ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2025/98

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Commercial imports of used cars

In Sweden it is practically impossible to import used cars on a commercial basis for sale to the consumer.

This is surely a breach of the principles of free movement.

Is the Commission aware of this situation? What steps does it intend to take to remove the obstacles and facilitate such imports?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

Complaints have been lodged with the Commission concerning obstacles to the registration in Sweden of used cars which have been previously type-approved and registered in other Member States. These obstacles were a result of requirements under Swedish rules for exhaust emission certificates in order for cars which had been previously registered and type-approved in other Member States to be registered in Sweden. Discussions have taken place between the Commission and the Swedish authorities concerning the compatibility of these Swedish rules with the rules on the free movement of goods in Articles 30 to 36 EC Treaty and the case-law of the Court of justice as explained in the Commission's interpretative communication on procedures for the type-approval and registration of vehicles previously registered in another Member State(1). The Commission has been informed that the Swedish rules have been modified in order to allow for the registration in Sweden of some of the vehicles in question without requiring any additional Swedish emission certificates. For certain year models of cars produced before 1993, discussions continue between the Commission and the Swedish authorities so that certain modifications of the relevant Swedish rules can be introduced.

Furthermore, complaints have been lodged with the Commission concerning other requirements in Sweden with regard to the road safety of vehicles and limitations to the number of cars which may be registered per person and year. In the Commission's view, such limitations would have effects on the possibilities to import used cars on a commercial basis for sale to consumers in Sweden. These complaints have been discussed with the Swedish authorities and are currently being examined by the Commission to assess the compatibility of the Swedish rules with Articles 30 to 36 of the EC Treaty.

Outside the scope of these complaints, the Commission is unaware of any other obstacles to the import and registration of used cars.

(1) OJ C 143, 15.5.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2273/98

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: 'Presidency of the Union'

The publication "The Week in Europe" of the European Commission's London office on 25 June refers to Austria taking over "the EU Presidency".

Could the Commission explain what this new position is? Since when does the EU have a President? Which article of the Treaty provides for this? What happened to the old system whereby each Institution had its own President (Presidency of the Council, President of the Commission, President of Parliament etc.)?

Or is this just an indication that the Commission services know as little as the press about the structure of the European Union and attribute to the Presidency of the Council a wider responsibility, which it does not have?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

The week in Europe is intended to be an informal publication, setting out in brief fashion some of the more notable events in the Community over the past week. In this context shorthand versions of terms and titles are often used, not least because readers are familiar with them.

Member State governments themselves use similar terms: in Britain the government referred to the "UK Presidency of the European Union" in many documents. During the Austrian Presidency, the official media handbook produced by the Federal Chancellery and Federal ministry for Foreign Affairs refers to the "Austrian EU Presidency" on the front cover.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1647/98

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Solid fuels and Community energy policy

Why have solid and fossil fuels been excluded from the draft fifth research and technological development programme when there are countries in the European Union which still use them to a considerable extent and it is, therefore, imperative to develop the technology to improve fuel?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 1998)

The Commission is aware of the major part played by solid fossil fuels in the world and European energy equation.

A section on solid fuels is specifically provided for in the activities proposed under the 5th draft framework programme for research and technological development (RTD)(1).

RTD activities are provided for, especially in order to improve coal combustion efficiency within the specific programme entitled "Preserving the ecosystem"(2) and more particularly within the two key activities devoted to energy, thus minimising its environmental impact, and in order to make the prospecting for, mining and production of fossil fuels more efficient.

(1) COM(97) 142 final.

(2) COM(98) 306 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/98

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Applications by Spanish "Ingenieros Técnicos"

With regard to applications for the open competitions for recruitment to the A/LA category,

1. Why did the Commission include the requirement of a "university" degree in the Spanish version of the competition notice COM/A/1047 (OJ C 145, 13.5.1997.) and not include this requirement in the German version of the same notice?

2. Why did the Commission include the requirement of a "higher" degree in the Spanish version of the competition notices COM/A/720 and COM/A/721 (OJ C 52, 28.2.1991, and not include this requirement in the other language versions of the same notices?

