do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 583/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Discontinuation of project to supply Athens with water from the River Evinos
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, Greece, engineering structure, hydraulic works, supply, water supply













EUR-Lex - 91997E0583 - EN






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91997E0583

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 583/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Discontinuation of project to supply Athens with water from the River Evinos  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0123 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0583/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (25 February 1997)Subject: Discontinuation of project to supply Athens with water from the River EvinosWork on the Evinos dam - a project that would solve Athens' water supply problem - has reportedly been stopped a few months before completion. The contractor asked for the work to be stopped because of disagreements with the Ministry of Regional Planning and Public Works over technical aspects of the project and the cost.The Cohesion Fund, which is financing the work, appears to be aware of developments and to have approved the termination of the contract.1. Can the Commission specify the cause of the disagreements which led to the abandonment of the work, and2. what measures will the Commission pursue, in cooperation with the government, to complete the project?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (7 April 1997)The Commission was informed by the Greek authorities of the interruption of construction work on the Evinos dam but never gave its agreement.Meanwhile, the Greek authorities have informed the Commission of a ministerial decision authorising continuation of the project with the existing contractor and declaring the stoppage of work null and void.The Commission will monitor the project very closely to ensure that it is completed under the most favourable contractual and technical conditions.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 577/97 by Jens-Peter BONDE to the Commission. Safety information sheets for dangerous preparations
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: BONDE, European Parliament
Subjects: consumer information, dangerous substance, labelling, marketing, packaging, producer's liability, product safety, public health













EUR-Lex - 91997E0577 - EN






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91997E0577

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 577/97 by Jens-Peter BONDE to the Commission. Safety information sheets for dangerous preparations  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0120 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0577/97 by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission (25 February 1997)Subject: Safety information sheets for dangerous preparationsWill the Commission propose that it be made compulsory for safety information sheets to be issued when dangerous preparations are sold, as is the practice in Denmark?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)Safety data sheets must be submitted to the industrial users of dangerous preparations on the first delivery of preparations on the basis of Article 10 of Council Directive 88/379/EEC on classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations ((OJ L 187, 16.7.1988. )), and as further defined by Commission Directives 91/155/EEC ((OJ L 76, 22.3.1991. )) and 93/112/EEC ((OJ L 314, 16.12.1993. )) on safety data sheets.Under Directive 91/155/EEC safety data sheets need not be supplied to the general public, but only to industrial users of dangerous preparations. However, the packages of dangerous preparations must be labelled with sufficient information for the protection of health and safety of the consumers.The Commission has proposed a new directive on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations ((OJ C 283, 26.9.1996. )). This proposal introduces two important new elements to the provisions on safety data sheets. Firstly, the safety data sheets need to be compiled also for pesticides. Secondly, the obligation to provide professional users with safety data sheets on request applies also in cases where preparations are not classified as dangerous within the meaning of the Directive but they contain at least one dangerous substance or a substancewith an occupational exposure limit in concentration greater than 1 % (0.2 % for gases). No change is proposed to the rules on distribution of safety data sheets.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 582/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Market in medical equipment in Greece
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, equipment cost, medical device, medical institution, public contract, restriction on competition













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91997E0582

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 582/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Market in medical equipment in Greece  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0122 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0582/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (25 February 1997)Subject: Market in medical equipment in GreeceA Ministry of Health report into the finances of the national health service in Greece (Vima of 26 January and 2 February 1997) shows that the prices paid by Greek hospitals for medical equipment and supplies are, on average, three to five times higher than those paid by hospitals in England.As a result of this overpricing, there is a huge outflow of funds from the health service, deficits are growing etc. In view of the fact that allegations have also been made about unorthodox practices in the procurement of these supplies and that such variations in price are in any case evidence per se that competition for supplying the equipment is not working, will the Commission say:1. whether it is aware of this problem and will investigate the matter, and2. what immediate steps it will take to normalize the market?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1997)The Commission was not aware of this problem.There are no specific Community rules on the pricing of medical equipment. The Commission is prepared to examine any relevant information it might receive regarding the competition rules.The Commission would also draw the Honourable Member's attention to the Directives on public contracts. Proper application of these Directives by the awarding authorities will produce the requisite transparency of equipment prices and ensure the contract goes to the tender offering the best balance between price and quality.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 590/97 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Council. Reflection group on measures to combat organized crime
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, MENDEZ DE VIGO
Subjects: Court of Justice of the European Union, action programme, fight against crime, international conference, judicial proceedings, organised crime













