9 Euratom's research and development
programme for 2007-11
| (a)
(26878)
12734/05
COM(05) 445
(b)
(26877)
12732/05
COM(05) 444
| (a)
Draft Decision on the specific programme implementing the 7th Framework Programme (2007-11) of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities
(b)
Draft decision on the specific programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre implementing the 7th Framework Programme (2007-11) of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities
|
| Legal base | Article 7 EAEC; — ; QMV
|
| Document originated | 21 September 2005
|
| Deposited in Parliament | 30 September 2005
|
| Department | Trade and Industry
|
| Basis of consideration | EM of 13 October 2005
|
| Previous Committee Report | None; but see (26581) 8087/05: HC 34-i (2005-06), para 21 (4 July 2005)
|
| To be discussed in Council | No date set
|
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Not cleared; progress reports requested
|
Background
9.1 In July we considered a draft Decision to establish the 7th
Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)
for research and training activities (R&D) between 2007 and
2011.[29] The Commission
proposes that the Programme's total budget should be nearly €3.1
billion. We asked the Government to keep us informed of the negotiations
on the proposal. We also asked the Science and Technology Committee
for its opinion on the draft Framework Programme. Meanwhile, we
decided to keep the proposal under scrutiny.
9.2 Euratom's Framework Programmes are given effect
through Council Decisions on "specific programmes".
The documents
9.3 Document (a) is the draft of a Decision for the
specific programme on R&D on fusion energy, nuclear fission
and protection from radiation. It proposes the programme's budget
and sets out in detail the proposed objectives, activities and
administrative rules of the programme.
9.4 Document (b) is the draft of a Decision on the
specific programme for work by the EU's Joint Research Centre
on nuclear waste management, safety and security. It proposes
the objectives, activities, budget and administrative rules of
the programme.
9.5 Both programmes were described in the report
we made in July on the draft Framework Programme. Document (a)
and (b) provide more detailed information.
The Government's view
9.6 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Science and Innovation at the Department of Trade and Industry
(Lord Sainsbury of Turville) tells us that the UK Presidency will
keep under close review the extent to which the proposed work
on nuclear security is compatible with or otherwise affects the
Euratom Treaty's safeguard provisions. Otherwise, the Government
is generally content with both documents. He adds that the Council
will not be able to adopt the Decisions until after the EU's total
budget for 2007-13 has been settled.
Conclusion
9.7 We draw the documents to the attention of
the House because they provide further information about the proposed
Euratom research programme.
9.8 We ask the Minister to provide us with progress
reports on the negotiations on the draft Decisions. We shall keep
documents (a) and (b) under scrutiny pending those reports, the
response of the Science and Technology Committee to our request
for its opinion on the proposed Framework Programme and the settlement
of the EU's overall budget.
29 See headnote. Back
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