ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0659/98 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (16 March 1998)

Subject: European Office for Legal Aid

1. Is the Council aware of the large number of citizens of Member States of the European Union who are being held (for far too long) on remand, both in EU countries and elsewhere?

2. Does the Council agree that this has given rise to a situation which violates the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

3. Can the Council state as soon as possible how it intends to support subjects of the European Union in their weak legal position?

4. Will the Council give consideration to establishing a European Office for Legal Aid in order to guarantee legal assistance for citizens of the European Union in accordance with the standards of the conventions referred to above?

Answer (13/14 July 1998)

The Council would point out once again that it attaches the utmost importance to safeguarding the principles set out in European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms drawn up on 4 November 1950. All the Member States are party to that Convention. Moreover, Article K.2 of the Treaty on European Union provides that matters arising in that connection shall be dealt with in compliance with that Convention.

The Honourable Member will be aware that provisions regarding remand lie within the competence of each Member State and are part of its internal legal order.

That said, the various Member States have long since concluded bilateral conventions with third countries and are party to international instruments on criminal law, particularly within the Council of Europe. As regards persons liable to extradition, the Council would point out that the Convention on simplified extradition procedure drawn up on 10 March 1995 between the Member States of the European Union creates the conditions for reducing to a minimum the time necessary for the extradition and any period of detention for extradition purposes where the person consents to his surrender. In addition, proceedings, on which Parliament has been fully consulted in accordance with Article K.6 of the Treaty, are also in progress on the possibility of improving mutual legal assistance between the Member States, thereby speeding up proceedings pending in Member States of the European Union.

The Council would nevertheless point out that proceedings on the matters suggested by the Honourable Member are not among the priorities in the area of justice and home affairs set by the Council for the period between 1 January 1998 and the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam; Parliament was consulted on those priorities in accordance with Article K.6 of the Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/98 by Fernando Moniz (PSE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: The Sela dam - an ecological crime

Environmental protection is one of the EU's major concerns. A number of measures and decisions are being taken with a view to launching a campaign to increase awareness, together with new rules and regulations to be introduced in the Member States.

During Parliament's part-session in Strasbourg in February 1998 the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament devoted attention to this issue, in particular in connection with 'climate change'.

An agreement signed in 1968 laid down conditions for the 'hydroelectric exploitation' of Sela on the river Minho in the north of Portugal, near Monção and Melgaço, to be promoted by the Portuguese corporation EDP and the Spanish Union Fenosa.

The creation of a lake 22 km long would undoubtedly submerge hundreds of fishing grounds and destroy the natural habitats of various fish species (shad, lamprey and salmon).

The existence of a reservoir would undoubtedly cause a change in the climate, with an increase in humidity and solar radiation, which would alter the microclimate essential for the production of a traditional quality wine ('vinho alvarinho') which is the only really profitable and competitive 'niche' product of two of the most authentic and traditional, but at the same time poorest, towns in Portugal.

The local authorities, the bodies representing the region and the population in general feel strongly about the hydroelectric project and are clearly showing their opposition and trying to ensure that economic considerations and influences do not prevail over the protection of wildlife and a socio-economic structure with traditions closely tied up with rural life, which it is essential to preserve.

In view of the fact that this project may be carried out contrary to the principles upheld by the EU, does the Commission intend, once it has all the relevant information at its disposal, to use its influence to safeguard the legitimate interests which are at stake?

If so, what actual measures will be taken?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The project in question has not been the subject of a request for Community co-financing.

According to the information available to the Commission, a public inquiry is currently under-way, in accordance with the requirements of the environmental impact assessment procedure under Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )).

The Commission will take care to ensure that the national authorities conform with Community law, in particular with regard to nature conservation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0624/98 by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission (9 March 1998)

Subject: Plight of Guatemalan street children

Is the Commission aware of the continuing murders of street children in Guatemala? For instance, in two days last autumn, thirteen youths were murdered on the streets. All of them had been shot through the head.

Could the European Commission confront the Guatemalan Government, requesting them to launch a formal inquiry into the murders of these children and those murdered in similar circumstances?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0623/98 and E-0624/98 given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1998)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for her interest in the problem of street children and, more especially, the children's code in force in Guatemala.

On the subject of this code and its successor (due to enter into force shortly), the Commission believes that the government's efforts to ensure actual and effective implementation need to be taken into account. To ensure the new code is both applied properly and obeyed by the relevant bodies, the government has put in hand a number of awareness campaigns, staff training courses and activities to prepare these bodies (legal institutions, the national board for children and youth, and the social welfare secretariat).

On the subject of the children themselves, the Commission is fully aware of the abuses and ill-treatment they suffer. This complex situation is known to be caused by social and economic factors (large-scale migration to the capital, breakdown of the family unit, loss of cultural identity and a life without prospects) and the Commission has been trying to tackle it with an ECU 2.5 million project that has been running since the start of the year.