EUR-Lex - 91997E0590 - EN






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91997E0590

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 590/97 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Council. Reflection group on measures to combat organized crime  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0125 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0590/97 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Council (25 February 1997)Subject: Reflection group on measures to combat organized crimeCan the Council supply information about the work being carried out by the high-level group set up to consider how to improve the existing legal instruments for combatting organized crime?Answer (27 May 1997)The European Council (Dublin, 13-14 December 1996) decided to create a high level group to draw up a comprehensive Action Plan containing specific recommendations, including realistic timetables for carrying out the work.The Group was asked to examine the fight against organized crime in all its aspects on the clear understanding that it would refer any issues involving Treaty change to the Intergovernmental Conference which is addressing Treaty changes in this area as a priority. It was invited to complete its work by March/April 1997.The high level group is currently examining the matter of the fight against organized crime and is actively considering a draft Action Plan. It is expected that the group will be able to fulfil the mandate given to it by the European Council and that it will complete its report as requested in March/April 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 568/97 by Ulf HOLM to the Council. A common financial policy
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, HOLM
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European Central Bank, financial policy, monetary policy, third stage of EMU













EUR-Lex - 91997E0568 - EN






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91997E0568

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 568/97 by Ulf HOLM to the Council. A common financial policy  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0018 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0568/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Council (25 February 1997)Subject: A common financial policyEMU will involve ECB coordination of Member States' monetary policies. Several economists believe that, if monetary union is to be fully operative, financial policies should also be coordinated.Does the Council agree with them?Answer (14 July 1997)The Council wishes to direct the honoured member's attention to the fact that in the third stage of EMU as regards participating Member States, the European System of Central Banks will according to Article 105 of the Treaty and the Protocol on the ESCB define and implement the monetary policy of the Community. Concerning exchange rate policy, the Council may according to Article 109 of the Treaty conclude formal agreements on an exchange-rate system in relation to non-Community currencies consistent with the objective of price stability or in the absence of such a system formulate general orientations for exchange-rate policy. These general orientations shall be without prejudice to the primary objective of the ESCB to maintain price stability.For economic policy in general, including budgetary policies, other rules apply. Article 102a says that Member States shall conduct their economic policies with a view to contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Community.Article 3a(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community stipulates that the activities of the Member States and the Community shall include the adoption of an economic policy based on the close coordination of Member States' economic policies.Under the procedure provided for in Article 103 of the Treaty the Council determines the broad guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States and of the Community.In order to ensure closer coordination of these policies and sustained convergence the Council monitors the development of economic performance in the Member States and the consistency of Member States' policies with the broad guidelines.In this context, in stage three of EMU, the Council will examine the stability programmes of participating Member States, and the convergence programmes of the non-participating Member States. In stage three of EMU Member States remain responsible for their national budgetary policies, subject to the provisions of the Treaty and the Stability and Growth Pact.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 581/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Cost of road haulage in Europe
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: axle tax, carriage of goods, charges for use of infrastructure, combined transport, commercial vehicle, road transport, toll, transport infrastructure, transport price, vehicle tax













