ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2870/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Thermie 1993

Follow-up question on point 6 of the answer of 29 April 1996 to E-0627/96 ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p.81. )).

1. Why was the list of 19 July 1993 approved by the committee and the Commission abandoned and replaced and/or amended by the Commission decision of 13 December 1993?

2. Why has there been no funding for the other projects on the reserve list in accordance with the committee's opinion, efforts being made instead to secure a fundamentally new decision in respect of three projects not on the reserve list?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1997)

1. Thermie projects were selected in 1993 following two calls for proposals. ((OJ C 179, 16.7.1992; OJ C 171, 22.6.1993. ))

The call of 16 July 1992 was a general call for innovatory and dissemination projects in all the fields of application, as described in Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 2008/90 (the Thermie Regulation), ((OJ L 185, 17.7.1990. )) while the call for proposals of 22 June 1993 concerned solid fuels, pursuant to Article 4 of the same Regulation, which relates to targeted projects.

The Decision of 19 July 1993 was not therefore abandoned, nor was it replaced or amended by that of 13 December 1993, since the latter supplemented the former.

2. The second Decision, concerning the second call for proposals (see above), covered targeted projects in the field of solid fuels. It also allowed the financial support granted for three solar energy projects to be adjusted, but did not cover any of the projects on the reserve list annexed to the Decision of 19 July 1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3278/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Right of use on public property and calculation of the public deficit

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

Can the revenue arising from the transfer of the right of use on public property be taken into account to reduce the deficit?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3276/96, E-3277/96, E-3278/96 and E-3279/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

In the case of privatization or other forms of sale of shares and equities, receipts by the general government are recorded as financial transactions. They have therefore no direct effect on the level of the deficit of the general government, which is defined in the Treaty as the balance of non-financial operations. This rule applies to both direct sales by the government and indirect sales (organized through a holding company for example).

On the contrary, the sale of rights or licences by the general government is regarded, in principle, as non-financial transactions. It is recorded in the capital account and thus taken into account when determining general government deficit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/96 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: Eradication of 'Caulerpa taxifolia'

Since 1992 the presence has been detected in Majorca of 'Caulerpa taxifolia', a pantropical seaweed originating in Chinese and Philippine waters, which has a particularly destructive effect on the environmental equilibrium of the Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and has spread to affect the coasts of all of southern France, part of Italy and areas of Croatia. According to certain reports, there are expanding growths of 'Caulerpa taxifolia' off various eastern parts of Majorca, colonizing over 60 000 m2.

Can the Commission provide information on the present situation concerning 'Caulerpa taxifolia' in the Mediterranean and, especially, the Balearic Islands?

Can it state whether a plan exists for the eradication of 'Caulerpa taxifolia'?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996)

The Community co-funded from 1992 to 1995 an international action, in the framework of the LIFE instrument, to study the problem of the proliferation of caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean. This action concluded with an international workshop in Barcelona, on 15th-17th December 1994, which established the state of the proliferation and the latest knowledge about the algae. The report of the workshop and further information can be obtained from the action coordinator (name and address communicated direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat general).

A follow-up action began in 1996, also co-funded by the Community through the LIFE instrument, to establish a mathematical model of the proliferation, to test and improve eradication techniques in order to allow the design of an efficient eradication plan, and to train scientists from the southern Mediterranean, which the algae is expected to reach in a few years.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3010/96 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: Scientific cooperation with Taiwan

All evidence seems to indicate that Taiwan is not only one of the most prosperous countries in the world but that its prosperity is based more on the use of its talents and work ethic than on its scarce natural resources.

At present, the Taiwanese policy is to develop as much as possible its scientific and technological capacity, placing particular emphasis on high technology. Unlike Europe, Taiwan has managed to integrate innovation and research, be it their own or aquired, in industry and the marketplace.

Can the Commission provide information on the state of relations between the EU and Taiwan in the scientific and technological fields and say what it can do to ensure that Taiwan's desire to be active in the international arena is harnessed to offer European researchers useful opportunities for cooperation and to boost European efforts to modernize industry?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1996)

The majority of Community research and development (R& D) programmes are already open to researchers and engineers from Taiwan, just as they are to R& D teams from other third countries, in accordance with provisions incorporated in these programmes when they were adopted by the Council.

