ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-410 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-2461/97 by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies

Under budget item B96 B3-4110 (transaction SOC96102780) the local authority of Genk in Belgium received a subsidy of ECU 97 447 in 1996. The aim of the subsidy was: 'Elaine - Promoting self-employment and job creation by ethnic minorities.'

Can the Commission say whether the application for this subsidy was made by the Genk municipal council?

Can the Commission provide a copy of the application?

Was the application for the subsidy submitted in English or Dutch?

How many jobs were actually created for migrants by the 'local authority of Genk' with the subsidy requested specifically for this purpose?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2450/97 and E-2461/97 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1997)

The applications for part-financing for the projects on 'Promoting self-employment and job creation by ethic minorities' were submitted in Dutch by the two cities of Antwerp and Ghent and signed by their respective mayors. The Commission is unable to provide copies, and the Honourable Member should contact the authorities from whom the applications originate.

The objective of the projects is not to create jobs for migrants as such, but to develop and implement training strategies aimed at entrepreneurs of immigrant origin, to promote cooperation between such persons and business organisations, and to improve their knowledge of the regulations in force. The impact in terms of job creation will therefore be indirect, and it will not be possible to measure it until after the end of the projects.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0760/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-4020 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-0750/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-100 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-0718/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-4000 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-0743/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B4-306 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

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-2406/97 by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Electric wiring & voltage

Does the Commission have any plans to harmonize electrical wiring standards to a specific voltage? Should harmonization result in the acceptance of a voltage? Should harmonization result in the acceptance of a voltage lower than that currently used in any of the Member States, what steps would be taken and would there be compulsory conversion?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to written question E-1426/97 from Mr. Whitehead, on the harmonisation of voltages ((OJ C 391, 23.12.1997, p. 84. )).

It would also emphasise that harmonisation of voltages, as defined by European standard HD 472, is solely the remit of CENELEC, the European body for electrotechnical standardisation. While strongly in favour of harmonisation, the Commission was not the instigator of this far-reaching initiative. The Commission's view is that technical bodies are best placed to properly weigh up all implications of such measures, insofar as electrical equipment safety and network protection are concerned.

As regards rules on wiring, it should be pointed out that these are the exclusive responsibility of national authorities. However, considerable efforts have been made in promoting European standardisation, leading to harmonisation in certain areas.

While fully supporting this trend, the Commission has no plans to enforce harmonisation through regulatory initiatives. It might nevertheless intervene, on an ad-hoc basis, should it occur that national rules impede the placing on the market, or the free circulation, of electrical equipment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2315/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (3 July 1997)

Subject: Appliance energy efficiency

What action has the Commission taken to develop mandatory standards for domestic appliance energy efficiency?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1997)

The Commission has developed a strategy to improve efficiency of domestic appliances, which includes measures concerning both manufacturers and consumers. The Commission has taken action to establish minimum efficiency standards for all major energy using domestic appliances.

The Commission started this process with refrigerators and freezers, the single largest consuming domestic appliances. Following a Commission proposal, Directive 96/57/EC ((OJ L 236, 18.9.1996. )) of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 September 1996 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof was adopted to enforce mandatory standards as from September 1999.

For washing machines, televisions and videorecorders, following studies and expert recommendations, it was decided that the best measure to achieve efficiency improvements was for manufacturers to negotiate agreements to improve efficiency of appliances put on the market. Two agreements, currently under negotiation, will result in a efficiency improvement of 20% and start on 1 January 1998. The Commission is of the opinion that these agreements will be more effective than directives for minimum efficiency standards for these appliances, given the high flexibility offered by negotiated agreements and the short time to adopt them.

For other appliances, such as dishwashers, electric water heaters and air conditioners, the Commission is carrying out studies to identify efficiency improvement potentials and the best ways (standards or negotiated agreements) to achieve the improvements.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2386/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Duty-free shopping at airports

Air passengers travelling within the EU are permitted to buy duty-free goods at airports' duty-free shops. However, the goods may be bought only at the airport of departure, not at that of arrival.

As a result of the present practice, travellers' duty-free purchases fill aircraft's hand-luggage storage areas, and some articles have to be stored under travellers' feet. This endangers the safety and comfort of travellers and impedes movement inside the aircraft, for example in emergencies. Consumption of aviation fuel is also increased because of the additional weight carried by aircraft.

