ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0738/98

by Irene Soltwedel-Schäfer (V) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Consequences of the initiation of an investigation into book price maintenance in Germany and Austria

On Wednesday, 14 January 1998 the Commission launched an investigation into book price maintenance in Germany and Austria.

1. What consequences does the Commission expect the abolition of book price maintenance in Germany and Austria to have on diversity and distribution?

2. On what reports or studies is the information given in reply to the first question based?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1998)

1. The Commission has instituted formal proceedings regarding the German/Austrian price-fixing scheme for books because the complete exclusion of price competition between booksellers in respect of any particular book constitutes a restriction of competition. The restriction can only be authorised if the publishers seeking the authorisation can adduce evidence that all of the conditions laid down in Article 85(3) of the Treaty have been met. However, this has not yet been done.

A comparison between Member States where there is retail price maintenance for books and those where it has been abolished or has never existed does not provide conclusive evidence. There are Member States with no retail price maintenance for books and approximately the same population where significantly more titles are published than in Member States with price maintenance. In countries such as Sweden where book retail price maintenance has been abolished, the number of titles has generally risen rather than fallen.

It is in fact very difficult to prove whether book retail price maintenance is liable to favour certain forms of distribution, for example the general tendency towards chains of bookshops and major distributors. In France, for example, where there is book retail price maintenance, supermarkets already hold a market share of 25 % while independent bookshops hold only 33 % (they still held 50 % in 1980). In the United Kingdom the four big chains held 50 % of the market even before the abolition of book retail price maintenance. In Austria the Libro chain has been able in a few years to develop its network to over 220 branches at the expense of small independent bookshops despite the existence of book retail price maintenance.

2. In arriving at its provisional assessment in its statement of objections, the Commission drew on many analyses and factual sources - publicly accessible statistics, studies presented by the parties to the proceedings and also existing studies available to it.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0579/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(4 March 1998)

Subject: International transport of passengers

With reference to Article 2, point 1.3. of Regulation (EEC) 684/92(1) of 16 March 1992, can the Commission say whether it is aware that this article, which provides for a system of authorization for all parallel services serving the same customers totally contradicts Article 4, point 2 of the same Regulation and that because of this contradiction there have been cases of special regular services covered by a contract being exploited?

Can the Commission also say:

1. whether it is willing to take steps to put an end to these "pirate services", which are tolerated by the Member States;

2. why no steps are being taken to liberalize the regular services subject to authorization in order to open them up to competition from companies established in the Member States, since the special services considered as "regular" services are exempt from authorization and can therefore be treated like existing regular services and be replaced by means of a contract?

(1) OJ L 74, 20.3.1992, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1133/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: Financial instrument for the environment

Council Regulation (EC) 1404/96(1) of 15 July 1996 (amending Regulation (EEC) 1973/92) inserts in Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the latter a series of provisions concerning measures to verify that actions financed by the Community have been carried out properly, and in accordance with the provisions of the regulation.

Can the Commission state how frequently on-the-spot checks are carried out, as stipulated in Article 10(2) of the regulation, to ensure that the actions carried out by those receiving Community assistance are completed successfully?

Can the Commission state whether checks have been carried out concerning the implementation of action B-3200-94-778 (reconstruction of canals, mounds and sandbanks in the Pialassa Baiona)?

Is the Commission aware that, in addition to failing to complete the action by the prescribed deadline (which had already been extended), the recipients of the financial assistance in question carried out this work in a careless and slipshod manner?

Does the Commission intend to take measures to avoid the recurrence of cases of improper use of Community funds?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 1998)

Control missions are undertaken by the Commission on a regular basis. In the specific case of project B-3200/94/778 "Conservation programme of the geographic area of the Delta Po Park, second phase" of which the sub-project executed by the Provincia di Ravenna in the area of Piolassa Baiona is part, 4 missions have been undertaken to verify the implementation and results of the project.

Those verifications as well as the documents submitted by the beneficiary do not raise evidence of any errors, if compared to the contract conditions. The only exception refers to the execution deadline. This has been indeed extended from 31 December 1996 to 20 February 1998. This extension was granted after an examination of the justifications submitted by the beneficiary.

