and if a regulatory impact assessment of the costs and benefits to small and medium sized enterprises of the implementation of this proposed EU regulation has been undertaken. [95174]

Mr. Lock

Pursuant to the Protocol to the Treaty of Rome governing the special position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in relation to measures adopted under the Title IV of that treaty, the Government is not yet required to decide whether the United Kingdom should opt-in to the negotiations on the recent proposal for a regulation to replace the 1968 Brussels convention. This decision must be taken before 8 December 1999.

No proposal for a regulation has yet been made in relation to the draft Rome II Convention which will establish choice of law rules in relation to non-contractual matters; negotiations on this proposed agreement are still at an early stage. There will be proper consultation on it at the appropriate time.

No regulatory impact assessment of the costs and benefits to small and medium sized enterprises of the implementation of the proposed regulation to replace the Brussels Convention has been undertaken. Such an assessment was not considered appropriate in this case.