ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0838/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Alleged irregularities committed by Enfap Uil in the management of ESF vocational training funds

There have recently been reports of further suspect episodes concerning the management of funds for vocational training in Latium. On 7 February 1998 the Director-General of the INPS (National Social Security Institute), Dr Penna, sent a letter to Latium's Regional Executive Officer responsible for the budget, Mr Angiolo Marroni, in which he maintained that a vocational training body, Enfap Uil, had evaded its obligation to pay Lit 13 billion out of the social security contributions due in respect of its employees in the period since 1992. In spite of this accusation, Latium Regional Council paid some Lit 10 billion to Enfap between March and December 1997 under existing vocational training agreements.

Murky incidents relating to the organization of vocational training in Latium have already occurred on a number of occasions in the past. In one case, following an inquiry opened as a result of my earlier questions, training bodies were charged with conspiracy and fraud. Enfap was among the bodies investigated but has none the less continued to enjoy approved status. Indeed, in the most recent update of operations to be financed by the European Social Fund, approximately forty courses have been assigned to it.

1. Was the Commission already aware of the circumstances described above?

2. Does it not believe that a fresh inquiry should be opened into the management of ESF vocational training funds in Latium?

3. Does it not believe that bodies under investigation should be stripped of their approved status, at least until their position has been clarified in the Italian courts?

4. What is its general view on the matter as a whole?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1998)

The Commission has no knowledge of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. It has asked the Member State concerned for information and will inform the Honourable Member of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0544/98 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Receipt of a Belgian pension

Many pensioners who have returned to Italy from Belgium are unable to receive their pension entitlement because the Belgian Office National des Pensions does not authorize it to be paid into a current account nor to be received by proxy, even by a close relative, despite the fact that the Decree of 15 May 1996 specifies that pensions may be paid into current accounts at banks or post offices in all EU countries, except in Italy and any other Member State where there is no agreement with banking institutions.

Can the Commission prevail upon the Italian authorities to draw up agreements with banks as a matter of urgency in order to ensure immediate implementation of the decree and to launch the necessary procedures, in view of the Italian Banking Association's willingness to cooperate, with a view to remedying as soon as possible a situation which heavily penalizes Italians who have acquired pension rights abroad?

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

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to paragraph 1 of Article 53 of Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 on the method of payment of benefits due under the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 ((Regulations Nos 1408/71 and 574/72 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community, amended and updated by Regulation No 118/97 of 30 January 1997 (OJ L 28, 30.1.1997). )). This paragraph refers to Annex 6, in which the procedures for current and sundry payments are indicated for each Member State. Sections 'A. Belgium' and 'H. Italy' indicate 'direct payment'.

According to the information available to the Commission, pensions are currently transferred directly to the recipient by international postal order or cheque, or in accordance with direct agreements between the payment institution of one country and the banks of another country.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0754/98 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: REGIS Initiative cuts for the outermost regions under Agenda 2000

The Commission's Agenda 2000 plans to maintain the outermost regions as Objective 1 regions, despite the fact that their GDP is higher than 75% of the Community average.

However, when the Commission's same Agenda 2000 speaks of reducing the number of Community initiatives it excludes the REGIS Initiative for outermost regions from the new objectives, though they were included in earlier planning periods. As the Commission knows, the REGIS Initiative is the second largest investment programme in the Canary Islands, after the Canaries Operational Programme (ERDF), and provides substantial funds for local development or promoting renewable energies, to mention but two examples.

On the other hand, the special treatment set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam for the outermost regions, which mentions special measures for the conditions of access to the Structural Funds and Community-wide programmes, suggests a need for a special Community initiative for these regions such as the REGIS Initiative has been up to now.

Does the Commission consider there is a need to include a Community initiative for the outermost regions in the next planning period, as was the case in the REGIS I and REGIS II programmes?

In what way has the Commission made provision to offset a possible disappearance of the REGIS Initiative, bearing in mind the importance of its financial contribution to the Canary Islands' economy and people?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission plans to pay close attention to the most remote areas. Its proposal of 18 March 1998 for new Structural Funds Regulations ((COM(98) 131. )) specifically includes making these regions eligible under Objective 1, even if their per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is higher than 75% of the Community average.

