This time in '99: IT high on agenda in Euro elections

This is how the original story broke on 11th June 1999:

Voters went to the polls yesterday in the first day of elections for the European Parliament. British, Dutch and Danish citizens were the first to have their say in how the European Union (EU) is run, with voters from 12 other countries joining them over the next three days.

After recent criticism of the European Parliament for ignorance of technology issues and ecommerce - especially after the much publicised Web-caching ban earlier this year. The UK's main political parties are all too keen to prove they have learned the lessons of the past.

Graham Watson, Liberal Democrat MEP, told silicon.com: "It's important we put as much money into the development of new technology as possible." He also stressed the importance of protecting the consumer in electronic transactions and providing an adequate framework of ecommerce laws - a view that was supported by the European Parliamentary Labour Party.

However, Conservative MEP, Brian Cassidy, rejected the idea that the European Parliament should become too involved: "I believe that what we need in Europe is self-regulation rather than heavy-handed over-regulation from the authorities."

Roger Till, director of national ecommerce association, e centre UK, said industry organisations are working to improve IT awareness in Europe. "There are quite a few directives looking at digital signatures and consumer protection which need MEP full understanding," he said.

Till added that after the recent resignation of the European Commission, MEPs could find themselves under even more pressure. "I think it's essential that MEPs are more aware of IT because they're going to have more responsibility for monitoring the Commission - which is responsible for many high profile IT policies and programmes such as the fifth framework and information society."