ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3963/98

by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission

(21 December 1998)

Subject: Industrial Relations Observatory - Dublin Foundation

Would the Commission kindly supply detailed information about the output of the Observatory including:

1. the Observatory's 1998 work programme,

2. copies of all reports and papers produced by the Observatory in 1998,

3. details of the Observatory's 1999 work programme?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1999)

1. The European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) became fully operational in 1998. Its 1998 work programme was carried out in full, and comprised the following: publication of six issues of the EIRObserver, which contains information on industrial relations at national and Community levels; publication of six comparative studies on parental leave, continuing training, working time, European works councils, worker participation and teleworking; publication of the 1997 annual review of industrial relations in 1997; generalisation of access to EIROnline; start-up of an enquiry service.

2. The Commission informs the Honourable Member that these publications can be requested from the Dublin Foundation (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Wyattville Road, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland; tel. +353 1 204 3100, fax +353 1 282 6545, e-mail eiroinfo@eiro.eurofound.ie).

3. In 1999 news, features and comparative studies will continue to be added to EIROnline, the database of EIRO. EIRO comparative studies will continue to be produced every two months and will concern temporary agency work, work organisation, industrial relations in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), europeanisation of collective bargaining, social effects of privatisation, and posted workers. The 1998 annual review will be published in both online and printed formats in spring 1999. EIRObserver, which presents a selection of EIROnline records, will continue to be published - in both printed and electronic formats - and distributed to EURO's target audience. An enquiry service will continue for selected representatives of EIRO's core target audience, and various promotional activities will again be organised. The inclusion in the EIRO project of the countries which are due to join the Community over the coming years will be also examined.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2711/98

by Anneli Hulthén (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Making it easier for farmers to apply for farm subsidies

Applications are never even made for much of the money in Sweden's farm subsidy kitty. Farmers argue that one of the reasons for this is that the procedure, with its large number of application forms, is too complex and takes up too much of their working time. After all, farmers have not chosen their occupation in order to sit in front of piles of paper. Has the Commission revised the application procedure so as to minimise the number of forms and thus simplify applications? If not, can it see that there is a need to make things easier for farmers and hence take steps to devise a system involving fewer forms?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

The Commission is not sure what type of aid the Honourable Member is referring to. For example, in the arable crops sector, applications for subsidies are submitted for more than 90 % of base area in Sweden.

The Commission is aware of the amount of effort farmers have to put into filling in forms. At the same time it has to be said that it is the Member States which are responsible for the lay-out and clarity of forms. Also, the need for a formal aid application procedure is inevitably linked to the existence of a common policy financed by public resources, the use of which needs to be justified to the taxpayer.

While the task is not an easy one, the Commission is making a massive effort to simplify the common agricultural policy (CAP) by cutting out as much red tape as possible and making agricultural legislation clearer, more transparent and more accessible.

In recent years, simplification has been the Commission's watchword in reforming the CAP. A good illustration of this is the agricultural part of the proposals under Agenda 2000(1), presented in March 1998(2), in which much attention has been paid to simplification, in particular as regards arable crops and rural development. The Commission proposals for reforming the market organisations for olive oil and wine contain significant simplification measures. The Commission is not the only actor on the stage. Different and sometimes contradictory interests of Member States come into play and are often one of the causes of the complexity of the various implementing regulations.

(1) COM(97) 2000 final.

(2) OJ C 170, 4.6.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3987/98

by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Confidence between the Commission and Parliament

The President of the Commission, Jacques Santer, recently gave Parliament an interesting outline of his views on the development of the Commission. Since I was not accorded the requested opportunity to speak in the ensuing debate, I am tabling my question in writing.

One term which - quite rightly - was repeatedly stressed in Mr Santer's address was "confidence". It is also required in relations between the Commission and Parliament. At present, confidence can be measured only by means of Parliament's vote of confidence or no confidence in the Commission in its entirety. However, in instances such as BSE and the recent fraud controversy, responsibility rests with only one or a few Members of the Commission who have failed to act in such a way as to inspire confidence. Yet it is not possible to pass a vote of no confidence in those concerned, an option which would ensure that duties were performed more effectively and emphasise individual responsibility.

