WRITTEN QUESTION E-1551/02 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Incentives for families and mothers.
Date: 2002-06-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, Italy, family policy, population ageing, population policy, social security, tax incentive

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/177

The Spanish Ornithology Society report mentioned by the Honourable Member draws attention to the
ornithological values of the area in question and has been examined by the Commission.

It should be noted that when investigating this case the Commission examined all the information in its
possession, and the information provided by the Spanish authorities, the complainant and the Honourable
Member in her written questions.

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 107.

(2002/C 301 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1551/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Incentives for families and mothers

For some years now there has been an ongoing debate, in Italy and throughout Europe, on the increasingly
disturbing fall in the birth-rate and its possible structural consequences for welfare policy. One of the main
reasons for the declining birth-rate is the rising cost of living, which acts as a deterrent to the formation of
young couples and new families. Even the social role of the family itself is at risk. Many EU Member States
have adopted legislation intended to encourage the formation of new families, through tax relief or rent
and house-purchase subsidies (as in the case of the measures recently introduced by the Lazio region).
Similar measures have been introduced to help single mothers and less-favoured families with more than
two children.

The Commission:

1. Can it state whether there exist any guidelines, programmes, studies or documents relating to pro-
family policies, and whether it intends in the future to adopt any measures or initiatives aimed at
encouraging people to start families?

2. Can it state whether there exist any guidelines, programmes, studies or documents on practical

support measures for mothers, including working mothers?

3. Can it provide any examples of best practice in this field?

4. Can the Commission state its general position on these matters?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2002)

The Commission shares
in relation to the
consequences of low fertility levels with respect to demographic change. However, no legal basis confers
to the Union any specific competence to develop and implement measures in the area of family policy.
This is clearly a responsibility for the Member States.

the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member

Nonetheless, family issues are of interest to the Commission as they affect demographic developments and
a number of European policies. Therefore, the European Commission focuses its attention on the study of
family and household trends and their policy implications mainly on employment policy, social protection,
social inclusion and gender.

C 301 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

More specifically, in relation to points raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission undertakes the
following activities:

(cid:1) it develops a study programme and analysis on demography and social trends including family and

household trends, in the context of the annual report: ‘The Social Situation in the European Union’;

(cid:1) it finances a European Observatory on the Social Situation, Demography and Family, which monitors
demographic, socio-economic and policy trends across the Union with particular emphasis on family
trends and their policy implications. Within this context, reports on the socio-economic situation of
families and on the related policy developments in the Member States are presented each year. They
are available on the website of the Observatory: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/family/
observatory/home.html)

(cid:1) the Commission promotes action for a better reconciliation of work and family life, in the context of
the European Employment Strategy and of the Framework strategy on gender equality,
including
elements such as the strengthening of equal opportunities policies, promoting more flexible forms of
work organisation and promoting affordable, accessible and high-quality services caring for children
and other dependents;

(cid:1) In addition, the Commission publishes, in the context of Missoc (Mutual Information System on Social
Protection), comparative tables on social protection in the Member States, including maternity and
family benefits. This is available on the Directorate general Employment (DG EMPL) website: (http://
europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/missoc2001/index_en.htm);

Finally, regarding best practices in the field, examples can be found as regards the issue of reconciling
work and family life on the DG EMPL website (as above) under the theme equal opportunities.

(2002/C 301 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1552/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Protection of the Italian music industry

The last few years have seen an enormous increase in the industrial-scale pirating of music CDs all over
Europe. In Italy, for example, the recording industry registered losses to the amount of 9,3 % in 2001, and
the figure for the early months of 2002 appears to be as big as 15-20 %. A hit record which sold 700 000
to 800 000 copies five years ago would now sell no more than 400 000. The causes of this trend include
the spread of sophisticated, high-quality reproduction technologies and the growth of the Internet, which
allows users to seek out, download and easily duplicate huge numbers of music files, especially Mp3s.
These practices are causing considerable losses to record companies and artists, and are undermining the
recording industry’s ability to invest resources and protect jobs. Existing copyright law in the Member
States appears not to be strong enough to combat such practices.

The Commission:

1. Can it state whether any guidelines, studies or documents exist concerning copyright law, both in

general and with specific reference to music?

2. Can it state whether studies or documents exist on Internet piracy?