do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1560/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Sixth Directive Article 10
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EC Directive, United Kingdom, VAT, application of EU law, claim, delivery, goods and services, interpretation of the law, invoicing













EUR-Lex - 91998E1560 - EN






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91998E1560

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1560/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Sixth Directive Article 10  


Official Journal C 096 , 08/04/1999 P. 0007 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1560/98by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission(19 May 1998)Subject: Sixth Directive Article 10Will the Commission make a statement on the interpretation of, and current practice in the various Member States in complying with, the 6th Directive (77/388/EEC(1)) Article 10 of which states that the date of issue of a tax invoice may only be used as the "chargeable event" for "certain transactions or for certain categories of taxable person"?Will the Commission comment on current UK practice since the removal of the Standard Method of Gross Takings and say whether this still complies with Article 10?What method is employed by other Member States?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission(14 July 1998)The general principle laid down in the first paragraph of Article 10(2) of the sixth VAT Directive is that the tax is chargeable at the time the goods are delivered or the services are performed. However, by way of derogation from this general principle, the third paragraph of Article 10(2) permits Member States, in respect of certain transactions or certain categories of taxable person, to defer the date on which the tax becomes chargeable. In the case of supplies of services or retail sales, for example, Member States may find it more appropriate to provide that VAT is chargeable at the time of issue of the invoice or the time of payment. In different Member States and under different circumstances, such practices exist.The standard method of reckoning gross takings, which was introduced in the United Kingdom on the basis of this provision, allowed retailers to account for tax at a later date where they were not paid in full at the time of the supply. This "method" was only permitted, however, where the supplier himself financed the debt, and could not be used where the payment in respect of the goods was received from a third party, such as a finance house.The decision to withdraw the "method" was taken by the United Kingdom in the November 1996 budget for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rationale behind the introduction of the scheme in 1978, which was to alleviate the bad debt problem faced by retailers who financed their own credit, had largely disappeared since the introduction in the United Kingdom of specific relief for VAT on bad debts. In addition, there was concern over the use of the "method" for tax avoidance purposes.The situation in the United Kingdom since the withdrawal of the "method" marks a reversion to the application of the general principle of the first paragraph of Article 10(2), i.e. chargeability at the time of the supply.(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1046/98 of 19 May 1998 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit

20. 5. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 149/17

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1046/98

of 19 May 1998

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain
fruit and vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/
94 of 21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the applica-
the import arrangements for fruit and veget-
tion of
ables (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2375/
96 (2), and in particular Article 4 (1) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3813/92
of 28 December 1992 on the unit of account and the
conversion rates to be applied for the purposes of the
common agricultural policy (3), as last amended by Regu-
lation (EC) No 150/95 (4), and in particular Article 3 (3)
thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down,
pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilat-
eral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commis-

sion fixes the standard values for imports from third
countries, in respect of the products and periods stipu-
lated in the Annex thereto;

Whereas, in compliance with the above criteria, the stand-
ard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of
Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 20 May 1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24. 12. 1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 325, 14. 12. 1996, p. 5.
(3) OJ L 387, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 22, 31. 1. 1995, p. 1.

L 149/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

20. 5. 98

to the Commission Regulation of 19 May 1998 establishing the standard import values for
determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0707 00 05

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 30 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(ECU/100 kg)

052
068
999
052
999
052
204
212
400
600
624
999
382
388
600
999
060
388
400
404
508
512
524
528
804
999

93,6
87,3
90,5
69,6
69,6
60,0
40,0
60,0
55,4
41,7
45,8
50,5
59,2
59,2
58,7
59,0
37,0
75,0
96,3
94,0
81,7
73,4
67,9
68,1
108,5
78,0

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2317/97 (OJ L 321, 22. 11. 1997, p. 19). Code

‘999' stands for ‘of other origin'.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1557/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU institution, European official, action programme, anti-discriminatory measure, ethnic group, foreign national, regulations for civil servants

C 354/112

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19. 11. 98

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 1998)

The Commission considers that Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the
principle  of  equal  treatment  for  men  and  women  as  regards  access  to  employment,  vocational  training  and
promotion,  and  working  conditions  refers  only  to  employment  relationships  covered  by  a  contract  drawn  up
between the worker and his employer. Given that a candidature for election is not an employment relationship as
described above, it does not fall within the scope of either Article 119 of the EC Treaty or Directive 76/207/EEC.

