To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to deposit the UK's instruments of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty with the relevant body. (175586)

[holding answer 7 January 2008]: The Government introduced a Bill to give effect to the EU Reform Treaty in UK law on 17 December.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his Post European Council statement of 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 598:

“We will ensure that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House, so that the Bill can be examined in the fullest detail and all points of view can be heard”.

The Government will ratify the Treaty after the Bill has been approved by Parliament and received Royal Assent.