ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0499/97 by Ludivina García Arias (PSE) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Definition, adoption and monitoring of Community RESIDER initiative

Can the Commission provide information on the level of participation of local authorities and the two sides of industry in the definition, adoption and monitoring of the RESIDER initiative in the various Member States?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0497/97, E-0498/97, E-0499/97 and E-0500/97 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)

Participation of the various local authorities and other partners in the definition and monitoring of assistance under the Community Initiatives is governed, like any other operational programme, by Article 4 of the basic Regulation on the Structural Funds ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )). Each Member State designates the authorities and other partners which are to participate in the partnership involved in structural assistance in accordance with current practice in each Member State.

In the interests of efficiency, consistency and optimization of the technical means available, the Community Initiatives are generally monitored by the same Monitoring Committees responsible for monitoringthe various operational programmes and single programming documents.

The wide range of situations and practices and the very complexity of the assistance procedures make it difficult to carry out a detailed quantitative analysis for each Member State of actual participation by local authorities and social partners in the definition and approval of each operational programme or Community Initiative or of their participation in the Monitoring Committees. The information on this subject available to the Commission is presented in the 6th and 7th annual reports, which Parliament has received.

The Commission believes that there has been real progress in the application of the principle of partnership for these Community Initiatives, as for all other structural assistance. It recognizes, however, that the quality of implementation varies from one Member State to another.

The report on economic and social cohesion recently adopted by the Commission stresses that partnership will have to be strengthened in the future, but it also proposes that the current assistance procedures be simplified so as to ensure that partnership is really made possible and effective.

The Commission is currently promoting territorial employment pacts as a means of trying out new forms of partnership, particularly at local level, involving the economic and social partners.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1042/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Restricting air traffic

According to figures provided by the airlines' association, the AEA, air traffic within Europe is growing at a considerable rate (13%). The scope for more flights is very much restricted for lack of airspace. Too many flights also increase the risk of accidents and endanger passenger safety.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to restrict further growth in air traffic?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

The Commission certainly agrees that increases in aviation activity on the scale that is now anticipated within Europe's limited airspace capacity could raise safety concerns. However, the Commission considers that the Honourable Member's suggestion of restricting air traffic growth is not desirable since it would conflict with the interests of consumers and retard the development of an integrated and properly balanced transport system. In any case, it is not realistically possible.

Instead, the Commission is actively promoting ways of improving air traffic management in order to make better use of the airspace that is available. These changes are essential to relieve the growing pressures on capacity and to ensure that the current high levels of safety are maintained.

The Commission considers that, to achieve these objectives Eurocontrol should be able to respond effectively to the increasing need for greater integration and interoperability. The Commission has therefore proposed that the organisation should be transformed into a European air traffic management regulatory body, with the Community becoming a member because of the many overlaps between the organisation's activities and those of the Community.

As explained in detail in the 1996 White Paper 'freeing Europe's Skies' ((COM(96) 57. )) the 'new Eurocontrol' should be responsible for regulating the provision of air traffic services across Europe by means of mandatory targets and standards, instead of remaining a mere co-ordinating body, or a 'club of service providers'. Indeed, in the Commission's view, the reformed Eurocontrol should be given responsibility for regulating all aspects of airspace management so that the entire European airspace can be used as a single continuum, with consequent reductions in congestion and delays that would result in lower costs for airlines and passengers and in environmental benefits.

There are the steps that the Commission believes are necessary in order to ensure the most efficient use of Europe's limited airspace, while ensuring that safety standards remain at least as high as they are at present.

The Commission notes that the Honourable Member designated his question as a priority question which means that under Parliamentary rules, it requires an immediate reply. The Commission notes that the Honourable Member tabled the same question in February (QH 86/97) and the Commission was ready to answer it on the 18 February 1997. However, the question was declared void under Parliament's rules, because of the absence of the Honourable Member from the Chamber.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1085/97 by Tony Cunningham (PSE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies for line B7-631

During the last financial year, for Item B7-631, 'Aid for population policies and programmes', can the Commission provide a full list of the recipient associations together with the exact amount allocated to each?

