ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3754/97 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (17 November 1997)

Subject: Greek regulations concerning non-national owners of cars in Greece

Would the Commission comment on the obligations the Greek Government places on non-nationals who own cars in Greece, and whether these represent discrimination?

Constituents have contacted me with details of obligations they are expected to fulfill in order to run a car in Greece and to avoid paying income tax. This process involves transfers of significant sums of money to a Greek bank account, a submission of a certificate of residence from the UK tax authority, and the submission of an annual tax return with a 'unique certificate of exchange of foreign currency', which must be obtained from the Greek bank.

Would the Commission agree that this places undue burdens on non-nationals?

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

The Commission is aware that that, under Greek tax legislation, ownership of a car sometimes constitutes a criterion for assessing an individual's taxable income. In this connection, the Greek tax authorities can require foreign taxpayers with a car registered in Greece to provide proof of their income.

The Commission believes that these measures are intended to combat tax fraud, and similar measures are also applied by other Member States. According to the information available, the measures apply, in principle, to Greek and foreign nationals alike and do not, therefore, appear to be of a discriminatory nature at first sight.

However, if the Honourable Member would provide the Commission with more detailed information concerning the cases referred to him, it will carry out a more thorough examination of the circumstances involved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3524/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Community programme to eliminate the risks associated with ruined buildings

In the light of the constant accidents, many of them fatal, caused by the collapse of delapidated buildings, of which there are many thousands across the whole of the European Union, consideration should be given to drawing up a joint action to eliminate the permanent risk of death in which whole families live and many people work, and which are even faced by casual passers-by.

Most of these buildings are situated in the historic centres of many of our cities, and restoration programmes have been unable to achieve a significant reduction in the number of unsafe houses.

Can the Commission say whether it would be possible to draw up a large-scale action throughout the territory of the Union in order to eliminate the risks associated with dilapidated buildings in Community towns and cities, preferably by replacing all those sections which cannot or need not be preserved? Would it be possible to fund a research programme on the best preservation and restoration techniques?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1998)

We of course share the Honourable Member's concern about the risks associated with collapsing buildings or parts of buildings due to lack of maintenance, inspection or checks.

On a Community level, rules relating to construction works take this aspect into account, as Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products ((OJ L 40, 11.2.1989. )) stipulates that only products for construction works that satisfy the stability and safety requirements can be used.

The same Directive also lays down a durability requirement. This however only applies to new or renovated buildings.

Regarding the existing building stock, there is no European renovation programme for large-scale restoration. Such operations must be implemented on a national level.

In terms of research, in the framework of the programme on industrial and material technologies (Brite Euram) in the Fourth Framework Programme for Research and Development, several projects which indirectly help to prevent the risk of accidents arising from dilapidated or unsafe buildings have been financed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3548/97 by Frédéric Striby (I-EDN) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Harmonization of the legal and tax status of home distillers

The status of home distillers varies from one Member State to another. For instance, in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece total freedom of distillation prevails. In Germany, there is a preferential and degressive tax up to 5000° of pure alcohol. Reductions also apply in Austria.

In France and since 1960, very few distillers enjoy exemption, as an order of 29 November 1960 abolished this privilege 'as from the death of each beneficiary or his surviving spouse'. The remaining French home distillers do not benefit from any reduction, and are therefore penalized vis-à-vis their counterparts in other Member States.

What action does the Commission intend to take with a view to harmonizing the legal and tax status of home distillers in the EU?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3548/97 and E-3549/97 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (6 January 1998)

A declaration in the Council minutes concerning Council Directive 92/83/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonization of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages ((OJ L 316, 31.10.1992. )) states that: 'The Council and the Commission declare that Member States which have traditionally exempted the production of small quantities of alcohol produced by private individuals for their own consumption may continue to apply such exemptions'. In accordance with that declaration France has continued to exempt the production of ten litres of pure alcohol per year by individuals who have traditionally been granted that right.

