do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3177/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Innovative schemes for women in agriculture and in rural areas
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU policy, European Commission, Greece, exchange of information, farmer, female work, position of women, woman













EUR-Lex - 91997E3177 - EN






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91997E3177

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3177/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Innovative schemes for women in agriculture and in rural areas  


Official Journal C 174 , 08/06/1998 P. 0022 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3177/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Innovative schemes for women in agriculture and in rural areasWith a view to supporting and strengthening the position of women in rural areas, the Commission invited proposals for pilot and demonstration projects for innovative schemes for women in agriculture and women in general (96/C/284/10).1. Have the assessment and selection of the schemes been completed, and2. how many and which of the proposals submitted with Greek participation were approved?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1997)1. The assessment and selection of the schemes proposed in response to the invitation to submit proposals referred to by the Honourable Member have not yet been completed.2. The Commission is therefore not able at present to give the Honourable Member the information he has asked for concerning the Greek proposals.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3131/97 by Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Follow-up question on passenger seating space on airlines
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, ILASKIVI
Subjects: air safety, air transport, aircraft, carriage of passengers, consumer information, consumer protection, product quality, transport user













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91997E3131

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3131/97 by Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Follow-up question on passenger seating space on airlines  


Official Journal C 174 , 08/06/1998 P. 0020 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3131/97 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Follow-up question on passenger seating space on airlinesIn my written question of 24 March 1997 (E-1118/97) to the Commission ((OJ C 367, 4.12.1997, p. 80. )) I proposed the introduction of a directive on minimum seating space for air passengers, citing health reasons among others.In her reply Commissioner Kinnock stated that the Commission does not regard a directive as necessary but 'will ... take up this matter through its regular contacts with the relevant operators'.During the past year a number of airlines have reduced the legroom in tourist class. In the USA a medical study has been published which stresses the damage to health caused by being confined in a cramped space, referring inter alia to confirmed cases of heart attacks.I should therefore like to know whether, and with what result, the Commission has contacted the transport operators referred to in its answer, and what importance it attaches to eliminating the health risks which are becoming ever more apparent.Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 December 1997)Like the Honourable Member, the Commission is concerned with the health and safety of all involved in air travel, including both airline staff and passengers. Community legislation already regulates the safety standards of aircraft operated by Community operators, and the Commission is satisfied as to the general safety of these aircrafts.Minimum specifications apply to aircraft seat spacing in order to meet strict evacuation requirements. Beyond that, the Commission holds that this is a question primarily of comfort and does not believe there is any necessity, nor indeed any possibility, to propose legislation on the basis of safety provisions set out in the EC Treaty.The increasing range of services offered by tour operators and 'no-frills' airlines is to an extent dependent on carrying the greatest number of passengers per flight, which may impinge upon individual comfort. It is for air users to decide their own 'trade-off' between comfort and price.So long as the Commission has Cause for concern on safety grounds, it will not bring forward proposals. Nevertheless, the Commission will continue to advise relevant operators of the concerns that have been expressed to it, but it is for the operators, in their own commercial interests, to act upon such concerns.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3101/97 by Ben FAYOT to the Commission. Accreditation of European journalists in the various places of work of the institutions
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, FAYOT
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EU institution, European Commission, European Parliament, access to information, communications profession, law relating to information, operation of the Institutions, press













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91997E3101

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3101/97 by Ben FAYOT to the Commission. Accreditation of European journalists in the various places of work of the institutions  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0082 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3101/97 by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Accreditation of European journalists in the various places of work of the institutionsThe rules governing the accreditation of European journalists in the various places of work and in the various institutions are not very transparent.For example, a Luxembourg journalist accredited to the European Parliament in the three places of work cannot use this accreditation to gain access to the Commission in Brussels, whereas a journalist accredited to the Commission in Brussels does have access to the European Parliament in Brussels and Luxembourg.Similarly, accreditation to Parliament is not valid for meetings of the Council, whereas accreditation to the Commission covers access to Council meetings in both Brussels and Luxembourg.Would it not be in the interests of an open and effective information policy to make provision for uniform press accreditation for all the institutions of the European Union?Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1997)The rules governing the accreditation of journalists to the Commission are set out in the Practical guide for journalists, published by the Commission, a copy of which has been sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. It should be pointed out that accreditation is a purely practical arrangement for issuing passes to correspondents of the press and radio and television who pay frequent - even daily, visits to the press room at the Commission. Accreditation also gives them access to the Council and Parliament. Apart from this accreditation which is common to the three institutions, the Council and Parliament apply their own rules. Accreditation is in no way evidence of professional qualifications and all journalists have access to the Commission press room on presentation of their national press card.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3277/97 by Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL to the Commission. European importers of Bangladeshi textiles suffering from export duty levied retrospectively
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL
Subjects: Bangladesh, certificate of origin, fraud, import, import levy, textile product

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/167

Greece and Portugal did not supply figures for 1996. Also, there is no Greek figure for 1995. Thus, the more
recent figures for Greece and Portugal available in the report are concerning 1994 and 1995, respectively. The
ratio of taxes and social contributions reached 31.8% of GDP in Greece in 1994, and amounted to 36.2% of GDP
in Portugal in 1995.

