ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0309/96 by Honor Funk (PPE) to the Council (27 February 1996)

Subject: Brussels office of the Tirol Europe region

1. Is the Council aware of the fact that, in connection with the opening of a Europe office in Brussels with four members of staff, the public prosecutor's offices of Bolzano and Trento have started an investigation concerning suspicion of activities against the integrity, independence and unity of the Italian state?

2. What measures does the Council intend to take to examine whether these investigations have been correct and clear thus far?

3. What is the Council's position on the objections of the regional governments of Bolzano and Trento and members of Parliament in the debate on 17 January in Strasbourg?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0244/96, E-0258/96, E-0309/96 and E-0584/96 (3 June 1996)

The Council has not been informed of the subject referred to by the Honourable Members nor indeed of the opening of information offices for other regions. This question does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0498/96 by Spalato Belleré (NI) and Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 March 1996)

Subject: Prevention of AIDS and use of condoms

In view of the intervention of the French Church authorities on the subject of the use of condoms (as a reluctant dispensation from the Christian principles endorsed by the Church), - does the Commission consider that it would be a good idea to issue directives to promote the use of good-quality condoms and their manufacture to the exclusion of inferior quality products, and - does it consider that the only condoms on sale should be made of good-quality latex and that they should be easily obtainable?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0498/96 and E-0558/96 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1996)

Within the context of the programme on the prevention of AIDS and certain other transmissible diseases ((COD/94/0222.)), promoting the use and proper usage of condoms is considered a way of reducing the risk of transmitting the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, for the programme to be implemented, the Commission is committed to promoting the use and availability of good-quality, easily-accessible condoms accompanied by instructions for their usage.

The Commission's action to promote both the availability and correct usage of good-quality condoms is on two levels:

- implementation of Council Directive 93/42/EEC ((OJ L 169, 12.7.1993.)) concerning medical devices, including condoms. This Directive allows condoms to be made available and freely accessible on the Community market, on condition that they satisfy the essential requirements relating to their safety and effectiveness. In order to conform to these essential requirements, the condoms must be certified by a third body (a body recognised by a national authority). This certification comprises strict control of the condoms' properties and quality of manufacture, and only such condoms as conform to this control bear the CE marking.

Until 14 June 1998, manufacturers can market either condoms conforming to pre-existing national legislation (this being a temporary measure) or CE marked condoms. After that date, only CE marked condoms will be permitted on the market;

- standardization of condoms. The Commission has requested the European Committee for standardization to draw up and publish a European harmonized standard. Standard EN600 in particular, adopted in November 1995, lays down the requirements regarding the condoms' strength and leak-tightness. It also defines the minimum requirements for the user to be clear on how to use the condom correctly. It reflects the general state of art and provides technical compliance with the safety requirements as stipulated in Directive 93/42/EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0706/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: Failure by Italy to transpose the Directive on cosmetic products

Law No 52 of 6 February 1996 empowers the Italian Government to transpose Directive 93/35/EEC ((OJ L 151, 23.6.1993, p. 32. )) on cosmetic products by 25 February 1997.

Article 3 of the Directive stipulates that Member States must adopt the laws necessary for compliance by 14 June 1995.

Is the Commission aware of the above facts?

What steps will it take to make Italy transpose the Directive?

Article 29, second paragraph, of the above-mentioned Italian law lays down an obligation to observe the provisions and time-limits set out in Article 1(3) of Directive 93/35/EEC where animal experiments are concerned. What is the Comission's view on that point?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1996)

In a letter dated 29 February 1996 the Italian Government provided the Commission with the official communication of Law No 57/1996 which empowers the above-mentioned Government to transpose Directive 93/35/EEC on cosmetic products by 25 February 1997.

In compliance with its obligations under Article 155 of the EC Treaty, the Commission brought an infringement procedure against Italy for failure to transpose the directive under consideration and duly notified the Italian government in October 1995. This procedure will be shelved once the Directive has been transposed into the Italian legal order.