(1) OJ L 181, 20.7.1996, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1726/98

by Michael Hindley (PSE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: EU aid to Kazakhstan

Would the Commission please provide a list of the schemes implemented and studies undertaken under TACIS or other EU funding programmes in Kazakhstan identifying any partners and quoting the budget lines involved?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 1998)

EU aid to Kazakhstan is essentially implemented through the TACIS programme. This comprises a national action programme and inter-state programmes (Inogate, Traceca, Warmap) under which Kazakhstan also receives aid.

The current national action programme (1996-1997: ECU 25 million) is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat. The 1998-1999 national action programme is included in the 1999 EU budget and will be negotiated after the summer. Kazakhstan also receives aid from "democracy" programmes financed under budget head B-70 of the Community budget.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1846/98

by Hadar Cars (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 June 1998)

Subject: Colour of warning lights on emergency vehicles

Before the Second World War, it appears that the emergency vehicles of all countries had red lights. During the war, there was a switch to blue lights to make it more difficult for enemy aeroplanes to detect the vehicles. Some sources claim that the visibility of blue light is extremely poor and any motorist knows that it is difficult to make out emergency vehicles during the day. Red light, however, is highly visible and the number of road accidents could be reduced if emergency vehicles were more visible.

What are the possibilities of changing the colour of warning lights to red?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 1998)

The colour of warning lights on emergency vehicles is covered by the Vienna Convention on road traffic on 1968. Article 14 of this Convention states that, for international traffic, blue lights may only be used by "priority vehicles" whilst orange lights may only be used by vehicles having special functions. This article also states that warning lights of other colours may be authorised by national legislation for use within the national territory. Member States are, therefore, free to use any colour they choose including red, for warning lights on emergency vehicles which operate only within their national boundaries.

As to the possibility of a change in the international regime, this would require one of the contracting parties, or observer organisations, to the Vienna Convention to submit a proposal which would then be debated and voted on by the contracting parties. The Community is not a contracting party and the Commission cannot, therefore, propose to introduce this change.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1355/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Milk subsidies

Given the importance of the availability of "playtime milk" in schools, can the Commission confirm what EC subsidies are available for its provision in Member States? What discretion is afforded to a Member State when distributing these subsidies?

Has the Commission considered raising the semi-skimmed milk subsidy to the same level as full-fat milk?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Community aid for the supply of milk and certain milk products to schoolchildren amounts to 95 % of the target price of milk applicable for the milk year concerned, in the case of whole milk. For other milk products, the amounts of aid are fixed taking into account the milk content of the products concerned. The current aid for whole milk products is ECU 29,44 per 100 kilogrammes. It is paid on a maximum quantity of 0,25 litre of milk equivalent per pupil per school day.

Council Regulation (EEC) 1842/83 of 30 June 1983 laying down general rules for the supply of milk and certain milk products at reduced prices to schoolchildren(1) allows Member States several options for the implementation of the scheme. They may decide to exclude pupils in secondary education, they may optionally pay aid on cheeses and provide that aid shall be paid to the supplier of the products. Moreover, Member States are given wide discretion as regards the administration of the scheme and the payment of the subsidies. Finally, they may decide to use national funding for topping up Community aid.

The Commission considers that the existing criterion for fixing the amounts of aid for different milk products is justified and should not be reviewed. On this ground, there is no possibility for increasing the semi-skimmed milk subsidy to the same level as that for whole milk.

(1) OJ L 183, 7.7.1983.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1644/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Destruction of the archaeological site of ancient Dodona at Ioannina

A short time ago, the EU interceded to prevent the route of the Via Egnatia passing close to the archaeological site of ancient Dodona in the prefecture of Ioannina, in order to protect the environment and the cultural heritage of the region.

Recently, however, the local authority for the prefecture of Ioannina approved an application from the village of Mandion allowing a local road to be built next to the cancelled route of the Via Egnatia. This decision is tantamount to approving the destruction of the renowned Dodona landscape, which includes the sanctuary at Dodona and the natural environment in the area. The tragic aspect of the entire affair is that the area was saved from the major threat of an international-scale project and is now threatened with destruction by a local road seven metres wide, which is being built (according to the official justification) "to improve pasture land".

