ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3681/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Enforcement of EU health and safety legislation in Member States

Can the Commission indicate:

1. How many Member States have not transposed health and safety directives which should now apply?

2. How many actions have been taken against Member States for not acceding to legislation already in force?

3. Is the Commission satisfied that in respect of health and safety there is a level playing field across the whole of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1997)

1. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that of the 36 Directives adopted in the field of health and safety at work, 32 have already entered into force. Of these, 24 have already been transposed into national law in all the Member States where their application is relevant. The situation regarding the eight Directives not yet transposed in all the Member States is as follows:

- Directive 91/322/EEC (chemical, physical and biological agents) ((OJ L 177, 5.7.1991. )): not yet transposed in Greece, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

- Directive 92/29/EEC (medical treatment on board vessels) ((OJ L 113, 30.4.1992. )): not yet transposed in Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg.

- Directives 92/91/EEC (extractive industries through drilling) ((OJ L 348, 28.11.1992. )) and 92/104/EEC (surface and underground extractive industries) ((OJ L 404, 31.12.1992. )): not yet transposed in Ireland.

- Directive 93/103/EC (work on board fishing vessels) ((OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. )): not yet transposed in Belgium, Ireland and Italy.

- Directive 93/104/EC (organisation of working time) ((OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. )): not yet transposed in Greece, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

- Directive 94/33/EC (protection of young people at work) ((OJ L 216, 20.8.1994. )): not yet completely transposed in Greece, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria and the United Kingdom.

- Directive 95/30/EC (biological agents at the workplace) ((OJ L 155, 6.7.1995. )): not yet transposed in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and Austria.

2. Whenever the deadline for implementation of a Directive expires, the Commission launches an infringement procedure under Article 169 of the EC Treaty against any Member States that have failed to notify the national implementing measures in time. Annex IV of the fourteenth annual report on monitoring the application of Community law (1996), which has just been published ((OJ C 332, 3.11.1997. )), contains details of the infringement procedures in progress on 31 December 1996.3.

3. Monitoring proper transposal of the EU legislation is an ongoing activity in the field mentioned by the Honourable Member, designed to ensure equivalent application of the legislation throughout the Community. Member States are invited to submit their comments on any points on which the Commission considers transposal to be unsatisfactory. The Commission decides what follow-up action is required in the light of the Member States' responses, arguments and, where appropriate, intentions of rectifying the situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3184/97 by Riitta Myller (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Public health effects of the new school milk subsidy

The Council has urged the Commission to add soured milk (Sw. filmjölk, Fin. viili) to the list of products eligible for the school milk subsidy. Under the Commission's proposal for an amendment to the regulation, only villi made from whole milk would receive the subsidy. However, in Finland, for example, villi is never made from whole milk, because consumers want lower-fat and thus healthier products.

How does the Commission justify its proposal to subsidise the use of fat? How does the Commission's proposal for an amendment to the school milk subsidy promote public health in the EU's Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1997)

In proposing the inclusion of the products 'viili/fil' in the list of products eligible for the school milk subsidy under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1842/83 of 30 June 1983 laying down general rules for the supply of milk and certain milk products at reduced prices to schoolchildren ((OJ L 183, 7.7.1983. )), the Commission wished to ensure a position similar to that of yoghurt, in view of the similarities of these products. Moreover, since the school milk scheme was reformed in 1993, the programme has been centred on drinking milk, so as to improve the effectiveness of the scheme and safeguard the position of this basic product. Schoolchildren wishing to reduce their consumption of butterfat can therefore opt for semi-skimmed milk, which is also subsidised under the scheme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3572/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (17 November 1997)

Subject: Action to track down and confiscate stolen motor vehicles from the EU in countries of former Yugoslavia

1. Is the Council aware that motor vehicles belonging to car-hire companies and private individuals are being stolen on a large scale in European Union countries to be exported to countries of former Yugoslavia, where they are traded locally?

