ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3182/96 by Daniel Féret (NI) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Motorway tolls in the European Union

Is the Commission aware of the anarchic situation regarding the current pricing structures for motorway tolls in some Member States of the European Union, which the European public has to face every day? It should be noted, and this fact should be deplored, that motorway use in Europe may be free of charge or, if subject to a toll, may be charged at a rate per kilometre which can be twice as high in some places as in others.

Since the subsidiarity principle does not explain all this (even when it is hijacked by Member States as a useful means of escaping from the interests of the Union, to the major disadvantage of the public), is the Commission not convinced of the need, as part of the process of achieving tax harmonization, to ensure that the public has the right to travel on the motorways of the European Union under the same tax conditions and, in order to do this, does it intend to propose the gradual abolition of motorway tolls?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1996)

The Commission regards road tolls not as a fiscal instrument but as a means to recover costs caused by the use of the road infrastructure, in accordance with the 'user pays' principle. Under the current legislation, toll levels have to be related to the infrastructure costs of the corresponding road. Furthermore, since infrastructure costs vary (because of different technical and local conditions) from road to road, there is no justification for the harmonisation of road toll levels.

The Commission does not envisage proposing the abolition of road tolls. On the contrary, the Commission considers that road tolls provide, among the instruments currently available, the most appropriate and fair way of recovering road costs from users at the time of use rather than from the general population.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3213/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Valencia: possibilities of acceptance for pilot urban project

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 are the possibilities of the Valencia project receiving the Community funding for pilot urban projects provided for in Article 10 of the ERDF?

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-3041/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Paedophiles' ring on the Internet

The public uproar over the existence of a paedophiles' network on the Internet has drawn attention to the misuse of the Internet by subhuman monsters to achieve their ends. It is reported that there are frequent advertisements on the Internet crudely offering children from all over the world to a clientele which has access to the Internet.

Since the Commission should demonstrate its social sensitivity towards the victims and potential victims of this abhorrent ring, can it say:

1. Does it intend to take measures - and, if so, which measures - to break up such rings and impose exemplary punishments on those who prey on the misfortunes of others?

2. Does it consider that a pan-European bureau for tracing missing children should be set up with EU aid?

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

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's abhorrence of sexual mistreatment of children, and agrees that action needs to be taken to combat use of the Internet to promote such activities.

It must however be said that normal uses of the Internet far outweigh atypical uses related to paedophilia and that the Internet is not the only or indeed the main way criminals indulge in activities such as paedophilia.

As far as specific action related to Internet is concerned, the Commission has recently approved two documents which are complementary and provide considerable detailed information relevant to the Honourable Member's question, namely a communication on illegal and harmful content on the Internet ((COM(96) 487 final. )) and a green paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information services ((COM(96) 483 final. )).

The report of the working party on illegal and harmful content on the Internet, composed of representatives of the Member States, industry and users, to the Council of 28 November 1996 makes a number of proposals including measures of police and judicial co-operation. As part of its examination of the possibility of other steps against paedophilia and sexual abuse of children, the Commission is also examining with Member States how to improve ways of co-operating at the European level in the search for missing children. The Commission must however point out that it has no competence in the area of police co-operation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2703/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) and Carlo Ripa di Meana (V) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Inadequate notice of Union initiatives

Reading through the summer 1996 issues of the Official Journal of the European Communities - particularly those published in August - one is struck by a long series of interesting initiatives taken by the Commission, including calls for tenders in connection with measures relating to environmental protection, consumer policy, culture and social exclusion.

It must be said, however, that the deadlines for the submission of bids by interested organizations are in many cases extremely tight. How can one publish a call for tenders in the Official Journal in mid-August - which, in most of the Member States of the Union, is right in the middle of the summer holiday period - and expect interested organizations to be able to make adequate preparations for the submission of a bid by early September?

Why, given the evident lack of any degree of urgency, could the deadlines not be extended by at least one month, so as to give all interested organizations within the EU an opportunity to take part in such initiatives?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1996)

The deadlines given in Commission initiatives are set in compliance with the legal provisions applicable to them.

