WRITTEN QUESTION E-3622/00 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Women clergy.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU competence, European social policy, clergy, gender equality

C 151 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

(2001/C 151 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3619/00

by Gianfranco Dell(cid:146)Alba (TDI) to the Commission

(15 November 2000)

Subject: Prospects for the JRC

The JRC (Joint Research Centre) is an extremely important Community scientific research body, which
serves as a forum not just for the exchange of experience between Europe(cid:146)s various schools of scientific
thought but also for checking the scientific findings produced in the Member States for possible
applications in all areas (the environment, the economy, society, etc.).

It has been reported that plans are now being made to cut 200 posts at the Centre, despite the agreement
in 1998 to maintain staff numbers at 2080 during the course of the Fifth
reached by the Council
Framework Programme.

Would the Commission state whether:

(cid:129) two hundred posts really are to be cut?

(cid:129) it is true that plans are being made to rationalise the Community research system (new synergies

between the DG for Research and the JRC, etc.)?

(cid:129) it would not agree that such a cut in staff numbers would seriously undermine the Ispra centre(cid:146)s role

and its ability to carry out its appointed tasks?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 2000)

the recommendations

to emerge from the report by the high-level panel chaired by
One of
Viscount Davignon was to concentrate the activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on its strongest
areas of competence. Likewise, following the recommendations of the Steering Group on striking a balance
between human resources and the Institution(cid:146)s tasks, the Commission decided to examine the scope for
closing one site down or cutting 200 jobs within the JRC.

In view of that aim the Commission examined the scope for closing one site and is continuing the study in
respect of all of the JRC(cid:146)s institutes. As announced in letter of amendment No 1 to the 2001 preliminary
draft budget, the Commission will re-examine the situation and put forward any changes needed to the
research-staff tables.

The Community(cid:146)s research system is undergoing a thorough restructuring via the European research area
initiative. Against this backdrop synergies will emerge between the Directorate-General for Research and
the JRC, and also with the research centres in the Member States.

The Commission does not intend to downgrade the operation and skills of the JRC as a whole, but on the
contrary recognises the need to provide the JRC with a stable future by concentrating its activities on its
areas of skill as part of its purpose to serve the Union(cid:146)s policies.

(2001/C 151 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3622/00

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Women clergy

Through its Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs, the Commission seeks to promote
equality between men and women. Perhaps the one field in which there is no such equality is the

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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conducting of religious service in the various faiths which totally exclude women from their holy orders.
Women may not perform religious ceremonies which are reserved for men, they may not be ordained and
are excluded from the one field in which surely everyone should have the same rights.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view on this matter? Does it intend to adopt initiatives to strengthen equality
between men and women in this field? Will the framework strategy for gender equality (2001-2005) it has
announced perhaps include some encouragement to the religions and faiths practised in the countries of
the European Union to admit women to holy orders on an equal footing with men?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

It is not for the Commission to comment on the issue raised by the Honourable Member, as the
conducting of religious ceremonies is not a Community matter.

(2001/C 151 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3639/00

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Child labour

Can the Commission state which European countries have not yet ratified the ILO Convention concerning
the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour?

Can the Commission state which ACP countries have not yet done so?

What action will the Commission take to encourage ratification?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

The latest available information shows 49 countries have ratified International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Convention No 182 of 17 June 1999 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination
of the worst forms of child labour. A complete list of all ratifying countries is sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s secretariat.

As the Honourable Member was informed by the Commission in reply to her Written Question E-1612/
99 (1), the Commission strongly supports the principles underlying the Convention and hopes that the
widest possible ratification will be achieved. To this end, on 15 September 2000, the Commission adopted
a recommendation to the Member States on the ratification of ILO Convention 182 calling on Member
States to ratify if they have not done so (2).

It is the Commission(cid:146)s consistent policy to promote respect for core labour standards (cid:129) which include the
prohibition of child labour, including the worst forms of child labour (cid:129) in its external relations and
development assistance policy. The new agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific states and
the Community thus contains a reaffirmation by the parties of their commitment to fundamental labour
standards, including the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour.