Brussels, 10/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the decision by the French courts to suspend the social plan that should lead to the closure of 18 Marks & Spencer stores in France (see EUROPE of 6 April, p.17), the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Emilio Gabaglio felt that the problem goes beyond a single company and calls for a clear and urgent answer from the EU. In a letter that he has just sent to the Presidency of the EU Social Council, Mr Gabaglio insisted for the Council to adopt as soon as possible the Directive on the information-consultation of workers as well as the resulting sanctions in case of its not being complied with. Adding: It is unacceptable that the Council does not use all its legislative power, including qualified majority voting, to bring down the negative position of the British government and the opposition of the European employers, which nevertheless put forward a soothing words over the social responsibility of companies. In conclusion, the ETUC Secretary General feels that beyond this new legislation, the revision of the Directives on the European company committees and on the mass redundancies is urgently needed. It is necessary to make them more efficient and more binding. It is the credibility of the EU that is at stake, he asserts.