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The independent action group for current and ex Equitable Life policyholders, funded by contributions. Equitable Members Action Group Equitable Members Action Group Limited, a company limited by guarantee, number 5471535 registered in the UK |
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The independent action group for current and ex Equitable Life policyholders, funded by contributions. Equitable Members Action Group Equitable Members Action Group Limited, a company limited by guarantee, number 5471535 registered in the UK |
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Documents: 05/12/2007 - EU President letter to Gordon Brown EU President’s letter to Gordon BrownFrom: Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, MP 5 December 2007 Dear Prime Minister, As you are no doubt aware, Article 193 of the EC Treaty provides a legal basis for the establishment by the European Parliament of a temporary Committee of Inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions or maladministration in the implementation of Community law. This constitutes an important element of Parliament's supervisory powers. On 19 June 2007 the European Parliament adopted a resolution endorsing the report of its Committee of Inquiry into the crisis of the Equitable Life Assurance Society. The latter report requires explicitly the government of the United Kingdom and the regulatory and supervisory bodies of the United Kingdom to ensure that the conclusion and recommendations of the inquiry are acted upon in accordance with the obligations arising from Article 4 of Decision 95/167/EC and from the general duties of Member States as defined by the Treaties. I understand, however, that the European Parliament has, as yet, received no response to this request and that your government has stated in the press that it will await the outcome of a separate national Ombudsman procedure before responding to the European Parliament's recommendations. Given the date by which the Ombudsman is scheduled to report, the Parliament finds itself faced with the prospect of having to wait more than a year between its resolution and any formal response from the government most concerned by it. I would like to ask you to look into this issue and act in a way which will ensure that the authority of the Parliament and of its right of inquiry enshrined in the EC Treaty do not risk being prejudiced by the lasting lack of a formal response by the British government. The European Parliament is following the matter with great concern and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Yours sincerely and with my very best wishes Hans-Gert Pöttering |