Apart from this special case, duty must be charged on all spirits production. There is however, an option under Article 22 of Directive 92/83/EEC permitting Member States to charge the production of small distilleries at a reduced rate. France, along with the majority of Member States, has chosen not to take up that option.

France having made that choice, the general rules set out in Directive 92/12/EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products ((OJ L 76, 23. 3.1992. )) should apply so that, with the above exception concerning home distillation, all French distilleries are tax warehouses in which duty payment shall be suspended until the goods produced enter free circulation, and in which losses naturally occurring to the product of the distillery shall be taken into account.

Lastly, as regards the Commission's approach to future harmonization in this area, one reason why the derogations were originally permitted was because - within the parameters laid down - the tax treatment of these small producers was considered to have insufficient effect on the internal market as to demand uniformity at Community level. In the light of the Honourable Member's complaints, the Commission will keep the matter under review, but it has no present intention of seeking further to harmonize their treatment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4092/97 by Peter Truscott (PSE) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Funding for Hertfordshire in 1994-1997 for trans-European networks

Would the Commission please inform me of the amount of funding Hertfordshire has received for trans-European Networks in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 February 1998)

Community funding under the trans-European networks (TENs) framework is allocated to specific projets rather than to regions.

Community funding under the TENs framework was not available until 1995, when Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks ((OJ L 228, 23.9.1995. )) was adopted. To be eligible for TENs funding, projects must be on one of the road or rail routes or at one of the transport hubs designated as forming part of the transport TEN laid down in Decision No 1692/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the

trans-European transport network ((OJ L 228, 9.9.1996. )). Such routes in Hertfordshire include the West coast main line (WCML) railway. The upgrading of the WCML to a high speed train link is a priority project for developing under the TENs framework. It was allocated 8.6 MECU in 1995, 7.2 MECU in 1996, and 7.4 MECU in 1997. No other projects in Hertfordshire have been put forward for TENs support.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4098/97 by Patrick Cox (ELDR) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Age discrimination practised by airlines

It is the practice of many transport companies to charge lower fares to full-time students. This does not apply in some instances to mature students above a certain age.

Does the Commission accept the practice of price discrimination based on age, and what action, If any, is open to the Commission in respect of such cases?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (27 February 1998)

Further to the liberalisation of air transport within the Community in 1993, air carriers are free to set fares according to their own commercial strategy and market conditions. In order to maximise revenue, most airlines tend to offer a number of different products in accordance with specific patterns of demand. On this basis, many airlines have attractive fares for certain categories of passengers such as infants, senior citizens, military personnel and students. These fares are dependent on a number of specific criteria which may include age limitations. Such a condition does not amount to unlawful discrimination which would contravene the provisions of the EC Treaty. In this context, the only mechanisms at Community level governing the level of fares are the application of competition law and the provisions set out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services ((OJ L 240, 24.8.1992. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3872/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Eco-label award scheme

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council regulation (EC) on a revised Community eco-label award scheme (COM(96) 603 final - 96/0312 SYN) ((OJ C 114, 12.4.1997, p. 9. )).

Will the Commission review the funding of the scheme after three years to assess to what extent it can become financially independent, given that once the Commission's participation has ceased the Member States should contribute to the operation of the scheme in view of the social and environmental advantages produced by the eco-label?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)

The Commission proposal on a revised Community eco-label scheme foresees a Commission subsidy of ECU 5 030 000 in the first four years of operation of the European eco-label organisation (EEO). There are no plans to review the funding of the EEO after three years.

However, the Commission does not support the EEO alone, in fact 50% of the annual fees of eco-labelled products would go to the EEO (Annex V.8, of the Commission's proposal). According to Article 7.1 of the financial statement of the Commission's proposal the eco-label competent bodies shall finance the EEO together with the Commission and shall continue to support the scheme when the Commission's subsidy ends. According to Article 10 of the Commission's proposal, Member States will have to contribute to the establishment of the scheme through information and promotional campaigns.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4161/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (22 January 1998)

Subject: Concern about the possibility of EU citizens being taken hostage by Suriname

1. Is the Council aware of the arrest of 27 civilians and military personnel on 25 October 1997 in Suriname in response to the planning of an alleged coup?

