Co-ordination of computer information policies between parliaments in Europe

Resolution 634 (1976)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 16 September 1976 (10th Sitting) (see Doc. 3837, report of the Committee on Science and Technology). Text adopted by the Assembly on 16 September 1976 (10th Sitting).

Thesaurus

The Assembly,

1. Taking into account the report on co-ordination of computer information policies between parliaments in Europe (Doc. 3837) of its Committee on Science and Technology ;

2. Recalling Resolution 513 (1972), on the use of computers in national parliaments, Resolution 576 (1974), on computer-based aids to parliamentary work, and Recommendation 789 (1976), on the results of the 4th Parliamentary and Scientific Conference ;

3. Noting that no systematic co-ordination of electronic data processing (EDP) policies among parliaments in Europe is taking place, although the need for more co-operation and co-ordination is generally acknowledged ;

4. Noting that the Conference of Speakers of European Parliamentary Assemblies, which regularly examines questions relating to EDP, recently (Bonn, 9-10 July 1976) decided to institute on an experimental basis a system of parliamentary research and documentation ;

5. Expressing the hope that the Council of Europe will be closely associated with and linked to this system through its own terminal, which should later serve as a clearing house for cooperation relating to EDP-based information and exchange ;

6. Expressing its conviction that a full exchange of information among parliaments about their experiences in the field of EDP, and a minimum of co-ordination of any future measures, would be to the advantage of all,

7. Resolves :

to confirm its earlier decision to organise a Round Table in 1977, consisting of data-processing and documentation experts from national parliaments and, where appropriate, from governmental agencies and ministries and international organisations concerned ;

to invite the Round Table to examine the possibility of setting up a clearing house within the Council of Europe with the functions of :

a collecting, evaluating and transmitting reports and project descriptions in the field of EDP ;

b collecting information on parliamentary and legislative procedures and practices (statutes, structures and functions) in the member states of the Council of Europe ;

to invite the Round Table to examine furthermore :

a the advisability of holding regular colloquia with computer experts and librarians of national parliaments in the context of the Parliamentary Assembly :

b the extent to which the mandate of the above-mentioned clearing house could also include matters on which co-operation already exists between the German federal and regional assemblies (see paragraph 81 of (Doc. 3837) ;

c how the Council of Europe should be linked to the computerised information system of the European Communities ;

to call on national parliaments :

a to mention explicitly in national laws when European initiatives (directives, recommentations and resolutions) have been at their origin ;

b to reach agreements with other parliaments in Europe on mutual access to conventional and computerised information systems concerning the state of national legislation and generally on all matters of common interest ;

c to participate in any system for exchange of parliamentary research and documentation which the European Parliament may decide to set up on an experimental basis ;

to instruct its Committee on Science and Technology to report back in case of new developments.