WRITTEN QUESTION E-0249/01 by Cristina García-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Regulation of alcohol consumption on various forms of transport, particularly aircraft.
Date: 2001-02-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air safety, air transport, alcohol, approximation of laws, civil aviation, common transport policy

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/73

(2001/C 261 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0245/01

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

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Babcock Wilson Espaæa

On 13 June 2000 the Commission issued a press release stating that it was extending the existing
investigation on aid to Babcock Wilson Espaæa SA to include the aid elements involved in its privatisation.
Bearing in mind that the Basque Government has not been informed of this and that there is considerable
alarm among workers (a large number of jobs are threatened) can the Commission say what stage has been
reached in the investigations?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2001)

On 13 June 2000 the Commission decided to extend for the second time the Article 88 (ex Article 93)(2)
of the EC Treaty procedure No C 33/98 to include under the existing investigation the aid elements
identified in the arrangements for the privatisation of Babcock Wilcox Espaæola S.A. notified by the
Spanish authorities. The investigation had been opened in 1998 (1) and then extended for the first time in
1999 (2).

Following this latest extension of the procedure, the Commission published its decision on the Official
Journal (3). This publication had for objective to give third interested parties the opportunity to submit
their comments to the Commission. As a third interested party, the Government of the region where
Babcock Wilcox is located, the Diputaci(cid:243)n Foral de Vizcaya, has submitted its observations. They will be
taken into account when the Commission adopts its final decision in this case.

The investigation is currently in its last phase of assessment. In view of the time constraints imposed by
the privatisation process, the Commission will try to speed up procedures with a view to adopting a final
decision as soon as possible.

(1) OJ C 249, 8.8.1998.
(2) OJ C 280, 2.10.1999.
(3) OJ C 232, 12.8.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0249/01

by Cristina Garc(cid:237)a-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 February 2001)

Subject: Regulation of alcohol consumption on various forms of transport, particularly aircraft

Drunkenness among passengers on various forms of transport is a relatively frequent occurrence. Such is
the case on aircraft, where alcohol is served to passengers free of charge, with no restrictions on quantity.

Bearing in mind the inconvenience these kinds of situations cause for both passengers and crew, and the
inadvisability,
from the point of view of health, of consuming alcoholic beverages while travelling,
especially on long plane journeys, will the Commission state whether it has given consideration to this
issue with a view to regulating the consumption of alcoholic beverages on various forms of transport, and
on aircraft in particular? If so, what conclusions has it reached?

C 261 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2001)

The Commission has proposed to Parliament and Council to adopt common requirements on commercial
operations by aeroplanes within the framework of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 of 16 December
1991 on the harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil
aviation (1). The proposal (2) concerned has been discussed by the Parliament, which adopted its position at
first reading on 18 January 2001.

The requirements specify that air operators are responsible for the safety of the aeroplane and its
occupants. With regard to the drunkenness of passengers, air operators are required to ensure no
passenger is on board who is under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the safety of the aeroplane
or its occupants is likely to be endangered. (Paragraph OPS 1115 of Annex III of the Regulation).

The Commission considers that, within the constraints of these safety requirements, operators are free to
serve alcoholic drinks to their passengers if they so wish, whether against payment or whether by courtesy.
The health considerations linked to the consumption of alcohol are of course a matter for the individual.
The Commission has no intention to propose legal measures in respect of the consumption of alcoholic
drinks on board.

(1) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991.
(2) OJ C 311 E, 31.10.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0280/01

by Reimer B(cid:246)ge (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 February 2001)

Subject: Member States(cid:146) plans to carry out food and veterinary checks

Under Article 16 of Directive 89/662/EEC (1), the Member States are required to inform the Commission
about their plans to carry out food and veterinary checks.

In its special report to the European Parliament of January 1998, the Commission notes that Member
States have refused to inform the Commission of the number of inspectors and the type of checks.

(cid:129) At what intervals does the Commission now receive such information?

(cid:129) When (month and year) did the individual Member States supply the Commission with this

information?

(cid:129) Has the Commission, on this basis,

indicated to Member States that tighter or new checks are

required, and if so, what was the substance of these indications?

(cid:129) Has the Commission, in the light of these reports or their absence, had its own checks carried out by

the food and veterinary agency?

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 13.