ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0508/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Real per capita gross regional product figures

Further to the answer to Written Question E-2223/99(1), in which the Commission detailed real per capita gross domestic product and real per capita gross regional product figures for the Union, will it now make available on the same basis the latest available figures for each region for 1997? Will the Commission also explain why there is such a substantial time lag in the publication of these figures?

(1) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 150.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2000)

The results of the 1997 regional gross domestic production (GDP) estimation are forwarded direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

Concerning the delay in publishing these regional statistics, it has to be taken into consideration that regional GDP is published at the NUTS 3 level, i.e. including more than 1000 regions in the Community. Collecting and processing this data in the Member States takes time. The basic statistics, regional gross value added (GVA), are supplied by the Member States 24 months after the reference year. This is a normal time for the collection of such detailed statistics. Unfortunately it is not always the case that Member States send the data within this time; so Eurostat publication has to wait until a reasonable quantity of basic data has been supplied. Until recently there was no legal base for these statistics, so there was no instrument to enforce timely data transmission.

This situation will improve when the European system of accounts 95 (ESA95) delivery programme comes into force. Then the time lag will indeed be limited to 24 months after the reference year, e.g. in December 2001 Eurostat will have the necessary information to calculate regional GDP for 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1396/00

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Standardisation of clothing for motorcyclists

Rumours about attempts to standardise protective clothing for motorcyclists are still doing the rounds. For instance, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) is said to have already submitted several drafts for such standards.

Is the Commission planning to standardise clothing intended for motorcyclists?

Have any steps already been taken in this direction?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2000)

The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) is a private organisation which is free to establish the standards it deems necessary or useful for economic operators as a whole. The Commission has no influence on the choices made by the CEN in this context.

However, the Commission can ask the European standardisation bodies, of which the CEN is one, to draw up harmonised European standards to meet the essential requirements of the New Approach Directives. Indeed, this was the case with New Approach Directive 89/686/EEC relating to personal protective equipment(1), referred to as the PPE Directive.

Since 1994, the CEN, the Commission, experts of the Member States and various organisations representing manufacturers have been holding discussions on the rules concerning clothing for motorcyclists within the meaning of the PPE Directive. The results of these discussions have been approved by the Member States: clothing for motorcyclists (in addition to gloves, boots and shoes) does not constitute PPE unless the manufacturer claims, or implies in sales literature or advertising, that the garment as a whole provides special protection. In that case, the manufacturer must meet the essential requirements of Directive 89/686/EEC. Protective equipment such as elbow and knee protectors, which may also be built into clothing for motorcyclists, is always PPE.

Only one standard (EN 1621-2 (draft)) is currently being drawn up in the area of clothing for motorcyclists. It concerns the requirements and test methods for back protectors used in motorcycle rider's protective clothing to protect against mechanical impact. The last draft for this standard was submitted by the CEN in February 1999. It will complement standard EN 1621-1 on protectors, which was adopted in 1997.

(1) OJ L 399, 30.12.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0959/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 March 2000)

Subject: Municipal hotel tax

The practice is on the increase of levying a tax on hotel guests, on the grounds that such guests use municipally-owned facilities of general interest, for whose upkeep all the inhabitants of a given urban community have to pay.

Visitors to a city which operates such a tax are thus asked to pay a surcharge on their hotel bill corresponding to their use of the municipally-owned facilities of which they have availed themselves while staying in a hotel in that city.

In view of the significant consequences which will arise if this tax comes to be levied customarily by local authorities throughout the Union, can the Commission state its position concerning this practice and whether it believes this tourist tax could become an indirect source of resources through VAT?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 May 2000)

Since there is no Community legislation on this matter, Member States have sole responsibility for the introduction of municipal taxes levied on visitors to the municipality to help finance the additional municipally owned public facilities needed because of the influx of tourists.

