ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3434/96 by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission (9 December 1996)

Subject: Proposal by the 'High-level Group of Experts on Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society' for the introduction of a generalized 'bit tax' on the Internet

On 25 April 1995 the Commission set up a study group called the 'High-level Group of Experts on Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society' to analyse the social impact, the organization of work, relations between the European regions and all the problems linked to the introduction of the new communication and information technologies.

This group's first practical achievement was the report of 12 August 1996 in which it moots the idea of a 'bit tax' i.e. a tax to be levied on the basis of the amount of data sent or received, as a replacement for telephone charges. This would mean charging all users of the Internet a generalized tax to compensate for the impossibility of taxing the use of the Internet for the supply of services. The Internet system has shown itself to be a powerful instrument for freedom, since it distributes news and information directly, but it has also become a new means of providing services such a teleconferences, sales and long-distance learning and consultancy activities. These services are only a small part of the use made of the telematic network.

It is common knowledge that because of its reasonable costs the Internet is used mainly by young people and university students.

Does the Commission not consider that the high-level group's proposal may lead to a dangerous restriction on freedom of information, an undesirable form of censorship and be generally detrimental to freedom of thought and democracy?

Does it not consider that such a tax might impose unfair restrictions on those of limited financial means?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to guarantee unrestricted access to the Internet free of charge?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-3136/96 by Mr Tamino ((See page 71. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3214/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Valencia: level of financing of pilot urban projects

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the city of Valencia.

What level of funding does the Commission have in mind for the pilot urban projects provided for in Article 10 of the ERDF? What proportion of this funding could be allocated to the Valencia project?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2528/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (8 October 1996)

Subject: Veterinary inspections

Veterinary inspections at borders between Member States were abolished in 1993, even though such checks remain in force for imports of animals or animal-based products from third countries.

By virtue of its geographical position, Italy is the most important link in trade between EU Member States and third countries, owing to the large number of border crossings existing on its territory.

Given the sensitivity of imports of animals and animal-based products, would the Commission agree that it should set up a committee of experts with the job of establishing without delay:

1. the number of border crossings in each Member State; and

2. a standard set of rules laying down, inter alia, the number of staff, the resources and the instruments required in order to ensure that such border checks are effective.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 October 1996)

Since the adoption of Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary controls on products entering the Community from third countries, ((OJ L 373, 31.12.1990. )) and Directive 91/496/EEC on animals from third countries, ((OJ L 268, 24.9.1991. )) the Commission has been concerned about the siting, equipment and operation of border veterinary inspection posts.

For the current situation, the Honourable Member should refer to Commission Decision 95/357/EC of 26 July 1995 drawing up a list of border inspection posts agreed for veterinary checks on products and animals from third countries, detailed rules concerning the checks to be carried out by the veterinary experts of the Commission and repealing Decision 94/24/EC. ((OJ L 211, 6.9.1995. )) Decision 95/357/EC was last amended by Decision 96/267/EC. ((OJ L 91, 12.4.1996. )) The criteria for approving border inspection posts are covered by the basic Council directives and Commission Decision 92/525/EEC. ((OJ L 331, 17.11.1992. ))

All approved border inspection posts are regularly inspected by Commission veterinary experts working together with the national authorities. The inspection includes checks on border inspection post facilities, equipment and working methods.

In view of the above the Commission considers that the tasks to which the Honourable Member refers are already covered by the existing Community framework.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2624/96 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Proposal by the United Kingdom aimed at shipowners using fishery licences of a country other than their own

The proposal by the United Kingdom for the introduction of a protocol, when the EU Treaties are revised, to enable each Member State to impose conditions on shipowners using fishery licences of a country other than their own has been viewed by some Community States as an outright attack on the principle of the common market.

This proposal is unacceptable, from the point of view of both the common fisheries policy and the single market, since, if special cases were agreed to exist in any sector, this would open the door to the break-up of the Community and run counter to the principle of the single market, with its well-known four basic freedoms: the freedom of establishment, the free movement of goods and capital and the freedom to provide services.