3. As the "Ingeniero Técnico" degree certainly entitles the holder to proceed to a doctorate in some Member States, why does the Commission state that "Ingenieros Técnicos" cannot follow courses leading to a doctorate?

4. Is it true that the Commission indicated to the Spanish authorities that it fears that if Spanish "Ingenieros Técnicos" are admitted to the A/LA category, this will open up access to people from other Member States with qualifications gained after three years of study? Is this a proper reason for rejecting applications from Spanish "Ingenieros Técnicos"?

5. Why are applications accepted from holders of the British Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering degrees, which are all gained after a three-year course, while applications from holders of the Spanish "Ingeniero Técnico" degree are not accepted?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The correct translation of "diploma universitario" into German is "abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium", and that is the term used in the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal(1)

With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission(2)

The Spanish diploma of "technical engineer" is a diploma obtained on completion of a short university course which does not give access to doctoral studies in Spain(3) The Commission decision as to whether a diploma is acceptable for access to the European civil service has to be based on the legislation of each Member State where the candidate has studied; in this case the Honourable Members' question concerns Spain.

For the rest, the Commission refers the Honourable Members to its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias(4)E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop(5) E-640/98 to E-645/98 by Mr Hernández Mollar, E-724/98 to E-727/98 by Mr Méndez de Vigo, and E-674/98 to E-678/98 by Mr Gutiérrez Díaz(6) among others, relating to the same subject.

(1) .OJ C 145, 13.5.1997.

(2) .OJ C, 52, 28.2.1991.

(3) . Ley General de Ordenación del Sistema Educativo, 1990.

(4) ,OJ C 82, 17.3.1998.

(5) ,OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15.

(6) ,OJ C 354, 19.11.1998, p. 12.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1364/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Zero Emissions Research Initiative

The Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) Foundation aims to design corporate strategies and industrial policies based on the principle of sustainable social and economic development. The Japanese Government has recently appointed 42 academics at Tokyo University to work on the theoretical framework for zero emissions.

Is the Commission aware of the work of the ZERI Foundation at the United Nations University which was set up four years ago by the Belgian industrialist, Gunther Pauli, and what contact does the Commission have with ZERI?
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1820/98

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 June 1998)

Subject: Access to European databases via gateways

Did the Commission perform a cost-benefit analysis before deciding that access to the databases should no longer be provided via gateways but that they should be accessible free of charge via the Internet? Does it have any indication of the type (members of the public/professional people) and number of users of the databases accessing them via the Internet? Is it sure that the information currently available via the Internet is updated quickly enough to meet the needs of professional people and that adequate assistance is available to them? Have the gateways now become totally superfluous?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1998)

The Honourable Member has rightly noted the trend within the Commission towards providing free access to Community databases, particularly over the Internet, where this can ensure a wide and effective promotion of Community policies. There is very limited customer information available on users of databases on the Internet and no detailed study has been carried out yet.

The change from a gateway service to an Internet service does not alter the speed of updating information.

The future of gateways is not yet certain; but it is expected that there will still be a market for value-added services.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2187/98

by Jean-Antoine Giansily (UPE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Presidential elections in Togo

Presidential elections were held in Togo on Sunday, 21 June 1998.

According to press reports, DG VIII allocated almost ECU 2 million to those elections.

Would the Commission provide a break-down of those funds and a list of the organizations that received more than ECU 100 000 in relation to each action?

What criteria were used for the selection of beneficiaries, and what committee decided on the nature of the European Union's intervention? Was the European Parliament associated in these decisions, and if so, how?

A group called Reporters Without Frontiers was heavily involved in these elections, in the course of which it showed a strong tendency to interfere in Togo's internal affairs. This organisation claimed, meanwhile, to be acting at the behest of the European Union.

Would the Commission state whether these allegations are true?

If so, would it state:

- the criteria according to which this very politically partisan organisation was selected?

- what were the other organisations competing with it for selection?

- how much it was paid for its services?

