WRITTEN QUESTION P-4147/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Aid for single-parent families.
Date: 2001-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, Structural Funds, less-favoured region, one-parent family, welfare

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/239

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2001)

The Commission attaches a high priority to the ongoing improvement of lift safety.

The Commission considers that the Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/EC of 29 June 1995, on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts (1) has made a significant contribution
towards raising the general level of safety of new lifts within the Community.

In addition, the Commission has adopted Recommendation 95/216/EC of 8 June 1995, concerning the
improvement of safety for existing lifts (2). It recommends that Member States take all necessary action to
improve the safety of existing lifts, based on the principles given in Annex I to the Recommendation.

It should also be noted that the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) is currently drafting a
standard on the (cid:145)Rules for the improvement of safety of existing lifts(cid:146), which is likely to be an important
tool for Member States in their efforts to take action according to the Commission Recommendation.

Additionally, the public hearing organised by the Parliament in December 1998 helped raise awareness on
this issue within the Community.

The Commission has, on several occasions, discussed this Recommendation with Member States and
examined its implementation in the different national territories.

Some Member States have adopted substantial measures implementing the Recommendation, while others
have proceeded more slowly. It appears to be the case that most Member States have partly implemented
the Recommendation, and that several of them are currently in the process of taking further measures. An
argument from Member States against full implementation is that (cid:145)lifts are fairly safe and that it could place
unnecessary burdens on lift users without any corresponding safety improvements(cid:146).

The lifts industry federations the European Elevator Association (EEA) and the European Forum of National
Lift Associations (EFLA) are closely following the national implementations and are providing an annual
overview of the situation. The latest information confirms that several Member States are acting in the
area.

The Commission will continue to follow the safety of existing lifts in collaboration with national
authorities, industry and users.

(1) OJ L 213, 7.9.1995.
(2) OJ L 134, 20.6.1995.

(2001/C 174 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4147/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Aid for single-parent families

What sum from the Structural Funds did the Spanish Government earmark for aid for single-parent
families in 2000?

What amount was actually paid out? In the event of any deviation between aid approved and aid paid out,
what were the reasons for that deviation?

C 174 E/240

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2001)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural
Funds (1) sets out three major Structural Funds objectives: promoting the development and structural
adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind, aid for the economic and social conversion of
areas facing structural difficulties, and assistance in adapting and modernising policies and systems of
education, training and employment.

In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the Commission is responsible for monitoring the programmes
cofinanced by the Structural Funds. However, it is the managing authority designated by the Member State
which is responsible for managing the operations, and this body may have such detailed information.

However, it should be noted that single-parent families are not, as such, beneficiaries of the Structural
they may receive assistance from the Funds through measures planned for the various
Funds, but
operations cofinanced by the Structural Funds in Spain.
the priorities relating to the
participation of women in the labour market and the integration of people with specific difficulties,
together with equal opportunities as an across-the-board priority, can provide opportunities for single-
parent families.

In particular,

In this way, the Structural Funds, while also helping to make improvements in the labour market and to
eliminate inequalities, can support the integration of single-parent families.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 174 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4149/00

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Dutch law on plant protection products

On 29 September I received an answer to my Written Question P-2829/00 (1) concerning authorisation for
certain plant protection products (Article 15 of Regulation (EC) 451/2000 (2)). It is clear that the Nether-
lands can continue to apply national criteria as regards dossier requirements until a Community decision
on the substance has been taken. However, it is still unclear whether Member States are in breach of the
law in the absence of a Community decision and in the event of incompatibility with general principles of
relevant Community legislation.

1.
How does the proposed Netherlands law on plant protection products, under which substances
harmful to the environment are authorised on grounds of supposedly being essential for agricultural
purposes, relate to the principle laid down in Directive 91/414/EEC (3) that the environment should take
priority over plant production concerns?

2.
The Netherlands law is to apply to 11 substances which have been shown not to satisfy the
environmental criteria. How does the proposed Netherlands law on plant protection products relate to
Article 8(3) and Article 4 of Directive 91/414/EEC providing that, in applying environmental criteria, the
latest scientific and technical knowledge must be taken into account?

3.
The Netherlands Government intends, on the basis of the aforementioned proposed law, to apply less
rigid environmental criteria up to 2006. This exceeds the transitional period of 12 years laid down in
Directive 91/414/EEC and running up to 2003. Is that compatible with European rules?

4. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the proposed Netherlands law in the light of the opinion of the
Advocate General
Justice, 21 September 2000, case C-306/98) concerning a comparable
measure, ruling that, during the transitional period, in making national assessments the environmental
criteria laid down in the uniform principles have direct effect and must therefore be applied?

(Court of