WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490/01 by Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Equal treatment for schools in other Member States regarding tax deductibility.
Date: 2001-05-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, application of EU law, educational institution, freedom to provide services, personal income tax, restriction on competition, tax relief

C 350 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Are there any more recent data for Greece? What data can the Commission provide on the trend in

the above indicators for 1998-2000?

2. Can the Commission provide information on the measures and action taken by Greece to prevent

a recurrence of the devastation caused last summer?

3. Has the Commission been informed of any measures that Greece may have taken to increase its

preparedness to deal with the greater risks this summer?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2001)

The Commission regrets the loss of human life and ecological and economic damage caused by forest fires,
including those which ravaged Greece last year. It has noted that the Greek authorities are determined to
take action to prevent forest fires breaking out in the future. Such action would include improving co-
operation between national services, fire-fighter training, establishing a centralised policy for all regions
and informing the public. This year the Greek authorities plan to hold a workshop as part of the
Community action programme in the field of civil protection (1). The main purpose of this meeting of
experts is to see how arrangements for controlling forest fires can be more effectively coordinated.

Unfortunately, Greece has not yet sent the Commission the relevant indicators for 1998-2000. The most
recent data available come from the satellite mapping of forest fires which extended over more than
50 hectares in the year 2000. The total figure for Greece is 106 000 hectares, i.e. 27 % of the total amount
of land burned in the five southern Member States of the Community.

To judge from the proposals in the Community Support Framework (CSF) 2000-2006, Greece plans to
take many structural measures (studies,
forest management plans, restoration work and preventive
measures), especially under regional programmes. Substantial financial resources will be allocated for these
activities, which will be accompanied by training and awareness-raising measures focusing on protection of
the forests and sustainable development.

In addition, on 3 May 2001, under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection
of the Community(cid:146)s forests against fire (2), the Commission approved a € 1,7 million programme presented
by Greece for 2001. Measures will include the construction of tracks, firebreaks and water supply points,
preventive forestry operations and monitoring.

(1) 1999/847/EC: Council Decision of 9 December 1999, establishing a Community action programme in the field of

civil protection (OJ L 327, 21.12.1999).

(2) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.

(2001/C 350 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490/01

by Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 May 2001)

Subject: Equal treatment for schools in other Member States regarding tax deductibility

Article 10(1)(9) of the Income Tax Act states that, in the Federal Republic of Germany, thirty per cent of
the fee paid by a taxpayer for attendance by a child, in respect of which he receives child allowance or

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/169

child benefit, at a substitute school approved by the State or authorised under Land law in accordance with
Article 7(4) of the Basic Law may be treated as tax-deductible expenditure. This does, not, however apply
in respect of schools in other Member States.

Does the Commission take the view that this is compatible with freedom of movement of services
regarding school attendance?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

The Commission is currently examining the problem on the basis of a recent complaint on the same issue.
If necessary it will decide whether to initiate infringement proceedings under Article 226 (formerly
Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

(2001/C 350 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1494/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 May 2001)

Subject: The threat of tuberculosis

Through its programme of aid to combat poverty diseases in developing countries, what resources are
being or are to be devoted to combating tuberculosis through the DOTS strategy (Directly Observed
Treatment Short-course), which it is claimed can have a success rate of 99 per cent?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2001)

It is very difficult to indicate a specific sum of Community allocations to DOTS. Most Community health
funds support actions to improve the organisation, management and performance of national health
systems including tuberculosis (TB) control programmes. Increasingly such funds are provided as sectoral
or budget support rather than as project support for disease specific programmes. Much of this support
will also benefit national TB control initiatives.

The accelerated Programme for Action against TB, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and malaria (1),
in the context of poverty reduction sets out
a comprehensive approach through interventions impacting on each of the three major communicable
diseases. These aim to increase the impact of existing effective interventions and, as far as TB is concerned,
including DOTS.

Nevertheless, and despite the progress that has been registered since 1995, additional efforts are necessary
in order to promote the wide-spread use of DOTS; the potential of this cheap and effective strategy to
reduce TB morbidity and mortality has not yet been realised in all settings and this is also due to technical
problems and to the complexity of treatment approaches.

The Commission will prioritise within the total development co-operation budget, Health, AIDS and
Population (HAP) interventions over the next five years. In terms of commitments, HAP interventions in
2000 represented 8 % of the development budget (approximately € 800 million) and will be steadily
increased as delivery capacity improves. Part of the increased support will target the actions identified in
the accelerated Programme for Action, which include actions targeting Tuberculosis and DOTS.