D

• ~~~~ "Great event" in Community progress

On April 20 Parliament unanimously approved the Commission's draft Sixth directive on VAT - heralded by rapporteur Harry Notenboom (CD/NL) as a "great event" in the Community's progress towards integration. The measures to introduce a common system of VAT throughout all nine countries have already been agreed by the Council of Ministers, and will enable the Community budget to be financed wholly out of "own resources" by the beginning of next year. . The steps towards a common VAT system have been slow and Member State as a percentage of the taxable amount and shall painful. Under a directive in April 1967, all countries were be the same for the supply of goods and for the supply of committed to the introduction of VAT as their principal services". indirect tax: and this was eventually achieved. But numerous The European Parliament voted through the Commission's problems remained. If all distortions to the free movement of first proposals for a harmonized VAT as early as 1974. The goods and services were to be removed, and, if the "own new version does not by any means accept Par Iiament's resources" of the Community were to consist in part of a 1 % amendments, which generally tended much further towards a VAT, the various systems had to be brought together. common tax; and it was for this reason that the Council of First, for example, the VATs will have to cover the same Ministers asked Parliament whether it wished to activate the range of goods and services - the "VAT base" wi 11 have to be conciliation procedure (which can come into effect when the same. So the new directive lists a hard-fought list of Parliament and Council disagree on any matter "with budgetary exemptions that all countries wi 11 apply. Then al I countries consequences"). On April 20, however, Parliament decided to must have common definitions of "taxable person" and avoid any further delay: the adopted resolution urged the "taxable transaction". Contrary to the belief of some;however, Council to implement the directive as it stood before the the new directive does not mean that all countries will have Summer, and then "to begin its work on completing the to charge the same rate of VAT. Article 12 on rates says that Sixth directive in 1978 so that true fiscal harmonization may "the standard rate of value added tax shall be fixed by each be achieved".

The European Parliament assembled in Strasbourg on April 18 to learn with shock and regret of the death of Sir Peter Kirk at the age of 48. Members and staff recalled the energy which he has brought to the Parliament when Britain entered the Community in January 1973 and the thrust of his wish to see its influence and effectiveness increased in the face of lethargy and indifference. "Each one of us feels the significance for this Parliament of the loss of Sir Peter Kirk", said President Emilio Colombo. Other public tributes came from Richard Burke on behalf of the European Commission, Lord Reay, Vice­ Chairman of the European Conservative Group, and two days later from British Foreign Secretary David Owen. Private tributes were numerous. Peter Kirk was born in May 1928 and educated at Marlborough, Trinity College, Oxford, and at Zurich University. At Oxford he was elected President of the Union in 1949 and in that year he started his journalistic career which he continued until elected the Conservative Member for Gravesend in 1955. He lost that seat in 1964, but .he returned to the House of Commons a year later for Saffron Walden in succession to R.A. Butler. Under Harold Macmillan he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Army in 1963-64 and Under-Secretary for the Navy under Edward Heath in 1970-73. In that last year his long devotion to the European cause - he had joined the Council of Europe delegation in 1956 - was rewarded when he was appointed leader of the Conservative delegation to the European Parliament. In this role he strove to strengthen the influence and effective­ ness of the Parliament, to unite the centre-right parties of the Community, and to keep Britain in Europe during the 1975 referendum. During recent years he had been working on a major report on the future powers of the Parliament, which has still to be debated. Sir Peter leaves a widow and three sons. A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, May 19, at St Margaret's Westminster. Agricultural Price Review More thir·d-world aid Dr David Owen's debut on April 20 at the The European Parliament's sitting of March Committee did not turn out to be a European Parliament as President of the 22 and 23 on agriculture was intense, but microcosm of the House. When the time Council of Ministers was brief, sandwiched not particularly fruitful. The censure motion came to vote on the paragraph, three vital between his visit to southern Africa and on the Commission for its handling of amendments had been tabled: one opening the debate in the House of "cheap butter to Russia" was voted on (Socialist) reinserting the Commission's Commons on the election of the European after lunch on the Wednesday, and rejected 3%; one (Progressive Democrat) upping it Parliament (see page 4) . The substance of by an overwhelming 95 to 15 (though it is to 6.5% ; and one (Conservative) deleting his address was to try to lift the attention o. worth noting that the burden of the any reference to percentage. Parliament his audience from the immediate concern proposers' complaint - that the Commis­ proceeded to vote them all down in turn, of the Community, grave though they sion should not have suspended sales to . . . and then to vote down the text of were, to understanding that economic the Communist bloc - has now been paragraph 2 as well: as neat an example of circumstances for hundreds of millions of accepted insofar as the Commission has a circular negative majority as can be people overseas were far worse. "Help for resumed them). found! (see below under 'Elections'). the poorest countries of the world does not The more important business of the Two adjournments later, and after receive much sympathy from people living sitting, however, was the Annual Price several compromise amendments had been in the shadow, let alone the reality of Review: a matter was not to be finally tabled orally (one of which appeared to be unemployment. We, as politicians, will decided by the Council of Ministers until rejected on the reasonable grounds that it carry our own European electorates in the early hours of the morning on April 19. contained no main verb), Parliament had to outward-looking policies to the developing The key to the debate was paragraph 2 of settle for a sentence which merely "noted world only to the extent that we can the Agriculture Committee's report, which the intention of the Commission's overall convince them that we are also doubly considered the Commission's proposal for price increase of 3% ". Certainly this concerned about their lives and their jobs an average price increase of 3% to be seemed to give President-in-Office of the ... Stability in Europe cannot be isolated "manifestly insufficient", and suggested Council of Ministers, British Agriculture from world stability." And then, turning instead a figure of 5%. But this was one of Minister John Silkin, the free hand of which