do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3892/98 by Luciano VECCHI to the Commission. Age limits for participating in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme for young people
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, VECCHI
Subjects: information, national service, public awareness campaign, voluntary military service, young person

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/133

(1999/C 182/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3892/98

by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Age limits for participating in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme for young people

When they adopted the legislative text on the EVS programme for young people after a lengthy and
complicated codecision procedure, the European Parliament and the Council defined the age limit for
participating in the programme.

The compromise solution adopted was to continue to give priority to 18 to 25 year olds although, in duly
justified cases, the age limit of 25 could be exceeded.

The documents distributed by national agencies do not however make any mention of the possibility of
exceeding the age limit of 25.

1. Why not?

2. Would the legislative provisions be properly implemented if the age limit of 25 were exceeded in certain

cases?

3. Who is responsible for taking such a decision (national agencies, Commission, sending or host

organisations etc.)?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 1999)

The Honourable Member draws the Commission’s attention to the fact that the information material on the
European Voluntary Service (EVS) distributed by the national agencies does not specifically mention the
possibility, in duly justified cases, of exceeding the age limits for young people participating in the programme.

It is correct that this possibility is not specifically mentioned in the pamphlets intended to make a broad target
group aware of the opportunities offered by the EVS programme. However, the User’s Guide, which is the
main tool for helping young people and organisations to prepare a project, specifically refers to the possibility
of flexible application of the age limits for young people (1). In future, the Commission will ensure that this
flexibility is clearly mentioned in other information relating to the programme.

EVS projects are largely decentralised. The national agencies are responsible for selecting ‘sending projects’
involving young people. In the case of multilateral or special projects, the Commission is responsible for the
selection of ‘sending projects.’

At meetings of the programme committee or with the national agencies, the Commission has always made it
clear that the age limits may be applied in a flexible manner if this is duly justified.

(1)

‘User’s guide’ Part II, the partners in an EVS project.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3939/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Council. Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space Station
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: EU action, European Space Agency, action programme, international cooperation, research programme, space policy, space research, space station, space technology, technological change













EUR-Lex - 91998E3939 - EN






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91998E3939

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3939/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Council. Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space Station  


Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0148 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3939/98by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council(4 January 1999)Subject: Assessing the various consequences of abandoning the International Space StationThe first section of the International Space Station was launched successfully from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) on 20 November 1998. It is designed to turn into reality things that have for decades been science-fiction dreams. On 3 December the module Zarya (Sunrise) will be joined by the connecting module Unity launched from the United States. There have already been delays owing to economic problems in Russia, but the most serious problem is that there is a new timetable for Russia's launching of the service module, now scheduled for July 1999. In the meantime there is growing criticism. A significant example is the editorial in the 14 November issue of The Economist, which says "With Russia's contribution to the project fast dwindling to nothing, the station is now losing even symbolic value ..., should it be going ahead at all? The answer is no." Nothing is said about assessing the consequences of abandoning the project.All this is symptomatic of the growing difficulties of international cooperation in various fields of megascience, space, nuclear fusion, etc. Can the Council say what the European position is and what is at stake for the European Space Agency and its members?Reply(15 March 1999)The Council is not in a position to answer this question which would appear to be a matter for the European Space Agency (of which, moreover, not all Member States are members).It is recalled that Community RTD space-related activities are limited to coordination of activities in those fields of applications (telecommunications, navigation and earth observation) which benefit from space technologies and systems, whilst ensuring synergy with ESA activities.The Fifth Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration (1998 to 2002) does not include a "space" activity as such.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3900/98 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Participation of Commissioner Hans Van den Broek in the 1995 Bilderberg meeting
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: European Commissioner, Scotland, allowances and expenses, international meeting, operating cost, paid leave

C 207/144

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Hans van den Broek in the 1995 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner van den Broek in Bürgenstock from 8-11 June
1995, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3901/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Leon Brittan in the 1998 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner Leon Brittan in Turnberry, Scotland from
14-17 May 1998, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?

(1999/C 207/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3902/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Participation of Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard in the 1995 Bilderberg meeting

Concerning the Bilderberg meeting attended by Commissioner Bjerregaard in Bürgenstock from 8-11 June
1995, could the Commission state:

1. What the items were which made up the total travel and whether the costs were reimbursed at the time, or

if not who paid them?

2.

Since Bilderberg normally pays the lavish accommodation, should this be declared by the Commissioner?