Does the Commission consider this proposal by Britain to be acceptable, given that it would lead to the erection of barriers to the common fisheries policy and, by extension, would entail a frontal attack on the Treaties as a whole?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1996)

The Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, sees to it that the Member States respect the principles and provisions of the EC Treaty, in particular those relating to non-discrimination and the free movement of persons, services, goods and capital in the context of the single market and the common fisheries policy.

The Court of Justice has confirmed these fundamental principles of the EC Treaty in respect to the fisheries sector and further clarified them in its case law.

Against this background, the Commission is opposed to initiatives which aim to restrict the present scope of the Treaty's basic rules in any sector, including the fisheries sector.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2602/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: Classic cars

Does the Commission not agree that a number of Commission proposals concerning cars such as: annual mileage must not exceed 300 miles, owners of pre-1980 vehicles will be required to log every journey, pre-1975 vehicles will only be allowed on the roads on Saturday and Sunday, delivers a death blow to classic cars?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1996)

The Commission is not aware of any of the proposals mentioned by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3309/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in Luxembourg is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3313/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in the UK is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2862/96 by Ralf Walter (PSE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: EU support for kindergartens

The 17 categories listed in connection with support for local employment initiatives also include social facilities such as kindergartens.

In what form has support for kindergartens been possible in the EU up to now?

What kindergartens have been supported in Germany to date?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

The European social fund (ESF) has in the past participated in financing the cost of child care which participants in training measures would otherwise have to bear.

Although it does not seem to have happened anywhere in Germany it would also have been possible to finance the running cost of a nursery if this was part of a local employment development strategy. Since however the ESF cannot cofinance capital costs, it cannot intervene in the construction or refurbishment of nurseries or in the acquisition of equipment for them.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in France is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2957/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Implementation of the COM for olive oil

Is the Commission aware of the significant progress brought about in the sector in Spain through the implementation of the current COM for olive oil?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2953/96, E-2954/96, E-2955/96, E-2956/96, E-2957/96, E-2958/96, E-2959/96, E-2960/96, E-2961/96, E-2962/96 and E-2964/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1996)

The Commission will be discussing the different options for the reform of the olive oil common market organization (CMO) in the very near future. A document will then be transmitted speedily to the Parliament and the Council for discussion before any concrete proposals are finalised.

The Commission will certainly take into account the Honourable Members' remarks and questions concerning employment, intervention aid to real production, aid per tree, consumption aid, quality, impact on the environment and the specific problems of Spain and some of its producer regions.

It would not be correct to comment in detail at this stage on the various options for reforms except to repeat that the new common market organisation should be transparent, simple, easy to control and should target producers efficiently.

The Commission attaches great importance to quality and believes that, whatever option is chosen, there will be an important role for Member States and regions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3573/96 by Angela Billingham (PSE) to the Commission (17 December 1996)

Subject: Emergency health treatment to non-EU nationals

In the response to my previous question E-0630/96 ((OJ C 322, 28.10.1996, p. 3. )) on extending emergency health treatment to non-EU nationals, the Commission informed me that it planned to put forward a proposal in the second part of 1996 to extend to nationals of third countries the provisions on emergency health care and other limited benefits.

Has the Commission yet put forward this proposal?

Lack of emergency health treatment for third country nationals could be an obstacle for their employers in sending them to another Member State to provide services. Is the Commission basing its proposal on Article 59 EC, which provides that the Council, may, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, extend the provisions of the Chapter (free movement of services) to nationals of a third country who provide services and who are established within the Community?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3573/96 and E-3673/96 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (31 January 1997)

The Commission considers that Articles 51 and 235 of the EC Treaty are the appropriate legal base for the extension to third country nationals of the provisions in Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 concerning access to emergency health care treatment and other limited benefits ((OJ L 149, 5.7.1971; consolidated version OJ C 325, 10.12.1992. )). These articles are the current legal base for Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71.

