ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1128/96 by Marco Cellai (NI) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: New Commission premises in Luxembourg

In its answer to Written Question E-0417/96 ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p. 37 )) by the honourable Member Mrs Muscardini on this subject, the Commission does not reply to the question which I have reformulated as follows:

What would be the total cost of accepting the unsolicited offer for the purchase of an entire building, adjacent to the Commission's present premises, for the Commission's exclusive use?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1996)

At present the Commission unfortunately cannot give more ample information as desired by the Honourable Member.

In order to avoid giving an incomplete answer to the question put by the Honourable Member, the Commission would like to be sure that the tenderer can acquire the land in question in the project. In the absence of such essential information, the validity of the tender must be treated with due reservations.

So far, the Commission has not received a specific answer to the request.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1354/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 June 1996)

Subject: Community subsidies to associations, NGOs and various bodies

Can the Commission provide a full list of the associations, NGOs and bodies receiving Community subsidies under budget heading B7-5015 (Community aid for non-governmental organizations operating in Cambodia)? Can it state the exact total of these subsidies at the close of the last financial year?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1996)

The table below indicates the non-governmental organisation (NG0) projects financed under the budget line B7-5015 during 1995:

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1226/96 by Peter Truscott (PSE) to the Commission (23 May 1996)

Subject: Cable & Wireless takeover bid

Does the Commission have an opinion on the proposed takeover of Cable & Wireless by British Telecom? What effects, if any, is this likely to have on consumers in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1996)

According to an announcement by the two companies on 2 May 1996, merger talks between Cable and Wireless and British Telecom have been terminated. Consequently, the Commission has received no notification of any

operation under the Merger Regulation (Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89) ((OJ L 395, 30.12.1989; Corrigenda, OJ L 257, 21.9.1990. )) and has not, therefore, conducted any market analysis of the effects of any merger of the two companies.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1538/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Provocation by Turkey

On 28 May 1996 a Turkish patrol boat rammed a Greek harbour vessel near the island of Imia within Greek territorial waters.

When and how does the Commission intend finally to respond to escalating provocation by Turkey, which shows exactly what it thinks of dialogue and neighbourly relations with adjacent countries?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1996)

The Commission followed closely the incident to which the Honourable Member refers and expressed its concern in its declaration of 7 February 1996. The Commission has invited all the parties concerned to pursue the objective of a mutually satisfactory pacific solution to differences between them and, thus to avoid the occurrence of future incidents of the type to which the Honourable Member refers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1269/96 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 May 1996)

Subject: Professional boxing

Professional boxing has claimed another victim, the Australian Lance Hobson, who died from a brain haemorrhage on 23 April 1996 in Melbourne. His name is the latest in a long line of boxers to have died or suffered serious injury, a situation which seems unacceptable in a civilized society.

1. What measures or recommendations could the Commission propose to introduce safety standards for professional boxing that would help avoid accidents of this kind, such as those which now have to be met by boxers competing in the Olympic Games?

2. What measures could the Commission also propose to ban boxing by children?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)

As the Honourable Member will know, the Commission does not in general intervene in purely sporting matters. The national authorities are competent to deal with issues of sport.

The measures with regard to the Olympic games were taken by the Association internationale de boxe amateur (AIBA). The 1996 version of the AIBA rules will apply to the events in boxing. Only athletes meeting the eligibility conditions laid down by the Olympic charter and AIBA rules can take part in the Olympic boxing competition.

The Commission does not plan to propose a ban on boxing by children, which is a matter for Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1056/96 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council (8 May 1996)

Subject: Brazil's participation in the framework agreement between the EC and its Member States and Mercosur

On 19 March 1996 the Official Journal of the European Communities published Council Decision 96/205/EC ((OJ L 69, 19.03.1996, p.1. )) of 20 November 1995 concerning the provisional application of certain provisions of the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part. The same issue of the Official Journal also contains the text of the Agreement.

It is surprising that the Agreement, signed in Madrid on 15 December 1995, bears the signatures of all the plenipotentiaries except that of Luis Felipe Palmeira Lampreia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Does this mean that the largest country in Mercosur is not party to the Framework Agreement and is therefore not involved in its provisional application?

