ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/96 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: EMU and computer systems

According to leading computer manufacturers, the coincidental introduction of EMU (at a time when computer systems are being overhauled to enable them to cope with the end of the century) will create a severe skill shortage leading to chaos and a subsequent loss of confidence in the banking system, bank failures and massive costs.

What actions does the Commission intend to take, or does it envisage being taken, to address these serious difficulties?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (24 October 1996)

The introduction of the euro will require the modification of a substantial number of software systems, not least in the banking and financial industry. It is likely that there will be increased demand for skilled personnel to effect such changes. The timetable for such modifications associated with the economic and monetary union (EMU) will coincide with the ongoing work to cope with the so-called year 2000 problem.

The Commission is currently engaged in detailed consultations with the banking and financial sector about preparations for EMU, and these consultations have focused upon the information technology implications. While recognising the scale of the work to be done, no suggestions of chaos and a subsequent loss of confidence are shared within the banking and financial industry.

The Commission believes the challenge is best met by ensuring a mobilisation of all those with a role to play including the software products and services industry, and the training staff in the user enterprises. Business needs to make early preparations. This will enable investment costs associated with the changeover to the euro to be spread over a longer time period. Moreover, companies will benefit from incorporating euro specifications as part of their normal software maintenance schedules, or by undertaking modifications in tandem with other projects such as those concerning the year 2000 problem.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/96 by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Legal aid

Given the Commission's reply to Written Question E-2388/96 ((OJ C 60, 26.02.1997. )), does it consider it to be an acceptable situation that Member States can prevent EU citizens accessing justice (including rights given to them by EU laws) through reducing access to legal aid?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (29 November 1996)

As the Parliament has suggested on several occasions, access to justice is a right of the citizen in any democratic society. It is a corollary of the freedoms guaranteed by the EC Treaty that a citizen must be able, in order to resolve disputes arising from his activities while exercising any of those freedoms, to bring actions in the courts of a Member State in the same way as nationals of that Member State. In many circumstances, such right to have access to justice can be effectively exercised only when legal aid is granted under given conditions.

National legislation governing eligibility for legal aid affects the ability of a Community citizen established in another Member State to defend his interests in the host Member State and must be examined in the light of the Treaty's provisions concerning the fundamental freedoms of workers, freedom of establishment or freedom to provide services. In this sense, a request for legal aid denied on the grounds of nationality would not be compatible with the exercise of these fundamental rights of the internal market. When the request is denied on other grounds, it is necessary to see whether, and in what circumstances, such national legislation, applicable without distinction and regardless of nationality, could constitute an unjustifiable obstacle to freedom of establishment or freedom to provide services.

Whilst in the absence of Community legislation, it is for each Member State's legal system to lay down the detailed procedural rules to safeguard the rights which individuals derive from Community law, such legislative provisions may neither discriminate against those to whom Community law gives the right to equal treatment nor restrict the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Community law. This is the basis on which the Commission examines whether, under given circumstances, national legislation on eligibility for legal aid restricts fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Community law.

Under the provisions of Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, judicial cooperation in civil matters is regarded as an issue of common interest, whatever the nature of the rights for which cooperation is required.

It is in this context that an initiative on legal aid is included in the Commission's work programme for 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3048/96 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Sale of plutonium from the German breeder reactor at Kalkar to US company

1. Is the Commission aware that plutonium from the German breeder reactor at Kalkar, in which the Consortium of Dutch Electricity Generators ('Samenwerkende Nederlandse Elektriciteitsproducenten') has a 15% stake, risks being sold to the US company 'Advanced Nuclear and Medical Systems'?

2. Is it aware that this company intends to use plutonium for the manufacture of substances for medical purposes but also for the production of tritium as a means of boosting the explosive force of nuclear bombs?

3. Is it aware of the contractual agreement between Germany and the Netherlands stipulating that nuclear material may never be used for military purposes?

4. Using the Euratom Treaty, can it prevent the shipment of plutonium from Europe for military purposes to the US company? If so, does it plan to do so?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-3028/96 by Mrs van Dijk ((See page 88. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3267/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Interim RPI

It is increasingly clear from the media that there are real difficulties in finding universally accepted statistical measurements.

