Part 2Ratification of treaties
20Treaties to be laid before Parliament before ratification
1
Subject to what follows, a treaty is not to be ratified unless—
a
a Minister of the Crown has laid before Parliament a copy of the treaty,
b
the treaty has been published in a way that a Minister of the Crown thinks appropriate, and
c
period A has expired without either House having resolved, within period A, that the treaty should not be ratified.
2
Period A is the period of 21 sitting days beginning with the first sitting day after the date on which the requirement in subsection (1)(a) is met.
3
Subsections (4) to (6) apply if the House of Commons resolved as mentioned in subsection (1)(c) (whether or not the House of Lords also did so).
4
The treaty may be ratified if—
a
a Minister of the Crown has laid before Parliament a statement indicating that the Minister is of the opinion that the treaty should nevertheless be ratified and explaining why, and
b
period B has expired without the House of Commons having resolved, within period B, that the treaty should not be ratified.
5
Period B is the period of 21 sitting days beginning with the first sitting day after the date on which the requirement in subsection (4)(a) is met.
6
A statement may be laid under subsection (4)(a) in relation to the treaty on more than one occasion.
7
Subsection (8) applies if—
a
the House of Lords resolved as mentioned in subsection (1)(c), but
b
the House of Commons did not.
8
The treaty may be ratified if a Minister of the Crown has laid before Parliament a statement indicating that the Minister is of the opinion that the treaty should nevertheless be ratified and explaining why.
9
“Sitting day” means a day on which both Houses of Parliament sit.