ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4062/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(13 January 1999)

Subject: 1992 Habitats Directive - designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

Under the 1992 Habitats Directive(1), the Member States were obliged to propose a certain number of sites to be designated as SACs by 1992. The United Kingdom has failed to meet all of its obligations in this regard.

What action does the Commission propose to take to ensure that the United Kingdom does now meet these obligations?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora requires each Member State to propose a list of sites to the Commission within three years of the notification of this Directive. Such lists should therefore have been received by June 1995.

The United Kingdom has now proposed 333 sites, covering 16,885 km2. It has informed the Commission that its list is largely complete and that a small number of remaining sites will be proposed by the spring of 1999.

With a view to establishing a list of sites of Community importance to be designated as special areas of conservation (SACs) under the Directive the Commission will evaluate with the Member States the different proposed national lists. This will be done within the framework of each of the different biogeographic regions covered by the Directive.

The United Kingdom is located entirely within the Atlantic biogeographic region. A seminar is foreseen for autumn 1999 to evaluate the proposed national lists for this region. The sufficiency of the British proposal, with a view to the objectives of the directive, will be examined in this context and will form the basis for any further bilateral discussions between the Commission and the United Kingdom on this subject.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3378/98

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Data protection directive

On 24 October 1998, the Law on Personal Data entered into force in Sweden. This legislation is based, inter alia, on the EC directive on data protection. Under the Swedish authorities' strict interpretation of the law, it will be applied to home pages on the Internet. This means that owners of home pages with chat functions may be breaking the law because chat pages contain data about individuals and their opinions and because the Internet is global and the information may be disseminated to countries outside the EU and the EEA.

Was it the Commission's intention to restrict the type of Internet use described above when the data protection directive was adopted?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Directive 95/46/EC of the Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data(1) applies to all processing of personal data irrespective of the means used. It therefore also applies to the processing of personal data carried out by automatic means on the Internet.

As indicated in particular in Article 33 of that directive, the Parliament and the Council were fully aware of the challenges presented by the information society in the case of the right to protection of privacy. This is why the aim of the directive is to ensure that personal data are processed in a fair and lawful manner with a view to gaining the confidence of individuals in the use of their data both in the traditional world and in the on-line environment.

Consequently, the use of the Internet for conversation ("chat") involving the processing of personal data of the participants or of other people is subject to the relevant rules, without there being any limitation on using the Internet. For example, those responsible for such a site accessible to everybody should thus inform the users beforehand about the public nature of the site as well as about the risk of data being passed on to non-member countries which do not guarantee an adequate level of protection for their personal data. Under these conditions, those taking part in conversation ("chat") can freely consent to exchanging their personal data.

(1) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3943/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Sustainable Cities and Towns campaign

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that a legal basis exists to safeguard the future of the Sustainable Cities and Towns campaign?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1999)

The Commission has, on several occasions, recognised the usefulness of the activities of the European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign in promoting the application of Agenda 21 at local level.

In its communication entitled "Sustainable Urban Development in the European Union: A Framework for Action"(1) adopted on 28 October 1998, the Commission affirmed its intention to continue to provide aid to local authority networking operations and referred specifically to the European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign. The communication also states that the Commission will draw up the necessary legal instruments to ensure the financing of activities of this type on a multiannual basis.

The main points contained in this communication were the subject of a presentation given by the Commission at the Urban Forum held in Vienna on 26 and 27 November 1998. The initial exchange of views that took place on this occasion helped to underline the urgent need to develop an appropriate legal basis for the continuation and consolidation of activities of this type.

The Commission will take the initiative in drafting a proposal along these lines in the coming weeks.

(1) COM(98) 605 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3332/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Culture

It is common knowledge that there is a world of difference between political and economic Europe and cultural Europe, which is still characterized by the free trade in translations.

In the cultural sector we need to get beyond the free market in translations and introduce a system of conditions for a European public.

