No.lO EUROPE82

In this issue ...

Published by the Commission ofthe Re-making history in the North-East. By Roy Stemman 3 European Communities, 20 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QQ. A helping hand for Sheffield's school-le avers 6 Te1: 01-727 8090 Gaston Thorn calls for a 'second generation' Europe 7 Editor-in-Chief: George Scott Editor: John Greenwood How can we safeguard Europe's minority tongues? 8 Associate Editor: Den.is Thomas London locks out the North Sea 8 Design: Lawrence Edwards Printed by Lawrence-ADen Ltd, Eyeball to eyeball with Uncle Sam 10 Weston-super-Mare, Avon Bookshelf 10 Europe 82 does not necessarily reflect, in all particulars, the opinions of the Community T ugendhat hits back at anti-Market MPs 11 institutions. Unsigned material may be Banking on a better environment. By Chris Lom 12 quoted or reprinted without payment, subject to suitable acknowledgement. Strasbourg Notebook. By Christopher jackson, MEP 13 BtlfasrOffiu: Windsor House, 9/IS Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EG Community Reports 14 T ~1. (0232) 240708 Cardiff Office: 4 Cath~dral Road, Questions in the House 15 CardiffCFI 9SG Tel. (0222) 371631 John Sell Cotman in Normandy. By Joyce Betts 16 Edinburgh Office: 7 Alva Street, Europalia 82: the glory that is Greece 17 Edinburgh EH2 4PH Tei.{031)22S 20S8 Talking business 18 Associated editions: EW'Opt,llOOM Street, NW, Keep it moving-the message for Community transport 20 Suite707, Washington DC20037, USA Signalling on tomorrow's motorways Tel. 202 8629SOO 22 Europe, 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1110, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K I R 7SS. Letters 23 Tel. (613) 23S·6464 What's in the papers Ccm~muniryReporr, 39 Molesworth Street, 24 Dublin 2, Ireland EUROFORUMisinsetafter page 12 Tel. 712244 JOJound'Eurapt, 61 rue des Belles COVER: Bronze Zeus, c.460 BC, in the National Museum, Athens Feuilles, 75782 ParisCedex 16, France. Tel. 501 SS SS Ccm~unirll E uropee, Via Poli 29, 00187 Rome, Italy. Tel. 678 97 22 EF-aflisen Gammel Torv 4, PostBox 144,1004Copenhagen K, Denmark. Tel144140/14S5 32 EG Magazin, Zitelmannstrasse 22, 5300Bonn, W. Germany Tel. 238041 Ccm~unidad eurapea, Serrano, 41-Sa planta Madrid·!, Spain Tel.4741199 EuropaikiKoinotis, 2 VassiHssis Sofias, T.K.I602, Athensi34,Greece Tel. 743 982/3/4 Europa·bericlu,EUR infa, Archimedesstraat73, IO.W Brussel, Belgium Tel. 2354178 Ecltosdti'Europ~. Bltiment Jean Monnet, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Tel. 43011 AvrupaToplulugu, 13 Bo#azSokak Kavaklidere, Ankara, Turkey Tel. 276145 2 EUROPE82 Re-making history in the North-East

The Industrial Revolution made the North-East of Now the traditional industries on which the England great and for close on two centuries its heavy North-East's wealth depends are in decline. The industries, such as coal-mining and shipbuilding, inhabitants of the area are drifting away. And the thrived. Glass-making and iron works also companies which have invested so much are either contributed to the area's prosperity, and the advent of having to close, slim down, or search desperately for steel created even greater opportunities for the new orders in order to employ their workers. The rapidly increasing population. industrial revolution has gone into reverse. In the Sunderland area, a major casualty ofth e recession, grants and loans from Europe are helping in the fight against unemployment. ROY STEMMAN reports

ith a few notable exceptions, manufacturing industry in the North-East is struggling to stay Wlive. In its place, service industries and light engineering are appearing. But the recession has slowed their rate of growth. Sunderland, once the world's greatest ship­ building centre, epitomises the North-East's problems. There are only two shipyards now, and their workforce has dwindled. The Little­ woods Organisation mail order company is now a bigger employer than the larger of the two yards, Austin & Pickersgill. Sunderland has a population of about 300,000 and is one offivectistricts in Tyne and Wear county. It also has the highest male unemployment rate in the North-East: 25 per cent. On some of the town's housing estates which have a large number of unskilled peo­ ple, that rate doubles and every other man is out ofwork. The prospect for Sunderland's 7,000 school-leavers is bleak. 'There's not a job in sight,' Peter Kershaw, manager of Sunder­ land borough's programme planning depart­ ment, told me. It is for this reason that the borough has applied to the EEC for a grant to enable it to extend the scope of the present Youth Oppor­ tunitiesPrograrnme(YOP). It plans to set up a fund to encourage employers to take on youngsters, adctitional to their requirements, for three to four years. It hopes that the European Social Fund will agree to pay the same percentage as it does at present for YOP schemes, but over the extended period. Apprentice schemes have been on the de­ cline for a long time, and Sunderland sees its plan as an ideal solution to two problems: .... Only two of Sunderland's shipyards ore in operation, in a district with the highest unemployment rote in the North-East. 3 EUROPE82 youth unemployment and the very real risk ERDF for the construction and equipping ofa that when the recession ends industry will The Beam ish open-air new factory at Spennymoor- an area in which have no adequately trained youngsters to re­ museum is now the company has a number of other factories. cruit. among Britain'stop20 It also received a £22,760 grant from the Social For a long time the Silksworth Colliery Fund for training 226 Darlington workers. stood as a-gloomy reminder of Sunderland's tourist aHractions The biggest borrower from the European changing fortunes. Coal-mining was once a Investment Bank (EIB) for the area is the vital industry and its port saw the export of Stephenson's line - to Middlesbrough, in Central Electricity Generating Board, which vast amounts. The only legacy Sunderland 1830, so that coal could be carried from the has had loans in excess of £70 million for the received when Silksworth came to the end of South Durham field to its docks - totally building of a nuclear power station at Hartle­ its working life was a huge, unstable tip which transformed it. Within 40 years Middles­ pool. was still burning, causing air and water pollu­ brough grew from a village of 40 people to a A Darlington company, Cleveland Bridge tion. town with a population of 40,000. With the and Engineering, has had two Em loans, An enterprising scheme has now changed discovery of ore in the Cleveland hills it grew totalling £10 million, to build a new works aU that, and this depressing scar has been even bigger, becoming an important iron and which the Duke of Kent officially opened in transformed into a recreational area complete steel centre. 1uly this year. with ski slope, fishing and wildlife lake, sta­ This part of the North-East has received Cleveland Bridge and Engineering has been dium, cricket ground and ten sports pitches. considerable aid from the European Com­ in business for I OS years. The Humber Bridge One of Sunderland's more successful munity. Over £1 million has been paid by the was one ofits recent jobs. Another on a slightly businesses is the Coles Cranes works which smaller scale, was the new bridge which car­ make truck-mounted cranes. It has received a Sights from another age at the open-air ries the Metro railway over the Tyne. It is part £930,575 grant from the European Regional museum: on old-time collier and of the structural division of the Trafalgar Development Fund (ERD F) for expansion of (opposite) a classic locomotive. House Group. its production facilities. Another ERDF gram As a result of its new investment, the Darl­ recipient in Sunderland is Coming, famous as ington company now has what it claims are the manufacturers of heat resistant glassware. It world's most advanced fabrication facilities received £1 ,567,000 from Europe to help it for steelwork. It has the capacity for 33,000 modernise its Sunderland works, and former tonnesofheavy fabricated steelwork each year President Jirnmy Carter is among the VIPs on single shift working and has a workforce of who have toured the works. But the recession 500. has badly affected Coming's market- 500 of What is of interest from a national view­ its workforce were made redundant this sum­ point is that currently 90 per cent ofits work is mer. for export. Contracts in hand include the Carter's visit to the North-East is a remin­ Middle East, Hong Kong and Mexico. As well der of America's links with the region, though as producing the necessary steelwork the with a town named Washington it would be company provides a design and construction difficult to forget it. From 1183 to 1613 the service, with bridges and power stations a ancestors of George Washington lived at speciality. Washington, and the 17th-century Washing­ The North-East is changing more rapidly ton Old Hall has been restored with the help of than many people realise. But important American funds. ERDF to provide a link road to a trunk net­ aspects of its past are being preserved- with The village in which the Washington family work carrying heavy vehicles at Middles­ the help of EEC money. lived is now part of Washington New Town, brough. Teesside, too, has seen a lot of EEC Beamish North of England Open Air which is planned to have a population of support. Teesside Shipyard has received close Museum has been in existence for 10 years, 80,000. It is hoped that it will attract new on£ lh million towards the building oftwo new and has succeeded to such an extent thatitnow industries to the area, and, like all new towns, quays, and over £1 million from the ERDF attracts a quarter of a million visitors a year it offers a variety of incentives to businesses. has gone towards the construction of two and is now listed as one of Britain's top 20 Electrical and electronic firms and a record berths at Tees Dock. tourist attractions. The museum was the idea company are among those who have set up Good news for Middlesbrough employees of Frank Atkinson, who was influenced by a there, though not all have been able to survive of the South Bank yard of Smith's Dock came famous Scandinavian folk museum and by the recession. in August this year, with the announcement concern at the way many reminders ofthe past One of Sunderland's problems is that it is that Brazil was placing a £40 million order for were being allowed to decay and vanish. A overshadowed by Newcastle upon Tyne, 12 two drive-on ships. This will provide employ­ case in point was Rowley Station, built in 1867 miles north, and Middlesbrough, 24 miles to ment for the yard's 2,000 workers throughout at a village in the hills near Consett. It never the south. Newcastle has seen the largest 1983. had gas or electricity, using oil for lighting. single post-war investment in public trans­ The town at the starting point of Stephen­ The station was falling down when Atkin­ port, the Tyne & Wear Metro, which was son's historic railway line was Darlington, son came to its rescue. Like many other build­ opened last year. The final part of the system, which today depends heavily on engineering ings preserved in the museum, it has been due for completion next year, has received an to maintain its population. Whessoe Heavy moved brick by brick and rebuilt at Beamish, ERDF grant and money from the Social Fund Engineering has borrowed £2lh million from together with a signal box, footbridge and has also been given for the training ofstaff (see the European Investment Bank to help it other late 19th-century railway relics. It's EUROPE82 }an/Feb 1982). extend its manufacturing and assembly facili­ more than just a museum piece, however: It is appropriate that the North-East should ties for major nuclear plant components at visitors can puJ I the levers in the signal box and benefit from this imaginative and much­ Middlesbrough and Darlington. take a short ride on a steam-hauled train. needed transport system- for it was a New­ British Industrial Plastics has also received In another part of the 200-acre site you can castle man, GeorgeStephenson, who built the £1.8 million from the ERDF for its Darling­ hop on a 70-year-old double-deck open top first successful passenger steam railway, in ton factory producing vinyl resin powder, tram, or on a No 10 tramcar which came into 1825. It ran between Darlingtonand Stock ton PVC compound and PVC pipes. And the service in 1925 and was used on routes and led to a railway boom throughout the well-known cigarette makers, Carreras Roth­ through Gateshead and Newcastle, over the country. The opening of an extension of man, have received over £7 million from the Tyne Bridge, untill9S 1. 4 EUROPE82

The importance of coal-mining to the re­ The museum is administered by a consor­ A splendid row ofGeorgian houses has been gion is represented at Beamish by a drift mine, tium of four county councils - Cleveland, moved from Ravensworth Terrace, Ben­ colliery and pit cottages. Visitors can find out Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear sham, Gateshead, to the site and are now what life was like underground and in the - and depends on their assistance as well as aid under reconstruction. They were originally homes of the pitmen. A row of stone-built from the English Tourist Board and others. built between 1830 and 1840 for professional houses has been brought from Francis Street, Its admission charges of £1.60 for adults and people and tradesmen. Landscape and marine Heuon-le-Hole, Sunderland, and rebuilt. half- price for children are not sufficient to painter John Wilson Carmichaellived at No 4 Erected between 1860 and 1865, they were meet its £400,000- a- year running costs and in 1833. When the houses are complete they occupied by coalminers and their families invest in new projects. Its latest enrerprise is will contain a solicitor's office and a dental untill976. The museum has furnished them the one which has attracted help from the surgery as well as residences. to show how they would have changed inter­ ERDF. If an appeal fund can raise sufficient The rebuilding ofa bus station will incorpo­ nally over the years. money, the EEC will give £200,000 towards rate some attractive cast ironwork from the Of particular interest at the colliery is a the £600,000 required to recreate a North­ former Durham City bus station of 1927. working replica of George Stephenson's Eastern market town. Quite apart from the direct EEC assistance, famous 1825 locomotive, 'Locomotion'. It Work on it has already begun. When Beamish Museum is also receiving indirect was made in 197 S by local engineering firms to finished, it will have cobbled streets, a public aid, since the European Social Fund makes an commemorate the lSOth anniversary of the house (with drinks for paying customers), important contribution to the work of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Beamish Victorian and Edwardian shops, factories and Manpower Services Commission and, in par­ also has one of the oldest locomotives in the a foundry. There will be a Co-op tea room, a ticular, the YOP scheme. world, built by Stephenson in 1822 for Hetton bus station and a bandstand. Teams of unemployed youngsters under Colliery. It was in use there untill912. expert tuition have been learning skills while Quite apart from these marvellous exhibits, Sunderland has asked assisting in much of the reconstruction work Beamish is doing a considerable amount to the EEC for a grant to at the museum. Over 80 YOPs have been preserve other aspects of the North- East's involved, and their participation has included rich heritage. Its archives include over SO,OOO extend the the refurbishment ofrailway carriages and the negatives, a large collection of trade cata­ Youth Opportunities building of houses. logues and a Library of tape recordings of For them, the work at Beamish may be craftsmen, miners, housewives and folk sin­ Programme more than just re-building the past. It could be gers. helping them to build a future. lJ s EUROPE82 Pfhe success of the proied depended on •. \ teachers' willingness .f to collaborate' ~ •

