ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3522/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council (14 November 1997)

Subject: Reforms pending in university research

Nature magazine (Vol. 388, 31 July 1997) has reported that the British Government is drawing up new responses to higher education, where both improved facilities and changes in the attitude of academics are required in order to restore the trust between scientific communities and governments.

The main themes set out in the Dearing report, which can be expected to resurface in a forthcoming White Paper, are not exclusive to the United Kingdom. Guaranteeing the quality and appropriateness of fundamental research, ensuring that similar value is attached in universities to achievements in teaching as well as in research, allowing for sufficient administrative costs in research, modernizing equipment and securing the participation of industry are tasks facing all the governments of the European Union and of other advanced economies.

Can the Council provide information on reforms and studies - similar to those described above for the United Kingdom - now in progress in Europe, the United States and Japan?

Answer (26 January 1998)

The Council keeps careful track of developments in education systems in the European Community, particularly through the studies conducted by the Commission's DG XXII, including those produced by or with the support of the Eurydice European Unit and its network.

However, it is not the Council's task to provide information on initiatives taken in the field of education by the Governments of Member States or third countries. The Council would also point out that everything connected with the organization and structure of higher education systems is the exclusive responsibility of the Member States (see Article 126(1) of the EC Treaty).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2662/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Children and teenagers accused of war crimes in Rwanda

UNICEF, the United Nations' Children's Fund, has estimated that 2 300 of the 100 000 imprisoned and awaiting trial for suspected war crimes in Rwanda are children or teenagers. About 200 of these are believed to have been under 14 at the time of the genocidal killings in 1994. Many regard their conditions in jail as intolerable.

Because the Rwandan courts and legal services are overburdened, UNICEF has emphasized the need for the international community to provide lawyers to Rwanda who can work on cases involving children and teenagers.

Has the Commission any proposals for providing financial assistance to lawyers working with children and teenagers in Rwanda?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (30 October 1997)

The Commission is aware that many people are waiting in prisons for their trials. The latest estimates give a total figure of nearly 130 000 persons including some children and teenagers.

The Commission has brought the situation of child prisoners suspected of genocide again to the attention of the Rwandan authorities by a Troika demarche on prison conditions on 4 September 1997.

The Commission, concerned by the prison conditions and anxious to see the genocide trials proceed speedily and in a correct legal framework, is offering assistance to the government in respect of genocide trials through the financing of two projects from the democracy - human rights budget line with another project under preparation.

The first project entitled 'Programme d'appui au Ministère de la Justice rwandaise' for an amount of nearly 1.4 MECU ensures the training and salary payment of 600 additional judicial staff over an 18 month period in order to assist the judicial system.

The second project is a contribution to the efforts by 'Avocats sans frontières' to provide legal assistance to both the accused as well as civil parties in genocide trials. This assistance will continue and amounts to over 1.2 MECU.

A project with Penal reform international is under preparation (1.25 MECU) to assist with the improvement of the management capacities of the prison administration and to launch productive activities inside the prisons.

Furthermore the 2nd rehabilitation programme of the European development fund (EDF) foresees the financing of the rehabilitation of the supreme court as well as the public prosecutor's offices. Additional support is provided for the rehabilitation of the 143 district courts. Total EDF assistance from the 2nd rehabilitation programme to the judiciary amounts to 4.9 MECU.

With the above mentioned programmes the Commission contributes to the improvement of both prison conditions and legal defence, which is in the interest of all prisoners, including minors.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3991/97 by Enrico Ferri (PPE) to the Council (15 December 1997)

Subject: Continuation of duty-free sales

The continuation of duty-free sales is not legally incompatible with the rules of the single market, because providing economic advantages and incentives to encourage tourism and employment and safeguard consumers is one way in which Member States exercise their shared and non-individual sovereignty.

Airports and ports are common free areas not only for intra-Community, but also for intercontinental contacts.

Free zones including the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Monaco, and so forth have been and remain established within the Community area by international agreement.

The single market and the euro will need in any event to be tested over a trial period, a process in which future new Member States should likewise be involved. From that point of view, duty-free sales could constitute an essential building block of the 'common home'.

Will the Council therefore reconsider the 1991 decision and refrain from abolishing duty-free sales or, failing that, will it allow such sales to continue on a temporary basis, not least to provide the necessary testing-ground for the single currency?

