asked the Minister for Justice when it is intended to enact the necessary legislation to bring into force the European Economic Community's Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments.
Written Answers. - EEC Convention.
324.
Work has commenced on the preparation of proposals for legislation to enable this country to ratify the Convention of Accession to the EEC Judgments Convention. Having regard to the complexity of the subject and because I cannot exclude the possibility that it may become necessary to interrupt the work to give priority to more urgent matters, a firm estimate cannot be given at this stage as to the likely date of introduction of the legislation.
Ratification by all the original six member states and by one or more of the three states which joined the Community in 1973 is necessary before the convention, as adjusted in 1978, can enter into force as between the ratifying States. Up to now, so far as I am aware, only the Netherlands and Italy have ratified the 1978 convention.