towards the Socialist benches, he added to those occasions on which a parliamentary he subsequently made ample use. their applause: "Speaking as a Socialist politician to my fellow European Socialists, rather than as President of the Council of Si/kin in the dog house Ministers, we cannot with conviction use the language of social democracy at home If John Silkin's left ear ever burns, it might compatible with Community membership. and that of Adam Smith and laissez faire in well have suffered spontaneous combus­ "Never in the history of the Community the international economy." tion on April 20, for he was bitterly have we witnessed such a blatant abuse of criticised for what many Members con­ the decision-making process by the govern­ siderecj undue intransigence and lack of ment of a member state in pursuit of its Community spirit during the Council's own destructive policies and national self­ negotiations on farm prices for the current interest," Mr Yeats asserted. year. Niels Kofoed (Lib/Dk) was among Catching the flak for Mr Silkin was several who regretted that Mr Silkin did not Foreign Office under-secretary John Tom­ appear before the Parliament on behalf of linson. He expressed optimism about the the Council. Nor was criticism confined to outcome of the negotiations. The gap was non-British MPs, for Ralph Howell not very great (and indeed was bridged the (Con/UK) joined in to speak of the "totally following Monday). But feeling ran high, inexplicable" behaviour of the · British with Commissioner Finn Gundelach pain­ Minister in the Council, and another ting a dire picture of the Council even Conservative, Scot John Corrie, added his failing to agree to prolong the year for dairy voice. Sharpest criticism of all perhaps and meat products beyond May 1, and came from the deceptively mild-appearing there would then be no common prices and Irish Senator, Michael Yeats, who accused therefore no monetary compensation the British Government of making an amounts (i.e. subsidies for UK imports), no onslaught on the common farm policy. Mr export restitution, no import levies - "and Silkin's attitude, he argued, was simply not we shall be in a holy mess". UK Agriculture Minister Si/kin European Elections - Commons debate White Paper For reasons best known to Michael Foot, will be having a free vote on at least the Bill provided an interesting precedent. Here the House of Commons' debate on the method of election; so, on debate 2, both too there had been a majority in favour of direct elections White Paper (see European - front benches preserved an outward devolution in principle; but disagreement Elections Briefing 2) opened on Wednesday agnosticism. The main thrust of the on means. George Gardiner indicated that April 20, when all the British Members of Conservative argument was that the House he supported direct elections, but would the European Parliament were safely away should get the vote on system of election vote against them if there were PR; Jeremy in Strasbourg. But on this occasion, out of the way as soon as possible - Thorpe was likewise in favour, but would fortunately, there was also a second preferably before the Bill. Indeed, John vote against unless there was PR . How to day's debate on Monday 25, after the Davies on the Wednesday refused even to avoid the anti-electioneers joining both MEP's had returned. state which system he preferred groups in succession to defeat any system As it happened, two quite separate prompting Jeremy Thorpe to observe that of election is a problem which had fallen debates seemed to take place. there was now a "Davies doctrine: no heavily into Home Secretary Merlyn Rees' 1. Between the Government and the anti­ vote, no views". Willie Whitelaw and lap by the end of the debate. electioneers (Jay, Hefter, Moate, Powell, Douglas Hurd expressed preferences for One matter, however, seemed to be Mendelson, Gould etc.) on whether the first past the post, but said regional lists entirely decided: virtually no-one had a elections should be held at all . would be acceptable. Government good word to say for the compulsory dual 2. Between those of all parties who wanted speakers - in so far as they dealt with the mandate. Indeed, the tributes to Sir Peter PR (Heath, Thorpe, Wood, Irving, Morrison matter at all, rather than with reassuring Kirk from all sides were linked to a etc.) and those who definitely did not Labour back-benchers that direct elections determination that no-one should be put in (Gardiner, Rippon, Rhodes Boyson, Small did not mean federalism - appeared to such a position in the future. How, then, etc.). incline, though almost imperceptibly, should contacts be maintained between t. To a minimum extent the debates over­ towards PR on regional lists. House of Commons and the Europe lapped: for example, the anti-electioneers On the face of it, therefore, there would Parliament Members? Ted Heath suggeste (in effect the old anti-marketeers in new seem to be a comfortable majority in favour that MEP's might have the right to speak in costume) appeared also to be anti-PR, for of direct elections on one of these two the Commons but not vote - which whatever reason. But it was clear that some systems - indeed a number of speakers prompted Anthony Fell to remark that, had come only to debate ends, others to observed that the system of election was of what with the front benches, Privy Coun­ stick to means (which, after all, was what minor importance, since there would soon cillors and now MEPs, the ordinary back­ the White Paper was about). be a change to a common Community bencher would never get into debates at all. What of the official party positions? Both system. But, as Enoch Powell noted in a The ge·neral view seemed to be that the Labour and Conservative, it became clear, powerful contribution, the late devolution parties themselves would find a way. Yo, ho, ho! Strategy for the Environment Piracy on the high seas seems a long way from Strasbourg, and in any case it was not The environment was very much to the fore being forced off the market because of the doubloons and pieces of eight which were during the April session. On April 18 the estimated 25% increase in costs incurred at issue when Willie Hamilton put down an House debated Hans Jahn's (CD/Ger) through combating pollution. oral question to the Commission. It was report on the Fourth International Parlia­ On April 21 Parliament approved a more a matter of trade-union rates for the mentary Conference on the Environment proposal from the Commission concerning job, for the piracy in question was the held in Jamaica, April 1976. The subject of a directive to enforce the use of low sulphur "disgusting" episode when Grimsby-hired the Conference had been "Environment content fuel oils in areas where air pollution strong-arm men hustled striking Filipinos and natural resources - the duty of by sulphur dioxide is high. Parliament, off the Globtik Venus at Le Havre. Mr Parliamentarians", and it had put forward however, stressed in its motion for a Hamilton called for ratification of the 16 resolutions concerned with three main resolution that the directive did not go far International Labour Office Convention of issues - water pollution, air pollution and enough. • the disposal of waste. The House wel­ minimum standards in