WRITTEN QUESTION E-2407/01 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pulsed radio transmissions.
Date: 2001-08-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: application of EU law, broadcasting, electromagnetic interference, medical research, public health, safety standard

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/75

Does it share my view that implementing this Moroccan demand opens the way to parents marrying
6.
off young girls, that it breaches international conventions on the protection of children and that, from the
point of view of equality of opportunity and freedom of choice, it is undesirable to allow women to marry
at too young an age or at a lower age than men?

Is it aware that, in response to pressure from women and human rights organisations, the Moroccan
7.
authorities presented an action plan in March 1999 incorporating the raising of the marriageable age for
girls from 15 to 18 and that, for some months, a special committee has been looking into a possible
revision of the law?

8.
Is it prepared to promote a coordinated approach by the EU Member States in order to chart the
adverse effects of Moroccan nationality and family law on people possessing the nationality of an EU
Member State, having regard to equality of opportunity and self-determination for women and men, and to
undertake a joint effort with a view to possible consultation by the Member States with the Moroccan
Government?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2001)

1., 2. and 3.
The Commission was not aware of the situation regarding Moroccan/Member State dual
nationality, nor of the fact that persons possessing such dual nationality came under the Moroccan family
code, nor of Moroccan pressures on the Netherlands to reduce the marriageable age of girls resident there
from 18 to 15.

4., 5. and 8. We advise the Honourable Member to direct these questions to the Council, since they are
not within the Commission’s competence.

The Commission believes that Morocco will take account of

6.
protection of children in framing policy on the status of women.

international conventions on the

7.
The Commission is fully aware of the Moroccan government’s ‘action plan for the integration of
women into the country’s development’ and the recent setting-up of an advisory commission to revise the
code on women’s individual rights. The Commission gave its support to the Moroccan government’s
efforts to improve the situation of women at the first meeting of the Association Council, which was held
on 9 October 2000 in Luxembourg, and will do so again at the second Council meeting in October this
year (1).

(1) The EU and Morocco signed an Association Agreement, which came into force in March 2000 (OJ L 70,

18.3.2000).

(2002/C 115 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2407/01

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 August 2001)

Subject: Pulsed radio transmissions

For the last 10 years, and possibly much longer, the inhabitants of the United Kingdom and other
European countries have, it is claimed, been subject to and suffered from adverse health effects caused by
pulsed radio transmissions emitted from transmitters in France, Germany, Norway, Denmark,
the
Netherlands and Ireland. The transmissions belong to the Long Range Navigational System (LORAN-C)
acquired from the US Government and now known as the North West European LORAN-C System
(NELS). There is a possibility that such pulsed transmissions are conveyed and concentrated into people’s
homes via the public electricity supply system where they may then act upon the brain and nervous
system of those who are affected. The adverse health effects are apparently now well-documented as are
the locations affected.

In the light of this, is the Commission prepared to address the problem through research and/or legislation
to relieve the suffering of those European citizens who may be affected?

C 115 E/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2001)

On 12 July 1999, with a view to protecting the health of European citizens against the effects of exposure
to electromagnetic fields,
the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC on the limitation of
exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1). This frequency range
includes the LORAN-C system referred to by the Honourable Member.

This Recommendation provides a European framework for the protection of the public against exposure to
electromagnetic fields. The technical annex stipulates basic restrictions and reference levels which should
not be exceeded if public health is to be safeguarded.

The Recommendation calls on Member States to adopt this framework and implement the practical
measures needed to protect the public. Member States must inform the Commission of the action taken in
this direction within three years following the adoption of this Recommendation. The Commission will
continue to support research programmes on the health consequences of long-term exposure to non-
ionising radiation and to promote the achievement of an international consensus concerning guidelines
and advice on protective and preventive measures based on the text of the Recommendation.

In this connection, there is no scientific evidence of any risks linked to the use of pulsed fields below the
limits laid down by the Recommendation.

Nevertheless,
the Commission has referred the matter to the Scientific Committee on Toxicology,
Ecotoxicology and the Environment and has requested it to issue a new opinion in October 2001 on the
risks related to the development of technologies using electromagnetic radiation.

The Commission will react to any new scientific evidence not currently taken into account.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(2002/C 115 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2411/01

by Armin Laschet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 August 2001)

Subject: EC Regulations 1408/71 and 118/97

EC Council Regulation No 118/97 (1) of 2 December 1996 amending and updating Regulation (EEC) No
1408/71 (2) on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons
and to members of their families lays down rules concerning the receipt of social security benefits.

1.
Is it correct that, on the basis of the exclusion criteria for professional bodies referred to in
Regulation 118/97, a lawyer resident in Belgium and working on a self-employed basis in Germany is not
entitled to child-rearing benefits despite being compulsorily insured with the Bar?

Are efforts being made by the Commission to put an end to this discrimination against national

2.
citizens simply on the basis of residence in another Member State?

(1) OJ L 28, 30.1.1997, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.