do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3129/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Women's training and the Information Society
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: European Social Fund, adult education, computer systems, employment policy, equal treatment, gender equality, new technology













EUR-Lex - 91997E3129 - EN






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91997E3129

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3129/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Women's training and the Information Society  


Official Journal C 158 , 25/05/1998 P. 0039 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3129/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Women's training and the Information SocietyA study entitled 'Finns and New Technology' has shown that the use of home computers varies clearly according to age and sex. Women over 30 in particular make very little use of home computers and their peripherals. Of women over 30 owning a modem connection, only 10% use it once a week. One reason for the low level of use is the lack of knowledge and skill.What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that women obtain the training they need, for example in the form of intensive courses, to enable them to derive more benefit from the opportunities offered by the modern Information Society?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1997)The information society provides an opportunity for promoting gender equality. The Commission is however concerned that low levels of awareness among women of the new information and communication technologies could prevent them from reaping the potential benefits in terms of employment opportunities and of improved family and working life. It is therefore necessary to undertake efforts to promote the familiarisation of women with information and communications technologies (ICT) and to boost their skills levels.The 1997 Commission call for proposals for projects promoting the development and awareness of the information society ((OJ C 148, 16.5.1997. )) has paid particular attention to the identification of experiences and potentialities of the information society for women.The Commission is currently supporting through the European social fund (ESF) interventions under objectives 3, 4, 5b and 6 and the Community initiatives Employment-Now and ADAPT a good number of projects aimed at improving the ICT skills of women and using the information society tools to improve their situation in the labour markets. The current programmes will be monitored from this perspective. This spirit will also be maintained in the context of the reform of the structural funds, where the Commission has proposed the creation of a new Community initiative on human resources and equal opportunities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3152/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Senior administrative posts for Austrians
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, LUKAS
Subjects: Austria, European Commission, European official, agricultural policy, competition (EU), discrimination on the basis of nationality, foreign policy, political affiliation

30. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134/97

(98/C 134/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3151/97

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Cost of the Commission representation in Vienna

What  is  the  annual  cost  (basic  rent  plus  charges)  of  the  Commission  Representation  in  the  Vienna
Ka¤rntnerringhof?

What is the rent per square metre?

By what percentage is this rent higher than average office rents in central Vienna?

What alternative offers did the Commission obtain when it leased the premises in 1996 (please list property/total
rental/m2  prices)?

Can the Commission explain how it intends to be (cid:145)close to the citizen(cid:146) on the sixth floor of a luxury building with
multiple-entry checks?

Can the Commission state how many members of the public here chanced upon its premises in Vienna in the last
12 months?

What was the annual rent for the old premises in Hoyosgasse?

By what percentage has the rent paid by the Representation increased since the move?

How big (m2) is the head of the Representation(cid:146)s office?

By how many square metres is it bigger than President Santer(cid:146)s office?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1997)

In  view  of  the  length  of  its  answer,  the  Commission  is  sending  it  direct  to  the  Honourable  Member  and  to
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 134/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3152/97

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Senior administrative posts for Austrians

Austria  has  been  a  member  of  the  European  Union  for  2 ‰  years  and  its  nationals  are  still  definitely
under-represented in the Commission(cid:146)s senior management posts, especially in external relations (DG I, IA and
IB) and in agriculture (DG VI), Mr Fischler(cid:146)s department.

Will the Commission list the numbers of A3, A2 and A1 posts per Directorate-Generate occupied to date by
Swedes, Finns and Austrians and the reasons why Austria is under-represented? Please specify the number of
expressions  of  interest  and  applications  from  Austrians  for  management  posts  in  external  relations  and
agriculture, and the reasons for their rejection.

What head of delegation posts have been offered so far to Austrians and what such posts have been offered to
Swedes and Finns?

Which of these posts were taken by them?

What management posts in DG VI have so far been occupied by Austrians?

When does the Commission intend to end this blatant discrimination against Austrians?

How many of the Austrians appointed to senior management posts are members of neither of the two governing
parties in Vienna?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3148/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Independence of the Commission
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, LUKAS
Subjects: European Commissioner, advertising, teaching curriculum

C 117/156

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

Further information on the blue flag campaign may be obtained from the FEEE.