2. Has the Council been informed that stolen hire cars from a Netherlands car-hire company have been identified by members of the Netherlands gendarmerie in Bosnia, where they are flagrantly being driven illegally on the open road while still bearing the original hire-company advertising and the original Netherlands number plates?

3. Can the Council state what action can be taken within the European Union to put a stop to this situation?

4. Can the Council indicate how motor vehicles that have been obtained by theft in Member States of the European Union and are being driven around illegally in countries of former Yugoslavia could be tracked down and confiscated by the judicial authorities?

5. Can the Council see its way to working in close cooperation with the different authorities in the countries of former Yugoslavia in order to achieve a high detection and confiscation rate for stolen motor vehicles that are the property of car-hire companies and/or private individuals in European Union Member States?

Answer (26 January 1998)

The Council is fully aware of the problems mentioned by the Honourable Member. In October 1997 the Presidency held a meeting of experts on stolen vehicles from the Member States of the European Union, the European Commission, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, EDU/Europol, Interpol and the UN, who examined what measures should be taken to deal with the problems of trafficking in stolen vehicles. These experts welcomed with interest the plan of action drawn up by the EDU/Europol which is responsible, under the Joint Action of 10 March 1995 ((OJ L 62, 20.3.1995, p. 1. )), for the exchange and analysis of information and intelligence concerning illicit vehicle trafficking.

The Council is convinced that the entry into force of the Europol Convention, more checks on the registration of second-hand vehicles, the mutual exchange between registration authorities and the police of data contained in various existing data bases on motor vehicles, and the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements for the return of stolen vehicles will help combat illicit vehicle trafficking.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3715/97 by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Kidnapping of children

From time to time, as a result of divorce or marriage breakdown, children are snatched in the EU Member States and taken to countries with different cultures. It is made particularly difficult for a Member State's authorities to act when a child is taken to a country whose legislation places the power of decision over the child with its father and his family.

There is little information available about child-snatching, and the EU Member States do not make use of each others' experience in order to get children back. What initiatives has the Commission taken to investigate instances of child-snatching? How is the Commission monitoring compliance with the Hague convention? How is the child's interest assessed where it is shown that compliance with the provisions of the Hague convention will do more harm than good to the child?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1997)

Repatriation of children snatched in this way is organised under the 1980 Hague Convention, which has been ratified by a large number of States, including almost all Member States, and under the 1980 Luxembourg Convention, also ratified by several Member States. These Conventions provide for the appointment of the central authorities responsible, in particular, for examining and settling the individual cases of child snatching or failure to return children which are submitted to them.

The implementation of the 1980 Hague Convention is monitored by the Hague Conference, which holds regular meetings of the central authorities with a view to improving the practical operation of the Convention. The Commission is involved in Hague Conference deliberations.

Article 13 of the Hague Convention provides that the return of a child may be refused where 'there is a grave risk that his or her return would expose the child to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place the child in an intolerable situation'. It is also laid down that the return may be refused if the child objects to it and 'if the child has attained an age and degree of maturity at which it is appropriate to take account of its view'. The national authority, which must take a decision on the request for the return, thus has the sovereign power to determine whether or not the return should be ordered on the basis of the child's interest.

The Commission is not planning to take special initiatives with regard to the snatching of children by one of the parents or by a family member on the breakdown of a marriage.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3203/97 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Consequences of new Directive on chocolate for developing countries

The Council of Development Cooperation Ministers has on several occasions asked the Commission to carry out a survey of the economic impact on cocoa producers of the Commission proposal for a new Directive on chocolate.

1. Is it true, as the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation informed the Dutch parliament on 10 September 1997, that the Commission has not so far acted on this request?

2. Why has the Commission not acted on the request?

3. Will the Commission have a survey of this kind carried out?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1997)

The Commission confirms what it already explained in its answer to written question P-1864/97 by Mrs Thyssen ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 114. )), namely that it has entrusted external experts with the task of carrying out an objective study of the impact on the Cameroonian economy of the proposal for a Directive on cocoa and chocolate which is currently under examination by the Parliament and Council. In this way, the Commission intends providing the basis for as accurate an assessment as possible as to the impact of the proposal for Directive.

