ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0176/98 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (5 February 1998)

Subject: Disposal of sewage and waste water

Is the practice of discharging treated sewage into the sea environmentally sustainable?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1998)

The aim of Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 on the treatment of urban waste water ((OJ L 135, 30.5.1991. )) is to protect the environment, and in particular seawater, against impairment by discharges of such waste waters.

The provisions of the Directive, and in particular those concerning discharges into coastal waters are, by their nature, intended to provide effective long-term protection for the marine environment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0482/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (27 February 1998)

Subject: Projections of regional performance during the next programming period

Given the fact that structural fund programmes are intended to assist current changes in regional and local economies and have too often in the past been based on out-of-date statistics, which studies has the Commission undertaken or will it undertake on projection(s) for regional performance and by industrial sector for the period 2000-2006? What are the Commission's preliminary findings in this respect? How does the Commission intend to incorporate this analysis into the content of programmes for the new period after 1999?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1998)

The decisions on the eligibility of regions under objective 1 and the new objective 2 proposed by the Commission on 18 March 1998 ((COM(98) 131 final. )) must be based on the most recent data. The time lags for the availability of such data vary. For example, for statistics on the gross domestic product (GDP), the time lag for regional data is just over two years. For regional unemployment rates the time lag is one year. Given that objectives 1 and 2 address structural problems, which by definition change only slowly over time, these delays are well within acceptable limits and remain a sound basis for eligibility decisions.

Such data represent a considerably more solid basis for decisions on the eligibility of regions than information deriving from sectoral or regional projections. The levels of uncertainty surrounding such projections are beyond acceptable limits given the many factors which determine economic performance. The Commission therefore has no plans to develop new regional criteria in this respect.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0064/98 by Gijs de Vries (ELDR) to the Commission (15 January 1998)

Subject: Restrictions on direct marketing

On 7 April 1994, a complaint was lodged with the European Commission concerning restrictions on the establishment of a mail-order record business in Germany (case no 94/4337, SG(94) A/10269, PolyGram). It took the Commission more than two years (until November 1996) before it initiated a procedure under Article 169. In December 1997, the Commission had still not delivered a reasoned opinion on the matter.

1. Would the Commission explain why it has not taken this complaint more seriously?

2. Does the Commission agree that the delays incurred are detrimental to the competitive position of the direct marketing industry, one of the growth sectors in the electronic trading business?

3. Will the Commission now treat this complaint as a matter of priority?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1998)

1. The Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Member that it has taken the complaint in question very seriously. Firstly, before sending the letter of formal notice in October 1996, it had already had an exchange of correspondence with the German authorities. Since then, the time taken to look into the matter reflects the particularly complex legal issues involved. Identification of the services concerned, the nature of the restrictions objected to, the objectives being pursued and the proportionality of the restrictions in relation to the general-interest objectives require detailed examination and in-depth investigation, due regard being had to both the Court's case-law and the characteristics of the distance-selling market in Germany. The Commission will endeavour to complete this detailed analysis as quickly as possible.

2. and 3. There are no statistical data to suggest that the restrictions encountered by the complainants on account of the German legislation affect the entire direct marketing industry in the Community. Between 1991 and 1996 mail-order sales rose by 22% and the German market alone accounts for half of the total turnover ((Source: European Mail Order Traders Association (EMOTA). )). It is true though that the bulk of mail-order sales are still transacted at national level. The problems faced by the industry as regards cross-border sales are, in many cases, linked to logistical difficulties and, admittedly, to differences in national legislation governing business practices. In view of these differences and in the absence of harmonisation directives, the Commission is doing its utmost to ensure that Community legislation, and especially the principle of proportionality, is applied whenever national rules hamper the freedom to provide services.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0928/98 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Role of SMEs in the European Union

The Commission has recognized the decisive role played by small and medium-sized enterprises with regard to the creation of jobs.

The annual report of the Court of Auditors for 1996 calculated that ECU 1 200 million are allocated each year to actions in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises under the ERDF, and this large sum demonstrates the importance of SMEs within the European Union.

