I. Introduction - 2
II. The Bureau - 3
III. The Standing Committee - 7
(a) Exercise by the Standing Committee of the Assembly's functions - 9
(b) Direction of the work - 10
IV. The Joint Committee - 11
V. The Committees - 13
VI. Conclusions - 15
APPENDICES
I. Order of the Standing Committee to the Secretary-General, of 12lh February, 1955, for the preparation of a study on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes - 16
II. Progress report of the Standing Committee submitted in pursuance of the Resolution adopted by the Assembly on 6th September, 1049 - 17
III. Grant of consultative status to nongovernmental international organisations - 19
IV. Message from the Standing Committee of the Consultative Assembly to the European Commission of Human Rights - 19
V. Committee meetings - 20
VI. Principles adopted by the Standing Committee, on the proposal of its Bureau, on 12th February, 1955 - 21
VII. Time-table of the Special Meeting of the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions held on 4th-6th April, 1955 - 22
In recent years the Bureau has come to realise more and more that it is the real motive power behind the Assembly. It has come to the conclusion that it should act itself, as the parliamentary counterweight to the Committee of Ministers.
Apart from the contacts between the Bureau and the Committee of Ministers, which your Rapporteur hopes will be frequent and regular, there are other contacts of a parliamentary nature which should be regarded as of the highest importance—namely, contacts between the Bureau of our Assembly and that of the Common Assembly of E. C. S. C. The two Bureaux have already held joint meetings : two in 1952, three in 1.953 and one (19th May) in 1954. The first meetings gave rise to the remarkable " Opinion of Jurists " (SG (52) 10) on the rights of observers and European parliamentary procedure as a whole. The purpose of the more recent meetings between the two Bureaux was to organise joint meetings between the two Assemblies, to co-ordinate the dates of their Sessions, and to examine the conditions for transmitting Resolutions of our Assembly-to-the Common Assembly. Lastly, discussions were held on the composition, working methods and powers of the Assembly of W. E. U.
In respect of the Assembly, the Bureau has a two-fold role : it represents the Assembly, and it directs its work.
(a) Since the creation of the Council of Europe, the Bureau has become more and more aware of its role of - representative of the Assembly and defender of its interests. It is this fact which has prompted its constant efforts to enable the Assembly to organise its work in its own Assembly hall as'it pleases and as efficiently as possible. The Bureau's activities in this latter field were described in September 1954, in the pamphlet entitled: " Work of the Consultative Assembly—New Arrangements. " The Bureau's desire to exercise a right of supervision over the Assembly's own Budget is prompted by the same motives. Its efforts, initiated under the presidency of M. François de Menthon, have led during the present parliamentary year to the Assembly being granted the right to present each year its proposals concerning Vote II of the Budget of the Council of Europe.
It was with the same aim in mind that the Bureau was anxious to exert its influence over the appointment of the Secretary-General and the Clerk and that, when M.. Struycken, coming from the ranks of the European officials, was appointed Clerk, on 24th May, 1954, he took his oath in the presence of the Bureau. Similarly, the Bureau has recently expressed itself in favour of establishing liaison with the regional parliamentary Assemblies (Scandinavian, Benelux and Balkan). The Bureau intends to define the conditions governing this liaison in due course.Note
On the other hand, the Bureau represents the Assembly and defends its interests vis-à-vis other international organisations, Member and non-Member Governments and national Parliaments. In this respect the Bureau has considered with particular care how to give effect to Resolution 61. In the same way it has taken a keen interest in the efficient functioning of the Joint Committee, as described below (Chapter IV).
Finally, at its last meeting on 17th June, 1955 the Bureau acted as the representative of the Assembly in accepting on the latter's behalf the resignation of Mr. A. H. Lincoln, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.
(b) Besides representing the Assembly and defending its interests, the Bureau also directs its work. It performs certain administrative duties and possesses disciplinary powers which it used for the first time during the past year over an incident during a Sitting, which as it happens, was settled easily and amicably. Its main task, however— the organisation of the parliamentary work as such—is of a political nature, The exercise of this function is a privilege also enjoyed by the Bureaux of many national Parliaments in Europe :
in France, where the Bureau of the National Assembly " supervises the activities of the Cabinet ",
in Italy, where the President " ensures the proper conduct of the work " ,
in Norway, where the Bureau " directs the work of the Assembly " ,
in Sweden, where the Bureau " ensures the smooth development and orderly progress of the Assembly's work Note.