The Commission recently received more detailed information. The study has now been finalised and will be distributed shortly.

Its scope could be extended to include other cocoa-producing countries, especially in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 November 1997)

Subject: Extension of the Via Egnatia

The Via Egnatia is part of the trans-European networks and its construction is already being jointly funded by the EU and the European Investment Bank. The decision has already been taken to link up the Balkan capitals, which is an extremely important project, but extending the Via Egnatia to Istanbul would give the network another dimension.

Does the Commission consider this to be a valid idea? Could the EU jointly finance such a project and, in conjunction with the European Investment Bank, explore the possibility of such a scheme?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1997)

The Egnatia motorway has been designated by the Community as a priority project of the Trans-European transport Network. It is also linked to the pan-European transport corridors as endorsed by the second pan-European transport conference in Crete in 1994 and adjusted by the third conference in Helsinki in 1997, and effective links towards the Balkans are provided. Two branches of corridor X connect to Via Egnatia, one to Thessaloniki and another south from Florina. Corridors IV and IX both go through Ormenio - the former to Edirne and then to Istanbul, and the latter south to Alexandroupoli.

As Via Egnatia continues as far as Ormenio, and corridor IV from Ormenio to Istanbul, the link between the two is already taken into account at the level of pan-European transport infrastructure development.

It is true that a possible extension of the Via Egnatia to Istanbul (with a direct link from Kipi to Istanbul, similar to that of the ancient Via Egnatia) would provide a direct link to Istanbul, avoiding the corridor IV connection. However, since such an extension of the Via Egnatia would be entirely on the territory of Turkey, the responsibility for developing this, including possible co-financing from the financial institutions, falls to the Turkish authorities. Should the extension interest several countries around the Black Sea, it could be discussed in the framework of the Black Sea pan-European transport area, which envisages the development of a multimodal transport network around the Black Sea.

Under the current financial perspectives 1994-1999, there is no Community co-financing envisaged for the extension of Via Egnatia to Istanbul. The feasibility of the project could be the subject of a future examination.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4047/97 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) and Claudio Azzolini (UPE) to the Council (15 January 1998)

Subject: Independence of the Banca d'Italia

The future European Central Bank will be founded on the notion of the independence and autonomy of the existing central banks, in the context of the growing need for guaranteed freedom from political interference.

Is the Council aware of the unacceptable pressure being exerted by the Italian government and the parties of the ruling coalition, as widely reported in the press, on Mr Antonio Fazio, the Governor of the Banca d'Italia, to reduce the official interest rates?

Has the Italian government at any point consulted the Council on the possibility of replacing Mr Fazio in the near future by persons from the Banca Centrale who would be closer to the ruling coalition?

Does the Council not view any such initiatives as prejudicial to the independence of the Banca d'Italia and as liable to jeopardize Italy's entry into, and capacity to remain within, the single European currency?

What is the Council's position on the opinion expressed by Mr Fazio to the effect that structural reforms and a reduction in fiscal pressure are essential for participation in the single currency?

Answer (30 March 1998)

The Council does not intend to adopt a position on the allegations to which the Honourable Members refer in their question.

The Council acknowledges that participation in the single currency requires the Member States to undertake major structural reforms. A number of reforms have already been carried out, and others are under way.

With more specific reference to the Italian situation, the Council would remind the Honourable Members that it examined Italy's convergence programme for the period 1998-2000 at its meeting on 7 July 1997, and the 1998 Italian budget at its meeting on 19 January 1998. The results of its discussions were made public.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4174/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Cohesion policy and culture

Can the Commission supply information about the cultural projects cofinanced by the Structural Funds during the current programming period (1994-1999), specifying the countries involved, the regional objective under which each project came, the total cost of execution and the amount cofinanced by the Community?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4173/97 and E-4174/97 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (9 March 1998)

The figure mentioned by the Honourable Member is based on an estimation carried out by external consultants for the Commission. As was pointed out in the communication, any figures relating to cultural activities are only estimates and therefore have to be interpreted with some caution. In particular, it is especially difficult to identify cultural aspects in programmes as they are often included under other priorities such as tourism, small and medium sized enterprises (SME) or training.