The Commission agrees that Community legislation is not a legal impediment to national measures to improve
the representation of women in elected bodies.

Council Recommendation 96/694/EC of 2 December 1996 on the balanced participation of women and men in
the  decision-making  process (1)  recommends  that  Member  States  should  adopt  a  comprehensive  strategy  to
promote a balanced participation of women and men in the decision making process.

(1)  OJ L 319, 10.12.1996.

(98/C 354/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What plans does the Commission have to implement an action programme to increase the number of people from
ethnic minorities working in the EU institutions?

(98/C 354/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1558/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What percentage of the staff of the EU institutions is of ethnic minority origin?

(98/C 354/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1559/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What  plans  does  the  Commission  have  to  apply  to  ethnic  minorities  programmes  similar  to  those  it  has
implemented to overcome discrimination against women?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1557/98, E-1558/98 and E-1559/98
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 1998)

All  staff  recruitment  takes  place  in  accordance  with  Article  27  of  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials,  which
specifically states that recruitment must be on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of
the Member States, without reference to race, political, ethical or religious belief, gender or sexual orientation,
and irrespective of marital status or family situation.

Consequently, the Commission has not needed to introduce positive action programmes to increase the number
of people from ethnic minorities working in its departments.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1552/98 by Rainer WIELAND to the Commission. Motor-vehicle number-plate requirement
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WIELAND
Subjects: European symbol, Switzerland, commercial vehicle, intra-EU transport, motor vehicle, vehicle registration













EUR-Lex - 91998E1552 - EN






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91998E1552

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1552/98 by Rainer WIELAND to the Commission. Motor-vehicle number-plate requirement  


Official Journal C 031 , 05/02/1999 P. 0056 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1552/98by Rainer Wieland (PPE) to the Commission(19 May 1998)Subject: Motor-vehicle number-plate requirementFrom 1 June 1998 drivers whose vehicles carry the blue EU emblem on the number-plate, will no longer be required to display indications of nationality such as "D", "SF", etc., when travelling within the Union.On what legal basis was this negotiated?To what extent did the Commission link Switzerland into the negotiating process?Was Switzerland actually involved in any way in the above negotiations, or was it merely consulted or notified before or during the negotiating process?Did the Commission ever intend to involve Switzerland in this outcome?What were the reasons for not involving Switzerland?Does the Commission have any plans to involve Switzerland in future?If not, why not?If so, when does it expect this to take place?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission(1 July 1998)The Commission's proposal for a Council regulation on the recognition in intra Community traffic of the distinguishing sign of the Member State in which motor vehicles and their trailers are registered(1) is based on Article 75(1)(d) of the EC Treaty. The proposal concerns intra-Community traffic only.Following Parliament's first reading, the Commission has submitted a modified proposal(2) and the Council's common position can be expected in June 1998. The regulation is not expected to be adopted before autumn 1998.It would therefore be premature to negotiate with third countries on the content of the forthcoming regulation. However, the Commission will take up the issue of recognition of the registration signs with the Swiss authorities at the earliest opportunity.(1) OJ C 290, 24.9.1997.(2) OJ C 159, 26.5.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1699/98 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. Presidency of the EU and the WEU
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, SEPPAENEN
Subjects: European Union, Finland, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Western European Union

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/153

recognised that the specification of public service obligations does not include the power to compel airlines to
operate any given route, if no airline expresses its intention to respond to calls for tender.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.
(2) OJ C 350, 10.12.1994.
(3) OJ C 385, 19.12.1997.

