ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0259/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (7 February 1997)

Subject: Personal arms and the European single market

In the Labour Party's support for a ban on handguns in the United Kingdom it can be seen that there are clear moral and security aspects to this question. Therefore can the Commission confirm that under single market rules there could be no successful complaint against such a ban in a Member State by a handgun manufacturer or distributor from that or another Member State?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

The Commission would thank the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the debate on handgun controls which is currently taking place in the United Kingdom. It stresses that Member States are free to regulate the personal firearms sector, which has been only partly harmonized, provided that they comply with the rules laid down in the EC Treaty, and in particular the rules governing the single market.

In accordance with these rules, and more particularly Article 36 of the EC Treaty, moral considerations or the need to protect public safety may be relied on by a Member State to justify national measures which have the effect of restricting trade, as long as those measures are proportionate to the objective pursued.

The Commission cannot comment in advance on the conformity of any measures without knowing their details, but it would emphasize that such measures would be compatible with the Treaty only if they were appropriate and not excessive and if there were no alternative solutions that could achieve the desired objective while restricting trade less.

As far as conformity with secondary legislation is concerned, Article 3 of Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons ((OJ L 256, 13.9.1991. )) provides that Member States may adopt provisions which are more stringent than those provided for in the Directive. In other words, a Member State may, for example, prohibit certain weapons that were previously subject to authorization.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0544/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Council (24 February 1997)

Subject: Threatened approval for the demolition of St Paul's Hill near Jerusalem

The Israeli Government has initiated a procedure designed to demolish various tourist attractions on Abu Ghoneim (also known as St Paul's Hill), such as St Theodorus' Well, the ruins of St Luke's Church and the ruins of the Monastery of Marines, in order to replace them with the Jewish settlement Har Homa.

This involves demolishing what Palestinian Christians regard as a historic site.

Is the Council prepared to urge the Israeli Government to preserve this important historic site and, hence, to review the construction of this new settlement?

Answer (20 May 1997)

The attention of the Honourable Member is attracted to the declaration made on 27 February 1997 by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the decision of the Israeli government to approve construction plans for Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0608/97 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (27 February 1997)

Subject: Auto/Oil Programme

The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(96)0248) is entitled 'a future strategy for the control of atmospheric emissions from road transport taking into account the results of the Auto/Oil Programme'.

The title indicates that the strategy is concerned with 'road transport' but it is unclear what this actually means.

Is the Auto/Oil Programme concerned only with vehicles being driven in city streets or also with those being driven on roads and motorways?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1997)

The Commission's communication and the proposals contained within it are concerned with improving air quality both in urban and rural areas. The proposed measures will significantly reduce emissions of the main urban pollutants as well as the production of tropospheric ozone, which is formed by the reactions of mainly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds and which has a regional scale of impact.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1084/97 by Tony Cunningham (PSE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Review of the Prasac programme

The Prasac programme (Rehabilitation and Support Programme for the Agricultural Sector of Cambodia) has now been studied twice; by the EC internally in a mid-term review last April and by the NGO Forum in May 1996. The results of these studies are worrying and showed weaknesses in design, planning and implementation of the programme.

In the light of the results of these reports what steps has the Commission taken to date to overcome these problems? How does the Commission intend to improve the overall effectiveness of this programme in the future?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1997)

Prasac is the largest Commission-sponsored project in Cambodia (ECU 36.8 million). It was born from the Community's desire to help the country get back on its feet after the peace agreements signed in Paris in 1991 and reflects the urgent need to guarantee stability through a revitalized agricultural sector.

Less than two years after the start of Prasac, two evaluation missions sent out by the Commission and the NGO Forum found certain shortcomings in the design, planning and implementation of the project. With greater hindsight, the Commission can now put these criticisms in perspective and highlight the practical results of the programme.

A recent mission to project sites and government authorities revealed the successes of the various components - farm credit, village water supply, regeneration of large-scale irrigated cropland, improvements in farm production and microbusiness incentives.

Although the results are generally good, both the Commission and the Cambodian government now see a need to consolidate the programme around its essential component parts, which have proved most successful with local people. The aim is to switch from emergency activities and turn Prasac into a sustainable integrated rural development operation, and the Commission will be sending out a mission this summer to assess the emergency programme and work out how it should be consolidated. Sustainability will of course be the basis for any action undertaken.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0409/97 by Manuel Medina Ortega (PSE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: URBAN programme

What will be the sphere of application of the URBAN programme in the Canaries?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1997)

In the Canary Islands the Urban Community Initiative is, in line with the Commission's original communication ((OJ C 180, 1.7.1994. )), being implemented in the framework of the Regis Community Initiative. The towns selected are Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (La Isleta district) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (historic centre).

