WRITTEN QUESTION E-1783/00 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Compulsory use of typewriters.
Date: 2000-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, eligibility criteria, office equipment

C 72 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

(cid:129) transnational corporations and concentration of market power

(cid:129) public service obligations.

All these issues have an impact on individuals, as residential consumers, and on employment.

Does the Commission agree that the Council of European Energy Regulators should begin discussions with
trade unions, environmental, consumer and other civil-society organisations in order to develop open and
democratic mechanisms that allow the Council to benefit
these
organisations?

from the views and experience of

Does it believe that a similar dialogue should be held in the regulatory bodies at national level?

Does it support the creation of an advisory board to the Council which would include representatives of
these organisations?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

1.
The Council of European energy regulators (CEER) has been created to provide an adequate
framework for the work of the national regulators which touch on subjects which are of interest to the
internal market and more in particular to promote the development of efficient electricity and gas markets
in Europe. Information exchange and assistance among its members is one of its main tasks. The CEER is
open to information from all parties, which would mainly mean European groupings of organisations to
which the Honourable Member refers, but also industry and others interested in the internal electricity and
gas markets.

Even though the work of the regulators centres mainly around tariff setting and licensing, the subject of
quality of service has already been taken up by the regulators and the Commission. The Commission,
based on information from the regulators and other relevant parties, will issue a communication on public
service levels in the electricity and gas, and also the transport sector.

The other subjects mentioned by the Honourable Member in the introduction to the questions are part of
the work of the regulators, insofar as the subjects fall under their competence.

The regulatory bodies at national

2.
regulate. All
consultation procedures and it is important that the views of all interested parties are heard.

level regularly organise consultation rounds on subjects they
interested organisations can bring their opinions forward in the framework of such

3. Whilst the Commission believes strongly that, in order to carry out its responsibilities effectively, it
must ensure a wide consultation of interested parties on issues within its competence, it is, however, for
the CEER to decide how to undertake this consultation in the most effective and appropriate manner.

(2001/C 72 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1783/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Compulsory use of typewriters

Is the Commission aware that its departments are insisting that applications for the Exploratory Award and
CRAFT must be typewritten?

Is this a considered policy?

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typewriters are now required of small businesses, will

If
typewriters it uses itself?

the Commission please state how many

Will it make rooms available, possibly in the Commission offices in national capitals, in which business
people will be able to find typewriters with which to fill in their Commission application forms, should
they have unfortunately decided to retire their old typewriters?

Is the Commission of the opinion that typewriters are likely to make a comeback at the expense of the
word processor? If so, why?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2000)

The information package related to exploratory awards and CRAFT says that the application forms must
be completed by typewriter or computer. Since the application forms are (cid:145)interactive(cid:146) in the sense that they
are available on the Cordis web site, they can be downloaded and filled out by computer. This option,
which does not necessitate the use of a typewriter, is used by most applicants.

(2001/C 72 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1786/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Inclusion of

the European flag in the liveries worn by aircraft belonging to airlines from

Community countries

The airlines belonging to the EU Member States do not seem particularly keen to include the European
flag, alongside their respective national flags, as part of their livery, since only a very small number of the
airlines concerned have taken such a step.

Since all airlines from an EU Member State should ideally demonstrate that they belong to a body which
represents Europe throughout the world, consideration should be given to encouraging all EU airlines
(by means of appropriate legislation) to include the European flag alongside the appropriate national flag
on their aircraft.

Does the Commission think that it should seek an agreement with the various Member States concerning
legislation designed to ensure that airlines apply the European flag to their aircraft?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The issue of airlines including the European flag on their aircraft does not fall within the scope of
Community law. The Commission has, however, suggested to airlines established in the Member States that
they display the European flag on the fuselage of their aircraft. It notes that some airlines have done so.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answers given to Written Questions
E-2629/00 (1) and E-583/95 by Mr FernÆndez-Albor (2) on this matter.

(1) OJ C 136, 27.5.1991.
(2) OJ C 196, 31.7.1995.