European Union Bill

Debate between Lord Bowness and Lord Stoddart of Swindon

Monday 23rd May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon]

Did I understand the noble Lord correctly when he said that the proposal is that the Official Journal of the European Union should only be published online? If so, that is quite a serious proposal because not everyone has online access.

[Lord Bowness]

My Lords, I do not wish to take up the time of the Committee. The proposal as I understand it is to continue producing the printed version. It is a question of which version the courts will recognise. The courts have said to date that only the printed version is the authentic one. If this proposal goes through, they will be able to accept the electronic version. The noble Lord will not be disfranchised by not being online.