Strasbourg Round-Up

Data Retention to make Europe safer 

Home Secretary Charles Clarke was in Strasbourg this month, to oversee a debate on measures to make Europe safer. Following the terrorist attacks on London in July, the UK presidency has put the fight against terrorism and improved security at the top of its agenda.

The new EU law will require records of all telephone calls, text messages and internet connections to be retained for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12. The information will not include the content of e-mails and telephone calls but only when and where they come from.  MEPs also made sure that access to the stored data will be restricted to national police and security authorities. Moreover permission to access will only be granted on a case-by-case basis, if a court rules that the information is necessary to prevent serious crime or terrorism.

MEPs approved the new legislation by a large majority. Speaking after the vote, Gary Titley said: “We have struck a fair balance between the protection of people’s fundamental rights and the need to combat serious crime and terrorism.  We are not trying to create a police state by logging every single e-mail or telephone call. We are simply trying to prevent a tragedy like the London bombings from happening again."

Air Passengers with Reduced Mobility

The European Parliament has approved proposals to improve the rights of airline passengers with mobility difficulties. When the new measures eventually reach the statute book, they will ensure that disabled or elderly passengers receive a seamless service from their car seats to their aircraft seats.

Currently responsibility for disabled passengers can change hands between the airport and the airline at different stages as passengers proceed from check-in to boarding. This can sometimes lead to confusion and people being left stranded. Under the new proposals, the cost of meeting the needs of disabled passengers will be shared out between all airline customers, adding no more than 50p to the price of a ticket.

Welcoming the move, Gary said: "At present, most airlines and airports have voluntary agreements to cater for disabled passengers. But there are always some disreputable companies, who deny boarding or "bump" people with mobility problems off flights, simply because they don’t want to cater for them. By introducing EU-wide laws, we will put a stop to such practices.”

Batteries

We all know that recycling is good for the environment. Sorting out paper, cardboard, drinks cans and plastic for recycling is a daily duty for most people in the North West. But not batteries, they are generally dumped in landfill sites or incinerated. Not for much longer, though!  

MEPs approved rules this month setting new collection and recycling targets for batteries. The proposals will also make batteries ‘greener’ by limiting the use of heavy metals like mercury, lead and cadmium, when safer alternatives are available. Shops and distributors will be required to take back batteries from consumers at no charge.    The cost of the new collection scheme will be financed by battery manufacturers.

Speaking after the vote, Gary said: "Batteries from camera, toys, torches, power tools and cars shouldn't just be thrown into landfill or an incinerator without giving it a second thought. The chemicals they contain can be dangerous. We should be doing everything we can to recycle where possible and to safely dispose of hazardous substances where it is not."

Bulgaria and Romania

During a debate on further EU enlargement, MEPs agreed that, while Romania and Bulgaria were making good progress towards EU membership in 2007, both applicant countries still have work to do. The Bulgarian government was urged to step up its efforts to fight organised crime.  Meanwhile, Romania was warned that immediate action was needed to deal with corruption and discrimination against the country’s minorities. Gary predicted that Romania and Bulgaria’s accession would spell good news for Britain. "Trade with the two newcomers should increase, opening up new opportunities for business and boosting jobs. And it will become much easier for Britons to travel and work there."

EU Budget

Tony Blair made a brief stop-over in Strasbourg this month, before heading off to Brussels to meet other EU leaders, in an attempt to broker a new budget deal. For most of the year, EU leaders have been at loggerheads over the amount spent on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), currently over 40% of the entire EU budget.  At the eleventh hour the Prime Minister managed to broker a deal.

Under the agreement, more resources will go to Eastern Europe to cover the costs of enlargement, with Britain paying its fair share.  But the British rebate on all EU spending in the ‘old’ 15 member countries remains intact.  That includes the CAP.  For the first time since Britain joined the EU, France will pay the same as Britain – not half as much as it has done for the last 20 years.  Finally a comprehensive budget review will take place in 2008 and 2009, holding out the prospect of fundamental reform of EU spending - a long-standing British goal.

Gary welcomed the breakthrough. He said: "The budget deal was critical for the new member countries to enable them to proceed with infrastructure projects, crucial for their economies to develop. If we hadn’t got a deal now, there wouldn't have been one in the foreseeable future."

... And Finally

As soon as this month's Parliamentary business was finished in Strasbourg Labour MEPs let their hair down at their Christmas party. But before the drinks began to flow and the dancing got underway, Gary took to the stage with fellow North West MEP, Terry Wynn, to perform their now legendary routine at the EPLP’s Annual Christmas Review. The duo’s "mind-reading" show had the audience in stitches, as Gary used his psychic powers to probe Terry's inner most secrets. Mind you, rumour has it that not everyone found the show so funny. Some of those present were said to be twitching a little at the thought of what deep secrets about them a leader with mind-reading abilities might be able to uncover!  Nevertheless, the Saving Sight Worldwide charity, Orbis, was laughing all the way to the bank, after the Christmas Review raised a staggering €3,000 for its coffers.

Gary Titley MEP

December 2005