do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1030/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Devaluation of the drachma
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EMS exchange-rate mechanism, Economic and Monetary Union, Greece, borrowing, devaluation, government, interest, ministerial responsibility

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/61

Both Belgium and Portugal returned incomplete statistics, which made it difficult to assess accurately to what
extent they had complied with the minimum percentage of checks required. The Commission has invited both
Member States to provide more comprehensive data as their current statistics may not give a true picture of
enforcement efforts. It has strongly recommended that a lead ministry be nominated to co-ordinate the
presentation of these statistics. The Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Greece and Italy
for not providing the required information.

The Commission is not in favour of linking the mandatory minimum fixed percentage of checks for each Member
State to the extent to which their transport industry engages in international transport since the Regulation also
covers domestic transport. Therefore, that approach would not constitute a sound basis for the enforcement effort
required.

(1) COM(97) 698 final.

(98/C 402/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1029/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: EU legislation on workers using computer screens

It is well known that working on computer screens seriously affects people(cid:146)s health.

Is there any Community legislation prescribing additional compensation for workers in this field and is there
provision for their having more time off, e.g. in the form of extra leave?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(13 May 1998)

Community legislation contains no provisions stipulating the payment of compensation or the granting of extra
leave to workers who use display screen equipment. Such measures are the responsibility of the Member States.

Directive 90/270/EEC (1) on work with display screen equipment stipulates, however, that the employer must
plan the worker(cid:146)s activities in such a way that daily work on a display screen is periodically interrupted by breaks
or changes of activity reducing the workload at the display screen.

(1) OJ L 156, 21.6.1990.

(98/C 402/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1030/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Devaluation of the drachma

In recent months, the Greek Government tried by every means at its disposal deliberately to deceive the Greek
people by asserting that the drachma was not overvalued. Indirectly, though not overtly, it encouraged Greek
businesses to borrow in foreign currencies as interest rates in drachmas were very high. Furthermore, the Greek
Government claimed that the drachma did not necessarily have to enter the Exchange Rate Mechanism before
Greece joined EMU. Finally, the drachma entered the Exchange Rate Mechanism after first devaluing by 14 %,
while a few hours before devaluation the information was leaked to certain people who made huge profits.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1008/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Levy of a charge on the pharmaceutical sector in the event of spending limits for 1998 being exceeded
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: CACCAVALE, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, budgetary equilibrium, convergence criteria, corporation tax, pharmaceutical industry, pharmacology, public expenditure, quasi-fiscal charge

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/57

3. The nationality of the successful candidate in competition EEA/B/97/3 is Dutch.

4. The composition of the staff, broken down by nationality, at 1 April 1998 is as follows:

Nationality

Number of staff

Belgian
Danish
German
Greek
Spanish
French
Irish
Icelandic
Italian
Dutch
Portuguese
Finnish
Swedish
British

7
10
3
1
4
3
1
1
4
7
4
3
1
7

(1) OJ L 120, 11.5.1990.

(98/C 402/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Levy of a charge on the pharmaceutical sector in the event of spending limits for 1998 being exceeded

The Italian Parliament has adopted a Government amendment to the 1998 budget bill to the effect that if by the
end of the year national expenditure on pharmaceuticals exceeds the limits set in the fifteenth paragraph of Article
36 of the bill (i.e 10 % more than the Lit 11 091 billion provided for), firms authorized to trade in medicinal
products (the manufacturers), distributors (the wholesalers) and retail chemists will have to pay the national
health service a charge equivalent to 60 % of the surplus and will also have to make a provisional payment
covering the remaining 40 %, which will be refunded to them subsequently by the State.

It should be pointed out that retail chemists are already obliged to pay the national health service a percentage
contribution (ranging from 3.75 % to 12.5 %) determined by the price of medicinal products dispensed at the
expense of the Italian State to persons eligible for such assistance.

