2 Written explanations of Jacqueline FOSTER

The UK Conservative delegation voted against both resolutions tabled by the TRAN committee and by 38 MEPs. Regarding the TRAN resolution, we take issue with its finding that there is conclusive proof that the biannual clock change has significant negative effects on human health, agriculture and road safety. We do recognise the value of the existing directive in terms of providing a unified approach regarding the precise timing of the biannual clock changes. However, we see no need for a revision of the directive nor do we consider asking the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on this to be good value for taxpayers’ money. Furthermore, on the grounds of subsidiarity, we see no need for an EU-wide proposal to replace the biannual clock change. Finally, we also note that the UK Government has currently has no plans to make any changes to daylight savings arrangements. Accordingly, Conservative MEPs decided to vote against both resolutions.

With regret, the UK Conservative delegation voted against this report. We welcomed the Commission’s proposed strategy and the rapporteur’s focus on improving connectivity, boosting competitiveness and keeping a market-driven perspective. We agree that protectionism is not the answer and that comprehensive external aviation agreements are the best way to set a framework for free and fair competition. We also firmly believe that attracting foreign investment is important for the competitiveness of European airlines, and that EU or national legislation should not hamper this.However, we believe it was wholly unacceptable to grant the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) such wide competence under Rule 54 regarding the social agenda of the Strategy. In particular, we oppose EMPL’s calls for clarification and consistent application of the ‘home base’ criterion for airlines, which we see as an attack on the business model of carriers, and its groundless claims of a significant safety risk to passengers caused by alleged ‘social abuses’ of pilots and crew members and alleged bogus employment contracts. We highlight that European airlines are regulated to the most stringent safety standards and we therefore question the lack of an evidential basis for this report’s conclusions. Consequently, we were obliged to vote against this report.