seafaring and a common code of practice. Ex-seaman John comed the initiative taken by the Con­ The industrial revolution Prescott (Soc/UK) supported this call, ference, agreeing that governments should On the same afternoon the House turned while from the public gallery Ted Brown, take an interest in environmental matters. its attention to an oral question on the national secretary of the British "Our very survival is at stake", said Michele industrial dereliction originally tabled by the seamen's union, looked down approvingly. Cifarelli ( Lib/It). The Conference had late Sir Peter Kirk. (The word 'dereliction' The House as a whole had in fact just stressed the problem of transfrontier had caused some difficulty in translation voted to accept the report by Horst Seefeld pollution and Pierre-Bernard Couste and had been rendered into French unsatis­ (Soc/Ger) urging a common sea transport (EPD/F) urged the Community to establish factorily as 'decline'). policy for the Community, including a a dialogue with Switzerland and Norway. In "The Community owes a lot to those common approach by the Nine to inter-· its motion for a resolution Parliament regions which were the first to industrialise national shipping rules and regulations, pressed the Commission to put forward a and which are now facing the problems of particularly regarding flags of convenience, directive prohibiting harmful aerosol derelict factory stock", declared Elaine conference lines and the state-trading sprays, though stressing the need for Kellett-Bowman (Con/UK). But Commis­ countries. The report also points out that world-wide cooperation. sioner Antonio Giolitti told her that to set the proportion of intra-Community trade up a fund to deal with the situation would carried by sea now amounts to 25% of the Red mud in the Med be inappropriate. A global strategy was total and that it was illogical to exclude it On the same afternoon Italian members needed. Indeed funds were available - for from the competence of the Community again raised the question of the treatment instance, through the European Investment Treaties. of waste from titanium dioxide. They were Bank - which could be used for related pressing for the immediate adoption by the matters such as vocational training, the Guiding the multinationals Council of a directive approved by Parlia­ improvement of infrastructure and the Introducing his report on the principles to ment in January 1976, but claimed that creation of new jobs. be observed by multi-national companies certain member states, presumably those Finally, on April 22 Parliament adopted a Erwin Lange (Soc/Ger) summarised the which did not border on closed seas like the Commission proposal for a directive regu­ progress made since the question of multi­ Mediterranean, were opposing the general lating the use of materials containing vinyl nationals was discussed in 1973 by dele­ applicability of the directive. Camillo chloride monomer - a gas used in the gations from the European Parliament and Ripamonti (CD/It) stressed that a discrim­ manufacture of PVC - for the packaging the U.S. Congress. A year later the OECD inatory policy would result in some firms of foodstuffs. · turned its attention to the question and produced guidelines for international enter­ prises, a document which was signed by all but one of the OECD states in June 1976. Vehicle safety standards The OECD had changed its point of The House considered safety standards to approved by Parliament concerning the • departure and eventually agreed upon a be observed by motor vehicle manufac­ fitting of seat belts would probably be voluntary code of practice. The Economic turers three times during the April session. adopted by the Council. A proposal and Monetary Committee felt, however, On April 18 Commissioner Richard Burke concerning laminated glass had run into that a voluntary code would be unworkable told Parliament he was satisfied with the opposition from member states. and called for legally binding rules to car industry's efforts to draw public On Tuesday April 19 Parliament regulate conduct. This was no witch-hunt, attention to defective vehicles. The Soc­ approved without debate two reports by Mr Lange hastened to point out. Many ialist Group in an oral question had been Kai Nyberg (EPD/DK). The first concerned multinational companies had made a large calling for greater use of the media in such 8 proposals from the Commission con­ contribution to technical and industrial cases and for a central computerised cerning the approximation of legislation. research. It was the companies who register of car owners. The latter measure These included lamps, tyres, heating ventured outside legal practices and would be an unnecessary intrusion upon systems and wheel guards. The second abused positions of power which had to be privacy, records already kept by member related to windscreen wipers, demisting controlled. states were adequate, said Commissioner and defrosting systems and interior Lord Bruce of Donington (Soc/UK) drew, Burke. He reported that a proposal already controls. attention to the report of the Maldague Committee in 1975 which showed a clear link between the operations of multi­ Council told William Hamilton (Soc/UK), nationals and the rates of inflation pre­ Question Time Concorde is an Anglo-French, not an EEC vailing in various member states. Both venture. This did not satisfy Mr Hamilton, Ernst Muller-Hermann (CD/Ger) and British ice-cream safe however, who called for retaliatory action Norbert Hougardy (Lib/Bel) spoke of the Are the Eurocrats really trying to ban British against the USA. need to be dispassionate. Mr Hougardy ice-cream? Certainly not, Agriculture Com­ recommended leaving the implementation missioner Gundelach told Parliament; the Self-employed of the OECD guidelines to national govern­ intention is merely to legislate on the clear Commissioner Henk Vredeling told Elaine ments. labelling of dairy products. But he agreed Kellett-Bowman (Con/UK) that the ques­ with Tam Dalyell (Soc/UK) that an tion of reciprocal medical treatment for the Realism on iron and steel inadequate information campaign was to self-employed would be considered at the On April 21 Parliament held an emergency blame for the Sunday Post allegations of an forthcoming meeting in Brussels of the debate on the EEC iron and steel industry. ice-cream ban. In reply to a supplementary Consultative Committee on the social Whilst agreeing that the situation was question by Pierre Lagorce (Soc/Fr) Mr security of migrant workers. grave - one in seven of those employed in Gundelach also assured the House that if this industry fears redundancy - the saccharin is proved to be harmful the Jute Industry House warned against taking protectec­ Commission will draft a directive regulating The Commission will bear in mind the tionist measures against third countries. its use. problems of the EEC jute industry when • Short-term subsidies might be useful social implementing agreements made with India measures, but what was needed was Concorde and Bangladesh concerning jute products, structural reform of the industry, said Horst Unfortunately the Community will not be Commissioner Henk Vredeling assured Haase (Soc/Ger). The House favoured a intervening to get Concorde landing rights William Hamilton (Soc/UK). 