WRITTEN QUESTION E-0831/98

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Anti-social measures by the Murcia local authorities in the zone where the URBAN project is being implemented and neighbouring areas (Spain)

The Commission is in the process of approving the URBAN plan for Murcia, aimed essentially at urban areas with poor living standards, high levels of social exclusion, a lack of social amenities and poor-quality housing (Communication to the Member States laying down guidelines for operational programmes which the Member States are invited to establish in the framework of a Community initiative concerning urban areas - OJ C 200/96, p. 4).

The URBAN project in Murcia includes among its objectives tackling social problems in the area concerned, such as the integration of Gypsy families, families on the poverty threshold, infrastructure problems, social exclusion, promoting co-existence and cooperation, etc. However, the actions so far taken by the Murcia local authorities have involved efforts to expel Gypsy families from their homes in the district of San Pio X and the area known as "Naves de Brocal", both of which form part of the zone covered by the URBAN programme in Murcia, leaving these families living in conditions of absolute poverty and social exclusion with nothing being done by the local authorities to find an immediate solution.

1. Is the Commission aware of this situation?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the Murcia local authorities are acting in a contradictory manner by increasing the social problems in the urban area where the URBAN programme is to be implemented?

3. Does the Commission not consider that the local authorities have a duty to find a decent and lasting solution to all these social problems when implementing the URBAN programme?

4. What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that the local authorities meet their commitments as regards this project?

5. Does the Commission consider that this action by the Spanish authorities is consistent with the provisions on combating social exclusion contained in the Treaty of Amsterdam? What progress has been made in drawing up the Commission's forthcoming programme to combat social exclusion, with particular reference to housing problems?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1998)

On 3 March 1998 the Commission approved the programme submitted by the Spanish national authorities following the extension of the Urban Community Initiative to 1997-1999. This programme includes the project by the Murcia local authority for the Barriomar quarter and adjacent areas where socio-economic conditions are similar, including the "San Pio X" area.

The Commission is aware of the serious social problems in Murcia but it is not its place to pass judgement on the city's internal affairs.

The Commission considers that the measures planned in the programme to improve the social integration of residents will help reduce some of these problems but it should be noted in the context of this programme that expenditure on housing is not eligible under the Structural Funds.

Under the current EC Treaty, the Commission has no competence to evaluate action by local authorities in Member States in the fields of social exclusion and poverty. Once the Amsterdam Treaty is ratified, the legal basis in the new Article 137 of the EC Treaty will create the possibility of "evaluating experiences in order to combat social exclusion" at Community level. Options on how this could best be organised are currently being reviewed. Promoting an inclusive society and social inclusion will also be an important priority of the new social policy action programme of the Commission for 1998-2000.