Each year, the Commission publishes the list of public holidays communicated by the Member States, together with the public holidays of Community institutions, in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

The Commission is fully prepared to look closely into any specific problem relating to deadlines which the Honourable Member might care to raise.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3220/96 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Obstacles affecting Italian ceramic tile exports to South Africa

In October 1996 the South Africa Board on Tariffs and Trade launched an investigation into possible dumping concerning Italian ceramic tile exports to South Africa.

This investigation, which seems to be based on mistaken, protectionist assumptions, threatens to lead to discriminatory measures against these Italian exports and, potentially, exports from other Community countries to South Africa.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to protect Community ceramic tile exports to South Africa, bearing in mind the fact that it receives substantial Community aid and that a free trade agreement is currently under negotiation with it?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1996)

Anti-dumping procedures in accordance with the relevant World trade organization (WTO) rules are a legitimate tool of commercial defence which all members of the WTO can use against unfair trade practices.

The Commission will endeavour to follow closely the enquiry opened in South Africa with a view to ensuring that the proper procedures are followed, that the WTO rules are respected and that the Community interests are fully taken into account.

While it is true that the Community has an important programme of cooperation with South Africa, the Commission considers that trade-related practices and disputes should be examined and settled in the context of relevant multilateral trade rules and, if necessary, through specific bilateral consultations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3757/96 by Jean-Marie Le Chevallier (NI) to the Commission (6 January 1997)

Subject: Damage suffered by flower growers in the département of Var

Flower growers, wholesalers and florists in the département of Var are currently the victims of the lorry drivers' strike.

Plants and flowers being highly perishable items, most of the flower growers are on the verge of voluntary liquidation.

Can the Commission grant emergency Community aid to these groups in order to save their threatened businesses and jobs?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (31 January 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-3515/96 by Mr Watson ((See page 89. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2958/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Reform of the current COM for olive oil

Why has the Commission proposed the simplification method (aid per tree) with a view to reforming the current COM for olive oil rather than the existing shortcomings in the actual assessment of production?

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-2923/96 by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: New plutonium air transport guidelines

Does the Commission intend to produce proposals to incorporate into legislation the new air transport guidelines for the containers used to ship plutonium agreed by the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency in September? What plans does the Commission have to consult with interested non-governmental groups who have expressed concern over the danger posed by these new standards?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1996)

The International atomic energy agency (IAEA) board of governors adopted in September 1996 the revised regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material. These regulations will be presented to the relevant organisations for their incorporation into the different international transport agreements (road, rail, sea and air). The common objective of the transport organisations is to implement simultaneously the revised IAEA regulations. This means that in practice all Community Member States (and an important number of candidate Member States) have to comply fully with the new provisions at the same date of the year 2001.

With regard to the transport of radioactive materials by road and rail, Council Directives 94/55/EC ((OJ L 319, 12.12.1994. )) and 96/49/EC ((OJ L 235, 17.9.1996. )) after their implementation by 1 January 1997, will guarantee that within the Community the same rules are applied both for domestic and international transport operations.

The concerns of non-governmental organisations on air transport of plutonium were put forward during the revision process in the IAEA and, more directly, to the international transport organisations at which they have an observer's statute.

The present revised regulations are based on the latest recommendations of the ICRP ((International commission of radiological protection - publication 60. )) and are fully compatible with Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down the basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996. )). The IAEA regulations will continue to evolve in the future in order to take into account the results of coordinated research programmes and the feedback of transport experiences. The Commission is fully associated with the revision process.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3666/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Community financing for the Pays-de-la-Loire region