The Commission plans to integrate the measures hitherto carried out under Regis I and II into the Objective 1 programmes in order to promote thematic concentration, simplify management and administration and increase their effectiveness.

With regard to the intensity of Community aid, like the other regions eligible under Objective 1, the most remote areas should benefit from the effort to concentrate budgetary resources on this Objective.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0245/98 by Petrus Cornelissen (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: Car-jacking

1. Is the Commission aware of an audacious new type of car theft in Europe, that of car-jacking in which drivers are forced to hand over the keys of their vehicle and the car-jacker then drives off with it?

2. Will the Commission examine, possibly in conjunction with the police, car manufacturers, consumer organizations and insurance companies, what ways there are of tackling this new type of cross-border crime?

3. Will the Commission also pay particular attention to new technical options such as satellite tracking or remote immobilization of stolen vehicles?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (17 March 1998)

The Commission is aware through the reports echoed in recent months in the international press of the increasing number of cases of car-jacking in Europe and in particular in Brussels.

In the framework of the cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs the Commission is managing programmes aimed at reinforcing police cooperation (OISIN programme) and has presented a proposal ((OJ C 352, 20.11.1997. )) for a programme of exchange and training aimed at reinforcing the capabilities to fight organised crime (Falcone programme).

Moreover, the Commission is closely associated with the work taking place within the Council addressing the issue of law enforcement requirements for the development of technical measures to counter trafficking in stolen vehicles.

On the basis of current expert studies on the subject, the Commission may also consider ways to adapt to technical progress Council Directive 74/61/EEC of 17 December 1973 relating to devices to prevent the unauthorised use of motor vehicles ((OJ L 38, 11.2.1974. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0935/98 by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Health protection for local police officers

There is no provision in Italian law for local police officers to be included on registers of workers at risk of industrial disease. Between 1980 and 1996, 180 municipal police officers in active service died in Rome alone, 42% of them from cancer and 40% from cardiopulmonary disease. The average age of death was 51 years. Compared to other workers, on at-risk registers, the death rate for municipal police officers appears to be extremely high and death is almost always caused by diseases contracted in the course of their work on the streets, in contact with harmful atmospheric agents.

Does the Commission not agree that the failure of the Italian government to place local police officers on at-risk registers breaches all the Community laws on health protection?

Does the Commission not agree that this is a violation of the Treaties of Rome, Maastricht and Amsterdam and of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the Italian Government upholds the rights of workers employed by local police organizations?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1998)

The framework Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work ((OJ L 183, 29.6.1989. )) and the individual directives adopted pursuant to it do not impose any obligation on Member States to designate or classify specific occupations as 'risk categories'. Furthermore, in the specific case of police forces, Article 2(2) of Directive 89/391/EEC states that the Directive is not applicable where characteristics peculiar to certain specific activities inevitably conflict with it. In that event, the safety and health of workers must be ensured as far as possible in the light of the objectives of the Directive. This means that police force activities largely fall outside the scope of Community law on the health and safety of workers at work and are therefore covered by substitute measures of a strictly national nature.

The Commission does not feel that any provisions of Community law have been violated. The responsibility for solving the problem raised by the Honourable Member lies exclusively with the Italian authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0798/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Trafficking in human organs and drugs

Shocking information and allegations about the illegal trade in human organs and dangerous drugs have appeared recently in the European press.

In particular, the lawyer Marie-Gabrielle Kohler has given an interview in the Swiss newspaper, 'Le Matin', alleging that consignments of drugs (which pose a serious threat to consumers) are being sent to Greece, and that a German doctor, Michael Hummel (who is supposed to be the mastermind behind drugs shipments to Greece), was interested in human organs originating from Eastern Europe and intended chiefly for German hospitals ...

Special companies have been set up to launder the revenue from these operations. It is also horrifying to hear Valerij Sumakov, a Russian transplant surgeon, admit that he himself exports organs from Moscow using forged documents.