For the year 1996 were the appropriations for this line fully committed? If not, what was the underspend?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

The 7 mecu appropriations for budget line B7-631, 'Aid for population policies and programmes', were fully committed in financial year 1996. For further details the Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answer to written question No 816/97 by Mr Le Gallou ((See page 168. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1155/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (26 March 1997)

Subject: Use of appropriations for the European Year against Racism

1. How much of the money provided for the European Year against Racism has been spent or committed so far?

2. Who is the main beneficiary of this money in Germany? (Please provide details broken down by Federal, Land and local authorities, NGOs and academic bodies)

3. Application forms were not available in Germany until mid-February. How is it that a considerable number of projects have already (10 February 1997) been proposed in the provisional national programme in Germany?

4. The last possible date for applying for funding has been set at 1 May 1997. Given the shortage of funds, how does the Commission rate the prospects of NGOs' applications being approved?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

1. and 2. The first selection round (deadline for applications 1 March 1997) is currently being finalised. The information requested will therefore only be available at the end of April.

3. The activities and events listed in the German national programme are not necessarily funded by the Commission from the European year budget. Projects selected for Community support during the first selection round (1 March 1997) will be starting on 1 May 1997 at the earliest. It is therefore likely that the projects to which the Honourable Member refers are supported through other sources of funding at national, regional or local level.

4. Concerning the funding available for projects taking place as from 1 July 1997 (deadline for applications 1 May 1997), financial planning will ensure that adequate funds are set aside for that selection round within the limits of the overall budget. Organisations applying then will benefit from exactly the same treatment as those which applied during the first selection round.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1070/97 by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance

Why is Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance wine from South Africa barred from the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1997)

The Commission is not aware of the problems raised by the Honourable Member.

The 'Constantia' winegrowing subregion of South Africa is included in Annex II to Regulation (EEC) No 3201/90 laying down detailed rules for description and presentation of wines and grape musts ((OJ L 309, 8.11.1990. )) and wines from South Africa with that geographical designation can therefore be imported into the Community. However, as far as the Commission is aware, there has been no application for addition to the Annex of the name 'Klein Constantia', to which the Honourable Member refers in particular.

The Commission takes this opportunity to indicate that from September 1997 a new system will come into force which will no longer be based on the principle of a positive list of all the geographical names on the labels of imported wines but under which these will still have to comply with all the Community rules on labelling.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0928/97 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: The EDF and the fisheries agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe

Can the Commission say what appropriations were paid to São Tomé and Príncipe under the EDF in 1995 and 1996 to finance the development of the national fisheries sector, and can it list the specific products for which this aid was used?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0923/97, E-0924/97, E-0925/97, E-0926/97, E-0927/97, E-0928/97, E-0929/97, E-0930/97, E-0931/97, E-0932/97, E-0933/97 and E-0934/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1997)

In reply to questions on allocations and specific projects to develop the fisheries sector in 12 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, a document listing fisheries projects in developing countries that have received EC aid has been sent to the Honourable Member and lodged with Parliament's General Secretariat.

The document comprises tables giving detailed information including the types of project, their objectives, the recipients and the Community contribution.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0664/97 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: European Managers' Confederation

The Treaty of Maastricht gave the Commission the task of taking the necessary measures to promote consultation between management and labour, while ensuring equal treatment for all parties. Yet the European Managers' Confederation, which embraces the national organizations for managerial staff of the Community countries represented separately within the institutions of the European Union and the Economic and Social Committee, was not consulted by the Commission on the recent agreement on parental leave.

