WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327/00 by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE-DE) to the Commission. UK Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Date: 2000-07-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, admission of aliens, application of EU law, fine, free movement of persons, group travel, tourism, transport company

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/21

The communication identifies three broad areas for action:

(cid:129) maximising access to, and effective use of, existing interventions, by strengthening health service

infrastructures;

(cid:129) increasing access and affordability of key pharmaceuticals through a comprehensive approach, which
could include, inter alia, differential pricing, voluntary licensing agreements, parallel trading, increase
in local production, dismantling of tariffs and review of national taxation schemes;

(cid:129) and enhancing investment in research and development targeted at the three diseases,

including

through innovative private and public partnership.

The Commission is pursuing a broad-based dialogue with all concerned on this framework for action.
A high-level round table, involving the WHO, UNAIDS, and the WTO, senior government representatives
from developing countries and Member States, members of the Parliament, representatives of civil society,
European pharmaceutical companies and research agencies is scheduled for 28 September 2000.

(2001/C 136 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327/00

by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: UK Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

(11 July 2000)

The British Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 lays down a series of requirements for group travel to the
United Kingdom which prompt doubts about their compatibility with EU legislation on freedom of
movement. They provide in the case of travel by bus, for example, that a passenger list including the full
name, age and sex of all travellers is required. If this requirement is not met, or the passports and identity
papers of travellers are no longer valid, the responsible business or organiser is liable to a fine for each
offending passenger. Should there be a visa requirement, this visa must be appended to the passenger list
by the responsible business or organiser. If this has not been done, or the visa is not valid, the responsible
business or organiser must pay a fine of GBP 2 000 for each offending passenger.

Is it compatible with the rules on freedom of movement within the European Union that a travel

1.
organiser, e.g. a bus operator, should have to meet such obligations?

How does the Commission view the new provisions of the British legislature against the background

2.
of freedom of movement under European law?

3. What action might the Commission take against the British authorities?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Article 1 of the Protocol on the application of certain aspects of Article 7a of the Treaty establishing the
European Community to the United Kingdom and Ireland, which is annexed to the EU Treaty and the
EC Treaty, allows the United Kingdom to exercise at its frontiers with other Member States such controls
as it may consider necessary for the purpose of verifying that persons exercising rights conferred by
Community law are entitled to enter its territory and determining whether or not to grant other persons
permission to enter the United Kingdom.

As a result of these provisions, checks on the travel documents and visas of persons travelling to the
United Kingdom from other Member States are not contrary to European law, provided they are
compatible with the principle of proportionality and they do not create new obstacles to free movement
under Community law as it stands at present.

C 136 E/22

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

Since the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act referred to by the Honourable Member do not
contravene Community law, there are no grounds for Commission action against the UK authorities.

(2001/C 136 E/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2334/00

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Council

(11 July 2000)

Subject: Transport of animals

The Union(cid:146)s aid policy often has clearly appalling consequences. A recently exposed scandal involves the
transport of live animals long distances from their place of breeding owing to the transport subsidies
received under regional and labour market policy approved by the Council. Is the Council prepared to
review the system of aid for the transport of live animals?

Reply

(20/21 December 2000)

Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport, as amended
by Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995, introduces a set of rules designed to implement a welfare policy
for animals during transport.

The terms of that Directive do not include any financial provisions and, more specifically, no system of aid
for the transport of live animals is provided for.

(2001/C 136 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2340/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: PHARE (cid:129) Business Support Programme

(13 July 2000)

In October 1999 the European leather industry, represented by Cotance, submitted a project to the
Commission under the PHARE Business Support Programme. It was accepted since it met all the eligibility
criteria but it was not ultimately selected.

Could the Commission explain the way in which points were allocated to the Cotance project?

(2001/C 136 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Eligibility criteria for the PHARE Business Support Programme

Could the Commission provide information regarding the criteria which have been used as a basis for
assessing the projects submitted under the PHARE Business Support Programme? Which projects have
been selected and what sectors do they represent?