Foundation for environmental education in Europe
Friluftsr(cid:229)det
Scandiagade 13
DK-2450 Copenhagen
tel +45-33-79 00 79
fax +45-33-79 01 79
e-mail: friluftsraadet@inet.uni-c.dk

(1)  OJ L 31, 5.2.1976.

(98/C 117/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3148/97

by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Independence of the Commission

How  can  the  duty  of  Members  of  the  Commission  to  be  independent  be  compatible  with  the  appearance  of
Commissioner  Franz  Fischler  on  an  advertising  postcard  issued  by  the  US  (cid:145)Imadec  International  Business
School(cid:146),  against  the  background  of  an  official  EU  flag,  proclaiming  (cid:145)custom  made  for  the  European  top
management(cid:146)?

Did Mr Fischler receive any fee for this appearance?

Do  Commissioner  Fischler  and  the  Commission  believe  that  this  US  one-year  course  is  an  indispensable
preparation for performing the duties of a Member of the Commission?

If so, when will the present Commissioners be attending this course?

Will this course be a future requirement for appointment as a Commissioner?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 1997)

The postcard issued by the Imadec International Business School › which Mr Fischler had not seen, but has
since obtained on request › is based on photographs taken during an MBA diploma awarding ceremony for
3 000 students from California(cid:146)s universities assembled in Hayward University in June 1997. These universities
took advantage of the occasion to bestow on Mr Fischler an honorary doctorate for his life(cid:146)s activities in the
agricultural area.

The  Commission  and  its  members  have  always  attached  great  importance  to  educational  activities  and  will
continue to do their utmost to support them.

Mr Fischler has never received fees for his appearances.

The  Commission  would  invite  the  Honourable  Member  to  transmit  any  documentation  that  could  allow  the
Commission to evaluate to what extent the postcard involves unacceptable advertising using a picture without
authorisation, or simply positive information on the merits of a training programme.

Incidentally, the Honourable Member would be well advised to give a closer look to the flag that appeared on the
postcard. If he did so, he might notice that the flag is not the European flag, but that of the Imadec.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3173/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Dutch participation in the Comenius programme
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Netherlands, budget policy, education policy, educational exchange













EUR-Lex - 91997E3173 - EN






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91997E3173

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3173/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Dutch participation in the Comenius programme  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0104 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3173/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Dutch participation in the Comenius programmeCan the Commission say which Dutch schools are taking part in the Comenius programme and with which partner schools in other countries they are working?Does the Commission know the effect of reduction in the budget for participation by Dutch schools in the Comenius programme?Can the Commission say how much money is available per Member State for the Comenius programme, which Member States have had their budgets reduced and how great the reduction per Member State is?What is the reason for these reductions?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1997)Since the launch of the Socrates programme in 1995, a total of 308 schools in the Netherlands have taken part in Comenius partnerships (127 as coordinators and 181 as partners). In 1997, partnerships coordinated by Dutch schools have included schools from all the participating countries, especially Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.The reduction in the overall budget allocation for Action 1 of Comenius in 1997 has obviously affected all Member States, according to the method of calculation set out in Decision 819/95/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 14 March 1995 establishing the Community action programme 'Socrates' ((OJ L 87, 20.4.1995. )). For the Netherlands, the budget for Action 1 has thus fallen from ECU 1 059 486 in 1996 to ECU 814 262 in 1997.The Commission is fully aware of the difficulties caused by the reduction in the Comenius budget for schools in the participating countries. To limit the impact of this reduced budget on the schools, the Commission decided to allocate the 5% reserve provided for in the Decision setting up the Socrates programme to those Member States that were likely to have to cope with a high level of unsatisfied demand. The Netherlands thus received in 1997 an additional sum of ECU 51 535 (included in the ECU 814 262), which was drawn from the ECU 1 million reserve for Action 1 of Comenius.The drop in the budget allocation for Action 1 of Comenius is a result of the reduced budget available for the Socrates programme in 1997 (ECU 174 million for 1997 as opposed to ECU 198 million for 1996). The Commission has therefore requested an increase in the budget allocation for the Socrates programme so that it can meet the expectations of the education sector. This request is currently being examined by the Parliament and the Council under the codecision procedure.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3171/97 by Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER to the Commission. Equal opportunities for women and men in the EU
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, FRISCHENSCHLAGER
Subjects: Community budget, EU initiative, EU institution, EU policy, equal treatment, gender equality, non-governmental organisation, recruitment, statistics, violence

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/159

Directive  84/467/Euratom (1)),  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Member  States  to  issue  the  authorizations  in
question. The Commission would be required to intervene only if it had received information indicating that a
Member State was failing to respect the requirements set out in these standards. This position will not change
with the implementation of the new basic safety standards Directive 96/29/Euratom (2), which Member States
will require to ensure by May 2000.

