ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3013/98

by Mair Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Expenditure on information and communication activities in the UK

Would the Commission provide a detailed breakdown of information and communication activities within the United Kingdom? The breakdown should show the amount spent in each region and the category of the expenditure (e.g. salaries, publications, hospitality, etc.).

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1998)

In 1998 the budget allocation for information and communication activities for the United Kingdom as a whole is ECU 3,3 million (1997: ECU 5,9 million). A notional amount of ECU 100 000 for each of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is set aside from this amount for targeted political and information activities. This does not include expenditure on salaries and other operating expenses which are administered centrally from London. Regional offices also have access to shared service contracts for relay activities, as well as funds earmarked for publications and a comprehensive range of representation activities.

Indicative expenditure for information and communication activities has been:

>TABLE>

In the case of Wales, credits have not been expended up to their full amount this year because of changes in staff. One may asume that the level of activity will increase from now on.

16 officials are deployed in the United Kingdom. Salaries of Commission officials are given in the Official journal(1). There are 27 locally employed staff in the United Kingdom (London 17; Ireland 4; Scotland 3; Wales 3) and the expenditure on salaries is ECU 995 000 in 1998 (ECU 938 000 in 1997).

(1) OJ L 351, 23.12.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2605/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Airline timetables and S.A. Benz

Is the Commission aware of the latest piece of imaginative fiction published by the Belgian author S.A. Benz?

This novel, in a highly original style, purports to be an airline timetable. However, it is leading to some confusion as passengers are mistaking it for the real timetable and in consequence arriving hours late at their destinations.

Will the Commission ask the publishers either to cease and desist from distributing this publication or at least to accompany it with the necessary disclaimer.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1998)

The Commission is not aware of the book to which the Honourable Member refers but is grateful to him for drawing attention to such an original work.

Since the fictional nature of the book is apparent, the Commission does not share the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member, nor is it considering any action.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4002/98

by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Subject: The Package Travel Directive

Consumer complaints about package tour operators continue to increase, despite the existence of the Package Travel Directive 90/314/EEC(1). Particular concern has been expressed about what happens to package tour customers if their tour operator becomes insolvent and about the levying of surcharges on published prices.

Is the Commission satisfied that the Directive gives consumers adequate protection in the event of a tour organiser's insolvency, so that the organiser and/or retailer who is party to the contract are under an obligation to provide sufficient protection, in the event of insolvency, for the rapid reimbursement of all funds paid by the consumer?

Why has the Commission been prepared to accept that the United Kingdom has transposed Article 4 of the Directive, concerning the possibility of revising published prices, in a less rigorous and precise form than that set out in the actual text of the Directive?

Is the Commission preparing to come forward with amendments to the Directive in the light of these and other comments?

(1) OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 59.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4097/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Problems affecting the implementation of the Fourth Financial Protocol for Cyprus owing to a lack of cooperation from the Turkish Cypriot community

The Fourth Financial Protocol for Cyprus is running into difficulties, and there have been delays in the take-up of funds. One of the basic reasons for this is the refusal by the Turkish Cypriot community to cooperate in order to allow the projects in question to progress.

Given the repeated attempts that have been made to overcome the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriots - attempts which have so far failed to produce any results -, does the Commission not consider that it is time that these appropriations were allocated to the Government of Cyprus for the implementation of projects possibly benefiting both communities, so as to avert the threat that these appropriations may not be taken up and may eventually even be forfeited?

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

(12 February 1999)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern. It is currently assessing the Cypriot authorities' request to use the funds available under the Fourth Financial Protocol to assist projects to back up Cyprus's pre-accession strategy and reinforce Cypriot civil society by supporting initiatives that help to bring the two communities together, for example, the restoration of the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque in Larnaca.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3185/98

by Hadar Cars (ELDR) , Karl Olsson (ELDR) and Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Spraying of fruit and vegetables with antibiotics

Attention has recently focused in Sweden on the fact that antibiotics are used as pesticides in fruit and vegetable growing in some Member States (Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain). It has been established that excessive use of antibiotics can produce resistant bacteria in both humans and animals. The use of antibiotics as pesticides is, therefore, a health hazard.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to put an end to the use of antibiotics as pesticides?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3792/98

by Niels Kofoed (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Robots used for milking and Directive 89/362, Chapter III(4)

Pursuant to Chapter III(4) of Directive 89/362(1) on hygiene, before the milking of the individual cow the milker must inspect the appearance of the milk. It is not possible to comply with this requirement, however, if robots are used for milking. Nevertheless, more than 400 robots are used for milking in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and the UK.