- what control DG VIII exercised over its activities?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 1998)

An electoral support and monitoring programme was carried out at the request of the Togolese government. The activities carried out and the sums committed were as follows: technical and financial assistance to the national electoral commission (CEN) (ECU 500 000); training for the institutions involved (ECU 480 000); voter education and training for national observers by PACED (programme d'action commune pour des élections démocratiques), a grouping of Togolese non-governmental organisations (ECU 375 000); monitoring by Reporters sans Frontières of the official media during the election period (ECU 110 000); the dispatch of Community election observers (ECU 560 000), a mission coordinated by Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS), with medium-term observers nominated by ERIS and short-term observers nominated by the Member States.

Some of the funds committed will be left over.

The experts handling the institutional training programme and technical assistance to the CEN were chosen for their professional capability, and their contracts, involving sums under ECU 100 000, were financed by the national indicative programme and signed by the Togolese authorities, i.e. by the national authorising officer for the European Development Fund.

The Commission financed voter education and election observers from budget heading B7-7020. Projects were submitted to the Commission by the bodies cited above and approved under the procedures governing that heading. In accordance with its electoral law, the Togolese government accredited as observers all foreign media and election observers. However, despite its undertakings, it refused to accredit national observers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2254/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: The EAGGF Guarantee Section in Ireland from 1986 to 1995

Can the Commission indicate the total amount received by Ireland under the EAGGF Guarantee Section from 1986 to 1995 and provide a breakdown of expenditure:

- by heading (arable crops, sugar, fibre plants and silk worms, other plant products, wine products, tobacco, milk and milk products, beef/veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, pigmeat, eggs and poultry, other measures concerning animal products, refunds on certain goods obtained by processing agricultural products, refunds in connection with Community food aid, distribution of agricultural products to deprived persons, accompanying measures, rural development measures linked to markets, other measures, income aid, and the European Fisheries Guarantee Fund); and

- by type of aid (export refunds, price compensating aids, acreage aid, aid for livestock, guidance premiums, private storage aid, withdrawals and similar operations, monetary compensatory amounts, measures accompanying reform of the CAP, and public storage costs)?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1579/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Slate industry and enlargement

In its communication on the management of preferential tariff arrangements (COM(97) 402 final), the Commission has pointed out that (pp. 10 and 21) since the beginning of the 1970s the Community has prepared for new accessions by negotiating agreements to phase in free trade as a prior condition for membership by these new Member States and including preferential tariff arrangements. According to the communication, pressure on these arrangements has increased in recent years as a result of the extension and reinforcement of preferential measures granted to applicant countries.

Will the Commission say whether the EU imports slate from the applicant countries and, if so, whether the trade agreements with these countries make provision for preferential tariff arrangements which include slate?

If so, will the Commission give details of the margin of preference and tariff rate applicable to slate from the applicant countries under the preferential tariff arrangements and say how these might develop or change in future?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2260/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: The EAGGF Guarantee Section in Germany from 1986 to 1995

Can the Commission indicate the total amount received by Germany under the EAGGF Guarantee Section from 1986 to 1995 and provide a breakdown of expenditure:

- by heading (arable crops, sugar, fibre plants and silk worms, other plant products, wine products, tobacco, milk and milk products, beef/veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, pigmeat, eggs and poultry, other measures concerning animal products, refunds on certain goods obtained by processing agricultural products, refunds in connection with Community food aid, distribution of agricultural products to deprived persons, accompanying measures, rural development measures linked to markets, other measures, income aid, and the European Fisheries Guarantee Fund); and

- by type of aid (export refunds, price compensating aids, acreage aid, aid for livestock, guidance premiums, private storage aid, withdrawals and similar operations, monetary compensatory amounts, measures accompanying reform of the CAP, and public storage costs)?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1860/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Antidumping procedure against Brazil

In OJ C 336, 7.11.1997 the Commission announced the initiation of antidumping proceedings against Brazil. They relate to 100 % eucalyptus wood hardboard which is required for manufacturing doors in the internal market. Substantial quantities of this board are imported for the purpose. No similar products of the right quality are available from within the European Union. Using lower quality material would also involve a price rise which would considerably reduce the competitiveness of European manufacturers.