In response to the Commission's communication on prolongation of Urban ((OJ C 200, 10.7.1996. )) the Spanish authorities on 10 January 1997 presented a proposal for a programme now being examined. A decision should be taken in the course of the spring.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Minority languages: Esperanto

What cultural value does the Commission place upon the minority language of Esperanto? Does it have the same status as other European Union minority languages and is it entitled to any EU funding? If not, does the Commission have any plans to incorporate Esperanto into any cultural and linguistic programmes in the future?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1997)

Esperanto is an artificial language and, in historical terms, can be seen as one of a number of attempts by intellectuals and philosophers to create a universal language capable of surmounting the obstacles between peoples separated by the language barrier and thus contribute to greater unity throughout the world. Of the various attempts to create an artificial language, such as Volapük, Esperandido, Interlingua, etc., Esperanto has definitely been the most successful.

As regards the Community action in support of regional and minority languages and cultures (heading B3-1006 of the general budget of the Communities), the Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to its answer to written question E-888/97 by Ms Jackson ((See page 187. )).

Given that artificial languages are not a product of the national or regional culture of any Member State - and irrespective of how interesting they may be in philosophical and historical terms -, initiatives and research relating to such languages do not fall within the scope of the Community action with respect to either the cultural aspect or heading B3-1006.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0926/97 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: The EDF and the fisheries agreement with Mauritania

Can the Commission say what appropriations were paid to Mauritania under the EDF in 1995 and 1996 to finance the development of the national fisheries sector, and can it list the specific products for which this aid was used?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0923/97, E-0924/97, E-0925/97, E-0926/97, E-0927/97, E-0928/97, E-0929/97, E-0930/97, E-0931/97, E-0932/97, E-0933/97 and E-0934/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1997)

In reply to questions on allocations and specific projects to develop the fisheries sector in 12 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, a document listing fisheries projects in developing countries that have received EC aid has been sent to the Honourable Member and lodged with Parliament's General Secretariat.

The document comprises tables giving detailed information including the types of project, their objectives, the recipients and the Community contribution.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0172/97 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (3 February 1997)

Subject: Substandard rice from Thailand within the GATT agreement

Following urgent discussions with the European Rice Millers' Association about their concerns at the quality of rice from Thailand at the end of last year and their lack of redress, what steps is the Commission taking to identify the problem, and to avoid a recurrence?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 February 1997)

The Commission has been informed that the European rice millers considered some quantities of parboiled rice shipped within the Thai tariff quota (Council Regulation (EC) No 1522/96 of 24 July 1996 opening and providing for the administration of certain tariff quotas for imports of rice and broken rice ((OJ L 190, 31.7.1996. ))) were of bad quality.

The Regulation does not establish any quality requirement but only provides tariff quotas for imports and the respective duty reduction. The Commission cannot take any measure regarding conditions of contracts of private law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0861/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Drugs

With regard to budget heading B3-4302: Health aspects of drug abuse, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0657/97 by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Certification of furniture coverings in Italy

I am informed that furniture coverings for supply under a tendering procedure for the fitout of public buildings, hotels, etc must be examined by a testing agency. Throughout virtually the whole of Europe, the relevant Austrian certificates and documentation are recognized but not in Italy. This means that furniture coverings intended for use in Italy must undergo a particularly expensive and cumbersome testing and certification procedure. If this test is not carried out, the danger exists that an hotel which uses a material that has not been tested in Italy will lose its (fire) insurance cover or, in the event of a reopening, will not be granted a trading licence.

1. Is the Commission aware of these obstacles to the internal market?

2. Have complaints of this nature already been brought to its attention?

3. How is it possible that Italy can maintain this obstacle to the internal market?

4. What steps is the Commission contemplating in order to remove this obstacle?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission would thank the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the problems being encountered by Austrian producers of furniture coverings when supplying their products to Italy.

It is aware that, in the case of certain products, the fire insurance certificates issued in the other Member States are not recognized in Italy. One complaint has already been lodged and the Commission has instituted proceedings against Italy in a case uncovered by it on its own initiative. In both instances, the Commission has conveyed its observations to the Italian authorities. Their replies are being examined by the Commission.

The Commission will look into the problems raised in this connection by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0816/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Community subsidies to associations, NGOs and various other bodies

With regard to heading B7-631 (Aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries), can the Commission provide a complete list of associations, NGOs and other bodies benefiting from Community subsidies and the exact amount of these subsidies for the last completed budgetary year, i.e. 1996?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-0863/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Public health

With regard to budget heading B3-4300: Public health, health promotion, information on health, health education and public health training, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0311/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: Problems facing the Greek shipping sector

Repeated reports in the Greek press note that the number of ships on the Greek shipping register is declining almost daily.

In particular, the imposition of excessive taxes on shipbuilders and seamen has engendered a feeling of despair among the shipping community in Greece, and as a last resort ships are being registered under foreign flags.

