WRITTEN QUESTION E-1518/01 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Licensing of free miners in the Forest of Dean.
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, coal industry, coal mining, trade licence

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/133

Does the Commission normally lay down age limits for its competitions?

If so, have any potential candidates who have been unable to take part in competitions because of the age
restriction lodged complaints against the Commission?

If so, why has the Commission not taken those complaints as grounds for abolishing the age restriction?

On what criteria was the age limit based on 25 May 1955 selected for this competition?

What advantage does the Commission expect to derive from restricting entry to persons who are under
45?

Given that the proportion of employable young people in Europe has been constantly diminishing because
of the declining birth rate, lengthier periods of training, etc., would not the Commission be best advised to
consider abandoning the practice of laying down age limits?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2001)

The Commission agreed to the principle of abandoning age limits for recruitment in January 1998. It also
expressed the view that a co-ordinated approach on this matter was needed amongst all the European
Institutions. As a result (cid:129) and in order to be consistent with the approach of Parliament as an employer (cid:129)
the Commission adopted an interim solution by introducing a higher age limit of 45 years, instead of 35
years, for its competitions for recruitment at basic grades.

As a general rule the age limit for competitions for recruitment at basic grades such as A7/A6, B5/B4 or
C5/C4 is currently 45 years, and that applied to competition COM/A/6/01. The application of an age limit
in the notices of competition is in full compliance with Article 1(g) of Annex III of the Staff Regulations.

To date, three complaints have been received that relate to the competition referred to in the Hon
Member(cid:146)s question. They will be considered by the Selection Board. That Board is independent and
sovereign in its decision on the admission of candidates on the basis of the criteria set out in the notice of
competition.

The Commission is reforming its administrative practices and it reaffirmed the commitment to abandoning
age limits for open competitions in Part II of the White Paper (1) of 1 March 2000.

The Honourable Member may wish to note that the provisions of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of
27 November 2000 establish a general framework for equal treatment, employment and occupation and
that Article 6 allows for differences of treatment on grounds of age where these are objectively and
reasonably justified. In particular Article 6, 1c allows for differences of treatment on grounds of age
through the fixing of a maximum age for recruitment where this is based on the training requirements of
the post in question or the need for a reasonable period of employment before retirement. The approach
of the Commission is, naturally, consistent with Community law.

(1) COM(2000) 200 final.

(2001/C 364 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1518/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Licensing of free miners in the Forest of Dean

While one perfectly understands the needs for free miners to be licensed by the relevant authorities, what
seems unclear is why there must be a substantial charge to such licences.

C 364 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

The free miners are told that this is because of European legislation. Could the Commission confirm that
this is the case and, if it is, what measures they will take to amend the necessary regulations to avoid
individuals being forced to pay such high fees in future?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

The Member States are the owners of their mining and energy resources and, as such, entitled to grant
mining licences.

There is no Community legislation on the granting of licences for coalmining. The United Kingdom has
notified the Commission that the Coal Authority is the body responsible for this.

It must, however, be noted that, pursuant to Article 67 of the ECSC Treaty,
(cid:145)If the action taken by
[a Member State] reduces differences in production costs by allowing special benefits to or imposing
special charges on the coal or steel undertakings within its jurisdiction in comparison wit the other
industries in the same country, the Commission is empowered to make the necessary recommendations to
that State after consulting the Consultative Committee and the Council.(cid:146)

The Commission has received no such notification from the United Kingdom.

(2001/C 364 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/01

by Fernando FernÆndez Mart(cid:237)n (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Renewable energies project on the island of El Hierro (Canaries)

The island of El Hierro (Canaries) could become a European reference point for the use of clean energies.
Adopting the motto (cid:145)100 % renewable energies(cid:146), the island council of El Hierro has been working for some
years on a project designed to make this Spanish island, which has a surface area of 278 km2 and 9 000
inhabitants, into the first in the world to supply itself entirely from alternative energies in full harmony
with environmental protection.

A feasibility study is being carried out and the technical data could not be more positive. The parameters
studied indicate that the project could be viable. The only thing which remains to be done is to secure the
necessary funding to make this initiative (cid:129) which is unique in Europe and represents a model of
sustainable development (cid:129) a reality, on an island whose entire territory was recently declared a biosphere
reserve by Unesco. A sustainable development plan has been in force on the island since 1996, in line with
its status as a biosphere reserve.

Can the Commission say whether its policy on promoting and encouraging the development of renewable
energies in Europe, announced by Commissioner de Palacio on many occasions, might embrace a project
such as that described above?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

The Commission White Paper (cid:145)Energy for the future: renewable energy sources(cid:146) mentions as a key
initiative, the 100 % renewable energy sources (RES) supply launched as part of the campaign for take off.
This initiative is addressed to communities like regions, cities and islands that could reasonably obtain
a 100 % of their power supply from renewable energy sources.