Judgment of the Court 7 July 1992

In Case C-9/91, REFERENCE to the Court under Article 177 of the EEC Treaty by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, Queen's Bench Division, for a preliminary ruling in the proceedings pending before that court between

THE COURT, composed of: O. Due, President, R. Joliét, F. A. Schockweiler, F. Grévisse and P. J. G. Kapteyn (Presidents of Chambers), G. F. Mancini, J. C. Moitinho de Almeida, G. C. Rodriguez Iglesias, M. Diez de Velasco, M. Zuleeg and J. L. Murray, Judges, Advocate General: W. Van Gerven, Registrar: J. A. Pompe,

after considering the written observations submitted on behalf of: the Equal Opportunities Commission, by Anthony Lester QC, and Judith Beale, Barrister, the United Kingdom Government, by H. A. Kaya, of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, assisted by Richard Plender QC, and David Pannick, Barrister, the German Government, by Ernst Röder, Regierungsdirektor in the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Joachim Karl, Oberregierungsrat in that ministry, the Commission of the European Communities, by Karen Banks, of its Legal Service, acting as Agent,

having regard to the Report for the Hearing,

after hearing the oral observations of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the United Kingdom Government, represented by Lucinda Hudson, assisted by Richard Plender QC, and David Pannick, Barrister, the German Government and the Commission at the hearing on 18 March 1992,

after hearing the Opinion of the Advocate General at the sitting on 12 May 1992,

gives the following

Judgment

Costs

1 Language of the case: English.