Will the Commission give its official views on this daunting ethical problem and say what information its services possess regarding exports of dangerous drugs and illegally obtained human organs to Greece?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (11 May 1998)

The Commission is aware of reports in the media that the chronic shortage of organs has led to the development of trafficking in organs. Consideration of ethical issues and action in these matters are, however, for the Member States to deal with.

In accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV and Article 29 of Council Directive 75/319/EEC of 20 May 1975 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products ((OJ L 147, 9.6.1975. )), the importation into the territory of the Community of medicines from third countries requires a manufacturing authorisation from the authorities of the Member State concerned, which is issued if the strict conditions laid down in these provisions are met. The national authorities conduct regular inspections to check that these obligations are being complied with at all times.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0583/98 by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Child labour

A recently published ILO report forecasts that the number of children working in Africa, almost always under conditions of appalling exploitation and to the detriment of their education, will grow by one million per year ('from the present 80 million to 100 million by the year 2015). Given the links between this problem and the worsening socio-economic situation in Africa and the EU's responsibilities under the Lomé Convention, what measures does the Commission intend to take to help the victims of this dreadful phenomenon?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (1 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-3355/97 by Mr Fernandez Martin ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 91. ))
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0233/98 by Clive Needle (PSE) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: Passenger safety in trains

Would the European Commission outline its activities with respect to passenger safety in trains, with particular regard to those services which may be heavily used? In particular:

1. Is there any evidence to suggest that injuries will be worse on a heavily-loaded train than one which is lightly loaded, on indeed that the opposite is true?

2. Are EU rules applicable to the number of passengers carried in trains?

3. Is railway rolling stock designed to specifications which will take a load 'well in excess of full and standing' and, if so, are there any restrictions (other than physical impossibility) on the numbers of passengers carried in trains?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 March 1998)

The Commission notes that rail accidents are, fortunately, not frequent and that travel by train is much safer than other modes of land transport. Naturally, however, there is constant need for improvement.

On the specific questions raised:

1. There is some evidence that passengers standing in areas of carriages designed to absorb energy in an accident (crumple zones) will suffer more severe injuries than if they were seated. However, there is no comprehensive evidence on the relative severity of injuries sustained in fully or lightly loaded carriages. This would depend on the nature of the accident.

2. There are no Community rules on the number of passengers carried in trains since this matter is not one of Community legal competence.

3. In designing rolling stock, the load bearing capabilities are calculated and they are in excess of what a fully laden carriage would weigh. There is therefore no physical limit, other than space, on the number of passengers a carriage may carry. Of course individual operators are free to impose their own limits.
9. 10. 98 EN C 310/131 Official Journal of the European Communities
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.
(98/C 310/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0793/98
by Wilmya Zimmermann (PSE) to the Commission
(18 March 1998)
Subject: Disbursement of EU funds to the district of Upper Franconia
1. In 1995, what was the amount of EU funds disbursed to Bavaria as a whole, and to the district of Upper
Franconia (Oberfranken) in particular?
2. In the context of what projects and funds were these appropriations disbursed?3. What specific projects were carried out for the following target groups:
› women› young people› the long-term unemployed,
and what amount of aid was granted for each?
Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission
(2 April 1998)
The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.
(98/C 310/177) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0798/98
by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission
(18 March 1998)
Subject: Trafficking in human organs and drugs
Shocking information and allegations about the illegal trade in human organs and dangerous drugs have
appeared recently in the European press.
In particular, the lawyer Marie-Gabrielle Kohler has given an interview in the Swiss newspaper, Le Matin,
alleging that consignments of drugs (which pose a serious threat to consumers) are being sent to Greece, and thata German doctor, Michael Hummel (who is supposed to be the mastermind behind drugs shipments to Greece),was interested in human organs originating from Eastern Europe and intended chiefly for German hospitals ...
Special companies have been set up to launder the revenue from these operations. It is also horrifying to hear
Valerij Sumakov, a Russian transplant surgeon, admit that he himself exports organs from Moscow using forgeddocuments.
Will the Commission give its official views on this daunting ethical problem and say what information its
services possess regarding exports of dangerous drugs and illegally obtained human organs to Greece?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0654/98 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Restrictions on the use of antibiotics for animals in Finland and Sweden

In their EU accession negotiations, Finland and Sweden obtained the right to apply tighter restrictions on the use of antibiotics for animals than in the other Member States. This was permitted because the misuse of antibiotics makes bacteria resistant to many antibiotics which humans need. Does the Commission propose to continue allowing exceptional provisions for Finland and Sweden, or is it - with better justification - preparing restricitons on the use of antibiotics in other countries too?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1998)

The Commission cannot, under the terms of the Act of Accession, extend the period of validity of the special arrangements governing the use of antibiotics in Finland and Sweden.

