ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2955/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Possible theft of reactor-grade plutonium by criminals

A 1993 classified report on the misuse of plutonium by criminal elements was recently made public under the US Freedom of Information Act. The report 'Extraction and Utility of Reactor-Grade Plutonium for Weapons', was based on briefings given by experts from weapons centres at Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore.

According to the report, the probability of criminal elements making a nuclear weapon is low, but there is 'an appreciable risk' because 'the consequences are so grave'. If civil reactor-grade plutonium finds its way into the hands of criminal elements, a weapon of at least one kiloton could be produced 'with modest facilities and equipment'.

One major concern addressed in the report is that plutonium could be stolen from facilities which store plutonium or plutoniumoxide, including mixed oxide (MOX) fuel.

British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) is currently seeking permission to operate a MOX plant at Sellafield.

Because of the dangers which MOX poses to nuclear proliferation, what action will the Commission take on the plans to have a MOX plant operating at Sellafield?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (30 October 1997)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the disappearance of plutonium or plutonium dioxide from installations for unknown purposes forms a major threat. That is why the Commission invests substantial financial and human resources in safeguarding plants handling large amounts of plutonium. Furthermore, the Commission through its Joint research centre devotes a large part of its budget to safeguards and in the implementation of the Community support programme to the International atomic energy agency. In both contexts, plutonium management is among its highest priorities.

For the fabrication and storage of fresh mixed oxide (MOX) fuel elements specific safeguards concepts have been developed to attain the strict safeguards goals defined for such plants. The Commission has accumulated professional experience in safeguarding large MOX facilities. This expertise was the basis for the safeguards approach for the MOX plant at Sellafield. The Euratom safeguards concept for the Sellafield MOX plant is based on continuous inspections and a comprehensive system of sophisticated measurement, monitoring and surveillance equipment which is specially designed, calibrated and optimized to follow the nuclear material throughout this installation.

It should be noted that the total cost of safeguards equipment installed in the Sellafield MOX plant will amount to at least 4.5 MECU. The expected yearly inspection effort will be in the order of 600 person days. The Commission has taken the necessary measures, in the framework of its obligation under Chapter VII of the Euratom Treaty, to ensure that the MOX material produced at the Sellafield MOX plant is not diverted from its intended use.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2997/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 October 1997)

Subject: Implementation of Directive 80/778/EEC

Directive 80/778/EEC ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 11. )) lays down quality standards and measures to monitor and guarantee the quality of drinking water, the primary objective being to protect public health.

In view of recent findings concerning the pollution of drinking water in Kastoria, what measures will the Commission take to enforce Community legislation on the protection of drinking water? Did the water supplies for Kastoria meet the requirements of Directive 80/778/EEC? What measures will the Commission take to help improve and monitor effectively the implementation of quality standards for drinking water in Kastoria and other areas of Greece?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1997)

Article 7(1) of Directive 80/778/EEC relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption requires Member States to fix values applicable to water intended for human consumption for the parameters shown in Annex I to the Directive. In addition, Article 12 stipulates that Member States must take all necessary steps to ensure regular monitoring of the quality of water intended for human consumption. The Member States determine the detailed arrangements for such monitoring, but are nonetheless required to use (as far as practicable) the methods and frequencies set out in Annexes II and III to the Directive. Furthermore, Member States were required to take the necessary measures to ensure that the quality of water intended for human consumption complied with the Directive throughout the Community by 1985.

The Greek authorities transposed Directive 80/778/EEC into national law by Ministerial Decisions of 1974 and 1986 ((Ministerial Decisions Nos G4/1722 of 24.9.1974 (Government Gazette II No 988 of 7.10.1974) and A5/288 of 23.1.1986 (GG II No 53 of 20.2.1986). )). On 17 February 1997 the Greek authorities provided the Commission with detailed information on the quality of drinking water in various regions of Greece for the year 1995. This included the Kastoria region. The parameter analysis results appear to comply with the Directive for the reference period.