Reply (7 August 1996)

Under Article 37 thereof, the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part, was "open for signature in Madrid between 15 and 31 December 1995."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, in the presence of the President of Brazil, signed the texts on 20 December 1995".
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1028/96 by Johannes Blokland (EDN) to the Council (20 May 1996)

Subject: World chess championship in Baghdad

Mr Kirsan Iliumzhinov, president of FIDE (World Chess Federation), has decided to designate Baghdad, capital of Iraq and seat of Saddam Hussein's regime, as the venue for FIDE's world chess championship.

This decision has caused considerable unrest in the chess world:

- because of the economic boycott of Iraq by the United Nations,

- because of the way in which the chess tournament can be exploited for political purposes by Saddam Hussein's regime, and

- because of the harm which could be done to the image of chess if this world championship is held in Baghdad.

It is expected that the KNSB (Royal Netherlands Chess Federation) will convene a meeting on 27 and 28 April in order to take joint action with other European member organizations with a view to reversing FIDE's decision.

In the light of the continuing acts of violence by the Iraqi regime, is the Council prepared to make known to FIDE and the European zone of FIDE its concern at designating Baghdad as the venue for the world championship?

Reply (7 August 1996)

The Council was concerned by reports that the World Chess Federation (FIDE) was considering Baghdad as the venue for the World Chess Championship. It understands, however, that FIDE has since decided to hold the Championships in Moscow in Kalmikia.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1398/96 by Bernie Malone (PSE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Imprisonment of Mary Tilston in United Arab Emirates

What steps has the Commission taken with the Government of the United Arab Emirates to bring about the immediate release of English nurse Mary Tilston, who was sentenced to two months' imprisonment in an Abu Dhabi prison in September 1994 following financial difficulties and who has not been released as she has not been able to repay her debts as required by UAE law?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (28 June 1996)

According to the Commission's sources of information, the person cited by the Honourable Member, who is charged with embezzlement and financial irregularities, is no longer in prison in Abu Dhabi, but is not allowed to leave the country until she repays her debts.

The Commission has no delegation in the region and the consular services of the British embassy in the United Arab Emirates cannot interfere in the judicial proceedings although they are constantly in touch to help her in solving her problems.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1083/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Leaded petrol

What action has the Commission taken to investigate claims made by independent academics in both Italy and the UK that unleaded petrol, which contains a number of known carcinogens, poses a major health risk?

Would a proposed carbon / energy tax be levied on unleaded petrol?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question 3886/93 by Mr Bettini ((OJ C 289, 17.10.1994. )), E-27/94 by Mr Seligman ((OJ C 376, 30.12.1994. )) and E-629/95 by Mrs Muscardini ((OJ C 179, 13.7.1995. )), where it has expressed its opinion on the issue of unleaded petrol containing carcinogenic compounds.

The Commission also indicated that it was in the process of preparing a legislative proposal on the quality of fuels (petrol and diesel) in order to reduce vehicle emissions and thereby contributing to the achievement of future Community air quality objectives. The technical basis for this proposal was provided by the results of the European auto-oil programme which have been brought to the attention of a number of members of the Parliament. The proposal foresees limit values for various environmentally important fuel parameters including the aromatic and benzene levels of unleaded petrol and is expected to be approved by the Commission by June 1996.

Moreover, in its amended proposal of 1995 introducing carbon and energy taxation ((COM(95) 172 final. )), the Commission has included unleaded petrol under the scope of products subject to taxation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1523/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Interpretation of the directives on improving the safety and health of workers at work

In view of the Commission's answer to my Written Question E-0192/96 ((OJ C 122, 25.4.1996, p.33. )) and the fact that the purpose of Directive 89/391/EEC ((OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p.1. )) is to protect the health of workers at work, how can the Commission link the concept of 'undertaking' to the principle of free competition, when the purpose of the directive in question is to safeguard the health of workers?