(98/C 402/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1699/98

by Esko Sepp(cid:228)nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Presidency of the EU and the WEU

According to a decision of the European Council, the presidency of the EU and the WEU are to be combined.
What arrangements are envisaged for the period of Finland(cid:146)s Presidency, given that Finland is not a member of
the WEU?

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

(11 June 1998)

Although this matter does not concern the Commission directly, it would inform the Honourable Member of the
following.

At their meeting in Erfurt on 18 November 1997, the ministers of the Western European Union (WEU) approved
a decision of the Permanent Council on harmonisation of the succession of the presidencies of the WEU and the
European Union. That decision was communicated to the European Union and noted by the Council on
19 December 1997.

Under that decision, where the presidency of the Union is held by a High Contracting Party to the modified
Brussels Treaty, that Party will also hold the presidency of the WEU. In all other cases, the presidency of the
WEU will be held by a High Contracting Party to the modified Brussels Treaty according to the current order of
succession of the presidencies of the WEU. The new order of succession of the presidencies will come into force
on 1 January 1999.

In light of the above and the fact that Finland is not a member ipso jure of the WEU, Luxembourg will hold the
presidency of the Council of the WEU when Finland holds the presidency of the Council from July 1999
to December 1999.

(98/C 402/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1703/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Renewal of motor vehicles in the Community

Statistics show that the number of private cars registered more than ten years ago is still alarmingly high, standing
at more than 25 % of the national totals.

Leaving aside the legitimate interests of the Community car industry to focus on other considerations such as road
safety and the quality of life, there is no doubt that incentives should be provided to reduce the above percentage,
which reaches 50.62 % in Greece, 44.15 % in Finland and 36.29 % in Spain.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1559/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU institution, European official, action programme, anti-discriminatory measure, ethnic group, foreign national, regulations for civil servants, sexual discrimination

C 354/112

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19. 11. 98

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 1998)

The Commission considers that Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the
principle  of  equal  treatment  for  men  and  women  as  regards  access  to  employment,  vocational  training  and
promotion,  and  working  conditions  refers  only  to  employment  relationships  covered  by  a  contract  drawn  up
between the worker and his employer. Given that a candidature for election is not an employment relationship as
described above, it does not fall within the scope of either Article 119 of the EC Treaty or Directive 76/207/EEC.

The Commission agrees that Community legislation is not a legal impediment to national measures to improve
the representation of women in elected bodies.

Council Recommendation 96/694/EC of 2 December 1996 on the balanced participation of women and men in
the  decision-making  process (1)  recommends  that  Member  States  should  adopt  a  comprehensive  strategy  to
promote a balanced participation of women and men in the decision making process.

(1)  OJ L 319, 10.12.1996.

(98/C 354/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What plans does the Commission have to implement an action programme to increase the number of people from
ethnic minorities working in the EU institutions?

(98/C 354/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1558/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What percentage of the staff of the EU institutions is of ethnic minority origin?

(98/C 354/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1559/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What  plans  does  the  Commission  have  to  apply  to  ethnic  minorities  programmes  similar  to  those  it  has
implemented to overcome discrimination against women?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1557/98, E-1558/98 and E-1559/98
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 1998)

All  staff  recruitment  takes  place  in  accordance  with  Article  27  of  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials,  which
specifically states that recruitment must be on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of
the Member States, without reference to race, political, ethical or religious belief, gender or sexual orientation,
and irrespective of marital status or family situation.

Consequently, the Commission has not needed to introduce positive action programmes to increase the number
of people from ethnic minorities working in its departments.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1558/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU institution, European official, action programme, anti-discriminatory measure, ethnic group, foreign national, regulations for civil servants

C 354/112

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19. 11. 98

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 1998)

The Commission considers that Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the
principle  of  equal  treatment  for  men  and  women  as  regards  access  to  employment,  vocational  training  and
promotion,  and  working  conditions  refers  only  to  employment  relationships  covered  by  a  contract  drawn  up
between the worker and his employer. Given that a candidature for election is not an employment relationship as
described above, it does not fall within the scope of either Article 119 of the EC Treaty or Directive 76/207/EEC.

