WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885/00 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. European Consumer Infocentres.
Date: 2000-09-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, European Consumer Centres Network, co-financing, consumer information, exchange of information, information network, report

C 113 E/204

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

means for military and non-military crisis management in the framework of a strengthened European
security and defence policy. For a definition of what is meant by (cid:145)non-military crisis management(cid:146) in this
context the Honourable Member is asked to refer to Annex 2 to Annex IV to the Presidency conclusions.

New paragraph 3 of Article 2 of Decision 93/731/EC relates to the handling of Council documents
2.
which enable conclusions to be drawn regarding the content of information received from third parties.
Paragraph 2, on the other hand, relates to documents written by persons outside the Council. In the first
case the prior consent of the author of the information is required before the document can be released,
and in the second case the person requesting the document must apply directly to the author.

3.
The measures for the protection of classified information applicable to the General Secretariat of the
Council, including the classification criteria, are set out in the Decision of the Secretary-General of the
Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of 27 July 2000 (1).

4.
The reference to the security and defence of the Union or of one or more of its Member States and
to military and non-military crisis management (for a definition of these terms see point 1 above) as part
of the concept of public interest (first indent of Article 4(1) of Decision 93/731/EC) is simply intended to
make it clear that these matters must be taken into account by the Council when examining a request for
access to a document which falls within the scope of Decision 93/731/EC.

(1) OJ C 239, 23.8.2000.

(2001/C 113 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885/00

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: European Consumer Infocentres

In 1991, the Commission launched a consumer information pilot programme providing for information of
a legal nature, legal aid and advice. It was for this purpose that the European Consumer Infocentres were
set up.

Through its Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection, the Commission provides 50 % of
the funding for this programme, with a ceiling of € 160 000 per case. In 1997, a proposal was made to
increase the ceiling to € 200 000 and to set up at least one centre per Member State.

Today, three years later, there are centres in only nine Member States.

Nine years after its launch, why are the results of this programme so disappointing? What is the reason for
this situation and what does the Commission intend to do in future?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

In 1997, the Commission carried out an assessment of the cross-border Infocentre or (cid:145)Euroguichet(cid:146) pilot
project, launched in 1991.

On the basis of this assessment and in the interests of completing the single market, the Commission
decided to reform these cross-border advisory structures, developing them into a Community network of
European consumer centres.

While it is still the job of these centres to assist and advise consumers in the event of disputes, particularly
of a cross-border nature, their main purpose now is clearly to disseminate information on consumer affairs
at Community level in the Member States, and to allow information exchange between the Member States.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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I would also point out that the opening of European centres in all Member States does not depend solely
on the good will of the Commission. National government funding is generally essential since the national
consumer organisations do not have the necessary resources.

A Euroguichet is soon to be opened in Sweden and the Commission is also involved in discussions with
Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Commission will send the 1999 report on the activities of the Euroguichets directly to the Honourable
Member as soon as it is available.

(2001/C 113 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2891/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Societ(cid:224) Autostrade

In Italy, Societ(cid:224) Autostrade S.p.A.
is the contractor responsible for managing most of the country(cid:146)s
motorways. Customer relations are handled by the company(cid:146)s local branches. Amongst the services
provided are the (cid:145)Viacard(cid:146) and (cid:145)Telepass(cid:146) systems, which are based upon a contractual relationship between
the company and motorway users.

In order to use such services, a deposit is required, as is authorisation to debit the customer(cid:146)s bank account
directly.

Despite this commitment by the user, the agency can discontinue the service of its own accord, without
even using up the credit available or using the direct debit facility.

Users of this service (access to and use of infrastructure) who have (cid:145)Viacard(cid:146) and (cid:145)Telepass(cid:146) contracts pay
nearly three and a half times as much as those who pay directly.

Given the above, can the Commission,
in particular the Commissioner responsible for health and
consumer protection, Mr David Byrne, say what action it intends to take against the Italian Government,
once it has ascertained that the above statements are true, to ensure that European citizens can have an
honest, transparent, non-discriminatory and non-coercive relationship with the agencies responsible for
public services and with Societ(cid:224) Autostrade S.p.A in particular?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

The Commission has submitted a request for information to the Italian government, so as to establish
whether the facts referred to in the question are true and whether they are compatible with Community
regulations, in particular those concerning toll roads and consumer protection.

(2001/C 113 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2892/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Infringement of freedom of opinion and human rights in Italy

Dr. Giuseppe Segato, born in Borgoricco (PD) on 17 June 1954, has been sentenced to three years and
seven months(cid:146) imprisonment for (cid:145)subversion(cid:146) because he aided and abetted the group which, on 9 May
1997, peacefully occupied the bell-tower in St. Mark(cid:146)s Square in Venice with a view to demanding self-
government for the Veneto. In Italy, provisions such as Article 241 of the criminal code, dating back to