WRITTEN QUESTION P-0616/03 by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Directive on Tobacco Sponsorship and Advertising.
Date: 2003-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advertising, drafting of EU law, tobacco industry

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/37

(2004/C 65 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0596/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Follow-up of new situations in terms of economic development in EU regions

The Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies recently published a report on the state of the regions in
2002. This report shows that central Norrland in Sweden had the worst employment trend in the entire
Union between 1996 and 2001. The trend in GRP does not look much better. Central Norrland is in
198th place of the EU’s 204 regions.

These are interesting figures in that they illustrate what has happened in Sweden since the country’s
accession to the EU.

Does the Commission take due account of such information when future structural aid is discussed? What
lessons can be learned from the case of central Norrland since EU accession?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2003)

The performance of the regions in Sweden has varied considerably over recent years, although the
evidence suggests that the region of Mellersta Norrland has performed less well than many other regions of
the Union.

The second progress report on economic and social cohesion (1), adopted by the Commission on
30 January 2003, presents the most recent statistical information for all regions in the 15 Member States
and in the new Member States.

The report shows that between 1995 and 2000, gross domestic product (GDP) per head adjusted the
differences in purchasing in Mellersta Norrland fell relative to the rest of the Union from 108,6 % to
97,1 % of the Union average. For Sweden as a whole, the figure increased slightly over this period from
106,1 % to 106,6 % of the Union average.

This trend seems to be confirmed in the Swedish report ‘Regionernas tillstånd 2002’ prepared by the
Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies.

On the other hand, unemployment in the region is declining, falling from 11½ % in 1996 to 7 % in 2001.
This represents a reversal compared to the years preceding accession, when the rate increased markedly (cid:1)
from just under 4 % to 10 % between 1991 to 1995.

For the period after 2006 the Commission will make a proposal to the Parliament and Council for the
reform of European cohesion policy in the framework of the third report on economic and social cohesion
which will be published before the end of 2003.

(1) COM(2003) 34 final.

(2004/C 65 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0616/03

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Directive on Tobacco Sponsorship and Advertising

(25 February 2003)

Will the Commission confirm that, in making the proposal for the Directive on Tobacco Sponsorship and
Advertising, it was not its intention to prevent the continued use of brand names originally used for non-
tobacco products, and still used in good faith for advertising or sponsoring non-tobacco products,
provided it is in a manner distinct from that used for tobacco products of the same names?

C 65 E/38

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2003)

The Commission can confirm that in making the proposal for the Directive of the Parliament and of the
Council on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States
relating to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products (1), it was not its intention to prevent the
continued use of brand names originally used for non-tobacco products, and still used in good faith for
advertising and sponsoring non-tobacco products, provided it is in a manner distinct from that used for
tobacco products of the same names.

(1) OJ C 270 E, 25.9.2001.

(2004/C 65 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0637/03

by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Reception conditions for asylum-seekers

(4 March 2003)

The English High Court ruled on 19 February 2002 that the application of section 55(1) of the UK
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 is in breach of the European Convention of Human
Rights. This provision allows the UK Government automatically to refuse food and shelter to an asylum-
seeker who has not made their asylum claim ‘as soon as reasonably practical’. The court ruled that refusing
food and shelter is a breach of the applicant’s human rights and the ban on inhumane and degrading
treatment if it poses a real risk of destitution and injury to the asylum- seeker’s health.

Since the wording in the UK Act is the same as in Article 16(2) of Council Directive 2003/9/EC (1) laying
down minimum standards for the reception of asylum-seekers, the risk may be that other Member States
might fall foul of the ECHR if they also impose an automatic denial of benefit on delayed claims. Given the
interest in a uniform application of EU law, will the Commission ensure that all Member States follow the
guidance that this English judgment offers so that asylum-seekers are not left destitute?

(1) OJ L 31, 6.2.2003, p. 18.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(3 Avril 2003)

Following a ruling by the English High Court, the Honourable Member has requested clarification from the
Commission about the implementation of Article 16(2) of Council Directive 2003/9/EC laying down
minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers (1).

The Commission has no competence to intervene in matters for which Community legislation has not yet
entered into force. The provisions of this Directive still need to be transposed by the Member States. The
deadline for transposition is 6 February 2005.

The Honourable Member is undoubtedly aware of the fact that the Home Secretary appealed the decision
of the High Court and that the Court of Appeals has rendered its judgement.

A preliminary reading would suggest that this ruling follows the same lines as the principles laid down in
the Directive.