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MEPs CALL ON FRANCE TO COME CLEAN ON ECJ CASE press release

Absolute Majority of MEPs for a Single Seat

'MEPs vow to take on France over Strasbourg seat: top law firm offers pro bono support' - press release

Strasbourg is 'Stressbourg' says major report

New research shows that more MEPs and their staff than ever before - some 90 per cent - find the monthly trek between Brussels and Strasbourg intolerable. They say it is wasteful, undermines parliament's effectiveness and is bad for the environment and their health. A comprehensive report, A Tale of Two Cities, also presents the results of previous academic and other surveys (pages 42 and 43).

Read full press release here,  the executive summary here and the full report here.

Brussels - Strasbourg Seat Study Group formed Oct 21 2010

All the issues surrounding the controversial two-seat arrangement, in which the European Parliament moves monthly from its main base in Brussels en masse to Strasbourg, are being examined by a cross-party Study Group.

In an email message to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and staff on October 21 2010, Edward McMillan-Scott , Vice-President for Democracy and Human Rights, wrote the following here after the parliament deferred the adoption of its 2012 Calendar in a divisive environment. (The calendar was subsequently amended by an overwhelming majority on March 9):

"This week has seen us starting serious work under the Lisbon Treaty, which, as President Buzek told us 'has given us new powers but also new responsibilities'. The first EU Budget was voted under the Treaty and we have concluded important agreements with the other EU institutions and with the national parliaments.

However, the vote on the 2012 Calendar was postponed in a divisive climate. Therefore, I believe that the time has come for an objective examination of all the issues surrounding the question of the Seat(s) of the European Parliament.

In view of the political/country sensitivities, I am setting up a cross-party Informal Seat Study Group with the terms of reference below. Because the Bureau is responsible for administrative and financial matters, I have proposed a comprehensive discussion there, based on objective and neutral information.

There have been no debates or resolutions in recent years but the two-seat arrangement generates public scorn, especially at a time of economic stringency. We need to work efficiently, particularly in relation to national parliaments and the other EU institutions.

Despite much discussion and media comment, few objective and up-to-date facts are known. The intention of the Seat Study is to correct that lack of information.

Terms of reference: examination of all relevant issues connected with the Seat(s) of the European Parliament, covering cost, environmental impact, history, treaties, efficiency, buildings, facilities, transport links, accommodation, security and will have input from Members, former Members, the Administration, other staff, assistants and external interested parties. We will also consider the interests of our current host countries.

Please contact me if you wish to make a contribution.

Yours, Edward McMillan-Scott

(Vice-President for Democracy and Human Rights; Relations with National Parliaments; Chairman of the Audit Panel)"