What view does the President of the Commission take of the idea of amending the basic rules so as to make it possible to pass a vote of no confidence in a single Member of the Commission who has failed in his duties, which would not damage the confidence existing between Parliament and the rest of the Commission? If the reply is favourable, what will he do to bring about the requisite changes?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

Any move to pass a vote of confidence on one Member of the Commission would necessitate, as the Honourable Member points out, an amendment to the Treaties. A significant change in the system whereby the Commission is treated as a single entity, as reaffirmed by the Treaty of Amsterdam, would require an in-depth study of the matter.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4006/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Subject: Unfair competition from the shipyards of South Korea

The shipyards of Europe are suffering as a result of severe unfair competition from those of South Korea, a country which is using loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to undercut European prices by a considerable margin.

Does the Commission think it right that South Korea should use IMF loans in order to subsidise unfair competitive practices on the part of its shipyards?

What measures is the Commission prepared to propose or accept in order to prevent such competition from South Korean shipyards and to support the activities of European shipyards?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

The Commission is following developments in the Asian financial crisis and their impact on European shipbuilders closely. It is keeping particularly close watch on Korea's use of financial aid from international institutions.

During his recent visit to Korea, Sir Leon Brittan reiterated that the government could in no circumstances grant special treatment to the industrial conglomerates with which Korea's shipyards are associated.

On 16 November Mr Bangemann reported on this issue and what the Commission was doing about it to the Council meeting on industry. Backed by the Council on the need to act against any unfair competition, he proposed that the Member States use their influence with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure that Korea complied with the conditions governing international aid.

The Commission has yet to receive any conclusive evidence that Korea has not complied with the international rules. None of the IMF's reports suggest any use of IMF funds to finance Korean industry, and in particular shipbuilding.

The Commission would conclude by informing the Honourable Member that the new Regulation on aid to shipbuilding came into force on 1 January(1). There being no international (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)agreement in this sector, the Regulation is intended to improve the competitiveness of European shipyards by means of an appropriate aid policy and overcome the gap separating them from their international competitors, in particular Japan and Korea.

(1) Regulation (EC) 1540/98 of 29 June 1998, OJ L 202, 18.7.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3707/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Human stem cells and tissue engineering

Recent reports state that US and British research institutions are involved in the cloning and redesign of "master" stem cells obtained from human embryos in order to produce body components.

1. Can the Council please confirm that no EU funds are being used, either directly or indirectly, in such research?

2. Will the Council also please indicate in which EU Member States such research is permitted and what legal and ethical controls exist?

Reply

(29 March 1999)

1. Under the Fifth Framework Programme for Research (1998-2002), the specific thematic programme "Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources" includes amongst the generic research activities the study of problems relating to medical ethics and bioethics in the context of respect for fundamental human values. It is stated in this respect that research activities under the programme must comply with the international conventions and codes of conduct and with relevant Community legislation. In particular, "no research activity which modifies or is intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings by alteration of germ cells or by acting at any other stage in embryonic development and which can make such alteration hereditary will be supported under the present Framework Programme."

2. The Council has no competence to overview the activities carried out by the Member States in this domain.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4014/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 January 1999)

Subject: Water supply on Aegean islands

The islands of the Aegean are encountering an increasing number of problems with their water supply owing to the limited possibilities of pumping up ground water and the decline of traditional methods of collecting rainwater. At the same time, current needs and the pressure of tourism are bringing about an increase in demand for water. The problem is being tackled by using expensive methods of transporting water from other regions, though in this case too, supplies are precarious and the quality of the water is questionable.

