The task of ensuring co-operation between Government departments in social and cultural matters in application of Articles II and III of the Brussels Treaty is fulfilled at five different levels :
(a) The Consultative Council meets yearly, when progress reports on social and cultural activities prepared by the Secretary-General are discussed and new policy directives issued.
(b) The Permanent Commission, meeting at monthly intervals, receives the reports of the Technical Committees, approves on behalf of Governments the programmes of work, committee agendas, etc., and ensures that recommendations and resolutions submitted by the Committees receive the attention of Governments and are applied in accordance with the intentions of the experts.
(c) The standing Technical Committees and Sub-Committees, which are listed below, meet in each of the Brussels Treaty countries in turn at four or six monthly intervals, or as required by the Secretariat-General to carry out particular tasks assigned to the Organisation by the Permanent Commission :
Social Committees :
Social Committee.
Public Health Committee.
War Pensions Committee.
Joint Committee on Rehabilitation of the Disabled.
Sub-Committees on :
Manpower.
Social Security.
Pharmaceutical Products.
Industrial safety and health.
Cultural Committees : Cultural Committee.
Sub-Committees on :
Youth.
Education.
Non-Commercial Films.
Cultural Identity Card.
Government Officials.
Certain problems may be examined by additional sub-committees and working parties specially created for the purpose.
(d) The detailed preparation of successive committee meetings necessitates the exchange of documentation on a considerable scale. Further, a follow-up procedure is required to ensure that measures agreed between the experts work satisfactorily when applied in practice. Since the centralising of this interchange would involve loss of time, Liaison Sections have been set up in the following departments of the five Governments :
Ministries of Labour :
Health
Pensions
National Insurance
Foreign Affairs (Cultural Relations Department)
Education.
The functions of these sections are briefly as follows :
(e) The co-ordination of the various bodies dealing with social and cultural questions is assured by the Secretariat- General, organised on an international basis. It should be noted that this is the only part of the Brussels Treaty Organisation which is financed from an international budget, all costs arising from the activities of the Organisation being met in turn by each country where the expenditure is incurred, or by mutual agreement. An official and the requisite linguistic and typing staff from the Secretariat-General attend all Committee and Sub-Committee meetings wherever they are held, and prepare the reports of the sessions.
While the Technical Committees may be required by the Permanent Commission to undertake the study of any problem which has given rise to difficulties, or appears to provide special opportunities for the pursuance of the Treaty's aims, their regular activities may be divided into five main categories :
The conclusion and application of Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements;
Joint studies of policy in social and cultural matters and of specified technical problems;
Organisation of the movement of persons between the five countries, courses, visits, etc.;
Joint publications and other enterprises ;
Co-operation with other international organisations.
The Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements applied under the Brussels Treaty may take two forms :
Conventions signed by representatives of Heads of States;
Agreements between technical departments authorised by the Permanent Commission on behalf of the heads of departments concerned.
These may aim at the establishment of principles, based on a comparison of national experience in various fields, which provide guidance for the development of future policies, to the collective advantage of the five countries. Or, on the other hand, they may be confined to exchanges of factual information on purely technical or scientific matters. As a result of the creation of Liaison Sections, such information is now continually passing between the five countries, often without reference to the Committees.
The courses and visits arranged by the Brussels Treaty Organisation, together with
are commented on in the second and third parts of this report.
Under this head may be mentioned in particular the joint consultations at meetings of main social and cultural committees on subjects already under review by the larger international organisations. The Brussels Treaty meetings provide opportunities for a careful examination of points or difficulties arising from discussions in these organisations, while agreements already concluded between the Brussels Treaty countries have become the basis for wider international agreements.
In addition, arrangements have been made between the Brussels Treaty Secretariat- General and Secretariats of other international organisations dealing with social and cultural matters, for a regular exchange of information in the form either of progress reports or of collective reports prepared by the five countries on specific problems.
Examples of each of these types of activity are given hereafter.
Multilateral Conventions on :
Social Security;
Social and Medical Assistance;
Student Employees;
Frontier Workers ;
International Transport Workers;
Social Security during Periods of Military Service;
Administrative Arrangements on :
Social and Medical Assistance;
Social Security.