However, such legislation must not include discriminatory measures that infringe the fundamental freedoms provided for in the EC Treaty for instance levying taxes only on foreign tourists or applying a higher rate to foreign tourists. Provided they do not include such discriminatory provisions, municipal taxes on visitors to the municipality are not incompatible with Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0236/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 February 2000)

Subject: The future of wood-burning ovens

Can the Commission confirm that there are no plans to ban the use of wood-burning ovens such as those used to cook traditional pizzas?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2000)

The Commission has no plans to introduce legislation or other measures which may potentially lead to a ban on wood burning pizza ovens.

Although there have been reports in certain newspapers and other media that new hygiene legislation may be introduced to this end there is no truth in these reports. Food businesses that are involved in preparing and cooking pizzas are covered by Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of foodstuffs(1) that was adopted unanimously in June 1993, and which Member States have to implement by 15 December 1995. It requires food equipment in contact with food to be in good condition, clean and properly maintained. There are no specific measures for pizza ovens.

The Honourable Member is also referred to the Commission's answer to Written Question P-2771/99(2) by Mr Mastella.

(1) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.

(2) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 49.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1014/00

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Limestone quarrying, concrete, cement and asphalt plant in the Tavira region of the Algarve

There are plans for a limestone quarry in a nature and water conservation area in the Tavira region of the Algarve and also for a concrete, cement and asphalt plant. Allegedly the mayor of Tavira has already had test drillings carried out, circumventing the local authorities. Funding from the EU may play a role in this project. Does the proposed project fall within the law in terms of the nature and water conservation aspects? Was application made for EU funds for this project and were they granted? If so, what type of funds and what was the amount involved?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(24 May 2000)

Under Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment(1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(2), quarries must be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with Articles 5 to 10 of the Directive in cases where the surface of the site exceeds 25 hectares. Other quarries must be made subject to an impact assessment in accordance with Articles 5 to 10 where Member States consider that their characteristics so require.

Under Article 6 (3) of Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(3), any project not necessary to the management of a site but likely to have a significant effect thereon must be appropriately assessed in view of the site's conservation objectives.

In order to form an estimate of the situation, the Commission has asked the Portuguese authorities to provide information on the project in question. The Commission will also draw their attention to the obligations deriving from the abovementioned provisions of Community law.

The project is not being cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0500/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Member State violations of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and the consolidated Treaty establishing the European Community

Is the Council aware that, as of this moment, more than one hundred and eighty Members of the European Parliament have signed the following motion for a resolution:

Mindful of the provisions of Article 3 of Protocol No 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950) as amended by Protocol No 11 requiring that

no one shall be expelled by means either of an individual or collective measure, from the territory of the State of which he is a national and that no one shall be deprived of the right to enter the territory of the State of which he is a national, and mindful of the incorporation of those rights under Article 6 of the Common Provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the following undersigned Members of the European Parliament call upon the Governments of Austria, Greece and Italy to honour their Treaty commitments by restoring to the former royal houses of their respective countries full civil rights, including the right to enter freely without let or hindrance their countries of origin, without any further delay, and request that, where such rights have not been restored by 1 January 2000, the European Court initiate proceedings against any offending State?

At all events, given that, under the terms of the Treaty, there is no basis for discrimination against individual families, having regard to the provisions of Articles 39 and 43 of Title III of the Consolidated Version of the Treaty Establishing the European Community, dealing respectively with the free movement of persons, services and capital and the right of establishment, given that Prince Victor Emmanuel has not been permitted to visit his homeland for 53 years or his son ever to set foot on Italian soil, and given that, although the aforementioned rights are not conditional, Otto von Habsburg was required to sign away fundamental civil rights before being allowed to settle in Austria, will the Council demonstrate its commitment to upholding the European Treaties and to European law by urging its Members to refer Austria, Greece and Italy without delay to the European Court of Justice?

Reply

(2 May 2000)

Under Article 226 of the TEC, it is for the Commission to bring matters before the Court of Justice if it considers that a Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the TEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0720/00

by Manuel Pérez Álvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 March 2000)

Subject: Distribution in the food industry

In certain sectors of the economy distribution has traditionally played, or has come to play in recent years, a crucial role in delivering products from the initial stage of production into the hands of consumers.

Although this is the case in other sectors of the economy as well, it is especially true of the food industry.