How can the Commission say that the Member States may 'tailor certain measures imposed on employers to the nature and size of their undertakings' and that they 'are not required to impose on the liberal professions rigid protection and prevention structures' after having said earlier that 'the said Directives apply in full to natural persons engaged in liberal professions' of an intellectual nature and forgets that, if the directives in question apply to those engaged in such professions, they are 'applied in an appropriate manner' only if they are applied in a restrictive sense to those for whom the provisions are intended?

Can the Commission also say whether the Member States and, if so which, have applied Directive 89/351 to natural persons engaged in professional occupations which are protected by inclusion in professional registers?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-1394/96 ((OJ C 305, 15.10.1996, p.93. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0960/96 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Council (29 April 1996)

Subject: Arms exports and the IGC

In the run-up to the Intergovernmental Conference, will the Council ensure that a detailed and specific list of criteria to govern arms exports is discussed? The current criteria are vague and open to different interpretation by EU member countries.

Reply (7 August 1996)

The Council has no formal role in the Intergovernmental Conference, which, as its name indicates, is a conference between the Member States of the European Union.

However, the CFSP Working Party on Arms Exports has been instructed by the Political Committee to pay particular attention to applying the criteria in question with a view to reaching a common interpretation on the basis of the common foreign and security policy of the European Union, if appropriate in cooperation with the geographical groups concerned and on the basis of theri approved conclusions. The Working Party has begun that exercise, the purpose of which is to seek ways of improving the interpretation and application of the criteria governing arms exports. Once it has completed its proveedings the Working Party will prepare a report which will be submitted to the Political Committee and to the Permanent Representatives Committee and then to the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1203/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Bosnian Muslim evacuees, temporarily resident in South Essex

What discussions has the Commission had with UNHCR and other agencies and what aid it is providing to ensure the safe return of Bosnian Muslim evacuees who are currently temporarily resident in my constituency to the Serb-occupied towns of Prijelor and Kozarac? What guarantees, and what mechanisms to enforce them is the Commission seeking regarding the future safety of returnees? Will aid provided ensure individual financial assistance to returnees to rebuild homes which have been bombed and damaged by fire?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1996)

In annex 7 of the Dayton peace agreement the United Nations High commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has been entrusted with the general mandate of planning and coordinating the return of the displaced people and refugees. To this end, the UNHCR presented on 8 March 1996 in Oslo an 'operational plan for durable solutions' outlining the strategy for the return movements. The Commission fully supports and is fully engaged in all aspects relating to the UNHCR plan, following the support expressed by the Council on 25 March 1996.

Both within the Community and in its contacts with the UNHCR and all parties concerned, the Commission aims at a concerted position on the conditions for a possible lifting of the temporary protection and ways of encouraging the return of refugees and displaced people.

Having already contributed 53 MECU, the Commission is also one of the main funders of the recent November 1995 - December 1996 UNHCR appeal for former Yugoslavia. As the main donor of humanitarian aid to former Yugoslavia, the Commission largely contributes to the creation of conditions encouraging return. In order to assure the coordination and the efficiency of the aid programmes, there are frequent contacts between the Commission and UNHCR, both in the field and between Brussels and Geneva.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0786/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (1 April 1996)

Subject: Austrian restrictions on road hauliers

Since 1 February 1996, Austria has been applying new measures to restrict the passage of lorries in its territory.

Is the Commission in a position to say whether:

1. The new measures constitute a considerable increase in the costs to road-hauliers, which will result in higher prices for the goods transported, will be passed on to the final consumer and will have an impact on inflation?

2. It has assessed the adverse effects of these increases on road-haulage firms, and on jobs?

3. These measures are compatible with current legislation and with the accession treaty?

4. If not, whether it intends to take steps to remove this unwelcome burden placed on all Europe's road hauliers?

5. Whether Austria's decision was partly the result of the lack of suitable measures to increase rail transport with a view to contributing to environmental protection and the defence of the population's ecological aspirations?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1996)

The Commission has analysed the recent measures adopted by the Austrian authorities which have resulted in a substantial increase in tolls on the Brenner motorway in the light of the relevant provisions of Community law and, in particular, of Directive 93/89/EEC ((OJ L 279, 12.11.1993. )) on road charges.

