To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to implement parts of the Amsterdam treaty not included in the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1998.[77692]

The parts of the Amsterdam treaty not included in the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1998 relate to the common foreign and security policy and police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. They constitute frameworks for action. As such, they themselves can be implemented without the need for UK legislation. That said, measures adopted under these provisions may in due course give rise to the need for legislation. If this is the case, such legislation will be presented to Parliament.