An excessive concentration of distribution can have negative consequences not only for consumers but also for manufacturers, to the point that for no objective reason, distributors may refuse to handle the initial or later stages of distribution for certain products.

What measures are being implemented to ensure that a balance is maintained between the concentration of the food industry and that of the distribution sector?

Does the Commission intend to adopt, or has it already adopted, special measures for those sectors that are most affected by any decisions taken by the distribution industry?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 April 2000)

When examining recent cases(1) of concentration in the large-scale distribution business in Austria, the United Kingdom and France, the Commission identified the risk which the Honourable Member outlines in his written question.

Supplies to retail distributors with a strongly food-oriented business depend substantially on their position on the distribution market. The greater their volume of purchases, the more favourable terms set by suppliers of a distribution firm will tend to be. Thus, the distribution firm can operate targeted price-cutting strategies vis-à-vis its competitors. An improvement in the position on the market leads in turn to a fresh improvement in buying terms and so on.

This spiral could engender an increasingly high degree of concentration on both the distribution market and the supply market. Final consumers can admittedly benefit from this process, as there could be a stage of intensive competition on the distribution market during which the distribution firm, given its strong purchasing power, can pass on the advantages it has gained in its selling prices. But, this situation will only last until such time as only one or more firms dominate the market. At that juncture, the final consumer will have only a very limited choice.

So far, whenever the Commission has been able to prove that a merger between distribution firms created a dominant position, the firms have given the Commission undertakings that they will remedy the situation. On the basis of notifications and complaints made to it, and to the extent that trade between Member States is affected, the Commission will continue to evaluate the risk and, where necessary, penalise abuses or prohibit dominant positions.

(1) Cases M1221 REWE/Meinl, M1612 Wall Mart/ASDA and M1684 Carrefour/Promodes.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1190/00

by Timothy Kirkhope (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Subject: European Social Funds

Under the current system of payment for the European Social Fund (ESF), voluntary and community sector projects receive a 50 % advance payment, followed by a further 30 % advance payment (when half of the first advance has been spent). The remaining 20 % is paid after submission of the final claim.

The new system proposed by the Department for Education and Employment will see an advance payment of only 10 % and then projects will have to submit claims in arrears (probably quarterly) to receive further payment. A balance of 20 % will still be withheld for remittance following the final claim.

Can the Commission clarify if it has the right and authority to intervene in the payment of European Social Funds at a national level if the Commission believes the funds are not being allocated in the most effective manner so as to benefit those organisations who deserve and require this funding to survive. It is estimated that at least 90-95 % of the organisations that at present receive ESF will, under the new system of payments, be closed due to lack of funds to support their programmes.

Would it be possible for the Commission to support the alternative payment system that is being put forward by the organisations involved?

They are proposing the Scottish Model whereby:

- Quarter 1: 30 % in advance;

- Quarter 2: 25 % in advance, subject to satisfactory Quarter 1 returns;

- Quarter 3: 25 % in advance, subject to satisfactory Quarter 2 returns;

- Quarter 4: 20 % final payment in arrears, subject to satisfactory audit of all Quarters.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2000)

The responsibility for fixing the detailed rules for the implementation of the European social fund (ESF) within a Member State lies with the managing authority of the programme. The programming documents adopted by the Commission will not contain information on, for example, the amounts to be paid by way of advances to project organisers. In these circumstances, the Commission cannot intervene in this matter.

However, the Department for Education and Employment has recently decided, following discussions within the United Kingdom, to increase the advance payment from 10 % to 30 % of the first year costs of the project for all organisations. The Commission welcomed this decision.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0737/00

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 March 2000)

Subject: Removal of postal subsidies for Christian publications in Southern India

In the first two weeks of January this year, over 100 Christian publications in Southern India had their postal subsidies removed on the grounds that the information which they are disseminating does not cover political or current affairs and therefore does not constitute news. As a result of this action, many of these publications, some of which have existed for thirty years with no previous problems of this kind, are at risk of closing down permanently.