The Parliaments of all member countries of the Council of Europe possess a President and Vice-Presidents or the equivalent. In all these countries except Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents constitute a Bureau which meets whenever necessary.
In most member countries, too, the President (unless prevented by special circumstances) occupies ihe Chair permanently. In Germany, however, there is a special procedure whereby all the members of the Bureau take it in turns to act as President. On M. Guy Mollef's recommendation this practice was also adopted in Strasbourg during the Sixth Session last year.
Since it is the Bureau's task to direct the Assembly's work it took the initiative of inviting M. Schneiter, Special Représentative of the Council of Europe for Refugees, and M. van Heuven Goedhart, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to address the Assembly during that Session, thus increasing the rare number of cases where outside persons (apart from Ministers) have come and addressed the Assembly.
On 8th July, 1954 the Bureau devoted a whole meeting to organising the work of the Second Part of the Sixth Session, thus establishing a precedent for the future.
The following steps were taken :
During the September Session the Assembly examined' in particular the prospects offered by the Geneva Conference, due to take place on the 3rd October following. The Bureau then decided that the Assembly should hold a third part-Session after the Conference in order to discuss the results.
Lastly, the Chairman of the Bureau submitted to the Standing Committee an Order on the study of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes (Appendix I).
The most recent meetings of the Bureau—11th February, 28th April and 17th June, 1955—-were partly devoted to the question of the Joint Committee (see Chapter IV) and the difficulties of getting member countries to accept the dates fixed for the opening of Sessions. Once again the intentions of the Bureau were thwarted—-this time owing to the British elections—and a new date had to be proposed for the First Part of the Seventh Session Note. During the discussion on this subject M. Guy Mollet suggested that as a general rule in future each annual Session should be divided into three parts, the first being held at the end of January, the second in mid-April and the third in mid-October.
From the terms of Rule 39 of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure, it is not clear whether the Standing Committee is really an enlarged Bureau or a reduced Assembly (sec Rule 39). Actually it is both.
It should be noted, in this connection, that throughout modern society the need is felt for intermediaries between the executive and the community : in a joint stock company the board of directors stands between, the general manager and the shareholders; in a political party the national council stands between the executive and the members; similarly, in the parliamentary assemblies of several member countries the following organs stand between the Bureau and the Representatives :
European Coal and- Steel Community (Common Assembly) :
Committee of Presidents and Chairmen (Bureau and Committee Chairmen). " To review the order of the work and draft an agenda."
Belgium (Senate) :
Committee on Parliamentary Proceedings. " T o examine the current state of the work and draw up à programme. "
France
Conference of Chairmen." This Conference, composed of the Chairmen of the various groups, is responsible for reviewing the order of the work."
German Federal Republic :
Council of Elders (Aeltestenrat) (Bureau and representatives of groups). " Co-ordination between the groups for establishing a programme of work and appointing certain Officers."
Iceland :
Standing Committee (Enlarged Bureau). Netherlands ;
Netherlands ;
Council of Elders (Senioren-convent) (Bureau and Chairmen of the groups). Prepares debates and fixes the main points of the Agenda.
Norway :
Planning Committee. " To establish a programme of. work for the Session and ; supervise the Committee work."
Saar :
Presidential Committee (Bureau, Chairmen of the groups and four other members of the Diet). " Co-ordination between the groups for establishing a programme of work for the Diet."
Sweden :
Conference of Presidents (Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the two Chambers and four members of each Chamber elected by the Chambers). Draws up time-table and ensures the smooth conduct of the proceedings.
Turkey :
The Divan (Bureau, three Deputies who are members of the Assembly's Administrative Council and six Secretary- Deputies). " Co-ordination of the work of the Assembly."
United Kingdom :
The Whips. The Chief Whip of ihe Government party agrees with the Opposition parly Whips on the working programme of the House.Note
As conceived from the outset, and in respect of the powers granted to it, our Standing Committee partakes of the nature of these parliamentary organs. First, it lakes over the Assembly's functions between Sessions, and, secondly, it directs the Assembly's work, in conjunction with the Bureau.
