ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2217/96 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (9 August 1996)

Subject: Use of Structural Funds in Italian regions

In March 1996 the Commission urged the Italian Government to ensure that European money was put to the proper use in good time, given that, as at January 1996, no more than about 6% of the funds available for Objectives 3 and 4, among others, had been disbursed and the average outturn was somewhere under 5%.

Could the Commission furnish a report (if only as a rough guide) on the expenditure incurred in Italian regions (in particular Latium, Umbria, Marche, and Tuscany) in connection with Objectives 2, 5b, 3, and 4?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2217/96 and E-2665/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1996)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Members and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2507/96 by Hugh Kerr (PSE) to the Commission (23 September 1996)

Subject: Commission reports on school provision for gypsy and traveller children and for children of occupational travellers

In its report 'The Education of Migrants' Children in the European Union' COM(94)80 the Commission stated that it expected to publish the following reports in 1993:

1. School Provision for Gypsy and Traveller Children ((OJ C 153, 21.6.1989, p. 3. ))

2. School Provision for Children of Occupational Travellers ((OJ C 153, 21.6.1989, p. 1. )).

Would the Commission explain the long delay in the publication of these reports and when can we finally expect these important reports to be published?

Joint answer to Written Questions P-2505/96 and P-2507/96 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1996)

In its answer to the written question P-90/96, the Commission informed the Honourable Member of the schedule for finalising the translations and the procedures for adopting and publishing the two reports, dealing respectively with school provision for gypsy and traveller children and school provision for children of occupational travellers. These reports, covering four years of intense work in this field (1991-94), analyse and evaluate the policies conducted by the Member States and the Commission, and contain proposals for developing Europe-wide cooperation in this connection.

The translations are now ready and the two reports should be adopted shortly by the Commission. They will thus be presented to Parliament and the Council in the next few weeks.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2238/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (9 August 1996)

Subject: Helios II programme

Given the marked reluctance of some Member State governments to fund EU programmes under Article 235, how can the Commission ensure the Helios programme will be able to continue without a break in its funding?

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

In accordance with the Decision of 25 February 1993 establishing the third Community action programme to assist disabled people (Helios II, 1993-1996) ((OJ L 56, 9.3.1993. )), activities under that programme will end on 31 December 1996.

In line with the Communication on non-discrimination and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities adopted by the Commission on 30 July 1996 ((COM(96) 406 final. )), which sets out a new Community approach to disability, the Commission is intending to continue its activities in this field, provided that the available budget adopted by the budget authorities allows it to do so.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1978/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (17 July 1996)

Subject: AIDS, the most common cause of death

AIDS is the most common cause of death amongst young men in Copenhagen, and the city council is increasingly experiencing problems in coping with the financial pressures it faces as a result.

Information and education are vital in the battle against this deadly disease. Will the Commission therefore state what information and education initiatives it has supported in the Member States in relation to AIDS?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1996)

On 4 June 1991, the Council and the Member States' Ministers for Health adopted a plan of action, running from 1991 to 1993, in the framework of the 'Europe against AIDS' programme ((Decision 91/317/EEC: OJ L 175, 4.7.1991. )). This action plan was subsequently extended until the end of 1995 by a Parliament and Council Decision ((Decision 1729/95/EC: OJ L 168, 18.7.1995. )).

In this context, steps were taken to provide young people with health education and information on the subject of AIDS; the Honourable Member should refer to the various reports on the activities undertaken, which have been presented by the Commission to the Council, namely: the report covering 1991 and 1992 ((COM(93) 42 final. )), the report for 1993 ((COM(94) 525 final. )) and the report for 1994 ((COM(95) 521 final. )). The report covering 1995 is in the pipeline.

In view of the need to safeguard and develop the investment made under previous action plans and bearing in mind that, in order to stem the spread of AIDS, it is of paramount importance that steps be taken to inform the general public and to provide information to children and adolescents within a general context of information on hygiene, sexuality and health education, Parliament and the Council adopted, on 29 March 1996, a programme of Community action on the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases (1996-2000) ((Decision 647/96/EC: OJ L 95, 16.4.1996. )); under this programme, a number of measures are to be taken with the aim of preventing transmission of the HIV virus and certain other communicable diseases, thereby raising awareness and improving the provision of information and education for young people.

