WRITTEN QUESTION E-0611/01 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reproductive health definition.
Date: 2001-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community budget, abortion, health policy, reproductive health

C 235 E/228

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0583/01

by Sergio Berlato (UEN) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: Compensation for forced workers

Following negotiations between German industry representatives and the association of victims of forced
labour in Germany during the Second World War, on 17 July 2000 the Bundestag passed a law
establishing a compensation fund of DEM 10 000 billion for former deportees and internees forced to
work in German factories during the war. The United States has also put pressure on Germany to set up
a fund through class civil actions which have led to a United States-Federal Republic of Germany
agreement on compensation for workers forced to work in German war industries.

The agreement provides for compensation for citizens from the Ukraine, Hungary, Belorussia and the
former Czechoslovakia, but not for Italian citizens. It should be pointed out that, under the agreement of
1944 between the Italian Social Republic and Nazi Germany, tens of thousands of military personnel and
civilians, prisoners and internees during the war, became forced workers in war industries.

The financial compensation which is available under the fund for the citizens of the countries which took
part in the negotiations could thus be denied to Italian citizens. The Italian government therefore has
a moral duty to take steps in order to ensure that Italian forced workers are accorded the dignity of fair
compensation as soon as possible.

Can the Commission say whether it intends to approach the Italian government in order to ascertain what
steps it may have taken in order to ensure that that the victims of forced labour during the Second World
War obtain full and proper compensation from Germany?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2001)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission.

(2001/C 235 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0611/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: Reproductive health definition

According to the World Health Organisation, the term (cid:145)reproductive health(cid:146) includes the term (cid:145)fertility
regulation(cid:146) which includes (cid:145)interrupting unwanted pregnancies(cid:146).

With respect to the reference to (cid:145)reproductive health(cid:146) in various budget lines of the Budget 2001, does the
Commission include abortion in its definition of this term?

(World Health Organisation, Definition and Indicators in Family Planning Maternal and Child Health and
Reproductive Health used in the WHO regional office for Europe, revised March 1999).

21.8.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/229

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-0208/01 by
Mr Blokland during question time of March I 2001 at Parliament(cid:146)s part-session (1).

(1) Written answer of 13.3.2001.

(2001/C 235 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: European political parties

What process is planned to stop money given to European political parties under the current proposals
being used in domestic political campaigns and elections?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Article 4 of the proposed regulation (1) sets out the purposes for which funding under the regulation may
be used. These do not include funding domestic campaigns or activities.

Qualifying parties are required to publish their budgets and accounts which are subject to the normal
control procedures applying to all recipients of funding from the Community budget and, as set out in
Article 5 of the proposed regulation, are subject to certification by an annual external and independent
audit.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the regulation could lead to recovery proceedings and refusal of
further funding.

(1) COM(2000) 898 final.

(2001/C 235 E/270)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0613/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: European political parties

Why was the communication on the European political parties due to be made at
Parliament(cid:146)s January plenary session postponed at the last moment?

the European

Can the Commission President list the current political parties presently represented in the European
Parliament who are eligible for such funding?

Could he give detailed and precise reasons for the exclusion of the remaining political parties from this
list?