WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2725/97 by Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN to the Commission. Municipal elections
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, OOMEN-RUIJTEN
Subjects: EU law - national law, EU national, Netherlands, candidate, local election, nationality, residence, right to stand for election, right to vote

C 117/54

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

Finally, the Honourable Member raises a problem that many insurance companies in the United Kingdom refuse
to issue green cards for left-hand drive cars. This implies that they refuse to conclude an insurance contract with
drivers owning cars of this type. Insurers assess risks in the light of information at their disposal, including the
probability  of  an  event  occurring  and  the  seriousness  of  the  risk.  In  this  context,  and  in  conformity  with  the
principle of contractual freedom, insurers may reject offers from clients who represent a very high risk. In fact,
cars  not  responding  to  British  specifications  could  be  considered  a  serious  risk  for  British  insurers.  British
insurers  are  free  to  develop  their  commercial  policy  in  that  direction  and  to  refuse  to  conclude  an  insurance
contract or levy additional charges on their clients owning left-hand drive cars.

(1)  OJ L 129, 19.5.1990.

(98/C 117/66)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2724/97

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Statements by the Commission President in relation to Spanish-British joint fishing ventures

At  Parliament(cid:146)s  sitting  of  26  June  1997  Mr  Santer  stated,  in  relation  to  the  letter  sent  by  the  Commission
President to the British Prime Minister on the subject of Spanish-British joint fishing ventures, that Mrs Bonino,
the Commissioner responsible, and he himself had taken care to ensure that the Spanish authorities were always
kept informed of contacts with the British authorities (Verbatim report of proceedings, 26 June 1997, p. 31).

Can the Commission say on what dates, by what means and through whom the Commission has kept the Spanish
authorities  informed  of  the  contacts  between  the  Commission  and  the  British  authorities  on  the  subject  of
investment from other Member States in the British fishing industry?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1997)

The Commission can confirm that the Spanish authorities have been kept aware of developments in the matter to
which the Honourable Member refers, including its contacts with the United Kingdom authorities.

This information has been supplied by the means normally used for contacts between the Commission and the
Member States, principally the Office of the Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union.

(98/C 117/67)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725/97

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Municipal elections

Can the Commission confirm that it is possible for European citizens to stand as candidates at municipal

1.
elections in the Netherlands even though they are not resident in that country?

2.
Can it indicate the extent to which this tallies with Article 8b of the EC Treaty which lays down that: (cid:145)Every
citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he is not a national shall have the right to vote and to
stand as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as
nationals of that State(cid:146).