Why are air travellers not also permitted to buy duty-free goods at the airport of destination? The quantity purchased could still be monitored, for example by requiring passengers to display the stub of their landing card in order to make a purchase.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1997)

Generally speaking, goods which are intended for export are exempted from taxation whereas imported goods are made subject to taxation. It is against this background that travellers are not allowed to make tax- and duty-free purchases in the Member State of arrival. This applies to both travellers arriving from third countries and travellers inside the Community.

Instead, travellers are allowed tax- and duty-free purchases in the Member State of departure. At import, the traveller has to declare the goods intended for import and, in principle, to pay tax on all imported goods. The traveller does not pay tax on goods which fall within certain limits in terms of quantity or value since these benefit from a traveller's allowance.

Compliance with the obligation to declare and pay tax at import is ensured through controls carried out by the customs authorities. Within the single market, controls at the internal borders of the Community are no longer possible. The border control has been replaced by the vendor control system. The report presented by the Commission ((COM(96) 245 final. )) shows that vendor control systems are not operating satisfactorily in Member States.

The Commission appreciates fully the view expressed by the Honourable Member on the safety and environmental aspects of duty-free goods kept on board aircraft. These are however problems which will be resolved in the near future. It should be recalled that, following the decision of the Council to put an end to duty-free sales to travellers inside the Community, such sales will expire on 30 June 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2515/97 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (22 July 1997)

Subject: Fact-finding visit to a meat processing plant

On a fact-finding visit to a meat processing plant in Oberpfalz, the visiting Commission official spoke only English. Because the owner of the plant had no knowledge of specialized technical English he was unable to follow the 12-hour (!) inspection.

1. Is it normal for EU officials on fact-finding visits to meat processing plants in Member States not to speak the local language? If so, why?

2. Why are interpreters not provided?

3. Does the Commission consider it acceptable in such cases for plant owners not to be able to understand what is being said about their plant?

4. Why are the reports following the visit sent only in English?

5. Does the Commission believe that the owners themselves are responsible for translating the reports?

6. Is such language discrimination compatible with the European treaties?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 October 1997)

The Honourable Member presumably refers to the inspection visit to a meat product processing establishment in Oberpfalz performed by a Commission veterinary inspector from the Office of veterinary and phytosanitary inspection and control, in September 1995.

Personnel employed in the Commission are required to have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Community and a satisfactory knowledge of another. Every effort is made to ensure that inspectors who perform inspection missions in Member States have a working knowledge of the language of the Member State concerned. However, bearing in mind that there are 11 official languages used in the Community, and that the number of inspectors working in the Commission veterinary and phytosanitary inspection and control services is limited, this goal cannot always be achieved. In such circumstances, it is normal practice for interpretation facilities to be made available through agreement between the Member State and the Commission, so that the mission can be performed under the best conditions possible.

Missions undertaken by the Commission's veterinary services are intended to monitor the manner in which Member State authorities discharge their responsibilities under the relevant Community legislation. It is usual therefore for discussions on inspection findings to take place between the officials concerned. However, owners of individual establishments visited during the course of such missions are at liberty to raise the findings in respect of their own premises with their authorities after the inspection has been completed.

Reports of mission findings are generally written in the language in which the inspector conducted the mission. This not only serves to ensure that the report accurately reflects the findings of the inspector, but also helps to minimise any delay in the submission of the report to the Member State authorities. It is for these authorities to decide on the manner in which owners of individual establishments inspected during the mission are informed of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2074/97 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: Community environmental grant

Under budget heading B4-306, subsidies are granted for environmental protection. A list of organizations which have received such subsidies was published in OJ C 148 of 16 May 1997.

What project was submitted by the 'Conféderation européenne des syndicats'?

To what extent has the Commission verified that the funds have been spent correctly?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1997)

The project involves a working seminar for senior trade union officials from about 26 countries (all Member States and East and Central European countries). This will allow exchange of views and experience and identification of common goals based on achievable technology. All findings will be published to act as a guide to unions and companies both East and West.

Except for the publication of the proceedings, which is expected soon, the work has been successfully completed.

The project operator will shortly be submitting a final report on the work done, and final accounts showing all appropriate expenditure, and a final financial balance. This information will be checked by the Commission, to ensure that the work has been done properly, and that the total expenditure involved has been correctly reflected.