Can the Commission indicate the total Community financing for the Pays-de-la-Loire region and the specific financing for each objective under the Structural Funds and the EAGGF guidance section?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3645/96, E-3646/96, E-3647/96, E-3648/96, E-3649/96, E-3650/96, E-3651/96, E-3652/96, E-3653/96, E-3654/96, E-3655/96, E-3656/96, E-3657/96, E-3658/96, E-3659/96, E-3660/96, E-3661/96, E-3662/96, E-3663/96, E-3664/96, E-3665/96, E-3666/96, E-3667/96, E-3668/96 and E-3669/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 February 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (21 October 1996)

Subject: Green Paper on the citizens' network

With reference to the Commission Green Paper 'The citizens' network - fulfilling the potential of public passenger transport in Europe' (COM(95) 601) we take the view that, in organizing the citizens' network, it is important to take into account the interests of 'consumers', whose choice is to a great extent influenced by decisions taken in the context of transport policy. In the interests of society in general and of users, the reliability and efficiency not only of regional and long-distance transport, but also local transport, should be improved in order to give users greater satisfaction.

Can the Commission ensure that the Member States guarantee such quality and accessibility and ensure that less-privileged users are not subject to discrimination?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1996)

The Commission agrees that it is fundamental to consider consumers' interests, and the citizens' network green paper ((COM(95) 601. )) referred to the particular importance of improving quality and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, as well as reliability and efficiency.

Implementation of suggestions in the green paper is already under consideration, including the best ways in which transport quality and accessibility can be ensured. As stated in the paper, the local transport needs of people with reduced mobility are the subject of European cooperation in two scientific and technical research (Cost) actions: Cost 322 on the low floor bus system and Cost 335 on the accessibility of railways for passengers (including suburban railways). The Commission is closely involved in both projects, including establishing methods for the implementation of their results.

However, as the green paper makes clear, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it is up to Member States' authorities (national, regional or local) to decide if they wish to utilize such developments. The Commission's role is to promote best practice and to ensure Member States are aware of the opportunities available.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3298/96 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 EU 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-3299/96 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 Germany 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-2877/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Gene laboratories and genetic engineering in Europe

1. How many gene laboratories and genetic engineering activities are there currently in Europe?

2. What are the safety levels of these laboratories or genetic engineering activities, broken down by country?

3. Under what titles are these activities pursued, particularly those at safety level 3?

4. What genetically engineered pharmaceuticals are currently marketed in Europe, broken down by country?

5. Are experiments being carried out or planned involving genetic therapy on human beings and animals? If so, what experiments, broken down by country?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1997)

1., 2. and 5. Under Article 18 of Directive 90/219/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )) on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, the Member States are only required to send an annual summary report on notifications received for group II type B operations (in effect, industrial or commercial operations). Therefore the Commission does not have the information requested in questions 1 and 2 which may be available from the Member States. The Commission does not hold any complete information on Member States using genetic therapy on human beings and animals. However, the Commission has funded a database, Biorep, which is a permanent inventory of biotechnology research projects in the Community and would include gene therapy projects (available from the library of the Royal Netherlands academy of arts and sciences).

3. Under Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms there is no obligation for users involved in type A, group II operations (safety level 3 is included in group II) to submit a report to the Commission.

4. Medicinal products produced by genetic engineering such as recombinant DNA technology are included in Part A of the Annex to Regulation(EC) no 2309/93 laying down Community procedures for the authorization and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing an European agency for evaluation of medicinal products ((OJ L 214, 24.8.1993. )). Such products, authorized by the Community and which can thus be marketed in all the Member States since 1 January 1995 (entry into force of Regulation (EC) no 2309/93) are:

>TABLE>

Prior to 1 January 1995, the provisions of Directive 87/22/EEC on the approximation of national measures relating to the placing on the market of high-technology medicinal products, particularly those derived from biotechnology ((OJ L 15, 17.1.1987. )) applied - the annex was similar to that of Regulation (EC) no 2309/93. This 'concertation' procedure coordinated national applications submitted in Member States. Companies were not obliged to apply in all Member States although in most cases applications covered all 12 Member States at that time. A list of genetically engineered medicinal products considered in this procedure is forwarded direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.