Accordingly, the Commission may, in agreement with the committee set up to assist it, support projects which are in line with the programme's objectives, with the emphasis on enhancing information and education for the general public and providing added value at Community level.

An interim report, and a final report on completion of the programme, will be submitted to Parliament and the Council by the Commission.

The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to refer to the above reports for details of AIDS-related education and information initiatives which have already received Commission support in the Member States during the period 1991 to 1995 and which will continue to benefit from such support within the framework of the programme for prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases adopted on 29 March 1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1827/96 by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Absurdity of earmarking EDF resources for ACP countries

Owing to the difficulties preventing swift ratification of the Financial Protocol 1995-2000 of the Lomé IV Convention, compensation for the export of specific products originating in ACP countries in the 1995 budgetary year is going to be paid by means of an advance on funds earmarked for Sudan in previous export years.

This odd situation highlights the absurdity of earmarking EDF resources for ACP countries in respect of which cooperation has been suspended de iure or de facto.

How long are EDF rules going to permit absurd situations such as the one described above to continue, and what repercussions do they have for the effective utilization of funds earmarked for cooperation with ACP countries under the Lomé Convention?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1996)

As the Honourable Member states it is true, following a recent decision by the ACP-EC Council of Ministers, that Stabex year of application 1995 will be financed in its entirety from funds allocated to Sudan during previous years of application. These funds will be paid back when the eighth European Development Fund enters into force into the Stabex account referred to in Article 192 of the Lomé Convention and made available to the ACP States.

When the Lomé IV was reviewed, the Community sought to take account of concerns such as those expressed by the Honourable Member as provision is made among other things for:

- programming by tranche (see Articles 281 and 282);

- the possibility of using any outstanding balance from programmable resources for the financing of operations relating to cooperation for the financing of development (Article 282, paragraph 5);

- the possibility of using some of the NIP resources as yet not committed owing to the inability of the ACP State to sign or implement its indicative programme, for emergency aid schemes, or rehabilitation for the people of the state concerned (Article 254, paragraph 3).

The Commission wishes, however, to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the importance of maintaining a certain predictability of resources for the countries concerned with a view to better long term programming.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2055/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (19 July 1996)

Subject: Burial of persons who have died of Aids

In some Member States, for example Italy, persons who have died of Aids apparently cannot be buried fully dressed. Instead, they have to be buried naked, wrapped in a sheet impregnated with disinfectants.

This practice is a gross affront to the dignity of deceased persons and, above all, their relatives.

1. Does the above practice occur and, if so, in what countries?

2. Does not the Commission feel compelled to intervene in order that persons who have died of Aids may be buried with dignity, wearing their clothes, on the understanding that undertakers would have to take similar precautions to doctors who come into contact with sick people every day?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1996)

The Commission has no information on the burial practice mentioned by the Honourable Member. In this connection, and given the way the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted (via the blood and sexual secretions) the same precautions are to be recommended as those that apply to medical personnel in contact with patients.

Pursuant to Article 129 of the EC Treaty, Community action in the health field is directed towards the prevention of diseases, in particular the major health scourges. However the article explicitly excludes all harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States. Hence the rules governing the burial of persons who have died as a result of HIV infection are a matter for the Member States.

The programme of Community action on the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases, adopted on 29 March 1996 by the Parliament and Council ((Decision No 647/96/EC, OJ L 95, 16.4.1996. )), provides for actions designed to combat discrimination against persons with HIV, including an examination of actual or potential discriminatory situations and the exchange of information on measures taken in the Member States to avoid or combat discrimination.

In this framework, projects which correspond to the programme's objectives and which provide added value at Community level are eligible for support.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/96 by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE) to the Commission (11 July 1996)

Subject: Import turnover tax

EU yachting enthusiasts repeatedly run into problems with the relevant authorities when they cross frontiers within the European Union by sea, in particular when required to provide proof of payment of import turnover tax.

Might not one way of dealing with this problem be to issue a multilingual international EU import turnover tax certificate? The document would constitute proof either of exemption or of payment of the tax on the yacht concerned, showing the date, place and amount.

