SITUATION OF CRAFT TRADES IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

by Altiero Spinelli

SUMMARY: The European Parliament examines the situation of craft trades in the European Community on the basis of questions addresses orally to the. Commission by Mr Cousté (Gaullist, i n within that sector falls within the scope of the common policy for France). Community action within that sector falls witihn the scope of the common policy for medium-sized and small enterprises. In "Speeches in European Parliament, 1976-1986", Pier Virgilio Dastoli Editor. (EP, 16 December 1976)

Mr President, I too would like to support, on behalf of our group, the views expressed by Mr Cousté and those other colleagues who have spoken in favour of the craft trades and small and medium-sized undertakings. As a former member of the Commission with responsibility for this sector, I appreciate the limited number of opportunities at present open to the Community. All the measures which we have initiated have met with innumerable obstacles. It is true that the division responsible for craft trades is small in staff, but in fact it is difficult to increase its number. I recall the difficulties encountered by our institutions, the Commission and Parliament, in securing the introduction of the celebrated development contracts, which were designed to promote the activities of small and medium-sized undertaking which, contrary to what one might think, represent the sector most marked by continual innovations with, as a result, the greatest need for aid, including that from supra-national funds. Mr Cousté is a

ware of how much work we put into this question, but it was to no avail, as the matter failed to reach the Council. The Commission set up the famous 'marriage bureau', which was mainly to concern small businesses, but which, unfortunately, does not possess substantially greater means and has proved a less than effective instrument.

That being said, I should like to endorse the conclusions of my other colleagues, in the hope that what could not be achieved in the past may be achieved in the future, and that, in the development of the various activities connected with the regional policy and the various aid policies, account will also be taken of the importance of this sector for our countries' economics.