To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made on negotiations within the EU on converting the Rome Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations into a Community Regulation and modernising some of its rules (Rome I). (92905)

The European Commission issued the draft Rome I regulation in December 2005. The Council of Ministers Working Group, which comprises officials and other non-ministerial representatives of member states and the Commission, met in May, July and September to discuss the draft. The Presidency has considered the comments made and has now produced a revised draft text. The Working Group will meet again in late October and, subject to confirmation by the Presidency, in December.

The proposed Rome I regulation is subject to co-decision. The JURI (Legal Affairs) Committee of the European Parliament has given initial consideration to the report of its Rapporteur on the proposal.