field and Park House- which agreed, when the project was launched in 1978, to total commitment. They received an extra teacher, extra funding and extra secretarial assistance. A fourth Sheffield school, Earl Marshal, was not prepared to accept the project's phi­ losophy in total but was already doing in­ teresting work along similar lines, so it joined the scheme and received additional secretarial help in return. What the participants were looking for were ways of integrating schools and industry in a working relationship which would make the move from one to the other easier to cope with and more beneficial to both parties. The appointment ofan additional teacher at the three schools was to enable other members of staff to be released to do curriculum de­ velopment, including industrial secondment. 'Mobilising teacher creativity to a good The success of the project was dependent on end' - Sheffield youngsters on the EEC­ A HELPING HAND teachers' creativity and their willingness to funded course. collaborate with others working on the same problems. moved away from an emphasis on jobs and the FORSCHOOL­ They were supported by a small central work ethic and expanded the themes of leisure team-Mike Smith, project director; a project and life-skills activities. LEAVERS secretary; two research workers; an education But it has certainly not failed. Those in­ social worker; and a careers officer. These last volved have been responsible for producing rwo were seconded from their jobs and spent 29 research papers, organising conferences, In Sheffield, a pilot scheme, most of their time in the schools. and generally disseminating information ab­ Every Sheffield school-leaver soon reaped out the work and its results. Among the spon­ funded by the Community, the rewards of the project, in the form of a sored work it has also financed was the pro­ is exploring ways to bring diary and guide called 'Going Places', which duction of a tape/slide presentation (by a gave assistance and advice to those looking for school outside the scheme) for a paper manu­ schools and employers their first jobs. It was designed to complement facturer as a teaching aid. It has also helped the closer together the help already given in the classsroom. making of two other slide presentations - Total cost of the Sheffield project has been 'What are interviews like?' and 'First day at just over £400,000. 'This shows,' says Mike work'. owe do enough to prepare young Smith, 'that with very little extra resource you The Sheffield project has also benefited people for work? The answer, can really mobilise teacher creativity to a good from the 'twinning' ofcompanies and schools, undoubtedly, is 'No.' But, with end.' He believes the project has shown that at senior level, so that head teachers and top DE EC assistance, we are working on by getting teachers to work together with executives work together on a personal basis, it. In August, a four-year pilot project came bodies outside the shoot - such as industry, in the hope that school and industry will both to an end in Sheffield which had involved the careers service and youth workers - it is get something out ofthe relationship. This has local schoo l.s and industry in a search for possible to produce a better kind of teaching been a particularly successful aspect of the ways to improve the schools' curriculum. lt methodology. He adds: project. was one of six U K educational projects out 'I think we have also demonstrated that Despite the raiSOI! d' etre of the project hav­ of28, spread over nine Community once you stimulate people to work together ing virtually vanished from under their noses countries, all ofwhi ch were designed to and identify problems you can change what as it progressed, the team is sure that the improve the employment prospects of happens in schools pretty quickly.' EEC-backed venture has been ofhelp to many young people. ' However, just as the project was getting off youngsters, and to those who teach them and Up to SO per cent of the costs of these the ground the employment situation those who try to offer them employment. European Community Action Programme worsened. In 1969 Sheffield was able to offer T he project is over, but the work ofdissemi­ activities is financed by the EEC. The Depart­ the choice of 8,027 vacancies to its 6,600 nation will continue for another year. Mike ment of Education and Science and the school-leavers. Ten years later there were Smith, who says the schools involved will Sheffield Education Department were the 2,100 more school-leavers (a total of 8,700) never be the same again, returns to his job as a other sponsors of the Sheffield project, whose but vacancies were down to 3,401. By 1981 , senior advisor with Sheffield Education De­ title was 'Transition from school to working when the 'Transition from school to working partment. The experience gained as project lifie.' life' project should have been having its director, he reckons, is bound to influence The scheme, aimed at the lowest ability greatest impact, 9,000 youngsters left him in the future, as well as other schools for band in the last two years ofsecondary school, Sheffield schools with only 845 jobs available. which he is responsible. involved three local schools- Herries, Hurl- Because of this change, the project has ROY STEMMAN 6 EUROPE82 President calls for a 1second generation' Europe

Europe has changed radically since the Community was formed 25 years ago. The time has come for rethinking its very foundation, declares Gaston Thorn. A report by LILLIAM PURDOM

he question 'Can we-andshould we-change the Community?' as been asked for several years now and the time has come to ] answer it seriously. Gaston Thorn President of the European Commission, took the bull by the horns at a symposium held in the summer by the lnstitut Fran~ais des Relations Internationales, when he put forward the idea of holding a new Messina Conference in 1983. It was theMessinaConferenceinjune 1955which paved the way for the Treaty of Rome setting up the Common Market. Gaston Thorn's idea is to produce a new 'European contract' which lfhe Treaties have been ignored, would reflect all the changes which have occurred in the Community since the Treaty was signed twenty-five years ago. There have been the spirit of solidarity has many; and Thorn believes we are no longer attuned to the original plan. evaporated' A new phase of unification must therefore begin, otherwise there will be no Europe of the second generation. Of course, the overall assess­ mentofEuropeoverthelast25yearsispositive,fortheCommunityhas made considerable progress in the economic and political fields. But a host of problems still remain. In Gaston Thorn's view, therefore, we So what is to be done? There are three approaches to reviving Europe must take full advantage of the experience acquired over the last two and giving the old continent a new political future. First, the 'intellec­ decades and redesign the institutional set-up so as to meet today's tual' approach-'restoring the original and true meaning to the concept difficulties, now that we are fully aware what they are. of solidarity', as Gas ton Thorn puts it. Then the 'political' approach­ What, then, is the Commission President's diagnosis? Why does he facing the challenges to the Community together by strengthening and think Europe is no longer getting anywhere? As he sees it, Europe is in developing common policies in matters such as unemployment, the trouble because the Treaties have been ignored time after time, the reinforcing of investment and monetary policy. But it goes without spirit of solidarity has evaporated when it was most needed, and the saying that these policies will get nowhere unless there is greater European ideal has faded away. It is common ground that Europe convergence of national economic policies. forged ahead in the euphoria of the Sixties, but problems began to Lastly, there is the 'institutional' approach, 'making short shrift of accumulate after the first oil crisis, and member states have felt obliged the hurdles,' as the President says. What will that entail? There are to protect their own interests first and foremost. hurdles, indeed; but the worst thing about them is that they all seem to This has been a severe blow to solidarity. What is more, Europe has be interlinked. For example, the lack of a solution to the British aged: its population has aged, and so has its industry. Steel, textiles, budgetary problem prevents other policies from being reinforced and shipbuilding - there are so many industries where restructuring is new policies from being launched. becoming more and more of a necessity. Besides, European scientific Hopes that the budget problem might be settled by a radical revision and technological potential is ageing as well: there is a need for more of the common agricultural policy have dimmed somewhat. When the innovation and more investment. Communityisparalysedandthememberstateshavesomanyproblems Gaston Thorn's final cry concerns Europe's dependence on others to tackle, they will inevitably be tempted to look for solutions that it is for its security. He says: 'It is schizophrenic to want to set up a difficult or even impossible to reconcile with Community rules. Some­ European economic area and at the same time to refuse to consider ways thing needs to be done, then, and soon. ofguaranteeing its security.' And then there is Europe's dependence in One vital factor- which is to be found in all Gaston Thorn's three monetary and energy maners. 'approaches'-is reviving the idea ofsolidarity. The Community has to find its second wind: it must not miss the chance of a 'second­ generation Europe'. A new institutional balance is required, and that lfhe lack of" a solution to the British means rethinking the very foundations of the Community. If the budgetarY problem prevents European Commission- the guardian ofthe Treaties-concludes that a decisive step is needed, can we be sure that the Ten will have the other policies from being political will to renew their original pact? reinforced' Gaston Thorn's initiative has already found some response in the European Parliament: a draft resolution supporting his proposal for a new Messina Conference was passed on 9 July. [I 7 EUROPE82 How can we safeguard Europe's minority tongues?

Throughout the Community, ethnic and regional languages German-speaking minority of 15,000 in the south Jutland. are still widely spoken, regardless ofnational pressures. The only linguistic minority in the Nether· CHARLES FOSTER and GUY HERAUD outline the lands are the 400,000 Frisians in the west. Ireland has two official languages; but aside scale ofthe problem, and suggest ways in which the from the 55 ,000 speakers of Irish Gaelic on the Community could help west coast, English is preponderant. The three nations of Britain all contain linguistic here is a growing interest in contains only two linguistic minorities: the minorities. Scots Gaelic is still used by about safeguarding the rights of the 35-odd Danes of Schleswig-Holstein and the two 89,000 people in the northwest Highlands. In inguistic minorities who live in the groups of Frisians in Schleswig and Lower Wales, about 20 per cent of the population T:E uropean Community-an interest Saxony. The three groups together comprise speaks Welsh. In England, Cornish has been highlighted in the new draft convention on resurrected. In addition, a form of Gaelic is the rights of regional minorities, which was spoken on the Isle of Man, and a form of debated in the European Parliament on 'Progress has been Norman French is spoken on the Channel 7 July. made in the EEC Islands ofJ ersey and Guernsey. The public at large may be unaware of the Greece has a number of linguistic minor­ number, and variety, of ethnic dialects that countries, but many of ities near its borders: 50,000 Albanians, are still spoken in the countries of the Ten. the provisions leave 150,000 Macedonians, 50,000 Romanians, Italy, with twelve, and France, with seven, much to be desired' and 140,000 Turks in Thrace. Italy contains contain the greatest number ofethnic dialects more linguistic minorities than any other within their borders. The UK has five, Greece country in Europe except the Soviet Union. four, the Federal Republic of Germany two, These are the Valdotaines in the northern Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands have only 53,000 persons, or less than one­ Aosta Valley, who speak a burgundian di­ one each. Belgium and Luxembourg are in a thousandth of the West German population. alect; the German-speaking South T yrolians special category, as they recognize three Belgium's linguistic problem is not a 'mic­ near the Austrian border; the Ladins in the official languages. What follows is a run-down rophenomenon', since it concerns the lives of Badra and Gardena Valleys, who speak a of these and of their status in the member coun­ its entire 10 million inhabitants. There are the rheto-romance dialect; the Friulians in the tries, and an examination of the relationship 5. 5 million Flemish in the north, the 4 million northwest; the Piedmontese; the Slovenes in between the EEC and the minority regions. francophone Walloons in the south, and a the provinces of Gouzia and Trieste; Occita­ Due to major terrhorial losses after the germanophone community of 66,000 along nians on the French border; the Croats, Alba­ Second World War, Federal Germany today the German border. Denmark also contains a nians and Greeks of the Mezzogiorno; the LONDONLOCKSOUTTHENORTHSEA

Dutch sea defence expertise and British civil engineering skills have come together to save London from drowning. Mid- N ovember marks the opening of the Thames Barrage, centrepiece for an eleven year , £800 million scheme to protect London from freak tidal surges. Some 4 5 square miles of Central London have been in danger of flooding if North Sea storms met spring or autumn tides in the narrow seas between Britain's south-east coast and the Continent. London's planners have long feared that weather conditions like that would create a tidal surge along the Thames, causing at least £3 to£4 billion property damage alone. To meet that risk contractors Tarmac and Costain, along with the Dutch group Hollandsche Beton Maatschappu, HBM, have raised the Thames's tidal bank defences for 30 miles from London to the sea, and created the unique Thames Barrage tidal gates. Early plans ranged from giant parachutes that would inflate against freak tides, to a Thames dam. The Greater London Council finally chose consulting engineers' Rendel Palmer and Trirton's scheme for giant, semi circular steel gates that lie beneath the surface and rise up two hours before weather computer information identifies a risk of a tidal surge. The widest gates, spanning 61 metres, weigh 3,200 tonnes each. The whole barrier absorbed 51,000 tonnes ofstee l and 214,000 cubic tonnes ofconcrete. The Greater London Council hopes to open a viewing platform for visitors to the Barrier. 8 EUROPES2•: ··F· 54. "'" D$3

