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Published and promoted by Graham Watson MEP, Bagehots Foundry, Beards Yard, Langport, TA10 9PS. Printed and hosted by Nextra, Global House, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, KT18 5AD.
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January 2002
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| South West Euro MP elected party leader in European Parliament |
| Local MEP leads air clean-up |
| Watson makes plea for early entry to Euro at CBI lunch |
| MEP concerned over Cuba camp conditions |
| Watson gives his support to BTA Euro Guide for small businesses |
| MEP to meet Customs Minister in car seizures protest |
| MEP backs South West rail campaign |
| Watson seeks answers over new fridge rules |
| Government must rein in Customs zealots |
Better links vital for business, says MEP
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South West Euro MP elected party leader in European Parliament
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Wednesday, 16 January 2002
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South West Euro MP, Graham Watson, was last night elected leader of the ELDR Group in the European Parliament - the party which unites Liberal Democrat MEPs from across Europe.
Graham becomes the first UK Liberal Democrat ever to lead a political party in the European Parliament. Commenting on his success he said "I am honoured to be asked by my colleagues to chart the course ahead. Political parties need to be sailed rather than driven and I will pilot this ship with determination but with sensitivity".
He added, "As group leader my ability to represent my constituents in the key decision making bodies of the European Union will be enhanced".
The European Liberal, Democratic and Reform (ELDR) Group has 53 members, making it the third largest political group in the European Parliament and giving it the balance of power in a parliament where no one party has overall control.
The ELDR Party is a pan-European political force. It was set up in 1976 to prepare for the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979. Today, the ELDR Party has 29 member parties and 10 affiliates from across Europe.
ELDR is firmly resolved to further deepen, reinforce and enlarge the European Union. Its wish is to strengthen Europe's economy, to modernise Europe's democracy and to invest in Europe's security. Its aim is a larger, democratic, accountable and more open European Union which is empowered to take decisions where only a Union-level action can lead to effective results, but is committed to decentralisation of power on other issues.
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Local MEP leads air clean-up
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Thursday, 17 January 2002
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Air pollution from traffic fumes and solvents which can lead to severe breathing problems and asthma, headaches and eye irritation is set to be cut after a deal backed by a South West Euro-MP.
An agreement that EU governments shall reduce ozone pollution and improve air quality within the next ten years was approved today (Thursday) by the European Parliament.
Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson says that the result of two years of negotiations has been to transform an original proposal by the European Commission from a statement of good intent to a commitment which places legally binding obligations on EU governments.
As many as 12,000 premature deaths in Britain each year are said to result from ozone pollution, which is caused by a reaction in sunlight of nitrogen oxides, often from motor vehicles, and volatile organic compounds such as solvents in paints and dry cleaning plants. Although the source of the pollution is usually in cities and urban areas, it is downwind rural areas which often suffer the most, affecting people and reducing crop yields.
World Health Organisation guidelines for maximum ozone levels were breached in Britain during June, July and August last year, and both the UK Government and the European Commission have made clear that tackling ozone problems is now a priority for environmental action. Although peak levels have fallen in recent years, the overall level of pollution has continued to rise, with the gas able to travel thousands of miles.
The European Commission proposed non-binding EU targets to limit the number of times each year that pollution levels would breach W.H.O. guidelines. But MEPs have negotiated a final deal which requires governments to take the action necessary or face legal measures.
"We've turned a wish list into a programme of action which will improve air quality across Europe," explained Graham Watson. "The European Parliament has strong powers over environmental issues and we have put some real teeth into what started out as a rather weak proposal."
The EU Directive on Ozone in Ambient Air must now be incorporated into British law within the next 18 months.
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Watson makes plea for early entry to Euro at CBI lunch
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Friday, 18 January 2002
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Speaking to business leaders at a CBI lunch today, Graham Watson will make a plea for early entry to the euro to secure jobs and investment in the South West. The lunch, which will take place at the Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren near Swindon at 12.30pm today, will bring business leaders from Wiltshire together with MPs and MEPs.
"The euro-zone is worth £6.9 billion to the South West. Trade with the euro-zone accounts for over ¼ million jobs in the region, and involves not just large companies, but almost 40% of our small and medium sized enterprises", Graham said.
"For such an internationally focussed region as the South West, membership of the euro could only be a good thing. Staying out will add extra costs to businesses in the South West that those in other countries will not face", he continued.
Graham will advise the business leaders present to ask Tony Blair how long his indecision over the euro will continue for.
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MEP concerned over Cuba camp conditions
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Monday, 21 January 2002
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South West Euro MP Graham Watson, who has already warned the US not to "ride roughshod" over civil liberties in the fight against terrorism, says he is concerned about reported conditions at the Cuba prison camp.
Mr Watson said he noted that three British subjects being held at the camp were today reported as having "no complaints" about their treatment.
But, he said, it was important that humane conditions for all prisoners were maintained at the camp at all times.
Mr Watson said: "However much we abhor terrorism, we must maintain a respect for human rights and we must be sure prisoners are treated humanely and in accordance with international law."
In December, Mr Watson visited Washington to meet senior members of Congress and US government officials and warned that human rights must be respected. He was concerned that under its new anti-terrorism legislation the US had already jailed many hundreds of people without trial and without publicity.
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Watson gives his support to BTA Euro Guide for small businesses
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Monday, 21 January 2002
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Euro MP Graham Watson has given his backing to a British Tourist Authority guide to the euro produced as an aid for small tourism businesses.
The free, full-colour guide includes general information about the euro, a checklist of action points to help businesses prepare for dealing in the currency, and advice on authenticating euro banknotes.
The guide stresses that it would be wrong for businesses in Britain to think of the euro as "just another foreign currency." It adds: "Travellers within the euro area are expected to quickly realise the benefits of using a common currency and may expect businesses outside the euro area to follow suit."