How is the Commission taking the interests of the manufacturers concerned into account in the current proceedings?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

The anti-dumping proceeding in question was indeed initiated by the Commission, by notice published in the Official journal(1). The proceeding concerns the importation of hardboard originating not only in Brazil, but also in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia, and covers other hardboards in addition to that produced from eucalyptus.

The Commission is aware of the interest of door producers in the Community. In the course of its investigation, the Commission received written representations from a number of door producers on the possible impact of any anti-dumping measures on their costs of production. A hearing was attended by a large proportion of the manufacturers of lacquered door skins in the Community.

The information thus provided, together with that supplied by other interested parties, will be given careful consideration by the Commission in drawing its conclusions as to the need, or otherwise, for protective measures in this proceeding.

(1) OJ C 336, 7.11.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2267/98

by Rainer Wieland (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Cost of the parliamentary system

Sector IV of the German Bundestag's research service produced a document on 24 February 1998 under reference number WF IV - 4/98 which calculated "the cost of the parliamentary systems of the USA and the Federal Republic of Germany".

Is the Commission able to make a similar comparison of the cost of the parliamentary system of the European Union itself, on the one hand with, and on the other hand without, inclusion of the language services, on the basis of the figures available from 1993 onwards for the relevant financial years?

If so, what is the outcome of this comparison?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-1660/98(1).

That answer is still valid.

(1) OJ C 386, 11.12.1998, p. 154.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1822/98

by Stanislaw Tillich (PPE) to the Commission

(3 June 1998)

Subject: Offsetting the UK's share of costs from the BSE crisis against the "British rebate"

Can the Commission say whether, and if so how, it has offset the costs charged to the UK as a result of the BSE crisis against (or deducted them from) the "British rebate", which is being renegotiated at present?

How large were the sums involved in 1997 and 1998?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 1998)

As can be seen from the table sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Secretariat of Parliament (extract of working document for preliminary draft budget for 1999), the cost of the measures occasioned by this crisis can be put at some ECU 4 300 million for the period 1996-99, of which 1 300 million relates to 1997 and 800 million to 1998. For that period, the costs (whether paid or to be paid) attributable to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom can be assessed at around ECU 1 800 million including approximately 450 million in 1996, 550 million in 1997 and 400 million in 1998 and 1999.

There is an established definition on the expenditure taken into consideration in the determination of the British rebate. This definition is provided in a document approved unanimously by the Council and known as "mode de calcul". BSE expenditure, like all other agricultural expenditure, is included in the calculation of the British rebate. In 1997 ECU 550 million was allocated to the United Kingdom in relation to the BSE crisis. Consequently, this has reduced the imbalance on which the British rebate is calculated by this amount, and the rebate itself by approximately ECU 320 million.

However, BSE expenditure is undertaken in other Member States and this affects the total volume of expenditure on which the British rebate is based as well as the British share in it. The aggregate BSE expenditure in 1997 amounted to ECU 1 303 million, of which ECU 753 million was spent in Member States other than the United Kingdom. Since the United Kingdom receives none of the ECU 753 million expenditure, this causes an increase in the British rebate. In 1997, this increase amounted to ECU 65 million. Consequently, the total change in the British rebate resulting from the total BSE expenditure in 1997 amounted to a reduction of approximately ECU 255 million.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2481/98

by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) and Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (V) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Research concerning organic farming

1. (a) How many, and which, research proposals concerning organic farming (in accordance with the criteria of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92(1)) have received support to date under the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Framework Programmes?

(b) How many, and which, research proposals have concerned comparative cost analyses of conventional and organic farming (in accordance with the criteria of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92)?

2. How many, and which, projects:

(a) concerned cost/benefit calculations, taking into account ancillary social costs?

(b) concerned research into interaction between human activities and the environment (no computer models)?

(c) were based on feasibility studies which have already confirmed increased species diversity in situ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Members and to Parliament's Secretariat.

(1) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 85.