Sardinians; and the Sicilians. tional relations, while German is generally Community?- Finally, France contains seven major ling­ used in the Church. The Community decided back in 1952 that uistic minorities: the 250,000 Flemish of The territory ofGaeltacht, on the west coast there would be four official languages: Westhoek, the 2 million Breton-speakers in oflreland, is currently assigned a minister for French, German, Italian and Dutch- all the Brittany; the Germanic dialect spoken by 2 the purpose ofprotecting and propagating the major languages of the original Six. The three million people in Alsace and Lorraine; the Gaelic tongue. A Gaelic Council is in the new members added two· more languages. 'Langue d'oc' in Provence; the 230,000 speak­ planning stages, for the purpose of extending The Council had decided in favour of adopt­ ers of Basque in the southwest; the several economic aid to depressed areas and of insti­ ing the official languages of all the member thousand speakers of Catalan on the Spanish tuting cultural developments (such as televi­ states, but Ireland did not insist on imposing border; and 281 ,000 Corsicans, who speak an sion programmes) in order to prevent the local Irish Gaelic. Greekwasaddedin 1981. Admis­ Italian dialect. population from dispersing. Gaelic is taught sion of Spain and Portugal will add two more. The current status ofthese minorities is still in state school throughout Ireland. Due to the confusion and inconvenience, and determined largely by national policy, and the In Greece, the Albanian, Macedonian, and to the time and costinvolvedin translation and rights ofeach vary a great deal from country to Romanian minorities are not recognised and interpreting, the Community has been forced country, as does the degree of assimilation. seem to be destined for assimilation. Howev­ to face the language problem squarely. The Germans of Denmark and the Danes of er, theTurksofThrace, becauseofareciproc­ Within the European Parliament has been Germany share a reciprocal arrangement al agreement with Turkey regarding the formed the Group for Technical Coordination under which both enjoy the same rights in Greek minority in that country, have the and the Defence oflndependent Parliamenta­ their respective countries. Each has its own benefit of scholastic and religious rights. rians, whose members have been known to cultural institutions, including schools, Although article 6 of the Italian Constitu­ take ethnic positions. Within this group, which are subsidised by the local government. tion states that 'the Republic shall protect its there is the Free European Association, which Each has its own electoral union and is repre­ linguistic minorities by appropriate means,' rallies the various minority parties through­ sented by a deputy in the local parliament. only four groups are officially recognized. out the Community. However, these 22 de­ The Frisians of Schleswig are divided into puties represent only a small minority. two groups - the 'Nationale Frashe', which Pfhe Free Euro~ean Two tendencies are visible in Europe today considers itself a national minority and votes Association rallies the -one towards greater European unity, and the with the Danish minority's Siidschleswiger other towards greater ethnic awareness. With Wiihlerverband, and the Nordfriesischer Ve­ minority parties in the this prospect, how can the Community be rein, whose members consider themselves Parliament' reorganised in such a way as to protect ethnic German nationals, but who wish to preserve groups and guarantee their equality? theirownlanguageandttaditions. ·•~------~·-• As for legal equality - the right of each Denmark also had sovereignty over the These are the Valdotaines, the South Tyro­ minority group to define for itself the linguis­ Faroe Islands and Greenland, both of which lians, the Ladins, and the Slovenes. The re­ tic and cultural rights that it requires-such a are autonomous provinces. (The Faroe Is- gional statutes adopted in 1970-71 attempted right has both a substantive and a formal lands, however, are not part of the EEC.) The to make up for the deficiencies ofthe state; but aspect. The first principle is that the statute bi-lingual province of Greenland, which re- government authorities have been thwarting satisfy the wishes of the interested parties. ceived autonomy in 1979, will negotiate its local plans, so that the majority of the coun­ Unilingualism would be possible only where own statute with the EEC in 1982. try's minorities do not draw any public funds. the indigenous population constitutes an Lawspassedin1963and1964,theconstitu- Still, the existence of certain international overwhelming majority, as in the eastern can­ tional revision of 1970, and laws passed in agreements has prompted a more careful ex- tons of Belgium, where the francophone 1980, have formed the present image of a ecutionoftheregionalstatutes. population is only 5 per cent. Otherwise, a communal and regionalised Belgium. The In Britain the largest linguistic minority is bilingual system would be preferable. The threeculturalcommunities-theFlemish, the in Wales, where Welsh is taught in' many statute must also make provisions in the fol­ French, and the Germans - have their own schools and serves as a teaching language in lowing important areas: education, adminis­ Community councils. The Flemish and the others. Local radio and television program­ tration, the mass media. Frenchcouncilsarechargedwithculturaland mes are broadcast in Welsh. To the north, In education, two systems are possible - personal affairs, whiletheGermancouncilhas Scots Gaelic, although taught in school, is single schools for minorities and immigrants, only consultative powers. The regional divi- threatened by urbanisation. In Northern Ire­ in which half the instruction would be con­ sions include Flanders, Wallonia, and Brus- landmostpeoplehavelosttheuseofGaelic. ducted in the minority language and the other sels. Of all the countries in the EEC, France has half in the official language, or separate A further distinction is made among the been the most reluctant to extend regional schools, one for minorities and the other for four linguistic regions: the Flemish, the statutes to its minorities and encourages a immigrants. In this system, the language French, the German, and the bi-lingual re- tendencytowardsassimilation. Theestablish­ which is not the one of the group could be gion of Brussels. Although representing a mentofpublicregionalauthoritiesin 1972,as taught as a second language. The first system majority of the Belgian population, the Flem- well as the granting of regional cultural char­ would help create a mixed society, whereas ishdominateonlyoneofthethreeregions,and ters in the latter part of the decade, have not the second would foster the development of the francophones dominate the other two. On been effective. Perhaps the most positive de­ the cultural characteristics of each group. the other hand Brussels, whose population is velopmenthas been the Deixonnelawof 1951, The administration would need to be per­ 85 per cent francophone, would accept no- which permits the teaching of Breton, Bas­ fectly bilingual, at least in its dealings with the thinglessthanfullautonomy. que, Catalan, and Occitanian (and later ex- public. Each citizen would have the right to The province of Friesland in the Nether- tended to include Corsican) in primary and his own language. lands is bilingual. Communal authorities en- secondary schools - but only on a voluntary Finally, provisions should be made for the sure the use of Frisian for official purposes, basis. Nomeasuresforenforcementexist. But special case ofcross-boundary minorities, not and supervise the teaching of the language in special statutes are now planned for Corsica only free access to each other, but also com­ schools, which is becoming more widespread. and the Basque country. mon economic and cultural institutions. A three-language situation exists in Lux- Progress has been made in the EEC coun- embourg. Luxemburgish is generally spoken tries on a national· level, but- for those who DCharlesFosteristheeditorofNationsWith­ in the stteets, whereas public signs and the would like to see ethnic dialects preserved - out a State (Praeger, New York, 1980). Guy press are either in French or German. French many of the provisions leave much to be de­ Heraud is professor of political science at the is the language of government and interna- sired. Can help come from the European University ofPau. 9 EUROPE 825 I tit!! SW' . tmt'' r m 1''1

US policy aimed at reducing inflation has attacking them, the United States is turning hindered attempts to stimulate a European its back on painstakingly negotiated interna­ Eyeball to economic recovery. European banks are more tional agreements, they say. or less obliged to align their interest rates with The controversy concerning steel is based those of the United States, which has led to a on similar claims. The major US steel com­ eyeball with slowing down of investment. panies say that European steelmakers benefit­ In the agricultural field, on the other hand, ed from subsidies from the Community in the Europeans are under fire from the United order to 'dump' or sell their products below .. UncleSam States. Fornearlyayearandahalf, theReagan production costs, on the American market. In Administration has criticized the EEC's Com­ June, Washington decided to levy a sur­ mon Agricultural Policy, blaming it for many charge,amountingtoasmuchas40percentin raderelations betweenEuropeand the ofthe difficulties which American agricUlture some cases, on a large portion of the steel UnitedStateshavedeteriorated,accord­ is currently undergoing.* The Community is exportedbytheEECtothe United States. The ] mg to EEC Industry Commissioner specifically accused of paying out unfair sub­ European Commission denounced this deci­ tienne Davignon, summing up rela­ sidies to promote exports ofits farm products. sion and claimed that financial aid granted by tions with the White House in a recent state­ The Europeans have countered with a series of the Community was destined solely to help the ment. arguments pointing out that all industrialised European steel industry to modernise and cut 'Low blows', 'personal antagonisms' and countries, including the United States, subsi­ back its productive capacity. Recent talks 'declarations of war', are how the European dise their farm exports in one way or another. between EEC negotiators and the State De­ press described the situation. The con­ In addition, the United States is the world's partment have resulted in a modification of troversy raging between the United States and leading farm exporter and the Community is the Americans' stand. the European Community has perhaps never its leading client. In 1980, the EEC experi­ In the meantime the American administra­ been so serious, despite the promises and enced a trade deficit ofsome 30 billion dollars tion has been pressing Europe to stiffen its expressions of good faith made at the recent in agricultural trade with therestoftheworld. attitude toward Eastern Europe, and has im­ summit meeting of the leaders of the indus­ The European Commission acknowledges posed a ban on the exporting of American trialised nations at Versailles. that European exports of grain, milk, meat, technology licensed to European firms to Disagreements have multiplied and escac beet sugar and wine have been on the increase assist in theconstructionofamajorpipelineto lated between EEC member states and the in recent years; but it says that the share of provide Western Europe with Siberian natu­ US, and now cover subjects as varied as European products on the world market has ral gas. A number of such firms have already monetary policy, textiles, steel, agriculture decreased. , been threatened for refusing to submit. and East-West relations. Codes adopted in the General Agreement EEC Foreign Ministers have announced Europeans have been complaining for on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) explicitly au­ their intention of defending the Community's months about theuncontrolledfluctuationsof thorise supsidies when they are not aimed at legitimate interests in the appropriate interna­ the US dollar, and with some justification. materially altering the market share of an tional organisations, and especially in the sub­ The recent rise in the exchange rate of the exporter, so the EEC feels that Community sidy committee of the GATT and the steel dollar, due to high US interest rates, has subsidies, aimed at aligning European prices group of the Organisation for Economic succeeded in wiping out the effects of the with those on the world market, are valid. By Cooperation and Development (OECD). current easing of oil prices, and has meant a They have also confirmed their willingness significant increase in the EEC's energy bill. *Reported in EUROPE '82, August issue. to counter-attack on all fronts. [t

10 EUROPE82 Commissioner hits back at anti-Market MPs

ritain's European Commissioner, Christopher Tugendhat, Mr Buchan should have no problems, for it happens that my has challenged the Labour Party's spokesman on calculation uses the same methodology and gives rise to a figure very agriculture to say whether he secretly envisages a marked close to one of those worked out by the Labour Party's research Breduction of agricultural output from Britain's farmers department and referred to in the Labour document on withdrawal under L abour's plans for withdrawal from Europe. from the EEC. Thisfigurewas£1,743million. Speaking at the Scottish National Farmer's Union conference in 'Thus, using the same assumptions, we come to essentially the Edinburgh, Mr Tugendhat, a vice-president of the European same figure- the £1,74 3 million being based on the 1979/1980 Commission, called on Labour spokesman Norman Buchan to admit marketing year.' He went on: that getting out of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and 'Mr Buchan assumed that, were the United Kingdom to withdraw, returning to deficiency payments, at a cost Mr Buchan had estimated world prices would move up and close about half the gap between 'Personally, I do not believe in these substantially lower food prices. But I do fear that British agriculture could suHer enormous damage •• .'

world and British prices. For prices to move so significantly, supply and demand would need to change markedly. Does Mr Buchan envisage a marked contraction in British agricultural output? Ifso, he should let the industry know. He should also make his position clear to consumers who have been told by his party that food prices would be substantially lower were the CAP not applied in the United Kingdom. He simply cannot have it both ways. 'Personally, I do not believe in these "substantially lower food prices". But I do fear that British agriculture could suffer enormous damage were the British public led to believe that they were attainable. This damage must be avoided in the national interest.' atabout£1,000 million per year, involved a big cut-back in British ALTERNATIVES TO EEC farm production. Mr Tugendhat questioned the Labour claim ofs ignificantly lower consumer prices ifBritain gets out of the CAP. This was inconsistent 'NOT CREDIBLE' with Mr Buchan's suggestion that world prices would rise ifBritain left CAP, be said. Mr Tugendhat stood by the statement he made -BRUSSELS LABOUR earlier this year at the Oxford farming conference, that the cost to the Exchequer ofmaintaining United Kingdom agricultural output and return at present levels and to provide support at CAP rates would in GROUP fact come to about £2,000 million per ye.ar. An attack on the Labour Party's statement on British He told the Scottish Farmers' Union: withdrawal from the European Community has been 'I do not believe anyone in this room seriously believes that, if their published by the Labour Group in Brussels. The Group are businesses were to operate under a national support system, they members of the party, and include those working for would be bener off than they are now. How much would Mr Walker European Community institutions or the international trade be able to obtain from the Treasury to finance the deficiency payment union organisations. scheme? The estimate I made at the Oxford farming conference was First they expose numerous misconceptions and errors in that around £2,000 million per year would be needed. Taking into full the facts and arguments set out in the National Executive account even his persuasive powers, I think he would find it difficult Committee statement. T hen they point out that the process to obtain the necessary resources.' ofwithdrawal would be much longer, more complex and This figure, he added, had been criticised, notably by leading more prejudicial to British interests than the Labour Party figures in the Labour Party. Mr Norman Buchan, Member of believes. Parliament for Renfrewshire West, and Opposition spokesman on FinaUy, they reject the claim that substantial benefits agriculture, told the Food Manufacturers' Federation a few weeks would accrue to Britain from leaving the Community. The ago that Mr Tugendhat's figure was based on the sole assumption that alternatives to membership put forward by the party are the cost to the Exchequer was in some way related to the current level 'simply not credible'. ofconsumer prices. The pamphlet can be obtained from Michael Cendrowicz, 'The figure I have,' said Mr Tugendhat, 'is the cost to the 36 av. Albert-Eiisabeth, 1200 Bru.xeUes, at £1.00 per copy. Exchequer and nothing else. As far as the calculation is concerned, 11 r t. 2 m • IEUROPE82 Banking on a beHer environment

