Hansard

Written Answers

Volume 424: debated on Thursday 22 October 1981

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Written Answers

Community Institutions

Lord O'Hagan

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list all the institutions which they recognise as "Community institutions".

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
(Lord Carrington)

The term "Community institution" is defined in the European Communities Act 1972 and the Interpretation Act 1978.For the purposes of the British Nationality Bill, Her Majesty's Government will consider service under a Community institution to include:

  • (a) Members of the Assembly; Members of the Commission; Judges, Advocates General, the Registrar and Assistant Rapporteurs of the Court of Justice; Members of the organs and staff of the European Investment Bank; Members of the Court of Auditors.
  • (b) Officials and other servants of the Communities, including those working for Community bodies such as the Commission, the Council, the Assembly, the Court of Justice, the ECSC Consultative Committee, the Economic and Social Committee, the Court of Auditors, the European Monetary Co-operation Fund, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the Joint Research Centre, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Scientific and Technical Committee, the Monetary Committee, the Euratom Supply Agency, the Joint European Torus.

    • This list may need to be modified from time to time in order to ensure that it covers all those in service under a Community institution.

    Transport Of Farm Animals: Eec Directive

    Lord Houghton of Sowerby

    asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made with the preparation of a new directive to expand and develop Directive 77/489 of the EEC regarding the transport of farm animals.

    The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
    (Earl Ferrers)

    Directive 81/389/ EEC which develops the provisions of Directive 77/489/EEC was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 12th May 1981.

    Air India V Wiggins—Judgment

    Lord Houghton of Sowerby

    asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to be able to make a statement of their intentions in respect of the case of

    Air India v. Wiggins (July 1980) relating to injury or unnecessary suffering caused to animals in transit to this country by acts done to them before arrival here.

    Earl Ferrers

    The Government propose to make a statement when consideration of all aspects of the problems raised by this judgment have been completed.

    Personal Car Imports

    Lord Chelwood

    asked Her Majesty's Government:What conclusions they have reached about possible changes in the law governing personal car imports from European Community countries; and whether these have now been agreed with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
    (Lord Trefgarne)

    The Government are still studying the situation with regard to the personal import of motor-cars from other European Community countries and have not yet reached any conclusions. The Government will be giving due consideration to the views of all interested parties.

    Long Lartin: Transfer Of Prisoners

    Lord Avebury

    asked Her Majesty's Government:Why George Lee and George Jeffries (both prisoners at Long Lartin) were transferred to other prisons on Thursday, 6th November 1980, and when were the decisions to transfer them made.

    Lord Belstead

    The decisions were made shortly before the transfers which were arranged in the interests of the good order of the prison.

    Seabed Mining And Naval Assistance

    Lord Kennet

    asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is implicit in or consequential on the seabed mining Bill that the Royal Navy will give assistance and protection to seabed mining companies whose

    in situ equipment et cetera, anywhere in the world, is subjected to attack or harassment, and whether it is the case that the United States Government have undertaken to provide such naval and other assistance and protection to seabed mining companies in parallel circumstances.

    Viscount Trenchard

    It is not implicit in or consequential on the Deep Sea Mining (Temporary Provision) Act that naval protection would be afforded to seabed mining companies. The Government would consider what action was appropriate should British interests be threatened. We understand that the U.S. Government have received no approaches about naval protection from U.S. mining companies; nor are we aware that they have given any undertaking regarding naval assistance.House adjourned at seven minutes before seven o'clock.