Confusion of courts
Sir: Alexander Chancellor's welcome assessment of Britain's position in the European Communities (Notebook, 23 January) constituted a useful contribution to the current debate. It contained, however, one unfortunate blemish. The European Court of Human Rights (which he quoted with regard to the case of the British Rail employees who opposed the closed shop) is nothing whatsoever to do
with the EEC. It is an institution of the Council of Europe — which has 21 members and is, coincidentally, based at Strasbourg (the customary gathering place of the European Parliament). The European Communities possess their own quite separate legal entity, namely the European Court — which is based in Lux- embourg and has quite different functions (concerning interpretations of the Treaty of Rome). Confusion between these two in- stitutions is widespread and usually used unfairly to the detriment of the European Communities.
Richard Cottrell MEP
48 Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, Bath
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