I propose to take Questions Nos. 877 and 878 together.
In so far as the EU Convention on Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgements in Matrimonial Matters, the Brussels II Convention, is concerned, I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave in this House to Question No. 651 on 26 January 2000, Official Report, cols. 405 and 406. The regulation referred to in that reply was adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council in May of this year and will enter into force on 1 March 2001.
I understand that The Hague Convention to which the Deputy refers is the convention of 1 June 1970 on the recognition of divorces and legal separations. The possible ratification of this convention is not in contemplation at the moment but is being kept under review.