Encouraging the trend towards support for renewable energy sources, could the Commission help to bring about a permanent solution to the water supply problem on the islands by means of desalination and the use of solar, wind and kinetic energy?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

The Community has already part-financed substantial infrastructure works on the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea to solve problems relating to water, particularly drinking water. This part-finance has been provided through the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes, the Community support frameworks for 1989-93 and 1994-99, the special measures for these islands and certain Community Initiatives.

The bulk of these works concern traditional facilities such as dams, rainwater collectors, pipes for drinking water and irrigation networks; they are normally regarded as preferable to desalination since, in most cases, they also help solve the problem of water for irrigation by providing adequate quantities of good quality water at an acceptable price.

If proposals relating to the methods referred to by the Honourable Member were put forward by the Greek authorities, the Commission would consider them under the current programmes in the light of alternative solutions, other priorities and the budgetary resources available.

Again, if the Greek authorities so request and budgetary resources are available, the Cohesion Fund is still willing to part-finance water-supply projects on the Aegean islands, as it has already done on Mytilene and Crete.

It should be noted that this Fund has already financed a study on coordinated measures for the environment on Santorini and Thirassia so that the Greek authorities can submit to the Commission an application for finance for an integrated pilot project including measures relating to water supply, the production of drinking water by desalination, the treatment of waste water and waste disposal. If this pilot project succeeds, it may provide an example of how other islands could find permanent and reliable solutions to their problems.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3240/98

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Subject: Oil spill off the Portuguese coast

On 3 October 1998 an oil slick was spotted at Figueira da Foz which has since spread for 40 kilometres along Portugal's western coast.

The origin of the crude oil is as yet unknown, but the damage to this long stretch of the Portuguese coastline is already considerable and may worsen further if the slick continues to spread.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Is there any specific financial mechanism to support Member States in alleviating the negative impact and damage caused by accidents such as the one which has occurred along the coast at Figueira da Foz?

2. Can the Commission provide detailed information on the transposition and application in Portugal of Community directives concerning prevention, safety and checks with regard to the transport of dangerous and polluting materials by ship?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1998)

1. The Commission's activities relating to the control and reduction of pollution caused by the discharge at sea of hydrocarbons consist of support for the efforts of Member States to improve their capabilities for response to major pollution incidents and to create the conditions for efficient mutual assistance and co-operation. Any intervention is the responsibility of the affected Member State, which can prosecute the polluter, if known, following the "polluter pays" principle. Therefore, no financial instrument exists at the Community level for any intervention against pollution at sea or on the coast. However, expertise could be provided on a short term basis in order to assist Member State services undertaking relevant activities after a major incident.

There are no specific funds available for cases such as that described under the terms of the assistance given by the Community to foster economic and social cohesion. Additional measures linked to regional development and cohesion could be supported from the funds (e.g. studies on the further impact of the spillage) only in exceptional cases.

2. The only Community legislation relating to the transport of dangerous and polluting materials on board ships is Council Directive 93/75/EEC of 13 September 1993 concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for, or leaving, Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods(1). Portuguese law was brought into conformity with this Directive by Decree 94/96 adopted on 17 July 1996. The Commission is satisfied that the Portuguese decree fully meets the requirements of the Directive, and has no reason to doubt that the decree is being fully applied.

(1) OJ L 247, 5.10.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Agriculture in Portugal's inland area

Can the Commission provide information on the prospects for agriculture in Portugal's inland areas? What action does it intend to take in the future as regards the special contribution which farming can make to the development of rural areas in Portugal?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

Structural aid financed by the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), under the second Community Support Framework for Portugal (1994-1999), is granted through the following programmes:

- the subprogramme on agriculture (which covers the whole of Portugal, except the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira), which is allocated an overall amount of ECU 1 698 million and aims at modernisation and improving the competitiveness of Portuguese agriculture. This financial aid is distributed between the various mainland regions according to priorities established by the Member State;

- the PPDR (promotion of regional development potential) which includes a special measure aimed at the development of rural centres, where the EAGGF Guidance Section provides funding of ECU 24 million;

- the Pediza (special integrated development programme for the Alqueva area) is a multifund programme which aims at the development of an inland area of the country threatened by desertification and drought. The EAGGF Guidance Section provides funding of ECU 70 million.