Having learned of this particular case, the Commission will approach the Greek authorities for further details on the quality of drinking water in the Kastoria region and the measures taken (or to be taken) by the authorities to ensure compliance with Directive 80/778/EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3573/97 by Giancarlo Ligabue (UPE) to the Commission (4 November 1997)

Subject: DG X radio broadcasting policy

Radio is developing technologically, moving on from the analogue to the digital (DAB, Digital Audio Broadcasting) system. DAB enables radio to enter the multimedia sphere, providing information, services and data in addition to the traditional music and entertainment programmes. DAB radio, which has now come to the end of the experimental phase, will be broadcast by land using frequency bands different from the conventional FM and AM, and in the near future there will be the possibility of direct satellite reception even for portable or car radios. These technologies require major investment for the broadcasting and production of programmes and a considerable economic effort by broadcasters who, for a fairly long time, perhaps more than ten years, will have to maintain two networks in operation: the present FM and the new DAB without any hope of new advertising revenue. These difficulties will in all probability be felt most acutely by small local broadcasters whose survival will be seriously jeopardized.

1. Why is radio constantly ignored by DG X despite the entreaties of European radio broadcasters and their organizations?

2. Why does DG X define the audiovisual sector in official documents as consisting of television and cinema, for instance in the document 'Politique audiovisuelle: bilan et perspectives' of 30 July 1997.

3. Why is no mention whatsoever made of radio in the section of the document dealing with development of the audiovisual sector and its priorities?

4. Are experts or representatives of radio to be included in the 'high level group' announced in the document?

5. Why has DG X never put forward a proposal for a project or plan of action for radio as it has done (Media II - Plan of action for 16:9 TV) for television, cinema, books and other media?

6. Why, despite the fact that projects have been proposed by groups of small private radio broadcasters has the only fund for multilingual innovation in the radio and television sector been allocated to projects supported by public radio and television services and their consortia which already have considerable public funding?

7. How does the Commission, and in particular DG X, intend to act to remedy the unfavourable climate prevailing on the radio market due to the effect of action to promote other media, some, like television, in direct competition, which has seriously distorted competition both on the single market and on individual national markets?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (28 November 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2895/97 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Council (16 September 1997)

Subject: Proposal for a Council regulation on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins

After having formally transmitted the above proposal (COM(97)0247) ((OJ C 208, 9.7.1997, p. 5. )) to both the Parliament and the Council, it appears that the Commission has decided to consult the Scientific Committee for Toxicity and Eco-toxicity of Chemical Compounds regarding the health implications of the proposal to use a nickel alloy in the 1 and 2 euro coins. It also appears that the Commission is financing further research in this area.

In the Council's view is there already sufficient research to reach a decision on this proposal that guarantees the high level of human health protection enshrined in Article 129 of the new Amsterdam treaty?

If not, does the Council feel that it would be advisable for both the Council and the Parliament to await the results of the additional research and the Scientific opinion before assessing the advisability of using a nickel alloy in the 1 and 2 euro coins?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2893/97 and E-2895/97 (22 December 1997)

The technical specifications for euro coins and, more specifically, the metal to be used in them, are the subject of a proposal for a Regulation submitted by the Commission in June 1997. In that proposal, the Commission recommends that nickel should be used only in the 1 and 2 euro coins, representing some 8% of the total euro coinage. This should be compared with the present situation in which the vast majority of Member States use nickel in about 75% of all coins.

Because of their high values, the 1 and 2 euro coins will need additional security features to reduce the scope of possible fraud. With present technology, it would be very difficult to test, develop and produce an alternative for nickel by the deadline for the introduction of euro coins of 1 January 2002. Accordingly, after consulting the Scientific Committee for Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of Chemical Compounds, the Commission is upholding its proposal that nickel should be used only in the 1 and 2 euro coins.

The Council made a first examination of the Commission proposal at its meeting of 7 July 1997 and reached agreement in principle on the Commission proposal subject, in particular, to any modification to be decided upon in the light of possible amendments by the European Parliament on first and second reading. It should be borne in mind that this regulation cannot be adopted by the Council until the Member States adopting the euro as the single currency have been selected (Article 105a(2) of the Treaty in conjunction with Article 109k thereof in particular).

