MEP claims �heavy-handed Government has lost all sense of justice� Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis has accused the UK Government of being heavy-handed and having lost all sense of justice in relation to their crackdown on tobacco smuggling. Future of Local Power Supplies The future of one of Yorkshire�s largest power station looks as though it has been secured for at least a further fifteen years after Euro-MPs agreed to relax demands for pollution-cutting measures which could have led to its imminent closure. Europe will Approve Help for Tourism Government claims that EU rules prevent it from giving direct financial help to beleaguered tourism businesses in Yorkshire have been flatly denied by one of the region's Euro-MPs, and she has accused the tourism minister of being misinformed or deliberately misleading. �Scrap the Son of Star Wars� says Euro-MP Diana Wallis As protestors burn a giant Menwith Hill-style golf ball on the beach in Whitby, North Yorkshire�s Liberal Democrat Euro MP Diana Wallis has once again called for plans to base US National Missile Defence systems at Fylingdales to be scrapped. THE TREATY OF NICE ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST? In light of the Irish "No Vote" here are some views from both sides of the argument to help you make up your mind on whether the UK should Ratify the Nice Treaty. Boost for Yorkshire Farmers as MEPs give Pigs more Room The European Parliament today endorsed proposals to improve living conditions for pigs on farms within the European Union, levelling the playing field for Yorkshire�s pig farmers. Paedophiles to face Tougher Sentences across EU Lib Dem Euro-MP Diana Wallis has welcome European Parliament support for EU legislation which will impose tough common sentences against internet paedophiles and anyone involved in the sexual exploitation of children. Call on UK government to scrap Strasbourg circus Diana Wallis MEP has called on Tony Blair to support the scrapping of the European parliament meeting in Strasbourg.

Euro-MPs Debate Cross-Border Consumer Dispute Resolution    03/07/2001 Diana Wallis MEP called for better protection for members of the public involved in cross-border consumer disputes in the European Parliament on Monday. In her Legal Affairs Committee Report, Diana Wallis is suggesting ways of improving the European Commission�s working paper on the creation of a European Extra-Judicial Network (EEJ Net) for the out-of-court-settlement of such disputes. "The purpose of the network would be to enable the public to resolve cross-border consumer disputes - often involving relatively small sums of money - quickly, efficiently and economically," said Diana Wallis. In its draft resolution the committee calls on the Commission to ensure better co-ordination of all involved parties as well as a better flow of information to, and involvement of, the European Parliament. It adds that the clearing houses which would act as central contact points in each Member State must be in a position to give reliable preliminary legal advice by at least having access to trained lawyers with professional liability insurance. "Consumers should be allowed to use their own language and complaint forms should be clear and simple," Diana continued. "The Commission must guarantee adequate start-up funding and long-term finance for the EEJ Net. It should also ensure that consumers are properly informed about the network and have easy access to it."