Given that the Member States approve and implement structural funds projects within programmes under their own responsibility, the Commission does not have any systematic information on projects in the area of culture. However several good examples were presented in the communication illustrating innovative integration of culture into regional development and job creation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3608/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Commission communication on the impact of the introduction of the euro on capital markets (COM(97) 0337)

On the subject of fixed capital markets, one of the possibilities suggested in this document for redenomination of existing debt would be to work on the basis of a fixed minimum denomination with cash compensatory payments (the 'top-down' method).

The document states that one drawback of compensatory payment - an essential part of a 'top-down' redenomination - is the variations in the cash flow generated by coupon payments and in the maturity value of the bond.

Can the Commission explain, in general terms, why it considers such variations would be harmful?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3607/97 and E-3608/97 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (13 February 1998)

In the Commission communication on the impact of the introduction of the euro on capital markets ((COM(97) 337 final. )), a number of methods for the redenomination of debt are examined. The two main methods examined are called 'top-down' and 'bottom-up'. The communication expresses a preference for the 'bottom-up' method. According to this method, redenomination would not alter the total volume of securities issued and the potential for rounding differences would be reduced to insignificant amounts.

According to the 'top down' approach the original issue is broken down into a number of 'pieces' with identical minimum denominations. Each of these minimum denominations is redenominated using the conversion factor and rounded to the nearest cent. The new total amount of the issue is then calculated by multiplying the minimum denomination in euro by the number of 'pieces'. This new total is likely to be different, because of rounding differences, from the direct conversion of the total amount of the issue. The difference would have to be accounted for through compensatory payments.

The compensatory payments would be necessary to avoid the possibility of artificially generating or destroying stock. This cash payment would expose either the issuer or the investor to reinvestment risk. As a consequence of such compensatory payments, the cash flow generated by coupon payments and in the maturity value of the bond would be slightly modified. This could have implications for the related derivative instruments since the hedges set up prior to redenomination are based on the exact expected cash flows generated by coupon payments and in the maturity value. If such cash flows are modified, even if the amounts are very small, they would no longer correspond to the related derivatives operations. If a 'top down' approach is chosen, it should be implemented in a way to avoid the potential problems. However, as mentioned above, the potential disruption would only appear in case of outstanding derivative contracts related to the denominated bond.

Detailed examples to illustrate the 'top down' method are included in the Commission communication (page 12 of the English version).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3949/97 by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Conscientious Objectors in Greece

Although Greece has recently enacted a law to recognise conscientious objection, interest groups claim that there is still discrimination against the practice as persons currently imprisoned for their pacifist beliefs have not been released. It is also claimed that the new law (2510/97) does not take account of matters such as the development of conscientious objection during the period of military service.

What is the opinion of the Commission on the law governing military service with regard to conscientious objection in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 January 1998)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answer to written question E-868/96 by Mr Gianni Tamino and other MEPs ((OJ C 280, 25.9.1996. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-4054/97 by Bartho Pronk (PPE) to the Commission (15 December 1997)

Subject: Net contribution by Netherlands in 1997

What is the expected amount of the Netherlands' net contribution to the European Union budget in 1997?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998)

The Commission does not produce estimates of budgetary balances, i.e. the difference between budget contributions to and budget expenditure received by the Member States. Consequently, no data for the budgetary position of the Netherlands in 1997, which the Honourable Member is seeking, is available. The reasons for the Commission's position on this matter are discussed in detail in a document presented by the Commission to the EcoFin Council of 13 October 1997 entitled Budget contributions, EU expenditure, budgetary balances and relative prosperity of the Member States. This document is now available on the Europa site of the World Wide Web in the 11 official languages.