Belgian news in brief, 9 December 2005

Energy for everyone, says minister

Flemish Energy Minister Kris Peeters has asked municipal councils to reconsider cutting people off from electricity or gas for failing to pay their bills. Peeters was responding to claims by the Energy Poverty Commission in the Flemish Parliament that some decisions to cut off electricity supplies are unjust. The minister said if this is the case, those decisions must be reversed immediately. He may also extend the winter period during which councils cannot block energy supplies. There are currently 3,000 houses in Flanders which have no electricity.

Shortage of engineers looms

If the current trend continues, a shortage of graduating engineers will develop in future, the chairman of the Royal Flemish Engineers Association, Norbert Van Belle, said on Thursday night. He urged the government to boost the promotion of scientific and technical subjects, starting in primary school.

Baby hurt as ceiling collapses

The lowered ceiling of a children’s clothing store in Sint-Niklaas collapsed on Friday morning during construction works above the store. Four people were slightly hurt, including a baby. The baby was taken to hospital for precautionary examinations. The aluminium and gyproc plasterboard collapsed when a construction worker walked on it. The clothing store, Folieke, is located in the Waasland Shopping Center.

Subject: Belgian news