WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/00 by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Must-carry rules for cable networks and their impact on the EU's policy on Television without Frontiers.
Date: 2000-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European television, audiovisual communications policy, audiovisual programme, cable distribution, freedom to provide services, pay television, single market

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/165

(2000/C 330 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0462/00

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Blood alcohol levels for drivers

Can the Commission state whether a new proposal for the reduction of blood alcohol levels permitted for
drivers of motor vehicles throughout the European Union is being considered and, if so, when is the
Commission likely to come forward with these proposals?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2000)

For many years the Commission has investigated the problem of drinking and driving and the road
accidents which it generates. The conclusion, from a road safety as well as from a public health point of
view, is that national and European actions to reduce the incidence of drinking and driving are a priority
to make Community roads safer and to prevent much human suffering. Most experts will agree that what
is required is a package of measures to tackle this problem embracing blood alcohol content (BAC) limits,
appropriate health promotion programmes and campaigns, effective and targeted enforcement, penalties,
and rehabilitation programmes for serious offenders.

The original proposal for a BAC limit of 0,5 milligramme per milliliter (mg/ml) brought forward in 1988,
remained unadopted simply because too many Member States objected to such a measure on the grounds
of subsidiarity, even though they themselves were prepared to accept 0,5 mg/ml. Indeed, since 1988 some
Member States have accepted 0,5 mg/ml in their national legislation.

Against this background, the Commission has no intention to put forward a new directive but sees a
Council recommendation has the best way to deal with this important road safety and public health
problem.

(2000/C 330 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/00

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Must-carry rules for cable networks and their impact on the EU(cid:146)s policy on (cid:145)Television without

Frontiers(cid:146)

Must-carry rules imposed on cable networks pose a problem in several Member States. Such rules oblige
cable operators to transmit a number of mostly national broadcasts, including in some cases pay-television
services. Cable capacity is scarce and only a limited number of broadcasts and services can be transmitted.
Must-carry rules reduce the transmission capacity available to meet customer demand.

Such rules have an adverse impact on the functioning of the internal market, the freedom to provide
services and on the retransmission of transborder television services. In addition, they discriminate in
favour of national broadcasts, to which they grant privileged access to cable.

I refer to my previous parliamentary question E-2006/98 (1) and ask the Commission to state what steps it
has taken in the meantime and what further steps it plans to take in the near future. A time schedule in
this respect would be welcome.

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 134.

C 330 E/166

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2000)

In reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s previous written question E-2006/98 (1), the Commission indicated
that a questionnaire was under preparation for circulation to all interested parties. Such a questionnaire
was sent to Member States, cable operators, broadcasters, consumer organisations and copyright organisa-
tions throughout the Community. The Commission has also issued a communication reviewing regulation
in the communications sector (2), which considered the economic impact on cable operators(cid:146) ability to
compete in convergent communications markets. On the basis of a substantial number of replies received,
in the context of both initiatives, the Commission is examining whether a horizontal initiative in this area
is necessary.

The need for such an initiative also has to be examined in the light of the growing number of complaints
in this area, which shows the importance of this issue for the functioning of the internal market.

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 134.
(2) COM(1999) 539.

(2000/C 330 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0466/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Commission policy on implementation of the EU budget for 2000 in respect of the promotion

and safeguard of regional and minority languages

The two EU budgetary authorities, Parliament and the Council, have decided to set aside a number of
headings under the Community budget
for 2000 to promote and safeguard regional and minority
languages.

To be more precise, it has been indicated that line B3-1003N (Preparatory measures for promotion of the
linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society), to which the sum of EUR 2 million has
been earmarked, aims, within the information society, to promote the linguistic diversity of the Commun-
ity, including regional and minority languages, and to finance preparatory measures with a view to the
designation of 2001 as the European Year of Languages, including sign languages.

Will the Commission say exactly how much of the sum of EUR 2 million is to be earmarked for the
protection and safeguard of minority languages in the Community, and what sum is to be allocated
specifically in order to the achieve the two basic aims mentioned above?

What procedure will it be pursuing with a view to implementing the aforementioned budget line?

When does it intend to begin accepting applications for specific projects which may be eligible for funding
to promote and safeguard minority languages?

What will be the guidelines and requirements governing the eligibility of projects for Community funding?

When can the selected projects hope to receive the Community funding allocated to them?

Is any other heading or sum in the EU budget for 2000 likely to be in any way earmarked for the
promotion and safeguard of regional and minority languages, and if so, what will be the amounts of
money involved?