Does the Commission support or has it already begun to issue such a multilingual EU import turnover tax certificate?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 October 1996)

Proof of the tax position of a vessel may be required in only two very precise situations: (i) in order to ensure that a vessel which was in a Member State on 1 January 1993 under a national temporary admission procedure qualified for exemption from the payment of VAT when removed from that procedure (date of first entry into service before 1 January 1985), and (ii) in order to ascertain whether a vessel which was not in a Member State on 1 January 1993 under a national temporary admission procedure was acquired or imported under the general conditions of taxation in force on the domestic market of a Member State.

If it emerges quite clearly that a vessel has entered the waters of a Member State direct from another Member State, there is no reason to require proof of its tax status.

The Commission does not support the idea of a multilingual Community document constituting proof of the above situations, and this for several reasons. Such problems arise in only a very limited number of cases. Generally speaking, any document issued by a Member State as proof of payment of tax is accepted by the other Member States. It should be pointed out here that there are several documents by means of which owners of vessels can provide proof of payment of VAT: the invoice; an invoice certified by the administration; the customs document T2L; other documents used nationally in certain Member States. The introduction of a single Community document might suggest systematic checks and could, therefore, prove more restrictive than the current arrangements. Lastly, in case of doubt, the administration could have recourse to the mutual assistance arrangements.

This approach has already been endorsed by the different national administrations within the VAT Committee.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2112/96 by Carlos Pimenta (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)

Subject: Alqueva dam

Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40. )) requires that Environmental Impact Assessment studies evaluate the indirect impact of the projects.

The existing studies on the Alqueva project do not contemplate the impact of the water transfer to the Sado basin, a major objective of the project. This is particularly serious because the estuary of the Sado is an important Special Protection Area.

Is the Commission going to require that these and other indirect impacts are evaluated, or ignore this requirement of the Directive?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1996)

It is estimated that the overall construction of the infrastructure for the Alqueva investment will take around 30 thirty years.

The Commission deems it necessary for those elements of the project to be carried out after the year 2002 (the areas to be irrigated, the new dams and irrigation channels, and the planned transfer of the water of the Guardiana to the Sado basin) to undergo impact assessment in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1024/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (3 May 1996)

Subject: Belgian national aid to vegetable producers

Under the aegis of Regulation 2611/95 ((OJ L 268, 10.11.1995, p. 3. )), the Belgian authorities are seeking to approve national aid to greenhouse vegetables and endives producers in compensation for loss of income due to the devaluation of the peseta. Given that the overlaps between the traditional Belgian and Spanish harvest occur between the months of October, April and May, and that in those months in 1994 and 1995 there were no appreciable monetary fluctuations, one must conclude that the loss of income suffered was not due to monetary fluctuations, but to structural problems in the operation of the market, the steady fall in prices since 1990, and the crisis in the Belgian subsidy system.

Given that the volume of Spanish foreign trade in endives is not sufficient to disturb the markets, any aid based on its effects is groundless, and for that reason, the aid proposed by the Belgian government is intended to encourage tomato production, seriously altering normal competition conditions.

Under the circumstances, I would ask the Commission whether it believes that the aid proposed by the Belgian Government meets the requirements laid down in Regulation 2611/95?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1996)

The Commission received on 18 April 1996 a notification from the Belgian authorities in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 2611/95. The Commission has not yet completed its assessment of this notification.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1886/96 by Marianne Thyssen (PPE) to the Commission (11 July 1996)

Subject: Ornamental plant

There has been a sharp rise in imports into the European Union of flowers and plants from third countries. At the same time selection has increasingly shifted away from Europe to low-wage countries. In addition to the recent concessions to Morocco, there are an increasing number of countries that want to increase their exports to the European Union at reduced duty and duty free. In the light of this:

1. What are the trends in imports of flowers and plants from third countries into the European Union over the last 20 years and what quantities are imported duty free?

2. What is the Commission's position on the question of third countries obtaining additional tariff quotas?

3. How far is it possible for third countries to export flowers and plants to the European Union without fulfilling internationally recognized plant breeding requirements? Is it possible to import from countries that have not signed the UPOV international agreement on plant variety rights?

4. Is there any prospect of the Commission introducing measures specifically adapted to the needs of European ornamental plant growers?