rish forestry, French coastal installa­ The European Community's Other BIB projects aimed specifically at tions to deal with oil spills, heating Dan­ environmental protection have included faci­ ish homes by burning garbage and an own bank looks kindly on lities to treatchemicalindustryeffluent before I industrial exodus from a small town in development schemes that it is discharged into the Rhine; sewerage and Tuscany - at first glance these may not water purification schemes in Denmark, appear to have much in common. But they help to improve the quality Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom and Ire­ all represent the recent, little-publicised of life, reports CHRIS LOM land; and plant to counter atmospheric pollu­ emergence ofenvironmental issues as a sig­ tion from German steelworks. nificant factor in the operations ofthe Euro­ ., Environmental considerations have also peanlnvestmentBank-theEuropean Com­ • become a factor in agricultural projects, in munity institution responsible for long-term proposed projects. Contractual obligations to loans for tree planting, pasture improvement loan finance. borrowers to take steps to protect the environ­ and water-course regulation to control ero­ Although the protection of the environ­ ment were also introduced and bank funding sion, in drainage and irrigation, and in mea­ ment was not in the original Treaty of Rome of anti-pollution and environmental protec­ sures to protect wildlife - for example, remitoftheLuxembourg-based bank, a varie­ tion projects was stepped up. through constructingfishwaysforsalmon. All ty of projects aimed at combating industrial The task of assessing the environmental such schemes are. eligible for BIB finance, pollution, treating sewage, recycling waste impact of proposed projects falls squarely on provided they enhance productivity in some and generally improving the quality of life the BIB's technical advisory service, who, as way. have enjoyed the Bank's support. Environ­ engineers for the most part, base their deci­ Banking principles - the financial sound­ mental conditions attached to BIB loans are sions on strictly scientific criteria. Quality and ness of a project, its contribution to the Com­ also becoming more frequent. quantity of water, quality of soil and air, munity, and its environmental impact-pro­ Environmental interests are something of a aquatic and terrestialecosystems, undesirable vide no clear picture of how significant a role refinement of the Bank's original (1958) pur­ or irreversible changes in the environment, the environment plays in EIB decision-mak­ pose, which was simply to promote 'balanced vulnerability to natural hazards, aesthetic ing. Between 1973 and 1982 the bank spent and steady development' in the Community aspects, microclimate and noise - these are about 55 million ECU on specific environ­ and associated countries. This consisted of justsomeofthefactorstheytakeintoaccount. mental protection projects. Another 1380mil­ making low-interest loans aimed at develop­ Bank officials admit, however, that they lion ECU was spent on environmentally-link­ ing poorer regions, ideally serving the in­ often do not see eye to eye with environmental ed projects like sewerage and purification of terests of several Community member states pressure groups like the European Environ­ water supplies, and 370 million ECU on or the Community as a whole, and assisting mental Bureau (EBB). 'Theyreallydon'thave rationalising and reducing energy consump­ industrial modernisation and conversion. the same priorities as most people,' said one tion. It was only in 1972 that the environment official, defending the bank's remit to create But the -overall effect of the growing BIB emerged as a serious factor, following the jobs and economic development, and point­ awareness of environmental issues has prob­ Stockholm conference ofthe United Nations, ing out just how difficult it is to do that without ably been far greater in the long run, filtering the sudden realisation of the threat to the changing the environment in some way. through into dozens of other, apparently un­ planet posed by pollution, and the ensuing Waste disposal and recycling projects have related, projects. international campaign to clean up the world. proved to be among the most successful and As BIB technical officials point out, least controversial of recent BIB loans. For attaching environmental conditions to loans 1 example, in Emi1ia Romagna in Northern may add relatively little to a project in terms of European Community Italy the bank helped finance a plant to con­ total cost. But it can oftenmakelifeagood deal leaders declared centrate a factory's pollutant effluent waste more pleasant for a lot ofpeople. [ft into sludge, which was then dehydrated and that economic burnt in special furnaces to meet part of the ..r ______c·t,.,l ex~anslon Is not an factory's own energy needs. An incineration plant at Videbaek, in Central Jutland, also enC:IIn Itself' received a loan to burn domestic, industrial Atougher line and agricultural refuse, which would other­ wise have been dumped at sea or in pits on with terrorists? land. In October of that year, European Commun­ Steam heat, generated by the project, is fed 'What kind ofa Community is it where terror­ ity leaders met in Paris to declare that econo­ into the district heating system to save fuel ists can find sanctuary by crossing internal mic expansion 'was not an end in itself and . bills and reduce energy imports. In Grimsby, frontiers?' demanded British MEP A1an Tyr­ should resultinanimprovementin the quality in the North of England, the BIB funded rell when he tabled a resolution during the of life as well as in standards ofliving.' another plant designed to reprocess domestic Parliament's July session, cailing for an end to The first Community environmental action and industrial waste into fuel for use by indus­ political asylum and the automatic extradition plan was adopted by the Council of Ministers try. of those suspected of politically motivated in 1973, outlining air, water and other en­ Recycling projects have included finance crimes. vironmental quality objectives. A second for two schemes aimed at combating pollution Mr Tyrrell's resolution was carried by 81 programme followed in 1977 and a third, caused by oil tankers cleaning out their ballast votes to 54 with 10 abstensions. Many left­ continuing through 1986, is currently under tanks at sea. Installations for 'rinsing' tankers wing members voted against the measure, in­ ministerial scrutiny. · and storing, separating and recovering 'waste' sisting that political asylum is an integral part Against the political background of 'en­ oil from the contaminated effluent that they of democracy. vironmental consciousness', BIB loan discharge, have been funded in France - at Mme Simone Veil criticised some Com­ appraisal soon included an evaluation of the Brest in Britanny, and at Fos-sur-Mer, near munity governments for only paying lip-ser­ potential environmental consequences of Marseilles. vice to the idea. 12 l

crease surplus production capacities. And finally, the report warns that pro­ tectionism c8n cause liquidity crises which are serious enough to cause a number ofcountries to default. No member of GA'IT can truthfully claim to apply all its tenets. This is especially true of the larger countries who continue to draw up exceptions to prove the rule. Let us look at one exam­ ple - the latest catalogue of non-tariff barriers concerning industrial products drawn up recently by the GA'IT secre­ tariat. It covers 800 pages and pinpoints more than 600 measures. Bringing the doeument up to date for the meeting in November has proved to be a momen­ tous task. The secretariat has decided not to bind the papers but to leave them in loose form, so that they can be re­ placedmore rapidly. Inaddition toadhocmeasuresand the Will the GATT 'summit' ease increasing protectionist trends which accompany economic crisis in all coun­ tries, three recent developments can be Europe's economic tensions? held responsible for the deterioration overthepast 10yearsofthemultilateral trading system which wassetupinplace after the Second World War. The international meeting which will bring together ministers Firstly, the new form of'bilateralism' and high~ranking officials dealing with economics, trade and mtroduced by the United States in its industrial affairs at the GA1T headquarters in Geneva from negotiations with Japan on 'voluntary 24 to 26 November is expected-according to the official export restrictions'. During these nego­ tiations, the United States did not hesi- IIJII. announcement-~ allow for improvements in international C

OCTOBER 1982 (i) r

EUROFORUMW' · Ql· .,_ 4 &lj

tate to apply political-military pressure cies, including its stance on export cre­ ·change .their positions until the next on Japan. The facilities for internation­ dits,steelimportsfromtheEEC,oreven round of negotiations. The 'Kennedy al trade negotiations provided by GATI agriculture policies, although the EEC Round', followed by the 'Tokyo Round', were completely ignored. Ifall the stron­ feels ill at ease in this particular sector. will invariably be followed by the 'Gene­ ger countries negotiate in such a way, Japan was even forced to threaten (a va Round'. But time is running out. Can operating outside established threat it has not carried out) that it the 'contracting parties', that is the ma­ frameworks, only the weak will remain would build up its trade with the East jor Western powers, afford such a di­ inside international regulations. Dis" and develop its sales of arms. Europe is plomatic strategy at a time when each order is inevitable. also on the defensive. Developing coun­ day brings more threats against the in­ The second handicap has been the tries, who are the first to pay for badly ternational trading system? increasing trend among member states managed international monetary poli­ Experts currently preparing for the of GATI to follow trading practices cies·- after having home the brunt of ministerial meeting appear to have based on the barter system. Introduced high oil prices - are certainly not in a opted for another approach. They stress by the Soviet Union and the Eastern particularly conciliatory mood. The that a normal session ofGATrcontract­ European oountries who hope to save European delegation is therefore ex­ ing parties should be held at the same foreign exchange, and largely practised pected to play the 'intermediate' role. time as the ministerial session. Several by Japanese trading houses who can The EEC delegation is also best placed subjects (rules on fisheries, fraud, dou­ resell what they buy, the barter system to ensure that the GATr meeting does ble pricing, etc) which should be treated is also becoming popular in the United not turn into a kindof'super Versailles', but which wouldonlymeanan unneces­ States. Import-export firms dealing an ambiguous super production. sary burdenonministerswould betack­ with a wide range ofproducts are being Given the number of people who will led by high-ranking officials. Ministers set up with government assistance to be attending the ministerial meeting, it will therefore be able to discuss more undertake barter deals. And it is in this is the preparatory.work being done by political questions which will allow context that the recent Congress de­ groups ofhigh-rankingnational and in­ them to reach agreement on a joint ma.i:tdsfor 'reciprocity' in trade relations ternational experts which will deter­ statement. must be seen. mine the success or failure of the meet­ After initial doubts, ministers from A number of Congressmen are in fact ing.Expertsarefacedwiththefollowing all·countries concerned have agreed to asking Washington to only allow im­ choice: they can either decide to deal attend a meeting which sho~dnotforce ports into the USA from countries (par­ with a certain number of specific sub­ them to make any major concessions. ticularly Japan) who take in American jects, and prepare for some conflicts, or The appeal for an international- and exports. Whilepubliclydeploringsucha only deal with principles . and allow Community-wide truce-seems to have trend, America appears to be adapting ministers to renew their commitment to found an echo in different parts of the to this trend. Europe, on the other hand, the principles of free trade and GATI world. The German ministers who have seems unprepared for this both from the rules at a time when protectionism has always been in favour of the encounter point of view of its inadequate trading reached alarming proportions. This will will be meeting their French counter­ structures, and because ofthe positions, undoubtedly be followed by the creation parts, who have been less committed to oftenchangingandambiguous, adopted of a number of specialised committees; the session. The results of the meeting, by its governments. ministers will vote for 'supplementary andwhatwillfollow,arestilllittlemore The third element which must be studies' which will mean thatnoonewill than subjects ofconjecture. highlighted is the increasing trend in international trading circles to mix poli­ tical and military considerations in in­ ternational economic life. The Amer­ ican Government isla:rgely responsible for this new development, as proved by the recent uproar over the Siberian natural gas pipeline. The statements made by the American Administration could not be clearer: Vice President George Bush said recently that the UnitedStateswas'theleader'ofthefree world, and thatundertheReaganAdmi­ nistration it intended to behave as such. There was no reference to 'liberalism' or contractual obligations. Even if it is hard to separate econo­ mic and political considerations, one must draw the line somewhere. Other­ wise, these rather limitedconflictscould degenerate into a full-sCale war. People are asking themselves if the rather li­ mited trade advantages that the United States hopes to obtain from the embargo on the pipeline are worth the political strains that have now emerged in the Atlantic Alliance. 1982 has seen a bar­ rage ofcriticism against American poli- 'The only Community institution to be chosen by the public': see article opposite.

(ii) ~------EUROFORUM Governments in the Council of Minis­ ters and by astute manoeuvring has managed to increase its say in the for­ 30 years of growth for the mulation offuture policies. The Parliament has the power to dis­ miss the Commission en bloc, although European Parliament this has never yet been seriously threatened. Its use was first mooted in November 1973, and the possibility has since been raised on a number of occa­ The European Parliament celebrated its 30th birthday in sions. September, amid a fanfare offestivities and in th~ presence of As EUROFORUM went to press, the Parliament was preparing to open legal many ofthe leading political figures who, over the years, have proceedings for the first time against enhanced its reputation and powers. another Community institution - in this instance the Council of Ministers, The inaugural sessionoftheCommon cent of the electorate turned out to vote for failing to introduce a common trans­ Assembly (as it was then known) was for their European representatives for port policy. held in Strasbourg from 10 to 13 the first time. Up till then, members had The breadth ofexperience and politic­ September 1952, only five months after ·· been appointed by their national parlia­ alcoloursrepresentedin the Parliament the treaty establishing the European ments and had to carry out a dual man­ is considerable. In March 1982, there Coal and Steel Community had been date: Some still do, but their number is were 57 parties organised into 7 diffe­ signed in Paris. decreasing. The majority now treat rent political groups. It brought together 78 members rep­ their role as an MEP as a full time The next 30 years will surely see the resenting the six founding countries - occupation. Parliament continue its fight for a grea­ Belgium, France, the Federal Republic The increased legitimacy which the tersayin Community affairs and efforts ofGermany, Luxembourg, Italy and the elections conferred on the Parliament..:. to develop greater contact with its Netherlands. it is the only Community institution to electorate. It has started to streamline The Assembly elected as its first Pres­ be chosen by the general public - has its internal organisation, but is ham- . ident one of Belgium's leading politi­ given the institution extra confidence in pered by the refusal of governments to cians, Paul-Henri Spaak. The import­ its search for additional powers. agreethatitshouldhaveonepermanent ance of the occasion was recognised by Less than six months after the elec­ meeting place. thethenFederalChancellor,DrKonrad tions, the Parliament showed its disple­ At the moment the secretariat is in Adenauer, who told the members: 'You asure at the sums of money going to the Luxembourg, committee meetings are are the first sovereign Parliament in Common Agricultural Policy, to the de­ held in Brussels, and plenary sessions Europe to be established on a suprana­ triment ofother policies, by rejecting, for take place in Strasbourg. This involves tional basis.' the first time ever, the Community frequent travelling, and is a drain on The creation of the European Econo­ budget for the following year. time and money. The staff has calcu­ mic Community in 1958, the accession It shares powers over the Commun­ lated that 15 per cent of parliamentary of the United Kingdom, Ireland and ity's purse strings with member state costs are due to this situation. Denmark in 1973, the fi.rs1\ direct elec­ tions in 1979 and the arrival ofGreece­ all have swelled numbers to the present 434. The growth in size, experience and competence of the Community has en­ larged the Parliament's functions. There is now hardly any issue ofEuro­ peanorinternationalimportancethatis not examined by the MEPs. The Parliament was the first in Europe to condemn the Soviet Union's armed invasion of Mghanistan. Its sta­ tus as a political platform was shown when the late President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat, addressed the members in Luxembourg in February last year. The European Commission now holds its normal weekly meetings in Stras­ bourg whenever the Parliament has its plenary sessions there. Commissioners are present to defend their policies and . records, as is the Foreign Minister ofthe country currently chairing Community ministerial meetings: The most significant parliamentary landmark in recent years was the Euro­ pean elections in 1979. Just over 60 per The Parliament in session. For most MEPs the job is a full-time occupation.

