Yorkshire & Humber Labour MEP, Richard Corbett, has spoken in the European Parliament to once again call for an end to the 12 voting sessions in Strasbourg, adding that a possible compromise solution could involve switching the European Council summits of EU heads of government to Strasbourg in exchange.
The European Parliament is this week back in Strasbourg for its first session since July after part of the building's roof caved in over the summer.
Richard said: "The past two voting sessions have had to be in Brussels because of serious concerns about the state of the building in Strasbourg. By not having to travel to Strasbourg we have saved money, time and most importantly reduced our carbon emissions and it is time our heads of governments met and agreed to end the 12 trips a year to France completely."
Referring to the fact that the decision on the location of the seat of the Parliament is decided exclusively by the European heads of government, with the Parliament having no say: "The British government supports the end of the sessions in Strasbourg but before any change is made, the 26 other EU countries must also agree, something France is obviously very reluctant to do. But we must continue to seek a compromise with France for the sake of the environment, efficiency and the tax payer."
He concluded: "This could include moving European Council summits to Strasbourg in exchange for the Parliament being permanently based in Brussels. This would salvage French pride and confer great prestige on Strasbourg but also end this ghastly waste of money and unhappy situation in which t he Parliament is blamed for a matter over which it has no control ."
- The decision to require the Parliament to hold at least 12 sessions in Strasbourg was agreed in 1992 at the Edinburgh summit chaired by former Conservative Prime Minister John Major.
- It is estimated that the 12 trips from Brussels to Strasbourg cost European taxpayers 200million euros every year.
- By having two seats the European Parliament produces an extra 20,000 tons of carbon emissions.
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