ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1618/97 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (5 May 1997)

Subject: Manipulation and credibility of Commission statistical forecasts

The Commission itself has stressed the importance of creating a climate of trust. It has said that, for such a climate of trust to exist, it must ensure that it produces high-quality and reliable surveys and forecasts.

We share this view and the Commission's concerns.

However, in its efforts to create a climate of trust, the Commission has actually taken an interventionist approach and has paid little attention to strengthening its credibility. The way in which statistical forecasts have developed is far more a sign of its wish to exploit the trust of economic operators and public opinion than of any intention to build up trust based on reliability. Now, in the April forecasts, as the date draws near for assessment of the achievement of the convergence criteria, the Commission seems to have surpassed itself and to have reached the stage where its credibility is being questioned even within its own ranks and this most unusual state of affairs has caught the attention of the media.

Will the Commission state whether the unequivocal reports issued by the media are accurate, i.e. the claim that Commissioner Bonino considers that forecasts have been manipulated with a view to improving the statistical presentation of the state of public finance in Germany and France without doing the same in the case of Italy?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1997)

The Commission categorically rejects the suggestion that the recent spring economic forecasts for 1977 were manipulated in any way. In drawing up its forecasts, it scrupulously applies - as it always has done - the principles of independence from outside pressures, objectivity and non-discrimination in the treatment of Member States. This means that all Member States are treated equally.

The economic forecasts are drawn up according to a well-established procedure. A Commission forecasting exercise lasts almost three months, which allows ample time for reflection and for producing high-quality work that takes account of the most recent information. The professionalism and independence of Commission officials cannot be called into question.

Lastly, the Commission stresses that there is no connection between this economic-forecasting exercise and the report which it will produce in the spring of 1998 in preparation for the third stage of economic and monetary union. This report will be based on the definitive figures for 1997, which will not be known until the end of February 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1814/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Restoration of the Holy Shrines of Christianity

Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem recently announced that the restoration of the Holy Shrines of Christianity in Jerusalem was a matter of priority.

These shrines include the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha and Bethlehem, symbols of Christian faith which are in urgent need of repair work; unfortunately, however, limited funds are available, as the Patriarch of Jerusalem has pointed out.

Will the Commission say what scope there is for supporting this project through some Community initiative, given its obvious importance and its urgency?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1997)

The Commission supports, out of funds provided from the Community budget, a range of non-governmental institutions in Jerusalem.

The Commission is ready to examine any project proposals put to it by such organisations for possible Community funding. Proposals must be adequately prepared and costed. As long as they meet these criteria, proposals from religious bodies will be treated in the same way as other funding proposals for projects in Jerusalem.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1729/97 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade between the EU and Russia

One of the biggest challenges for the future of Europe is to find ways of fostering the market economy and economic stability in Russia.

Finland is the only EU Member State which has a common border with Russia. It would be in the EU's own interests to exploit this fact, which is important from the point of view of trade strategy, by promoting financially trade between the EU and Russia and the development of cooperation in the Finnish-Russian border region.

The EU has previously approved the establishment of many special tax-free areas, including some which are far from its external borders.

Does the Commission believe that it would be justified to establish a special free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade and develop the market economy in Russia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission welcomes the developments in Russia towards a market economy.

The Commission is of the opinion that the increase in trade between Finland and Russia in recent years contributes considerably to economic stabilisation in the northern part of Russia.

However, a range of difficulties continue on the Russian side of the border between Finland and Russia. Russia is still in a process of adaptation to international trade procedures. Should the Commission be informed of concrete plans to create a special free-tax area at the border, it would forthwith carefully examine the possible consequences of such plans. The Commission points out that the creation of such a zone could lead to trade distortion and act against the objective of normalisation of trade activities between the Community and Russia.