(ill) r

EUROFORUM EUROPEAN REVIEW

are advocating that SMEs be The European Parliament, linking laboratories), a four- Where the boats given more protection so that through its Social Affairs year programme begun in 1977 come in they can better weather the committee is now insisting that by the European Space Agency recession. the fight against poverty be (ESA) and the European Scottish MEP WinifredEwing Both urge that more money given political priority. The Organisation for Nuclear would probably agree with the should be made available to Commission has said the Research (CERN). Under the observation that 'ports are them through the responsibility lies largely present multiannual necessities, like postage Community's lending with national governments, programme, improvements stamps or soap, but they seldom institutions. although some policies can be and refinements are being seem to care what impressions co-ordinated at Community added. they make'. In response to a level.. Data-transmission projects, written question by Mrs Alcohol in the tank Indeed, through its five-year aimed at improving the Ewing, the Commission action programme (1975-80) workings ofthe Common revealed that more than £40 The European Commission is the Commission has already Agricultural Policy and the million has been granted for anxious to increase the level of given financial support to Customs Union, were also both port and ferry service alcohol consumption in the projects throughout Europe funded. improvements throughout the Community. Its intention, which sought to develop new Community since 1975 by the however, is honourable-the ways to help those beset by European Investment Bank liquor is to fire your car engine poverty. Keeping TB at bay and the European Regional rather than blow your mind. In addition to the traditional Development Fund. With Community road poor-theelderly, disabled and Most ofthe money was given In response to a written transport greatly dependent on single-parent-families-the question by Italian MEP and to Britain and Ireland, fuel derived from oil (80 per Report ofthe Social Affairs although Denmark, France Committee prepared by Roland member ofthe Parliament's cent ofwhich is imported) the public health committee and West Germany have also Commission engaged a team of Boyes MEP points out that the benefited. Signora Squar~ialupi, Social experts to look at substitute recession has given rise to the Affairs Commissioner Ivor fuels such as methanol, ethanol 'new poor' in the form, ofthe Richard has revealed that and alcohols in order to cut the long-term unemployed. Such is tuberculosis afflicts one in Helping small Community's reliance on widespread poverty, it says, every 10,000 people in the businessmen imported oil. likely to increase political Community. Tests have shown that cars instability. It is most frequent among Company failures in the performjust as well when foreign workers and their Community have reached an petrol is tempered by these families coming from outside alarming level, and the rate of substitutes as they do on the MeetAda, Stella the Community, where social failure is accelerating all the real thing. There are other and Oscar conditions are less favourable. time. In the Federal Republic of advantages too. Engines will However, the incidence ofthe not require any major Germany, for example, In 1979 the Commission disease is declining at a rate of traditionally the Community's modifications, and health risks launched its multiannual five per cent per annum. industrial stronghold, some will be lowered-the programme in the field ofdata- The Commission suggests will 16,000 firms are reportedly substitutes reduce petrol's processing. It was the first time that Community co-operation expected either to go bust this lead content but not its octane agreements involving the rating. action ofthis scope has been year or at least be in need ofa taken by Brussels in this area. training ofmedical staffand drastic overhaul. In 1981, · The co-ordinated programme supply ofequipment could 80percentofthe 11,500firms follows the system of complement the World Health which folded up in the Federal Counting the Commission funding for Organisation's" immunisation RepublicofGermanyemployed new poor individual 'priority projects' campaigns. fewer than 50 workers. during the Seventies. These Although considerable in The last time there was ahead- included studies in software themselves, the consequenCes count ofthe number ofpeople in portability where emphasis are much more thanjobs and the Community living below was placed on devising a More help money lost. The confidence of the poverty line the final tally European, and indeed for immigrants both businessmen and bankers came to more than thirty universal computer language is severely shaken with the million. That was in 1975. With to help bring greater Non-governmental result that banks are more the drastic turn economies uniformity to the international organisations offering social reluctant to lend and have taken since, today's figure market as well as improve the help to immigrants in the businessmen have less must be well above that. Community's competitiveness. European Community may be incentives to invest. The The official figure, however, The system could be based on eligible for support from the economy is thensentdown the is still30 million. That means the ADA language now being Commission. road to stagnation. more than 11 percentofthe developed in Europe for the US Aid is aimed at part- Small and medium-sized Community is living in defence department. financing ofprojects but is not companies (SMEs) are hardest poverty. In addition, studies In the field ofinformatics, awarded on a continuous basis. hit. Surveys have shown, indicate that some five million support was given to research ApplicationS for support, however, that SMEs are not people live offsocial security into data security, measures to together with a financial only more innovative than benefits while seven to eight guarantee confidentiality and statement ofthe organisation, large companies but they also million more are eligible for protect individual freedom. should be sent to Directorate- create agreaternumberofnew them butdonotapply. More High-speed data General for Employment, jobs. Both the European than two million families are transmission projects included Social Affairs and Education, Parliament and the Economic obliged to share their homes STELLA (satellite DG V/B/4, 200, rue de la Loi, and Social Committee (ESC) with others. ~ssionexperiment 1049 Brussels, Belgium.

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CHRISTOPHERJACKSON, performed at Community level-better than either at member state or local level. MEP for Kent East The great importance of this 'principle ofsubsidiarity' is that it provides a logical basis for widespread discussion of the overnance of the Community's functions, to argue over and to assess which European Community is functions the Community can reaUy carry out better than the certainly not under member states individually. I personally want decisions and Gadequate democratic decision-making to be kept as close to the people as possible, only control. The Brussels raising them to a more remote level-county, state or European - if Commission, the Community there is advantage to the people in doing this. 'government in embryo', has It is no contradiction to want to build a Community of real lost power to the Council of powers-more than at present, but with functions limited to those Ministers, which, by a matters which the European Community can perform better than combination ofgood sense and the member states. Parliament's most prudent course will be to bureaucratic nationalism, propose extremely limited amendments to the existing Treaty of usually takes decisions Rome. But equally we must produce the structure ofa new draft unanimously, even where this is treaty for use in future years. We must be realistic; but we must not required by the treaties. seek a new framework that can last the Community for at least the The result is that fartoo many items are blocked by one member next fifty years. state or other, for reasons that could not, by the wildest stretch of The European Parliament adopted my recommendation to the imagination, be called of'vital national interest' but which encourage informed debate in the member states and to take have the effect of slowing the progress and response ofthe evidence. The Institutional Affairs Committee ofthe European Community to a snail's pace. Parliament now aims to take evidence from experts throughout the A united Europe is in the interests of its citizens but not in the Community, in much the same way as the European Communities interests of state bureaucrats. Thus, while it is possible to list Committee of the House of Lords does. Their system, and their formidable achievements of the Community in the last 25 years, reports, are widely upheld as near-ideal models throughout the the fact remains that our citizens are being denied the economic Community. and foreign policies that only the scale and strength of the EEC can bring. Internal reforms are long overdue. The problems are well Pfhere should be a great debate recognised, but last year's Commission mandate from the Council among the_peoples of the ofMinisters failed to achieve desired reform of the Community, European Community' while the Genscher/Colombo plan for faster progress towards European Union is on ice. The European Community has 270 million people, an annual income greater than that of the United States and enormous The European Parliament's timetable is that, by the early human, intellectual and commercial riches. It is, by any summer of 1983, after consultations in the member states standards, a giant in world affairs. Yet it is a giant so restricted, so involving taking evidence from the widest variety ofpeople shackled by nationalism, that it cannot give its citizens and the possible-pro and anti, ofcourse- the main rapporteur, Signor world the benefits it should bring. This is the feeling which has led Altiero Spinelli ofltaly, a former EEC Commissioner, and six the European Parliament to take a new initiative towards sub-rapporteurs will come forward with detailed proposals. Then, European union. late in 1983, the Institutional Affairs Committee will bring its The Parliament wants to revise the 25-year-old treaties which proposals to the European Parliament. If it accepts them, they will form the backbone ofthe Community. Important aspects, such as be sent to the Parliaments of the member states, the Council of foreign policy, are outside the current treaties, while on the other Ministers and the Commission for their reaction. hand the current treaties have not proved strong enough to secure The key to the process is that there should be a great debate progress on some important items they contain. among the people of the Community. Ifit works it will be the most For example, it took over twenty years to get the European important thing the Parliament has ever done. Perhaps it has the Parliament elected, and virtually no progress has been made on dice stacked against it, because many member states are in a certain policies, such as transport, which were clearly envisaged nationalistic frame of mind at the moment-a condition linked to way back in 1957. What, indeed, has happened to the proposed the world recession from which we are all suffering. But public single seat of the institutions? Luxembourg is even going to the opinion, if well informed, will, I am convinced, support the European Court over the Parliament's decision to hold its sessions minimalist approach to European union which I and others in Strasbourg only. advocate. The European Parliament, the only democratically­ In July, the European Parliament adopted, by a massive elected Community institution, is best suited to initiate the majority and with support from all major parties, a resolution necessary modifications to the treaties. setting in motion detailed work towards revision of the Like Britain, the European Community has its unwritten Community treaties, with the aim ofclearing the path towards constitution, involving foreign policy cooperation, inter­ European union. Mention of these two words may send a shudder institutional agreements, agreements between member states. down the spines of some people in Britain. But their fears should Where these have proved successful we can include them in treaty be allayed by the 'principle of subsidiarity' which I formulated for amendments. Above all, we can search out the tasks which can be the resolution carried in July .It is a frightful phrase, but it means more efficiently done on a joint basis, and perhaps in the process that the Community should not take over tasks unless they are best · change the mould of European politics.

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The grants are not paid to the com­ of interest in Europe's richly diverse panies concerned in addition to traditions. assistance they receive from Gov­ North Wales MEP Beata Brookes ernment. supported the Arfe Report, and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Centre, which is located in her constituency. She is particular ly de­ lighted that what was once a Victo­ rian primary school should re­ emerge as an international place of learning, with folklorists from seven countries in the first batch of Grant for students. UKunder Another Regional Folk centre Euro-loan for Fund for Europe Scotland Tbe Commission bas an.nounced grants of nearly £80 million for 128 A new focus ofinterest at this The European Investment Bank projects in the United Kingdom, year's Musical Eisteddfod at (EIB), the European under the European Regional Llangollen was a former Community's bank for long-term Development Fund. This Aid for schoolhouse on the banks ofthe finance, has lent the equivalent of allocation brings Regional Fund River Dee, now converted into the £2.5 million for various grants in Britain to £860 miUion European Research Centre for infrastructure improvements in since the Fund began operations human Folk Studies. the Dumfries and Galloway in 1975. Comprising an exhibition hall, region, SW Scotland. This allocation includes a £28.5 rigbts lecture rooms and a cafeteria, the The loan (term IS years, interest million grant to British Nuclear Centre was born from an idea floated rate 13.25pe.rcent) hasbeengranted Fuel's Magnox project at Wind­ by the North East Wales Institute to Dumfries and Galloway Regional scale. This will enable ageing plant research and Clwyd Coun ty Council two Council. lt will go towards various (some of which is nearly 20 years years ago. It hopes to attract folk­ road improvements and water supp­ old) to be replaced by systems de­ The Universal Declaration of lorists from all over the world to ly schemes to serve industrial and signed particularly to satisfy the Human Rights, a collection of attend courses on European folklore tourism development, plus 12 in­ more stringent environmental con­ self-evident truths that was given by visiting lecturers. dustrial site and advance factory de­ ditions and high safety standards adopted by the United Nations The project has already won the velopments in the region, which are compatible with present day re­ General Assembly in 1948, has support of the British Council, the expected to generate some I ,650 quirements . Such replacement probably been abused to a greater National Museum of Wales, the jobs. assures the approval of the Health extent than any other single Wales Tourist Board and the Man­ Due for completion by end-1983, arid Safety Executive and thus the resolution approved by the UN. power Services Commission, which theworks arecosted in total at about continuing functioning of the Elec­ Torture, imprisonment without provided labour to complete the £9 million. The EIB made a first loan t.riciry Board's Magnox station with trial, discrimination and £20,000 conversion free of charge. of£2 million in 1980. the 2800 associated jobs. An addi­ sometimes death still await people The organisers also hope for an EEC Since the United Kingdom joined tional 1200 new jobs will be created who express opinions that differ grant to expand the range oflectures the European Community in 1973, by this investment. from those of tbe authorities in the on offer in coming years. the European Investment Bank has ln Scotland, aid (£2.7 million) has vast majority of countries that Says Clwyd County Council's channelled close to £800 million to been granted for the construction of signed the Declaration thirty-four Steve Nott: ' Folklorists often tend industrial and infrastructure invest­ an electricity cable between the is­ years ago. to specialise in a particular area, and ment in and/or directly benefiting land of Orkney, where generation The European Human Rights become introspective. Hopefully, Scotland. Most of the funds were transmission and distribution of Foundation is a new body aimed at the Centre will broaden their views provided for projects assisting re­ electricity present severe practical the promotion and protection ofhu ­ by introducing a European dimen­ gional development. and cost problems, and the main­ man rights throughout the world. sion.' land. This will replace the existing Founded in the Netherlands in Thirty students arriving for the diesel-powered station in Kirkwall 1980, and part-founded by the Centre's first £200 two-week course (Orkney) and at the same time assist European Commission, it provides in 'comparative folk study' were first-time supply of electricity to limited finance for individuals and greeted by an exhibition put some of the most remote communi­ non-governmental organisations together by local schoolchildren, Update on ties in the country. for research across the whole spec­ entitled 'The Dragon in Europe', About two-thirds of ERDF trum of human rights issues. showing the part played by the biomass grants are towards infrastructure Around 40 EHRF grants, rarely ex­ Welsh national emblem in Euro­ projects. This finance is passed on in ceeding £3,000, have already been pean folklore. The abrupt rise in oil prices in full to the local and other public made available for projects dealing Interest in folklore at a European 1973 encouraged a number of authorities concerned, thus reduc­ with Eastern and Western Europe, level recently received a boost with European Community member ing the amount they have to borrow South and Central America, Asia the European Parliament's adop­ states to step up research into to finance the investment in ques­ andMrica. tion of Italian Socialist MEP alternative energy sources. tion. As far as industrial projects are Application forms for awards in Gaerano Arfe's report calling for a Biomass is now seen as one ofthe concerned, the Community grant 1982 are available from: Peter Ash­ bill of rights for minority regional most promising areas ofresea .rch now announced represent a Fund man, European Human Rights cultures in Europe. The report in­ into new forms ofenergy . contribution of up to half the cost of Foundation, 95a Chancery Lane, cluded calls for the teaching of local Biomass covers energy produced the assistance given to individual London WC2A lOT. Closing date languages, history and literature in by organic wastes (wood, industrial projects by the UK Government. is 30 October. schools, to bring about a resurgence and household waste, used rubber,

