§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what(a) committees and (b) working groups his Department has set up to consider the revision of the Rome Convention; and if he will list the members of each such group and meetings scheduled; [116059]
(2) what consultation (a) he has undertaken and (b) is planned by his Department on the revision of the Rome Convention; [116601]
(3) if he will list the meetings his Department has held with outside bodies on the revision of the Rome Convention; what conclusions were reached; and if he will deposit these in the Library; [116064]
(4) what discussions on forthcoming legislation have taken place with the Department of Trade and Industry on the implications of the revision of the Rome Convention for electronic commerce; and if he will make a statement. [116128]
§ Mr. LockNegotiations within the European Union for the revision of the 1980 Rome Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations have not yet started. Officials in my Department have not consulted outside individuals or bodies about any aspect of any such revision exercise. When the negotiations start, officials in my Department will ensure that there is full public consultation on all aspects of the review during the course of these negotiations. Officials in my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry have had a number of general discussions about the 1980 Rome Convention and electronic commerce. When the plans for the review are known the Departments will work closely together on all the policy issues raised in the review, including those affecting electronic commerce.