MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
7 December 2000
pursuant to Rule 42(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Rosa M. Diez González, Pedro Aparicio Sánchez, Gary Titley, Giorgos Katiforis, Fernando Pérez Royo and María Izquierdo Rojo
on behalf of the PSE Group
on the repair of the nuclear submarine HMS Tireless in the port of Gibraltar
B5‑0896/2000
European Parliament resolution on the repair of the nuclear submarine HMS Tireless in the port of Gibraltar
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
– having regard to Council Directive 89/618/Euratom,
- having regard to Council Directive 96/29/Euratom,
- having regard to the Commission's answer to Oral Question H-0783/00,
A. whereas the British nuclear submarine Tireless, which broke down in Mediterranean waters, was towed to the port of Gibraltar, where it is being repaired after being in dock for several months,
B. whereas the fault discovered in the submarine turned out to be more serious than originally thought and the British Government has decided to recall its other submarines of the same class,
C. whereas the United Kingdom's independent Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee has stated that the repairs can be carried out safely in Gibraltar, but at the same time the alarm has been raised among the inhabitants of surrounding areas, expressed repeatedly by the local authorities of the neighbouring municipalities; whereas it is a densely populated area, inhabited by both Spanish citizens and large numbers of residents and visitors from the whole European Union, who feel that there has been a lack of transparency in the information issued so far and that subsequent official information has been contradictory,
D. having regard to the direct competence of the Commission and other Community institutions for various aspects of this situation (health protection, information to the population, emergency plans, etc.),
1. Expresses its concern at the serious situation, which may threaten the safety of the population;
2. Requests that the Commission be kept informed of developments and that the Commission, in turn, keep Parliament informed;
3. Requests that the Commission should take part in the quest for the best possible solution as far as the safety of the population is concerned;
4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.