14 EUROPE82 harvest waste, etc) which is released use ofCFCs in aerosols fell by 34.4 through combustion, fermentation, per cent during the period 1976- electrolysis or gasification. It also 1981. QUESTIONS covers the cultivation of plants for The European Commission is in the production ofenergy, including the process of drawing up codes of IN THE HOUSE sugar cane, manioc, and fast-grow­ conduct for industrialists, en­ ing forests. French government couraging them to reduce voluntari­ estimates suggest that biomass ly the production and use ofCFCs in should cover 7 per cem ofits nation­ the refrigeration sector. It is also Mario Pedini and Renzo Filippi, hance the security of natural gas al energy requirements by 1990. financing research into the possibil­ Italy: supplies to the Community, which it The European Commission is ity of recuperating CFC emitted 'The danger of isolation among the put to the Council on 16 March playing an active parr in promoting during the manufacture of rigid and elderly in modem society, as recent­ 1982. At the close of its debate on biomass, and is financing four pilot flexible synthetic foams. ly pointed out by the European Par­ that paper, the Council noted that projects for the production of The destruction of the ozone liament, is the subject of much dis­ the Commission was to carry out methanol from wood. The projects would wreak changes in ground pute. Are there any pilot projects in studies which would serve as a basis should be complete by 1983. The temperature, climate and general the European Economic Commun­ for appropriate proposals on the Commission is also financing 15 de­ atmospheric conditions, and would ity for the reinsertion of the elderly measures to be taken to strengthen monstration projects dealing with also affect human health. in society through employment, the security of the Community's different aspects of biomass energy. perhaps on a voluntary basis, in the supplies of natural gas.' Its financial contribution to the two social services, particularly those of programmes is put at £1.53 million a civic nature?' Mrs Winifred Ewing, and £5.85 million, respectively. United Kingdom: Following the first conference on Answer by Ivor Richard on behalf 'What evidence does the Commis­ biomass energy held in Brighton in ofthe Commission: sion have of an increase in cattle 1980, the Commission organised a 'Various pilot schemes and many smuggling over the Belgian-Dutch second meeting in Berlin in Septem­ permanent and structured measures border since the recent devaluation ber. More than 700 scientists, en­ to integrate the elderly into society of the Belgian franc?' gineers, agronomic experts and areunderwayin the Member States. agricultural technicians took part. The Commission has supported Answer by Pout Dalsager on The first European exhibition of some pilot schemes directed to this behalfof the Commission: biomass technologies was held at the end in the context of the European 'Following press reports, the Com­ same time as the conference, aimed Programme of Pilot Schemes and mission organized a meeting with at interested professional circles and Studies to combat Poverty. In 1982 the Belgian and Netherlands cus­ potential biomass users in the Com­ the Commission is supporting a toms to ask them to cooperate close­ munity. number of projects concerning the ly together on inquiries into spe­ elderly. In addition a study has been culative movements of cattle and to commissioned describing and ana­ report on the results. lysing any significant actions im­ So far the Commission has been plemented in the Community to informed of only one speculative promote the independence of old operation concerning about ten Soccer sans people and their participation in the animals.' life of the community.' frontieres? W. F. NewtonDunn, Mr Luc Bey er de Ryke, Belgium: United Kingdom: The European Commission has 'The Siberian gas supplies contract 'The Commission in their document launched an enquiry into the free signed in January by France, and COM(82) dated 26 February 1982 movement of footballers betwee.n before that by Germany and Italy, wrote of 'considerable changes in EEC member states. has more than strictly economic im­ the pattern of trade between the Un­ The enquiry-in the form ofa letter plications for Western Europe. In a ited Kingdom and the other Mem­ sent by Commissioner Ivor Richard recent resolution the European Par­ ber States', presumably in 1981. to the Union of European Football liament deplored the lack of agree­ What were these considerable Associations (UEFA) and to ment between the member states of changes?' national football associations in the the Community on this matter. Can Community- aims to elicit the Commission state what concrete Answer by Poul Dalsager on information on progress towards measures it intends to take in behalf ofthe Commission: the elimination of nationality the light of Parliament's resolu­ 'The appropriations covering clauses limiting the numbers of tion?' monetary compensatory amounts Codes to Community players in each playing depend on the performances of the division. Answer by Etienne Davignon on currencies and the volume of trade. An undertaking to eliminate behalfof the Commission: Trade in agricultural products be­ protect the such nationality clauses was made 'In the plenary session debate which tween the United Kingdom and the by the national football associations preceded Parliament's adoption of other Community countries in­ ozone in a meeting with the European the draft Resolution, I said that, as creased sharply after the accession Commission and UEFA in the Commission had no power to of the United Kingdom in 1973, but The atmosphere's ozone, which February 1978. coordinate gas purchases, the Com­ this trend did not continue. protects the earth from harmful Says Mr Richard: 'Nearly four munity's strategic objective must The value of agricultural pro­ ultraviolet rays, is threatened by years have passed since then, and I remain to keep gas prices at a level ducts attracting monetary com­ the e.ffects ofchloroOuorcarbons feel it is time to ask the national that would encourage the shift from pensatory amounts has declined for (CFC), a product used in associations what progress has been petroleum products to natural gas deliveries from the other Member aerosols, refrigeration, synthetic made to implement Community needed in order to bring about the States and has remained stationary foams and detergents. legislation.ln the event that this wider diversification of supply for deliveries from the United King­ The European Community has enquiry reveals that nationality sought by the member states. dom to the other Member States. been trying since 1978 to reduce the clauses are still being maintained, As for the requisite security The decline in deliveries from the use of CFCs and to encourage the the Commission will consider what against major interruptions in sup­ other Member States to the United use of substitutes. To date, most steps need to be taken to ensure that ply, the Commission proposed a Kingdom was mainly accounted for progress has been made in the aero­ any remaining discrimination seriesofmeasuresinitscommunica­ by cereals from 1978 to 1981 and by sol sector. Recent figures show that based on nationality is eliminated.' tion concerning measures to en- milk products from 1978 to 1980.'

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fine quarry of dead silver, with here and there The 1982 Europalia, COTMANIN a ring of gold, the light and shadowed sides both coming off from the deep azure ofthe bay devoted to the ancient and NORMANDY: AN as one pure mass of pearl colour.' Between modem arts ofGreece, Domfront and Mortain he found himself on offers a chance to admire 'an artist's day, with fine clouds, the shadows ENGLISHMAN'S ofwhich give life and spirit to everything.' At one ofthe most vigorous the sight of Dieppe harbour he exclaimed: cultures in Europe DISCOVERY OF 'Oh, had I fortune and time beyond the limit ofmortal man, what might be done! Nothing, even as to colour, can be achieved in England FRANCE like it.' He brought back hundreds of pencil and his year's 'Europalia' in Brussels­ sepia drawings, a quantity of oils and water­ rieOy noted in the September issue­ colours, and studies for an ambitious series of s one of the most ambitious ne of the greatest of English artists, etchings. He had high hopes of financial suc­ exhibitions of its kind in recent years, John Sell Cotman, spent a critical cess with this venture, which he intended to covering not only ancient and classic period of his life drawing and follow up with another work, 'Picturesque examples but also Greek art of our own 0 painting in Normandy. He made Normandy'. The Architectural Antiquities of times. three tours there between 1817 and 1820, at Nonnandy was published in 1822, with a text Some of the most important exhibits, such a time when he was working under the by Dawson T urner. Sadly, it was an almost as bronze and marble sculptures representing patronage of the Norfolk banker and total failure in the art-book market. It came the gods, are shown alongside portraits of antiquarian, Dawson Turner. This just too late, in the wake of half-a-dozen simi­ writers, philosophers, politicians and kings. autumn, two bicentennial exhibitions bring lar publications, one ofwhich- called V ayages Equally interesting are the vases, terracotta Cotman's work into fresh relief. And the Piuoresques et Romantiques dans l' Ancienne statuettes and other small objects, which give Normandy experience emerges as one of France - included no less than two hundred us insights in to people's everyday lives and the the high points in an up-and-down career. plates by British artists. part that the gods and mythology played in Counan was among the first English artists For Counan, anxiously resettled in Nor­ them. to visit France after Waterloo. Others who wich, it was back to the drudgery of life as a Far older than these works, and of a signi­ made the trip included such fellow Norwich drawing master. He sank into recurring fits of fica.ncewhichmay never be completely under­ artists as John Berney Crome (son of 'Old' depression, which darkened the rest of his stood, are the marble idols of almost abstract Crome, acknowledged founder of the Nor­ life. From his twenty-nine weeks in Norman­ simplicity and great beauty found in tombs in wich School), George Vincent, and Joseph dy we are left with the Antiquities-which has the Cyclades islands. Dating from 3,200 to Clover. Another contemporary, Henry outlived all its rivals-and the sunny, sensitive 2,000BC, they are all thatremainsofacivilisa­ Edridge, remarked at the time on the 'extraor­ paintings ofa land he was quick to love. tion that flourished at the heart qf the Aegean dinary things that France produces for an JOYCEBETTS during the Bronze Age. artist-magnificence and filth, the formal and Some experts think they are figures of gods the picturesque'. [).John Sell Cotman, 1782-1842, a touring or ancestors; others, substitutes for human Turner crossed the Channel in 1821, the exhibition arranged by the Arts Council, is at sacrifice or toys for the dead. The exhibition same year in which Bonington and Samuel the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, until 'Art from the Cyclades' includes about 200 of Prout made sketching tours of Normandy. 24 October. It will be at the Whitworth Art these extraordinary pieces, mostly from a pri­ Normandy scenes became something of a Gallery, Manchester, from 6 November to 11 vate collection. craze as other artists hurried off in search of December; and at the City Museum & Art The exhibition 'Splendour of Byzantium', new and attractive material, and publishers Gallery, Bristol, from 18 December to 29 -the most important for nearly twenty years­ commissioned picture books with etched January 1983. A special commemorative ex­ illustrates the evolution of Byzantine art from illustrations. hibition is showing at the Castle Museum & the late 4th Century to the 15th Century. The Counan wrote enthusiastic letters home, Art Gallery, Norwich, until29 November. Byzantines, who excelled in their technical recounting his pleasure and excitement at the mastery and the richness of their materials, scenes that met his eye. Of Cherbourg he The Castle of Falaise, one of Cotman's the variety of their interpretations and the reported: 'You look down upon it as upon a etchings for his Normandy series. harmony of their colours, are represented by superb icons and illuminated manuscripts, as well as by work in gold and precious stones and metals, enamel, ivories and silks. A paral­ lel exhibition on the art and architecture of Mount Athos includes previously unpub­ lished material on this famous monastic re­ treat. The other major exhibitions are deliberate­ ly modern. One of them, 'Art and Dicta­ torship', is devoted to those artists who used their work to oppose the military regime. There are some 30 thematic exhibitions, including 16th and 17th-century icons from Crete and the work of2S young photographers - working in a field where, for once, there is no Greek tradition. Europalia's theatrical programme is also impressive: four major Greek companies, with their best directors and performers, are bringing their versions - in Greek - of that 16 EUROPE82

traditional preoccupation of Greek theatre, gian francs, will be awarded to a contempor­ Byzantine treasures on loon in Brussels: the tragic confrontation of roan and destiny. ary Greek author by a panel of judges drawn necklet with gold coins (left) and The National Theatre of Athens presents from all theothercountriesofthe Community. SI Demelrios, enamel (top), both from 'Oedipus Rex', the National Theatre of Salo­ The works of two of Greece's most famous Berlin; and a bronze coin, age of nika brings Euripedes' 'Helen', the Art modern composers, Mikis Theodorakis and Justinian, from the PottierCollection, Waterloo. Theatre presents Aeschylus' 'Oresteia'. Iannis Xenakis, figure prominently in the Some 20 Belgian companies are working concerts of classical music in Europalia's 'Stella', by Michalis Cacoyannis, the first with Greek collaborators on translations of music programme. Theodorakis will be con­ film made by Melina Mercouri, now Greece's traditional plays, modem works and plays ducting a concert of his own works with the Minister for Culture, will be among the films inspired by the traditional myths such as Sar­ Orchestra of Radio Television Luxembourg. shown during Europalia's two-month festival tre's adaptation of Euripides' 'Trojan Other European orchestras and ensembles are of Greek Cinema, which includes some 150 Women' and Fabien's 'Jocasta'. Belgium's giving concerts of mainly Greek music, with feature films. National Theatre director, Henri Ronse, is Greek conductors like Dimitri Chorafas and The main venues include the Palais des also directing a series of performances of the Spyros Argiris. Beaux Arts; the Royal Museum of Art and works ofsome ofGreece's great modern poets, A series of concerts is also being given by History; the Academy of Fine Arts, Ghent; such as Nobel Prize winners George Seferis Greek artists virtually unknown outside the Caisse General d'Epargne et de Retraite; and Odysseus Elytis. Greece: Georges Dalaras, who presents the the Palais des Congres; the Town Hall; and Literary debates are planned on such sub­ best songs of the past 60 years, and Sotiria the Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp. Most of jects as 'Contemporary Poetry in Greece', Bellou, the first lady of 'rebetiko', which the exhibitions are open until the end of with an international panel of writers. The could be described as the Greek version of the November. One, 'Art from the Cyclades', Europalia Literary Prize, worth 500,000 Bel- Blues. continues until9 January 1983. ~ 17 EUROPE82

TALKING BUSINESS What price the monthly pay cheque?

