§ Mr. Spearing
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 37, what is the basis for clear distinction between the intergovernmental binding decision in respect of Denmark taken in Edinburgh, and a treaty judiciable at the International Court at The Hague.
§ The Prime Minister
In the EC context 'treaty' is normally used for an instrument amending the Community treaties and thus requiring ratification. The decision in respect of Denmark does not amend either the Maastricht treaty or the earlier Community treaties and does not require ratification. It is, like a treaty, binding in international law.