Nevertheless, even though it recognizes the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Commission did not include SME representatives in the work of drawing up guidelines with a view to the extraordinary European Council on employment.

Will the Commission open the social dialogue to representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in order to make that dialogue more dynamic and adopt final measures which are more in tune with the actual situation and interests of European Union citizens?

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

The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for economic and employment growth was re-confirmed by the Luxembourg European Council. The employment guidelines highlighted the need to improve the business environment in favour of SMEs and to involve social partners in the implementation process of these guidelines.

The Commission is aware of the need to involve SME organisations in the process of implementing the employment guidelines at a European level and in the negotiation of social agreements. SME organisations are members of advisory committees and they are formally consulted on the legislative proposals in accordance with Article 3 of the agreement on social policy annexed to the EC Treaty.

Finally, the Commission has embarked on a broad consultation on the improvement of the social dialogue at European level and will shortly publish a communication, which will outline ways to achieve this.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0431/98 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Refusal by Slovenia to grant citizenship to 70 000 residents

According to the Slovenian human rights organization 'Helsinki Monitor for Slovenia', almost 70 000 residents of the Republic of Slovenia, who have lived there since before the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in 1991, have still not been granted Slovenian nationality. According to this organization, which speaks in some cases of 'administrative ethnic cleansing', between seven and ten thousand of these are the children of mixed marriages (i.e. with one non-Slovene parent).

Does not the Commission consider that the failure to grant nationality to persons who are entitled to it under Slovenian law (because they were already resident in Slovenia in 1991) is a violation of their human rights?

Is the Commission prepared to ask the Slovenian Government for clarification on this issue and to urge this matter to be settled as soon as possible?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1998)

According to current United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) estimates, there are approximately 5 000 to 10 000 stateless people in Slovenia, who, for a variety of reasons, have neither requested Slovene nationality nor claimed refugee status inside the deadline of 31 December 1991 set by the Slovene government after independence.

The Slovene authorities have undertaken to take steps to resolve the issue. In the first instance, the Slovene Ministry of Interior, in co-operation with UNHCR, is carrying out a special project to identify more precisely the number of stateless people living in Slovenia.

The Commission and UNHCR continue to monitor this issue closely and have impressed on the Government the importance of resolving it as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1005/98 by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Council (31 March 1998)

Subject: Draft directive on the advertising of tobacco products

The Council adopted a Common Position on the above draft directive on 12 February 1998. The Common Position goes further than the previous draft Directive published in 1992, in that it introduces a ban on sponsorship as well as all forms of commercial communication for tobacco products. It is believed that, in 1993, the Council's Legal Service concluded that the 1992 draft directive could not be validly based upon Article 100a of the Treaty, or any other Treaty article.

1. Could the Council confirm whether this is the case?

2. If it is the case, could the Council confirm whether the Legal Service has been asked for, or has offered of its own accord, an opinion upon the text of the current proposal?

3. If it has not, could the Council explain how the provisions of the current proposals are so different from the 1992 draft as to make the Legal Service's opinion no longer applicable?

Answer (13/14 July 1998)

1. The Council is assisted in its deliberations by a Legal service, the role of which is to provide independent legal advice to the Council. These opinions are given in written or oral form either to the Council itself or to its preparatory bodies. They are internal to the Council.

2. In the particular case to which the Honourable Member refers, it would be inappropriate either to confirm or deny the existence of an opinion such as the one referred to in the question, or whether such an opinion was modified or supplemented in writing or orally, in the light of the actual text adopted by the Council on 12 February 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0875/98 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Confiscation of driving licences and vehicle registration certificates in Italy

Is the Commission aware that in Italy Netherlands hauliers who commit road-traffic offences often have their driving licences and registration certificates confiscated for longer than one month, making it impossible for them to work as drivers?

Does the Commission consider such treatment as acceptable in cases where fines cannot be paid on the spot?

Will the Commission exert pressure on the Italian authorities in order to secure a uniform - and at all events accelerated - procedure for the return of confiscated documents?

