WRITTEN QUESTION P-2427/01 by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission. Action to combat paedophilia.
Date: 2001-09-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet site, child pornography, child protection, communications policy, paedophilia

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/173

This report will be presented in April 2002.

Following the second G10 meeting on 26 September 2001, it was decided, in the interests of transparency,
to launch an extensive consultation exercise. This will be concluded on 23 November 2001. The
consultation document and all documents relating to the (cid:145)G10 Medicines(cid:146) are available at the following
website: http://pharmacos.eudra.org, under the heading (cid:145)G10(cid:146).

(2002/C 81 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2416/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 September 2001)

Subject: Single-room supplement

It has long been customary for holiday operators to charge a (cid:145)single-room supplement(cid:146), whereby people
travelling on their own have to pay an extra sum of money in order to have a room to themselves.

Although the initial reason was that it enabled holiday establishments to recoup the cost of a single
traveller staying in a double room, it is nowadays frequently the case that single travellers are being
charged a supplement to stay in a single room.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s opinion on this unfair supplement, particularly when the traveller is, in any
case, staying in accommodation designed for one person (i.e. a single room)?

Does it have any plans to review this matter with a view to having this charge abolished?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 2001)

The way in which hotel rooms may be charged for varies from country to country (cid:129) for instance, the
price may be on a per capita occupancy basis or on a room basis. The Commission is, of course, aware
that it is customary for hotels to make an additional charge for single room occupancy.

However, the Commission has no competence in this issue. It is therefore a matter for the Member State
and the company concerned.

(2002/C 81 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2427/01

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(3 September 2001)

Subject: Action to combat paedophilia

On 26 August of this year, two Internet sites were discovered which contain a photographic archive
comprising over 400 images of 23 new-born babies who have been raped and tortured whilst lying in
their cots or in baby baths, surrounded by feeding bottles and nappies. The week before, another site was
discovered with images of the corpses of little children who had been subjected to vivisection, ripped apart
and cut up like animals. After the sites had been discovered the judicial authorities were alerted.

What action is the Commission planning to take in response to this outrage? Does it intend to set up a
European Authority against on-line paedophilia which, amongst other things, will enable websites to be
monitored on a continuous basis?

C 81 E/174

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2001)

The Commission has long been concerned about the diffusion of paedophile images on the Internet, in
particular child pornography. In order to fight against it, it proposed a multiannual Community Action
Plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks.
It was adopted by the Council and the Parliament on the 25 January 1999 (1). The Action Plan provides
support in four areas: a European network of hotlines, self-regulation by industry, filtering and rating and
awareness.

Furthermore Member States are also committed to provide an appropriate framework under the Council
Recommendation of 24 September 1998 on the development of the competitiveness of the European
audiovisual and information services industry by promoting national frameworks aimed at achieving a
comparable and effective level of protection of minors and human dignity (2).

The Commission attaches great importance to ensuring that the Union is able to take effective action in
particular against child pornography on the Internet. Action has been already undertaken both at
legislative and non-legislative level. The Commission has introduced last year a draft Council Framework
Decision (3) which, within a wider context, include provisions for the approximation of laws and sanctions
of the Member States in the field of the sexual exploitation of children, with particular reference to child
pornography on the Internet. Now this text is under discussion in the Council and the Parliament.

The primary responsibility for dealing with illegal content (including child pornography)
is with the
appropriate law enforcement and judicial authorities of the Member States, which cooperate internationally
in the fight against child pornography on the Internet through the existing channels of communications,
such as Europol and Interpol. Some Member States have already established within the national
law
enforcement authorities specific monitoring centers of the diffusion of child pornography images on the
Internet. Europol is presently considering the need to set up a Union monitoring center, with a view to
enhancing co-ordination and effectiveness of the fight against child pornography on the Internet at Union
level.

(1) OJ L 33, 6.2.1999.
(2) OJ L 270, 7.10.1998.
(3) OJ C 62 E, 27.2.2001.

(2002/C 81 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2429/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 September 2001)

Subject: Safety on ski slopes

The risk of accidents on ski slopes is generally relatively high and serious injuries to skiers are not
uncommon. The risk is increased by the operation of snow scooters, sometimes on steep parts of runs and
where visibility is extremely poor.

Can the Commission tell me what European Union rules or regulations apply to the use of snow scooters
(driving licences, insurance requirements and number plates), and whether snow scooters are subject to
any provisions governing their technical characteristics or safety devices (flashing lights, acoustic warnings)
with which manufacturers are required to comply?

Will the Commission also indicate whether, in the absence of such provisions, it will seek to have them
introduced, with a view to reducing the risks to both skiers and snow scooter drivers?