The Act of Accession requires that the Commission decide on the soundness of the arguments put forward by Finland and Sweden as justification for a partial or total ban on the use of antibiotics permitted as additives in animal feed by Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feedingstuffs ((OJ L 270, 14.12.1970. )).

If there is scientific proof of the risks alleged by Finland and Sweden, the Commission will have to prohibit the use of the antibiotics concerned throughout the Community. In the absence of such proof it will have to ask the two Member States to put an end to the current prohibitions.

The Commission will at all events consult the relevant scientific committee.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998)

Subject: Subsidies for goat farming

Can the Commission confirm that agricultural subsidies for goats are only on a par with sheep subsidies in those Member States which have a tradition of eating goat meat under the European Union Sheep and Goat Meat Regime?

Has the Commission investigated the possible disparities that may result from this policy and the effect it has on goat breeding in countries which are not classified as having a tradition of eating goat meat?

Does the Commission foresee a change in the future which would ensure an equal distribution of subsidies for goats in all Member States?

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

The Commission can confirm that the payment of the premium for goats is restricted to those regions in the Community where the rearing of goats for meat is a traditional practice comparable to sheep farming.

The Commission does not consider that the present regime creates disparities. The purpose of the annual premium payable in the framework of the sheep and goatmeat regime is to support meat producers. To be eligible for such payments the rearing of goats must therefore be mainly directed towards meat production and the techniques for rearing goats and sheep must be similar in nature. In Member States where there is no tradition of eating goat meat this is not the case, as goats are principally reared for the production of wool or dairy products.

The Commission does not foresee extending the premium regime to include goat producers whose main activity is not the production of meat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0905/98 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Shortcomings in labelling of the origin of beef

The label of origin system for beef in accordance with an EU regulation is to come into force in the Member States in April. However, it appears that the labelling system is turning out to be incomplete, since the labelling requirement will not apply to marinated and spiced meat. In Finland, some 15 to 20% of braising steak is sold in a spiced sauce.

This labelling system will thus only enable the consumer to be sure of the origin of fresh meat. How does the Commission propose to ensure the high quality of beef not covered by this system?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1998)

The scope of Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products ((OJ L 117, 7.5.1997. )) covers fresh and frozen beef, thick skirt and thin skirt, falling within CN (combined nomenclature) codes 0201, 0202, 0206 10 95 and 0206 29 91. Additional note 6(a) to chapter 2 of the combined nomenclature excludes uncooked seasoned meat from chapter 2. 'Seasoned meat' shall be uncooked meat that has been seasoned either in depth or over the whole surface of the product with seasoning either visible to the naked eye or clearly distinguishable by taste. Therefore, seasoned meat is not covered by this Regulation. An operator is still able to label seasoned meat but not in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 820/97.

Article 19(6) of the Regulation states that by 1 January 2000, the Council shall take a decision on the possible extension of the scope of the Regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1805/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 June 1998)

Subject: Technical assistance for implementation of the MEDA programme

To ensure the optimum implementation of the MEDA programme and secure technical assistance for the Commission, a number of MEDA Teams-MT were set up with back-up provided by a Support Unit. The Commission announced a competition, which was published in the Official Journal of the Communities, following which a firm was selected to organize the Support Unit which began operating in January 1998.

1. How was the competition for the Support Unit organized and how was the contract awarded?

2. What were the conditions of eligibility?

3. What were the technical specifications and how have they been applied to date?

4. What were the assessment criteria for the contract and what are the assessment criteria for the services currently provided by the Support Unit?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1998)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.