However, there is not unanimity among Member States on whether these articles are a sufficient legal base for this extension. In the circumstances, the Commission considers that it would be preferable to wait for the outcome of the discussions during the Intergovernmental conference on the legal base of social security coordination before submitting a proposal on third country nationals.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Thermie 1993

Follow-up question on the answer of 29 April 1996 to E-0627/96 ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p. 81. )).

1. Are the opinions of the committee on the Commission's draft of the measures to be taken final and exclusive,or can it be assumed that projects on the reserve list will continue to be included in the selection procedure where circumstances change (e.g. where funding is still available or where supported projects are not implemented and there would therefore be refunds)?

2. Is it still possible to support projects on the 1993 reserve list from sums repaid or sums not paid out in respect of approved projects for 1993 which will no longer be implemented or only in part, or which have not been implemented at all?

3. How long do funds for approved projects from 1993 remain available?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1997)

1. The committee's opinions are not final since the Commission may choose not to comply with them. If this is the case, however, the matter in question is referred to the Council for a decision. Article 2 of the Commission Decision of 19 July 1993 provides for the possibility of granting financial support to projects on the reserve list, if appropriations become available as a result of some of the projects on the priority list being abandoned before 31 December in the financial year concerned.

2. The reserve list in the Decision of 19 July 1993 expired on 31 December 1993. The appropriations not spent in respect of approved projects from 1993 cannot be used for other projects in a different budget year and are returned to the general budget.

3. Appropriations for approved projects from 1993 remain available throughout the period specified in the work programme for the project in the contract, and authorization is given for their use as the project advances. The exact dates are given in the commitment document.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2981/96 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: The Athens underground

According to recent reports in the Greek press, the completion of the Athens underground will be delayed for three years until November in the Year 2001 instead of 1998. It will be recalled that an extension of twelve months had already been granted under the terms of the supplementary contract of 18.10.1994 signed by the then minister for the environment, regional planning and public works.

Will the Commission which is co-funding the project say:

1. What are the precise reasons for this delay in the construction of the Athens underground?

2. What is the cost of this delay?

3. What consequences will this delay have on the cost and progress of the other major projects funded within the framework of the second Community Support Framework?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2879/96 and E-2981/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (3 December 1996)

The main construction problems have been caused by archeological discoveries and excavations, and by the failure of the boring machines, because of the soil conditions, to bore the tunnel at Syntagma Square and Karaïskaki Square, leading to the need to use more time-consuming tunneling methods there.

The Commission understands that the 'Olympic Metro' consortium has not so far presented a figure for a possible new cost overrun for the project. The consortium has asked for a global renegotiation of the contract (which is a turnkey contract with a lump sum price), without indicating specific issues and figures at this stage. The contract provides that Greek courts are competent for resolving disputes between the contractor and the owner of the project.

The delay has no direct effect on the other operations co-financed by the 1994-1999 Community support framework.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (25 September 1996)

Subject: Mr Fischler and sheep

In the view of Mr Fischler, Commissioner for agriculture, in what European Union Member States are sheep infected with the disease known as 'scrapie', to what degree are they infected and how widespread is the disease?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2491/96, E-2492/96 and E-2493/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1996)

Scrapie has been notifiable in the Community since 1 January 1993. However, the statistics are kept by the Member States and are not provided to the Commission. The level of infection varies widely and clear statements about the status of most countries cannot be made.

Evidence that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) can be transmitted experimentally to sheep was published in the scientific press in June 1996. This evidence was the basis for Mr Fischler's statement in July 1996. In order to assess the situation fully, the Commission asked the scientific veterinary committee to give its advice on this matter and on measures to combat the spread of this group of diseases.

The scientific veterinary committee pointed out that scrapie has not appeared to present a hazard to humans. The committee also pointed out that there is no evidence that BSE has naturally infected sheep and goats in any Member State, but this risk cannot be excluded. In the opinion of the committee, the risks can be significantly reduced by prohibiting the use of certain materials in the human food and animal feed chains.

The Commission has prepared proposals with a view to implementing the advice of the scientific veterinary committee.