Answer (16 February 1998)

The Council would ask the Honourable Member to refer to the Reply to Written Question No E-1515/97.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3724/97 by Luis Marinho (PSE) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Safety of school transport vehicles

More and more accidents are occurring with school transport vehicles, with each year's figures being more disturbing. It is estimated that in 80% of cases the causes are material in nature (mechanical breakdown, material fatigue or inadequate safety precautions); only 20% of accidents are due to human error.

The wellbeing and safety of children is one of the objectives of family policy, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child lays down the obligation to legislate on the basis of this principle.

Can the Commission state:

1. what direct or indirect measures the EU can take to enhance the safety of school transport and contribute to reducing the problem of the existing out-of-date vehicles, which are overcrowded thanks to the rise in the school population;

2. whether it is considering a directive on the safety of school transport vehicles?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1997)

The Commission has not previously received information that as many as 80% of school bus accidents in Portugal are due to technical failures and would, therefore, welcome further technical information from the Honourable Member on this matter.

Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20 December 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers ((OJ L 46, 17.2.1997. )) lays down minimum requirements for roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles (including school buses). Such roadworthiness tests will both ensure that minimum safety standards are met and that vehicles are checked on a regular basis.

Furthermore, the Commission is considering presenting a proposal for European legislation permitting authorities to make random roadside checks to ensure that vehicles are being maintained to a standard consistent with that laid down in Directive 96/96/EC.

The Commission feels that Directive 96/96/EC, possibly to be reinforced by legislation on random roadside checks, provides for sufficient guarantees to improve vehicle standards in general and thus currently has no plans for specific legislation concerning school buses.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3424/97 by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE) to the Commission (31 October 1997)

Subject: Meat quotas

Can the Commission explain how the quotas are decided for imports of sirloin of beef from Argentina and Brazil and what conditions are required of enterprises importing meat of this kind?

Can the Commission also provide information on the most recent distribution of meat quotas for beef from the above-named countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1997)

The country-specific import quotas for high quality beef such as striploin ('Solomillo') are based on the undertakings of the Community in the framework of the agreement on agriculture concluded under the Uruguay Round.

The detailed rules of application for the quota year 1997/1998 are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 936/97 of 27 May 1997 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for high-quality fresh, chilled and frozen beef and for frozen buffalo meat ((OJ L 137, 28.5.1997. )). The Community criteria for importers of high quality beef are fixed by Article 4(a) which reads 'the licence applicants must be natural or legal persons who, at the time their applications are submitted, have been engaged for at least 12 months in trade in beef and veal between Member States or with third countries and who are registered in a Member State for VAT purposes'.

The 1997/1998 high quality beef quotas for Argentina and Brazil are 28 000 tonnes and 5 000 tonnes respectively.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3738/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Situation in the Congo Republic

Would the Commission state its position on the recent political and military events in the Congo Republic?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3736/97 and E-3738/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1997)

The Commission's position on recent political events in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) is that presented in the statement issued by the Council Presidency on 3 November 1997, on behalf of the European Union. A copy of this statement will be sent directly to the Honourable Member, as well as the Parliament Secretariat.

The Commission would like to take this opportunity to point out that, since the onset of military exchanges, it has provided funding for emergency humanitarian aid to four organisations: Médecins sans frontières (France and the Netherlands), Médecins du monde (France), Secours catholique (France) and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Throughout the conflict and until today, these programmes have meant that the basic needs of around 350 000 of the most vulnerable of the displaced persons can be provided for.

The Commission, in co-ordination with the main humanitarian organisations, is carefully monitoring the situation locally, in particular with regard to Brazzaville's water supply.

The funding granted to date is spread over a number of sectors and comes in total, if one includes contributions to the World Food Programme, to around ECU 10 million.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3202/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Saharawi refugees

Will the Commission state whether the measures to assist the plan for the voluntary repatriation of Saharawi refugees, recently drawn up for by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, have been adopted, especially with regard to registration, resettlement and rehabilitation of such refugees?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997)

Since 1993, overall contributions from the Commission (European Community humanitarian office (ECHO)) for Western Sahara refugees have amounted to 20 MECU. Last year, a total of 7 MECU was allocated, including 2 MECU from the budget line B7-644 adopted by the Parliament to help the population of Western Sahara and the remaining 5 MECU from the budget line B7-217.

