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European Union (Amendment) Bill

I cannot comment on the specifics of the working-time directive, because I do not have the details at my fingertips. The point about the promotion of the acquis, as I interpret it—which is the body of law—is that if you accept that the role of the European Court of Justice is to interpret what has been determined in the treaties, and that within that it has a role and responsibility that those member states operating together which agree what is to happen and agree the legislation—the treaties—then the European Court of Justice will play a role in interpreting the acquis. The noble Lord used the word ““promote””. It is an interesting word—like subsidiarity, it has many meanings, depending on how one looks at it. But I am quite clear that the role of the European Court of Justice is to interpret and examine cases that are brought before it. As we can discuss at greater length when we debate the European Court of Justice, we have been successful in arguing our point when we bring cases before it. We bring those cases before the court so that it can look at the legislation and the interpretation thereof. In addition, we have four judges involved with the European Court of Justice—no member state has more. I hope that I have answered sufficiently for one night—it is after 10, and I promised noble Lords that we would try not to run late. We have had a good first day but a slow one. The noble Lord, Lord Pearson, looks as if he is about to leap to his feet—to withdraw his amendment, I trust. It is great to see him enjoying himself so much.