The project, which has proved very effective, aims to give street children protection and direct assistance so they can return to normal life. It also sets out to promote activities to keep children away from a life on the streets and to strengthen the public institutions charged with protecting minors and putting child protection laws into effect ('secretaría de bienestar social', juvenile court, human rights ombudsman).

On this last point, the project has attempted to shelter children from abuse by setting up a unit where any such incidents can be reported, investigated and dealt with through magistrates and the courts.

Without impinging on national sovereignty, the Commission will continue to use its aid to support government efforts to protect the young. A project to reform the administration of justice in Guatemala is due to be launched in an attempt to support those bodies responsible for implementing the law, especially the children's code.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0330/98 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (10 February 1998)

Subject: Public sector in Sweden

In connection with the public sector cutbacks in Sweden in recent years, it has been argued from several quarters that the public sector in Sweden is too big compared with other Member States. A large public sector forces up taxes which in turn is considered to put the country's industry at a disadvantage. However, the Swedish minister responsible for taxation, Thomas Östros, has claimed that the problem has more to do with other Member States' low levels of tax which create unfair competition. The tax burden as a percentage of GDP is 50.2% in Sweden, whereas, in France, it is 44.5%.

Does the Commission consider that the large public sector in Sweden is in any respect a cause for concern for the EU's internal market?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1998)

Member States have been faced in the last three decades with a substantial increase in their government expenditure as share of the gross domestic product (GDP) as well as in their tax burden (i.e. the sum of indirect taxes, direct taxes and social contributions in % of GDP). The size of the tax burden varies among Member States. In this respect, Sweden is in the group with the highest tax burden together with Denmark (53%-54% of GDP in 1996). Other Member States can roughly be divided into two groups, a middle group (tax burden of 42%-48% of GDP in 1996) consisting of Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland, and a group having a lower tax burden (33%-36% of GDP in 1996) with Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

The priority of budgetary policy within the Community in the 1990s has been to improve the public finance situation in Member States and to make it sustainable in the medium term. The Commission, supported by all Member States, has outlined, in particular in the broad economic guidelines, a strategy for achieving this objective. Firstly, prominence should be given to restraining expenditure as opposed to further increases in the tax burden. Secondly, action to reduce expenditure should be accompanied, to the extent possible and without threatening the necessary reduction in budget deficits, by a shift in government spending priorities towards more productive activities. Thirdly, the desired reduction in the tax burden in most Member States, especially on labour, should be carried out so that tight expenditure control makes tax reductions consistent with the achievement and maintenance of sound budget balances.

The Commission also believes that, given the inter-relationship between taxation policy on the one hand and the single market, economic and monetary union (EMU) and the fight against unemployment on the other, Member States stand to gain from increased co-operation in tax measures. Harmful competition between tax regimes of the different Member States should thus be avoided.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0374/98 by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Assessment of the practice of 'Sham Recovery' by companies contracted to use reprocessing services

What assessment has the Commission made of the extent to which the practice of 'Sham Recovery' - an operation that purports to recover reusable material but in reality amounts to waste disposal - has been used by companies contracted to use the reprocessing services of (a) BNFL at Sellafield, (b) UKAEA Technology at Dounreay and (c) COGEMA at La Hague?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1998)

Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel as carried out by BNFL at Sellafield, by the UKAEA at Dounreay and by Cogema at La Hague recovers reusable uranium and plutonium. To date a portion of the reusable material recovered has been recycled. The rest is held in store and much of it could be fabricated into mixed oxide (MOX) for eventual use in reactors. None has been disposed of as waste. The process also gives rise to a waste stream which after further processing, usually including vitrification, is stored for eventual disposal.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0532/98 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (2 March 1998)

Subject: Social housing

The Commission's White Paper on social policy explicitly mentions housing as a key area in combating social exclusion and as an important source of new jobs.

What initiatives are currently being taken to promote social housing? How much money does the European Union allocate for this purpose? Does the Commission intend to take measures under the ERDF to promote social housing or include it under any other existing programme?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1998)

Housing policy remains within the competence of the Member States. The Commission at present is confined to supporting only very limited activities such as comparative research studies on housing issues.

All the Member States recognised a common right to adequate housing by ratification of the 1966 United Nations international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights.

At their latest informal meeting, held in Amsterdam on September 24, 1997, housing ministers aimed to identify housing issues of common interest for future discussions. They agreed that the special subject for discussion at the next informal meeting will be 'the impact of housing construction, housing renovation and modernisation on employment'.

Housing is also a factor to consider in the strategies against social exclusion. In this context, the Commission supports activities carried out by Feantsa, the European federation of the national associations working with the homeless. Its 1997/1998 programme relates to the role and impact of supported housing in the reintegration and the exclusion process.