What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that the rules are applied uniformly throughout the Union? Will the Commission amend the directive to allow the use of robots under certain conditions? Is the Commission considering measures to enforce the current rules?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 1999)

The Commission has been informed of the existence of the milking robots to which the Honourable Member refers. They allow each animal to be milked when it wishes; while the milk cannot be visually inspected by a human operator as a result, it does represent progress both in terms of animal welfare and the farmer's improved quality of life. Physical or chemical sensors should make it possible to assess the quality of the milk as accurately as a visual examination alone.

The Commission intends to evaluate the objectivity of these advances and their compatibility with the highest levels of food safety, which must of course remain paramount. As part of a more general project to simplify the veterinary health directives, the Commission will make inspection visits to Community milk establishments and, based on the resulting reports, will amend the rules if necessary.

(1) OJ L 156, 8.6.1989, p. 30.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3645/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments

In connection with the "Proposal for a Council Directive on a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments made between associated companies of different Member States" (COM(98) 67 final - 98/0087 CNS)(1), the Commission indicates that it may submit a proposal, at a later date, in the framework of the completion of the single market, to extend the measure provided for by the directive to taxes levied on interest and royalty payments made between companies which are not associated.

This gradual approach is motivated by a desire to alleviate the budgetary impact of the proposal in Member States that are net importers of capital and technology, while, moreover, a five-year transitional period is being requested for the Member States in question (Greece and Portugal) during which the taxation rate will be gradually reduced: the governing principle will be that interest and royalty payments that can be exempted from taxation at source are to be arm's length payments made between independent companies. When such payments are made between associated companies, the application of this principle involves treating the excess part of these payments as distributed income which falls within the scope of Directive 90/435/EEC(2). What is the logic behind these arrangements?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The purpose of the proposal for a directive is to eliminate one of the tax obstacles to cross-border cooperation between companies in different Member States. The measure is necessary for the completion of the single market.

However, in order to reduce the financial impact for Member States that are net importers of capital and technology, the proposal provides for gradual elimination of taxation at source. Initially, only payments between associated companies would be concerned. The proposal also provides for a five-year derogation period for Greece and Portugal. Since most interest and royalty payments are between associated companies, the derogation seems to be justified.

It is true that interest and royalties should in principle be fixed as if there were no relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner. That rule, which is completely separate from the transitional measures for Greece and Portugal, is intended to exclude from the scope of the proposal payments which constitute a distribution of profits. The amount of interest or royalty payments not exceeding the amount which would have been agreed in the absence of a special relationship continues to be treated as interest or royalty, even in the case of payments between associated companies, and should thus be caught by the directive. The surplus amount which would be re-characterised as a distribution of profits would benefit from Directive 90/435/EEC, provided that it satisfied the conditions laid down in that directive.

(1) OJ C 123, 22.4.1998, p. 9.

(2) OJ L 225, 20.8.1990, p. 6.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3491/98

by Luigi Moretti (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Presence of radio and television transmission towers in built-up areas

Radio and television transmission towers are increasingly being erected in the vicinity of built-up areas, and sometimes even in town centres.

In view of the fact that the electromagnetic waves produced by these towers constitute a threat to public health, which is reflected in the growing incidence of health problems such as deafness, sleeping disorders, leukemia, etc:

1. Does the Commission intend to make it clearer that such towers located in built-up areas are potentially dangerous?

2. Does it intend to consider drafting a proposal for a regulation laying down a safe distance for such towers from houses and, in particular, from schools and hospitals?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3751/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Financial support for educational charities

Is the Commission aware of the financial assistance being given to educational charities such as the Council for Education in World Citizenship, which purports to be non-partisan and yet, under the banner of Europe 2000, presented a platform of elected representatives recently at North Devon College which included no representative from the Labour Party, despite the fact that the Labour Party forms the government of the UK and has the second highest number of MPs in the region after the Conservative Party?

