EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN STRASBOURG

Early day motion 1361, tabled 26 April 2007 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House notes with serious concern the study revealing that more than 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide is generated by the monthly move of the European Parliament from Brussels to Strasbourg; further notes that the European Parliament estimates that it could save 209 million euros (£143 million) a year by meeting only in Brussels and ending its 560-mile round-trip monthly commute; notes that other large political entities such as the United States and China manage to function well with a single national legislative capital; believes that the image of the European legislature transporting itself on such a basis damages the image of the European Union in the eyes of its citizens and the wider world; and calls on members of the European Parliament to consider what action they can take to end this monthly commute.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 5, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.