Bilateral Conventions on Social Security.
— Health control over sea and air traffic;
— Model convention on social security;
— Interpretative minute on social security conventions ;
— Co-operation between employment services for manpower exchanges;
— Exchanges of young workers ;
— Abolition of chancery dues on entry visas for foreign workers;
— Cultural Identity Card;
— Collective passports for young people;
— Importation of non-commercial films ;
— Standard film index card.
— Labelling of injurious products for use in industry;
— Safety devices for dangerous machinery ;
— Labelling of pharmaceutical products ;
— Recommendations of War Pensions Committee (including welfare services for the war disabled ; uniform schedule of disablement percentages) ;
— Recommendations of the Joint Committee on Rehabilitation of the Disabled (including those concerning the blind, the deaf, the tuberculous, artificial limbs, etc.) ;
— Equivalence of diplomas;
— Reorganisation of higher education ;
— Educational television;
— Resolutions on free circulation of cultural material.
— Vocational guidance and training;
— Co-operation between public authorities and employers and workers organisations ;
— Increasing costs of sickness and invalidity benefits ;
— Statistics;
— Legislation concerning pharmaceutical products;
— Utilisation of pharmaceutical products under social security schemes;
— Health control of foodstuffs, drinking water, sewage, etc.
— Exchanges of information on industrial safety and health between factory inspectorates ;
— Causal relations of certain diseases with war service;
— Comparative table of pension rates;
— Raising of the school-leaving age;
— Production and distribution of noncommercial films;
— Social security for university students.
(i) Courses for :
Teachers ;
Specialists in youth questions;
Educational inspectors ;
Government officials.
(ii) Visits of experts on :
Health and rehabilitation subjects;
Non-commercial films.
— " The Open Window " (joint film production) ;
— Youth travel guides ;
— " Western European Civilisation and the School" (teachers' brochure);
— Survey of Youth Activities.
(i) Joint consultations on problems under review in other organisations :
Agreement on health control of air traffic ;
Studies of social security problems prior to meetings of Council of Europe experts ;
Creation of European cultural identity card to replace Brussels Treaty Organisation card;
(ii) Supply of information :
Forwarding of joint studies to the International Labour Organisation ;
Progress reports to Council of Europe, I. L. O., N. A. T. O., E. C. S. C , etc.
(iii) Examination of ratifications of I. L. 0. Conventions, Recommendations, Resolutions, and of UNESCO Convention on Cultural Free Trade
The systematic study of the application of the Conventions adopted by the International Labour Conference has been continued by the Social Committee, with the object of achieving the earliest possible application of recommendations of immediate practical interest. New ratifications by the Five in 1952 totalled 13.
Difficulties which have been encountered in the interpretation and execution of the social security conventions have continued to be studied. An Administrative Arrangement describing the machinery for applying the Multilateral Convention and an Interpretative Minute clarifying certain provisions of both the Multilateral Convention and the Bilateral Agreements have been drawn up by the technical committee concerned. The Administrative Arrangement will shortly be signed by the Ministers responsible for Social Security in each country.
Social security problems connected with military service and mobilisation are also being studied by the expert sub-committee concerned, and in particular the payment of benefits to the dependents of an insured person who performs his military service in another of the Brussels Treaty countries. It has been agreed that the solution of this problem will require the conclusion of a Multilateral Convention covering the rights of an insured person and his family during all periods of military service, and the maintenance of his rights after service.
The Social Security Sub-Committee has completed a preliminary study of this question. Further information is being exchanged, with particular reference to the causes of such increased costs.
The expert Sub-Committee concerned has been studying over the past year social security schemes for international transport workers on inland waterways and in road transport, excluding air transport, and has decided to draw up a Multilateral Convention on this subject to be concluded between the four Continental countries. (The United Kingdom, having no common frontier with them, will not be a signatary.)
Study of the following subjects has been completed :
social security for university students;
benefits for migrant workers who have contracted industrial diseases.