Will the Commission ensure in future that such organisations are warned of the need for political impartiality?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 1999)

Educational charities are eligible for financial assistance under the EU's Socrates programme for cooperation in education. Subsidies are intended for the implementation of projects, which must adhere to the eligibility criteria laid down under the programme, particularly as regards content and quality. In this context, the profiles of the members of these bodies are only taken into account if the persons concerned are involved in the implementation of a project for which an application for financial assistance has been made. Political affiliations form no part of the eligibility criteria for a project.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3832/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Impact of international financial turmoil on the European steel market - training and further training

The international steel trade faces new challenges; three major regions of the world - Russia, South-East Asia and Latin America - are facing economic problems. The consequences of this are twofold: the shift in traditional trade flows has led to massive increases in imports into Europe, with a 520 % rise in imports from Asia and a 109 % rise in imports from the USA in 1998, and the concentration of markets has resulted in a fall in European exports, exacerbated by a tendency towards regional protectionism. European steel producers have so far coped successfully with this development. In future there will also be a need for targeted training and further training for workers in this sector.

What is the Commission's assessment of the current level of training and the further training available in the steel sector? Where should efforts be stepped up in the future?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The steel industry has experienced many crises over the last twenty years. It has had to make fairly drastic cuts to its labour force, while retraining the workers kept on, in line with ongoing technological progress. As a result, the whole of the present labour force is generally regarded as having a good level of technical training.

Recent examinations of this issue, particularly within the industry itself, suggest that the competitiveness and hence the economic viability of undertakings depend less on the adoption of new production methods and the adaptation of workers to those methods than was previously the case, although both those measures remain necessary. The competitiveness of undertakings would appear to depend increasingly on changes to their internal organisation, based to some extent on workers' individual and collective adherence to a company plan.

Without neglecting technical training, which remains necessary depending on the circumstances, undertakings must therefore, in their workforce training plans, take account of, and perhaps even give priority to, measures designed to make workers more versatile and more collectively and individually aware of their role in the company.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3533/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Meat and bone meal

Would the Commission clarify what the position is in relation to the feeding of meat and bone meal to animals, including poultry, in EU countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

Commission Decision 94/381/EC of 27 June concerning certain protection measures with regard to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the feeding of mammalian derived protein(1), prohibits the feeding of protein derived from mammalian tissues but only to ruminant species. For practical reasons and for the sake of legal consistency, this ban was included in feedingstuffs law by Commission Decision 97/582/EC(2) of 28 July 1997 amending Decision 91/516/EEC(3) establishing a list of ingredients the use of which is prohibited in compound feedingstuffs.

In order to prevent the users of feedingstuffs containing protein derived from tissues of mammals from feeding them to ruminants through ignorance of current legislation, Commission Directives 97/47/EC(4) of 28 July 1997 and 98/67/EC(5) of 7 September 1998 lay down appropriate labelling of compound feedingstuffs and feed-materials respectively, calling the attention to this prohibition.

There is currently no restriction based on Community legislation upon the feeding of meat and bone meal to poultry. However, the Commission proposes to extend the prohibition on the feeding of protein derived from mammals to all farmed species in the areas representing the highest transmissible spongiform encephalopathy risk, in its draft regulation laying down rules for the prevention and control of certain transmissible spongiform ecephalopathies(6).

(1) OJ L 172, 7.7.1994,.

(2) OJ L 237, 28.8.1997.

(3) OJ L 281, 9.10.1991.

(4) OJ L 211, 5.8.1997.

(5) OJ L 261, 24.9.1998.

(6) COM(98) 623 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3939/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space Station

The first section of the International Space Station was launched successfully from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) on 20 November 1998. It is designed to turn into reality things that have for decades been science-fiction dreams. On 3 December the module Zarya (Sunrise) will be joined by the connecting module Unity launched from the United States. There have already been delays owing to economic problems in Russia, but the most serious problem is that there is a new timetable for Russia's launching of the service module, now scheduled for July 1999. In the meantime there is growing criticism. A significant example is the editorial in the 14 November issue of The Economist, which says "With Russia's contribution to the project fast dwindling to nothing, the station is now losing even symbolic value ..., should it be going ahead at all? The answer is no." Nothing is said about assessing the consequences of abandoning the project.