If so, how?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (29 May 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 E-1455/98 by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Council (11 May 1998)

Subject: VAT rates

Does the Presidency-in-Office support, and would it be prepared to use, the discretion granted by the Commission in its Communication SEC(97)2089 final on reduced VAT rates for selected labour-intensive services?

Is the Presidency-in-Office prepared to accept that this discretion applies to the maintenance and repair of churches and historic listed buildings?

Would the Presidency-in-Office consider this as part of the Commission's review of the harmonization of VAT throughout the European Union?

Answer (6 July 1998)

The Commission communication to which the Honourable Member refers in her question is currently being examined within the Council's subsidiary bodies. Until these proceedings are completed, the Council cannot reply to the Honourable Member's question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0770/98 by Gérard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Safety of children under the age of two in aeroplanes

Children under the age of two can fly free of charge or at very cheap rates. They are not reserved a seat and must therefore sit on the knees of a parent or accompanying adult.

No arrangements are made for the safety of such children.

Very few airline companies provide belts that can be fitted to the accompanying adult's safety belt. Similarly, companies very seldom provide lifejackets for such children during flights over the sea.

No instructions are given about how oxygen masks should be used for such young children.

This failure to meet basic safety standards as regards prevention of the serious accidents that may arise when people are thrown out of their seats by turbulence is totally unacceptable.

What does the Commission intend to do to eliminate this serious threat to the safety of children under the age of two?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1998)

Certain joint airworthiness requirements specifically relating to the safety of aircraft and introduced into Community legislation under Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 on the harmonization of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation ((OJ L 373, 31.12.1991. )), contain several references to the protection of children. In particular they relate to seat-retention systems for baby-seats or, at least, seat belts which can be adapted to the seat belts of the parents. These regulations also require provision for the replacement of life jackets that are too big for small children. No special reference has been deemed necessary relating to the use of oxygen masks.

These regulations mainly relate to children over the age of 2 years but they do not exclude children under that age. The Commission is aware of investigations currently undertaken by relevant bodies that aim for a better comprehension of the risks that the youngest children have to face in the event of emergencies in aviation. The results of these studies could eventually lead to proposals to modify existing international regulations but the Commission does not have evidence which would justify Community action at the present time.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1360/98 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Council (27 April 1998)

Subject: Administering sedatives to animals in British zoos

1. Is the Council aware of recent reports in the (Dutch-language) media that sedatives such as Prozac and Valium are administered to animals in British zoos to combat stress and depression, even though research has shown that inadequate living conditions inhibit the natural behaviour of the animals, can cause stress in animals and that administering sedatives should therefore be regarded as a means of treating the symptoms?

2. Is the Council prepared to investigate whether these reports are true and, if so, how does the Council intend to prevent this sort of behaviour in particular, and in general to guarantee the welfare of animals in European zoos in the context of the proposal for a Council recommendation on the keeping of wild animals in zoos? Parliament has amended the recommendation by changing it into a directive; Parliament is particularly interested in the guidelines for the accommodation and care of animals which are included in the annex to the proposal and which are supported by the EAZA (European Association for Zoos and Aquaria).

Answer (13/14 July 1998)

1. The Council is not aware of the reports mentioned by the Honourable Member.

2. With regard to the proposal mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Council would like to inform him that on 17 June 1998 it reached agreement on a common position with a view to adopting a Directive on the keeping of wild animals in zoos. This text, on which the European Parliament will be required to state a position, takes account of the Opinion delivered by the Parliament on 29 January 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0089/98 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)

Subject: Alternatives to road transport for Spanish fruit and vegetables

The mere threat of French roads being blockaded by striking French transport workers is enough to cause the price of certain Spanish fruits and vegetables to be halved, thus acting as a death sentence for these perishable products from Spain.

There is therefore a need to find a permanent alternative to road transport to ensure that the threat of strike action does not continue to have the catastrophic effect it has already had for the agricultural sector in Spain and in other Member States.

Would the Commission be willing to assist in the creation of a permanent alternative system for the transport of fruit and vegetables from Spain to the central and northern regions of the European Union during French transport strikes, for example using roll-on roll-off ferries to transport lorries?