This year the Commission adopted on 23 May 1997 a decision for the implementation of a global plan amounting to 7 MECU in favour of the Western Sahara refugees. This plan includes two elements: food aid (5.8 MECU) and a medical and logistic assistance, emergency rehabilitation and water purification programme (1.2 MECU). The allocation for 1997 will contribute to ensure supplies to this population of basic products, to maintain the security stocks, as well as to preserve the living conditions and the health care, on an acceptable level.

As part of the close cooperation between the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, the world food programme and ECHO concerning humanitarian assistance in favour of Western Sahara refugees, the Commission will pay great attention to the humanitarian situation of this population during the setting up of the voluntary repatriation plan and will adapt its 1998 aid programme accordingly.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3674/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Involvement of the Total oil company in Burma

The French oil company Total and the US company Unocal are both involved in building a natural gas pipeline in Burma. The two companies are in a partnership with the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), which is controlled by the ruling military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).

Burmese troops are reported to have been used by the two companies to provide security and oversee construction of the pipeline. There are numerous allegations that the troops have been involved in human rights abuses, including forced labour, involuntary relocations, torture, rape and in some cases murder.

Oil companies, including Total and Unocal, are the largest legal source of foreign currency to the SLORC. The Burmese military regime has been widely condemned by the international community for its abuse of human rights and democracy.

Given that a company domiciled within the EU is alleged to be linked to serious human rights abuses in Burma, will the Commission investigate these allegations? What action does it propose to take on this issue?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (6 January 1998)

The Commission has no authority to undertake the action requested by the Honourable Member against individuals or companies domiciled within the Community.

In the course of the scheme of generalised tariff preferences (GSP) investigation on forced labour in Burma under Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3281/94 of 19 December 1994 applying a four-year scheme of generalized tariff preferences (1995 to 1998) in respect of certain industrial products originating in developing countries ((OJ L 348, 31.12.1994. )) which led to the withdrawal of GSP preferences for Burma, the Commission learned of the allegations mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The investigation, however, did not confirm the alleged links of Total to human rights abuses committed by Burmese troops. Moreover, it has to be recalled that the only purpose of this administration investigation was to establish the existence of practices of forced labour in Burma, and not to identify individual responsibilities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1824/97 by Laura De Esteban Martin (PPE) to the Council (29 May 1997)

Subject: Community passport and minors

The current design of Community passports, drawn up by the Member States in accordance with the Council Resolution of 23 June 1981 ((OJ C 241, 19.9.1981, p. 1. )), means that minors may receive inadequate protection in some Member States because they are not properly identified in the passport.

In some cases, passports include a photograph of the mother or father as passport-holder, together with their details. The first names and surnames (full surnames do not always appear due to lack of space), date of birth and sex of children may be included in another page on presentation of their birth certificates. These details would make it possible for any adult to take a child of approximately the same age as the child included in their passport and remove the child from its country of residence, as the child would be unable to provide proof of its actual identity.

Is the Council aware of the possible problems which this passport design might pose, and can it state its position on modifying the passport format to include new details such as the child's fingerprint and photograph which would make it possible to guarantee the identification of minors?

Answer (20 January 1998)

The Council Resolution of 23 June 1981 ((OJ C 241, 19.9.1981, p. 1. )) to which the Honourable Member refers, as supplemented most recently by the Resolution of 10 July 1995 ((OJ C 200, 4.8.1995, p. 1. )), provides in part G for a page to be reserved, inter alia, for particulars of children accompanying the holder, including the name, surname, date of birth and sex of the child. Member States may also, if they so wish, provide for a photograph of the child to be added.

Member States thus have some discretion as to the information that is to appear on the passport page provided for in part G of the Resolution.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3592/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Result of the 1989-1995 Impact Programme

Would the Commission supply me with the results of the Impact Programme, the plan of action for setting up an information services market and for enhancing the competitiveness of the European information services industry.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1997)

A final evaluation report on a programme for the establishment of an internal information services market ((OJ L 377, 31.12.1991 - In accordance with article 6 of the Council Decision 91/691/EEC of 12 December 1991. )) has been established by independent external experts. The report entitled 'final evaluation report of the EC Impact programme' summarises the results of the programme implementation and was submitted to the Parliament and the Council, together with a Commission communication ((COM(96 273. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3332/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Progress of land registry in Greece

According to certain information that has come to light, the Greek Government is requesting a transfer of appropriations from the budget for the land registry - a project covered by sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 of the operational programme for the environment - to other projects.