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91997E0581

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 581/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Cost of road haulage in Europe  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0121 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0581/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (25 February 1997)Subject: Cost of road haulage in EuropeAccording to a report in the Greek magazine Trans Weekly, European road haulage is the most expensive in the world. A survey carried out by the IRU shows that the present cost of road haulage is the highest in the world and as much as 25% more expensive than in the USA.The main reasons for this are the varying standards of infrastructure encountered by hauliers in Europe, the variations in services provided from one country to another, the long delays and, in particular, the high level of indirect taxation on lorries. The cost of tolls and combined transport (road-sea-road and rail-road) is exceptionally high, particularly for hauliers operating out of countries such as Greece with its familiar problems of distance and lack of alternative routes.Will the Commission consider immediate action to reduce the burden on HGVs, especially on those from countries which are far removed from the EU's main markets, as the additional cost of transport makes products from those countries less competitive?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)Last year the Commission made a proposal ((OJ C 59, 26.2.1997. )) to replace Directive 93/89/EEC on road taxes and charges for heavy goods vehicles ((OJ L 279, 12.11.1993. )) by a more differentiated structure of charges according to the damage vehicles cause to road infrastructure and the environment. The proposed rules require that toll rates should be set so that the resulting revenues do not exceed the costs of constructing, operating and developing the relevant infrastructure, plus a rate of return attainable in similar investment projects. In addition, Member States may add an external cost element at a level reflecting the corresponding external costs, up to a maximum of ECU 0.03 per kilometre.The Commission proposal is currently being examined in Parliament and in the Council. The possibility of granting special treatment to vehicles from certain peripheral Member States, including Greece, is at the moment also under discussion.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 594/97 by Leen van der WAAL to the Commission. Transporting 45-foot containers by road
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN DER WAAL
Subjects: carriage of goods, combined transport, container, intra-EU transport, length of journey, maritime transport, road transport, transport regulations, weight and size













EUR-Lex - 91997E0594 - EN






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91997E0594

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 594/97 by Leen van der WAAL to the Commission. Transporting 45-foot containers by road  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0126 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0594/97 by Leen van der Waal (I-EDN) to the Commission (25 February 1997)Subject: Transporting 45-foot containers by roadIn its opinion for the Dutch Minister of Transport and Waterways on trans-European intermodal goods transport the Dutch Council for Transport and Waterways says that not allowing 45-foot containers on the roads would have an adverse effect on the development of intermodal short-sea shipping.1. Does the Commission share this view? If not, why not?2. If it does share this view, is it prepared to submit proposals to the Council and Parliament so that transporting 45-foot containers by road will still be possible?3. What other measures are currently being taken at European level to encourage the development of intermodal short-sea shipping?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 April 1997)Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 (laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorized dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorized weights in international traffic ((OJ L 235, 17.9.1996. ))) sets two limits concerning the length of semi-trailers. The first stipulates that the maximum length between the kingpin and the rear of the semi-trailer is 12 metres. The second requires that the horizontal distance forward of the kingpin shall not exceed 2.04 metres. Furthermore the Directive explicitly states that for the purposes of the Directive, containers and swap bodies are included in the above maximum dimensions (and so may not circumvent the limits by overhanging the semi-trailer).As a consequence it is correct to say that 'traditional' 45 foot containers will not meet the requirements of the Directive and so will not be permitted to be transported by road in the future. However, existing 45 foot containers will be permitted to be transported by road - where national legislation permits - until 31 December 2006.Furthermore, the Commission is aware of a new design of 45 foot container that has truncated corners. This may enable it to meet the above-mentioned requirements and thus circulate by road throughout the Community under Directive 96/53/EC.Given that the short-sea shipping sector thus appears to have found a way of having 45 foot containers that comply with the Directive when transported by road, the Commission considers that the Directive will have no negative impact on short-sea shipping, nor is there any necessity to consider amending the Directive.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 585/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Council. Implementation of the Philoxenia Programme
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, European Commission, development policy, tourism, tourism policy

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/3

Joint answer
to Written Questions Nos 0505/97 and 0585/97

(25 September 1997)

The Council meeting of Ministers for Tourism scheduled under the Irish Presidency was postponed as there was
no prospect at that time of obtaining the necessary unanimous approval of the Council for the adoption of the
Philoxenia Programme.  No meeting of that nature was held under the Netherlands Presidency.