The Italian Law mentioned by the Honourable Member mandates the Italian Government to transpose Article 3 of the Directive in question into the Italian legal order within the appropriate time limit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0558/96 by Spalato Belleré (NI) and Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Prevention of Aids and use of condoms

Given that condoms are very often not prophylactic because of their poor quality, that Aids is continuing to spread, frequently because the use of condoms is not widespread enough, and that the French Curia has also expressed an interest in the problem

Does the Commission not think it should draw up a regulation governing the manufacture of high-quality condoms and promote awareness campaigns?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0498/96 and E-0558/96 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1996)

Within the context of the programme on the prevention of AIDS and certain other transmissible diseases ((COD/94/0222.)), promoting the use and proper usage of condoms is considered a way of reducing the risk of transmitting the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, for the programme to be implemented, the Commission is committed to promoting the use and availability of good-quality, easily-accessible condoms accompanied by instructions for their usage.

The Commission's action to promote both the availability and correct usage of good-quality condoms is on two levels:

- implementation of Council Directive 93/42/EEC ((OJ L 169, 12.7.1993.)) concerning medical devices, including condoms. This Directive allows condoms to be made available and freely accessible on the Community market, on condition that they satisfy the essential requirements relating to their safety and effectiveness. In order to conform to these essential requirements, the condoms must be certified by a third body (a body recognised by a national authority). This certification comprises strict control of the condoms' properties and quality of manufacture, and only such condoms as conform to this control bear the CE marking.

Until 14 June 1998, manufacturers can market either condoms conforming to pre-existing national legislation (this being a temporary measure) or CE marked condoms. After that date, only CE marked condoms will be permitted on the market;

- standardization of condoms. The Commission has requested the European Committee for standardization to draw up and publish a European harmonized standard. Standard EN600 in particular, adopted in November 1995, lays down the requirements regarding the condoms' strength and leak-tightness. It also defines the minimum requirements for the user to be clear on how to use the condom correctly. It reflects the general state of art and provides technical compliance with the safety requirements as stipulated in Directive 93/42/EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0489/96 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (1 March 1996)

Subject: Measures to protect the medical profession from advertising by interlopers

The recent agreement signed by the Spanish Medical Association and the National Telephone Company of Spain, under which only doctors who are members of the Association may advertise as such in the yellow pages of telephone directories, was designed to meet requests from doctors for the medical profession to be protected against interlopers.

This move is also designed to guarantee the reliability of the information on medical practitioners in the advertising and information material issued by the telephone company.

Is this agreement compatible with the various Community provisions on the matter and are users also protected in other Member States, under these provisions, by similar agreements to prevent such persons from advertising with impunity via adverts which can be included in the yellow pages directories of telephone companies on EU territory?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1996)

The existing and proposed legislation concerning directories in the area of telecommunications does not address the obligations of directory service providers to verify the correctness of information as given by subscribers. Directive 95/62/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1995 on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony ((OJ L 321, 30.12.1995. )) requires regular updates of directories but it does not stipulate that service providers must check information provided by subscribers is truthful.

Directive 95/46/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data ((OJ L 281, 23.11.1995. )), which also applies to the area of telecommunications, does not add anything in this respect. It does require that those who process personal data, e.g. providers of directory services, make sure that the data are 'accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date'. It goes on to say that 'every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that data which are inaccurate or incomplete, having regard to the purposes for which they were collected or for which they are further processed, are erased or rectified' (Article 6(d) of the Directive). However, this provision is based on the need to protect the so-called data subject and not those who use the data.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0525/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: HELIOS programme

Will the Commission ensure that a textphone for calls from deaf citizens is provided in all its offices in each of the Member States, and that staff are trained to use these efficiently?

Does the Commission agree that without provision of these telephones, the Commission will be discriminating against deaf citizens in providing information?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (26 April 1996)

The Commission welcomes the Honourable Member's suggestion but points out the need for a detailed study before relatively large sums are spent on implementing it, since the technology is evolving and is now closely linked to the role of computers. The existing telephones are standard instruments which could soon be obsolete. As part of its internal policy, the Commission is planning the gradual introduction of criteria for equal opportunities for the disabled to take account of their specific needs.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0583/96 by Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Sales promotion programmes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

Competition on the world market in agricultural produce and foodstuffs has become considerably fiercer owing to the agreements under GATT and other concessions to third countries.