2. Is the Council aware that it has now become known, inter alia through information from the human rights organization Moiwana 86', that a large number of those arrested and alleged to be involved in the planning of the coup of 25 October 1997 have been seriously abused?

3. Does the Council realize that through the serious abuse or torture of the detainees it is easy to obtain statements whereby foreigners, including Dutch nationals, can be accused of responsibility for the planning of the coup of 25 October 1997?

4. Is the Council not afraid that the statements by the Suriname state councillor Desi Bouterse, concerning the involvement of foreign powers including the Netherlands, in the planning of the alleged coup and the threats made by Bouterse in the media to foreign powers, including the Netherlands will ultimately lead to the arrest or hostage-taking of foreign citizens, including Dutch nationals, on the grounds that they were allegedly involved in planning the coup, based on statements from tortured detainees on the involvement of these foreigners, including Dutch nationals, in the planning of this coup?

5. Has the Council prepared as effectively as possible to be able to take successful action if the above situation becomes a reality as a result of the actions of the Suriname authorities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4160/97, E-4161/97, E-4162/97 and E-4163/97 (18 May 1998)

The Council is only aware of the information provided by the Suriname authorities. According to this information, a number of persons have been arrested in the weekend of 25 October 1997 allegedly planning a coup.

The Council is also aware of a letter of the human rights organisation Moiwana 86 to the Inter American Commission on human rights concerning the case mentioned by the Honourable Member of Parliament.

In so far as the Council has been able to obtain information in relation to the case of the alleged suspect who came to the Netherlands Embassy in October 1997, that person was not seeking asylum.

The Council is of the opinion that should a hostage-taking case occur in Suriname the necessary measures would have to be taken in order to try to find a peaceful solution to an action of this type.

The Council is unaware of the allegations and accusations to which the Honourable Member refers to as having been made by Desi Delano Bouterse.

Furthermore, taking into account the fact that the judicial investigations referred to by the Honourable Member are still pending, the Council is not in a position to comment on this subject.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4163/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (22 January 1998)

Subject: Measures in the event of EU citizens being taken hostage by Suriname

1. Is the Council aware of the arrest of 27 civilians and military personnel on 25 October 1997 in Suriname in response to the planning of an alleged coup?

2. Does the Council not consider that the allegations of the Suriname state councillor Desi Bouterse, which he made recently in the Suriname media on the involvement of foreign powers, including the Netherlands, in planning the alleged coup are a reaction by the former dictator to the inquiry carried out by the Netherlands Justice Ministry together with the American DEA into Bouterse's drug-related activities, this judicial inquiry having recently led to an international investigation and extradition request for Bouterse?

3. Is the Council fully aware of the seriousness of the situation which could occur in the event of the arrest or hostage taking of foreigners, including Dutch nationals, for involvement in the planning of the alleged coup as the Suriname government would then want to start negotiations for a mutual ending of investigations. This would involve the halting of proceedings against and release of those foreigners, including Dutch nationals arrested for alleged involvement in organizing the coup in exchange for the dropping of the international investigation and extradition request for the Suriname state counsellor Desi Bouterse, the dropping of the investigation of Bouterse for involvement in large-scale international cocaine trading and involvement in and leadership of an international criminal organization of which Desi Bouterse is accused by the Dutch judicial authorities?

4. Is the Council properly prepared to respond adequately if such hostage-taking occurs?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4160/97, E-4161/97, E-4162/97 and E-4163/97 (18 May 1998)

The Council is only aware of the information provided by the Suriname authorities. According to this information, a number of persons have been arrested in the weekend of 25 October 1997 allegedly planning a coup.

