WRITTEN QUESTION E-2762/00 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Night-vision equipment for high-speed craft.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: high-speed transport, maritime safety, maritime transport, safety standard, signalling device

C 113 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

The (cid:145)discrepancy(cid:146) mentioned by the Honourable Member is essentially due to the change in the accounting
methodology, which has had an impact on the figures for the general government deficit, the public debt,
and the gross domestic product. The (cid:145)Relazione trimestrale di cassa(cid:146) (RTC) of 18 March 1999 was based on
figures in ESA 79, as were the deficit, debt and GDP figures reported to the Commission in March 1999,
while the RTC of 4 April 2000 is based on figures in ESA 95, as are the figures reported to the
Commission in March 2000.

The comments made by the Centro Europa Ricerche (CER) and by the Corte dei Conti (State Audit Court)
do not concern the effect of the switchover to ESA 95, but rather the need for more transparency in the
presentation of the state sector accounts in the RTC and greater comparability between the state sector
budget and the consolidated account of the general government. The Commission, as a user of public
finance information, welcomes improvements in these areas.

The Commission considers that the other questions raised do not fall within its competence and should be
addressed to the Italian authorities.

(1) OJ L 332, 31.12.1993.
(2) OJ L 58, 3.3.2000.

(2001/C 113 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2762/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Night-vision equipment for high-speed craft

Is the Commission aware of the loophole in the IMO specification for High-Speed Craft that could lead to
a situation where a high-speed passenger vessel could operate legally without night-vision equipment
because of the definition of a high-speed craft that is concerned with hull design rather than with
navigational safety at high speed?

Does the Commission have any proposals to address this problem?

Does it agree that the relevant Directives should be amended along the lines of the Hong Kong Mar(cid:237)ne
Department(cid:146)s decision to impose a blanket requirement for all craft operating at 25 knots or more at night
to carry approved night-vision equipment?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

The carriage of night-vision equipment is covered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) high
speed craft (HSC) code, adopted by the Maritime safety committee in 1994. On 1 January 1996 this code
became mandatory for HSC engaged on international voyages. Passenger high speed craft constructed on
or after this date operating on domestic voyages have also to comply with this code through Council
Directive 98/18/EC of 17 March 1998 on safety rules and standards for passenger ships (1).

The relevant provision in the HSC code stipulates that (cid:145)When operational conditions justify the provision
of night vision enhancement equipment, such equipment should be fitted(cid:146). This means that it is the
responsibility of the Flag State to decide whether or not such equipment should be fitted in function of the
prevailing nautical conditions on the route where the high speed craft is operating.

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/171

Considering the large variety of sea areas and nautical conditions in Community waters, and bearing in
mind the principle of subsidiarity, the Commission has no intention at present to propose additional
measures.

As regards the measures taken by the authorities of Hong Kong, these have to be seen in light of the
conditions prevailing in those waters.

(1) OJ L 144, 15.5.1998.

(2001/C 113 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2768/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE), Martin Callanan (PPE-DE),
Robert Goodwill (PPE-DE), Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE)
and Timothy Kirkhope (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Immigration control within the Union

Is the Council in a position to verify whether or not the 58 Chinese citizens found dead on arrival at
Dover had indeed been discovered and interviewed by Belgian police several weeks before and then
released, whether it is satisfied that Member States are abiding by their obligations under the Dublin
Convention, and whether Belgium, in particular, is meeting its obligations on immigration control?

Reply

(16 November 2000)

It is not within the competence of the Council to verify the type of situation mentioned by the

1.
Honorable Member.

2.
Control of the Member States(cid:146) obligations under the Dublin Convention is the responsibility of the
Committee set up by Article 18 of that Convention. In accordance with paragraph 2 of that article, that
Committee can examine, at the request of one or more Member States, any question of a general nature
concerning the application of the Convention.

3. With the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, immigration, visa and asylum issues fall within
Community competence under Title IV TEC. It therefore belongs to the Commission, as guardian of the
Treaties, to verify whether Member States comply with their obligations in respect of such issues.

(2001/C 113 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2770/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Electromagnetic waves

About one year ago the Rome city authorities adopted a decision allowing tenants of buildings owned by
companies to oppose the installation of relay masts and setting new limits governing the siting of such
masts, particularly in the vicinity of schools and hospitals

However, in the district of Torrino, Rome, residents of buildings owned by various companies (Inpdai,
Enasarco NPDAP and others) have not had the opportunity to oppose the installation of masts, because the
companies themselves have signed agreements with the various telephone companies.