Since adoption of this Regulation is subject to the cooperation procedure with the Euroepan Parliament under Article 189c of the Treaty, the Council will adopt its common position after examining the Opinion adopted by the European Parliament at its first reading on 6 November 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (28 November 1997)

Subject: Sweden

Is it true that, throughout the middle years of this century, many thousands of women of 'inferior race' were forcibly sterilized in Sweden, as reported in various European newspapers including the Messagero of 26 August 1997 and the Dagens Nyheter?

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

It is Commission policy not to comment on articles appearing in the press.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3126/97 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Encouragement of youth exchanges between businesses in the various Member States

In recent years there has been a significant increase in youth exchanges. This helps young people to gain experience of the world outside their own countries.

However, it appears that the area which has been least explored is that of youth exchanges between businesses in the various Member States. Such exchanges would enable young people to swap their usual job on a temporary basis for another, similar one in some other Community country. The young people involved in such an exchange would all benefit from the experience.

Could the Commission say what experience it has in this matter and what projects and other initiatives it intends to launch in order to encourage young people to exchange jobs with a view to gaining experience of other countries and other ways of working, with due regard to the legal provisions which would have to be coordinated for the purpose?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997)

Under the Leonardo da Vinci programme, the Commission organises several types of placements and exchanges in the area of vocational training for young people across Europe.

Since the programme began in 1995, more than 15 200 young workers have had placements in businesses or training bodies in the different participating countries, some 32 000 young people in initial training have done work placements, often in businesses, and almost 6 400 trainers have taken part in exchanges within the Community.

In addition, since 1995 almost 22 600 students and new graduates have had placements in businesses in the different countries taking part in the programme.

Furthermore, the Commission has initiated a wide-ranging debate with both the Member States and the organisations concerned on the lines of action identified in its Green Paper on the obstacles to transnational mobility for young people in training ((Doc. COM(96) 462. )). It is now preparing to take a whole series of measures which, in accordance with the feedback received, should encourage mobility by the different target groups identified in the Green Paper, especially students, apprentices, voluntary workers and researchers. The first of these measures could be to prepare a draft Community instrument aimed at promoting transnational mobility through European pathways for work-linked training and apprenticeship.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3275/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Court decisions in Belgium

Is the Commission aware that in 1985 the European Court of Justice prohibited Belgian universities from asking foreign students to pay higher tuition fees than Belgian students (Case C-293/83, 13.2.1985)?

Is the Commission also aware that three years later there was another ruling from the Court that any student who had been overcharged could claim back the excess amount (C- 24/86, 2.2.1988) and that following this decision the court in Antwerp ordered the Belgian state in 1988 to repay thousands of guilders (30.6.1988, No 1582)?

Finally, is the Commission aware that despite that ruling the Belgian state has still failed to repay its debt, regardless of repeated requests - including requests via the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs - from the students who had been overcharged?

Does the Commission not regard it as unacceptable that a Member State can ignore for such a long time a ruling in favour of a citizen of another Member State?

Does the Commission intend to take any action? If so, what action?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (21 November 1997)

The Commission is fully aware of the case law to which the Honourable Member refers.

Further to this case law, the Commission launched infringement proceedings against Belgium based inter alia on the fact that Belgium continued to prevent some Community students from recovering unduly paid university fees (minerval). The Court of Justice held that Belgium was in breach of European law: ' ... by restricting in an ad hoc manner the possibility of obtaining reimbursement of minervals unduly paid under Community law only to Community nationals who commenced legal proceedings before 13 February 1985 ...' ((Judgement of 3May 1994, Commission v/ Belgium, case 47/93. Rec. 1994, p. 1-1593. )).