As the European Parliament adopted, in June 1993, a resolution acknowledging the role of organisations representing managerial staff in the European Communities, and as the European Managers' Confederation has good relations with the European Trade Union Confederation, which accepted its involvement in important initiatives such as last Spring's 'pact for employment', would the Commission state whether it intends to include the European Managers' Confederation in negotiations, starting with the forthcoming round of consultations on flexible working hours and safety at work?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the answer given by the Commission to the written question E-0479/97 by Ms Muscardini ((See page 87. )). Further to the information contained in that answer, the Commission is keen that the current relations between the European Managers' Confederation and the European Trade Union Confederation should be strengthened and further developed.

The European Managers' Confederation is kept up to date, directly by the European Trade Union Confederation, on developments in the negotiations concerning flexible working hours and safety at work.

The Commission is committed to ensuring compliance with the principle of balanced support for the parties, and keeps a watchful eye on the situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0577/97 by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission (25 February 1997)

Subject: Safety information sheets for dangerous preparations

Will the Commission propose that it be made compulsory for safety information sheets to be issued when dangerous preparations are sold, as is the practice in Denmark?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

Safety data sheets must be submitted to the industrial users of dangerous preparations on the first delivery of preparations on the basis of Article 10 of Council Directive 88/379/EEC on classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations ((OJ L 187, 16.7.1988. )), and as further defined by Commission Directives 91/155/EEC ((OJ L 76, 22.3.1991. )) and 93/112/EEC ((OJ L 314, 16.12.1993. )) on safety data sheets.

Under Directive 91/155/EEC safety data sheets need not be supplied to the general public, but only to industrial users of dangerous preparations. However, the packages of dangerous preparations must be labelled with sufficient information for the protection of health and safety of the consumers.

The Commission has proposed a new directive on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations ((OJ C 283, 26.9.1996. )). This proposal introduces two important new elements to the provisions on safety data sheets. Firstly, the safety data sheets need to be compiled also for pesticides. Secondly, the obligation to provide professional users with safety data sheets on request applies also in cases where preparations are not classified as dangerous within the meaning of the Directive but they contain at least one dangerous substance or a substance

with an occupational exposure limit in concentration greater than 1 % (0.2 % for gases). No change is proposed to the rules on distribution of safety data sheets.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1092/97 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: East Timor

With reference to Article 2.5 of the Common Position 96/407/PESC ((OJ L 168, 6.7.1996, p. 2. )) in which the EU 'supports all appropriate action with the objective of generally strengthening respect for human rights in East Timor and substantially improving the situation of its people, by means of the resources available to the European Union and aid for action by NGOs', what kind of aid package is the Commission designing for East Timor, who is being consulted on the design and what proposals does the Commission have for effective human rights monitoring of the situation?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is currently examining all possible means for assisting the development of the people of East Timor, particularly in the fields of health, sanitation and education.

No decision in these matters has yet been taken. However, any action would be taken in accordance with the best principles of good management, including proper provision for local consultation, monitoring and evaluation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0578/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (25 February 1997)

Subject: Accident involving the transport of radioactive material in Apach (Lorraine)

1. What was the cause of the derailment of the waggons transporting Excellox 6 containers on 4 February 1997 in Apach, in Lorraine?

2. When were the relevant authorities along the route informed of the journey?

3. What emergency plans had been drawn up? What measures do these prescribe in the event of an emergency? What evacuation plans exist for emergencies of this kind?

4. At the time of the accident the train was travelling at 28 kph; up to what speed would the safety of the Excellox 6 containers have been assured?

5. As there would have been a catastrophe if the train had collided with a passenger train, why was the train's route not closed to passenger trains?

6. What were the reasons for the train's circuitous route via this region where three countries meet? Why was the most direct route -via Belgium and the Netherlands- not selected?

7. Was the load-bearing capacity of the line checked and the maximum speed prescribed?

8. What were the levels of neutron irradiation and radiation exposure received by the rescue teams?

Answer (20 May 1997)

The Council draws the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the information requested is a matter for the Member State concerned.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the transport of radioactive material is covered by rules laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency and applicable in the Member States.