3. Did the Commissioner receive the specified subsistence allowance for the days of the trip?

4. Did the Commissioner take leave of absence for this trip?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3872/98 by John McCARTIN Ban on antibiotics in animal feed
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MCCARTIN
Subjects: European Economic and Social Committee, World Health Organisation, animal health, animal nutrition, antibiotic, biology, epidemic, food additive, pharmaceutical legislation, public health

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/17

(1999/C 341/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3861/98

by Clive Needle (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Licensed goods vehicles

What records are held by the Commission of the number of licensed goods vehicles and licensed drivers in all
the Member States? What are the totals, broken down by Member State, in all the relevant categories?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

The Commission does not hold records of the numbers of licensed goods vehicles and licensed goods vehicle
drivers in all Member States. While statistics available to the Commission on the number of licensed goods
vehicle drivers in each Member State are too incomplete to give an overall picture, the position regarding the
number of licensed goods vehicles in each Member State is better documented. The following table, based on
work carried out under the 4th framework programme, distinguishes between light goods vehicles (up to
3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight) and heavy goods vehicles (3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight
and over).

Member State

Light goods vehicles

Heavy goods vehicles

(1995)

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

250 000

180 000

178 000

140 000

1 250 000

1 030 000

710 000

2 350 000

3 410 000

60 000

178 000

458 000

665 000

87 000

1 900 000

1 150 000

4 000

350 000

90 000

330 000

220 000

240 000

18 000

245 000

213 000

298 000

43 000

84 000

519 000

United Kingdom

2 070 000

EU 15

13 414 000

5 306 000

(1999/C 341/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3872/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ban on antibiotics in animal feed

Can the Commission explain the procedure it is using to seek to ban the use of four antibiotic growth
promoters and can it state whether its proposal is based on scientific or political considerations?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3952/98 by Nuala AHERN to the Council. German Government's plans to halt nuclear reprocessing
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: AHERN, European Parliament
Subjects: Germany, competence of the Member States, fuel reprocessing, nuclear fuel, nuclear safety, radioactive waste, storage of waste, waste management

C 207/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

VAT rates applied to veterinary services as at 1 January 1999

Rate %

Standard

Special

B

21

DK

25

D

16

GR

18

E

16

7

F

IRL

I

L

NL

20,6

12,5

20

12

17,5

5,5

AT

20

P

17

12

FI

22

SE

25

UK

17,5

(1999/C 207/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3952/98

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Council

(4 January 1999)

Subject: German Government’s plans to halt nuclear reprocessing

What coordination has been undertaken by the Presidency in the Troika to take forward the German
Government’s plans to halt nuclear reprocessing and introduce ‘safe storage’ alternatives for irradiated spent
nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste?

Reply

(15 March 1999)

The German Government’s plan to which the Honourable Member refers is a matter for the Member State
concerned.

The Council has not to date received a Commission proposal on the management of radioactive waste, to
which the aspects raised in this question relate.

(1999/C 207/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3957/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Safe delivery of food aid to Russia

(4 January 1999)

The European Union has promised Russia food aid to the value of 2,4 billion marks in the form of cereals, rice,
meat and milk powder. However, ensuring the safe delivery of food aid is seen as a problem, as it is difficult to
supervise in Russia.

What will the Commission do, in cooperation with the Russian authorities, to ensure that food aid reaches its
intended destination?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

A number of measures have been taken in relation to the control of the distribution of the food aid programme
within the Russian Federation.

The regions and areas that will be the beneficiaries of the programme as well as the distribution of the products
by region are listed in an annex to the memorandum of understanding between the Community and Russia.
This annex will be subject to an official decision by the government of the Russian Federation, which will be
published. Consequently, all regional governors will be able to check that they receive the quantities which
have been designated for them.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3852/98 by Jannis SAKELLARIOU Financial endowment of BISTRO - beneficiaries of TACIS-LIEN
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, SAKELLARIOU
Subjects: Commission Delegation, Community budget, EU aid, EU programme, Kazakhstan, action programme, financial aid, non-governmental organisation

C 320/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

from the Member States, this review process is now complete. The Commission’s work programme for 1999
envisages that a consolidated text updating and revising existing directives on labelling of tobacco products
and maximum tar yields for cigarettes, in the light of experience with their current provisions, will be proposed
in the first half of the 1999.

(1) COM(96) 609 final.
(2) OJ L 213, 30.7.1998.
(3) OJ L 359, 8.12.1989.
(4) OJ L 137, 30.5.1990.

(1999/C 320/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3852/98

by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Financial endowment of BISTRO 3 beneficiaries of TACIS-LIEN

Can the Commission provide any information on the financial endowment of the BISTRO programme

1.
for 1998 and 1999? In particular, what amount of the resources has not yet been committed?

Can the Commission say how many applicants there have been in all for assistance from BISTRO in

2.
1998? What is the average amount of assistance provided per application?

3.

How are approved applications shared among counterparts and NGOs in the various Member States?

4. May applications be made for assistance for projects with partners in Kazakhstan under the TACIS-LIEN
programme?

5.
If not, how does the Commission explain that members of its delegation in Kazakhstan recommend
German applicants to apply for assistance for projects with partners in Kazakhstan under the TACIS-LIEN
programme, although the relevant guidelines on the TACIS-LIEN programme specify that Kazakhstan is not
endowed with a LIEN discretionary budget and that any application is therefore bound to fail?