The Rules of Procedure (Rule 39) stipulate that the Standing Commiltee may act on behalf of the Assembly. This idea is also implicit in the rule slating that this Committee may not meet when the Assembly is itself in session.
On several occasions the Standing Committee has taken political decisions which would normally devolve on the plenary Assembly. In 1949 it launched ihe first real parliamentary discussions with the Committee of Ministers, which led lo an agreement in principle to appoint a Joint Committee (see Chapter IV). It was again the Standing Committee which that same year invited the German Federal Republic and the Saar lo send representatives lo the Assembly. In 1950 it look the decision in principle that the Assembly should bold a debate on the European army. Early in 1955 it adopted an Order submitted to it by the Bureau proposing an investigation into the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes (Appendix I).
The reason why the Standing Committee has nol assumed these duties more frequently is that the Assembly has been holding more and more part-Sessions (three in 1954), so that it has been able to follow international events more closely. This has considerably enhanced its authority.
Finally, mention should he made here of the spontaneous appearance during the current parliamentary year of a new organ emanating from the Standing Committee, which may be convened whenever necessary : the Conference of Committee Chairmen.
This Conference was first convened by M. Guy Mollet on 22nd September, 1954. It is composed solely of Committee Chairmen and has the task of merging the views of the various Committees on the requests of non-governmental international organisations for consultative status with the Council of Europe. During the current parliamentary year the Conference examined the first welve of these applications to the Assembly, of which 2 were rejected, 3 held over and 7 accepted (Appendix III).
Your Rapporteur would herewith recall the activities carried out by the Standing Committee in the past. First, it sought to limit the number of Motions for Resolution presented to the Assembly, and among the Recommendations adopted by the Assembly selected those which called for special examination by the Committee of Ministers (1950). During the current parliamentary year it decided to set up a Working Party of three of its members who, in conjunction with three members of the Committee of Ministers, Avere made responsible for defining the procedure Avhereby the Assembly's conclusions might be transmitted to the Committee of Ministers and other international organisations. On 7th October, 1954 the Working Party concluded its task Avith the submission of proposals to the Joint Committee.
On 9th July, 1954 the Standing Committee continued its study of the Programme of Workpresented by the Committee of Ministers, and referred to the A'arious competent Committees for examination that part of the programme Avhich deals with the role and working methods of the Council of Europe. This programme of work formed the subject of the Special Message of the Committee of Ministers (Doc. 238) tabled Avith the Assembly on 20th May, 1954.
It should also be recalled that the current parliamentary year saw the holding of the inaugural session of the Commission of Human Rights, whose composition entailed lengthy discussions both by the Bureau and the Standing Committee. For the final appointments the Committee of Ministers adopted all the proposals submitted by the Bureau in pursuance of Article 21 of the Convention on Human Rights. On the occasion of this inaugural session the Standing Committee addressed a message to the Commission on behalf of the Consultative Assembly (Appendix IV).
Lastly, one of the main tasks of the Standing Committee—as of the parallel organs of the national Parliaments—is to co-ordinate and supervise the Committee work. This subject will be dealt with in Chapter V, which deals with committees.
As was stated in the Introduction to this Report, the Joint Committee will only be dealt with here from the parliamentary point of view, its general aspects having already been considered in the preliminary Report by M. Mommer (Doc. 264, paras. 23 and 68). The only reason I refer to it here is that the parliamentary representatives on the Joint Committee arc selected from the Bureau and Standing Committee.
The Joint Committee has been reinforced— in theory— by the " texts of a statutory character " adopted by the Committee of Ministers in October 1951, which defined its main tasks as follows :
" to draw the attention of the two organs to those questions which appear to be of particular interest to the Council of Europe;
to examine and promote means of giving practical effect to the recommendations adopted by one or other of these two organs."
Only a small part of this programme has been put into effect. Although the abovementioned texts prescribe that the Committee shall meet " before and after the sessions of the Committee of Ministers and the Assembly " , the number of meetings it has held have steadily declined, as can be seen from the following table :
1950 - five meetings
1951 - two meetings
1952 - two meetings
1953 - one meeting
1954 - one meeting
During the session 1954-55, the Joint Committee met only when the period was coming to an end.