too pleased with Inbucon's findings. Out of 124 of the world's major cities, Kinshasa emerges as the world's mostexpensive place to work, rating 210 on a scale which is set at lOO for London. Mexico City comes out at the other end ofthe scale, rating 72.4 to London's 100, to make it thecheapestofthecitiesforex­ patriates. Within Europe, Luxembourg appears to be one of the least expensive places to operate from, rating 78.7 on the same costs scale. Italy, with prices based on living in Milan, rates 85.3, just cheaper than Athens, Greece, at 87 .6. The Netherlands, with prices based on Amsterdam, remains cheaper than Lon­ don at 98.7. Brussels, representing Belgium, is cheaper still-89 .2. Frankfurt prices keep Federal Germany only a fraction cheaper than London, at 99.8. But the rest of the Community's major busi­ ness cities would be expensive for a London visitor. Dublin, for Ireland, rates 100.8; Copenhagen 102. 7; Paris 103.1. New York has long since ceased to be an horrendously expensive overseas posting for Europeans, standing now at 108.5 on In­ bucon'scostsindex. Tokyo would be a greater shock to the wallet, costing one third more th.an London. That is roughly the same as Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, or Muscat on the Gulf. Of course, costs are only relative. It is local purchasing power that really matters. To make realistic comparisons Inbucon brought omparing international salaries and they say, 'all the other available international cost ofliving makes compulsive indexes'. reading. But such information is The three major additional sources ofmate­ Cessential to, for example, corporate rial for this 'super-index' are surveys by the £ accountants, who need them to make sense Statistisches Bundesamt in Wiesbaden, the Switzerland 19,500 of expatriate staffs' expenses, or to make United Nations' index, and the Washington Federal Republic ofGermany 18,500 sure they don't try bidding for an overseas index. The Wiesbaden figures are used by the France 17,800 executive at a salary that would put' him at German Government and industry to show USA (New York) 16,600 an embarrassing disadvantage. living costs for German expatriates on long­ Spain 16,500 The problem is that by the time you have term appointments abroad. The UN'ssurvey, Belgium 16,200 dealt with varying currency exchange rates, produced twice a year, looks at local costs for Italy 13,900 different local taxes, country-by-country diff­ international personnel in the main cities of Netherlands 13,100 ences in the way living costs are measured, job the world. And the Washington index, com­ Japan 12,900 descriptions - and valued the perks, bonuses, piled by the US State Department, is com­ United Klngdom 11,100 commissions and all the other local elements puted for both privately employed Amer­ Ireland 10,400 of overall pay- you end up with a confusing icans, and for US Government employees Greece 10,100 number of indices of comparison. working away from home. Denmark 9,700 A firm of international management con­ Having poured all the figures into its com­ sultants, lnbucon, have a reputation for slic­ puters and tapped in further information from 0 Source: lnbucon International T axation ing through this confusion. In their latest national and multi-national companies' re­ and Living Costs, 1982. Available from 197 review of world taxation and living costs they search departments, Inbucon believes it has Knights bridge, London SW7, price £95 .00. have constructed an 'Index of Indexes', by got the clearest view of world pay and costs bringing together their own statistics on inter­ that is available. national employees' salaries and costs with, The citizens of Kinshasa in Zaire will not be 18 . EUROPE82 together all the tax, pay and cost indexes however, that the policy will not discriminate officers and onwards-have to reflect its direc­ currently available, to produce a picture of against EEC trading partners. tion, and that can make life difficult for ex­ real, after-tax purchasing power interna­ French private industry almost froze in its ports. tionally. Picking, as an example, comparative tracks when theMitterrandgovernmentcame There are other discreet ways that the salaries for a senior executive (though not on to power, ceasing much ofits economic activ­ French administration can use to favour the the board of directors) in a manufacturing or ity and postponing investment decisions. But domestic producer over the foreign exporter­ marketing company with around £20 million the gloom did not last. for instance, by restricting the availability of turnover - an executive who could expect to Midhat Gazale, managing director of ICL credit to distributors on certain goods which earnabout£15,600 in Britain, or DM120,000 France,remembersthefirstfivemonthsofthe they import. in Germany- the table on page 18 shows new government as a time when business But, for all the difficulties, this is still a Switzerland at the top and Denmark at the slackened. 'But in October last year it began to market ofconsiderable opportunity for a wide bottom, four places below the United King­ pick up again, and currently the market is range ofBritish products. The Department of dom. The figures show net disposable income buoyant. Whether this is the result of"taking Trade, and the British embassy and consu­ after tax, adjusted for local cost ofliving. They up the slack", I don't know, but not all pros­ lates in France, have identified a number of are in sterling. pects are the result of delayed decisions,' he sectors where demand is growing and where JOHN BRENNAN said. there are further opportunities for British ICL believes the new measures may actual­ exports and investments. These include ly help its business as private companies strive energy conservation, electronic components, to become more efficient. At the moment, Mr automobile parts, machinery and machine Gazale says, the computer market in France is tools, agricultural inputs, medical equipment growing at the rate of 14 to 15 per cent per - and consumer goods. Any British- made STEPPING UP year, and demand for ICL's new products is consumer item can and will sell in France, increasing. Within two months of the given the correct quality, style, distribution, TRADE announcement of the company's DRS small promotion and pricing policy. multi-micro intelligent terminal, ICL France D British Business hadsold470systemsworth£1Y2milliontothe WITH FRANCE Credit Agricole bank. And a private technical company has ordered 130ofiCL'snew PERQ design computers at £25,000 each. ritain's ambassador in Paris, At another British-owned company, Sir John Fretwell, maintains that Rowntree Mackintosh, the biggest chocolate SOFT WORDS Britain can realistically aim to manufacturer in France, they are also opti­ Bincrease its share of trade with mistic about the future. 'There is some evi­ FROM TOKYO France -and that to some extent it helps dence that when times are hard, people may that the British and French markets are avoid going out for a slap-up meal, but will similar in sophistication and size, because take home a box of chocolates instead as a this means that sectors that are growing in consolation,' RM's marketing director, Gor­ he Japanese have announced a Britain tend to be growth areas in France. donNeal, said. reduction in customs duties-in But there are complications. The French, But if there are patches of optimism, the some cases their elimination-on like the British, prefer to do business in their feeling at present seems to be that, in general, Tcertain industrial and agricultural native tongue and are unresponsive to business is likely to get worse before it gets products, to come into effect next April. On approaches in other languages, while the better. Economists, at the Paris offices of the the basis of1981 trade, these reductions majority of British businessmen are reluctant Ministere du Plan et de 1' Amenagement du would apply to 8 percent ofJapanese to speak anything other than English. Territoire - the organisation which tries to imports from the Community. In May 1981 French politics suddenly plot the future of the economy-freely admit The Tokyo government has also changed course when, after 23 years of Gaul­ that world events since the change of govern­ announced new action to eliminate non-tariff list government, a socialist president, Fran­ ment have had a detrimental effect on pro­ barriers, such as measures which restrict the ~is Mitterrand, and a socialist government jected growth figures. A projected economic distribution of Community goods within were elected. So far the new administration growth of3 per cent this year has already been Japan and fiscal and banking problems. has nationalised the principal French banks trimmed to 2 per cent. The Prime Minister, Mr Suzuki, has issued (but not those with foreign ownership) as well At times like these it is important that a an appeal to Japanese businessmen and trad­ as a number ofmajor industrial companies. newcomer appreciates the sensitivity of cer­ ers to help create a new climate in their deal­ In a bid to stimulate domestic consumption tain sectors of the French market, and takes ings with the Community. While welcoming it has raised thewagesofthelowestpaid. Ithas expert guidance beforehand. Newspaper this as a useful political gesture, the Commis­ also reduced the working week by one hour to headlines about disputes on the import of sion has declared that, as with the removal of 39 hours, and increased annual holidays by Italian wine or British lamb into France tariff and non-tariff barriers it is far too early one week to five weeks. To tackle unemploy­ underline the fact that exporting can have yet to judge their concrete effects. ment - which was running at more than 2 unexpected complications. The Community's ttade deficit with Japan million in February- the government has Although there are well-worn tales ofprob­ was a whopping $14 billion last year, com­ promised a major programme ofpublic works lems in getting goods through French cus­ pared with a mere $8 million two decades ago. and the creation of over 200,000 jobs in the toms, most of these are brought on by expor­ At the same time, Community business has public sector. ters who have not adhered to regulations, or found it difficult to penetrate the Japanese For would-be exporters, one of the Miner­ who have got their documentation wrong - market because of Japanese restrictions, rand Government's most controversial although,asthewineandlambdisputesshow, while witnessing increased Japanese exports announced intentions has been the 'recon­ there are exceptions. to the Community, especially in highly sensi­ quest ofthe domestic market', a phrase which France can react more quickly than most to tive areas like automobiles, colour TVs and seemstoimplyfavourabletreatmentforhome what it regards as unwanted imports, because machine tools. industry - and which would go against the of its centralised administration system, The Community has threatened to bring intentions of the Treaty of Rome. Politicians based on Paris. So if an unfavourable wind the matter for adjudication to GATT if the and government officials have stressed, blows from Paris, all sorts ofpeople- customs situation does not improve. 19 EUROPE82

Keep it moving-the message for Community transport

by should a consignment of Not all goods traffic between hinder growth of the Community spirit. It fresh meat be stopped and therefore welcomes proposals to ease the checked several times between the Ten is moving smoothly. situation put forward by the Commission last WMunich and Bolzano, when a A report by a specialist July, some of which were approved by the similar consignment, carried from Milan to Council of Ministers at their meeting on 10 Palermo, is not subject to checks at all? In a committee highlights what June 1982. Community dedicated to free movement of needs to be done Examining progress towards full Customs goods, why should lorry drivers and rail Union in 1977, the Commission concluded wagons be held up for hours or even days that there were still difficulties impeding in­ for the checking and counterchecking of ternational traffic between Community coun­ documents and vehicles? sures of reform. Though there have been tries and third country neighbours. This lack T hese are some ofthe questions studied by a improvements in recent years, the committee of economic integration runs counter to the committee of experts from the Community notes that there is still a remarkable lack of Rome Treaty, and the Commission sees the countries whose report focuses attention on trust and co-operation between Community removal of barriers and difficulties arising at the difficulties now being encountered in the authorities when it comes to the movement of frontiers as an urgent priority. international transport industry. goods. Unnecessary frontier barriers not only As the matter is complex and politically The report* lists a series of practical mea- waste time and vast sums of money, but also sensitive, it invited the Advisory Committee 20 EUROPE82

Cross-Channel traffic in and out of Dover rearrangements. These have since been put in makes the dock area, left, one of the hand. busiest in Europe. Above: lorry drivers European railways were built with national wait for clearance of documents before rather than international traffic in mind. But, continuing their journeys. considering the century or so that trains have been trundling across and around the conti­ nent, the Committee notes with some surprise through introduction of measures which the continuing lack of trust in each others' should be extended to railways and interna­ documentation that still exists between coun­ tional waterways as well. tries, and a general lack ofco-ordination about Apparently there is no general pattern of routes and transit exists for freight. border barriers in the Community. The Ben­ Wagons may stay in marshalling yards for elux countries operate almost free passage in days because their arrival does not coincide movement of each others' goods. Elsewhere with onward railway schedules to their final there may be long hold-ups. The situation is destination. In 1981 it was found that almost aggravated by the failure of the Council of half of international wagons were held up for Ministers to agree on a wider harmonisation more than 12 hours at frontiers, and two- programme relating to vehicle type approval and consistent documentation. In addition, 80 per cent in volume of to make a detailed study of ways and means of veterinary and health checks on the transit of removing frontier barriers, including the de­ such cargoes as fresh foodstuffs, animal food Community waterway traffic velopment of a Community common trans­ and plants add immeasurably to time wasted is carried by the Rhine port policy. at frontier posts. The Committee chose as its basic point of Quality control tests were often even more reference the time spent at the border by time consuming. The committee noted that, vehicles- whether road, rail or inland water­ in a not unusual example, a consignment of thirds for more than six on transit routes. Here ways- crossing the frontier. This provided a fresh meat taking the Brenner route from hold-ups are mainly operational, in the ex­ basis for estimating the economic costs of Munich to Verona took 26 112 hours to reach its change or inspection of wagons, labelling of delay. Calculating one hour's border delay as destination, including customs clearance in consignments, issue of brake records, and about £13, the Committee considered that it West Germany, Austria and Italy. A consign­ inspection of freight documents. There are was 'not unrealistic' to estimate that unneces­ ment of scrap using the same route and pas­ also problems of infra-structure, particulary sary frontier transit costs incurred in intra­ sing through the same customs posts took 4Yz in Italy, with inadequate stations and yards or Community road haulage alone amounted to hours. lack of access and relief lines. And there are 370 million ECU (£210 million), excluding Part of the problem here is that customs and particular problems affecting transit across administrative costs, customs clearance, au­ veterinary officers usually do not work the the Channel between the UK and the conti­ diting agencies and so on. In its opinion, such same hours, are rarely in the same building, nent. costs could be reduced by 30 to SO per cent and seldom offer a 24-hour service. It is quite While admitting that railway authorities usual, therefore, to find drivers waiting in have made, and intend to make, improve­ Veterinary and health long queues at frontier posts, wasting their ments in the transit of goods, the committee checks add immeasurably time and throwing out their schedules. A believes that rather more trust in initial docu­ study of an Austro-German border point mentation and fewer inspections en route to time wasted at found that, whereitnormally took a vehicle82 would contribute to faster service. frontier posts minutes to cross the frontier, no less than 48 Some 80 per cent in volume of Community minutes-mainly ofwalking time from vehicle watenvay traffic is carried by the Rhine, to offices- could be cut out by quite simple where, as a result ofseveral agreements, fron- .... 21 EUROPE82

SIGNALLING SAFETY ON TOMORROW'S MOTORWAYS

ambitious research scheme, aimed country would adopt its own policy towards warn of hazards encountered, particularly on at increased road safety, and traffic control. However, when means of in­ motorways, to be added to the Vienna Con­ involving most ofthe countries of fluencing drivers' behaviour in order to im­ vention. The new symbols would represent AWestern Europe, has come up with plementthose policies were considered, it was recommended maximum speed, congestion, some interim proposals. evident that advice or instructions should accident or breakdown, fog, danger caused by It began in 1%9, when the subject of elec­ always be given in a manner which could be fallingrainorsnow,aquaplaningandskidrisk tronic aids for traffic on major roads was understood by all. from ice or snow. A symbolforfogis still being suggested by a technical committee of the Consequently it was agreed that a standard developed. EEC. Workstartedin1970withllcountries­ interface between the driver and the control There are differing views on the urgency Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, system was an important requirement. Vari­ and importance of recommending a uniform Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Federal ous aspects were identified, such as codes, system of traffic broadcasting for Europe, but Republic of Germany, Austria, Finland, variable signs, automatic detection of bad most of the participating countries favour a Switzerland and Yugoslavia - ultimately weather and specialised electronic equip­ uniform solution. A number ofconsiderations being involved. ment. These were then shared out among the indicate that, in the near future, the adoption After early discussions it becameclearthata participating countries. of a system which identifies traffic messages common European code of practice for the It emerges that the most suitable means of on normal entertainment channels would be control of busy, high-speed roads would be a communicating with drivers on high-speed appropriate in those countries where VHF desirable objective, because the development roads would be by external visual signs and receivers are used in most vehicles. Most of substantial motorway networks had given signals, forming part of a system which in­ countries favour the adoption of such a sys­ rise to new driving hazards which required cluded rapid detection oftraffic incidents and! tem. prompt, efficient reactions from both drivers or bad weather. Radio broadcasting of traffic Perhaps the most interesting of the future and control authorities. messages is not sufficiently fast to prevent research projects now envisaged is the de­ International traffic was growing at a time accidents, other than a few caused by bad velopment of systems based on vehicle-borne when road building programmes were being weather. But it has an important role as the microprocessors, which are already being reduced, and motorways were experiencing only means of communicating long-range in­ considered for engine control and monitoring more accidents per mile of road than other formation to drivers on the greater part of the purposes. For example, if automatic route parts of the network. After considering the road network. guidance should become economically justi­ factors involved in controlling a network of Recommendations which call for action by fiable, it would be valuable to use the same highspeed roads, it was recognised that each governments include seven new symbols to system throughout Europe.