The Commission will continue to monitor progress and under various TACIS projects it supports action to improve the situation at the border region in such fields as customs training and construction of border crossings.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1653/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (5 May 1997)

Subject: Monopoly on sales of medicine

There is a long-standing monopoly on all sales of medicines in Sweden. The wholly state-owned dispensing chemist also has a monopoly on sales of OTC medicines, although vitamins, minerals, natural preparations and health foods are not covered by the monopoly. A chain of food-retail shops is now planning to sell products such as headache tablets, pointing out that internal market rules do not permit restrictions on the sale of such products.

Does the Commission consider that Sweden has a right to maintain the monopoly on sales of medicines?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1997)

The Commission has not received any official complaints concerning the Swedish monopoly on sales of medicines. Nevertheless the compatibility of a state monopoly based on legislation with the principle of free movement of goods is currently under examination by the Court of justice and by the Commission. The Commission wishes to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that concerning the Swedish retail monopoly 'Systembolaget' there is a preliminary ruling pending before the Court of justice (Case C-189/95 Franzén).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1723/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (7 May 1997)

Subject: Ireland's contributions to Euratom

Can the Commission give details of Ireland's annual contributions to Euratom over the past five years? What percentage of Euratom's annual budget do Irish contributions account for? Can the Commission give a breakdown of how much Euratom spent in 1996 on each of the following areas: nuclear safety/radiation protection, research and development, administration, staff?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1997)

Since 1970 the Euratom budget has been completely merged with the Community budget. There is therefore no separate budget for Euratom and hence no Irish contribution to the Euratom budget as such.

Ireland's percentage contribution to the general budget therefore gives a good idea of its contribution to the activities of the budget connected with the Euratom treaty. In 1996, Ireland contributed 0.96% to the financing of the general budget.

Commitments for nuclear-related programmes as shown in the revenue and expenditure account of the general budget for 1996 ((SEC(97) 399. )) were as follows:

* B4-20 - Euratom nuclear safeguards: ECU 19 million;

* B4-1020 - Transport of radioactive material in the European Union (EC/ECSC): ECU 2 million;

* B4-307 - Nuclear safety and radiation protection: ECU 2.9 million;

* B6-1 and B6-3: Nuclear research carried out by the Joint Research Centre: ECU 74 million;

* B6-8: Nuclear research - Indirect action by the EAEC programme: ECU 267 million.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: Subcontracting in the textile industry

In its communication to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the competitiveness of subcontracting in the textile and clothing industry in the European Union (COM(96) 0210 final), the Commission proposes the establishment of a group on subcontracting in the textile and clothing industry, bringing together European and national representatives of the industry and of the trade unions.

The group would examine developments and priorities in the sector, with particular regard to the economic situation and the impact on competitiveness and employment, the impact and effectiveness of individual measures, programmes and multisectoral instruments, means of increasing the involvement of small firms in particular and the need for any supplementary support measures targeted on the specific requirements of subcontractors in the textile and clothing industry. One of the group's tasks could be to redefine contractual relations within the sector.

Would the Commission not agree that the group should also include representatives of the interested parties, for example the distribution trade or consumers' associations, according to the subject being dealt with?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (24 July 1997)

In the process of implementing the Industry Council conclusions of 14 November 1996, the Commission, in collaboration with the social partners, created a Working Party on subcontracting in the textile and clothing industry.

The first meeting of the group took place on 21 February 1997. At this meeting, which included participation by Member State representatives, a broad discussion took place on the application of the initiatives proposed in the Commission Communication in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Council.

With regard to the composition of the Working Party, the intention of the Commission is to ensure that participation is open to all interested parties, including the distribution trade and consumers' associations, as per the agenda items.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1225/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: The Cumulative Recovery System

Has the Commission proposal regarding the introduction of a new mechanism for the importation of husked rice taken into account the profound financial repercussions that such a measure will have on the Community budget?

Has it assessed the financial implications of:

1. the customs revenue lost?

2. the funding needing for the implementation of the measure?