Does the Commission not therefore consider it necessary to support the international competitiveness of European agriculture by stepping up EU sales promotion measures?

How does the Commission view the possibility of having recourse, where necessary, to unused appropriations from the EAGGF Guarantee Sector to fund EU export promotion and marketing programmes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1996)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that marketing programmes for Community farm produce should be stepped up in other countries.

This is in fact already being done for certain products and the Commission is now looking into the possibility of extending these programmes to other products not covered by export refunds.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0879/96 by James Moorhouse (PPE) to the Commission (17 April 1996)

Subject: Electrical safety

In view of the continuing negotiations in Cenelec to harmonize plugs and sockets across the EU, and the concern this has caused consumers, does the Commission have any detailed data on electrocutions?

Does the Commission have any estimates of the total cost for householders and businesses of adapting to a common electrical system?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf ofthe Commission (15 May 1996)

The Commission and the Member States collect detailed information on home and leisure accidents in the framework of the Ehlass decision ((OJ L 331, 21.12.1994 as modified by OJ L 120, 31.5.1995. )). The Commission's data indicates the number of accidents in which the accident mechanism was electrocution. These data also show the product involved in the accident. However plugs and sockets are not registered as products themselves, but are considered as parts of a product i.e. a lamp or a washing machine.

Furthermore, it is not possible - due to the way national reports are made - to link a certain accident mechanism to a certain product. The conclusion is that the data in the possession of the Commission is not very useful in showing whether plugs or sockets constitute a hazard for consumers.

For the second part of the question on cost involved, the Honourable Member is invited to refer to the reply to Written Question P-325/96 by Mr Mombaur ((OJ C 217 of 26.7.1996, p. 22. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0424/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (29 February 1996)

Subject: Subsidizing animal cruelty

It has been said that EU funding earmarked for developing culture and tourism (Kaleidoscope or Raphael funds perhaps) have been used to promote cruel animal fiestas such as those in Spain which have caused great distress in the past. Will the Commission check carefully to see if any funds have been used in this way and if so, stop the funding forthwith?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1996)

With regard to cultural action, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the objective of the Kaleidoscope programme (and, previously, the Kaleidoscope pilot project) is to encourage and support the Member States' activity in promoting contemporary art and to foster cultural cooperation between Member States.

In the field of heritage, the basic objective of the pilot projects (the Raphael programme is still being discussed by the institutions) launched by the Commission is to support the Member States' efforts to restore and conserve their architectural heritage.

The 'cruel animal fiestas' referred to by the Honourable Member would therefore not receive any Community support under its cultural programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0743/96 by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: Animal welfare 'friendly' labelling system

There are great discrepancies in animal welfare standards between the Member States in the EU. Will the Commission look into the possibility of introducing a labelling system which could accompany animal products which would identify them as having come from animals bred and raised in recognized animal welfare 'friendly' conditions?

Given the concern over this issue by the majority of EU citizens, this would be a positive step in encouraging all farmers to introduce animal rearing practices conducive to good animal welfare standards in addition to giving consumers a more informed choice.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1996)

The Commission accepts that there are currently discrepancies in animal welfare standards not only between Member States but also within Member States. One of the principal aims of the directives so far adopted in this domain is to reduce these discrepancies. However, the three directives ((Directives 88/166/EEC - OJ L 74, 19.3.1988 - 91/629/EEC, 91/630/EEC - OJ L 340, 11.12.1991 )) on conditions of rearing animals are based on minimum standards and it is therefore possible for a certain level of differing standards to remain.

As far as labelling is concerned, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No. E-1476/92 ((OJ C 289, 5.11.1992. )) by Mrs Pollack.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0701/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: ERDF, ESF and EAGGF (Guidance) payments 1989-93

Analysis of ERDF, ESF and EAGGF (Guidance) payments in Spain and Italy over the period 1989-93 reveals considerable variations.

Italy received ECU 1336,26 million in payments in 1991 and ECU 3406,6 million in 1993: in other words, payments effectively doubled. Spain, by contrast, received substantially less in 1993 than in 1992; the 1993 figure, only ECU 2971,3 million, was less than that for Italy.