This was the proposal made at the 50th Book Fair in Frankfurt by the publisher Laterza, which, in order to safeguard and maintain the identity of small and medium-sized publishing companies, proposes the creation of a European university press, as the lynchpin for research and the distribution of ideas targeted at young people, to be based at the European University Institute in Florence, in order to check the scientific validity of texts.

The only contribution required from the European Union would be to finance the translations, whilst publishers and the individual Member States would accept the business risk of the publications.

Can the Commission say to what extent this proposal is feasible, how the various stages would be structured and what the operational timescale for it would be?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 1999)

The Commission can give support to cultural initiatives only under existing programmes, and in particular, as regards books, reading and translation, to projects covered by the Ariane programme. The purposes of this programme are to promote cooperation between Member States in relation to books and reading, to support and amplify their activities in this field by contributing to the flowering of their cultures while respecting their national and regional diversity, and to improve the knowledge and dissemination of the literature and history of the European peoples and their access thereto, notably through assistance for translation of literary, dramatic and reference works, support for partnership-based cooperation projects and further training for professionals working in this field;

By the Decision establishing it (Decision 2085/97/EC(1)) the programme should have expired in 1998. Last September the Commission, wishing to ensure continuity in Community activities in relation to books and reading pending the entry into force of the Culture 2000 programme scheduled for 1 January 2000, proposed to Parliament and the Council that Ariane be renewed for 1999. This was agreed, with the same budget as for 1998, by Parliament on 9 October 1998 and by the Council on 17 November 1998.

A new call for applications for the Ariane programme should be published in the Official Journal in January 1999. It will thus be possible for professionals in the participating countries to present their projects within the deadline, scheduled for May.

If the project is selected following evaluation of the full range of proposals presented, it could begin running from the second half of 1999.

(1) OJ L 291, 24.10.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4027/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(11 January 1999)

Subject: The cost of introducing the euro

1. Is the Council aware that following the introduction of the euro banks are charging their customers Fl 5 per transaction for electronic cash transactions outside the Netherlands?

2. Is the Council also aware that the banks are also charging Fl 0,5 for electronic cash transactions in the Netherlands?

3. Does the Council realise that the Fl 5 per transaction in other countries is forcing bank customers to withdraw larger sums in order to reduce costs? A single withdrawal of Fl 500 costs Fl 5, whereas five transactions of Fl 100 cost Fl 25.

4. Does the Council agree that this does not increase personal safety, given the larger sums of money withdrawn abroad to cut costs?

5. In view of the fact that all the banks charge the same rate, is the Council prepared to examine whether the banks have established a monopoly or have abused a monopoly position?

6. If so, what action will the Council take?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3524/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information on and exploitation of applied RTD programmes in Europe

With regard to the question of ways and means of strengthening the networks for the provision of information on and exploitation of applied RTD programmes in Europe (CES 965/98), can the Commission's services submit a communication laying down an overall strategy for networks providing information, exploitation and back-up in RTD and innovation bearing in mind that this strategy should embrace the rationalisation of existing mechanisms and incorporate a number of different European policies?

Within the context of this overall strategy, it is recommended that existing mechanisms (Fifth Framework RTD programme, Structural Funds, educational and training programmes, SME programmes etc.) be used to help specialised support networks in promoting the principle of mediation. The aim of such mediation networks would be to promote strategies for linkages between enterprises, further interaction between enterprises, research and universities, encourage the monitoring of technological developments, advance economic intelligence and promote project management (legal, financial, etc.).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3690/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Unfair tax treatment of Greek university staff

Greek Law 2530/97 lays down rules governing the status, scale of salaries and other matters relating to teaching and research staff at Higher Educational Establishments (AEI) and Technological Educational Establishment (TEI) in Greece.