The Commission evaluates the convergence of prices on the basis of the interim retail price index. Does this index coincide with or diverge from the retail price index used by Greece?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3259/96, E-3260/96, E-3261/96, E-3262/96, E-3263/96, E-3264/96, E-3265/96, E-3266/96, E-3267/96, E-3268/96, E-3269/96, E-3270/96, E-3271/96, E-3272/96, E-3273/96 and E-3274/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

Under Protocol No 6 on the convergence criteria referred to in Article 109j of the EC Treaty 'Inflation shall be measured by means of the consumer price index on a comparable basis, taking into account national differences.' This requirement is currently met through a process of harmonization based on the national consumer price indices (CPIs).

According to Council Regulation No 2494/95 on harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs) ((OJ L 257, 27.10.1995. )), harmonization should be considered as a stepwise approach in two stages. Stage I established in February 1996 a set of interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs). The IICPs are in fact the national CPIs with the coverage of goods and services adjusted to reduce non-comparability, particularly by excluding certain non-market services, such as health, education and owner occupied housing.

National CPIs can thus be seen as coincident with the corresponding IICPs regarding methods, concepts and definitions, apart from the coverage of goods and services. Numerically, the indices differ as a result of these differences in the coverage ((COM(96) 560. )). For most of the Member States, the differences in the inflation rates measured as a twelve month change, whether on an annual or monthly basis, are small, ranging from 0,0 to ±0,2 percentage points. For some Member States (Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom) the differences are bigger, mainly because of housing costs, particularly where interest payments are used in the national CPIs.

Though not strictly comparable, IICPs provide for the time being the most comparable basis for the assessment of inflation convergence among Member States. The Commission will, however, assess inflation convergence during the period before the start of stage three of economic and monetary union, as required by the Treaty, on the basis of comparable HICPs. These will be launched with Stage II of the harmonization of CPIs in February 1997 and will be based on appropriately designed definitions, concepts and methods.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3388/96 by José Torres Couto (PSE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: The Alqueva Dam project

Given that the construction of the Alqueva Dam in Portgual is extremely important for the strengthening of the basis of the regional economy, which is provided for in the 1994-1999 Community support framework approved by the Commission through the decision published in C(94)382 of 25 February 1994 and notified through the decision published in C(95)2459 of 13 November 1995, and given that it was the overall assessment of this project supported by the Commission in 1991/1992 which indicated that the project was viable, how does the Commission, and Commissioner Wulf-Mathies, justify the delays in the payment of the Community funds set aside for the project and the unlawful attempt of which we have now learned to have the project for this dam cancelled unilaterally?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-0930/96 by Mr Barros Moura during question time at Parliament's December 1996 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (December 1996). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2681/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Current situation regarding the United Kingdom's failure to comply with the directive on water intended for human consumption

Serious shortcomings have been noted in the United Kingdom's implementation of Directive 80/778/EEC ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 11. )) relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption. What is the current situation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2680/96, E-2681/96 and E-2682/96 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (29 November 1996)

It is not possible to report on the current situation regarding the implementation of Directive 80/778/EEC until the Commission receives and checks national reports on the implementation of the drinking water Directive for the three year period 1993-1995. The report on the implementation of the Directive is expected to be published in 1997.

However, with respect to infringements, it should be noted that there has been one infringement procedure against each of Belgium Germany and the United Kingdom concerning the Directive which reached the Court of Justice as identified in the table included in the draft report by Mr Collin on behalf of the environment committee of Parliament on the proposed revision of the drinking water Directive.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2785/96 by Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (PSE) to the Commission (21 October 1996)

Subject: Measures to assist gypsy women

The Commission has stepped up its efforts to comply with the principle of equality between men and women, especially since this principle was included in the rules governing the Structural Funds in 1993.

The sharp disparities still remaining are particularly marked in the case of women from marginalized groups, who suffer dual discrimination both as women and as members of a section of the population subject to social rejection. Gypsy women in particular suffer from this phenomenon because the idea of sexual equality is not well established within their community. Figures for illiteracy, lack of schooling and exclusion from the labour market are very high for gypsy women. Given the exceptional conditions under which gypsy women live, the European Union should take special measures to encourage their training and employment.

