ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2576/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: Public health

Would the Commission agree that, in the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision adopting a programme of Community action on health monitoring in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health (COM(95)0449) ((OJ C 338, 16.12.1995, p. 4. )), inadequate financial provision is made for the collection and dissemination of data, given the importance of such activities for health policy at national and EU levels? In view of the fundamental importance of this programme, might the appropriations not be increased?

Answer given by M. Flynn on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1996)

The Commission shares the views of the Honourable Member concerning the importance of the proposed programme on health monitoring. In its proposals on the overall envelope of future appropriations in respect of this programme, the Commission had to strike the right balance between current margins and short and medium-term perspectives with regard to rubric 3 expenditure and the minimum requirements for the development of a health monitoring system in the Community. Accordingly, the actions proposed under the programme are designed to allow intensification of relevant activities should future developments permit an increase in the allocation of funds in the course of the annual budgetary procedure.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2228/96 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) and Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 August 1996)

Subject: Poseima-agriculture programme - support for banana production in Madeira

Banana production is of particular importance to the economy of the autonomous region of Madeira, where banana growing has a long tradition and involves thousands of small farmers producing low yields.

Can the Commission say whether the Community support measures for banana production in the autonomous region of Madeira are still being granted under the Poseima-agriculture programme or whether the support measures are now entirely derived from the implementation of the on-going provisions of the common organization of the market for bananas? In the latter case, can the Commission say whether there are any differences between the support measures provided under the COM for the various banana-producing regions in the Community? If so, what are the reasons for such differences?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1996)

Banana production in the autonomous region of Madeira benefits from two kinds of Community support measures, one of a structural nature, the other as part of the common organization of the market for bananas.

The structural support measures are designed to increase competitiveness and quality and are granted under the regional development programme.

The support measures provided for under the common organization of the market for bananas, notably the compensatory payments, are in principle identical to those granted to other Community production regions. However, pursuant to Article 12(6) of Regulation (EEC) No 404/93, ((OJ L 47 of 25.2.1993. )) production in Madeira benefited from additional support measures for 1993 and 1994 as earnings were significantly lower than the average for the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2628/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (8 October 1996)

Subject: Allegations of environmental despoliation by BP in Columbia

What investigations have and will the Commission undertake into allegations that oil extraction by BP in the Casanare region of Columbia is causing unacceptable levels of environmental despoliation?

Will the Commission further investigate allegations that the company is collaborating in human rights abuses against local protesters against BP?

Can the Commission identify all current and past European development and cooperation projects with Columbia in relation to this region and comment on any consequences in respect of the environmental impact?

Finally, can the Commission see alarming parallels with the treatment of the Ogonis in Nigeria and give this issue the highest possible priority?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (31 October 1996)

According to the information available to the Commission, the activities of British Petroleum (BP) at Casanare are in conformity with the relevant Colombian legislation. In particular, BP carried out an environmental impact assessment before receiving an extraction licence from the Colombian authorities.

The Commission does not have evidence on the allegation, referred to by the Honourable Member, that British Petroleum is involved in violations of the human rights of protesters. According to the information available to the Commission, British Petroleum takes the necessary measures, in collaboration with the Colombian authorities, to protect the installation, which is located in an area which is particularly vulnerable to guerrilla activities.

The other information requested by the Honourable Member would require lengthy and costly research that the Commission is unable to undertake at the present time because of other priorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1829/96 by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Delays in starting up projects financed by the EDF

The Union's development cooperation with ACP countries takes place through budgetary resources and through the contributions which the Member States make via the EDF according to a time-table of periodic contributions?

Since it takes a long time to get EDF financed projects under way and the Union has suspended cooperation with a number of ACP countries because they have failed to respect human rights, the Member States' contributions of resources to fund the EDF are being paid increasingly late.

Can the Commission say how that delay is going to affect the first contributions requested from the new Member States: Austria, Finland and Sweden?