According  to  the  figures  estimated  by  the  Commission  in  the  framework  of  its  economic  forecasts  of  spring
1997, the ratio of taxes and social contributions in percent of GDP in Greece has increased by about 1% point in
1995 and has remained stable in 1996. In Portugal, the ratio has increased by 1% point of GDP in 1996.

(98/C 102/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3159/97

by Bernie Malone (PSE) to the Commission

(30 September 1997)

Subject: Structural funding

Can the Commission indicate what amount of the total structural funding allocated to Ireland over the period
1994-99 has been spent so far? What projects remain to be completed and what amount has been allocated to each
of these? Has a list of priorities been prepared between the Commission and the Irish Government?

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

(11 November 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 102/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3246/97

by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission

(9 October 1997)

Subject: High-Level Experts Group on the social and societal aspects of the Information Society

Will  the  Commission  indicate  the  membership  of  the  High-Level  Experts  Group  on  the  social  and  societal
aspects of the Information Society?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1997)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s
Secretariat.

(98/C 102/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3277/97

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: European importers of Bangladeshi textiles suffering from export duty levied retrospectively

Under the GSP imports from Bangladesh with certificates of origin are admitted to the European market on more
favourable terms.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3151/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Cost of the Commission representation in Vienna
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, LUKAS
Subjects: Austria, Commission Delegation, European Commission, exchange of information, property leasing

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. 3108/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Contract for the construction of the new ring road to the east of Rome
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, award of contract, capital city, expressway, infringement of EU law, public contract, public works, works contract

C 117/152

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 1997)

The  Honourable  Member  is  referred  to  the  Commission(cid:146)s  answers  to  Written  Questions  E-2434/97  from
Mr Wynn (1) and E-2624/97 from Mrs Oddy (2).

(1)  OJ C 82, 17.3.1998, p. 76.
(2)  See page 31.

(98/C 117/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3108/97

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Contract for the construction of the new ring road to the east of Rome

Despite the fact that the Commission opposed the commune of Rome(cid:146)s decision to award the contract for the
construction of the new eastern ring road to the Ferrovie dello Stato spa (national rail company), last August the
commune  approved  a  new  decision  whereby  the  design  of  the  project  was  entrusted  to  Sta  spa,  a  company
belonging to the commune, while the construction project was awarded to Ferrovie dello Stato.

This  openly  disregards  the  Commission(cid:146)s  opinion,  and  presents  the  same  difficulties  as  before.  Moreover,
making Sta spa responsible for the design of the project raises many questions, given that although, under the
terms of its statute, it is a public transport undertaking, in the new decision adopted by the Rome municipal
council it is described as an engineering company. The council decision also makes provision for Sta to involve
outside  consultants  in  its  work,  without  properly  specifying  the  procedure  for  and  limits  of  any  such
arrangement.

In view of the foregoing,

1. 

Is the Commission aware of the Commune of Rome(cid:146)s new decision?

2.  Did that decision take full account of comments previously made by the Commission?

3.  Was the recent award of contracts conducted in accordance with Directive 92/50/EEC (1) on the award of

public service contracts?

4. 

If  it  transpires  that  the  rules  have  been  broken,  does  the  Commission  intend  to  take  action  against  the
Commune of Rome?

