WRITTEN QUESTION E-1374/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Formal recognition of British Sign Language.
Date: 2001-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, competence of the Member States, facilities for people with disabilities, integration of people with disabilities, physically disabled person

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/141

(2001/C 350 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1374/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Formal recognition of British Sign Language

(7 May 2001)

There has long been a campaign for the recognition of British Sign Language. For the deaf community this
is an issue of cultural and emotional as well as practical significance.
In 1998 and 1988 European
Parliament resolutions on sign languages for the deaf were passed, calling on the European Commission to
make a proposal to the Council on the official recognition of sign languages.

Can the Commission advise what stage this proposal has reached?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of the importance of sign language for people who are deaf or have a grave
hearing impairment.

In 1997, the Commission supported a far-reaching research project carried out by Bristol University
(United Kingdom). The purpose of this research was to draw a precise picture of the use of sign languages
in the Community and to determine the comparative status of sign language in the different Member
States.

The study highlighted the fact that sign languages can achieve official status in different ways and that
there are major variations between Member States in terms of their experience and provision of sign
language.

British sign language is not an officially recognised language in the United Kingdom. There is no officially
recognised language in the United Kingdom.

Given that the primary responsibility for action in this area rests with the Member States, there are no
plans at this stage to present specific proposals on the matter.

(2001/C 350 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1378/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Regional fisheries organisations

(7 May 2001)

In its answer to my Written Question E-0025/01 (1) the Commission admits that it does not have the
human resources required to meet its external fisheries policy obligations, especially when it is called upon
to represent the EU(cid:146)s interests and defend them as and where necessary at meetings of regional fisheries
organisations (RFOs) such as ICCAT.

That being the case, and given that RFOs are vitally important for the future of the common fisheries
policy, does the Commission not believe that it should increase the technical and human resources
employed to defend the EU(cid:146)s fisheries interests within the RFOs?

Bearing in mind the importance and great economic value of highly migratory species, especially tunas and
related species, and hence of the RFOs that manage them, does the Commission not consider that it should
set up a specialised unit within its Fisheries DG? Does it not take the view that, if such unit were to be set
up, the EU(cid:146)s interests could be defended far more effectively in the RFOs concerned and that, as regards
negotiation of bilateral tuna fishing agreements governed by RFO rules, a permanent team of officials with
the proper expertise would provide consistency and continuity in the Commission(cid:146)s action?

(1) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001, p. 93.