Northampton
Commentary 31st
Dec 2012
As you know I try to send a Commentary
after every Brussels or Strasbourg sitting but that became impossible after
that of Dec 2nd. I did attend Employment Committee, Dec 6th
and again on Dec 18th but had to miss the Strasbourg week of Dec 10th
to 13th . This was due to a family funeral in Devon, which had to
come first, with several visits there over that period.
Those two Brussels Employment committee
sittings were just a half day each and I cannot write a commentary while in
committee. With appointments to see other people time ran short, leaving me no
chance to write a commentary while still in Brussels.
Dec 6th was dominated by a long voting session where I opposed, they
adopted, 3 reports. First, “European Mutual Societies”, which is intended to
apply to all Mortgage providers. So watch out if you have a mortgage, be even
more watchful if you intend to take that particular plunge. Remember, this is
the EU which cannot even audit their accounts properly.
Second, votes on “Active and Healthy Ageing”
(tell me about it!), then 18 pages with over 230 amendments on Electro-Magnetic
Fields (which they persist in calling the “Physical Agents Directive”; there
are many more Physical Agents than E-M Fields).
Dec 18th Nine items for debate, plus
a” Public Hearing on ‘Social Housing’, a Way Out of the Crisis”, and a voting
session too, all in a half day, 3.00pm to 6.30pm. The 9 debates included one on
Asbestos and on my web site you will find video of my contribution. Note that the
President gives me the hurry up. I ploughed on because of a farcical situation
which had arisen.
There is a timetable of debates in Committee
and, unlike plenary, members just indicate if they wish to speak as each one
comes up. They are taken in sequence of asking, with no formal time limit.
However, on Dec18th the debate previous to Asbestos went at least 15 minutes
over time due to a protracted legal argument. In the end what should have been
done in the first place was decided, get the lawyers to sort it out. The President
then tried to limit each speaker to 2 minutes, I was not happy with that, hence
her attitude when I spoke.
Suffice it to say that I was alone in my
assertion that white asbestos is harmless. I hope to speak to this in plenary
when it arises there, where speaking is by prior arrangement.
For Plenary sittings a time table listing
the speakers, showing precise speaking times, is produced. But early speakers often
extend their allocated time which ruins the schedule. To get back on track,
following speakers are asked to keep to their time, even though earlier
speakers generally have a greater time allowance! The President then often
threatens to cut a speaker off, which has happened. That is why a video of any
of us can show us glancing up as we speak. This might make us look a bit
“swivel eyed” , but we are looking at the count-up clock over the presidential
desk to keep within the time allowed.
No prizes for guessing which MEPs are most
likely to be cut off when straying over time.
Sorry to miss wishing you all a Merry
Christmas, so have a Happy New year,- and make sure you see Nigel’s New Year
Message on the Party web site.
Derek Clark MEP Northampton Dec 31st 2012
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