The following subjects are still under study :
social security legislation in relation to proprietary medicines;
social security for " artistes " .
The Multilateral Convention which aims to encourage and facilitate exchanges of student employees b y establishing the principles which should regulate these exchanges, is now in force between all five countries.
The Manpower Sub-Committee has completed its study of the part played by employment services in giving vocational guidance, and of the work done by public and private organisations in this field and in disseminating information about employment opportunities.
The Social Committee has made a comparative study of methods of co-operation between the public authorities and employers' and workers' organisations, at the level of the undertaking and at the industrial and national levels. The practice of the Five in this important field of industrial relations has thus been examined, as also the difficulties encountered and the solutions adopted.
A working party of statistical experts has made some progress towards effecting a comparison of average earnings in a limited number of industries in the five countries. Statistical methods used in each of the Five in relation to wages and earnings, employment, and unemployment have been examined, and further studies and comparisons resulting therefrom are being undertaken.
Delegations to the Social Committee are preparing a number of reports on their joint studies of particular problems for distribution outside the Brussels Treaty Organisation. These will provide the I. L. 0 . and specialised institutions with a review of the work done by the Organisation on these problems and the conclusions reached.
Study of the following subjects has been completed :
Payment of civil retirement pensions in another Brussels Treaty country;
Inspection of labour services;
Social services for migrants;
Recruitment of national and foreign manpower for work in coal mines and age of admission to mines;
Organisation of leisure for workers on inland waterways while in port;
Employment of older workers;
Part-time employment of women workers;
Maintenance of a balance between apprentices from technical colleges and the demand for skilled craftsmen.
The following subjects are under study :
The human factor in industry;
Welfare services for young workers and children.
Exchanges of views have taken place on a number of subjects under discussion in other international organisations.
As from 1st February 1950, the five countries became, in the matter of health control of air communications, one single area known as " the excepted area " .
The arrangements which were made by each country for that purpose, and have since been in operation, have had to be altered as a result of the coming into force, on 1st October 1952, of the International Sanitary Regulations (WHO Regulations No. 2). The effect of the new arrangements operative from that date is as follows :
As a result of subsequent discussions in the Public Health Committee, it was agreed that the French delegation to the Conference of European States on the Facilitation of Air Transport should propose the extension to the European countries taking part in that Conference of such privileges in the field of air health control as those countries might enjoy if they formed part of the " excepted area " created between the signatory countries of the Brussels Treaty.
The Conference adopted a proposal that a group of health experts from the participating States should meet at an early date with a view to preparing the practical application of these measures and also ensuring that they are applied in a uniform manner.
The expert sub-committee concerned is now considering what' can be done to standardise drugs and dressings which are essential for the needs of the civil population in war-time, and, as a further step, to standardise requirements for proprietary medicines in order to facilitate exchanges between the five countries.
Other subjects which the sub-committee has studied include the distribution and allocation of rare drugs.
An expert sub-committee met in the autumn of 1952 to study certain specific subjects connected with the health control of foodstuffs. These were : the addition of colouring matter, preservatives and other chemical substances. As new legislation is at present under consideration in all the Brussels Treaty countries on certain aspects of these subjects, this joint study is to be continued.
The Public Health Committee and its sub-committees and working parties have examined a number of problems arising from the lack of international standardisation of medical and surgical equipment and have recommended that each country should take the necessary steps to apply the standards which have been or will be proposed by the International Standards Organisation, in particular as regards medical gas cylinders, transfusion equipments, etc. Each country is being requested to work towards the standardisation of certain other important items.
These exchanges of information covering legislative and administrative control of radioactive substances and X-rays, research on the relationship between cancer of the lung and smoking, and schemes of propaganda and education of the public about cancer, have now been completed. The five countries have undertaken to keep each other informed of any major developments in research and the organisation of cancer campaigns.
Study of the following subjects has been completed :
Burns in the home;
Safeguards against mistakes in the use o f " gas " cylinders in anaesthesia;
Immunisation, regulations pertaining to streptomycin and narcotics;
The therapeutic value of spa treatment ;
Standards of health required of immigrant workers as far as the prevention of tuberculosis is concerned, within the Brussels Treaty countries.