Therefore no information has been requested or received from the British authorities on this matter. Equally, the
Commission has no basis for seeking to set up an independent assessment.

(1)  OJ L 265, 5.10.1984.
(2)  OJ L 159, 29.6.1996.

(98/C 117/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3166/97

by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission

(9 October 1997)

Subject: Definition of liquid waste in context of proposed Landfill Directive

In the context of the Commission(cid:146)s proposal for a Landfill Directive (COM(97) 105), can the Commission state
how it defines the term (cid:145)liquid waste(cid:146)? How does the Commission propose to distinguish between (cid:145)liquid waste(cid:146)
and (cid:145)sludge(cid:146)?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 1997)

Article 2 of the Commission proposal for a Council directive on the landfill of waste states that (cid:145)liquid waste shall
mean any waste in liquid form including waste waters but excluding sludge(cid:146).

The Commission has not included a specific definition of sludge in the landfill proposal as sludge is defined in
Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when
sewage sludge is used in agriculture (1) which states that (cid:145)sludge(cid:146) means:

› 

› 

› 

residual sludge from sewage plants treating domestic or urban waste waters and from other sewage plants
treating waste waters of a composition similar to domestic and urban waste waters;

residual sludge from septic tanks and other similar installations for the treatment of sewage;

residual sludge from sewage plants other than those referred to above.

At present, the Commission therefore proposes to distinguish between liquid waste and sludge according to the
above mentioned definitions.

(1)  OJ L 181, 4.7.1986.

(98/C 117/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3171/97

by Friedhelm Frischenschlager (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Equal opportunities for women and men in the EU

What means will the Commission be using in future to put an end to violence against women, particularly sexual
exploitation in the form of pornography and prostitution?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3147/97 by Kirsten JENSEN to the Commission. The transport agreement between the EU and Switzerland
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, JENSEN KIRSTEN
Subjects: EU publication, European Union, Switzerland, agreement (EU), carriage of goods, road transport, road transport tariff, transit, transit charge, transport policy

C 134/96

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 1997)

The definition of waste contained in Directive 75/442/EEC as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC on waste (1)
reads (cid:145)waste means any substance or object in the categories set out in Annex I which the holder discards or
intends or is required to discard(cid:146). Annex I enumerates 16 categories of waste. However, category Q16 reads (cid:145)any
materials,  substances  or  products  which  are  not  contained  in  the  above  categories(cid:146).  The  European  waste
catalogue (Commission Decision 94/3/EC of 20 December 1993 establishing a list of wastes pursuant to Article
1a of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste (2)) is based on Annex I to Directive 75/442/EEC and it is also an
indicative list of waste. Therefore, for the purpose of classifying an object as waste, neither Annex I to Directive
75/442/EEC nor the European waste catalogue are decisive, as they are purely indicative. What matters is the
intention, the action or the obligation to discard the object.

The Honourable Member describes as (cid:145)wrong application of the Directive(cid:146) the inclusion in the waste definition
of substances which do not pollute the environment. The above described definition of waste is fully independent
from  the  ability  of  a  substance  to  pollute  the  environment.  This  applies  fully  to  biomasses,  as  long  as  the
definition of waste is fulfilled. Therefore waste-containing biomass is to be considered as waste according to
Community legislation, and be subject to the corresponding obligations.

The  Commission  does  not  see  any  contradiction  in  defining  biomasses  as  waste  provided  the  holder  of  such
biomasses discards them, or has the intention or the obligation to discard them.

(1)  OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(2)  OJ L 5, 7.1.1994.

(98/C 134/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3147/97

by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: The transport agreement between the EU and Switzerland

In  recent  years  there  have  been  negotiations  for  a  transport  agreement  between  the  EU  and  Switzerland
concerning transit road haulage traffic. The EU has objected to the levy Switzerland wishes to impose on transit
traffic.

As  precisely  this  type  of  charge  is  recommended  in  the  Green  Paper  (cid:145)towards  fair  and  efficient  pricing  in
transport(cid:146), why does the Commission not support Switzerland on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1997)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  Written  Question  P-3073/97  by
Mrs Riis Jorgensen (1).