The Commission agrees that Community legislation is not a legal impediment to national measures to improve
the representation of women in elected bodies.

Council Recommendation 96/694/EC of 2 December 1996 on the balanced participation of women and men in
the  decision-making  process (1)  recommends  that  Member  States  should  adopt  a  comprehensive  strategy  to
promote a balanced participation of women and men in the decision making process.

(1)  OJ L 319, 10.12.1996.

(98/C 354/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What plans does the Commission have to implement an action programme to increase the number of people from
ethnic minorities working in the EU institutions?

(98/C 354/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1558/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What percentage of the staff of the EU institutions is of ethnic minority origin?

(98/C 354/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1559/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions

What  plans  does  the  Commission  have  to  apply  to  ethnic  minorities  programmes  similar  to  those  it  has
implemented to overcome discrimination against women?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1557/98, E-1558/98 and E-1559/98
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 1998)

All  staff  recruitment  takes  place  in  accordance  with  Article  27  of  the  Staff  Regulations  of  Officials,  which
specifically states that recruitment must be on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of
the Member States, without reference to race, political, ethical or religious belief, gender or sexual orientation,
and irrespective of marital status or family situation.

Consequently, the Commission has not needed to introduce positive action programmes to increase the number
of people from ethnic minorities working in its departments.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1543/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Pollution and lack of security on the Rome underground
Date: 1998-05-19
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Latium, air conditioning, asbestos, health risk, occupational health, occupational safety, pollution, public health, public hygiene, underground railway

18.1.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 13/43

(1999/C 13/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1543/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Pollution and lack of security on the Rome underground

A recent survey carried out by myself and other Italian politicians at stations on the (cid:145)A(cid:146) line of the Rome
underground revealed serious shortcomings as regards health and safety.

In particular, it seems that the company Cotral, which operates the line, has taken steps to remove asbestos from
only 10 out of the 70 subway cars, exposing passengers and workers to the danger of contamination, a situation
made worse by the inadequate ventilation systems. The suspicion that asbestos pollution may be a risk is
confirmed by the fact that the company pays its workers a monthly (cid:145)asbestos allowance(cid:146) (trade union agreement
of 4 September 1995).

The survey of the (cid:145)A(cid:146) line also revealed the existence of excessive temperatures and serious overcrowding of
trains during rush hours.

In addition there are no proper safety systems to deal with emergencies, partly because of the many architectural
obstacles.

Does the Commission not think it appropriate to intervene in order to ensure compliance with Directives
83/477/EEC (1), 91/382/EEC (2) and 90/394/EEC (3) and the provisions transposing these directives into Italian
law?

(1) OJ L 263, 24.9.1983, p. 25.
(2) OJ L 206, 29.7.1991, p. 16.
(3) OJ L 196, 26.7.1990, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 1998)

The directives quoted by the Honourable Member have been implemented by Italy.

The information supplied by the Honourable Member does not permit the Commission to conclude that the Italian
authorities have failed in their obligations to put in place adequate enforcement in the Metro in Rome.

The Commission would however be glad to receive and examine any further information that the Honourable
Member can supply.

(1999/C 13/061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1561/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(25 May 1998)

Subject: The clearing of Palestinian inhabitants from East Jerusalem

There is strong evidence that, since 1994, the Israeli authorities have made it increasingly difficult for members of
the Palestinian community in East Jerusalem to continue living there by restricting residency rights. This appears
to be one element behind a wider clearance policy.

Did the President-in-Office raise the question of clearances with the Israeli Government during his recent visit to
the Middle East?

Is the Council considering making Israeli trading privileges with the EU conditional upon equal access to the EU
for Palestinian exports and to the ending of the clearances from Jerusalem?