3. the resources used to fund exports, even within the limits laid down by GATT?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1997)

The analysis of the financial impact of the introduction of the cumulative recovery system (CRS) for husked rice (Regulation (EC) No 703/97 ((OJ L 104, 22.4.1997. ))) requested by the Honourable Member cannot be carried out, because theoretically, the CRS could result in either a fall or a rise in the import duties collected. The system envisages the adjustment of the customs duties over- or under-paid on the basis of the balance between what the importer actually paid at the time of release for free circulation and what he should have paid on the basis of the difference between the ceiling price on imports and the prices declared by the importer (the 'consignment-by-consignment method').

Since the result of this balance cannot be known in advance, it is impossible to know whether introduction of the CRS has reduced the amount of the duties collected at the frontier and, indirectly, whether that has increased imports, which could lead to greater use of intervention and increased financing of subsidized exports. Consequently, the financial consequences of this system cannot be evaluated before its application.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (7 February 1997)

Subject: Human brain transplants at the hospital of Kiev in Ukraine

In Cleveland Ohio (USA) a Doctor White has for decades been carrying out 'experiments' in a hospital involving the transplant of baboons' brains and heads to animals of the same species and has for many years been publicizing the fact that he would like to transplant human heads and/or brains to other human beings in order to solve the problems of tetraplegics. He claims that this would result in the transfer of memory, feelings, knowledge, personality and even 'soul' from one person to another.

As can be easily imagined, this hypothesis raises serious ethical and scientific problems. In order to overcome any ethical and moral difficulties, Doctor White has, according to an interview he gave to the Italian weekly 'Sette', chosen to continue his 'experiments' at the hospital in Kiev, Ukraine, where he has already worked in the past.

On 6 December 1996 the General Affairs Council adopted an action plan for the development of relations with Ukraine, which envisages, inter alia, measures in the field of universities, health and bringing of Ukrainian standards into line with those of the Community.

Does the Commission not consider that it should inform the Ukrainian Government that experiments involving human brain transplants contravene the Bioethics Convention and are a crime against humanity and that to permit such 'experiments' could compromise the EU/Ukraine cooperation programmes?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1997)

The Commission has had no confirmation of the facts reported by the Honourable Member as the Ukrainian authorities have not replied to its démarche of 12 February this year and the case mentioned in the question could not be investigated on the spot.

However, information available to the Commission from Ukrainian and foreign NGOs indicates that certain medical practices are carried out in a relative absence of rules and ethical controls. References to concrete examples reported by the NGOs are being communicated direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. These examples refer notably to experiments involving transplants of nerve cells from human embryos resulting from abortions with the aim of treating nerve paralysis, the ageing of cells in the human brain and Alzheimer's disease.

The Commission is prepared to use its contacts with the Ukrainian authorities to clarify the situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2430/97 by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission (8 July 1997)

Subject: 1988 European Parliament resolution on recognition for sign language

What action has the Commission taken on Parliament's 1988 resolution ((OJ C 187, 18.7.1988, p. 236. )) calling for recognition of sign language in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1997)

In 1995, the Parliament allocated the amount of ECU 500 000 for measures related to sign languages in the Community. This was welcomed by the Commission which is conscious of the importance of sign languages in the equality of opportunity for deaf people.

The Commission has since taken the necessary steps to ask the non-governmental organisation, the European Union of the Deaf, to set up sign language projects in 1996 and 1997 which take into account the 1988 Resolution of the Parliament as a base for their development. The results of the 1996/1997 sign languages project will be examined at a conference in Brussels in September 1997 with a view to providing concrete proposals for further measures with regard to sign languages throughout the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1483/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 April 1997)

Subject: 'Ecological' oil equipment

In Greece, foreign manufacturers are advertising 'ecological two-phase' oil equipment which will allegedly modernize oil mills and so allow them to qualify for subsidies under Regulation 866/90 ((OJ L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 1. )). However, according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 ((OJ L 99, 11.4.1992, p. 1. )) on a Community eco-label award scheme, oil equipment cannot be described as 'ecological' within the meaning of the above-mentioned Regulation because 'criteria' have still not been defined for such equipment. Naturally, the advertising and sale of 'ecological two-phase' equipment is giving rise to confusion on the market, not to say unfair competition.

