ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1867/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (30 May 1997)

Subject: Vested interests in cocoa campaign

The Kangaroo Group Newsletter published in Brussels (March 1997 ed., No 12, pp. 18 and 19) contains an article signed by Jürgen Boltz, of European Public Policy Advisers, London, on the single market in chocolate products.

Mr Boltz argues that this market should be standardized and endorses the Commission's proposal for a directive, which he claims is accepted by European chocolate manufacturers who are members of CAOBISCO on the ground that it represents clear progress towards improving the single market in this product.

Mr Boltz also claims that the proposal does not enjoy the support it needs among consumer organizations and politicians because of a campaign conducted against it 'which is largely financed by powerful cocoa interests'.

Given the importance of this matter for many ACP countries, can the Commission say whether this grave accusation is true or whether what is occurring is simply a legitimate conflict of interests and opinions?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

The Commission would prefer not to comment on the statements made in the article referred to by the Honourable Member.

It would stress that the proposal for a directive on cocoa products and chocolate ((OJ C 231, 9.8.1996. )) currently being examined by the Council and Parliament was subjected to a long process of consultation of the circles concerned during its preparation.

It feels that its proposal is based on an equitable balance of those interests.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1646/97 by Ursula Stenzel (PPE) to the Commission (14 May 1997)

Subject: Implementation of a Media III programme

The various Listeners and Viewers representatives of the ORF, ARD, ZDF and SRG are jointly calling for an EU Media III programme aimed at encouraging production of their own children's programmes. That would make high-quality products for children's programmes or children's channels available to television organizations.

Is there any possibility of achieving and promoting this aspiration?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1997)

The priority aim of the Media II programme is to support independent audiovisual production. The Commission has consequently endeavoured to put in place grant mechanisms upstream and downstream of production, in the form of assistance for training, development and distribution.

In the case of assistance for television, special attention is paid to programmes for children and in particular animated programmes.

Grants are thus paid for dubbing or sub-titling programmes for television and for the production of works involving at least two broadcasters from more than one Member State. The stated aim of these measures (see 1.2.2 of the Annex to Decision 95/563/EC) ((OJ L 321, 31. 12.1995. )) is to improve the circulation of quality works in Europe and to offer broadcasters a range of programmes with a wide broadcasting potential. Thus broadcasters indirectly receive Community aid.

With regard to Media III, it is too soon to anticipate the half-term assessment of the Media II programme (planned for mid-1998) or the recommendations which could result therefrom and lead to possible readjustments in the future.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2008/97 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 June 1997)

Subject: EU and Poland's environment legislation

According to the Polish environmental movement, the Commission is demanding that the country lower its standards on certain important aspects of its environment legislation. The Commission is reportedly demanding changes to the Polish rules on car imports. At present, Poland requires all imported cars to be fitted with catalytic converters and also bans imports of cars more than 10 years old. The Commission wants Poland to reconsider these rules.

It is often stressed in debating future eastwards enlargement of the EU that membership would have a positive impact on the environment in the new Member States. The credibility of such an argument is seriously undermined when the EU is demanding that the present environment laws should be relaxed.

The Commission's demands are unacceptable for several reasons. Poland is not a member of the Union. On what legal basis is the EU demanding that the country amend its laws? What specific measures and means of exerting pressure has the Commission used against Poland in these particular cases?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-1961/97 by Mrs Riis-Jørgensen ((See page 127. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2235/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: US military aid to Congo (formerly Zaïre)

A report in The International Herald Tribune (9 June 1997) refers to a suggestion by the US representative to the United Nations that the Clinton administration is willing to give military aid to the new Government of Congo 'as an incentive to maintain human rights standards'.

Many would view this as a worrying development, given that arms sales have already exacerbated tensions in the Great Lakes Region. Western-supplied arms are believed to have played an important role in the genocide witnessed in Rwanda, for example.

Has the US Government given any details to the Commission or other EU institutions about the nature of its planned military cooperation with Congo? What action does the Commission propose to take?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (22 July 1997)

The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of the Honourable Member the conclusions of the Council (General Affairs) on 2 June 1997 on the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa, in which the Member States, 'recognising that the availability of arms in quantities exceeding needs for self-defence may be

a factor contributing to situations of instability, reaffirm their commitment to exercise the utmost restraint with regard to arms exports.' On the subject of United States military aid, information supplied by the US authorities is to the effect that their country is prepared to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo to reform its armed forces in order to turn them into a multi-ethnic professional army tasked with the defence of the national territory. Military aid would take the form of institutional support i.e. the provision of experts.

In agreement with the Member States the Commission's policy is aimed at full cooperation by the new authorities with the humanitarian aid agencies in searching for and repatriating refugees and displaced persons. Furthermore, it has called on the Congolese authorities to allow the United Nations fact-finding mission complete freedom to enquire into accusations of violent extortion and of massacres of Rwandan refugees in the Congo. Rehabilitation programmes and full cooperation can resume as soon as there is practical confirmation of the new authorities' willingness to respect human rights, restart the democratisation process and establish a State in which the rule of law prevails.

