ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3627/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Increase in toy prices

Consumers' associations in the Netherlands and Belgium are currently investigating retail toy prices. In the Netherlands, the Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) claims to have enough evidence to prove that retailers are agreeing not to undercut each other's prices and that the manufacturers are keeping prices artificially high. The Consumentenbond also says that the prices of the most popular toys have increased by 40 % over the past two years. It also recognises a delayed euro effect: when the euro was introduced, the prices of many toys were rounded up. In some cases, that has resulted in a 10 % increase over last year's prices.

Is the Commission aware of any price-fixing on the toy market in the Netherlands and Belgium or in the other EU Member States? If so, what is it doing to counteract this phenomenon?

Is the Commission aware that retailers are charging higher prices since the advent of the euro? If so, does it have any figures available?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2003)

The Commission is aware of the fact that consumer organisations are currently examining retail prices for toys on the Dutch and Belgium markets. Taking into account the strongly national character of the markets at issue, the Commission considers that the allegations of price fixing are best looked at by the national competition authorities. It has been informed that contacts on these matters exist already between the Dutch Competition Authority and the respective consumer organisation.

The cash changeover to the euro in January 2002 has been the focus of much attention, not only by the Commission but also by non-governmental organisations and research institutes.

Eurostat's analyses(1) indicate that the euro-changeover seems to have led to some price increases for specific products, such as restaurants & cafes and hairdressers, but that the overall effect on prices in the euro-zone has been limited. For the all items Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the price increase most likely falls within the range 0,0 to 0,2 %.

Concerning toys, the most detailed information available to Eurostat concerns the group of products Games, Toys and Hobbies (Coicop class 09.3.1 an annex sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat details what this covers).

For the Netherlands, the inflation rate for the 12 months ending in November 2002 was 0,6 % for Games, Toys and Hobbies, while the corresponding all items inflation rate was 4,1 %. For Belgium, the inflation rate for Games, Toys and Hobbies was 1,2 % and all-items inflation was 1,6 %. Therefore, in both countries, price increases for this group of products have been below the average for all consumer products.

These comparisons indicate that, while prices for individual toys may have risen substantially, there does not seem to be any exceptional price increase for toys taken as a whole.

(1) See Eurostat news releases No 23/2002 (28 February 2002), No 58/2002 (16 May 2002), and 84/2002 (17 July 2002).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3236/02

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Subject: Budget

1. Where is income from fines imposed on companies for infringements of internal market legislation entered in the budget?

2. Who administers the accounts under which those sums are entered?

3. What sums has the Commission received each year since 1990 in the form of fines imposed on companies for infringements of internal market legislation?

4. What sums has the Commission transferred, each year since 1990, from accounts under which income from fines imposed on companies for infringements of internal market legislation has been entered, to other accounts?

5. As of 1 November 2002, what is the total amount entered in accounts in respect of income in the form of fines imposed on companies for infringements of internal market legislation?

6. What is the legal basis for these accounts, receipts and disbursements?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2003)

1. Where fines imposed on firms that have infringed the competition rules are paid definitively, the receipts are entered in Article R 710 of the general budget.

Fines that have been appealed by the firms concerned in the competent court have to be guaranteed either by a provisional payment, which is entered in a cash account, or by a bank guarantee.

2. As far as the budget and accounts are concerned, the Competition Directorate-General is the authorising officer and draws up the recovery orders for the firms concerned.

On the financial side, fines have to be paid into a Commission account at a commercial bank which has been selected by public tender. The account is managed by the Accounting Officer's department.

3. The amounts of the fines definitively collected are given below:

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4. The sums listed above were utilised by the Commission cash department for the budgetary implementation of payment appropriations and hence used for payments.

As far as the budget is concerned, the sums entered in Article R 710 are part of the budget balance for the year and implicitly reduce the take-up of gross national product (GNP) resources in year n+1.

5. The Commission publishes the figures for fines in its annual revenue and expenditure account. At 31 December 2001, fines still pending before the court or not yet due totalled EUR 2 914 million.