The Commission considers that Belgian legislation is still not in conformity with Community law as regards the right to recover illegal fees, and the Commission has launched infringement proceedings based on Article 171 of the EC Treaty for failure to implement the Court's judgement. These proceedings are currently under way.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3438/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (31 October 1997)

Subject: Health conditions in prisons

Having regard to other questions on the above subject tabled in the life of this and the previous Parliament, in the light of the deplorable leptospirosis deaths at San Vittore Prison in Milan in August 1997, and given the unspeakable health conditions in many prisons in Italy and the other Member States, will the Commission set up a committee of inquiry to investigate prison living and health conditions?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3151/97 by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Cost of the Commission representation in Vienna

What is the annual cost (basic rent plus charges) of the Commission Representation in the Vienna Kärntnerringhof?

What is the rent per square metre?

By what percentage is this rent higher than average office rents in central Vienna?

What alternative offers did the Commission obtain when it leased the premises in 1996 (please list property/total rental/m2 prices)?

Can the Commission explain how it intends to be 'close to the citizen' on the sixth floor of a luxury building with multiple-entry checks?

Can the Commission state how many members of the public here chanced upon its premises in Vienna in the last 12 months?

What was the annual rent for the old premises in Hoyosgasse?

By what percentage has the rent paid by the Representation increased since the move?

How big (m2) is the head of the Representation's office?

By how many square metres is it bigger than President Santer's office?

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

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3176/97 by Armelle Guinebertière (UPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Application of reduced VAT rate in the housing sector

Business in the building sector is currently picking up. In the housing sector, maintenance and refurbishment account for one third of building companies' turnover. However, pursuant to the Sixth Directive of 17 May 1977, Community law restricts the application of the reduced VAT rate to supply, construction, renovation and alteration of housing provided as part of a social policy (Article 12(3)(a) and Annex H, category 9 of the Sixth Directive 77/388/EEC) ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1. )).

Could the Union, and more specifically the Commission, require Member States to extend the reduced VAT rate?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3176/97 and E-3187/97 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997)

The Commission's recent report to the Parliament and to the Council ((COM(97) 559. )) explains in detail its views on the use of reduced VAT rates as an instrument for boosting the building and construction sector and as an incentive for recuperating some of the activities in this sector from the black economy (report from the Commission to the Council and to the Parliament in accordance with Article 12(4) of the Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turn-over taxes - common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment).

Generally speaking, the Commission is sceptical about using VAT rates as a policy tool for attaining specific economic objectives, in particular when compared to other more direct and targeted policy measures. However, the basic problem behind the Honourable Member's question is currently re-examined by the Commission against the background of its plan for a new common system of VAT. In this context, the Commission is seriously considering the idea of applying a reduced VAT rate, on an experimental basis and for a limited period of time, to some locally operating labour-intensive services.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3036/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997)

Subject: Charging of heavy goods vehicles

With reference to the Proposal for a Council directive on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (COM (96)0331 final - 96/0182 SYN) ((OJ C 59, 26.2.1997, p. 9. )), the predominant approach towards fuel taxes in the European Union clearly owes more at present to fiscal policy than to transport policy since excise duties on fuel are and will continue to be a major source of revenue.

Will the Commission eliminate all the inconsistencies between indirect taxes, which are the product of fiscal policy, and direct taxes charged to cover the use of infrastructures and external costs, which are the product of transport policy?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1997)

The Commission accepts that fuel excise duties are primarily used in Member States as a means of raising revenue. However, in its proposal for a directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products ((OJ C 139, 6.5.1997. )), the Commission has recognised that excise duty on motor fuels is also used by Member States to pursue other national environment, transport and energy policy objectives.

The Commission also recognises the need for the direct and indirect charges that are imposed on individual road users in relation to their road use to be part of a coherent charging system.

Consequently, a special restructuring provision has been made in the Commission's recent proposal for a Council directive for the taxation of energy products which would allow Member States to apply levels of taxation on motor fuels lower than the minimum levels specified in this directive, in conjunction with the introduction or modification of specific charging systems for road transport that are related to the recovery of costs, such as infrastructure, congestion and environmental costs.