This Law provides that staff may be engaged in activities apart from their university teaching commitments, but that such activities may not exceed eight hours weekly; Article 3 states that a percentage (between 15 and 30 %) of the remuneration earned by university teachers from their professional activities outside teaching shall be withheld in "accounts" which constitute a form of separate fund. These funds are not for the exclusive benefit of the university body but are also available to various social organisations. The imposition of the above charge (which accounts for as much as 30 % of their remuneration) is incompatible with the Greek Constitution and violates the principle of "reciprocity", since university staff derive practically no benefits from the above "accounts".

Will the Commission say whether the above is compatible with the principle of equal treatment of taxpayers, and what action it intends to take to prevent the unfair treatment of Greek university staff at the hands of the Greek tax authorities?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1999)

The question raised by the Honourable Member refers to a situation which is not governed by Community law. Greek income tax legislation is not subject to any harmonisation. It is not, therefore, for the Commission to comment on the way the Greek authorities apply the legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2985/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Headage and premium payments in Ireland

Is the Commission aware of the severe hardship being suffered by farmers in Ireland, particularly in the West because of the abnormally heavy rainfall and will the Commission consider bringing forward headage and premium payments to relieve the hardship on family farms?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 1998)

The Commission is aware of the difficulties faced by Irish farmers due in part to the prevailing poor weather conditions. A number of measures have been taken to advance payments to the Member States. For beef premia, there is an increase from 60 to 80 % of the advance to Member States as well as a change in timing to 16 October 1998 for payment of the advance. For sheep premia, the regulation fixing the second advance of the premium has been adopted in good time allowing the payment to be made to producers from 15 October 1998. In both cases it will be for the Member State to make payments to farmers as soon as possible.

In the case of compensatory allowances normal advances to Ireland are available and it will be for the Member State to make payments as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0340/99

by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: Disparities in car pricing in Europe

Given the vast disparity in car pricing between the UK and the rest of Europe by many car manufacturers, as was shown by the Commission report into pre-tax prices, does the Commission intend to put an end to the price fluctuations that exist?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions E-2577/98 and E-2999/97 by Mrs Pollack(1) and Mr Mather(2).

(1) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 150.

(2) OJ C 15, 25.5.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0142/99

by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: NGOs subsidised under the EU's external policy

Will the Commission provide a list of the NGOs receiving Community subsidies which have taken part in electoral observation or training missions, in the course of the EU's external policy of encouraging the development of the democratic process?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

The information requested by the Honourable Member covers a whole range of Community instruments ranging from cooperation with non-member countries to specific headings for human rights and democracy in Chapter B7-70 of the budget. It would therefore take some time and considerable research to obtain this information and more precise details about the financial instruments or geographical area in question would facilitate this task.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0408/99

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Negotiations on the future trade agreement between the EU and South Africa

Information from various sources, including the Port Wine Business Association, indicates that a draft agreement has been drawn up between the South African Trade Minister and Commissioner Deus Pinheiro regulating future trade relations between the EU and South Africa.

Under the draft agreement, it appears that South Africa will be able to continue producing wine designated "Port" and/or "Porto" and/or "Port Wine" for the internal market (including not only South Africa but also Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) for a period of 12 years, after which the matter will be analysed again, that is without any binding provision being made from the outset for a ban on the production of wine with those designations of origin at the end of the 12 years.

1. Can the Commission confirm whether the draft agreement between the EU and South Africa permits the marketing of South African wine with the designation "Port" and/or "Porto" and/or "Port Wine" throughout South Africa's internal market for a period of 12 years without any provision being made for a ban on such marketing at the end of that period?

2. Can the Commission confirm whether the above marketing possibilities cover any of the following three designations of origin: "Port", "Porto", "Port Wine", - all of which identify products labelled thus as "Vinho do Porto" produced in Portugal?
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1101/99

by Anneli Hulthén (PSE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: Common rules on pensions

Regulation 1408/71(1) lays down rules for the coordination of certain social benefits, including rules governing the payment of pensions in cases where people have worked in several Member States. However, not all types of pension are covered by the rules since the Member States have not yet agreed common criteria, for early retirement, for example. There is a need for clear and simple rules in such an important area as pensions and it would, therefore, seem appropriate for all pensions to be covered by common rules.