6. The legal basis is as follows:

- Articles 73 and 74 of the new Financial Regulation, which applies from 1 January 2003. Previously, Articles 28 and 28a of the 1977 Financial Regulation applied;

- the Internal procedure provisions for the recovery of entitlements arising from direct management, adopted by the Commission on 17 December 2002(1) This is a recast version of the Internal procedure provisions for the recovery of entitlements arising from the Commission's direct management, fines and penalty payments under the Treaties, which were adopted by the Commission on 29 October 1986.

(1) SEC(86) 1748.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3306/02

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(21 November 2002)

Subject: Improvement of the uptake of folic acid to prevent spina bifida

In light of research carried out by the Medical Research Council that showed that a daily intake of 400 mg of folic acid during pregnancy could reduce the number of babies with spina bifida by 75 percent, what action does the Commission intend to take to raise awareness of this issue, and increase uptake of folic acid in the population?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2002)

The Commission is not aware of the research referred to. However, initiatives on nutrition and diet are supported through the Community Health Promotion Programme. In addition, a Commission report on nutrition and health in Community policies will be published in December 2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3218/02

by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Visa enabling Russian citizens to enter the EU

In September this year I invited three women who work at a women's crisis centre in Murmansk to participate in a European Parliament conference on prostitution and trafficking in women, on 9/10 October 2002. When I spoke to Belgian diplomatic staff in Moscow and St Petersburg about the possibility of obtaining visas for them, everyone I spoke to gave different answers, but it seemed clear that the women would have to go to Moscow with my original invitation, and that even then they would not be certain of obtaining a visa. I also spoke to the Swedish visa authorities about the possibiltiy of their flying via Sweden, but was told that a visa for Sweden would not be sufficient for them to travel on to Belgium (Schengen agreement), and that they would require a visa for each separate EU country.

I think it is remarkable that 500 000 people a year can be allowed in illegally for purposes of sexual exploitation but that it is quite impossible to invite three people to talk about the same phenomenon.

Do I need to contact a trafficker in order to invite Russian citizens to the European Parliament? And why does the Schengen agreement not apply to them?

Reply

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that it is no part of its function to comment on individual cases involving the processing of visa applications by Member States' representations in third countries.

Member States bound by the relevant provisions of the Schengen acquis decide case by case whether to grant individual short-stay visas, in accordance with the rules of the Schengen Convention and the Common Consular Instructions. Under those rules, the representation responsible in the third country is always that of the Member State in whose territory the main purpose of the visit is to be fulfilled. Persons granted such a visa may move freely during its period of validity within the territories of all the Member States which apply the Schengen Convention in full, unless it is a visa with limited territorial validity.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3870/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 January 2003)

Subject: Withdrawal of public access to the Eurodicautom facility

Can the Commission state whether it is true that, as various media sources claim, public access to Eurodicautom, its terminology database, is to be withdrawn?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2003)

The Commission has made no decision to withdraw public access to this database. It would however, take this opportunity to inform the Honourable Member that Eurodicautom will soon be integrated into a new interinstitutional terminology database, which is intended to incorporate the contents of the databases already existing in the various institutions and bodies of the European Union.

The aim of this project is to meet the challenge of the forthcoming enlargement, which will expand the problems associated with terminological data to some twenty languages.

In the context of this project, the Commission will in consultation with the other Institutions and other partners in this project be examining the question of access to the new database, bearing in mind the need for sound management of public funds. Users will, of course, be kept informed of developments in this project through the appropriate channels including the existing websites.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1906/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 July 2002)

Subject: Settled status test for student loans in the UK

Does the Commission consider the test of settled status applied by the UK authorities in the determination of eligibility for student loans to be in conformity with the Treaties?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2002)

On the basis of information available on the Internet(1), in order to be eligible for a student loan in the United Kingdom an applicant must comply, inter alia, with the condition of having settled status in the United Kingdom which means he should be settled in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Immigration Act of 1971 without being subject under immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which he may stay.

The Commission will ask the United Kingdom for further information in order to assess the compatibility of the settled status condition and of the United Kingdom student support system in general with Community law and more particularly with article 12 of the EC Treaty, Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community(2) and Council Directive 93/96/EEC of 29 October 1993 on the right of residence for students(3) and shall inform the Honourable Member accordingly.

