To ask the Attorney-General what guidance is issued by the Lord Chancellor to the judiciary concerning references to the European Court of Justice under article 177 of the treaty of Rome.

No formal guidance is given by the Lord Chancellor, since the decision whether or not to make a reference under article 177 is for the court. However, there is case law, both in the European Court of Justice and in English courts, on the considerations to be taken into account in deciding whether to make a reference and upon its formulation.