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European Organization for Nuclear Research (Privileges and Immunities) Order 2006

rose to move, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Privileges and Immunities) Order 2006. The noble Lord said: This order was laid before the House on 25 May 2006 together with an explanatory memorandum, which is now required for all affirmative statutory instruments. The draft order will confer legal capacities of a body corporate and privileges and immunities on the European Organization for Nuclear Research. It also confers privileges and immunities on representatives of state parties, the director-general and officials of the organisation. These privileges and immunities are conferred in accordance with the protocol on the privileges and immunities of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which was signed on behalf of the United Kingdom on 18 March 2004. The European Organization for Nuclear Research—known as CERN—is situated on the French-Swiss border near Geneva, and was founded by 12 member states that had ratified the convention for the establishment of a European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cm 928) on 29 September 1954. United Kingdom ratification was deposited on30 December 1953. CERN is the world’s leading particle physics centre, and provides an infrastructure for member states to engage in science projects that would not otherwise be viable. CERN is funded by 20 member states, with the United Kingdom contributing £80 million, which amounts to 20 per cent of the total budget. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council lead on policy at official level. The order will allow the United Kingdom to comply with its international obligations in giving full effect to the protocol on the privileges and immunities of the European Organization for Nuclear Research. I am satisfied that the order is compatible with the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. This order is important. I trust that it is non-controversial. I hope that it will receive the full support of Members of the Committee. I beg to move. Moved, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Privileges and Immunities) Order 2006.—(Lord Triesman.)