~ tier hindrances have been removed. But bar­ adequate staffing of customs posts; plant­ riers, mainly in the shape offuel inspections health departments and inspections ofperish­ Haulage permits and taxes, still exist on the inland waterways able goods at the frontier to be abolished, with between Belgium and France, and Belgium cheeks at inland customs offices where and the Netherlands. appropriate; special lanes to be marked out at will be What should be done? borders for specific types oftraffic, such as for While not attempting to set priorities, the perishable goods. 'more flexible' committee has marked a number ofproposals As for the railways, the Committee urges as urgent and others less urgent. It notes that, simplification of technical formalities and in­ in 1983 since it began its investigations in 1977, some spection of wagons by the transferor railway things have changed for the better, particular­ with an extension of the existing 'trust' sys­ International road haulage permits for jour­ ly on the railways. The accession of Greece to tem. Other proposals include improved neys tomainlandEuropeareto be allocated on the Community in January 1981 has also arrangements for routing and marshalling of a more flexible basis from the beginning of brought with it certain problems: as Greece freight wagons; standardised customs clear­ next year, says the Department ofTransport. has no border with other Community coun­ ance procedures; and harmonised provisions At the moment permits are allocated on a tries, special transit arrangements have had to for veterinary inspections of livestock and permanent basis whether or not firms are able be negotiated with Yugoslavia: meat, with a consequent relaxation of border to use their full quota. Better use ofthe overall Inevitably, tackling such situations touches inspections. quota will be made if permits are not wasted, on political sensibilities, particularly where The Committee believes that measures like the department says, and firms with increas­ tax or health barriers are concerned. The these would help to transform the passage of ing trade can be given a bigger allocation. recommendations, therefore, were not always goods and passenger traffic within the Com­ The new scheme will affect bilateral inter­ unanimous. munity, to benefit all concerned. It would also national road haulage permits for France, However, the Committee's proposals cover like to see a new administrative framework set Germany,ItalyandPortugal.EuropeanCom­ a wide range of action. On road haulage, they up within the Comission to handle cross-fron­ munity and European Council of Transport include removal of duty on fuel brought in or tier problems. Ministers (ECMT) permits will also be in­ taken out by ordinary vehicle tanks; harmo­ cluded. nisation ofmotor vehicle tax; mutual recogni­ The new scheme will reduce the possibili~ tionoflicensingprocedures; harmonisation of of full allocations not being um;d, but indi· noise abatement regulations; technical checks *Commission of the European Communities: vidual allocations will be removed only ifthe) at frontiers to be reduced; business and work­ Expert report on difficulties encountered in fall to an unrealistic level, the departmen· ing hours ofcustoms atJthorities on both sides international road, rail and inland waterway says. of frontiers to be co-ordinated, with more transport. April1982. 0 British Busines: 22 m EUROPE82

for use by GPs and out-patient departments. Goods for these are obtained free from local doctors, pharmacists and dentists, and are then sorted and packed. Each of our trucks is accompanied by an escort. Four doctors have also been to Poland, which has enabled us to build up a picture of the medical situation there. It is ers very bleak. Emergency aid, delivered direct to known hospitals, is going to be required for several years. Joanna Zakrzewska MB, Joyce the Messiah a fixed list system as you describe or a either Medical Aid for Poland, Having just read the article, 'The Man who personal voting system, whereby seats are 107 Beaufort Street, SW3 6BA Rememberd Dublin' (August issue), I am won by the candidates with most personal sure that, ifhe could, J ames J oyce would be votes and the fixed order only comes into play turning in his grave when viewing some of to resolve a tie. the groups and societies in Ireland which Ifthe British Parliament decides on the Fair view? today acclaim him as their Messiah. former, it will of course be perpetuating the I feel that a more balanced view of the Established circles in Ireland now acclaim present British political practice whereby the Community's role in the economy ofEast Joyce, not because they have understood or party has complete control over nominations. Anglia is required to counteract that learnt anything from his works, but because But ifit opts for the personal voting element presented in Roy Stemman's article (April he has become 'fashionable'. This coronation in the common system, the European issue). is, I believe, the ultimate in hypocrisy­ Parliamentary elections will offer voters a Agriculture in the region is clearly a major certainly for JamesJoyce, artist and much richer choice than Westminster ones employer, though the number employed in visionary. do: the right to choose between candidates of the industry has declined continuously over a Patrick Emek, one's party as well as the right to choose long period, and continues to do. The LondonSW6 between parties. regional figures used by Mr Stemman gave little indication of the many unemployment Michael Steed, blackspots, like the Fens, which exist in East Time off Dept of Government, Anglia. Ron Barry's article on the future University of Manchester. The benefits ofincreased production in contribution of tourism to EEC economies particular crops are also not always clear. Guly issue) omits two factors which have Over-production is one danger, while a had, and will continue to have, an effect. Lifeline to Poland further problem exists where the final Firstly, the annual holiday is a national ItwaswithinterestthatireadChrisLom's product can be produced more cheaply by institution in all member states and is often report on providing help for the people of other means. Also, some of the crops have paid for by a spouse's part-time earnings or Poland Guly issue). You might be interested been subject to a production quota including, similar source, which partly explains the in some information about our organisation, for example, sugar beet. The expansion resilience oftourism in a time ofrecession. which was in receipt of a grant from the EEC programme of the British Sugar Corporation Also, the increase in leisure due to the shorter inAprilandMay. has not been without serious local costs. At working week and-regrettably­ We sent over fifteen 32-ton trucks of Ely, a BSC plant recently closed and there unemployment will continue the demand for medical supplies, worth around half a million were substantial redundancies. At the less expensive holidays such as self-catering pounds, bytheendofJune. Threeofthese moment, there are over 20 unemployed accommodation and short breaks. trucks have been possible due to money from people for every advertised job vacancy in the For the benefit of the Community as a the EEC Aid to Poland programme, while the Ely area. whole, the EEC working group, with the others were made possible by pharmaceutical East Anglia has received no more than its assistance of governments, could take firms which donated goods or offered them at average share of Community assistance from positive steps to promote Europe as a whole greatly reduced prices. the Agricultural Guidance Fund, and other as a tourist destination for visitors from Apart from large consignments direct from major types of Community aid are not countries such as Japan, the United States firms, doctors and pharmacists prepare boxes available to the region. For example, and Australia, by 'pairing' complementary of drugs and equipment which are suitable Regional Development Fund grants are not areas in different EEC countries for provided to the region, despite continued promotional and marketing purposes. Flashback to our July issue: relief pressure from the County Councils on both Tourism needs planning, or potential consignments arrive in Poland. Brussels and the UK Government. The earnings will be lost by default. Community has also done nothing to assist Brian D, Eaton with the rapid development of the region's High Peak College of Further ports, which have become an increasingly Education, Buxton, Derbyshire important link between mainland Europe andtheUK. A wider choice for voters R.Brown, Director of Planning & Research, In your report on the European Parliament's Cambridgeshire County Council. common electoral system, you state that under the proposed system 'the seats would be allocated on the basis of the order ofnames on the list, rather than on the basis of the number ofvotes secured by each of the D We invite readers' letters for this candidates on the list.' page, while reserving the right to The European Parliament's proposal shorten them, ifnecessary, for leaves it up to national parliaments to decide reasons ofspace. 23 EUROPE82

When Greece first asked to join the Hundreds ofyoung farmers who Lives have been at risk in Burry FollowingtherecentFrench EEC, the then commissioner for cannot find a farm to rent in Britain Port because ofthe constant motorway crash that claimed more external affairs, Sir Christopher are planning to set themselves up in threat offlooding, the Welsh than 50 lives, a British Euro-MP is Soames, intelligently suggested France. Water Alrthority admitted campaigning for measures to lessen that Greece should join only after a They hope to benefit from yesterday. the dangers of driving on Europe's 'pre-membership period'-to give generous loans from the French But all that is a thing ofthe past, major highways. its economy time to adjust to the Government aimed at revitalising foUowing the inauguration of a Richard Simmons wants more blast ofEuropean competition. rural areas ofcentral France. £Sm drainage project-the most multi-lingual road signs and leaflets That idea was turned down. But The move highlights the plight of complex scheme ofits kind handed to motorists at frontiers and Greece is now discovering how many young farmers, often the sons undertaken in Wales. ports. uncomfortable too-rapid and daughters oflong established The borough counc:il integration can be, despite its fat farming families, who find it contributed £2m, with cash from -Daily Express profits from the EEC budget. increasingly difficult to get on to the Welsh Office and the In Greece's first year inside the the first rung ofthe farming ladder. European Regional Development EEC, the value ofits imports from This results largely from a Fund to provide the flood Tiddles' favourite tin ofvitamin­ the community shot up by 38 per shortage offarms to let in Britain in prevention scheme. enriched,bee~flavour~ cent, but that ofits exports to the the wake offarm amalgamations Kittymeat will in future have to community rose by only 2 per cent. into larger units, many ofwhich are -WestemMail state clearly on the label that it is Spain, and even more so Portugal, run by managers. made ofHorse, Gristle, Hair, might find it less painful iftheir Favourable currency exchange Cereal padding and Water. industries were assimilated into the rates coupled with incentives The Feeding Stuffs Regulations EEC at a gentler pace, perhaps over offered by the French have (1982), which may as a result bring lOyears. encouraged a new trend. about momentons changes in the diet of Britain's cats and dogs, are -Economist the result of a series of EEC directives, going back to 1970. -Guardian

The outlook for the world economy is even gloomier than last year and there is grave concern for the The European Commission in poorest countries, the World Bank Brussels is planning a Community­ said on Sunday. wide research programme in Last year the bank predicted information technology. The goal only modest global economic ofthe 10-year project, which would growth of between 2.2 and 3.2 per cost£900million,istocombatthe cent for the 1980s. threat that US and Japanese firms The bank chose not to change its will dominate the development of forecast in this year's report, but new types of computers, factory officials said it now appeared automation equipment and growth would be at the lower end of methods oflinking up electronic the range. equipment in offices. The report said the outlook for Officials at the Commission hope developing countries, especially in to work out a plan by October, and sub-Saharan Africa, was a matter of in the autumn the European grave concern. It said India and parliament and the EEC's council China may not be able to sustain the ofministers should reach progress they made in the 1970s agreement on the first year of the without continued external programme. In this, the assistance. community's 10 nations would pool The poorest countries in the resources in a series of pilot developing world are in greater The West German Defence -Reuter programmes that would cost £7 need than ever of increased Ministry, alarmed at the adverse million. The decision on the full concessional aid and more access to effect ofa sharply declining 10-year-programme would come by international capital markets, the birthrate on military manpower, is the middle of next year. World Bank warns today. considering a controversial The failure ofthe Ariane rocket It says the most poverty-stricken proposal to allow up to 30,000 -New Scientist after its launch in French Guiana countries have suffered "direct women to serve as volunteers in the last week was caused by a detrimental effects" in the past two armed forces, starting in the mid- straightforward mechanical years because the growth in official 1980s. breakdown, the makers said development assistance (ODA) Yet, the legal experts rather than MrDonaldR.egan, the United yesterday. from industrialised nations has the military planners will probably States Treasury Secretary, said in The principal sufferer over the been weak. have the final word, because the Washington last night that loss of Ariane is undoubtedly While aid flowa increased West German Constitution American relations with Europe France which has provided the sharply in the past decade from seemingly forbids military service had deteriorated badly in the first lion's share of its £500 million $4.lbnin 1970to$22.8bnin 1980, by women. year ofthe R.eagan Administration development and looks on the the growth in net ODA is now An article in the constitution and must be repaired, even ifit rocket as an object of national slackening and is predicted in the states that women between the ages meant taking steps to change pride. bank's annual world development of18 and 55, may, during an certain controversial policies. For the British, who have spent reporttoreachonly$25.8bnthis emergency, be assigned to Mr R.egan, who is to head a new far less on space, the loss of Marecs year. "stationary"-not field-military Cabinet-level committee which is a blow but not a lethal one. It has The low-income countries' hospitals ifthe needs cannot be met will conduct a thorough review of deprived British Aerospace ofa position is made more difficult by by volunteers. relations between the United chance to demonstrate its reliability the paradoxical fact that most ofthe But, it adds, women 'may on no States and the EEC, said the with one ofits first commercial aid tends to go to middle-income account render service involving resolution of these problems was satellites. economies-63 per cent last year. the use of arms'. being given 'high priority'.

-Observer -Financial Times -New York Herald Tribune -TheTimeE 24