Does the Commission agree that the rules in question, by transferring part of the financial burden of national
expenditure on pharmaceuticals to manufacturers, wholesalers and retail chemists, could so alter the overall
balance of national finances as to call into question Italy(cid:146)s compliance with the Maastricht convergence criteria,
since they have the effect of unfairly making the private sector meet the cost of a public sector obligation?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(13 May 1998)

Choices about funding public expenditure on health care fall under the full responsibility of the Member State in
the same way as, more generally, any other decision concerning the distribution of the fiscal burden among tax-
payers.

The payment in question originates from a safeguard clause in the budget, which specifies how to finance a
possible excess of health care expenditure on pharmaceuticals over the targeted amounts, in the years 1998,
1999 and 2000. Accordingly, it is not certain that the payment will be due.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1052/98 by Jens-Peter BONDE to the Commission. Abolition of border controls and derogations
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: BONDE, European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, Ireland, Schengen Agreement, United Kingdom, border control, derogation from EU law

C 323/110

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21. 10. 98

This recent decision by the Turkish-Cypriot administration follows its scandalous disregard for the persistent
looting of religious and historical artefacts in the occupied part of Cyprus and is an insult to religious sentiment
and an act of provocation directed at the Armenian Orthodox Church and the 4000 or so Armenians living in the
free part of the island.

This  action  provocatively  disregards  the  judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  in  Strasbourg
(the Loizidou judgment on property in the occupied territories), since it allows this historic monastery which is
the property of the Armenian Church to be turned into a profit-making enterprise.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to prevent this decision by the Turkish-Cypriot authorities to
convert the historic Armenian Monastery into a hotel from going ahead? How does it intend to ensure that the
judgment by the European Court of Human Rights on property in the occupied territories is respected?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 1998)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  written  question  No E-968/98  by
Mrs Daskalaki (1).

(1)  See page 100.

(98/C 323/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1050/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: East Timor

Does the Commissioner expect to bring forward further proposals regarding European Community aid to East
Timor?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 1998)

The  Commission  will  continue  to  examine  in  what  way  its  development  and  humanitarian  aid  may  best
contribute to the well being of the people of East Timor. A number of proposals are under consideration.

(98/C 323/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1052/98

by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Abolition of border controls and derogations

How  should  Article  14  and  Article  62  be  construed  in  relation  to  each  other  and  how  does  the  Schengen
Agreement(cid:146)s timetable for abolishing border controls take effect in relation to Articles 14 and 62?

What is the difference between the Danish derogation and the UK and Irish derogation from Article 14?

Does Denmark also have derogations from the provision concerning the abolition of border controls?

Does the derogation from Article 14 also apply to the Kingdom of Denmark?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1065/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Grant to neo-Nazi group
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, Germany, aid recipient, aid to agriculture, extreme right, organic farming, racism

C 310/156

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

(98/C 310/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1065/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Grant to neo-Nazi group

Would  the  Commission  investigate  claims  that  the  German-based  Society  for  Biological  Anthropology,
Eugenics and Behavioural Research collected a grant of £75,000 from the EU agricultural fund? What criteria
was used to decide funding to such a group?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1998)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  written  question  No  P-4231/97  by
Mrs Bloch von Blottnitz (1).

(1)  OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 138.

(98/C 310/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1114/98

by Harald Ettl (PSE) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: European  Parliament  call  for  a  White  Paper  on  the  social  aspects  of  EU  enlargement  to  the  east

(A4-0368/97)

(cid:145)Fail to act now, pay later(cid:146) applies in particular to consideration of the social aspects of EU enlargement to the
east.