What measures has the Commission taken to help gypsy women?

Does the Commission have any plans to take measures in this field in the future?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1996)

As part of the Community policy for promoting equal opportunities for women and men, more specific measures have been taken directly or indirectly in order to assist gypsy women. For example, the Commission provided support for the establishment of a database on the situation of gypsy women by the Instituto romani para asuntos sociales y culturales (in 1995 and 1996) and for a newsletter published by the Centre de recherches gitanes (Centre for Gypsy Studies) of the Université René Descartes in Paris.

Under the Socrates Programme, all the measures for the education of gypsy children cover equality of opportunity between girls and boys. This question is also included in the projects for the training of gypsy mediators funded by the Commission.

In the area of innovation in vocational training (approaches, methods, training tools), the Leonardo da Vinci Programme is a particularly suitable vehicle for the measures directed at the target groups with the most problems and for equality between men and women. Of the measures selected in 1995, mention should be made of a multiannual project based on a transnational partnership established at the initiative of the French Ministry of Education and designed to promote the integration of gypsies using their own culture as a starting point.

In general terms, the Commission intends to support transnational exchanges of information and experience on integration into the labour market under its fourth Community programme on equal opportunities for women and men.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2817/96 by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Disposal of old tyres

1. Is the Commission aware that 600 000 tonnes of waste tyres are discarded in Germany each year?

2. Are old tyres in the Member States of the European Union disposed of, are they stored or is there some kind of recycling system for old tyres in Europe?

3. What directives, regulations or decisions exist or are planned in the European Union with regard to the disposal of old tyres?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1996)

1. The Commission is aware that, according to estimates of the Arbeitsgruppe der Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Abfall (LAGA-AG), the annual output of used tyres in Germany is 600 000 tonnes.

2. The Member States are tackling the used tyre problem in different ways and a number of Member States have passed measures specifically addressing the used tyre problem. In Denmark, for example, used tyres are subject to a levy to support their recycling in a rubber processing plant. In the Netherlands, the landfill of used tyres has been banned and a covenant has been signed with tyre producers and suppliers to achieve quantified targets for retreading, recycling and incineration with energy recovery. An increasing number of used tyres are being used as substitute fuel in cement kilns in a number of Member States and in the United Kingdom a specialised facility has been set up to burn tyres and convert them to energy, collecting at the same time the residue steel. Whilst opportunities exist for the retreading and recycling of used tyres and recovery of energy, it is estimated around 50% of used tyres in the Community are still landfilled or simply stockpiled. At present, concrete action on used tyre management has generally been more apparent in the northern Member States, with Portugal, Spain, Greece and most of the regions of Italy still considering the available options. These differences in levels of activity across the Community obviously are of concern to the Commission.

3. At Community level, there are presently no specific instruments dealing with the disposal of used tyres, although the provisions of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste ((OJ L 194, 25.7.1975. )) (as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991. ))) apply to used tyres as they do to other wastes.

The used tyre problem was assessed by a priority waste stream group made up of representatives from various sectors such as industry, public authorities and consumers, which finalised its conclusions at the end of 1993. The group recommended that a ban on the landfill of used tyres should be introduced and that a Commission recommendation should be adopted setting out targets for prevention, retreading, recycling and energy recovery of used tyres.

As regards planned action, a ban on the landfill of used tyres has been suggested for inclusion in the proposed directive on the landfill of waste. A specific directive on the collection and recovery of used tyres is also being considered by the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2955/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Reform of the COM for olive oil

In view of the fairly broad consensus that the current COM for olive oil has functioned adequately, why has the Commission raised the issue of reforming the COM rather than merely rectifying the shortcomings found in its operation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2953/96, E-2954/96, E-2955/96, E-2956/96, E-2957/96, E-2958/96, E-2959/96, E-2960/96, E-2961/96, E-2962/96 and E-2964/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1996)

The Commission will be discussing the different options for the reform of the olive oil common market organization (CMO) in the very near future. A document will then be transmitted speedily to the Parliament and the Council for discussion before any concrete proposals are finalised.