The United States was informed in the course of the regular dialogue with that country of the fact that this policy, referred to in the conclusions of the Amsterdam European Council, had been adopted.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1343/97 by André Fourçans (PPE) to the Commission (21 April 1997)

Subject: Non-discrimination rule

Given that the use and stage reached in the development of the various means of payment vary considerably between the Member States, is the uniform abolition of the non-discrimination rule throughout the European Union justified?

Would it not be more appropriate to determine whether this rule is justified in view of the specific situation in each Member State, particularly the state of competition between the various means of payment and the degree of satisfaction among users?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1338/97, E-1339/97, E-1340/97, E-1341/97, E-1342/97, E-1343/97 and E-1344/97 given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (2 June 1997)

The Commission is unable at this juncture to reply in detail to the questions put by the Honourable Member. It is currently examining in the light of Community competition law a number of card payment systems notified under Article 4 of Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962 ((OJ C 13, 21.2.1962. )). They include, for example, national systems such as the 'CB' system in France as well as international systems such as those operated by Visa International and Europay Interntional. Some of these systems have a so-called non-discrimination rule to which the Honourable Member refers.

The Commission is assessing the validity of that rule in the light of the Community rules on competition and has entered into discussions with the parties concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0773/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-302 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1920/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (4 June 1997)

Subject: Superannuation pensions

I have been given to understand that Community law allows superannuation pensions to be regarded as deferred pay and that there should, therefore, be no abatement of earnings in the case of persons drawing a superannuation pension. Would the Commission please confirm that such is the case.

If so, is the Commission aware that the National Health Service is not applying that law and is indeed taking an abatement of earnings from employees who have been re-employed?

Can the Commission indicate whether the NHS rules are unlawful under Community law? If so, what action will it take to remedy the situation?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

In accordance with the established case law of the Court of Justice ((Cf. Barber judgment of 17 May 1990 (C-262/88), ECR 1990 I-1889, Beunc judgment of 28 March 1994 (C-7/93), ECR 1994 I-4471, and DEI judgment of 17 April 1997 (C-147/95), not yet published. )), superannuation schemes as found in the United Kingdom are included under the scope of Article 119 of the EC Treaty on equal pay for male and female workers. However, Community intervention is limited to matters concerning equal treatment for men and women (Article 119 and Directives 86/378/EEC ((OJ L 225, 12.8.1986. )) and 96/97/EC ((OJ L 46, 17.2.1997. ))) and, in part, the protection of employees' pension rights in the event of transfers of undertakings (Directive 77/187/EEC ((OJ L 61, 5.3.1977. )) and the insolvency of the employer (Directive 80/987/EEC) ((OJ L 283, 20.10.1980. )). The latter two Directives apply only to the private sector.

The organisation, functioning and calculation of the various benefits under these schemes are matters for the national authorities, provided that the above-mentioned Community rules are complied with. For this reason the Commission cannot intervene in the case described by the Honourable Member, on the grounds that it would not appear to be governed by current Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0752/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-105 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0765/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-721 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1907/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (4 June 1997)

Subject: Dangerous goods - vessels

With reference to the 'Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 93/75/EEC concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods' (COM(96) 0455 final - 96/0231 SYN) ((OJ C 334, 8.11.1996, p. 11. )),

Directive 93/75/EEC ((OJ L 247, 5.10.1993, p. 19. )) is intended to improve the prevention of and intervention in circumstances which may cause accidents at sea in which vessels transporting dangerous or polluting goods are involved.

This directive has been the subject of an initial amendment, under Commission Directive 96/39/EC ((OJ L 196, 7.8.1996, p. 7. )) concerning the application, in accordance with Article 11, of subsequent amendments to the international Convention, Codes and Resolution referred to in Article 2(e), (f), (g) and (h). The amendment was made in accordance with the opinion of the committee referred to in Article 12 of Directive 93/75/EEC.

In view of the increase in the transport of radioactive materials by sea and the importance of the position of the Member States on the matter, will the Commission insert a reference to the INF list in Article 2 of Directive 93/75/EEC?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1997)

The Commission welcomes the Honourable Member's suggestion to update Community legislation in view of the increase in transport by sea of nuclear materials. The proposed directive of the Commission amending Council Directive 93/75/EEC which concerns minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods ((COM(96) 455. )) already responds to this suggestion. It does so by making an explicit reference, in the list of codes and conventions applicable for the purposes of the Directive, to the INF code of the International maritime organization concerning the safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel (INF), plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes on board ships.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0777/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-5020 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0788/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-850 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0753/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-300 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.

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 (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.