What  measures  has  the  Commission  taken  in  response  to  the  call  in  paragraph  62  of  the  resolution  in  the
Oostlander/Baron Crespo report on Agenda 2000 (A4-0368/97) for the drawing up of a White Paper on social
policy in relation to EU enlargement to the east? What internal organizational steps has it already made? What
other measures does it intend to adopt and within what time-scale?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(20 May 1998)

The  Commission  is  fully  aware  of  the  social  dimension  of  the  enlargement  process.  The  Commission  has
privileged an action-oriented approach, in particular in elaborating the accession partnerships, which indicate all
the issues that each applicant country will have to address in preparation for membership. In all ten accession
partnerships the area of employment and social affairs is recognised as a priority area, with explicit mention of
the following points:

›  development of appropriate labour market structures and joint review of employment policies as preparation

for participation in Community co-ordination;

›  alignment  of  labour  and  occupational  health  and  safety  legislation  and  development  of  enforcement

structures, in particular early adoption of the framework directive on health and safety at work;

›  enforcement of equal opportunities between women and men;

› 

further development of active, autonomous social dialogue;

› 

further development of social protection;

›  steps to bring public health standards into line with Community norms.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1053/98 by Jonas SJÖSTEDT to the Commission. Veterinary inspection of fish consignments
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, SJOESTEDT
Subjects: Canada, Chile, fish, fishery product, fishing statistics, health control, import (EU), veterinary inspection













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WRITTEN QUESTION E-1053/98by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(6 April 1998)Subject: Veterinary inspection of fish consignmentsThe EU has provisions stating that veterinary inspections of fish exports from third countries will be much more frequent from January 1997.How frequently on average were consignments of fish from Chile and Canada inspected in 1995, 1996 and 1997?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(7 May 1998)Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 lays down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries(1). There are three types of check: documentary checks, identity checks and physical checks. The documentary and identity checks are to be carried out on every consignment. In this respect, therefore, all consignments of fishery products from Chile and Canada were checked at the 100 % level in 1995, 1996 and 1997.For physical checks, the essential reference is Commission Decision 94/360/EC(2), as last amended by Decision 97/139/EC(3). Since 1 January 1997, the following levels of checks have applied throughout the Community:- 20 % on fishery products in hermetically sealed containers intended to render them stable at ambient temperatures, fresh and frozen fish and dry and/or salted products;- 50 % on other fishery products.Before 1 January 1997, it was up to Member States to determine how often they carried out out checks. According to the general data available to the Commission, levels varied greatly between Member States (from 2 % to 100 %). Establishing averages for 1995 and 1996 would therefore be meaningless.(1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1990. This Directive has been replaced by Council Directive 97/78/EC (OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.).(2) OJ L 158, 25.6.1994.(3) OJ L 55, 24.2.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1089/98 by Graham MATHER to the Council. Abolition of Intra-EU duty free
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: carriage of passengers, duty-free sale, economic consequence, impact study, intra-EU transport

21. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 323/111

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.

(98/C 323/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1073/98

by Bernard Castagne‘de (ARE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Animal feedingstuffs › French Guiana

The overseas department of French Guiana benefits from a supply system for animal feedingstuffs where the
level  of  aid  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the  refund  for  the  various  cereals  involved,  with  a  premium  of
ECU 20 per tonne.

For the last two years the refund has dropped sharply or has disappeared. Does the Commission envisage altering
its method of calculating the aid in favour of Guiana, along the lines of the Community aid for supplying the most
remote regions with cereals?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1998)

The  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  answer  to  written  question  No 327/98  by
Mr Souchet (1)

(1)  OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 78.

(98/C 323/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Council

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Abolition of Intra-EU duty free

At the meeting of the Transport Council on 17 March 1998, a document was circulated calling for an economic
impact study on the effects of this abolition to be carried out. In the ensuing discussion, the majority of Transport
Ministers who spoke were in favour of conducting such a study.

Will a similar discussion now be held by the Ecofin Council?