Thus it is that a research team from Taiwan is working in collaboration with a European consortium on a research project in the field of information technology.

In addition, an exploratory mission to Taiwan took place at the end of October 1996 so that the scope for scientific and technical cooperation with this country could be evaluated in more detail. The mission's conclusions are currently being analysed; this will allow guidelines for future scientific and technical relations to be clarified.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3451/96 by Christine Crawley (PSE) to the Commission (9 December 1996)

Subject: Racist border controls

Further to my question E-1595/96 ((OJ C 305, 15.10.1996, p. 113. )) regarding a group of students from East Birmingham College who were subject to racist border controls in France, I would like to supply further information of the incidents in question, the first of which took place at the Ostend/Dunkirk border on 27 April 1996 at approximately 5.00 p.m., and the second which took place when the group were boarding a ferry at Dunkirk (travelling to Dover) at approximately 20.00 hrs. In both incidents black students were the only members of the group to be removed from the bus for questioning, and subject to body and luggage searches in what were quite blatant acts of racism.

Having provided further details as requested, I would be grateful to know what action the Commission will take to ensure that no country carries out border controls of a racist nature?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (31 January 1997)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the Honourable Member. It will inform her of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3004/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: HCFC emissions

What action is being taken to reduce emissions of HFC-23 as a by-product of HCFC-22 manufacture?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1996)

Under the United Nations framework convention on climate change, a protocol is being prepared for adoption at the conference of parties which will take place in Japan in December 1997, which should contain legally binding quantitative objectives for the limitation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as commitments to policies and measures. The Community has already submitted proposals for common or coordinated measures for inter alia industrialized countries. One of the proposals in this context covers emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Although this proposal still needs to be refined, one of its essential features would be the reduction of emissions of HFC-23, which has one of the highest global warming potentials among the different greenhouse gases.

Reducing HFC-23 by-product emissions during the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22 is one of the most efficient ways to reduce emissions of fluorocarbons in the short term. Some HCFC-22 producers around the world have already taken measures to reduce their HFC-23 by-product emissions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3265/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Interim RPI

It is increasingly clear from the media that there are real difficulties in finding universally accepted statistical measurements.

The Commission evaluates the convergence of prices on the basis of the interim retail price index. Does this index coincide with or diverge from the retail price index used by Finland?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3259/96, E-3260/96, E-3261/96, E-3262/96, E-3263/96, E-3264/96, E-3265/96, E-3266/96, E-3267/96, E-3268/96, E-3269/96, E-3270/96, E-3271/96, E-3272/96, E-3273/96 and E-3274/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

Under Protocol No 6 on the convergence criteria referred to in Article 109j of the EC Treaty 'Inflation shall be measured by means of the consumer price index on a comparable basis, taking into account national differences.' This requirement is currently met through a process of harmonization based on the national consumer price indices (CPIs).

According to Council Regulation No 2494/95 on harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs) ((OJ L 257, 27.10.1995. )), harmonization should be considered as a stepwise approach in two stages. Stage I established in February 1996 a set of interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs). The IICPs are in fact the national CPIs with the coverage of goods and services adjusted to reduce non-comparability, particularly by excluding certain non-market services, such as health, education and owner occupied housing.

National CPIs can thus be seen as coincident with the corresponding IICPs regarding methods, concepts and definitions, apart from the coverage of goods and services. Numerically, the indices differ as a result of these differences in the coverage ((COM(96) 560. )). For most of the Member States, the differences in the inflation rates measured as a twelve month change, whether on an annual or monthly basis, are small, ranging from 0,0 to ±0,2 percentage points. For some Member States (Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom) the differences are bigger, mainly because of housing costs, particularly where interest payments are used in the national CPIs.