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

(4 February 1999)

In the 1996-1997 action programme the Kazakstan Bistro budget amounted to ECU 1 million. Half of
1.
the ECU 1 million of the 1996/1997 budget is still available. The next action programme is still under
negotiation. Hence, no budget figure can be given yet.

The Bistro programme is managed by the delegation of the Commission in Alma Aty which so far has
2.
received 34 applications. Nine of them have been approved. The average budget of a Bistro project is €44 000.

3.
From the nine approved projects three have been concluded with Kazakh institutions. The remaining six
projects have been concluded with four Member States: (Germany 2; France 1; Netherlands 1 and United
Kingdom 2).

4.

Yes, projects with Kazakh partners could be requested.

5.
The delegation of the Commission in Alma Aty has the role to provide information on the spot on how
to obtain TACIS support about all the available facilities. There are two on-going LIEN projects in Kazakstan
which were financed under the 1997 programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3977/98 by W.G. van VELZEN Telecommunications and the political independence of NRAs
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN VELZEN W G
Subjects: Germany, administrative autonomy, national law, power of decision, statutory power, telecommunications

11.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 289/107

The international combat against child trafficking is led by the United Nations which has appointed a special
rapporteur on the sale of children. The European Union will continue to work for an end to the practice of
child trafficking with the United Nations, including the special rapporteur on the sale of children, as well as
governments and non-governmental organisations concerned with the issue.

(1999/C 289/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3951/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Gender mainstreaming in the Commission

1.

2.

3.

How does the Commission implement the call for gender mainstreaming in its own departments?

Does gender mainstreaming take place in the individual directorates-general, e.g. agriculture?

If not, why not - or is gender mainstreaming sheer nonsense?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

1.
Gender mainstreaming is taken into account in Commission staff policy, in particular through the third
action programme for equal opportunities for women and men at the European Commission (1997-2000)
adopted on 2 April 1997 (1). Under the programme the Commission requires Directors-General and
department heads to draw up specific action plans aimed at incorporating the gender perspective in the
various aspects of an official’s working life (recruitment, career development, training, working hours).

2.
At present most Directorates-General have drawn up an action plan and given a support committee the
task of monitoring its implementation. In the Directorate-General for Agriculture two working parties have
been set up to improve equal opportunities for men and women. One deals with questions directly relating to
agricultural policy, and the other deals with personnel matters in the Directorate-General. Both working
parties are chaired by directors.

3.
Incorporating the gender perspective is one of the Commission’s priorities. A specific equal opportu-
nities unit in the Directorate-General for Personnel is responsible for monitoring progress and developing
measures which help to give effect to the objective of incorporating gender mainstreaming in staff policies,
especially by holding seminars on the subject, or by giving direct assistance to Directorates-General and
departments.

(1)

SEC(97) 536.

(1999/C 289/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3977/98

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Telecommunications and the political independence of NRAs

Mr Müller, the German Minister of Telecommunications, recently ‘advised’ Deutsche Telekom AG to withdraw
its proposal for tariffs for access by third parties to the ‘last mile’ (cf. Financial Times, 28/ 29 November 1998),
which Deutsche Telekom AG duly did. As a result, the German regulator was not able to deliver an opinion as
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3861/98 by Clive NEEDLE Licensed goods vehicles
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, NEEDLE
Subjects: EU statistics, commercial vehicle, driving licence, road transport, transport statistics, vehicle registration

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/17

(1999/C 341/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3861/98

by Clive Needle (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Licensed goods vehicles

What records are held by the Commission of the number of licensed goods vehicles and licensed drivers in all
the Member States? What are the totals, broken down by Member State, in all the relevant categories?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

The Commission does not hold records of the numbers of licensed goods vehicles and licensed goods vehicle
drivers in all Member States. While statistics available to the Commission on the number of licensed goods
vehicle drivers in each Member State are too incomplete to give an overall picture, the position regarding the
number of licensed goods vehicles in each Member State is better documented. The following table, based on
work carried out under the 4th framework programme, distinguishes between light goods vehicles (up to
3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight) and heavy goods vehicles (3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight
and over).

Member State

Light goods vehicles

Heavy goods vehicles

(1995)

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

250 000

180 000

178 000

140 000

1 250 000

1 030 000

710 000

2 350 000

3 410 000

60 000

178 000

458 000

665 000

87 000

1 900 000

1 150 000

4 000

350 000

90 000

330 000

220 000

240 000

18 000

245 000

213 000

298 000

43 000

84 000

519 000

United Kingdom

2 070 000

EU 15

13 414 000

5 306 000

(1999/C 341/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3872/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ban on antibiotics in animal feed

Can the Commission explain the procedure it is using to seek to ban the use of four antibiotic growth
promoters and can it state whether its proposal is based on scientific or political considerations?