To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the term rights and obligations of natural and legal persons in Article 309 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty; which European institution will be responsible for interpreting this provision; and if he will make a statement. [17221]

The reference to

"rights and obligations of natural and legal persons"

in this Article refers to their rights and obligations under Community law. The Council will, in the first instance, be responsible for interpreting this provision. It is also subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.