Mr Watson said: "I thoroughly recommend this guide to small businesses in the South West and not just those in the tourism industry. It is an intelligent guide presented in an attractive format and is full of sound common sense.
"It is important that businesses take advantage of the introduction of the euro by being 'euro friendly.' It is an opportunity that tourism businesses must take full advantage of."
The guide was produced by the British Tourist Association in conjunction with the Treasury.
Free copies can be obtained by sending a stamped, addressed A4 envelope marked 'euro' to: Policy Department, British Tourist Authority, Thames Tower, Black's Road, London, W6 9EL.
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MEP to meet Customs Minister in car seizures protest
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Monday, 21 January 2002
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South West Euro MP Graham Watson is to hold a face-to-face meeting with UK Customs Minister Paul Boateng in the latest round of Mr Watson's campaign to stop Customs and Excise officers seizing the cars of innocent cross-Channel shoppers.
Mr Watson will be accompanied at the meeting in Westminster on 31st January by a delegation of Liberal Democrat MPs whose constituents have been victims of the Customs action.
Mr Watson is concerned that hundreds of innocent travellers making use of the European single market to bring back tobacco and alcohol for their own use have been left stranded at ferry ports after having their vehicles impounded.
The European Commission asked the Government to explain its harsh application of the guidelines on quantities of tobacco and alcohol that may be brought into the UK for non-commercial use but Mr Boateng defended the action being taken and refused to change procedures.
Mr Watson, who arranged in November for a party of his constituents to meet EU Customs Commissioner Frits Bolkestein in Brussels, is not satisfied.
He said: "I am totally against smuggling but Mr Boateng ignores the fact that innocent people are being penalised. Customs and Excise have been treating shoppers as guilty until proved innocent.
"I will be telling Mr Boateng that this is not the way to proceed. Under British law people are innocent until proved guilty and penalties should always be proportionate to any offence. I am quite prepared to ask the European Commission to take this matter to the European Court of Justice if Mr Boateng is not prepared to stop the grave injustice that this policy is causing."
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MEP backs South West rail campaign
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Thursday, 24 January 2002
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South West MEP Graham Watson has thrown his full support behind a campaign to improve the region's main line rail link.
He is backing the Plymouth Evening Herald's call for a three-hour journey time to London.
Mr Watson, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, plans to write to Secretary of State Stephen Byers calling for greater priority to be given to the region.
Mr Watson said: "I am disappointed at the Strategic Rail Authority's lack of urgency in improving the South West route to Penzance.
"Good communications are vital to attracting new investment, and maintaining existing investment, in the South West. It is essential that we have a reliable rail system and journey times more geared to the 21st century."
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Watson seeks answers over new fridge rules
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Monday, 28 January 2002
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South West MEP Graham Watson is to ask a question in the European Parliament over new EU rules for the disposal of fridges and freezers that may cost local councils hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The new law states that before the appliances can be scrapped CFC-bearing foam must be taken out in addition to the gases which are already removed. It has been suggested that it could cost between £15 and £40 per appliance.
Currrently, there are no plants in this country capable of carrying out this task. Until there are, local authorities must store the old fridges and freezers.
Mr Watson said: "Local authorities accept such items free of charge at civic amenity sites and the new rule will be an added financial burden. I have tabled a question asking the Commission what supportive scientific evidence there is to justify this requirement.
"It is right that measures be taken to protect our environment but it is also essential that such measures are proportionate to the problem. I want to see the evidence on which this new requirement has been based."
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Government must rein in Customs zealots
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Wednesday, 30 January 2002
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A deputation of South West Liberal Democrat MPs, armed with evidence of punitive vehicle confiscations by Customs Officers alleging excessive personal imports of alcohol and tobacco, is to meet Treasury Minister Paul Boateng on Thursday 31st January.
Travellers who have experienced months of frustration trying to get their cars back - even after they have been cleared of any offence - have given details to MPs.
Graham Watson MEP, who had already raised the issue of over-zealous Customs in Britain with EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, will lead the deputation of MPs from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire.
"Of course we have no objection to proper enforcement of the law", said North Cornwall MP Paul Tyler today (Wednesday), "but Ministers are turning a blind eye to outrageous bullying tactics. Individual Customs officers are themselves embarrassed by the injustices of they system they are forced to use. Selling valuable vehicles - even hire cars - for much more than any duty that might be payable, is a ridiculous over-reaction."
"The basic principle that one is innocent until proved guilty is being trampled upon by these heavy-handed methods, and the failure to insist on rapid hearings by a truly independent court or tribunal denies our constituents their basic human rights."
GRAHAM WATSON MEP, PAUL TYLER MP AND OTHER SOUTH WEST MPS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR AN INFORMAL MEDIA BRIEIFNG AFTER THE MEETING AT THE TREAURY. - 10.45AM THURSDAY 31 JANUARY, ROOM C, No 1 PARLIAMENT STREET
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Better links vital for business, says MEP
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Wednesday, 30 January 2002
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Improved transport links are vital to the economy of the South West, Euro MP Graham Watson will tell business leaders in Devon on Friday (1st February).
Mr Watson, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, will be speaking at a Confederation of British Industry lunch meeting in Plymouth.
Mr Watson has criticised the Strategic Rail Authority's lack of urgency towards improving the South West rail link to Penzance.
Mr Watson said: "Good communications are vital to attracting new investment to the region and also maintaining existing investment. A reliable rail system and faster journey times are essential."
The lunch is being hosted by BAE systems, of Clittaford Road, Southway, Plymouth.
Discussion will focus on the economy, planning and transport, employment legislation, Europe and the regional agenda.
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