The Council has therefore not yet formally considered the Philoxenia Program.

The draft Treaty of Amsterdam does not contain a separate chapter on tourism.

Finally, it is up to the Commission to undertake appropriate measures in line with the existing budgetary rules
and provisions.

(98/C 76/05)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0604/97

by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Council

(27 February 1997)

Subject: Smuggling of nuclear materials

Further to the reply to Written Question E-1957/96 (1) by Mrs Breyer, on 7 November 1996, has the Council
anything substantive to add on the matter of nuclear materials smuggling through Germany?

(1)  OJ C 385, 19.12.1996, p. 67.

Answer

(25 September 1997)

At this stage the Council has nothing substantive to add to its previous replies on the matter, published in the
Official Journals C 112, 17.4.1996, and C 385, 19.12.1996.  However, the problem is being constantly monitored
by the competent authorities and bodies at the European Union Level, notably the Europol Drugs Unit (EDU).

(98/C 76/06)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0640/97

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(6 March 1997)

Subject: Training courses funded by the European Social Fund in the Region of Lazio

Following the call for tenders issued in 1996, the Region of Lazio published the results, during the second half of
January 1997, of its selection procedure for professional training projects, specifically those submitted for the
regional Operational Programmes covered by Objectives 3 and 4.

The results were as follows:

›  52  projects,  to  a  value  of  more  than  LIT  5  billion,  were  awarded  to  the  ACLI  ENAIP  ›  the  National
Association for Vocational Education and Training run by the Italian Christian Workers(cid:146) Association; the
ENAIP  is  in  severe  financial  difficulties  and  would  not  appear  to  be  in  a  position  to  guarantee  that  the
courses will take place;

›  LIT 700 million were awarded to the UIL ENFAP › the National Association for Vocational Training and
Education run by the Italian Labour Union › and more than LIT 1 billion were awarded to the Alto Lazio
Consortium; both of these are the subject of legal proceedings brought by the Civitavecchia magistrature,
which has taken some of the leaders of these organizations to court on charges of defrauding the Region of
Lazio as a result of irregularities in the organization of previous courses.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 578/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Accident involving the transport of radioactive material in Apach (Lorraine)
Date: 1997-02-25
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: International Atomic Energy Agency, Lorraine, competence of the Member States, health risk, ionising radiation, nuclear fuel, radiation protection, rail transport, transport accident, transport of dangerous goods













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91997E0578

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 578/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Accident involving the transport of radioactive material in Apach (Lorraine)  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0121 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0578/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (25 February 1997)Subject: Accident involving the transport of radioactive material in Apach (Lorraine)1. What was the cause of the derailment of the waggons transporting Excellox 6 containers on 4 February 1997 in Apach, in Lorraine?2. When were the relevant authorities along the route informed of the journey?3. What emergency plans had been drawn up? What measures do these prescribe in the event of an emergency? What evacuation plans exist for emergencies of this kind?4. At the time of the accident the train was travelling at 28 kph; up to what speed would the safety of the Excellox 6 containers have been assured?5. As there would have been a catastrophe if the train had collided with a passenger train, why was the train's route not closed to passenger trains?6. What were the reasons for the train's circuitous route via this region where three countries meet? Why was the most direct route -via Belgium and the Netherlands- not selected?7. Was the load-bearing capacity of the line checked and the maximum speed prescribed?8. What were the levels of neutron irradiation and radiation exposure received by the rescue teams?Answer (20 May 1997)The Council draws the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the information requested is a matter for the Member State concerned.The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the transport of radioactive material is covered by rules laid down in the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency and applicable in the Member States.Furthermore, the provisions of Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1. )) are also applicable.