NORTH EAST MEP CHALLEGES MINISTER OVER STRASBOURG

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Dec 2005

North East Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Fiona Hall has challenged Europe Minister Douglas Alexander over the energy inefficiency of moving the European Parliament from Brussels to Strasbourg every month.

Ms. Hall asked the Minister:

Does the Council agree that the monthly movement of the European Parliament between Brussels and Strasbourg is an example of energy being used inefficiently by the public sector, and what steps does the Council propose to take to redress this situation, given that the Council alone has the power to decide where the Parliament shall sit?

During a debate in the European Parliament yesterday, Ms. Hall further questioned the Minister, demanding:

"Is this not a key issue? Is it not a litmus test for the adaptability of the Union? Energy saving was not an issue 50 years ago, but Europe has had to move forward; are the public not right to expect some joined-up thinking in the European Parliament?'

Douglas Alexander MP responded to Ms Hall by confirming that he takes energy efficiency seriously, but that the UK have had a busy programme during their sixth month Presidency of the EU. Mr Alexander added; "Raising this issue with our colleagues in Paris would not help to get agreement on the future financing of the EU".

Following the debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ms. Hall commented:

"Of course today may not be the right day, but in practice there is never going to be an easy time to raise the issue of Strasbourg. For far too long, Ministers in the Council have stayed silent out of fear of offending the French.

"Travelling between Brussels and Strasbourg is not sustainable. The public sector should play an exemplary role in both energy efficiency and economic efficiency. Strasbourg is wasteful in both respects.

"Strasbourg is a potent symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, but the Europe of today is a different and much bigger Europe than the Europe of fifty years ago. The public is right to expect European institutions to adapt to today's circumstances.

"Given that wide ranging discussions are planned in the wake of the 'No' votes on the Constitution, I believe that now is in fact the ideal moment to put the issue of the second seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the table."