WRITTEN QUESTION E-1674/00 by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Resolution of Religious freedom.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: India, common foreign and security policy, freedom of religious beliefs

C 72 E/96

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Reply

(26 September 2000)

It is not for the Council to interfere when Member States exercise their powers to remove aliens from their
territory.

(2001/C 72 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1673/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Payment of contractors and suppliers

(29 May 2000)

Further to Ms Schreyer(cid:146)s answer to my Written Question No E-0505/00 (1), will the Commission please
indicate the cost of interest paid on late payments by the Commission in each year since its change of
policy in 1997, together with the amounts claimed in each year?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 10.

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Honourable Member is informed that the Commission only has data for 1999.

In its communication of 10 June 1997, the Commission decided to change its policy on contracts by
introducing a clause formalising the maximum period of 60 days within which payment must be made
and allowing creditors to claim interest on expiry of that period, unless payment was suspended at the
Commission(cid:146)s initiative. This measure was indeed put into practice since, in 1999 alone, 41 proposals for
commitments in respect of interest on late payment were introduced by the Commission, for a total of
€ 1 114 870, of which € 932 289 had been paid by the end of the year by means of 282 individual
payment orders.

(2001/C 72 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1674/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Resolution of Religious freedom

Following Parliament(cid:146)s adoption on 11 February 1999 of a resolution on religious freedom (B4-0131/
1999 (1)) which refers specifically to news of persecution of religious minorities in India, what action has
the Commission taken to ensure that the Indian Government protects religious minorities and that the
relevant human rights clauses in treaty agreements with India are rigorously implemented?

(1) OJ C 150, 28.5.1999, p. 385.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 June 2000)

Since a number of attacks on Christian families and facilities in 1998 the delegation of the Commission in
New Delhi,
in close consultation with the missions of the Member States, has been monitoring the
situation regarding religious minorities in India. Particular attention has been given to assessing the
implication of any discriminatory legislative measures that could affect the freedom of faith of Christians

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/97

as well as other religious groups in India. On various occasions, the Commission delegation and Union
ambassadors have expressed their concern to the Indian government.

Moreover, the forthcoming Union-India Summit in Lisbon on 28 June 2000 will be an occasion to
reaffirm joint commitment to universal values of democracy and respect of human rights, the rule of law
and fundamental freedoms, traditions of diversity, plurality and tolerance.

(2001/C 72 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1675/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Disabled air travellers

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that disabled travellers do not suffer any discrimination
when travelling with flight operators within the European Union? Specifically, what action has it taken to
ensure the provision of disabled access and disabled facilities in airports and on commercial flights?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Commission gives priority to protecting the rights of air passengers, including disabled people, to
enable them to benefit fully from Community policy on air transport. It therefore adopted on 21 June
2000, a communication on the protection of air passengers (1). The Commission proposes legislation that,
among other things, will guarantee special assistance for disabled people free of charge, such as assistance
to and from the aircraft, and ensure that they are not denied boarding, if they have notified their disability
when boarding the ticket and received confirmation. It strongly recommends the adoption of voluntary
codes or service quality by airlines and airports to cover services for disabled people. After taking account
of responses to the communication, the Commission will propose concrete measures.

(1) COM(2000) 365.

(2001/C 72 E/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Methylphenidate

The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances classified Methylphenidate as having (cid:145)high abuse
potential(cid:146). What information does the Commission have on the prescription by psychiatrists in Europe of
Methylphenidate for the treatment of what is known as (cid:145)attention deficit disorder(cid:146) and on the abuse of this
substance within the EU?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 June 2000)

Methylphenidate is the active substance in a psychostimulant used to treat hyperactive attention disorders
in children.