8,000 workers tripartite conference within the framework in the United States. Why? Because, John in the Dundee area are employed in this of the OECD. Tomlinson, President-in-office of the sector. . Colour problems should stay in the city, Mayor Pflimlin has now arranged to lay on cars to pick up What of the new building? Not surpri­ MEPs arriving at airports up to 100 miles Unofficial singly, it was getting more familiar to away. Christopher Price enjoyed this those there for the second time, though treatment when he arrived at Mu/house in one observer (not Dr. Owen) did com­ April, being ushered through passport Journal ment that he now understood the disori­ control by attentive officials and swept entation of people transplanted from old away ahead of hoi polloi into an official familiar slums to new tower-block estates. car. But from Mu/house it is often quicker President Colombo started to improve by train; for although Strasbourg is now The Foreign Secretary, Dr. David Owen, matters in response to press complaints linked by a 5(X)km motorway to Paris, it was surprisingly rude about the European with a fact-finding tour of the press room, often repays crossing into Germany to Parliament when introducing the direct and action to provide extra desks and (a join the 'Autobahn' to get from the south elections debate in the House of few) sandwiches. • to the north of Alsace. Commons on April 20. "I must tell right But - surely to Strasbourg's shame - honourable and honourable Members food proved an additional problem. The who see grave threats to the power and new self-service restaurant was open, but IV/onet, money, money! position of this House," he told the anti­ goaded Willie Hamilton and Elaine Kellett­ Though the introduction of European electioneers, "that having observed that Bowman into a bi-partisan official com­ Elections legislation appears to be going Parliament, I can see no such threat, plaint - they had queued for over an surprisingly smoothly in all countries either at the moment or in the future". He hour for lunch, by which time the food except the UK, a storm is brewing which had, in fact, just flown in from Strasbourg had run out (and according to our could prove particularly difficult to calm that very morning; and might perhaps be gastronomic correspondent, they were down. It concerns money for political forgiven a certain unwanted acidity, lucky). No doubt the delay was deliberate; parties. considering the manner of his going. given the bilious green of the restaurant The six political groups in the European Just back from Africa, Dr. Owen was floor, it was perhaps there to allow Parliament already have sizeable budgets clearly anxious to be on his way to stomachs to settle after the initial shock. from Community funds for staff, publi­ London once he had reported to Parlia­ Indeed, Parliament's own "rainbow" cations, etc.; and it is probable that ment. But Members were equally anxious could not compete with the Palace colour · considerably increased funds will be that he should stay to listen to their schemes. Named after the Parliament's available for the election campaign. comments, attend a reception by Presi­ six-colour code used to identify docu­ Indeed, the Budgets Committee and dent Colombo, have his photograph taken ments in the different languages, this Bureau of the Parliament have already shaking hands, etc. After several "Hansard" did not appear after the decided to allocate 2.4 million units of speeches his pati~nce appeared to be Tuesday of the session. local printers account (about £1 -million) to the groups exhausted, and he left the Chamber were on strike. for "the dissemination of information" on the elections during this year. Another YC triumph The implications, however, are already sinking in. Two prominent Luxembourg Whatever the defects of Strasbourg as a Social Democrats (one of whom is former European Parliament meeting place - EP Member Astrid lulling) have formally tenuous air-links, food-less canteens, petitioned the Parliament to cancel the rough police - it clearly has something funds on the grounds that they "give the that may make up for it all. On April 9 two political parties currently represented in Young Conservatives, former Bristol the European Parliament an unfair advan­ policewoman Judith Hucklebridge and tage and accordingly represent a misuse ex-Royal Marine Officer Simon Hadley, of public funds for one-sided political were married at All Saints, Farnborough, · propaganda". All political organisations A van. And they first met wh,Je on a YC putting up candidates, they maintain, • visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg last year. Kiwi dairy plea Visitors to Strasbourg in April included delegations from New Zealand House of Representatives, the Yugoslav Federal Doctor in distress Assembly and local councils in the North hurriedly through the exit behind the of England. Sir Roy Jack, Speaker of the Presidential chair. To no avail. Ten New Zealand House, stressed the cultural minutes or so later he and entourage were and historic links between his country and discovered by cameramen hopelessly lost one Community country in particular, and in the corridors. The Palace of Europe had therefore also with the others, but in claimed another victim. addition to all the appreciative words spoken on such occasions, there was serious intent in the visit - not least at a ·Sack at the ranch .... time when more bitter than usual negotia­ Moreover, Dr. Owen's pique at West­ tions about dairy products were going on minister was para/le/led back in the between the Nine. In response to the President Colombo goes visiting Chamber at Strasbourg. When Members suggestion that New Zealand should should be given "fair and equal access to re-assembled after lunch to resume the diversify her export destinations, Sir Roy these funds". The decisions represent "a debate on the British Foreign Secretary's commented that in the past forty years flagrant violation of elementary demo­ statement, they were surprised to find the proportion of her dairy exports going cratic principles". themselves moved onto next business by to the Community (effectively to the UK) In the UK, there are several interested the chair. The official view seemed to be had fallen from 88% to 30%, but that "we parties. The Scottish National Party is that, the Minister having left, there was should undoubtedly suffer grave eco­ represented in the European Parliament no point in continuing the debate. But a nomic damage if the entry of a substantial but not as part of a political group. Plaid British Minister was there - Parlia­ part of the remaining 30% were seriously Cymru, the UUUC, and the National Front mentary Under- 'secretary of State for impeded". (and, of course, the Sunshine party, Foreign Affairs, John Tomlinson, who legions of God, etc.) are not represented normally represents the Council of Minis­ Umousine at all. On the other hand, the labour ters in Parliament. Lord Ardwick, among Party, surprisingly through the good others, was incensed and eventually Always conscious of the cnt1c1sms of offices of Ian Mikardo, are likely to get walked out - followed by the entire Strasbourg's poor communications and • over £50,000. Socialist Group. anxious that the elected Parliament K.P.G.