What is the present take-up rate of appropriations for the land registry? What, in the Commission's opinion, is the reason for the low take-up rate of approved appropriations for this project? What is the Commission's view of the above request from the Greek Government?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (3 December 1997)

The Commission can confirm that, in the context of the mid-term review of the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece, the Greek authorities proposed, inter alia, the transfer of appropriations earmarked for the introduction of the land register in Greece. Since the guidelines laid down in this respect by the Monitoring Committee at its meeting of 30 and 31 October 1997 and agreed between the Commission and the Greek authorities have not yet been formalised, an exact amount cannot be indicated. However, it will certainly be far lower than the amount initially provided for.

The current take-up rate for this project is 11%. That rate is expected to double (22%) by the end of 1997, when 70% of all the contracts to be part-financed under the CSF will have been signed. The Commission considers that it was necessary to make proper legislative and organisational preparations for the introduction of a national land register system. This necessarily took time, so that the utilisation of funds as such could only start as from this year. The Commission believes that there are no more obstacles to prevent the appropriations from being taken up within the time limit laid down in the CSF and it will examine the Greek proposal in this spirit.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3984/97 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL), Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) and María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: The labour situation in the coal-mines in the municipality of Acalândia (Brazil)

The Centre for the Protection of Life and Human Rights in Acalândia is an NGO working for the recognition of citizenship and against slave labour and overexploitation in the coal-mines.

This NGO has been denouncing the exploitation and near-enslavement of workers in the Acalândia coal-mines, where there are continual accidents owing to poor working conditions and work is being done by a group of children under 15 years old. According to information supplied by the NGO some of these coal-mines belong to the Viena and Pindaré steelworks.

Can the Commission say whether it knows of these reports? Can it say whether it is monitoring the agreements between the EU and Brazil and Mercosur to ensure that the Brazilian Government enforces internationally recognized labour standards and conditions and the ban on child labour?

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

The Commission is, naturally, aware of the abusive working practices and conditions which may prevail, in particular in mines, and sometimes involve children.

A large number of associations, a variety of organisations, non-governmental organisations or private individuals draw the attention of the Commission to similar cases, which generally affect extremely deprived and defenceless communities.

Exploitation (or worse) of workers arises from unsatisfactory economic and social conditions which result in situations of this type. Changing those conditions is a long-term task.

It is reasonable to believe, however, that action taken by the Commission in its total relations with partner countries - and specifically cooperation with Brazil - is precisely designed to remedy this kind of situation upstream.

Consequently, whenever action is liable to be effective, the Commission endeavours according to the facts in its possession to lobby the authorities through whichever channels it finds most appropriate.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2982/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council (30 September 1997)

Subject: Secrecy and the EU's K4 committee on justice and home affairs

The so-called K4 committee, which undertakes much of the preparatory work for EU initiatives on justice and home affairs, has come under some criticism for the secretive nature of the way it conducts its business. Civil liberties campaigners have argued that it is beyond democratic control and that it is difficult to ascertain what items it is discussing.

In 1995 K4 drafted many of the guidelines to enable the EU to establish a telephone tapping system affecting citizens in all Member States. No details of the system were published in the EU's Official Journal until almost two years later

Can the Council give details of any plans it may have to make K4's work more transparent?

Answer (26 February 1998)

The K4 Committee is not a special type of Committee, it is a Council working party set up under Article K4 of the Treaty on European Union which conducts its proceedings in accordance with the Council's Rules of Procedure.

Thus any suggestions as to the secretive nature of the way it conducts its business or the fact that it is beyond democratic control are without foundation.

The documents produced by the K4 Committee are subject to the same rules as other Council documents as regards their release to the public. Furthermore, the Ministers responsible for justice and home affairs increasingly make a point of informing the European Parliament about the proceedings of the various working parties operating in the justice and home affairs field, and this includes the K4 Committee.