What is the Commission's official view of this matter and how will it respond to secure the immediate cancellation of the construction of this road at a distance of only 800 metres from the ancient theatre of Dodona, a project which also threatens totally to destroy the archaeological site and the natural environment in the area?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 1998)

The protection and preservation of the archaeological heritage is the sole responsibility of national authorities. The role of the Community is to encourage co-operation between the Member States in the field of culture and cultural heritage as stipulated in Article 128 of the EC Treaty. In this context, the protection of the ancient archaeological site of Dodoni, Ioannina, falls within the competence of the Hellenic authorities.

However, information received from the Hellenic authorities indicates that the local road in the vicinity of the archaeological site is more than 800 metres from the ancient theatre of Dodoni and will not in any way affect either the archaeological or the environmental landscape as its construction meets all the rules foreseen by the Hellenic archaeological services and furthermore it has been approved by both the local and central archaeological councils.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1523/98

by Eva Kjer Hansen (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Arrangements for the lodging of guarantees in respect of agricultural products

Will the Commission explain why a fine equivalent to precisely 15 % of the contract value is imposed if the time limit for lodging a guarantee is exceeded and whether 15 % fines are imposed in cases not involving agricultural products?

Will it take steps to introduce more flexible arrangements under which the level of the fine depends on the length of time by which the time limit has been exceeded?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 1998)

Regulation (EEC) 2220/85(1) lays down common detailed rules for the application of the system of securities for agricultural products. In order to take account of the importance of the respective conditions for the release of a security, distinction is made between breaches of primary, secondary or subordinate requirements. The loss of 15 % of the security is a general flat rate which is considered to be a proportional and administrative feasible consequence for non-compliance with a subordinate requirement. The rules further provide for a flat rate forfeiture of 15 % increased by a percentage per day by which the time limit has been exceeded, only where an obligation to respect the time limit for fulfilling a primary requirement has not been complied with.

The field of application of these rules is limited to the common agricultural policy.

Since these rules already provide for the necessary proportionality the Commission sees no need for introducing further flexibility.

(1) OJ L 205, 3.8.1985.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1571/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Autonomy in Kosovo

The most important instruments for achieving autonomy in Kosovo, however extensive or limited it may be, are Kosovo's parliament and government. Neither is functioning, however, because the Albanian parties boycotted the parliamentary elections on the ground that they are seeking independence. The parliament (in which the Albanian parties would, moreover, have an absolute majority) is nonetheless an obvious, democratic platform for the discussion of the territory's future. It is also a platform that enables all groups of Kosovo inhabitants to participate in this debate. On the basis of a mandate issued by the parliament the government can conduct negotiations with the Serbian authorities (if necessary, with international mediation).

Does the Council not feel that, as independence is not a realistic option, a Kosovo parliament elected in free and fair elections is the most democratic and also the most obvious platform for discussing the territory's future?

Is the Council prepared to urge the Serbian authorities to hold elections to the Kosovo parliament at the earliest opportunity and under international supervision?

Will the Council also urge all the parties involved to participate actively in these elections?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

The Council is gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Kosovo. In this context it should be noted that, long before the outbreak of violence and the emergence of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the international community had impressed upon the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and Serbian leaderships the importance to address the untenable situation which had developed in Kosovo since 1990 when the autonomous status of the Province had been rescinded. The Council's position on the status of the region has been made clear on several occasions, and is shared by the rest of the international community: neither the status quo nor independence are acceptable, but an enhanced status which would include a substantial amount of self-government for the region.

It is evident that the FRY and Serbian leaderships have to shoulder the overwhelming share of the responsibility for the crisis in Kosovo.

The majority of the Albanian leadership has decided to boycott the official elections in Kosovo precisely because under the Serb constitution the powers of the Kosovo parliament are more or less symbolic. Therefore, the option envisaged by the Honourable Member seems not a viable option under present circumstances.

But it goes without saying that in the course of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo the question of establishment of a functionning self-administration including a Parliamentary dimension will be crucial.