Published by the European Parliament, London Office, 20 Kensington Palace Gardens, WB. Telephone 01-2299366. Printed by C. J. Shaw f.t Sons /------IUIOPl&I PIILI No. 36 June 1977 • . ' That lost uranium -who is to blame? In 1968 some 200 tons of uranium oxide vanished without a trace while being shipped from Antwerp to Genoa. This still unsolved mystery - the uranium is variously rumoured to have ended up on Israel or Latin America - exercised a powerful fascination over the European Parliament at its May sitting: it was brought up on every single day. The affair could now be the subject of a special enquiry by Parliament's Energy and Research Committee. The details, as far as they are_known, were outlined to paper in the name of Tom Normanton (Con/UK) for Parliament by Commissioner Brunner on Tuesday May 10. answer at Question Time on Wednesday. However, the The uranium oxide was ordered from the Belgian firm Socialist Group on Monday tabled a similar question under Societe Gen€1rale des Minerais Belges by the German firm "urgent procedure" for debate on the Tuesday, to strong protests from the Conservatives. Moreover, when Wednesday came, the Normanton question was ruled out of order as having already been dealt with; though chairman of the Legal Committee, Sir Derek Walker-Smith (Con/UK), raised doubts as to whether this was in order. It then fell largely to Tam Dalyell (Soc/UK) to keep the issue alive. "It looks to many of us as if someone, somewhere . . . does not want this question raised", he protested on Thursday morning; and on the previous day, at Question Time, he accused President of the Parliament Colombo of "conniving at what looks like a fix ... to protect the executive, with Commissioner Haferkamp sitting in your presence on the front bench". Why not ask the Israelis what they know about it? he suggested during Thursday's debate on the EEC-Israeli Agreement. Finally, on Friday he drew attention to the fact that President Colombo had, in 1968, actually been the Italian Finance Minister, and later Prime Minister: "it is inconceivable ... that the Italian Secret Service did not inform Mr. Colombo at some stage of the uranium loss ... " • So, as Members left for their national parliaments, the affair was still rumbling on. There is now a strong Tam Dalye/1- ;,J'accuse!" possibility that the House will take up the suggestion made on Tuesday by John Prescott that "we shall set up on our Asmara-Chemie, which was itself acting as an agent. It own investigation - in this case through the Committee was declared that the uranium was to be used as a catalyst nn Energy and Research - to get to the facts ". in the petrochemical industry, i.e. for non-nuclear purposes, and would be handled by an Italian firm, Hi-jacked on the high seas ? SAICA'. After a time, the Commission asked the Italians whether the uranium had arrived: it had not. Accordingly, the Commission alerted the authorities in the countries concerned. They discovered that the ship involved (see photo) had changed its owner, name and flag when at sea; and that the log covering that particular voyage had been covered in oil, so that it was unreadable. Of the uranium oxide there was no sign. Commissioner Brunner asked the House to remember one or two important points. Although - as John Prescott (Soc/UK) had earlier pointed out - the quantity of uranium involved could be converted into "something like 30 nuclear bombs", oxidised natural uranium was not a substance from which you could do this easily; and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty had not then come into force. The events had taken place 8 Yi years ago, when both international and Euratom control systems were sketchy. In particular, Euratom had no competence over transport on the high seas. Moreover, "we have no police force". Two days later, Commissioner Haferkamp - who was ac_tually the responsible Commissioner during the • period from 1967 to 1972 - made much the same points at a two-hour press conference in Brussels, adding that the competence of the Euratom Supply Agency had been in dispute until a Court of Justice ruling in 1969. This explanation, unsurprisingly, did not clear up the mystery for the House, which in any case had got itself into a deep procedural tangle over how the question should be raised anyway. Originally, the subject was on the order. (byperm/aaionofrhe 'Sunday Tima'J \ From Aesop to de Tocquevil/e Bankers and blank cheques Export credits date back to the Florentine Following the "Bravo" disaster in the North Sea's Ekofisk oil field, the Commission will, on bankers of the 14th century, and this June 15, present the Council of Ministers with proposals for joint safety measures, accounts for the diversity of systems found Commissioner Natali told Parliament on Tuesday May 10. This was one Qf the more in the EEC today. So Commissioner concrete results to emerge from a wide-ranging debate on all aspects of Community Christopher Tugendhat reassured the energy policy (see also page 1 ). House on Monday, May 9 following the debate on the proposed European Export Several Members - in particular those 1985, particularly through the reduction of petrol consumption and measures to Bank. The House approved of the Bank's • like Ralph Howell (Con/UK) and Tam function - to improve credit facilities both rationalise domestic heating. It is worth Dalyell (Soc/UK) with constituencies to EEC multinational exporters and to third spending money to save energy, argued the bordering the North Sea - were dis­ country buyers of capital goods and Commissioner. satisfied with present Community arrange­ services; and agreed about the need to The need for security in nuclear activity ments. Tom Normanton (Con/UK) also increase competitiveness and accelerate was constantly stressed. The Ramussen pointed out that "six mini-submarines can harmonisation. However, both Parliament report had compared the likelihood of a put out of action the life-blood of industry and banking experts had reservations about grave nuclear accident with that of the fall in Britain". But Hanna Walz (Ger/CD) the usefulness of a European Export Bank of a meteorite. reminded the House that any more in view of the lack of clear guidelines or an Tom Normanton saw the problem of stringent safety precautions would in­ adequate forecast of costs or turnover of Community energy supplies mirrored in evitably put up the price of North Sea oil. business. "We cannot sign blank statistics he had obtained in Washington. The UK has reserves of coal to last 200 cheques," said rapporteur Kai Nyberg These forecast a 150-fold increase in years and those in the Federal Republic (EPD/Dk). should last at least 150 years. This is why energy costs between 1972 and 1985. The Michel Cointat (EPD/F) was undeterred Community should therefore follow Lord Bessborough (Con/UK) advocated by the prevailing