The Commission will certainly take into account the Honourable Members' remarks and questions concerning employment, intervention aid to real production, aid per tree, consumption aid, quality, impact on the environment and the specific problems of Spain and some of its producer regions.

It would not be correct to comment in detail at this stage on the various options for reforms except to repeat that the new common market organisation should be transparent, simple, easy to control and should target producers efficiently.

The Commission attaches great importance to quality and believes that, whatever option is chosen, there will be an important role for Member States and regions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3271/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: Interim RPI

It is increasingly clear from the media that there are real difficulties in finding universally accepted statistical measurements.

The Commission evaluates the convergence of prices on the basis of the interim retail price index. Does this index coincide with or diverge from the retail price index used by the Netherlands?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3259/96, E-3260/96, E-3261/96, E-3262/96, E-3263/96, E-3264/96, E-3265/96, E-3266/96, E-3267/96, E-3268/96, E-3269/96, E-3270/96, E-3271/96, E-3272/96, E-3273/96 and E-3274/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

Under Protocol No 6 on the convergence criteria referred to in Article 109j of the EC Treaty 'Inflation shall be measured by means of the consumer price index on a comparable basis, taking into account national differences.' This requirement is currently met through a process of harmonization based on the national consumer price indices (CPIs).

According to Council Regulation No 2494/95 on harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs) ((OJ L 257, 27.10.1995. )), harmonization should be considered as a stepwise approach in two stages. Stage I established in February 1996 a set of interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs). The IICPs are in fact the national CPIs with the coverage of goods and services adjusted to reduce non-comparability, particularly by excluding certain non-market services, such as health, education and owner occupied housing.

National CPIs can thus be seen as coincident with the corresponding IICPs regarding methods, concepts and definitions, apart from the coverage of goods and services. Numerically, the indices differ as a result of these differences in the coverage ((COM(96) 560. )). For most of the Member States, the differences in the inflation rates measured as a twelve month change, whether on an annual or monthly basis, are small, ranging from 0,0 to ±0,2 percentage points. For some Member States (Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom) the differences are bigger, mainly because of housing costs, particularly where interest payments are used in the national CPIs.

Though not strictly comparable, IICPs provide for the time being the most comparable basis for the assessment of inflation convergence among Member States. The Commission will, however, assess inflation convergence during the period before the start of stage three of economic and monetary union, as required by the Treaty, on the basis of comparable HICPs. These will be launched with Stage II of the harmonization of CPIs in February 1997 and will be based on appropriately designed definitions, concepts and methods.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2695/96 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (9 October 1996)

Subject: VAT exemptions under Swedish VAT legislation

On Swedish accession to the EU Swedish VAT legislation became subject to EU rules. In the Council's sixth VAT directive (77/388/EEC) ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1. )), Annex F lists a number of types of transaction taxable under the directive but which the Member States may exempt from VAT for a transitional period. This includes services supplied by artists.

Under Swedish VAT legislation the sale of rights in feature films is exempt from tax, and film producers and the like cannot therefore obtain reimbursement of the tax collected in connection with the production of films in Sweden.

As the sale of film rights is subject to VAT in every other Member State, the result is that film producers established in Member States other than Sweden are obliged to collect VAT on the sale of rights into films produced in Sweden while local tax paid in connection with the production is not reimbursed. This reduces the competitive conditions for producers operating in Sweden in relation to similar producers operating in other Member States.

Does the Commission not consider that Sweden, by refusing to register legal persons for VAT for the sale of rights is exceeding the powers of VAT exemption granted under point 2 of Annex F to the Council's sixth VAT directive?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1996)

According to Article 28(3)(b) of the sixth VAT Council Directive (77/388/EEC) Member States may, during the transitional period, continue to exempt the activities set out in Annex F of the sixth Directive. Annex F covers, among other things, services supplied by authors, artists and performers. In the Act of accession, Sweden has a special derogation with regard to services supplied by authors, artists and performers as set out in Annex F point 2 of the Directive. It is the opinion of the Commission that the derogation covers film rights sold by authors themselves, but not film rights which are sold by others. The Commission is looking into the issue to evaluate whether or not the provisions in the Swedish law comply with the provisions in the sixth VAT Directive.