In the present situation, the EU focuses its efforts on stopping the violent repression and putting pressure on both parties to engage in such a political process. To achieve this goal, the Union has already decided on a number of sanctions against Serbia/the FRY.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1832/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(12 June 1998)

Subject: Risk that the population in island and frontier regions of Greece will no longer have access to the press

A sudden twentyfold increase in the transportation charges for the press decided on by the management of Olympic Airways on 1 June 1998 will make it very difficult for the publishers of newspapers, and particularly those that are financially less well established, to send a sufficient number of copies to the island and frontier regions of Greece.

This is a matter of vital importance and concerns the access to information of all citizens of the European Union.

In the resolution incorporated in own-initiative report A-0289/97 drawn up by the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media on the impact of new technologies upon the press in Europe, the European Parliament calls on the Commission and the Member States "to monitor the distribution systems of the press in the Member States and to take appropriate measures to ensure that all newspapers and periodicals have equal access opportunities to distribution, so as to prevent any barrier to freedom of expression and circulation through distribution" and "to explore the possibility of ... common rules on reducing postal, telecommunications and freight charges for the press".

What action does the Commission intend to take in response to this demand and the rest of the report?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 August 1998)

The Commission in its Decision 94/696/EC of 7 October 1994 on the aid granted by Greece to Olympic Airways(1) introduced the objectives of Olympic Airways' restructuring plan, the application of which was a condition of the authorization of state aid measures for the company.

The Greek government adopted laws No 2271/94 and 2602/98 for the enforcement of the restructuring plan. Law 2602/98 in Article 1.8 stipulates that one of the measures to be adopted in order to enable the company to operate according to the rules of private economy and free competition is the increase of the transport charges for the press.

The company informed the Commission that the last increase in the press transport charges was in 1978. Since then the price has remained unchanged, the freeze being regarded as a public service obligation. This regime is no longer allowed by the restructuring plan of the company.

According to the management of Olympic Airways the new prices are in line with International air transport association (IATA) Decision No 518 on transport charges for the press. Sharing the Parliament's desire to prevent barriers to the freedom of expression, this decision provides that press transport charges are fixed at a discount of 33 % of the price of commercial air transport. Olympic Airways confirms that its new prices are even lower than those fixed by IATA and they are applied equally to the Greek and foreign press.

(1) OJ L 273, 25.10.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0830/98

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Toxicity of toys made from flexible PVC

Despite the decision taken by the European Union's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment confirming that toys made from flexible PVC contain and give off unacceptable quantities of toxic substances, nothing has been done at Community level to outlaw toys of this kind.

The Austrian Government has submitted a draft law banning PVC toys requiring plasticizers and has forwarded it to the EU.

The European Union should follow the same approach instead of allowing children to be exposed to unacceptable levels of toxic products with impunity.

1. Is the Commission aware of this situation?

2. Why has nothing been done at Community level to prevent and eliminate the use of components of this kind in toys?

3. Does the Commission not consider that measures should be taken to comply with Directive 88/378/EEC(1) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the safety of toys? To what extent have the different Member States complied with this directive with regard to the case described above and similar cases?

(1) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1665/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council

(2 June 1998)

Subject: Dumping of nuclear waste

The current presidency of the European Council cites one of its aims as "more effective action on environmental protection, in Europe and world-wide".

Does the Council feel that the dumping of two tanks of radioactive waste from the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston into the River Thames would be in keeping with this aim? Furthermore, does the Council agree that the previous method of disposing of the radioactive tritium by pumping it into the air is equally irresponsible and dangerous? Bearing in mind that bathing and fishing near a nuclear waste reprocessing plant in Normandy had to be banned due to high levels of tritium (15,5 million times higher than normal) earlier this year, does the Council accept that the dangers of tritium are being underestimated?

The radioactive waste in question, amounting to 100 cubic metres, is said to contain liquid tritium waste, which is known to produce changes in human DNA. As there are already leukemia clusters in nearby Newbury, does the Council believe that this is responsible behaviour?

Reply

(24 September 1998)

Like the previous Directive of 1980 (80/836/Euratom)(1), Council 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 ionising radiation(2) covers the case of tritium.

This Directive, which was adopted on 13 May 1996, increased the level of health protection against ionising radiation in the European Union. It was drawn up on the basis of the most recent scientific and technical data.

The Council therefore considers that appropriate implementation of these Directives by the Member States should meet the concerns of the Honourable Member.

(1) OJ L 246, 17.9.1980, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1.