The Council is also aware of a letter of the human rights organisation Moiwana 86 to the Inter American Commission on human rights concerning the case mentioned by the Honourable Member of Parliament.

In so far as the Council has been able to obtain information in relation to the case of the alleged suspect who came to the Netherlands Embassy in October 1997, that person was not seeking asylum.

The Council is of the opinion that should a hostage-taking case occur in Suriname the necessary measures would have to be taken in order to try to find a peaceful solution to an action of this type.

The Council is unaware of the allegations and accusations to which the Honourable Member refers to as having been made by Desi Delano Bouterse.

Furthermore, taking into account the fact that the judicial investigations referred to by the Honourable Member are still pending, the Council is not in a position to comment on this subject.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3940/97 by Maren Günther (PPE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Long-term and structural support for cultural networks in the field of the performing arts

In the context of the Kaleidoscope programme, the Commission supports European cultural networks as pilot projects. There is, however, as yet no continuing, structural support to enable the networks to make long-term plans for the work they are intended to carry out.

1. Does the Commission intend to follow the recommendations of Parliament's Committee on Culture and in future provide longer-term and structural support for the networks?

2. Do the plans for the Kaleidoscope programme in 1998 include one or more European cultural networks in the area of the performing arts?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998)

The Commission would point out that the duration of the Community's Kaleidoscope programme is restricted to three years and that 1998 is the last year.

The budget restraints imposed on the Kaleidoscope programme (annexed to European Parliament and Council Decision No 719/96/EC of 29 March 1996 establishing a programme to support artistic and cultural activities having a European dimension) ((OJ L 99, 20.4.1996. )) are such that no structural assistance can be granted for cultural networks as such, but only for the projects and measures organised by them.

This means that, given the limited duration of the programme and the principle of annuality of the Community budget, no long-term Community support can be granted for the time being.

The Commission would, however, point out that priority in selection is given to projects involving long-term cooperation and that many quality networks have received support under the Kaleidoscope programme for several years in succession. A notable example is the 'Germinations' network, which deals with the visual arts, an area in which the Honourable Member takes a particular interest.

Structural support may also be provided under other Community policies and programmes and from other parts of the budget, particularly Part A. Support measures for trans-European structures under heading A-3020 is just one example.

As regards the outlook for support for cultural networks in 1998, the Commission is currently registering and examining the applications submitted for the Kaleidoscope programme. The 1998 results are due to be announced in April. In addition to the possibilities referred to above, certain limited opportunities for funding will be available to networks as a result of the call for proposals which the Commission is due to issue by the end of the year concerning Community support for cultural development projects under budget heading B3-2003.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4213/97 by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on 26 October 1996 in the case of Elida Gibbs Limited (Case C-317/94)

This ECJ judgment appears to be frustrated by its non-application in Germany and its partial application in France and Greece.

Where wide-ranging changes to the VAT, which may potentially distort competition between businesses, are contemplated by the European Commission, is it unusual to exclude economic operators entirely from the consultation process?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4213/97 and E-4214/97 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998)

As indicated in the joint reply to the Honourable Member's Written Questions E-4208/97 to 4211/97 ((OJ C 223, 17.7.1998, p. 72. )), the Commission drew the necessary conclusions from the Elida Gibbs judgment of 24 October 1996 (Case C-317/94), writing to all the Member States and deciding to initiate or continue several proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty, including against the Member States referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Commission would point out that, under the Treaty, the Court of Justice is competent to interpret existing Community law and that it is not for the Commission, much less its officials, to ignore its judgments. However, in so far as some Member States, as in the case in point, have difficulty in applying a judgment, the Commission cannot prevent such difficulties being raised in ad hoc committees. This is how this matter came to be discussed in the VAT Committee.

At this point in time, no proposal on the subject mentioned by the Honourable Member is being prepared by the Commission. It goes without saying that, if an initiative were to be taken, those involved in business would be consulted as always, principally by means of the respective opinions of Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee and through regular contacts with those business interests.