This unsatisfactory situation gave rise to an exchange of letters between the President of the Assembly and the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers. M. Guy Mollet emphasised that the two organs in question had intended the Joint Committee to be " a highly flexible organ which, by means of periodical exchanges of view, will help to improve the atmosphere between the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers " (letter of 26th March, 1955). The same remarks had been made during the previous year by M. de Menthon, the then President. This view, however, conflicted with that of the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers who, in a letter of 14th March, 1955, expressed the view that the meetings of the Joint Committee should necessarily take place after those of the Committee of Ministers to enable the Ministers to concert their views beforehand. This state of affairs cannot continue indefinitely since it does not accord with the terms of the " texts of a statutory character " adopted in October 1951, which state that the Committee shall meet more especially " before and after the sessions of the Committee of Ministers and of the Consultative Assembly " . Which seems to confirm the view of M. Guy Mollet that the discussions of the Joint Committee should be completely uninhibited.
Apart from these stipulations, which must duly be enforced, it would also be desirable for more direct and frequent contacts to be established between the Bureau and the Ministers' Deputies, who should themselves tend to act more and more as a working partyNote.
At all events, what matters is that the Members of Parliament should be able to intervene at all stages of governmental negotiations— that is, the work of the experts, Ministers' Deputies and the Ministers themselves. It is at this last level that the Joint Committee comes into its own.
The Committees are responsible (Rule 41 of the Rules of Procedure) " for examining such questions as are referred to them either by the Assembly or by the Standing Committee " , the latter being instructed to co-ordinate their work.
In principle (Rule 40) there should be no more than seven general committees, since the others, known as " special committees " have only temporary status and are set up only for specific purposes (Rule 40, para. 2).
Such at least, is the theoretical position. But parliamentary rights cannot be restricted by rules of procedure, and the organic growth of the Committees has been startling.
On 7th November, 1949, at the time when the Assembly was seeking to establish permanent committees, the then President, M. Spaak, communicated an Opinion of the Committee of Ministers to the effect that only two Committees could have permanent status : the Committee on General Affairs and the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges. The others, it was held, should meet only at the beginning or end of a Session. By now, however, there are 11 Committees and 9 Sub-Committees responsible for preparing the Assembly's work, not to mention the Standing Committee, the Joint Committee and the new committee on administrative questions, known as " the Committee on Budgetary Affairs and Administration ". All 20 of these Committees are established on a virtually permanent basis, and their meetings occupied a total of 128 days in 1954 (see Appendix V ) .
At a recent session, the Bureau recognised the need for a more orderly system of committee work, as the excessive number of special committees was making it increasingly difficult for the smaller or more distant countries to be fairly represented at committee meetings, not to mention the enormous volume of paper produced by present methods of working. Concrete proposals for a more systematic arrangement of the work have been transmitted to the Committee on Rules of Procedure and will shortly be placed before the Assembly.
It would be misleading to refer to these committees as " preparatory committees". In a certain sense, too, they represent the Assembly. Between them they carry out the work of the Assembly during more than half the parliamentary year... four times the period occupied by the Assembly's Sessions.
The fact that these committees are something more than provisional bodies was strikingly illustrated when, on 9th March, 1954, the German Federal Chancellor and the French Prime Minister accepted as a basis for discussion the draft Report on the future position of the Saar adopted in the previous month by the Committee on General Affairs on its own.
The recent session also showed how keen were the Bureau and the Standing Committee to organise European parliamentary proceedings in an efficient manner. Both were on the watch for opportunities of co-ordinating the date and place of Committee meetings (see Appendix VI).
By reason of their parliamentary nature these Committees must be in a position to hear persons from outside. Thus, they have maintained systematic relations with members of Common Assembly committees.
Moreover, they have very properly availed themselves of their right to carry out investigations. During the last session :
Lastly, early in April 1955, the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions held a special meeting attended by representatives of the Committee of Cultural Experts, UNESCO, the Brussels Treaty Organisation and other European cultural organisations, with a view to studying problems of topical interest (see Appendix VII).
This experiment is worthy of our closest attention.
In the democratic systems of most countries decades elapsed before parliamentary bodies found their true vocation and before their precise membership, role and functions were established.