(1)  OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 147.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3163/97 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Eurathlon programme
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, physically disabled person, sport, statistics

C 117/158

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

The Finnish authorities have already provided the Commission and its consultant with detailed reports on local
circumstances and on the risks to health and the environment from the cadmium content of fertilizers in Finland.
This information is being taken into account in the study. The Commission will discuss the results of this study
with all Member States before the end of this year.

(98/C 117/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3163/97

by Concepcio· Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Eurathlon programme

Last April the Commission announced that ECU 1.7 million would be made available for 174 projects under the
Eurathlon sports programme. The projects selected involve an extremely wide range of activities from fencing to
parachuting, although the most common activity of all is football.

In view of the fact that one of the aims of the Eurathlon sports programme is to promote exchanges between EU
citizens and thus encourage the European spirit, could the Commission say how many of the projects adopted are
intended to promote sport amongst persons with some kind of disability?

Could the Commission also say how many of the total number of projects submitted (657) were intended to
promote sport amongst the disabled?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1997)

Part of the Commission’s sports budget is set aside for the Eurathlon programme while another part finances
sports for the disabled.

As part of this specific sports programme for the disabled, in 1997, the Commission received 126 applications for
grants, 72 of which will receive Commission aid from a provision totalling ECU 1 million.

(98/C 117/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3165/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Restart of the Magnox nuclear processing plant in Sellafield, UK

The UK(cid:146)s Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) has recently approved plans to restart the Magnox nuclear
processing plant in Sellafield, UK, after an eight-month shutdown to carry out refurbishment work.

Has the Commission sought details from the NII on what basis its decision to approve the restart was made? If so,
can the Commission outline what details it sought and what reply/replies it received?

Is the Commission satisfied with the refurbishment work carried out at the plant? Will it seek an independent
assessment  of  that  work  to  establish  if  the  plant(cid:146)s  operations  are  likely  to  meet  EU  and  international  safety
standards for nuclear installations?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 1997)

Under the terms of the Community basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and
workers  against  the  dangers  of  ionizing  radiation  (Council  Directive  80/836/Euratom  as  amended  by
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3105/97 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. VAT levied on women's sanitary protection products
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, MEGAHY
Subjects: VAT, VAT rate, public hygiene, toiletries, woman

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/151

(98/C 117/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3096/97

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 October 1997)

Subject: Olympic Games and the Second CSF

Will  the  Commission  confirm  that  the  decision  to  hold  the  Olympic  Games  in  Athens  will  not  result  in  the
diversion  of  funds  provided  for  under  the  Second  CSF  or  the  following  CSF  away  from  projects  being
undertaken in the Greek provinces?

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

(28 October 1997)

Under the rules of the Structural Funds, a mid-course review of the Community Support Frameworks (CSFs) is to
be carried out on the basis of the outcome of monitoring and evaluation and of any new relevant information.

The review procedure for the CSF for Greece for the 1994-99 period is in progress. There is no reason, in the
Commission’s  view,  for  the  fundamental  objectives  of  the  CSF  to  be  called  into  question  as  a  result  of  this
review.

As for the period after the year 2000, it is clear that Community structural policies, by their very nature, will
continue to support the development of less-favoured regions like the outlying Greek provinces.

(98/C 117/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3097/97

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 October 1997)

Subject: Olympic Games and Directive 85/337

Will the Commission say whether it is aware of the contents of the package for the Olympic Games submitted by
Greece and the projects included therein? Have any environmental impact studies (Directive 85/337/EEC (1))
been submitted, and can it guarantee that it will continue the relevant investments and ensure that Community
legislation is complied with well before work on the projects commences?

(1)  OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 1997)

There is no Community competence over the Olympic games so the Greek authorities have not submitted a file to
the Commission. With respect to Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment, there is always an obligation for its correct implementation by Member
States irrespective of the context in which projects are carried out. The Commission will therefore continue to
ensure the respect of the provisions of this Directive in case it would be applicable to Olympic games projects.

(98/C 117/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3105/97

by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: VAT levied on women(cid:146)s sanitary protection products

Concern has been expressed that VAT should be levied on such items which are essential for millions of women
in the EU. Does the Commission consider that there is an overwhelming case for these products to be zero rated?