Is this situation going to affect the eligibility of undertakings from the three Member States to participate in projects financed by the EDF?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1996)

As the Honourable Member points out, the political and economic situation in certain ACP countries could explain the slowdown in the granting of aid from the European Development Fund (EDF). However, this is only a temporary phenomenon and a return to democracy in the countries concerned should enable utilization of EDF funds to pick up again.

Similarly, the agreement amending the Lomé IV Convention for the next five years, which was signed in Mauritius at the beginning of November 1995, should correct some of the rigidities inherent in the very nature of Community aid and this will significantly increase its flow.

Where the EDF contribution of the three new Member States is concerned, it should be noted that the eighth EDF will enter into force upon ratification of the agreement amending Lomé IV and renewing its financial protocol. As things stand, the prospects are that the agreement will not be ratified before early 1997.

However, since the EDF is currently managed according to the single account principle (which means that seventh EDF funds must be used up before drawing on eighth EDF funds), it is likely that this call for contributions under the eighth EDF will be made later. There was a similar time lag at the time of the previous enlargement to Spain and Portugal.

Firms from the three new Member States will be able to participate in projects financed under the eighth EDF once the revised Lomé IV Convention has been ratified.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1711/96 by Ilona Graenitz (PSE) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Birth deformities

There is an increasing incidence of birth deformities in Austria, especially in the area surrounding the river Inn and other parts of Upper Austria. Four babies born without an anus, for example, are currently undergoing surgical treatment at the Linz Paediatric Clinic. In the whole of 1990 there were only two babies in all of Austria born with such a deformity. Similarly, a growing number of babies have recently been born with a harelip, cleft palate, or gnathoschisis.

At the time of the Chernobyl disaster some parts of Union territory, including the regions mentioned above, were exposed to particularly intense radiation. Is research being conducted to establish the connections between radiation exposure and birth deformities? If so, what findings are emerging?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1996)

The Commission is aware of the cases of birth defects cited by the Honourable Member, and of the claims of an increase in the incidence of certain congenital malformations in the regions concerned.

Such birth defects are rare and clusters of cases may appear at various times and places. A firm conclusion about a real increase can, however, only be made on the basis of evidence from nationwide birth defects monitoring and surveillance systems. No such conclusion can be drawn at present from such monitoring.

Moreover, immediately after the Chernobyl accident, an expert group advised the Commission that health effects resulting from the radioactive contamination from Chernobyl should not be expected in the Community, but suggested that an epidemiological follow-up of childhood leukaemia, which is the most sensitive health effect indicator, would be desirable. A follow-up study is currently being carried throughout Europe, but, at the time of the latest analysis conducted in 1992, no indication has been obtained of an increase in incidence.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2137/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (3 August 1996)

Subject: Staff contracts at EU offices in the Member States

Unlike the other institutions of the EU, the Commission still employs at its representations in the Member States local non-Staff Regulations staff whose contractual duties are of an unskilled nature whereas in fact they perform skilled tasks.

- These members of staff are responsible for running various departments in the representations.

- Staff Regulations staff performing the same duties, meanwhile, have much more favourable terms of employment and much higher pay.

1. Does the Commission agree that this amounts to exploitation of skilled local staff, who do not receive a salary commensurate with their qualifications and professional experience?

2. Does it agree that it should take advantage of the revision of the framework contract for local staff to end this discrimination against its own staff, as the European Parliament has already done?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (9 October 1996)

The Honourable Member is referring to the presence in the Commission's Offices in the Member States of staff employed under the conditions which apply to local staff, which have their contractual basis in Regulation (ECSC, EEC, Euratom) No 2612/76 ((OJ L 299, 29 October 1976. )) as regards the conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities, and subsequent amendments to it. The first paragraph of Article 4 of the CEOS makes explicit reference to staff engaged to perform executive duties at what are now known as Offices in the Community.