All this is symptomatic of the growing difficulties of international cooperation in various fields of megascience, space, nuclear fusion, etc. Can the Council say what the European position is and what is at stake for the European Space Agency and its members?

Reply

(15 March 1999)

The Council is not in a position to answer this question which would appear to be a matter for the European Space Agency (of which, moreover, not all Member States are members).

It is recalled that Community RTD space-related activities are limited to coordination of activities in those fields of applications (telecommunications, navigation and earth observation) which benefit from space technologies and systems, whilst ensuring synergy with ESA activities.

The Fifth Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration (1998 to 2002) does not include a "space" activity as such.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3948/98

by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Award of DG VIII supply contracts

Under present development-aid arrangements, contracts are awarded by the Commission to third-party suppliers. Can the Commission state what conditions, in particular rules of origin, govern the supply to developing countries of such products as agricultural machinery? Do the same rules of origin also apply to machine components? Can use also be made of undertakings that are established in developing countries, including the recipient country?

Can the Commission set out the reasons for imposing the condition that products may originate only in the Community? Does the Commission not consider that it would be of some assistance to developing countries if products or product components were also allowed to originate in developing countries?

Are the same conditions applied to other programmes such as PHARE or TACIS?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Where aid to non-member countries from the European Development Fund (EDF) is concerned, Article 294(1)(b) of the Lomé Convention stipulates that "supplies must originate in the Community and/or the ACP States, in accordance with the provisions of Annex LIV", a provision which is repeated in Article 4.1(b) of the general regulations, general conditions and procedural rules on conciliation and arbitration for works, supply and service contracts financed by the European Development Fund (EDF). Where contracts funded under Phare and Tacis are concerned, an equivalent clause in inserted in the standard instructions to tenderers. In both cases, eligibility extends to products originating in any beneficiary country on equal terms with Community products.

Furthermore, in duly justified cases, permission can be given (Article 296 of the Lomé Convention; Articles 4 and 6 of the general regulations, general conditions and procedural rules) for firms from non-ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) developing countries to tender. Similar exceptions can be made for Phare and Tacis contracts under Article 114(2) of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities(1).

(1) OJ L 356, 31.12.1977.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2363/98

by Lyndon Harrison (PSE) to the Commission

(15 July 1998)

Subject: Protection of tourists

Bearing in mind an incident this year in which a young child from my constituency received serious injuries when he slipped and put his feet through glass in patio doors at self-catering holiday accommodation in Spain, has the Commission considered harmonizing standards especially with respect to the use of toughened glass in holiday accommodation which is used by tourists from all parts of the EU?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1998)

Building regulations, and more particularly the safety regulations for buildings open to the public, remain within the competence of the Member States.

The Commission has prepared mandates to the European committee for standardisation (CEN) for the harmonisation of standards on doors and windows, including those made of glass, as well as for the harmonisation of standards on floorings, taking into account the anti-slipperiness characteristic, but the regulations related to the different possible uses of these construction products are fixed by each Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4109/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Council. Infringement of the Treaty on European Union - UK participation in attack on Iraq



Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0132



WRITTEN QUESTION E-4109/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council (15 January 1999) Subject: Infringement of the Treaty on European Union - UK participation in attack on Iraq The participation of the UK in military operations against Iraq is an infringement of Article J.1(1) and (2), Article J.2(1) and Article J.8 of the Treaty on European Union since there was no information or consultation before the operations took place. Can the Council confirm or deny the this assertion? Should it be confirmed, what measures does the Council propose to take? Reply (26 April 1999) The Honourable Member would have noticed that no common position on the matter had been defined by the Council. The information and consultation obligations have been respected. Under those circumstances, the Council fails to see how Article J.1(1) and (2), Article J.2(1) or Article J.8 of the Treaty on European Union had been infringed.