asked the Minister for the Environment the reason he did not support the draft resolution of the Council of Europe on the Charter for local self-government at the recent Rome meeting of Ministers of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local Self-Government.
609
The sixth Conference of European Ministers responsible for local government was held in Rome from 6-8 November 1984. Theme I of the conference was entitled "Local self-government; adoption of a European charter for local self-government". The technical report on Theme I requested the Ministers to examine the draft Charter and, for the guidance of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe:
(a) to indicate their approval (or otherwise) to the substance of the articles of the draft charter, and
(b) to recommend whether the instrument should be adopted in the form of a recommendation or a convention.
There was unanimous agreement on the principles contained in the draft charter. However, agreement was not reached as regards the legal form which the draft charter should take. A majority favoured a convention, while a significant number, including Ireland, favoured a recommendation.
It is assumed that the "draft resolution of the Council of Europe" referred to by the Deputy, refers to the initial draft of the concluding resolution on Theme I, presented, for adoption by the conference, by the Minister of the Interior of Italy. This initial draft, however, did not adequately reflect the conclusions of the conference and a number of alternative drafts were considered before agreement was reached on the wording of the resolution.
It is now a matter for the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to decide on the legal form which the charter should take.