On 26 April 1989 the Commission decided, ((SEC(89) 662. )) taking into account this legal framework, to gradually replace C-grade officials with local staff.

The conditions of employment of local staff are laid down by national legislation with the aim of covering aspects omitted from the above regulation and adapting pay and working conditions to the national reference system, while retaining the objective of continuing to be among the best employers.

The rules on conditions of employment in the individual Member States are adjusted to take account of changes in national legislation and to update the salaries of local staff on a regular basis.

A working party is currently looking into the advantages of harmonizing certain working conditions for all local staff serving in the Commission's Offices in the Community in a new framework regulation. This framework regulation would be supplemented by special conditions for each place of employment to take account of local circumstances. It would also pave the way for the introduction of a career structure appropriate to the duties performed by the local staff by virtue of the conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities.

Staff representatives take part in this work on a permanent basis.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: 1997 Preliminary draft budget

With regard to Item A-1520 (national and international officials and private sector staff temporarily assigned to services of the institution), can the Commission provide details of national officials by country and directorate-general?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1996)

The 1996 appropriations for budget heading A-1520 represent 592 person/years.

In its allocation of resources, the Commission used the appropriations as shown in the table sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament.

A breakdown by nationality and directorate-general, on the basis of the seconded national experts 'physically present' in August 1996, is included in the same document.

You will note that reference is made, on the one hand, to allocations in person/years and, on the other, to persons who are 'physically present'. An accurate picture of the number of person/years can only be established in hindsight.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2523/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (23 September 1996)

Subject: Illegal payment of pensions to former Yugoslavs

On 18 November 1976, Division II DS of the Italian Ministry of Employment issued a circular with the reference number E 1/37/81189 by the then Minister of Employment, Tina Anselmi (currently under investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome) to the effect that periods of military service in Italy could be taken into account for the purpose of calculating the period over which social security contributions had been paid even in the case of foreign citizens (in this particular instance, Yugoslav citizens residing in Istria and Dalmatia). This circular was issued on the basis of an anomalous interpretation of Article 13 (2)(d) of EEC Regulation No 1408/71 ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2. )) on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community.

Would the Commission verify the accuracy and legality of that interpretation of the Community legislation in question, since it allows account to be taken, when determining an individual's pension entitlement, not only of periods of ordinary military service (as referred to specifically in the regulation), but also of periods spent in partisan organizations, without any proviso (such as that applying to ex-servicemen from the Upper Adige who served in the German army) that the person in question should not have committed any acts of terrorism or torture, as in the case of various former partisans living in the territory of former Yugoslavia who receive a regular ex-servicemen's pension from Italy even though they are acknowledged to have been responsible for a series of mass executions that took place in North East Italy, and in some instances have been found tried and sentenced by default for those crimes?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1996)

The Commission wishes to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that Regulation No 1408/71 ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971; consolidated version: OJ C 325, 10.12.1992. )), referred to in the question, aims at coordinating the application of the various social security schemes existing in the Community. In no way does it impinge on the Member States' freedom to lay down the rules governing their own social security schemes.

Moreover, by virtue of Article 2, this Regulation does not apply to nationals of third countries who are not members of the family of a Community national.

The legal status of this category of persons in regard to social security depends on domestic law and on the agreements concluded by the Member States.

However, as regards relations with third countries, there is nothing to stop Member States from adopting rules similar to the provisions of Community law in bilateral agreements applicable to nationals of third countries.