The new European democracy can learn from these examples, although the form of democracy embodied in the Council of Europe has strictly limited aims. As already mentioned, there is no direct method of controlling the European Ministers, and they, in their turn, possess no executive powers. We must not rest until everything possible is done to remedy these two deficiencies.
There are several ways in which the difficulty might be overcome. One suggestion worth considering is that the Committee of Ministers appoint " European Commissioners " with specific functions in their particular field, as was done with regard to the refugee problem (see Chapter II, b).
At the moment, the strength of the Assembly lies partly in the complete freedom of its Representatives to explain their views to the general public of Europe, and partly in the prestige which enables them, in their own national Parliaments, to influence their Ministers for Foreign Affairs, who, together, constitute the Committee of Ministers. In this way, Members of Parliament exercise a certain control—indirect, it is true, but not ineffectual.
This method has already proved its worth, as witness the conclusion of the European Conventions. Admittedly, it is a protracted and complicated process, but it could be speededup and simplified by the operation of a suitable procedure. It must be strongly emphasised that good procedure is not purely a formal matter, but a political instrument of the utmost importance. Of this the Bureau and the Standing Committee are every day more convinced.
With this basic truth as their point of departure, they have decided to apply the above principles in increasing measure and to make every endeavour to ensure that our Assembly may remain equal to its appointed task.
The Standing Committee,
Recalling the initiative of the President of the United States of America embodied in his address of 8th December, 1953 and noting that negotiations are in progress for the establishment as early as possible of an international Atomic Energy Agency to facilitate the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes throughout the world and to encourage international co-operation in the further development and practical application of atomic energy for the benefit of mankind;
Considering that by its Resolution of 4th December, 1954 the General Assembly of the United Nations decided that an international technical conference of Governments should be held, under the auspices of the United Nations, to explore means of developing the peaceful uses of atomic energy through international co-operation and, in particular, to study the development of atomic power and to consider other technical fields-—such as biology, medicine, radiation protection and fundamental atomic science—in which international co-operation might most effectively be realised;
Considering that close co-operation between the Members of the Council of Europe in the field of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes would contribute to the realisation of the aims of the Council;
Considering that it is in the interest of the Consultative Assembly to be as fully informed as possible of the problems connected with the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, and, in particular, of the situation of the various Member States of the Council of Europe in respect of atomic research and atomic resources, of the prospects held out by the peaceful use of atomic energy and of the possibilities of European co-operation in this field,
Invites the Secretary-General with the help of scientific advisers to prepare a study of these questions and to submit it to the Assembly at the opening of its Seventh Ordinary Session so that it may be used as the basis for the subsequent examination by the Committees on General Affairs, on Economic Questions, and on Cultural and Scientific Questions of the political, economic and scientific aspects of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Composition of the Standing Committee
The composition of the Standing Committee appointed on 29th May, 1954 was as follows :
Chairman (ex officio member)
M. Guy Mollet
Vice-Chairmen (ex officio members)
M. von Brentano
Lord Layton
MM. Boggiano Pico
Elmgren
Ete
van der Goes van
Nalers
Chairmen of the General Committees (ex officio members)
MM. van Cauwelaert
Federspiel
Heyman
de Menthon
Pernot
Rolin
Smitt Ingebretsen
Members appointed by the Assembly
MM. Benvenuti
Braun
Ebüzziya
Hollis
Josefsson
Mlle Klompè
MM. L ütkens
Margue
Mercouris
Norton
Pünder
Rhallys
Robens
Treves
Wistrand
Since the opening of the Sixth Ordinary Session the Standing Committee has held 3 meetings : 29th May, 1954, at the end of the first Part- Session; 9th July, 1954; and 12th February, 1955.
During its meeting on 29th May, 1954 the Standing Committee fixed the date for resumption of the Sixth Ordinary Session for 13th September, 1954, and during its meeting on 12th February, 1955 fixed the opening date of the Seventh Ordinary Session for Friday 20th May, 1955. Owing to tho British general elections, lixed for 26th May, however, the Bureau postponed the opening of the Session until 5th July, 1955.
The Standing Committee duly adopted an agenda and time-table for the Second and Third Parts of the Sixth Ordinary Session and the First Part of the Seventh Ordinary Session.