Is the Commission aware of this matter? If so, what view does it take of Community funds being used to subsidize the market for equipment which is advertised as 'ecological two-phase' when in fact none of the centrifuges that are subsidized and installed on the basis that they are so-called 'ecological two-stage' functions in a way which produces results that meet the objective of modernization. Moreover, that description is vague and in the present case can be said to be misleading.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1997)

The qualifying requirements for assistance under the Community aid scheme for improving processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products ((Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 of 29.5.1990, OJ L 91, 6.4.1990. )) are, where oil mills in Greece are concerned, improvement of olive oil quality and protection of the environment.

One type of investment facilitating attainment of the latter objective is modernization of three-phase mills by conversion to two phases. The national authorities have estimated that such conversion will, given the water saving achieved, help reduce the volume of waste produced by mills.

The term 'ecological' initially used to describe the type of press in question has been discontinued and replaced ((Ministry of Agriculture Circular No 366935/2576/13.6.95. )) by 'centrifugal action' in order to avoid problems of unfair competition.

Modernization of Greek oil mills is not restricted to installation of equipment of this type. Aid may be granted on any type of press provided that the mill has been in operation for at least ten years.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1741/97 by Johannes Blokland (I-EDN) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Implementation of the packaging directive

Under Article 14 of the packaging directive (94/62/EC ((OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10. ))) all Member States must include a special chapter in the waste management plans that they are required to draw up under Directive 75/442/EEC ((OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39. )), as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32. )). This chapter must contain a description of the management of packaging and packaging waste by that Member State. The recently published Commission communication COM(97) 0023 on the application of the directives on waste management indicates that the matter of publishing these waste management plans is still not going particularly well.

1. Can the Commission say what is the state of progress in implementing the requirement on each Member State to include this specific chapter in their waste management plans?

2. How does the Commission propose to be able to monitor the proper implementation of the packaging directive, as regards the requirement to write a waste management plan for packaging materials, in this situation?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1997)

Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste entered into force on 31 December 1994 and the deadline for implementation into national law was 30 June 1996. At present, most Member States are in the last stages of this implementation process.

Directive 75/442/EC on waste requires the drawing up as soon as possible of waste management plans but no specific deadline is established. This requirement is prior to Directive 94/62/EC and information on packaging waste may appear in the existing plans as well as for any other waste stream.

At present, no Member State has communicated the required specific chapter on the management of packaging and packaging waste. The Commission is expecting the Member States to draw up this chapter and communicate it as soon as possible.

The Commission adopted on 27 May 1997 a Decision including the questionnaire on the implementation and application of Directive 94/62/EC. The first report shall cover the period from 1998 to 2000 inclusive. Reports are to be sent to the Commission within nine months of the end of the corresponding three-year period. This questionnaire refers to the requirements of drawing up this specific chapter.

The Commission will endeavour, in particular in the context of the committees established under Directives 75/442/EEC and 94/62/EC to insist on Member States complying with this requirement, without prejudice to other appropriate measures which might be needed to ensure compliance in this respect.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2230/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: Effects of the substance ephedrine on public health

The American Food and Drugs Administration has called for checks on all products containing ephedrine since use of the substance has been shown to be responsible for the deaths of 17 people over recent months in the USA and for serious health problems in a further 800. Checks carried out by the Greek Drugs Organization have detected 31 products in Greece which contain ephedrine in quantities that pose a danger.

1. In what circumstances is it permissible to import and use drugs containing ephedrine?

2. Given that scientists differ on this point, at what level is the use of ephedrine dangerous?

3. How does the Commission intend to tackle the problem?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.