In the light of the ongoing climate of hostility towards the Christian community in India and the spate of recent legislative initiatives to clamp down on their practice and witness, there are reasonable grounds to believe that this latest step may be a deliberate attempt to curtail their freedom of expression.

Will the Commission seek to establish whether this move constitutes discrimination on religious grounds and, if so, raise this matter with the Indian Government?

Answer given b y Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2000)

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Member and would like to emphasise that the Commission delegation in New Delhi continues to monitor and report on the situation of religious minorities in India, including the Christian community. It does so in close consultation with the Union missions in New Delhi.

Ever since the surge in 1998 of the number of attacks on Christian families and facilities, Union ambassadors have consistently expressed their concern in this regard to the Indian government, primarily by means of quiet diplomacy.

The government of India has since set up a National Commission for Minorities. This Commission is charged in particular with the protection of religious minorities in India, and following up complaints received. Although the National Commission for Minorities has no judicial powers, it is felt that it will continue to exert a restraining influence on extremist groups and thus contribute to upholding the principle of secular government and free religious practice enshrined in the Indian constitution.

As for the reported removal of postal subsidies affecting some 100 Christian publications in Southern India, the Commission will request its delegation in New Delhi, in close coordination with the Union missions, to explore the factual background and implications of any discriminatory measures taken that may affect the free dissemination of information by Christian and other religious groups in India. Based on their findings the Commission will consult its partners and decide on the extent and form of any representation to be made to the Indian authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0966/00

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Subject: Health effects of mobile telephones

In several of its documents the Commission has stressed Europe's leading position in the use of mobile telephones and has proposed strategies designed to maintain this position. Has the Commission ascertained by means of scientific research that the electromagnetic fields created in connection with the operation of such telephones have no negative health effects on the human brain and that they do not cause a predisposition to cancer?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2000)

Under the 3rd and 4th Framework Programmes of Research and Development the Commission funded several projects investigating how electromagnetic radiation (radio frequency RF) affects health. The first was a COST action (Cost 244 in 1992, followed by Cost 244a in 1998) on the biomedical effects of electromagnetic radiation. This action is still under way. In addition, the Biomed 2 programme provided funding for two studies of the links between electromagnetic radiation and cancer.

The Measurement and Testing programme funded a project on the measurement of electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile telephones and relay stations and on the quantification of human exposure. The project's findings will be useful for establishing measurement standards and evaluating the risk posed by mobile telephones and relay stations.

The Commission granted a total of around two million euros to these studies. None of the studies (covering potential thermal effects and cellular metabolic disturbance caused by the various types of electromagnetic field) produced any evidence of adverse effects on health, though further results are still needed in order to meet public concern.

Under the 5th Framework Programme, studies on the effects of electromagnetic radiation are specifically included in the work programme of the 4th key action (Environment and Health) of Theme 1 (Quality of life and management of living resources). Following the 1999 call for proposals, five proposals were selected, for total funding of around nine million euros. These projects have just got under way, and will be delivering results in three or four years.

The projects include a large-scale epidemiological study (Interphone) coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which will investigate whether the electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile telephones can be carcinogenic. The study will distinguish

between the various emission levels of different types of mobile phone. The other projects are aiming to provide greater understanding of the biological mechanisms by which electromagnetic radiation might affect human health. One of them will also be examining the combined effect of electromagnetic radiation and chemical carcinogens.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0506/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Use of intelligence services to gather information about commercial activities

In the Commission's view, would the use of intelligence services by Member States to gather information about the commercial activities of companies from another Member State constitute a legitimate state aid? Does it have any evidence that any Member States are directing their intelligence efforts in this way? Is it concerned about reports that Member States are using intelligence services in this way (e.g. Sunday Times, 23 January 2000)?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

So far, the Commission does not have any evidence of the use by Member States of intelligence services to gather sensitive commercial information from companies of other Member States. Whatever the legal qualification of these alleged practices, the Commission will of course never support them. As regards the legal instruments to combat these alleged practices, the Commission does not consider that the state aid provisions constitute the most appropriate solution. This kind of practice should normally be dealt with at national level by penal jurisdictions.