Greek shipyards are also facing enormous problems, since the decision by the Greek authorities to impose stamp duty on shipbuilding and ship repair and maintenance work is causing the further marginalization of the already ailing Greek shipbuilding industry.

The effect of all this is to favour the shipping registers of non-EU countries and to erode the competitiveness of the Greek - and hence also the European - shipping sector, since the Greek fleet accounts for more than 50% of the EU fleet.

Will the Commission say what action it has already taken - or intends to take in future - to prevail upon the Greek authorities to reexamine their policy in this sector and thus stem the steady decline in the number of Greek-registered ships, which is having disruptive consequences for the whole cycle of shipping activities in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)

As the Honourable Member may know, flagging-out is a general problem affecting most Member States. Member States, including Greece, have sought to address shipping problems and to develop the competitive position of their fleets in various ways. In its communication of 13 March 1996 ((OJ C 56, 24.2.1997. )) the Commission reviewed the Community's maritime strategy and that of the Member States over the last decade and proposed ways of developing a new common maritime policy.

The Commission has been striving to bring about a significant degree of convergence between the support measures developed by Member States to assist their shipping industries. There appears to be a consensus that a new approach to state aid should be developed. The Commission is therefore currently preparing revised Guidelines on State Aids to shipping companies, which will set out the criteria against which the Commission will allow Member States to provide, inter alia, fiscal relief for Community shipowners and seafarers. However, such revised guidelines will not entail an obligation for Member States to reduce taxes. As the Honourable Member will know, fiscal policy at present falls largely within the legal competence of the Member States, which naturally have to weigh sectorial interests against their budgetary situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0484/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Access to Commission buildings

According to a report in the journal Disability Now, January 1997, the UK Woman of Europe nominee Rachel Hurst could not attend the award ceremony at the Commission's London office because there was no access for wheelchairs.

Member States Hurst, Chair of Disability People's International, Europe region, is reported as having been furious that no effort was made to make the building accessible. She stated 'they only let me know the night before that no ramp would be provided.'

What steps is the Commission going to take to ensure that no similar instance arises?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (1 April 1997)

The event to which the Honourable Member refers was not organised by the Commission's representation in London but by the British president of the women of Europe award. As in previous years the representation allowed the event to be held at its premises. Shortly before this year's ceremony the representation was alerted to the fact that a person using a wheelchair was among the nominees for the award.

Regrettably, the building suffers from a lack of wheelchair access or wheelchair manoeuvrability within, which is common to many tall and narrow Victorian buildings of this kind in the United Kingdom. A further complication is that, as a listed building it is legally difficult if not impossible to carry out work that would make it accessible to wheelchairs.

In the light of these unfortunate circumstances, the head of London representation asked the organizer of the event to reconsider arrangements for the evening. This was declined.

For some time the Commission has been looking for suitable premises to which it could relocate, which would allow arrangements that would overcome these kind of problems. However financial considerations and a shortage of alternative premises have meant that progress has not been as swift as one would have wished.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1190/97 by Shaun Spiers (PSE) to the Commission (3 April 1997)

Subject: Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

How does the Commission, when framing legislation, ensure that the sincerely held beliefs of genuine religious (and other) minorities are respected?

Does the Commission feel that regulations and directives do not need specific derogations on issues of conscience or belief, because it expects them to be put into practice in a way which is consistent with freedom of thought, conscience and religion?

Additionally, does the Commission accept that national governments have the right and power to include specific conscience provisions related to the unique population of each country, in the national legislation which implements directives?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission attaches great importance to the observance of human rights, whether or not those concerned are members of minorities. When drawing up proposals for legislation, it therefore takes great care to ensure that the instruments do not undermine the rights of any citizen of the Union.

The Court ensures that human rights are respected by enforcing the general principles underlying Community law, replying in particular on the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 9 of which stipulates that everyone has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

In the Member States human rights and fundamental freedoms are well protected by effective control systems, both internally through the national courts and externally by the machinery established under the Convention which all Member States have long since ratified.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1164/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1997)

Subject: Possible discrimination in issues of taxation under European Law

Is the Commission aware that under UK law council tenants are forced through their rent payments to subsidize social security (housing benefit) payments to private tenants, because of legislation requiring 'ring fencing' of the Housing Revenue Account? As this burden falls on Council tenants disproportionately, rather than on all citizens through general taxation, will the Commission comment on whether there is a possibility that this constitutes discrimination in matters of taxation under European law? Will the Commission have discussions with the British Government, and launch an investigation in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

Apart from the requirement to respect the Community law principles of equality of treatment on the basis of nationality and of sex, as well as the coordination provisions contained in Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2nd December 1996 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons their families moving with the Community ((OJ L 28, 30.1.1997. )), each Member State is responsible for the organisation and the financing of its own social protection system and its own system of taxation.

The Commission has no competence to intervene in the situation described by the Honourable Member.