WRITTEN QUESTION E-3042/01 by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission. Use of languages when submitting European projects to the Commission.
Date: 2001-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, action programme, eligibility criteria, environmental protection, equal treatment, official language, project evaluation, use of languages

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/217

(2002/C 115 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3037/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2001)

Subject: Hand luggage on aircraft

In reaction to the terrible events of 11 September in the USA, checks at airports have also been greatly
intensified in Europe. Hand luggage in particular is now being very meticulously searched.

Does the Commission not consider that it would therefore be advisable for security reasons to impose a
general ban on carrying hand luggage onto aircraft, so that in future all items of baggage, including hand
luggage, would have to be surrendered immediately on check-in?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

The measure suggested by the Honourable Member has been examined with aviation security experts, but
has proved to be very controversial. While it would undoubtedly facilitate passenger control, it would
discriminate against people who wish to / or have to / keep certain articles close at hand during a flight.

The benefit in terms of security was not regarded as sufficient to include this measure in the proposal for a
European Parliament and Council Regulation on establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation
security (1) which the Commission sent to Parliament and Council on 22 October 2001 and which
Parliament has started to examine.

(1) COM(2001) 575 final.

(2002/C 115 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3038/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2001)

Subject: History books

With reference to the choice of history books for schools, the Commission is asked to state whether an
initiative exists to harmonise the content of history books for schools within the Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Commission knows of no such initiative.

(2002/C 115 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3042/01

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Use of languages when submitting European projects to the Commission

The forms for submitting proposals for financial support from the European Community’s financing
instrument
‘Life-environment’, which can be consulted on the website http://
europa.eu.int/comm/life/envir, ask applicants to submit the technical part of the proposal also or only in
English as external experts participate to the evaluation of the proposals.

for the environment

C 115 E/218

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Nonetheless, any citizen of the EU is free to use his or her mother tongue when submitting such
proposals.

the Commission not consider

Does
strongly recommending the use of English constitutes
discrimination against the large number of citizens of the Union who do not have a good command of
that language?

that

Will the Commission ensure that all applications are treated in exactly the same way, irrespective of the
language of the Union in which they are drafted?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission does not insist that the technical description of Life-Environment proposals is submitted
solely or also in English. It simply recommends to present the technical part of the proposals (and only
this) also or only in English, because various internal Commission and external experts participate in the
evaluation of the proposals.

Each applicant has the right to present a proposal in any of the official Community languages. For this
purpose the complete application form has been published in all official
languages. The Commission
assures that all applications in whatever Community language are dealt with in the same manner and that
no discrimination occurs during the evaluation of each file (for example a large coverage of Community
languages is assured in expert panels).

(2002/C 115 E/233)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3045/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Provision of lifeguards

Is the Commission aware of a recent UK study into the number of children who drown in pools and in the
sea in Member States of the EU every year?

In the light of this study, would the Commission consider initiating a systematic recording of figures in all
Member States in the EU?

What plans does the Commission have to introduce a Regulation on the provision of lifeguards at public
pools and beaches?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Commission is not aware of the study referred to by the Honourable Member but is collecting the
information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.

(2002/C 115 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3057/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Controls on the manufacture and importation of medical equipment

In August this year 12 deaths in Spain (in Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona) were apparently caused by use
of the dialysis machines which the multinational company Baxter markets all over Europe. A few days ago