What progress is being made with the coordination of benefits in this area and can the Commission also envisage proposing common rules for early retirement?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that it has proposed extending the material scope of Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 with a view to coordinating national social security systems with pre-retirement systems(2) on several occasions. The Commission's 1996 proposal has unfortunately not yet achieved unanimity at Council level.

Furthermore, the Commission recently adopted a proposal to simplify and reform Regulation (EEC) 1408/71(3) in which a new chapter has been inserted to include and coordinate pre-retirement systems, in accordance with the contents of the previous proposal of 1996. The new proposal should be examined by the Council in the course of 1999.

At the same time, the Commission is examining, on a case-by-case basis, whether the national legislations respect the principles guaranteed by the EC Treaty, as recently interpreted by the Court of Justice(4), in favour of beneficiaries of pre-retirement benefits.

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

(2) See OJ C 169, 9.7.1980 and OJ C 62, 1.3.1996.

(3) OJ C 38, 12.2.1999.

(4) See Commission/France judgment C-35/97 of 24.9.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0724/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

The regions whose level of income per inhabitant is less than 75 % of that which corresponds to the average Community inhabitant are classed as "Objective 1 regions" and are entitled to substantial Community aid.

In order to work out whether this threshold has been crossed or not, the draft Council Regulation, COM(98) 0131 final(1), laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, stipulates that the figures corresponding to the last three years on which Eurostat has information will be taken into account.

Currently, only the figures corresponding to the financial years 1994, 1995 and 1996 are available.

What regions in Great Britain does the Commission expect not to be classed as Objective 1 regions for this three-year period?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Italian secret services report on the euro's use for money-laundering purposes

Is the Commission aware that, in a report which was subsequently published by the daily newspaper "Il Messagero" on 25 January 1999, the Italian military secret services (SISMI) maintained that the euro could be used to launder proceeds from criminal activities which had not yet entered financial and banking channels?

Does it intend to ask the Italian Government to forward the SISMI report?

What action does the it intend to take to prevent computer systems and the Internet from being used for criminal activities?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

The Commission has noted the article in "Il Messaggero" and other press articles but is not in possession of any report from the Italian secret services. The Commission is interested in obtaining any relevant material on this important subject that the Member States are prepared to communicate to it and will inform the Italian authorities accordingly.

The Commission has for some time been studying the implications of the introduction of the euro for the fight against money laundering. Within the contact committee set up under Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10 June 1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering(1), the Commission held a discussion with the Member States on 1 March 1999 concerning all the anti-money laundering issues raised by the introduction of the euro and the changeover to euro notes and coins as from 1 January 2002. There was a consensus that the Member States' existing anti-money laundering legislation should be sufficient to deal with any dangers posed by the changeover period. It was agreed, however, that this important question should be kept under regular review.

As regards electronic money systems and the Internet the Commission continues to monitor closely technical developments and their potential vulnerability to being misused for money laundering purposes. The experts of the financial action task force (the foremost world body dedicated to the fight against money laundering) have not yet encountered cases of money laundering using electronic-money technologies but are aware of the possible dangers and remain vigilant.

(1) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0662/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

Regions whose per capita income is less than 75 % of the average Community per capita income are described as "Objective 1 regions" and they receive significant amounts of Community aid.

To determine whether or not this threshold has been exceeded, the draft Council Regulation COM(98) 131 final(1) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds states that the figures corresponding to the last three years for which Eurostat has data available will be used.

At the moment the only figures available are those for the 1994, 1995 and 1996 financial years.

What are the figures for those years for the Canary Islands?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0535/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it urged the Commission "to promote and provide financial support for innovative methods and research into new production systems, new products, processing of species which at present have no commercial value and new forms of preparation and presentation".

Can the Commission say what measures it has adopted to comply with Parliament's request?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 295.