WRITTEN QUESTION E-0119/98

by Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) , Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) , Ludivina García Arias (PSE) and Fernando Morán López (PSE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Cuts in the coal mining programme in Spanish coal basins

The lack of agreement between the Ministry for Industry and trade unions on safeguarding the full implementation of the mining programme is giving rise to great social concern.

The European Commission's rejection of the restructuring programme for the mining industry has caused great concern in the mining basins and in Asturias in particular, since if the harsh readjustment criteria and the closure of the mines were to be given the go-ahead, they would have a devastating effect on the already hard-hit mining regions and would constitute the death knell for the regeneration of Asturias.

Given that in the past ten years Asturias has had to cope with the biggest cut in subsidized mining and the biggest job losses in the Spanish mining sector, and that energy policy falls exclusively within the remit of the Member States,

1. Does the Commission think that the Spanish Government should adopt a position as regards the regeneration of mining regions and not expect the EU to decide on the future of mining in Spain and Asturias in particular?

2. What action does the Commission think that the regional Government should take in order to ensure the highest level of production and employment possible in the mining sector in the long term as a vital precondition for the regeneration and economic diversification of mining regions including Asturias?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1998)

In reply to the Honourable Members' question regarding the position of governments vis-à-vis the regeneration of mining basins, the Commission would point out that it is continuing to work in partnership with the Member States to implement retraining programmes for that part of the labour force left unemployed following restructuring. Regional policy measures such as this receive special support, in mining areas, from the Community Rechar initiative. Moreover, to offset the social impact of restructuring on workers, the Community grants ECSC aid for their rehabilitation. For miners, such aid is supplemented by aid from the "Social measures for the coal industry", which were recently renewed.

As for the respective roles of the Community and governments in deciding on the future of the coal industry and in respect of energy policy, it is within the Commission's power to authorise aid which Member States intend to grant to the coal industry, in accordance with Decision No 3632/93/ECSC establishing Community rules for State aid to the coal industry.(1) In performing its task, the Commission makes a point of working with the Member States within the limits of their respective competence. It is in this spirit that it is working with the national and local authorities in Spain to reach decisions on the future of the Spanish and Asturian coal industry and on the regeneration and economic diversification of the mining basins, including those in Asturias.

The Commission understands the social concerns arising from transformations in the industries in crisis in the regions concerned and has therefore, on an exceptional basis, made it possible for Member States to grant aid enabling undertakings to continue operating which have no prospect of economic viability, while at the same time continuing gradually to wind down their activity.

Contrary to what is stated in the question, the Commission has not rejected the restructuring plan for the mining industry. It is currently examining the dossier and has yet to announce its decision. In this context, it has asked for information from and is making the necessary recommendations to the Spanish Government, so that it can deliver its opinion. The said information and comments are based on compliance with the general and specific objectives laid down in Decision No 3632/93/ECSC for the modernisation, rationalisation, restructuring and activity-reduction plans which the Member States must complete during the period from 1 January 1994 to 23 July 2002.

(1) OJ L 329, 30.12.1993.