The following subjects are under study :
Medical aspects of rehabilitation of the tuberculous and those disabled through accident ;
Possibility of a system of reimbursement for medical treatment given by one country to nationals of one of the other four countries; the extent to which this treatment can be provided ;
Problems arising from the 1953 flood disasters ;
Public Health aspects of poliomyelitis ;
Tuleraemia in Western Europe.
The Multilateral Convention on Social and Medical Assistance is now in force between the five countries.
The first phase of the work of the War Pensions Committee was completed in 1952. Exchanges of documentation, the bringing up to date of reports, etc. continue, through the medium of the Liaison Sections, but it has not yet proved necessary for further meetings to be called.
In addition to a general examination of this question, the particular problem of deaf children and their education has been the object of a special study by the Committee. Exchanges of information on treatment, preschools training, special schools, methods of determining degrees of deafness and the provision of deaf-aids have taken place, and the Committee has formulated a series of guiding principles on these points, recommending that the five Governments should examine the arrangements at present in operation in their countries and consider any changes which would assist in applying these principles.
The Committee is either already studying, or plans to study, the following problems :
In addition to the work already done on this problem the question of suitable work for former tubercular patients is now under study, to see what, can be done for those unplaced or in unsuitable employment.
A working party of experts has agreed to a number of recommendations and principles of a technical nature concerning, inter alia, co-ordination in the control of limb manufacturing and fitting on a national level, the establishment and staffing of limb-fitting Centres, the best methods and levels of amputation, etc. The standardisation and simplification of artificial limbs is under study, and a common model for an artificial arm component has been agreed. A draft code for the physical reconditioning of amputees is being drawn up.
A preliminary exchange of information has been completed on this question, and further studies are to be made, in particular of the possibility of harmonising standards and training methods in certain branches. It is hoped that exchanges of auxiliary medical personnel will take place between the Five.
Methods of medical treatment and rehabilitation of paraplegics in the five countries are being studied, and the Committee has decided to examine the social aspect of such rehabilitation, including vocational training, after-care, selection of suitable jobs, transport, etc.
— Rehabilitation of those suffering from the paralytic sequellae of poliomyelitis;
— Education of handicapped children;
— Rehabilitation of rheumatic subjects.
As a result of the studies and discussions at the first three annual teachers' courses held under the auspices of the Brussels Treaty Organisation, a brochure has been compiled entitled " The Civilisation of Western Europe and the School. " This brochure contains advice and information on how teachers can help their pupils to understand the ties which link their countries. The first part of the brochure defines the principles underlying- Western European civilisation; the second offers some suggestions on the possibilities of their practical application in teaching.
The brochure will be published in English, French and Dutch in the autumn of 1953.
À new cycle of courses began in 1952 with a course in the United Kingdom on the education of the young worker. The basis of the programme was a study of the way the United Kingdom handles the problem, but in the discussion of each topic the conference drew on the experience of the other four countries. Questions discussed were : vocational guidance, the reception of the young worker into industry, residential education, further education including part-time and day and evening work, and education for leisure and for citizenship.
The 1953 course will be held in the autumn.in France; its subject will be rural science and domestic economy.
A new series of visits to be held at two-yearly intervals began in 1953. Each visit will be devoted to one main subject or one branch of education. The first was organised in the United Kingdom and dealt with technical training for industry and commerce and the teaching of educational handicrafts. Training centres in London, Scotland, and industrial areas were visited during the threeweeks course.
A synoptic table of equivalences of secondary school-leaving certificates giving access to higher education in the five countries has now been completed. It provides full information on the foreign certificates or diplomas that are recognised for university entrance purposes by each of the Five as equivalent to their own.
It is available for the information of universities, Government departments, and other interested organisations.
The right to practise certain liberal professions is not a necessary concomitant of the possession of a diploma, particularly in the case of foreign nationals. The Cultural Committee, in order to encourage the free movement of persons between the five countries, is therefore examining the practical possibilities in each country of employing diploma holders of the other four in their own professions.