During its meetings on 9th July, 1954 and 12th February, 1955 the Standing Committee laid down a number of principles concerning Committee work wich are recorded in Appendix V.
At its meeting of 9th July, 1954, the Standing Committee decided, at the request of the Special Committee on Agriculture, to increase the membership of this Committee from eleven to eighteen.
During its meeting on 29th May, 1954 the Standing Committee appointed MM. von Brentano, de Menthon and Robens as Assembly representatives to the Working Party responsible for studying the question of transmitting Assembly conclusions to the Committee of Ministers and international organisations.
At the same meeting the Standing Committee appointed MM. Federspiel and Heyman as members of the Council of Europe/O. E. E. C. Liaison Committee; it decided that these two Representatives should sit on this Committee together with Lord Layton, member of the Bureau, and, like him, should have the right to appoint Substitutes.
Lastly, during its meeting on 9th July, 1954 the Standing. Committee, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Rule 46 of the Rules of Procedure, appointed from among its members the six Assembly representatives to the Joint Committee—namely (apart from M. Guy Mollet, ex officio Chairman of the Joint Committee) MM. Lutkens, Margue, Mercouris, Mon tini, Robens and Wistrand.
(See Texts of a Statutory Character adopted by the Committee of Ministers—Relations with intergovernmental and non-governmental international organisations.)
During the Sixth Ordinary Session consultative status was granted To the following organisations :
Category A :
European Centre for Demographic Studies;
European Confederation of Agriculture;
Council of European Municipalities;
International Federation of Agricultural Producers ;
International Union of Local Authorities.
Category B :
World Veterans Federation;
Free International Federation of Deportees and Internees of the Resislance.
The establishment of a European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was one of the first tasks which the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe set itself after its formation and one to which it has constantly attached the highest importance.
It is for this reason that the Standing Committee proudly welcomes on behalf of the whole Assembly the inauguration of the work of the European Commission of Human Rights.
This Commission has been set up as a consequence of the entry into force of the Convention and is the outcome of effective co-operation between the two organs of the Council of Europe, namely the Committee of Ministers and the Consultative Assembly. By their joint action they have both greatly eon tribu led lo achieving European unity and to. safeguarding one of the essential principles of our civilisation.
In fulfilling the wish again expressed by the Assembly in September last the Standing Committee cherishes the hope that, thanks to the prestige, the action and the work of its members, the European Commission of Human Rights will soon be empowered to deal with petitions from individuals and that with the establishment of the European Court of Justice the structure provided for in the Convention will be successfully completed.
The creation of the European Commission of Human Rights, in itself, constitvites an important step towards ensuring respect of the individual. Of those freedoms, rightly described as fundamental, since without them there can be no human personality worthy of the name, the European Committee of Human Rights will be the supreme guardian.
Having regard to the very wide experience of some of its members as judges or lawyers and the high standing of others as specialists in the field of human rights, the known probity of all its members and their ability to be both magnanimous and resolute, to weigh and measure a question and reach a firm conclusion, the Standing Committee is confident that the European Commission of Human Rights will be supremely successful in fulfilling the task of promoting European civilisation with which it has been entrusted.
No. of meetings - No. of daysof meetings
Bureau - 11 - 11
Standing Committee - 5 - 5
Committee on General Affairs - 10 - 21
Committee on Economic Questions - 9 - 13
Committee on Legal and Administrative Questions 7 - 10
Committee on Social Questions - 6 - 8
Committee on Population and Refugees - 4 - 5
Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions - 9 - 14
Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges - 7 - 9
Special Committee appointed to watch over the interests of European nations not represented in the Council of Europe 5 - 9
Special Committee on Agriculture - 7 - 7
Special Committee on Municipal and Regional Affairs - 4 - 5
Special Committee for the coordination of European assistance in cases of natural disaster 3 - 3
Joint Sub-Committee of the Economic and Social Council - 1 - 1
Sub-Committee for the study of economic development in Southern Europe - 1 - 1
Sub-Committee on the peaceful settlement of disputes - 1 - 2
Sub-Committee on the simplification of frontier formalities - 5 - 6
Sub-Committee on compulsory insurance for motorists - 1 - 4
Sub-Committee on the liability of innkeepers - 1 - 2
Sub-Committee on arbitration procedure - 1 - 1
Joint Sub-Committee on the resettlement of refugee or surplus agricultural workers - 4 - 6
Sub-Committee on regulations for the award of a European Prize - 1 - 1
Committee on Budgetary Affairs and Administration - 2 - 2
Joint Committee - 1 - 1
106 - 147
1. The main Committees will meet at Strasbourg, at about the same date in the spring of each year, in order to prepare the May session. The actual date of these meetings will be fixed by the Standing Committee.