diffidence. "Experts never President Carter's energy policy with the proposal to promote the use of coal for do agree anyway," he said. The value of a interest and follow American initiative by electricity generation. In addition, the European Export Bank lay in the use of a establishing a Community energy agency. industry is labour-intensive and even the single currency which would cover ex­ Apart from having wide-ranging im­ environmental disadvantages of coal­ porters against risk on the exchange plications the energy problem seemed to mining can be minimised. system. The need to be independent of third­ capture the literary imagination of several world energy suppliers was one of the speakers. Albert Liogier (EPD/F) quoted underlying themes of the omnibus debate. from Aesop and spoke of North Sea oil in Less money ..... terms of Ali Baba's cave. Pierre Giraud Commissioner Guido Brunner told Clara "Tourists have been treated like ·: criminals (Soc/F) quoted from de Tocqueville when Kruchow (Lib/Dk) that the EEC aims to and gangsters," asserted Erwin Lange assessing US energy policy. reduce energy ,consumption by 15% by (Soc/Ger) on Thursday, May 12. Com­ missioner Richard Burke reported to the House on the case of ten foreign tourists who were arrested on leaving Italy because The inferiority complex of tyranny they were unwittingly infringing Italy's According to Amnesty International there most effectively influence the attitudes and emergency currency restrictions. His re­ are 500,000 political prisoners throughout policies of third countries. Lord Bethell assurance that all money confiscated had the world, and there are only about 60 or 70 spoke of the need to convince the Third been returned did not placate the House. democratic nations. These were merely two World that the EEC is not a "rich man's Sir Brandon Rhys Williams (Con/UK) felt of the statistics cited by Alfred Bertrand club" and is anxious to support the under­ currency regulations were counter-· (CD/Bel) as he enumerated case after case dog. productive. of political oppression when the House "Tyranny has an inferiority complex," debated human rights on Wednesday May said Russell Johnston. John Tomlinson, ...... more wme 11 . The Helsinki final Act had become a President-in-Office of the Council, stated Charter of Human Rights, he said. that apart from supporting the United On the same afternoon the House "It is not the identity of the criminal, nor Nations the Community could, throu·gh approved a Commission proposal to in­ of the victim which is our concern," said persistence, create a climate where vio­ crease duty exemptions in international rapporteur Russell Johnston (Lib/UK) in a lation of human rights became unaccept­ travel, and specifically to increase the still commanding speech. He was heartened by able. wine allowance from 3 to 5 litres. the fact that five of the six groups were The House felt idealistic aims could only unanimous on the question of human rights be achieved by realistic policies. The Final Parliament as legislature (the Communists abstained at the vote). Act of Helsinki had proved effective in Democratic parties were, he said, moving allowing over 60,000 persons to leave the The policy of the new Jenkins Commission away from traditional double standards and Soviet Union. John Tomlinson assured the to "treat Parliament as if it were elected" rejecting totalitarianism in any form. House that the Community would continue appears to be improving Parliament's Indeed, Lord Bethell (Con/UK) called on to press for the implementation of the Final influence on Community legislation. This Communist members to intercede on Act. does not depend, as one might gather from behalf of victims of oppression in Eastern Both Michael Yeats (EPD/lrl) and Marcel the Treaties, on getting the Council of Europe. Lemoine (Comm/It) called for more Ministers to accept Parliament's "opinion". The main concern of the House was how adequate provision for the protection of Rather it rests on the ability of the Com­ the common viewpoint of the Nine could human rights within the Community. mission under Article 149 to change its proposals "as long as the Council has not acted". On Monday May 9 Commissioner Fishing - off-shore storms blowing Tugendhat announced this month's The ambiguity of the Community's status Commission's regulation on the fishing changes to bring proposals into line with in the international order - which had agreement with the United States, Mr. Parliament's amendments. These include been exemplified by the curious affair of Hughes voiced "deep concern" that it three transport proposals, the harmoni­ President Jenkins' dinner the previous should not be a model for the fishing sation of social provisions in transport (i.e., week - came up again when Martin agreements with other countries. By drivers' hours, etc.),and two proposals Bangemann (Lib/Ger) on May 13 presented passing domestic legislation on mesh sizes, to reduce sulphur in the atmosphere . his report on the Law of the Sea catch quotas, etc., the Congress had tied Much the most interesting item, how­ Conference. The Community was not a tt,e hands of the US negotiators. Not that ever, was the highly-charged subject of state but it was different from other inter­ there was much the Community could fishing policy. Parliament's report, said Mr. national organisations, he argued and, negotiate about, for there was no fishing by Tugendhat, "has raised some problems fo given the very concept of "Community Americans in Community waters (except the Commission". Since Parliament's waters", it should be a signatory to any for shrimps off French Guiana), whereas amendments had been passed, the agreement. But Mark Hughes (Soc/UK) Community fishermen did want to fish US situation in the Council of Ministers had was pessimistic about there being an waters. It was not a model for the future, changed. The Commission had therefore agreement anyway: the forthcoming New Commissioner Claude Cheysson assured presented a new proposal "which is both York conference may well fail, and what him: further negotiations would be re­ more wide-ranging in its scope and also would the Commission propose then 7 ciprocal - as the first talks with Sweden more closely in line with the ideas Speaking later to his own report on the and the Faeroes had already indicated. expressed by Parliament". ) Question Time Social Fund improvements approved