A study of plans made in the five countries for the re-organisation and development of higher education has been undertaken by the Cultural Committee.
A preliminary meeting of experts has been held where a number of practical conclusions were reached which will assist in the re-organisation planned by certain of the Five. An agenda was drawn up for a full meeting of experts to be held in October 1953 to which interested members of the Council of Europe are to be invited. This full meeting will study such subjects as the relations between the university and the community, the structure of university administrations, direct and indirect assistance to students, admission of students to the university, post-graduate study abroad and university residences and clubs.
The Cultural Committee has reviewed the problem of social security for students and completed a collective report on the situation in the five countries. Study of this problem as a whole will be encouraged within the Brussels Treaty countries and information on new developments will continue to be exchanged.
These are held each year under the auspices of the Brussels Treaty Organisation.
In 1952, in addition to the course on theatrical productions by young people already reported, a course for Government Officials of the five countries who deal with youth services was held at Marly in France. A useful comparison of existing administrative procedure and regulations was made and possible developments of youth services in the five countries were examined.
In 1953, a course was held in the United Kingdom to give delegates from the other four countries practical experience of Youth Clubs as they have developed in Great Britain. The administration and finance of the youth service, its place in the system of further education, club organisation and hobbies and training for citizenship in the club, were amongst the subjects studied. These were illustrated by visits to youth clubs and to London settlements, juvenile courts, etc.
A course on music for young amateurs was also held in 1953, in the Netherlands. The educational value of amateur music-making, the responsibilities of public authorities in this respect, and the influence of teaching of music in schools were examined and a small exhibition including printed music, photographs, etc. was organised.
The joint travel guide for youngpeople entitled En route, published in 1951, is being supplemented by three separate editions, for young people travelling in France, the United Kingdom, and the Benelux countries. Voir et comprendre la France and Coming to Britain have already been published, and the Benelux guide will be ready in 1954.
The Youth Sub-Committee and the Manpower Sub-Committee of the Brussels Treaty Organisation are co-operating in arranging trial exchanges of young workers between industrial firms in the five countries. A certain number of such exchanges have been arranged over the past year.
A complete survey of youth activities has now been made by the Brussels Treaty countries covering further education, the work of youth movements, youth leaders and their training, music, singing, dancing, drama, film clubs, open-air recreation, physical training and holiday camps, etc. This survey is now available in printed form to organisations interested in these questions.
Other subjects under study by the Youth Sub-Committee include foreign students wishing to earn their living during their period of study, " au pair " family helpers, and school party travel.
The colour film on landscape painting in Western Europe jointly produced by the five countries, The Open Window, has been widely shown during the past year. Projects for future co-productions are being considered by the Non-Commercial Film Sub-Committee.
To supplement the experimental scheme for exchanges of films which has now been completed, a working party met in Belgium in December 1.952 to arrange exchanges of educational films. The problems of dubbing, future production, etc. were also discussed. Another meeting will be held in France in the spring of 1954.
Other subjects under study in the Non- Commercial Films Sub-Committee include films for children, film production in collaboration with teachers, educational television, a glossary of cinema terms, and summer schools and courses on film production problems.
Continuing the series of courses for Government Officials of the Five, organised byeach country in turn acting as host, the 1953 course was held in the United Kingdom. Eighteen senior civil servants from the Brussels Treaty countries made a comprehensive study of British central and local administration with particular reference to new towns, roads, and the distribution of industry. After a general introduction on the relationship between central and local government and the functions of the Government departments dealing with these three subjects, the course was divided into sections for more detailed study. The course was complemented by visits to typical new towns, trading and industrial estates, etc.
The 1954 course for Government Officials will be held in the Netherlands.
In order to facilitate visits of Government Officials between the Brussels Treaty countries, certain courses organised on a national basis are being opened to Government Officials of all Five.
The Brussels Treaty Organisation cultural identity card scheme, it will be remembered, was extended to include five other Council of Europe member States in 1952. A Council of Europe card, now being considered, will eventually replace that of the Brussels Treaty Organisation.