Though not strictly comparable, IICPs provide for the time being the most comparable basis for the assessment of inflation convergence among Member States. The Commission will, however, assess inflation convergence during the period before the start of stage three of economic and monetary union, as required by the Treaty, on the basis of comparable HICPs. These will be launched with Stage II of the harmonization of CPIs in February 1997 and will be based on appropriately designed definitions, concepts and methods.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2685/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Expansion of olive-growing in Spain

In the light of a forthcoming reform of the COM for oils and fats, the olive-oil producing sector generally favours maintaining the status quo as regards prices, aid and reductions. However, one aspect of great importance for some regions such as Andalusia, with serious economic problems, is the fact that the Commission is preparing to increase the production quota for olive oil, given that olive-growing is particularly suited to the dry conditions to be found in many areas which are not sufficiently fertile for arable crops.

In the light of the current situation and the future outlook, it would be important for the sector to know how many hectares of new olive-groves might be included in the new quota to be established, and at the same time it would be advantageous if the new olive groves could be integrated into the afforestation scheme.

What ideas can the Commission put forward on these points?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2684/96, E-2685/96 and P-2946/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 November 1996)

The Commission will be discussing the different possible options for a reform of the olive oil common market organisation in the very near future. A document will be transmitted to the Parliament and the Council for discussion before any concrete proposals are finalised.

The Commission cannot pre-empt the outcome of its deliberations by answering specific questions on the options but will certainly take the Honourable Member's questions and remarks into account.

It must be clear that the new olive oil common market organisation should be simple, more transparent and easier to control than the existing regime. Quality should be at a premium and producers should be targeted as directly as possible. Differences of a regional, social and environmental kind should be taken into account.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2381/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (6 September 1996)

Subject: European Union relations with Guatemala

What is the state of current European Union relations with Guatemala, and in particular what efforts has the Commsision made to improve the situation of Guatemalan street children?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1996)

Community aid to Guatemala has been gradually stepped up since 1991, showing determination to support the peace process which had recently got under way. As a result Guatemala has become since 1994 Central America's chief recipient of Community aid; the aggregate amount was ECU 45.6 million in 1995. This is a large amount, giving the Community a special responsibility and a leading role with regard to development prospects in Guatemala.

Community aid to Guatemala has so far been along two lines in which, moreover, its leadership is acknowledged:

- financial and technical cooperation, chiefly through a number of integrated-development projects in the native areas which are the poorest and worst affected by the fighting;

- aid for the reintegration of returnees, in the form of emergency projects, a self-sufficiency programme and support for specialized bodies.

In view of the present situation in the country, and the compromises agreed to by the government of Mr Alvaro Arzu and the chief players in civil society in the peace process, a future cooperation strategy should be along the following lines:

- support for the peace process, consolidation and modernization of the State governed by the rule of law;

- anti-poverty policy and support for social policies;

- support for economic development.

Being aware of the extent of the problem of street children in Guatemala (the social and economic causes of which are known to be massive migration to the capital city, destruction of the family unit and loss of cultural identity), the Community financed various initiatives between 1991 and 1994, in aid of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public bodies aiming to solve the problem.

The basic objective of these measures was to provide help and training for children in order to improve their living conditions and bring them gradually off the streets by providing facilities for receiving and housing them: reception centres and training schools.

Given the good results achieved by this variety of measures, a programme of assistance for street children in Guatemala City (worth ECU 2.5 million over three years) was proposed in 1994 and has been in operation since January 1996; it aims to respond to the problem posed by the presence of almost 2 000 children on the streets of the capital. This project features three lines of action:

- increasing the capacity of four NGOs;

- improvement of public bodies' reception capacity;

- promoting the role of various public bodies by fostering greater participation by the variety of operators interested in the protection of the young.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3146/96 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Towards sustainable development in the Canaries

Between 1989 and 1993, virtually all programming agreements drawn up between Member States and the Community for Objective 1 regions included an 'environmental' element.

The major importance of infrastructure in these regions means that they are where the major ERDF environmental projects are located.

The Canary Islands have adopted measures to correct ecological and economic imbalances caused by mass tourism.

What specific projects in the Canary Islands have benefitted from this aid? What projects are earmarked for similar subsidy in the future?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2612/96 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Council (16 October 1996)

Subject: Closure of Florence and Pisa airports

Why was it necessary to close Florence and Pisa airports for the whole of Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June because of the European Council in Florence? I understand it caused a lot of inconvenience to other travellers.

