WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2432/98 by Leonie van BLADEL , James JANSSEN van RAAY to the Council. Suspension of payments from budget items devoted to organizations caring for the elderly
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, JANSSEN VAN RAAY, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: Community budget, EU financing, cooperation policy, developing countries, development aid, elderly person, implementation of the budget, non-governmental organisation

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/57

(1999/C 135/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2430/98

by Frédéric Striby (I-EDN) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Road transport − harmonisation of conditions of competition

The French Ministry of Transport tabled a ‘memorandum’ with the Commission on 19 November 1997
asking for driving and rest times to be harmonised through the incorporation of times other than driving
times in Regulation 3820/85 (1).

Has the Commission considered these proposals? What are the current European rules on this matter?

(1) OJ L 370, 31.12.1985, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1998)

On 19 November 1997, the French government submitted a memorandum to the Council for European
harmonisation of social rules in road transport. The memorandum made suggestions in three areas:
regulations of all periods of activities in road transport particularly for drivers; the introduction of
obligatory professional training for all drivers; and a harmonisation of enforcement measures and
penalties.

The Commission took note of the suggestions and indeed is actively engaged in addressing all three areas.
Firstly, in the absence of an agreement between the Social Partners on Working Time, the Commission is
drawing up its own proposals for Community-wide rules covering ‘mobile’ workers in road haulage. The
Commission also intends to propose to extend the Working Time Directive (93/104) to cover non-mobile
workers. Secondly, a Commission communication on driver training is in preparation. Thirdly, the
Commission is gathering information from the Member States to form the basis of a report on the
efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement levels and current penalties.

(1999/C 135/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) and James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Council

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Suspension of payments from budget items devoted to organizations caring for the elderly

1.
Is the Council of Ministers aware that the Commission decision of 10 July 1998 to suspend payments
from some 40 budget items devoted to European cooperation in areas including care for the elderly
constitutes a serious handicap for European NGOs which have requested subsidies?

Does the Council share my view that this suspension runs counter to the rules of sound financial

2.
management?

3. What steps has the Council taken, as we approach 1999, the UN Year of the Elderly, to lift that
suspension?

Does the Council realize that the decision to suspend payments is incompatible with the objective of
4.
encouraging senior citizens to involve themselves in EU affairs and that it will, inter alia, sharply reduce
the degree of interest of European senior citizens in the forthcoming European elections in June 1999?

Is the Council aware that the suspension of payments gives a totally false signal to the social services

5.
organizations which work to improve the welfare of the elderly in Europe?