Hence the question raised by the Honourable Member concerns domestic law and not Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2522/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (25 September 1996)

Subject: Tourist coaches in Florence

The Florence municipal authorities have recently adopted measures to limit access by tourist coaches to the city. Under this system a sliding scale of fees will be charged for access to the city centre. However, access will only be authorized for some of the dozens of tourist coaches arriving at the city gates each day. This measure is likely to discriminate against a large number of tourists who will thus be unable to complete the full itinerary agreed on prior to the introduction of these restrictions. Since these measures were adopted at the height of the tourist season without any prior warning and hence without the agreement of the professional sectors and travel agents involved and in view of the unfavourable economic impact on the city of Florence which is already making itself felt, will the Commission take action to ensure that all tourists wishing to visit the city are able to fully exercise their basic right to do so and that no discrimination is allowed to occur in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1996)

The information provided by the Honourable Member of Parliament on the measures taken by local authorities to limit access to town centres by tourist coaches does not establish that there is any discriminatory treatment or restriction on freedom of movement incompatible with Community Law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2160/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (2 August 1996)

Subject: Checks on withdrawals of fruit and vegetables in Greece

The 1994 Annual Report by the Court of Auditors states that its inspections revealed that in Greece inspectors did not record checks on quality, nor the results of operations to withdraw fruit and vegetables from the market; consequently, there were no checks or documentation on the eventual destination of produce which had been rejected.

In view of the Commission's reply to the Court of Auditors, that its inspectors would carry out a detailed investigation into this matter, what have been the results of these inspections and what measures have been taken by the Commission to rectify the situation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1996)

The Court's remarks highlight the need for regulation of certain aspects of the system used by Member States for the withdrawal of fruit and vegetables from the market.

Failure to record quality checks is a deficiency in the system but the Court has not demonstrated any direct link between this and the acceptance of non-conforming batches.

Rejected produce belongs to the producer organization which is therefore solely responsible for its marketing. A rejected batch may be represented for sale or withdrawal after repackaging.

This matter will be discussed during the next inspection to be undertaken in this Member State and the financial consequences of any irregularity discovered will be drawn when the accounts for 1994 are cleared.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2687/96 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: 'Moonlighting' at the Commission

With reference to the publication of articles in Le Soir on 3 August 1996 and Le Vif/L'Express on 7 June 1996, is it true that there are people actually 'moonlighting' on the Commission's premises in Brussels, or is the Commission able to issue a formal denial of these accusations?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (3 Decembre 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-2814/96 by Mrs Dury ((See page 81. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2411/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: Drinking and driving

1. What is the Commission doing to try to unblock the proposal before Council for an EU-wide maximum permitted blood alcohol concentration?

2. Will the Commission publish a recent study apparently undertaken for DG VII on percentages of fatal road accidents related to alcohol?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1996)

The Commission has on several occasions approached succeeding Council Presidencies to unblock the proposal, but until now without success. In order to relaunch the debate on this issue, the Commission has - in coordination with the high level group on road safety - established an expert group which has produced the report to which the Honourable Member refers.

This report entitled 'Alcohol, drugs, medicines and driving' was distributed at the beginning of 1996 to those active in road safety. Following this question the Commission has sent a copy of this report directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament. Naturally, all efforts to generate attention about the matter are welcome.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2558/96 by Riccardo Garosci (UPE) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: Clashes between events organized by the Commission and part-sessions in Strasbourg

The calendar of the activities and meetings of the European Parliament is drawn up and distributed one year in advance. Despite this, some Directorates-General organize events and conferences - mainly in Brussels - to which Members of the European Parliament are invited (or could be invited) during part-sessions in Strasbourg.

Would the Commission state whether the European Parliament's calendar is distributed to its officials and, if so, can it explain exactly why they continue to organize events during the one week of each month when the European Parliament moves to Strasbourg, thus preventing MEPs from taking part in the activities of the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (30 October 1996)

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it circulates to its services the dates of Parliament's plenary sessions in Strasbourg and Brussels as soon as they have been approved by Parliament.

The Commission understands the difficulty raised by the Honourable Member and will draw once more the attention of its services to the need to try and avoid organising in Brussels during plenary session weeks activities in which MEPs might have a major interest. However, no absolute guarantee can be given because some activities may well be planned before the sessions calendar has been approved by Parliament and the scheduling requirements of other participants may make the choice of a session week unavoidable.