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Agenda item 2 is consideration of the “Brussels Bulletin”, which members will have received in their papers. It is quite light because the European Parliament is in campaign mode. Do members have any comments or questions or seek any clarification?
On cross-border pensions, the bulletin says:
“Contrary to expectations, the proposal maintains the requirement that cross-border pensions be fully-funded at all times.”
Were we not led to believe that something different was going to happen? If so, what are the reasons for that move?
Interestingly, the draft suggested that there was going to be a change, but in the end it did not happen. We can seek clarification on that point and I will let the committee know when we get that information.
Thank you.
I have just noticed that the section entitled “European Parliament update” states that there will be a
“Televised debate between European Commission President candidates nominated by EU-level political parties.”
How will that be televised? Will it be on the BBC, or will we have to watch it on the internet?
We can certainly find out the details and ensure that you get them.
Do members have any other questions? I see Willie Coffey—not waving, but drowning.
I am not sitting here again, convener.
Page 5 of the bulletin mentions a €22 billion innovation investment package covering a number of areas, one of which is medicines. I raise the issue because of last night’s multiple sclerosis event. I and, I am sure, other members regularly hear about the availability of medicines in the different jurisdictions of which Scotland is one, and there are quite a variety of approaches to the licensing of medicines in different countries.
Does anyone know whether any thinking is taking place in Europe on how the situation might be standardised to ensure that people throughout Europe have the same access to the licensed and approved medicines that might be available? After all, we hear about people scanning the internet for this or that drug, which they can then buy online. That is probably not the best way of dealing with risk.
I thought that I would flag up what is a really important topic for people out there. If the European Union is doing something about it, it might be worth our while to pick the issue up at a future date.
That is a valuable point. The committee has carried out work on cross-border healthcare, and the point that you raise would seem to be a logical extension to that. We will carry out some research and come back to you.
Thank you.
I apologise for being late in coming back, convener.
On cross-border pensions, the bulletin says:
“Contrary to expectations, the proposal maintains the requirement that cross-border pensions be fully-funded at all times.”
Has the committee already done any work on that matter? Is it possible to get a more detailed brief on what that actually means? If, for example, Scotland were to become an independent state, what would such a move mean for people in Scotland who have those pensions?
Jamie McGrigor beat you to the crunch on that.
Did he?
I asked exactly the same question.
The clerks are going to do some research on it and get back to us.
Thank you.
Are members happy to make the “Brussels Bulletin” available to other committees and to alert the Health and Sport Committee to the medicines issue?
Members indicated agreement.
As agreed, we will move into private for item 3.
11:11 Meeting continued in private until 11:18.