The increase in tolls has been analysed with due consideration of the proportionality principle, as the above-mentioned Directive specifies that toll rates shall be related to the costs of constructing, operating and developing the infrastructure network concerned. The toll income for the Brenner, on the basis of figures supplied by the Austrian authorities, is substantially higher than its costs.

The Commission has, therefore, invited the Austrian authorities to submit their observations in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. The Commission has taken this action strictly in accordance with existing Community rules and in order to ensure compliance with Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1123/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Exclusion of Italian meat from EU storage

On Friday, 12 April 1996, the EU Management Committee for Beef and Veal admitted 9 200 tonnes of beef for intervention at the price of Lit 5 800 per kilo with the result that the 1 366 tonnes offered by Italian operators at the price of Lit 6 500 per kilo, a price justified by higher production costs, were excluded.

Given that the Italian market is being swamped with the other Member States' surplus stocks, whilst Italian meat, which is healthier and carries more guarantees, is left unsold and the entire sector is in crisis, can the Commission take prompt action to introduce a regionalized offer price which takes into account the different production conditions in the individual Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1996)

Under the 157th invitation to tender for the purchase of beef and veal into intervention, the Commission decided on 12 April 1996 to buy 7 665 tonnes of young beef carcasses out of a total of 9 667 tonnes tendered. The maximum purchase price was set at ECU 278 per 100 kilos, i.e. 80% of the intervention price for beef. This amount corresponds to the maximum level of support permitted under Community rules since meat cannot be bought into intervention when the market price is lower than the intervention price. The tenders submitted by Italy were, however, significantly higher than the maximum purchase price, at between 86% and 91% of the intervention price and were therefore rejected.

These high tender prices reflect market prices in Italy prior to the beef scare; they no longer reflect the market situation of mid-April.

The Commission accepts the Honourable Member's point of view that the setting of a regionalized offer price is a possibility to be considered provided, however, that it does not exceed the maximum level of support authorized.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1097/96 by Josu Imaz San Miguel (PPE) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Efficiency of fishing gear

In the course of 1995, the weighted average price for fish of the species Merluccius at first sale in the market in the port of Pasajes caught in ICES zones VI, VII and VIII stood at 463 pts/kg.

Fish prices in general, and those for hake in particular, have been frozen for more than ten years due to the large amounts imported, principally from South America and South Africa. Fishing costs have risen significantly in the same period, at a rate similar to or higher than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The size of the Spanish fleet fishing in Community waters has fallen from 460 to 200 vessels since 1981 due to the loss of competitiveness in the face of an excessively liberalized market resulting from the high relative level of social contributions compared to competitors and the policy of conserving and managing resources.

What strategy does the Commission believe might be taken to protect undertakings in view of the difficulty encountered in competing under the current arrangements?

In order to cover operating costs in these conditions, sales need to be boosted, since prices are frozen. The only option appears to be to increase fishing per vessel, while respecting the demands of rational fishing, complying strictly with technical measures and respecting TACs and quotas.

In these circumstances, what valid arguments does the Commission see for restricting the use of certain fishing gear which increase the catch, while respecting the technical measures and their necessary selectivity?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1996)

The state of fish stocks, and specifically stocks of hake in the zones listed, means catches are not going to get any larger overall in the short term. The only prospect for any increase in individual operators' sales must come, indirectly, from:

- regeneration of resources to ensure that the decline is not permanent; obviously this will involve, paradoxically, a severe short-term cutback in production, and operators must be prepared for this;

- cuts in the number of production units; this is the only way to ensure higher levels of activity for individual operators while the total catch is held stable or reduced;

- better organization and greater specialization on the part of operators, which would allow landings to be staggered and thus prevent excessive fluctuations in supply;

- efforts by operators to improve the quality of landed catches and add value to their product by becoming involved in processing activities and the promotion of currently undervalued species.

Clearly, if operators are to remain competitive in these difficult times they must try to cut costs, and one way to do this is to use more efficient fishing gear. The various cost-cutting devices can quite well be regulated under the subsidiarity principle, however, while action at Community level can be confined to ensuring that they do not run counter to Community objectives, in particular the regeneration of stocks.