Answer

(13/14 July 1998)

The decision to abolish the tax- and duty-free sales to intra-community travellers on 30 June 1999 was taken
unanimously by the Economy and Finance (Ecofin) Council in 1991. Since then, the issue of whether the Council
should nevertheless call on the Commission to conduct a study on the impact of the abolition has been discussed
several times by the Council. The issue was lastly examined at the Ecofin Council meeting on 19 May 1998. It is
clear from those discussions that there is no consensus among Finance Ministers for reopening the decision taken
in 1991, and for calling on the Commission to produce such a study. The Commission is, however, prepared to
clarify in a working document the instruments available to Member States for addressing the consequences of the
abolition of intra-EU tax- and duty-free sales on 30 June 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1024/98 by Christof TANNERT to the Commission. Community assistance for the Federal German 'Land' of Berlin in 1997
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, TANNERT
Subjects: Berlin, EU aid, EU programme, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, energy policy, environmental protection, research programme

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 310/155

2.
The Council has not received any other initiatives from the Commission or from a Member State, on the
basis of Article K.3(2) of the Treaty on European Union, concerning the conditions under which children who are
third-country nationals can move within the territory of the Member States.

(1)  OJ L 327, 19.12.1994, p. 1.

(98/C 310/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1024/98

by Christof Tannert (PSE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Community assistance for the Federal German (cid:145)Land(cid:146) of Berlin in 1997

What amounts of Community assistance were authorized and taken up for the Federal German (cid:145)Land(cid:146) of Berlin
in 1997, for what measures and under what programmes, more particularly:

1.  Under the European Regional Development Fund?

2.  Under the European Social Fund?

3.  Under Community research programmes?

4.  Under Community programmes in the energy sector?

5.  Under Community programmes in the environment sector?

6.  Under other Community programmes?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 310/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1041/98

by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Council

(3 April 1998)

Subject: Particular advantages for national minorities in elections

Is  a  provision  of  an  electoral  law  giving  a  national  minority  in  a  Member  State  a  particular  advantage  in
connection  with  parliamentary  elections,  local  elections  and  elections  to  the  European  Parliament  etc.  in
contravention of the Amsterdam Treaty?

Answer

(16/17 June 1998)

It is not for the Council to state a position on the Amsterdam Treaty, which is currently the subject of ratification
procedures. Moreover, the Honourable Member will be aware that the interpretation of the Treaty is not a matter
for the Council but for the Court of Justice.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1070/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. WTO Ministerial Conference and the impact of GATT/WTO on animal protection
Date: 1998-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, MACARTNEY
Subjects: GATT, World Trade Organisation, animal welfare, protection of animals

11.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 386/77

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1998)

As part of the Community policy for rural development the Commission has encouraged Member States to
provide aid for the diversification of agricultural production towards non-food products.

In the case of Ireland Community aid was available to farmers and other rural dwellers to diversify into
greyhound breeding under the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry 1994-1999.
An amount of Ir£ 870 000 of public expenditure was provided for schemes to improve breed quality and for
marketing and promotion.

No claims have been made on Community funding and it has been decided to agree to withdraw the measures
from the operational programme.

(98/C 386/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1070/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: WTO Ministerial Conference and the impact of GATT/WTO on animal protection

Has the Commission considered the implications of GATT and the World Trade Organization on the protection of
animals and the European Community(cid:146)s ability to limit animal suffering and ban imports of products where there
have been clear abuses on animals/cruel exports of live animals?

Does the Commission intend to raise this issue at the WTO Ministerial Conference in May and ensure adequate
protection for animals within the EU?

Answer given by Mr Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No 949/98 by
Mr Watts (1).

(1) OJ C 354, 19.11.1998.

(98/C 386/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1074/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(30 March 1998)

Subject: Irregularities in the tender procedure regarding computerization

I have requested in three questions, P-1972/97 (1), P-2841/97 (2) and E-3869/97 (3), an opinion on suspected
irregularities in the procedure followed by the Italian Government in awarding the contract for computerization
of the services of the Ministry for Education. The Commission has received from the Italian Government
confirmation of my claim that the Tele Sistemi Ferroviari company belonging to the Ferrovie dello Stato group
(FS › Italian State Railways) was sold by that group after a bid had been submitted in response to the invitation to
tender but before the final award of the contract. The FS, which, together with the EDS, formed the temporary
consortium which was the successful bidder, was thus divested of their only company specializing in the IT field.
If all this were confirmed, the consequence would be that on the date on which the contract was awarded the FS