Conscientious objectors in Greece "By your works shall ye be judged", The most detailed critique of the Com­ British Minister John Tomlinson found Michele Cifarelli (Lib/It) reminded Par­ mission's proposals came from Elaine himself in some deep water on Wednesday liament on Thursday May 12; and all sides Kellett-Bowman (Con/UK). Why, she May 11 when answering questions on the of the House agreed that the Social Fund, asked, couldn't the maximum grant rate be imprisonment of conscientious objectors in now up for review, was for the Community 90%? And, since everyone agreed that Greece. Those who refuse to do national a positive weight in the scale. Indeed, the social and regional policy should be linked, service there, claimed Jan Broeksz only major criticism was of the totally in­ what was the point in keeping the (Soc/NL), are not only imprisoned for adequate size of the Fund, given the fact distinction between Articles 4 and 57 longer than the service period; when they of 5 million Community unemployed .. However, like the Employment and Social come out they are called up again, and then The Commission is proposing three Committee report, she also hoped that • put back in prison. Shouldn't the ending of major changes: existing special schemes - in particular to this practice be a condition of Greek 1. At present, at least half the Fund's help the disabled - would not be reduced; Community membership? To everyone's allocations have to be spent on "Article 5" and renewed her call for Community astonishment, the Minister at first declaretl projects, e.g. specific employment prob­ housing loans to aid employees' mobility. the subject "outside the competence of the lems resulting from technical progress, On this last point, she was specifically Council of Ministers". As it happened, rather than "Article 4" projects which deal commended by Commissioner Vredeling however, there was a later question on the with general unemployment. Though for her "bulldog tenacity". After all, if it order paper, in response to which Mr. keeping the distinction, the Commission could be done under the Coal and Steel Tomlinson revealed that stage one of the proposes that the distribution should be Community treaty, why not under the Greek accession negotiations consisted decided during the annual budget (and Treaty of Rome? But both Mrs. Kellett­ "mainly in defining both parties' positions hence effectively by Parliament) . Bowman and the Commissioner were taken on the most important problems". So the to task by Tam Dalyell . (Soc/UK) for imprisonment question was within 2. Instead of a single rate of help of 50%, approving help to "enable women over 35 Council's competence, claimed Mr. the Commission proposes a choice of three to acquire a qualification or skill or to Broekszl No, maintained the Minister, but rates: 65% in special regions with serious update a qualification or skill acquired hinted that Parliament's opinion would problems; 50% in other regions; 35% for earlier". "It may be I shall be thought a somehow be conveyed to the Greek specific projects independent of regions. male chauvinist pig", he remarked, but was authorities. 3. Changes in administration will, for this really a high priority? "In a word", example, enable 30% of the grants to be retorted the Commissioner, "you are out of Angolan refugees paid in advance. date." Refugees at the moment fleeing from Angola to Zambia are being afforded aid by the United Nations relief organisations; but those fleeing into South West Africa are Commissioner's CAP criticisms not. Did this not mean an unacceptable classification into "first-class" and fund in its true perspective - there is no "second-class" refugees, asked Jim Spicer likelihood at all. (Con/UK)? For the Council of Ministers, Budget Commissioner Christopher John Tomlinson undertook to look into the Tugendhat took the opportunity to repeat matter. - though in more muted tones - the kernel of a criticism of the present Small firms emphasis on certain sectors of farming. On John Tomlinson was pressed on all sides of the earlier occasion he had described the the House to call a special Council meeting Agricultural Council's attitude as "frankly of Ministers dealing with small businesses. irresponsible" in deciding the 1977-78 price • But "one of the problems", he replied, "is review. It was for these remarks that he that there is no Community policy on small was to be subjected to bitter criticism by and medium-sized enterprises, nor does the Ministers on May 17. Commission seem likely to propose one at In Parliament on May 11 he limited least in the foreseeable future". The himself to commenting: "Unfortunately, Council of Ministers had to wait for the the Council of Agricultural Ministers have Commission. to a great extent ignored the Commission's proposal, and have concluded a prices Deep-sea fish settlement which will increase the cost of the agricultural budget by four times as The Community ought to get into deeper Commissioner Tugendhat water, Kai Nyborg (EPD/Dk) to encourage much as the Commission proposed, thus the catching of blue ling and blue whiting. No-one emerged from the Parliament's reinforcing the imbalances in the agri­ Commissioner Tugendhat agreed that the debate on May 11 on the Community cultural budget taken as a whole." Community could do a lot more to develop budget for 1978 with any hopes of any These remarks won him the appreciation markets for other types of fish, but that first significant change in policy. Technically, of Lord Bruce (Soc/UK) who, however, of all it had to agree on a fisheries policy. changes are planned: the budget should be and together with other MEPs generally denominated in units of account and a more friendly towards the common agri­ Time, gentlemen proportion of national VAT revenue directly cultural policy, drew little comfort from the paid into the Community coffers - thus rest of the Commissioner's remarks. Mr. Eurobeer may be dead, and any hopes of completing the Community's "own Tugendhat could see little chance in these the harmonising of opening hours and off­ resources" system. But that the ratio of days of national budgetary stringency of licensing throughout the Community farm to other spending of three to one will expanding Community spending in the appear slim from a written question to the alter or that indeed the total budget would social and regional fields, though changes Commission by the Liberal Belgian MEP be any more than 2% of the combined in these funds' rules should aid their more Norbert Hougardy. He asked what the national budgets - and that puts the farm effective employment. conditions of on- and off-sales were in the Nine, and in reply received a five-page summary. As any Briton will expect, laws in Irish elections bill 2. the method of voting will be the Single the UK are the most stringent, though the Transferable Vote in multi-member Belgian laws on the sale of spirits are The Irish Government published the Bill for constituencies (the Bill in fact includes a theoretically even stricter, as being entirely direct elections to the European Parliament, very useful description of how this forbidden except in quantities of two litres together with an explanatory memorandum system works); and more. Several countries have specific on April 19 (An Bille