The Commission will continue in the future to attach great importance to local development in rural areas, as the core of a diversification and development policy for such areas.

In the proposal for a Regulation on support for rural development from the EAGGF(1), it groups together all the rural development measures from which the Member State will have to choose those which are likely to have the most positive effects on the future development of rural areas.

The next programming period for the Structural Funds (2000-2006) will be the subject of negotiations between the Member State and the Commission, on the basis of a proposal to be submitted by the Member State.

(1) OJ C 170, 4.6.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3420/98 by Amedeo AMADEO Cabin crews in civil aviation



Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0005



WRITTEN QUESTION E-3420/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 November 1998) Subject: Cabin crews in civil aviation With reference to the proposal for a Council Directive on safety requirements and attestation of professional competence for cabin crews in civil aviation (COM(97) 0382 final - 97/0212 SYN)(1), would the Commission provide a more precise definition of the term "cabin crew" (Article 1(1))? We consider that the "cabin crew" consists of all the persons employed in providing cabin services on board an aircraft. The directive in question, therefore, should apply without exception to all members of the cabin staff. (1) OJ C 263, 29.8.1997, p. 5.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3794/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: The fight against trafficking in illegal immigrants; eastward enlargement

The fight against trafficking in illegal immigrants has been identified as a major interest of the Union in view of the forthcoming enlargement. However, according to my information in some of the candidate countries the trafficking in foreigners is not yet even a criminal offence.

1. Can the Commission confirm this fact in the light of the information at its disposal?

2. Which candidate countries are involved?

3. Are efforts being made during pre-accession cooperation to remedy this?

4. If so, what progress has been achieved with the preparatory work and what exactly has been done hitherto?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

1. and 2. The Commission understands that the smuggling in or out of aliens is an punishable offence in all Central and Eastern European candidate countries. The range of penalties varies from country to country.

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3. and 4. The Honourable Member will be aware of the fact that the screening of the acquis communautaire is currently under way. The area of Justice and home affairs is part of this exercise and will be fully screened up until mid 1999. In the context of this process the Commission attaches much importance to the issue of smuggling in or out of people.

Furthermore the Council adopted on 29 June 1998 a joint action on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union(1) which established a mechanism for collective evaluation of the enactment, application and effective implementation by the applicant countries of the acquis of the Union in the field of Justice and home affairs. The group of experts established under this joint action is currently examining the applicant countries in turn.

(1) OJ L 191, 7.7.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0739/98

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Discrimination against non-ABTA travel agents

Documents forwarded to me reveal serious discrimination by regional education authorities in the United Kingdom against tour operators who do not belong to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) or do not have their registered offices in the United Kingdom. Teachers are, for example, instructed by these regional education authorities on no account to choose non-British tour operators or firms that are not members of ABTA to arrange a school ski course in Austria. If this instruction is not followed, the course is not approved. This attitude is all the more incomprehensible as it can hardly be argued that ABTA members provide 'better' safeguards for the customer's money since the firm concerned is subject to the Austrian travel agency safeguard regulation (safeguards for customers' money), which is equivalent to the British legislation (Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992) implementing the same EU directive. To be able to offer to arrange school ski courses, the Austrian firm concerned tried to join ABTA (despite the substantial increase in costs this would have entailed). This proved impossible, however, because ABTA's statutes are so worded as de facto to limit membership to British firms. The attitude of the regional education authorities, especially in conjunction with the approach adopted by ABTA, is now thwarting all the good intentions associated with the establishment of the internal market.

1. Is the Commission aware of these events?

2. What does the Commission think of the attitude taken by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the British regional education authorities?

3. What does the Commission intend to do about the attitude taken by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the British regional education authorities in this matter?

Answer given by MrMonti on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.