For the period 2000-2006, although not specifically financing housing actions through the structural funds, the Commission is nonetheless proposing that 'a high level of poverty, including poor housing conditions' should be amongst the criteria for the selection of urban areas under objective 2 in future. As proposed regions covered by objective 2 would deal with economic and social conversion, should have four types (industrial including services, urban, rural and fisheries areas).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0788/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (5 March 1998)

Subject: Sale of World Cup tickets

Given the Commission reply to my earlier question (E-0029/98 ((OJ C 223, 17.7.1998, p. 89. ))) on the subject of the sale of tickets is the Commission aware that the World Cup is in fact due to take place this June? Does the Commission recall its statement following Italia 90 and a reply to another question tabled on all-inclusive travel packages (P-3480/95 ((OJ C 137, 8.5.1996, p. 14. )))? Can the Commission explain why it is so slow in taking action against the French distribution of tickets given that problems were first raised in June 1997 and will the Commission immediately inform FIFA who have taken over aspects of ticket allocation that they like the French authorities are not in fact above EU law?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1041/98 by Jens-Peter BONDE to the Council. Particular advantages for national minorities in elections



Official Journal C 310 , 09/10/1998 P. 0155



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1041/98 by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Council (3 April 1998) Subject: Particular advantages for national minorities in elections Is a provision of an electoral law giving a national minority in a Member State a particular advantage in connection with parliamentary elections, local elections and elections to the European Parliament etc. in contravention of the Amsterdam Treaty? Answer (16/17 June 1998) It is not for the Council to state a position on the Amsterdam Treaty, which is currently the subject of ratification procedures. Moreover, the Honourable Member will be aware that the interpretation of the Treaty is not a matter for the Council but for the Court of Justice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0546/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: The 'Di Bella' therapy: disparities in treatment

The experimental use of a form of treatment for cancer has been causing much controversy in Italy in the last few months. The treatment was devised by Professor Luigi Di Bella and is based on the use of a substance called somatostatin. This treatment is being provided free of charge by the Health Service in certain regions, whilst it is still unavailable in others, which means that Italian citizens are being subjected to wide disparities in treatment.

According to the local press and statements made by Professor Di Bella himself somatostatin is now being produced without the necessary pharmacological quality guarantees.

In the light of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether it does not consider that the attitude of the Italian authorities is jeopardizing the need to safeguard public health, protect consumer rights and ensure product safety in accordance with Articles 129 and 129a of the EC Treaty;

2. whether it does not consider that there is a disparity in the treatment received by Italian citizens;

3. what it thinks of the issue as a whole?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1998)

The EC Treaty defines the tasks and competences of the Community in the field of public health and consumer protection. According to Article 129 of the EC Treaty, Community action is essentially directed towards the prevention of diseases. In the case of cancer, this objective is pursued through the 'Europe against cancer' programme. However, the specific methods of treating of diseases and the delivery of health care lie within the competence and responsibility of the Member States.

Due to this responsibility of the Member States, the Commission is not in a position to make comments on the management of the 'new therapy' in Italy mentioned by the Honourable Member, and on the way in which it is made available. However, the Commission will watch future developments with interest, in particular the planned clinical trial for the 'Di Bella' therapy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0802/98 by André Laignel (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Applying the 35-hour-week initiative throughout the European Union

Throughout the European Union, a reduction of the working week to 35 hours would clearly have a beneficial effect on employment, the quality of life of European citizens and equality of access to employment.

To that end, a clear and spontaneous undertaking by the Commission is essential. In what form and on what time scale does the Commission propose to act to harmonize social legislation in line with the best practice, particularly by establishing a legal working week of 35 hours in all countries of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1998)

The Commission believes that the best approach to issues relating to the modernisation of the organisation of work, including working time arrangements, is that set out in the Council Resolution of 15 December 1997 on the 1998 employment guidelines ((OJ C 30, 28.1.1998. )). These invite the social partners 'to negotiate, at the appropriate levels, agreements to modernize the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security. Such agreements may for example, cover the expression of working time as an annual figure, the reduction of working hours, the reduction of overtime, the development of part-time working, lifelong training and career breaks'.

The Commission will continue to support efforts by the social parners, at all levels, to reach agreement on any or all of these issues as a means of attaining the goal of adaptability. However, other than ensuring the protection of the health and safety of workers in regard to the organisation of working time, it is not the Commission's intention to propose further statutory reductions in the average working week.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0909/98 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Imports of tinned sardines from third countries

Can the Commission provide information on the volume of imports of tinned sardines from third countries, indicating the individual quantities by country of origin which cross European Union borders?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0907/98, E-0908/98, E-0909/98, E-0910/98, E-0911/98, E-0912/98, E-0913/98, E-0914/98 and E-0915/98 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0847/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Recognition of the sign language used by the deaf-and-dumb in the EU

Almost ten years have passed since the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 17 June 1988 ((OJ C 187, 18.7.1988, p. 236. )) calling for the official recognition of the national sign languages used by the deaf-and-dumb in the Member States of the EU. Such a step is considered absolutely indispensable to ensure that deaf people have access to education and to reassure them that they are not excluded from public life in the Member States in which they live.

Will the Commission say which EU Member States have accorded official recognition to the sign language used by the deaf-and-dumb and how it intends to intervene to promote this form of communication which is so important for them?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (20 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question P-137/98 by Mrs Graenitz ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 37. )).