Answer given by Mr Franz Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)

1. In 1976, Community imports of flowers and plants were an estimated 42 688 tonnes and exports at 117 550. In 1994, the comparable figures were 229 676 tonnes and 344 958 tonnes, an increase of 438% and 193%. Currently, 80% of cut flowers are imported duty free.

2. The Commission is aware of the special sensitivity of the Community flower market. In negotiations with third countries, it must follow the negotiating directives adopted by the Council. Its aim is to facilitate the access to foreign markets of Community products. Whenever concessions are granted, it tries to make them subject to certain restrictions on species and import timetables in order to minimize the impact of imports in the internal market.

3. At present, the Commission is closely examining the issue raised by the Honourable Member and will notify him of his findings as soon as possible.

4. The new system of a multiannual scheme of generalized tariff preferences ((EC Regulation 1256/96 - OJ L 160, 29.6.96. )) does provide for measures in favour of European producers, namely through the inclusion of a safeguard measure as of 1 January 1997, and the Commission is planning the development of a Community programme of flower and plant promotion. The latter is the result of an undertaking given at Council level in the context of the new agreement with Morocco. As regards imports from Mediterranean countries, as of 1987, there is a system linking compliance with minimum prices to the granting of preferential tariffs.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2048/96 by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission (19 July 1996)

Subject: Dumping of munitions in Cardigan Bay

It was revealed in a letter sent in May by the Earl Howe, the British Defence Minister with responsibility for environment matters, to a British MP, Cynog Dafis, that some incendiary bombs had been dumped unofficially in Cardigan Bay following the second world war. The dumping of these munitions took place during up to 36 sorties to the so-called 'jettison area'.

As the British Defence Ministry admits that full past records of such dumping are not available, will the Commission take action to assist in the location, monitoring and if necessary removal of the munitions in order to protect the marine environment from potential pollution?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1996)

The Commission was not aware of the dumping of munitions in Cardigan Bay but is aware that munitions have in the past been dumped at sea in the waters of several Member States. The dumping of munitions is not a question which falls within the competence of the Community. The Commission considers that to the extent that action is necessary it is for the Member States concerned to decide what specific action is necessary.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1810/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Human rights in Turkey

There is much consistent evidence to suggest that the human rights situation in Turkey has deteriorated since 1 January 1996, the day on which the customs union with the European Union came into effect.

Does the Commission consider that the human rights situation in Turkey has improved, deriorated or remained unchanged?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1996)

As the Honourable Member knows, Turkey has been in the throes of a serious political crisis since last December's elections.

In March's inauguration speech the Prime Minister made it clear that strengthening democracy in Turkey was a cornerstone of the government's programme.

When the Commissioner responsible for relations with Turkey went there in April, and when the Turkish Prime Minister visited Mr Santer in July, the Commission underlined to its Turkish opposite numbers the importance that it and Parliament attached to the continuation of last year's reforms and to putting into practice the Prime Minister's statements on the subject of democracy. The Commission reiterated those views at June's meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee in Ankara.

The Turkish coalition government has not been in power long enough for the Prime Minister to put his ideas into practice, and the headway made in the second half of last year on matters such as constitutional change, reform of Article 8 of the anti-terrorism law and freeing of prisoners of conscience has slowed down.

The Commission will be pursuing discussions on these issues with the new government in Ankara.

Given the circumstances, the Commission, while deploring the recent death of several detainees, is pleased to see that the Turkish authorities have resolved the crisis triggered by the various hunger strikes which have taken place in Turkish prisons since April.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1883/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (11 July 1996)

Subject: Replacement of commercial vehicles

The Greek magazine 'Trochoi Kai Tir' says that the Commission has approved the granting of state aid by the Portuguese government to replace old, pollutant lorries in Portugal with new, more environmentally-friendly vehicles, owing to the stricter environmental standards required by countries such as Austria and others.

Will the Commission say if the Union could provide aid or subsidies of some kind for Greek road hauliers to replace their vehicles, given that they do not use non-pollutant technology and given the limited scope for the Greek government to achieve this?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1996)

Part-financing could in theory be made available under the Structural Funds to replace commercial vehicles in the Greek haulage sector. First, however, the Commission would have to certify under Article 93 of the EC Treaty that the system of national aids was compatible with the competition rules, and secondly the Greek Government would have to submit a request for part-financing conforming to the priorities listed in the 1994-99 Community support framework for Greece.