Would it not be possible to make sections of the airports secure without closing them to all other passengers?

Answer (17 January 1997)

Measures taken to ensure airport security are a matter for the authorities of the Member State concerned. The question should therefore be put to those authorities.

The fact is that the practical arrangements for European Council meetings are the sole responsibility of the Member State concerned. For European Councils, the authorities of the host Member State naturally take all the measures they deem necessary to ensure the complete safety of the Heads of State and Government and of others attending such meetings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2760/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (21 October 1996)

Subject: Italy's failure to comply with the directive on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

In its answers to questions 2455/92 ((OJ C 141, 19.5.1993, p. 32.)) and 1747/93 ((OJ C 46, 14.2.1994, p. 34.)) the Commission said that Italian legislative decree No 116/1992, in which Directive 86/609/EEC ((OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1.)) was transposed 'fails to comply with Article 17 of the Directive' and that it would 'communicate this to the Italian authorities'. As result of this communication the Italian Minister of Health drafted a ministerial decree to remedy the shortcoming on 22 December 1993 on the basis of Article 24 of the Directive. Unfortunately this decree never came into force, despite the confirmation given in the Commission's answer to Written Question 1541/95 ((OJ C 230, 4.9.1995, p. 49.)) that it had 'immediately contacted the Italian authorities in order to learn their position on this matter'. Three years have now passed and Italian legislation continues to fail to comply with the directive.

Can the Commission say:

1. what explanations the Italian authorities had to offer on this subject?

2. whether it intends to initiate infringement proceedings against Italy?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1996)

1. The Commission formally drew the attention of the Italian authorities to this matter by letter in 1995. The matter was further raised at a meeting with the national authorities under Directive 86/609/EEC on 4 and 5 September 1996. At this meeting, the Italian authorities confirmed their commitment to ensuring that the Directive was fully respected, and their intention to resolve any difficulties of implementation in Italy. Another meeting is planned for April 1997, and this will provide an additional opportunity to check and discuss what progress has been made.

2. The Commission does not rule out the possibility of infringement proceedings against Italy if this matter cannot be otherwise resolved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3104/96 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Extension for Turkish polyester fibre and yarn

The Commission has initiated a procedure with a view to possible extension of the current compensatory measures for imports of polyester yarn and fibre from Turkey. The extension has been requested by the International Rayon and Synthetic Fibres Committee (CIRFS) on behalf of the Community industry.

Does the Commission intend to maintain this extension and if so, under the same or revised conditions? What form would a possible revision take?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1996)

Following receipt of a request from the International rayon and synthetic fibres committee (CIRFS) acting on behalf of the Community industry, the Commission initiated, on 21 September 1996, a review of the countervailing measures on imports of polyester fibres and yarns originating in Turkey.

Regarding the possible outcome of this proceeding, the provisions of the Community's basic anti-subsidy legislation provide that such review proceedings will result in measures being repealed, maintained or amended. As this proceeding is still at an early stage, it is not possible to comment further on the possible outcome. The Honourable Member can be assured, however, that the allegations of the Community industry regarding the continued provision by the Turkish authorities of subsidies to producers and exporters of the products concerned will be examined in detail. If these allegations are found to be true, the Commission will ensure that appropriate action is taken within the provisions of the basic legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/96 by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Application of the directive on the use of standards for the transmission of television signals

The Commission will be aware of the concern expressed by Parliament in July 1995 during the second reading of Directive 95/47/EC ((OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 51. )) about the dangers of abuse of a dominant position by 'gatekeepers' (the providers of conditional access and subscriber management systems) and that Articles 4 and 6 of the directive were amended accordingly.

What measures has the Commission taken to ensure that this directive has been implemented fully and in similar fashion throughout the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (28 November 1996)

To date the Commission has not received official communication from any Member State of the national measures implementing this Directive which were due at the latest by 23 August 1996. As is normal in such circumstances, the Commission is opening infringement procedure for non-communication under Article 169 of the EC Treaty. Once Member States' communications have been received the Commission will check the transposition for conformity with the Directive.