(1) For more information about Financial Support for Higher Education Students in the United Kingdom, see the following websites: http://www.dfee.gov.uk/support/support2000/ch01.htm and http://www.dfee.gov.uk/loan2000/.

(2) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.

(3) OJ L 317, 18.12.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3335/02

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 November 2002)

Subject: Vaccinations and safety

During their lifetime, and for a variety of reasons, productive livestock are injected with a wide variety of pharmaceutical preparations and vaccines.

In the Netherlands, it is routine veterinary and agricultural practice for as many injections as possible to be given with the same needle. Needles are replaced only if they break or if they cannot penetrate an animal's hide for some other reason.

According to the WHO-Unicef-UNFPA Joint Statement (WHO/V&B/99.25), such methods of vaccination are not applicable to human beings because of the high risk of infection, especially in the case of mass vaccination campaigns. With regard to current veterinary practice, the risks of (cross) infection are much too great.

Does the Commission take the view that, in the very near future, the precautionary principle should also be applied in the case of (preventive) mass vaccinations?

Does the Commission share my view that, with regard to the vaccination of productive livestock, needles should be totally sterilised or disinfected?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 2003)

The Commission shares the views of the Honourable Member to a large extent.

Recourse to the precautionary principle will always apply if potentially dangerous effects deriving from a phenomenon, product or process have been identified and if scientific evaluation does not allow the risk to be determined with sufficient certainty.

The use of sterile or adequately disinfected needles on animals to be injected with drugs or vaccines, as well as many other veterinary actions, is a good veterinary practice aimed at preventing transmission of disease agents between animals.

However, a proper implementation of the hygienic measures that are necessary in case of mass vaccination of livestock is a primary responsibility of each veterinarian or other adequately trained personnel applying vaccination. These measures must be inter alia proportional and based on balancing costs and benefits.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3017/02

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Protected designation for craft products

European rules enabling consumers clearly to identify food products with protected designations of origin have been in existence for ten years now, backed up by a verification and control system. However, no such arrangements exist for traditional craft products, which are of significant importance to the European economy and for which appropriate European rules should be laid down, in order to protect them against imitation and counterfeiting. What are the Commission's views on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2002)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's opinion that the craft sector plays an important role in the Union.

However, it is often difficult to estimate the full importance of craft businesses in the European economy because there is no European level definition of the craft trade and where there are definitions of craft businesses at national level, these reflect different circumstances. Nor then is there any definition of a traditional craft product at Community level. To remedy this situation, a study has been carried out to draw up a methodology to produce a statistical definition of a small craft business which should enable the Commission to obtain more accurate and comparable statistical data.

The Honourable Member will find further information on this study on Internet site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/craft/craft-studies/methodology-craftstatistics.htm

In addition, the Commission is aware of the need to take advantage of the quality of craft products and European rare crafts, and has conducted a study aimed at identifying rare crafts in Europe and the channels for transferring know-how in the rare crafts sectors.

The final report from this study can be found on the Internet site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/craft/craft-studies/rarecrafts.htm

The Commission is thus continuing to look into this very important matter as it is aware that local traditional craft products are an integral part of the cultural and economic life of the peoples and regions of Europe and that the quality of these products lies in their traditional methods of manufacture.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3840/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Evidence of the existence of concentration camps in North Korea

The existence of concentration camps forced labour camps in North Korea, about which there was talk for a long time, but which had never been confirmed by non-North Korean witnesses, has been proved by satellite images which the Far Eastern Economic Review published after obtaining them from a commercial satellite imagery provider.

The images were recognised as showing the Haengyong concentration and labour camp by a former prison guard, Ahn Myong Chol, who defected to South Korea in 1994.

The South Koreans and American intelligence sources had long encouraged the rumour that they had satellite photographs of the camps in their possession, but the supposed evidence was never published.