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

The Commission is aware of the serious difficulties experienced by Spanish exporters during certain industrial disputes in France. While the Community is not in a position economically or legally to support the development of alternative transport systems as a response to strikes the common transport policy aims at the wider development of a European intermodal transport system which will provide alternative transport choices for shippers and producers at all times. In the case of freight, such a transport system should encompass road, rail, combined transport, inland waterway and maritime services.

Building on the achievements of the single market, the Commission has pursued a policy to promote modes of transport that provide a sustainable alternative to road transport. In the case of the Iberian peninsula, the Commission considers alternative services such as short sea shipping and combined transport services to be particularly relevant. In its recent proposal ((COM(97) 681 final. )) for a Parliament and Council Decision modifying Decision No 1692/96/EC ((OJ L 228, 9.9.1996. )) concerning maritime ports, inland ports and intermodal terminals,the Commission proposed a modification which would include a new priority project on a 'Multimodal link between Portugal and Spain and the rest of Europe'. The Commission has also supported, through the Pilot Action for Combined Transport (PACT) programme, the launching of innovative combined transport services between Spain and the rest of the Community, including funding of investment at the Irun and Hendaye and the Port Bou intermodal platforms. In addition the PACT programme is supporting a feasibility study for the setting up of an intermodal ports network in Spain, France, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Finally, a rail freightway will be established shortly between the north of Spain and the existing French freightway to facilitate the provision of new international rail services.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0863/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Possible banking mergers in the UK

Concerns have been expressed recently in a number of quarters about possible forthcoming banking mergers in the UK. The Banking Insurance and Finance Union (to whom I am an adviser) in particular has expressed concern that such mergers could lead to reductions in competition, employment and coverage of smaller rural communities.

While recognising that the Commission must judge all merger cases on their individual merits:

1. Is the Commission aware of the situation regarding possible mergers in this sector in the UK; and

2. does it have any observations to make on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1998)

The Commission is aware that there has been unconfirmed press speculation about the possibility of future banking mergers in the United Kingdom. Were there to be any such merger situation giving rise to a concentration with a Community dimension to which the so-called Merger Regulation, Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 on the control of concentrations between undertakings ((OJ L 257, 21.9.1990. )) would apply, then it would be assessed by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation.

Notifications of concentrations received by the Commission are made public by means of a notice in the Official journal and interested parties are invited to comment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0652/98 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Involvement of Galician businesses in the Community Al-Invest Programme

In its first two years of operation the Al-Invest Programme, whose purpose is to facilitate commercial, know-how, technology transfer and financial exchanges, has successfully organized forty business meetings and programmed a further sixty, with a turnover of ECU 25 million.

Galicia's links with Latin America and the statistically demonstrable economic interdependence of the two regions mean that the Al-Invest Programme is particularly important to Galicia.

Can the Commission say what the Al-Invest Programme's impact on relations between Galicia and Latin America has been, how many business meetings have taken place in Galicia and what the extent of Galician representation within the programme as a whole has been?

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

Al-Invest is a decentralised Community programme designed to foster business meetings. The initiative for arranging such meetings therefore comes from private operators such as chambers of commerce and industry, professional associations and federations and specialised consultants forming part of networks known as Eurocentres in Latin America and Coopece in Europe.

In Spain, institutions located in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza have taken an active part in Al-Invest. Not many Galician firms have been represented at Al-Invest sectoral meetings with the notable exception of the fisheries sector.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0525/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (2 March 1998)

Subject: Directive 93/109 EC of 6 December 1993

Directive 93/109/EC ((OJ L 329, 30.12.1993, p. 34. )) of 6 December 1993 lays down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

To what extent has this directive been transposed in the Member States?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0525/98 and E-0527/98 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1998)

Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 has been transposed by all the Member States and was applied at the time of the June 1994 elections. Sweden, Austria and Finland applied it on the occasion of the first European Parliament elections held in their countries in 1995 and 1996.

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission report of 7 January 1998 to Parliament and the Council on the application of the Directive on voting rights of EU citizens living in a Member State of which they are not nationals in European Parliament elections ((COM(97) 731 final. )).