WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1787/97 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Television licences
Date: 1997-05-27
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: United Kingdom, competence of the Member States, quasi-fiscal charge, television, television equipment

C 21/96

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 1. 98

However, in line with the approach followed by the (cid:145)general system(cid:146) Directives, matters relating to the regulation
of professions (requirements governing training and professional practice, competent authorities) fall under the
Member  States’  jurisdiction.  Consequently,  it  is  not  for  the  Commission  to  accept  or  reject  joint  platforms
established by European professional associations. In other words, the Commission does not formally recognize
such joint platforms › even though it is aware of their benefit in promoting free movement of professionals
within the single market.

Joint platforms remain private initiatives, and thus cannot replace national regulation. Nevertheless, a certificate
such  as  the  ECP  submitted  by  a  migrant  would  provide  the  host  Member  State’s  authorities  with  certain
guarantees  as  regards  the  training  undergone.  Thus  the  success  of  initiatives  such  as  that  taken  by  the  EAP
largely depends on the national authorities’ acceptance of each joint platform as a yardstick. The fact that training
leading to the award of the ECP is also open to members of other professions is an additional advantage in this
regard.

(1)  OJ C 268, 26.9.1994.
(2)  OJ C 332, 28.11.1994.
(3)  OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.
(4)  OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.

(98/C 21/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/97

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(27 May 1997)

Subject: Television licences

Cant he Commission comment on the current UK practice of charging people for the use of the same television at
two separate addresses twice? This practice would seem to penalize those who need to use their television in two
places and cannot be a fair practice.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 1997)

The Commission cannot comment on the practice described by the Honourable Member. In general, licence fees
fall within the competence of the Member States. For example, recital No 13 of directive 89/552/EEC on the
coordination  of  certain  provisions  laid  down  by  law,  regulation  or  administrative  action  in  Member  States
concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (1) stipulates that the Directive does not affect the
responsibility  of  Member  States  with  regard  to  the  organisation  and  financing  of  programmes.  However,
measures taken by Member States in this regard must be compatible with Community law. The facts given in the
question are not sufficient to indicate in themselves that there is any infringement of Community law.

(1)  OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.

(98/C 21/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1791/97

by Anne Poisson (UPE) to the Commission

(27 May 1997)

Subject: Production of European Union official documents in braille

The  European  Union,  the  European  Parliament  and  other  agencies  and  institutions  produce  and  distribute  a
number of official documents providing information.

Unfortunately they are not accessible to everyone, especially the blind.