(1)  OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 1997)

The  Italian  authorities  have  not  yet  officially  informed  the  Commission  of  the  decision  referred  to  by  the
Honourable Member. It cannot, therefore, give an opinion at this stage as to whether the decision complies with
Directive 92/50/EEC of 18 June 1992 on the award of public service contracts. If a breach of legislation were
identified, the Commission could bring proceedings against Italy under Article 169 of the EC Treaty, but it could
not under any circumstances take action against the municipality of Rome.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3169/97 by Raymonde DURY to the Commission. Programme rendered obsolete due to absence of a Council decision
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: DURY, European Parliament
Subjects: Community budget, Council of the European Union, EC Decision, action programme, association, cooperative, employment policy, foundation, mutual assistance scheme, social economy













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91997E3169

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3169/97 by Raymonde DURY to the Commission. Programme rendered obsolete due to absence of a Council decision  


Official Journal C 196 , 22/06/1998 P. 0002 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3169/97 by Raymonde Dury (PSE) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Programme rendered obsolete due to absence of a Council decisionThe Official Journal of the European Communities of 1 August 1997 (No C 233, p. 8) states that the Commission has decided to cancel the call for proposals 'Financial support for cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations' in the Community. The Commission is thereby acting in response to the Council's failure to take a decision on the 1994-1996 multiannual programme in favour of these bodies and the fact that this programme has become obsolete.Can the Commission outline the consequences this failure to take a decision will have for the bodies concerned and specify whether a substitute programme exists - or will exist in future - and whether there are any precedents of programmes which have become obsolete owing to the Council's failure to take a decision?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)As the Honourable Member mentions, it is true that the call for proposals was linked to the Commission's proposal for a Council decision relating to a multi-annual work programme (1994-1996) in favour of co-operatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations (CMAFs). The call for proposals was published on 24 August 1996. Unfortunately, by the end of 1996 this proposal had not been endorsed by the Council.The Commission was therefore obliged to find an appropriate solution for the financing of CMAF projects which were linked to the call for proposals. To this end, the Commission, on 29 July 1997, decided to withdraw first its proposal for a programme, to cancel the call and then to take a specific decision on the financing for 1997 of 12 projects selected from those submitted in the context of the call for proposals. It was also decided, in addition to the 12 actions linked to the call for proposals, to finance from the 1997 budget line B5-321 (social economy), some other actions.The Commission is examining the option of introducing a new proposal for a multi-annual work programme. The main objective is to help CMAFs improve their performance as enterprises and to play a full part in meeting the challenges currently posed by the employment situation.For further details the Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission's reply to Oral Question H-0717/97 by Mrs C. Jackson during question time at Parliament's October 1997 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (October 1997). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3176/97 by Armelle GUINEBERTIERE to the Commission. Application of reduced VAT rate in the housing sector
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, GUINEBERTIERE
Subjects: European Commission, VAT, VAT rate, approximation of laws, building industry, housing, investment promotion, report, tax system

C 134/106

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

(98/C 134/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3176/97

by Armelle Guinebertie‘re (UPE) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Application of reduced VAT rate in the housing sector

Business in the building sector is currently picking up. In the housing sector, maintenance and refurbishment
account for one third of building companies(cid:146) turnover. However, pursuant to the Sixth Directive of 17 May 1977,
Community  law  restricts  the  application  of  the  reduced  VAT  rate  to  supply,  construction,  renovation  and
alteration of housing provided as part of a social policy (Article 12(3)(a) and Annex H, category 9 of the Sixth
Directive 77/388/EEC) (1).

Could the Union, and more specifically the Commission, require Member States to extend the reduced VAT rate?

(1)  OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1.

(98/C 134/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3187/97

by Jacques Donnay (UPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1997)

Subject: Amendment of the Sixth Directive on the application of the reduced rate of VAT in the housing sector

The  Sixth  Directive  of  17  May  1977  (77/388/EEC (1))  limits  application  of  the  reduced  rate  of  VAT  in  the
housing  sector  to  the  supply,  construction,  renovation  and  alteration  of  housing  provided  as  part  of  a  social
policy.

This  restrictive  European  framework  has  prompted  successive  national  governments  to  refuse  to  extend  the
reduced rate to building work other than that connected with social housing.

In the housing sector, however, maintenance and rehabilitation work now represents one third of the turnover of
construction firms, in other words some FF 145 billion net of tax.

Amending  the  Sixth  Directive  to  extend  the  scope  of  the  reduced  rate  of  VAT  for  the  housing  sector  would
undoubtedly  have  an  effect  on  limiting  recourse  to  clandestine  labour  and  help  to  satisfy  housing  quality
requirements.

What does the Commission intend to do to abolish this constraint on undertakings in this economic sector?

(1)  OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3176/97 and E-3187/97
given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 1997)

The Commission(cid:146)s recent report to the Parliament and to the Council (1) explains in detail its views on the use of
reduced VAT rates as an instrument for boosting the building and construction sector and as an incentive for
recuperating some of the activities in this sector from the black economy (report from the Commission to the
Council and to the Parliament in accordance with Article 12(4) of the Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1977 on
the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turn-over taxes › common system of value added
tax: uniform basis of assessment).