WRITTEN QUESTION E-2033/01 by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Commission. Situation of Spanish pensioners who were previously employed in Gibraltar.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Gibraltar, Spain, economic discrimination, pay rise, pension scheme

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/151

(2002/C 40 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2033/01

by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Situation of Spanish pensioners who were previously employed in Gibraltar

For some time now the UK authorities have seriously discriminated against Spanish pensioners who were
previously employed in Gibraltar.

Since 1990 approximately 10 000 Spanish citizens have been denied the statutory contractual pension
increases received by their former colleagues who still live in Gibraltar.

This state of affairs has become even more deplorable and incomprehensible since the proclamation of the
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Since this issue clearly constitutes a breach of the spirit and the letter of the Treaties, what action has the
Commission taken (or is it intending to take) vis-(cid:224)-vis the UK authorities with a view to urgently rectifying
a state of affairs which is incompatible with the European social model?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-1962/01, E-1979/01 and E-2033/01
given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Honourable Member wishes to know the Commission(cid:146)s position regarding the problems encountered
by numerous pensioners who formerly worked in Gibraltar, who complain that their pensions have not
been increased since 1990 or subject to any periodic adjustment.

The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that it is in the process of examining the
problem in question with regard to Community law, and in particular the principle of equality of
treatment provided for in Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (1) and Article 10, which waives
residence clauses for the payment and calculation of pensions.

In order to be in a position to examine the complaint, the Commission has asked the British authorities to
provide detailed information on the pensions adjustment scheme in Gibraltar and to give their opinion on
its compatibility with Community law.

The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of any further action taken on the matter.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed
persons and their families moving within the Community (OJ L 149, 5.7.1971) and Council Regulation (EEC)
No 574/72 of 21 March 1972, fixing the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (OJ L 74,
27.3.1972) (updated by Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2 December 1996 (OJ L 28, 30.1.1997).

(2002/C 40 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1978/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: New tests for emissions of pollutant gases

(5 July 2001)

The new tests used to measure emissions of pollutant gases by diesel vehicles, whereby cars must
accelerate at levels that may exceed those recommended by the manufacturer, are resulting in damage to