um Thoghchain do rules regarding sales to minors, but they are Thionol na hEorpa, 54pp. Government 3. there shall be four constituencies, variously defined. In France, it seems a Publications Sale Office, GPO Arcade, returning 3, 3, 4 and 5 Members (see • minor grows up at 14 for on-premises Dublin, 30pJ. European Elections Briefing 2). consumption and 16 for off. But then the As forecast, it proposes that: laws probably reflect social habits, and Other interesting features of the Bill are probably the stricter laws are characteristic 1. all nationals of a Community country the arrangements for registering political of countries where hard, concentrated resident in Ireland shall be eligible to parties, and the provision for a £1,000 drinking-is more common. vote; deposit for candidates. Small is beautiful (1) invalidity payment. Amputation of the big toe (whether as a result of official duty or It might have been a trick of the head­ not) entitles you to 10%. If one of your Unofficial phones, but we could have swom that the legs has to be shortened by between 3 Enolish interpreter on Monday May 9 ems and 5 ems you will get 20%. And for referred to the Council of Ministers being driven incurably insane by red tape, responsible for the Community budget as you get 100%. Journal "the Council of Midgets". This must be Certain surprising and little-known the world's only example of a shrinking Community activities are hinted at in the bureaucracy. section on accidents resulting from boxing, karate, underwater fishing and Former Belgian Trade Union leader Alfred Saved for posterity? parachuting. They are only covered if they Bertrand has stepped down from the occur "in the course of or in connection leadership of the European Parliament's The old "Maison de !'Europe" in Stras­ with performance of official duties". But • Christian Democrat Group, to be bourg now lies in ruins next door to the one revelation about life as a Eurocrat is succeeded by the 47-year old German, Dr. controversial "Palais de !'Europe". Bull­ positively sinister: "The following shall Egon Klepsch. The change could have dozers have virtually flattened it - all inter alia be considered accidents: . . . . some interesting consequences for except for "P" block. This is being care­ the unexplained disappearance of an relations between Conservatives and fully taken apart, and loaded up on to offical". Christian Democrats. lorries for transport to Luxembourg. Dr. Klepsch, like many of his British Conservative contemporaries, built up his Small is beautiful (2) early political career through his party's youth movement, the CDU/CSU Junge The English are supposed to have a Union. He joined it at the age of 20, and reputation for kindness to animals (except became its international representative in foxes); but Elaine Kellett-Bowman · must 1959. It was at this point that he came into have stretched non-English credence to close contact, through the maze of inter­ breaking point on Thursday May 12 when linked student and youth organisations calling attention to a British job-creation that exist on the international political scheme - which could have attracted right as much as on the left, with the Community social funds - "to feed ants British and Scandinavian Young Con­ affected by the drought". servatives and Conservative Students. Though co-operation between Con­ servative and Christian Democrat youth Homeless Torus movements has never been plain sailing, If the European Parliament does event­ they have always been light-years ahead ually abandon the Palace of Europe, the of the parent parties; and Egon Klepsch, French authorities might do worse than as Junge Union chairman between 1963 use the building for the Joint European and 1969, can claim to have been some­ Torus. This amazing machine promises to thing of a pioneer. "P" block on the move give the Community, in due course, Dr. Klepsch's experience in this unlimited power from nuclear fusion - if direction made him a natural candidate Unlike the rest of the old Council of only the nine Member States can agree for European Parliamentary work, and he Europe headquarters, "P" block actually where to build it. Culham in Oxfordshire, has sat in the Council of Europe, the WEU belonged to the European Parliament. So Garching in Germany, Cadarache in consultative assemblies and the NATO Parliament's Bureau decided to have it France and lspra in Italy are locked in parliamentary conference as well as the dismantled, and re-erected in Luxem­ combat as potential JET sites; and it was European Parliament. His leadership of bourg for use by staff thrown out of their no doubt to force a decision that the the Parliament's CD Group brings with it regular offices there during Parliament • Commission put the thing up in the the vice-presidency of the European sittings. Members' lobby of the Parliament at the People's Party (the international party, Unfortunately, there are some doubts May sitting (see photograph). established by the Christian Democrats to about whether "P" block will stand the fight European Elections next year). strain. And, on top of that, the site ear­ marked in Luxembourg is currently covered in trees - the permission of the Grand-Duke himself is required to cut them down. Co-op for Eurovote The Co-operative Party's Easter con­ ference rejected a motion opposing direct elections to the European Parliament. The defeated motion argued that European elections were "a reversal of the trend towards devolution at all levels of govern­ ment, with greater participation by the community". Sydney Irving MP had no difficulty in persuading his fellow co­ operators to reject this logic. JET all set Of course, it was only a model the man High-risk jobs bottom right is not even a member of the A macabre edition of the Commission Council of Midgets). But with it went Dr. Egon Klepsch Staff Courier has been circulating in some very impressive technical literature So any closer cooperation between Brussels with details of the Community's (in French) and a technician eager to Conservatives and CDs inside Parliament insurance cover for accident and explain the functions of "bobines could even be extended outside. So far occupational diseases. If you have a hole toroidales", "champs poloidals" and a there is a very small pointer: Alfred in the head, for example, the amount you "Tokamak". No doubt someone will Bertrand used to sit on the extreme left of receive depends upon the size of the hole: reach a decision on it someday - if, the CD benches, as far as possible away "Loss of the substance of the cranium in meanwhile, the Americans haven't from the Conservatives. Egon Klepsch its entire thickness" of an area of at least bought up all the scientists. has moved three seats nearer. 6 sq. ems. entitles you to 40% of the total K.P.G. •

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