Does the Commission have the same kind of satellite images or has it been informed by one of the Member States in possession of similar evidence about the existence of concentration camps in North Korea? Does the Commission have any information about the existence of other concentration camps in North Korea which could be proven by satellite images? When does the Commission expect to forward to the relevant European Parliament committee the satellite images or any other evidence of the existence of concentration camps in North Korea and what political initiatives does it intend to take vis-à-vis the Pyongyang government to induce it to close all the concentration camps immediately and release all the prisoners without delay?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2003)

The Commission has received reports from various international human rights organisations, in particular Amnesty International, alleging the existence of concentration camps in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). Nevertheless, the Commission has not received any satellite images proving the existence of such camps.

The human rights situation in the DPRK remains of major concern to the Union and is therefore being followed very closely. Human rights issues, including the possible existence of concentration camps, are systematically raised during regular political contacts with the North Korean authorities. The last occasion was in June 2002 in Pyongyang.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it will continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in the DPRK and will raise human rights concerns in its contacts with the DPRK authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3822/02

by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Council

(20 December 2002)

Subject: Asylum rights in the Union

On 28 November 2002 the Italian authorities repatriated Mr Muhammad al Shari and his family, from Malpensa airport to Syria, despite the existence of a death sentence against him.

The Italian Constitution states that persons sentenced to the death penalty in countries where that penalty is in force shall not be extradited.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states that no-one shall be condemned to the death penalty, or executed, and also underwrites the right of asylum on the basis of the Geneva Convention and the protocol of 31 January 1967.

Meanwhile, negotiations are currently in course between the EU and Syria for an association agreement.

Does the Council not consider it necessary to intervene to ensure that the death sentence is not carried out and that the physical integrity of Mr Muhammad al Shari and his family is not put at risk?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-3822/02 and E-3843/02

(5 and 6 May 2003)

The Council has no information regarding the case raised by the Honourable Members.

In this field the Council is continuing its examination of the proposals for Directives on the qualification of third country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection, and on procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status.

The purpose of those proposals is to establish minimum standards to be applied in circumstances raised by the Honourable Members.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3045/02

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(24 October 2002)

Subject: Hospital privatisation in Portugal

The newspaper Diário Económico reported on 15 October 2002 that Portugal's draft budget for 2003 includes a heading to the sum of EUR 662,1 million for the privatisation of public hospitals.

Reports publicly circulating suggest that the Commission has refused to endorse the inclusion in the budget of capital transfers to public transport enterprises, on the grounds that such transfers are intended to cover social costs and are not profit-seeking investments.

In these circumstances, can the Commission state whether it endorsed the inclusion in the budget as financial assets of the transfers made under the heading of hospital privatisation in 2002, and whether it will do the same for 2003?

If the Commission endorses those measures, will it justify its position on the grounds of the profitability in business terms of the Portuguese public hospitals, by contrast with the presumed unprofitability of the publicly funded transport enterprises?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2002)

Last Spring 2002, Eurostat analysed the capital injections into public transport enterprises in Portugal and has concluded to treat these payments as capital transfers instead of financial transactions, because these payments were made to cover repetitive losses of these enterprises.

However, Eurostat does not interfere in the preparation of the national budgets. It examines actual deficit and debt data. The payments foreseen for 2002 for the new model for management of hospitals will be analysed in the March 2003 notification of debt and deficit of Portugal.

Eurostat will also examine the appropriate sectoral classification of hospitals according to the European System of national and regional accounts (ESA 95) rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3595/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Measures to stop the sunken remains of the Prestige tanker spilling more fuel oil

What measures are being taken to stop the sunken remains of the Prestige tanker spilling more fuel oil, so as to ensure the protection and preservation of the coastline in Galicia and elsewhere in Europe from the consequences of further spills?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Commission fully shares the preoccupation expressed by the Honourable Member regarding the problem caused by the oil in the wreck of the Prestige which represents a threat not only for the coast of Galicia, but more widely for the marine and coastal environment of France, Spain and Portugal.

Immediately after the accident of the Prestige, the Commission has been in close contact with the Spanish authorities, in order to make the expertise and combating equipment of other Member States available.

More particularly, concerning the problem of the wreck of the Prestige, the Commission has proposed the participation of European experts to the Scientific Committee that has been established by the Spanish authorities in order to assess issues relating to the wreck.