Furthermore, the provisions of Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1. )) are also applicable.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0914/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Dog fights in Greece

Greek public opinion has been outraged by the revelation that in a village near Veria in Imathia, dog fights leading to the death of one of the two animals were being organized in a public place while dozens of spectators bet on the outcome. On the last occasion the police intervened and arrested the organizers and presenters of the spectacle. However, there are rumours that this distasteful practice is also occurring in other parts of the country. My office has already been inundated with complaints and allegations from many citizens, together with appeals for intervention by the European Union institutions.

1. Is the Commission aware of these disturbing facts?

2. Will the Commission make representations to the Greek Government to step up animal rights legislation and, more particularly, ensure that it is enforced by the competent state authorities?

3. Does the Commission intend to strengthen the relevant Community legislation with a view to combating illegal practices observed in other Member States of the EU?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2995/92 by Mrs Muscardini ((OJ C 86, 26.3.1993. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0896/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: EU-Surinam cooperation

Has the Commission recently signed a financing agreement with Surinam for the purpose of setting up a programme management unit to support EU projects in Surinam?

How many staff members does the unit have and how much funding does it receive?

Is it true that the unit was set up because large amounts of EU money earmarked for Surinam are still unused and projects are being implemented much too slowly, and how great is the actual backlog of money and projects?

How much EU money was/will be available in all in the past 3 years and in the coming 3 years, and what were/are the projects in question?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1997)

The Surinamese government has indeed requested the financing of a programme management unit in order to reinforce the capacity of the ministry of planning and development cooperation to carry out its functions of national authorising officer, which it has taken over from the planning office. The unit will assist the ministry with the speedy and efficient execution of its specific tasks, while providing additional training in Community procedures and work methods. Total cost of the project over a 2 year period is ECU 880 000, providing for 2 technical assistants supported by 5 local staff, plus office premises and equipment.

Implementation of Lomé III and IV has been relatively slow in Suriname because of the political situation which was marked by two coups, one in the early 1980s (which led to a suspension of aid by the main donor, the Netherlands) and another in the early 1990s. Both led to a relative slowdown in the implementation of Community aid and contributed to the lack of qualified staff, which was an additional reason for creating the programme management unit. Further delays occurred due to the long electoral process in 1996.

Most significant however in explaining the relative backlog in Community cooperation were the negotiations between the government and the Commission over a structural adjustment programme which were finally aborted by the government. These lengthy discussions meant however that Suriname signed its Lomé IV national indicative programme - 1st financial protocol - as late as April 1994.

However, thanks to the combined efforts of the government and in particular its planning and development cooperation ministry, and the Commission, the commitment rate for the combined European development fund (EDF) 6 and 7 resources has reached 73.5 % by end 1996. Further projects are now in the pipeline which will allow commitments to surpass 87 % by the end of this year. Outstanding funds have been earmarked for environment and forest-related actions, requiring careful preparation which is now in progress.

Recent joint efforts between the Surinamese government and the Commission have thus allowed the cooperation to regain momentum and to create promising perspectives, including finalising of the 8th EDF national indicative programme which was signed in Paramaribo on 4 March 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/97 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (27 February 1997)

Subject: Auto/Oil Programme

What measures and instruments does the Commission have in mind for enforcing existing and new legislation on reducing air-polluting emissions from motor vehicles?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

Responsibility for implementation will rest in the usual way with the Member States. The Commission has the power to open infringement proceedings under Article 169 EC Treaty where necessary to ensure compliance with Community legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0811/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies to associations, NGOs and various other bodies

With regard to heading B7-6004 (Community aid to non-governmental organizations operating in Vietnam), can the Commission provide a complete list of associations, NGOs and other bodies benefiting from Community subsidies and the exact amount of these subsidies for the last completed budgetary year, i.e. 1996?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (2 April 1997)

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