Legal service faces bias slur over car deal

Date: 31/01/02

By Peter Chapman

THE European Parliament's legal service has been accused of bias in a report on the legality of a controversial voluntary motor industry deal.

MEP Malcolm Harbour says the deal - under which firms have pledged to redesign cars to limit injuries to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an accident - would deliver tangible benefits far earlier than a directive, which would take years for the Parliament and member states to approve.

However a report by legal service chief Gregorio Garzón Clariana - requested by former transport committee chairman Konstantinos Hatzidakis and rapporteur Ewa Hedkvist Petersen - has cast doubt on the legality of the deal. Clariana backed their claims that MEPs would be denied the right to legislate on the passenger safety issue.

The report also questions the use of similar agreements in other sectors to avoid the need for binding legislation, and predicts the EU could face trade disputes if the accord comes into force. Harbour said: 'I don't think the report is fully impartial. It seems to be intended from the beginning to be against the agreement.'

Harbour, a former automotive engineer, will be among speakers at a Brussels conference today (31 January) organised by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The European Parliament's legal service has been accused of bias in a report on the legality of a controversial voluntary motor industry deal, under which firms have pledged to redesign cars to limit injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.