2. Any Committees wishing to meet elsewhere than at Strasbourg or Paris will submit their proposals to the Bureau of the Assembly, which will be responsible for the final decision.
A Sub-Committee may only make proposals for meetings elsewhere than Paris or Strasbourg with the consent of its plenary Committee.
3. Generally speaking, the Bureau (whoso decision will in any case he limited by the funds at its disposal) will only authorise Committee meetings elsewhere than at Strasbourg or Paris in the following cases :
4. The Secretariat will consult the Chairman of any Committee meeting elsewhere than Strasbourg or Paris on its requirements, but will only be able to supply it with a limited number of secretarial and particularly of technical staff.
In connection with the Reply to bo made by the Consultative Assembly to the Special Message of the Committee of Ministers on the Programme of Work of the Council of Europe, the Assembly has instructed the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions to define the principles which should form the basis of the Council's policy in the cultural field. In carrying out these instructions, the Committee has decided to avail itself of the advice of organisations and authorities with a wide experience in this field, by inviting them to participate in a Special Meeting.
The Committee is confident that the joint study of certain questions of general interest will prove a highly effective method of discharging its special duty.
The work of the Special Meeting will be related to the following main themes :
" Lessons to be drawn from the methods hitherto employed by international organisations in the cultural field "
" A financial policy designed to stimulate cultural activities in Europe ».
The Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions of the Consultative Assembly;
Delegation of the Committee of Cultural Experts ;
The Representatives of UNESCO;
The Representative of the Brussels Treaty Organisation Note ;
The Representative of the Nordic CouncilNote;
The Director of the European Cultural Centre;
The President of the Association of Institutes of European Studies (A. I. E. E.);
The Secretary-General of the Union of International non-governmental Associations;
The Director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The Director of the European Institute of Frankfurt.
A list of the names of all those attending the Special Meeting will be distributed on the first day.
Monday, 4lh April, 1055
10 a.m. : Plenary meeting, Room 601
Opening address by M. Smitt Ingebretson, Chairman of the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions.
" Five years' work by the Committee of Cultural Experts "
Report presented by His Excellency M. Migone, Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Cultural Experts.
" The experience of UNESCO "
Report presented by M. Maheu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO.
3 p.m. : Plenary meeting, Room 001.
" Finance and administration of a European cultural policy "
Report presented by M. von Cornicles, Director of the Institut für Europäische Polilik; und Wirlschaft.
" The exemple of American Foundations "
Report presented by M. Goormaghtigh, Director of the European Centre of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
— General discussion
M. Denis de Rougemont
M. Angelloz
M. Speeckaert
— Appointment of Working Parties.
9.30 p.m. : Cinéma CORSO, rue Boecklin, Strasbourg-Robertsau (trolleybus 3 or 13 to Eglise Robertsau).
Private showing of the film :
" Europe, humaine aventure "
with commentary written and recorded by Paul- Henri Spaak.
The film will be introduced by M. Paul Levy, Director of Information. Time : 1 hour 30 minutes.
Tuesday, 5th April, 1955
10 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. :
Meeting of Working Parties, Rooms 302, 402 and 502.
Working Parly I
The role of international organisations in the cultural field.
Working Party II
Problems of European co-operation in the cultural field.
Working Parly III
Establishment of European cultural Foundations.
7 p.m. : Reception by the Deputy Secretary- General of the Council of Europe.
9.30 p.m. : Drafting Committee.
Wednesday, 6th April, 1955
10 a.m. : Plenary meeting, Room 601
Presentation of Working Parties' reports.
General discussion.
2.30 p.m. : Drafting Committee
5.30 p.m. : Final plenary meeting
Address by Mr. Hollis, Rapporteur of the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions.
Adoption of Conclusions.