Can the Commission explain the main reasons for these considerable variations?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 april 1996)

The financial management of structural funds expenditure reflects the state of progress of the operations on the ground; in other words, the rate of disbursements is determined by the implementation of the programmes.

Hence, Member States whose Community Support Frameworks for the period 1989-93 show a satisfactory rate of progress received more at the beginning of the period than at the end. By contrast, Member States in which operations fell substantially behind schedule received less funding at the beginning and more at the end of the period. Overall, each Member State will receive for the entire period 1989-93 the payments to which it is entitled.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0923/96 by Wilmya Zimmermann (PSE) and Annemarie Kuhn (PSE) to the Commission (23 April 1996)

Subject: Suggestions procedure at the Commission

Is the Commission aware that there are successful suggestions procedures in operation in many private companies, as well as in the administrations of most of the Member States? Is it aware that such procedures enable employees to make practical suggestions for improvements outside of the usual channels, via a committee set up by mutual agreement between staff representatives and management? Is it aware that employees and employers are represented in equal numbers on such committees, that they have decision-making powers, and that the suggestions they adopt lead to considerable savings and greater efficiency?

Is the Commission aware that a suggestions procedure can increase employees' motivation as well as helping to realize their creative potential? If so, why has the Commission not already introduced such a procedure in its own administration?

Does the Commission take the view that, particularly in this time of financial shortages, a suggestions procedure could lead to more efficient use of resources, thus reducing the percentage of the budget spent on administration?

Is the Commission prepared to move forward with the introduction of a suggestions procedure in consultation with staff representatives, with a view to making its administration more efficient, accessible, environmentally friendly and energy-conscious? If so, will it abide by the principles of unprejudiced, appropriate, rapid assessment of suggestions for improvements in its negotiations with staff representatives? Will it ensure that successful suggestions leading to economies and greater efficiency are suitably rewarded?

Can the Commission name a time at which it could begin negotiations with staff representatives with a view to introducing such a procedure (possibly on an experimental basis)?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1996)

The suggestions procedure is not new; it is well established in both private firms and public organizations. Its success varies with the organization and the way in which it is set up.

The staff representatives have already approached the Commission regarding a suggestions procedure. At the request of the Member responsible for Personnel and Administration and Budgets, the questions of feasibility and implementation procedures are currently being examined.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0977/96 by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission (22 April 1996)

Subject: Ban on the battery farming of hens

In 1992 the Commission's Veterinary Advisory Committee published a report on the well-being of layers kept under a variety of conditions. The report demonstrated clearly that the well-being of layers is endangered if they are kept in batteries. In Finland the matter came to the fore recently when the Finnish Parliament, decided on animal health protection grounds, to ban the battery farming of hens in Finland as from 2005, unless developments in the EU and its Member States warranted a longer transitional period.

Does the Commission intend to complete the groundwork carried out in the early 1990s and put forward a proposal for a ban on the battery farming of hens in the Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1996)

Under Council Directive 88/166/EEC ((OJ L 74, 19.3.1988. )) providing minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages the Commission has to submit a report on scientific developments regarding the welfare of hens under various systems of rearing, accompanied by any appropriate adjustment proposals.

In May 1992 the scientific veterinary committee adopted a report setting out the latest available scientific information on the welfare of hens. The Commission has requested the committee to update and review that report before August this year. It is the intention of the Commission to present its own report, together with any proposals, to the Council later this year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0420/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council (29 February 1996)

Subject: Recognition of Imia as Greek

Agence Europe No.6659 of 3 February 1996 published a statement by the spokesman for the Italian Presidency saying that the Italian Presidency of the European Union agrees with the Greek view that Imia is Greek.

Does the Council of Ministers of the EU share the view expressed by the Italian Presidency?

Joint Reply (25 June 1996)

The General Affairs Council discussed the situation in the Aegean in February and expressed concern at the recent developments, which affect the Union as a whole and its relations with Turkey.

The Presidency of the Council called on the parties to continue to exercise restraint and to refrain from any action liable to increase tension and from any demonstration of armed force.

The Presidency of the Council also encouraged Greece and Turkey to establish between them a crisis-prevention mechanism and considered that the dispute and the territorial issues should be settled solely by the process of law, i.e. by the International Court of Justice.