WRITTEN QUESTION E-1645/03 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission. Methods to reduce unemployment in labour-intensive industries.
Date: 2003-05-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: VAT rate, employment policy, fight against unemployment, labour force, service industry, tax relief, testing

C 280 E/170

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2003)

The Commission has initiated the inter-service consultations.

The standard period for an inter-service consultation for a document of this size is 15 working days. After
this period additional
to take into account all relevant
observations in order to ensure the agreement of the relevant Departments.

time may be necessary to adjust

the text

(2003/C 280 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1602/03

by Maria Carrilho (PSE) to the Commission

(12 May 2003)

Subject: Toys in foodstuffs

In view of the fatal accidents in which children have died of asphyxia in the last few years, some of the
more conscientious manufacturers have voluntarily withdrawn potentially dangerous products from the
market.

Nestlé withdrew its ‘Magic Ball’
character) because toys inside food products are considered extremely dangerous.

(a chocolate-covered plastic ball containing a figurine of a Disney

In Denmark and the United Kingdom a yoghurt containing a toy (Onken) was also voluntarily withdrawn
from the market.

In Finland a chocolate egg containing a novelty toy manufactured in Austria was withdrawn from the
market.

Meanwhile, unscrupulous manufacturers continue to advertise and sell their food products under the
pretext of offering a toy (which is of course just another marketing gimmick to promote the food product),
which can cause fatal accidents and irreparable damage to the lives of families.

What specific action will the Commission take with a view to protecting European consumers?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission’s answer to Written Questions E-1475/03 by
Mr Carlos Lage, E-1505/03 by Mr Arlindo Cunha, E-1552/03 by Mr Paulo Casaca and E-1591/03 by
Mr Antonio Campos (1).

(1) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 202.

(2003/C 280 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1645/03

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(16 May 2003)

Subject: Methods to reduce unemployment in labour-intensive industries

In order to try and alleviate unemployment there was a decision to look at a reduced rate of VAT on
labour-intensive industries. I understand that there have been pilot projects in the building industry in
France. What have been the results?

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/171

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2003)

the Vienna Strategy for Europe,

In line with the recommendations of the Vienna European Council of 11 and 12 December 1998, and in
particular
the Council adopted Council Directive 1999/85/EC of
22 October 1999 amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the possibility of applying on an experiment
[sic] basis a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services (1). This amendment to Directive 77/388/EEC of
17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes (cid:1)
common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment (2) (the Sixth VAT Directive) enabled
Member States wishing to do so to test the effects of a reduced VAT rate on certain labour-intensive
services in terms of job creation and curbing the black economy.

In view of the experimental nature of the measure, Directive 1999/85/EC stipulated that Member States
taking part in the experiment were to carry out a detailed assessment of its impact in terms of job creation
and efficiency. Nine Member States took part. The Commission was required to submit a global evaluation
report on that basis to the Parliament and the Council. The report was adopted on 2 June 2003 (3). It can
be found with the Member States’ reports on the Commission’s website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/taxation/labour_intensive/labour_intensive_en.htm

The following table sets out the services concerned and the Member States’ choices:

1.

Small services of repairing:

(cid:1) bicycles

(cid:1) shoes and leather goods,
(cid:1) clothing and household linen

B, L, NL

B, L, NL
B, GR, L, NL

2.

Renovation and repairing of private
dwellings

B, E, F, I, NL, P, UK

3. Window cleaning

4. Domestic care services

5. Hairdressing

F, L

GR, F, I, P

E, L, NL

(1) OJ L 277, 28.10.1999.
(2) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977. Directive last amended by Council Directive 2002/38/EC of 7 May 2002.
(3) COM(2003) 309 final.

(2003/C 280 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/03

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 May 2003)

Subject: Regulation of locksmithing in the EU

Regarding Roberta Angelilli’s Written Question E-2454/98 (1) and the answer given on 2 October 1998 by
Mario Monti on behalf of the Commission, the subject of concern raised by Mrs Angelilli in July 1998,
namely the fact that locksmithing is not regulated, still applies today. It ought to be possible firstly to give
effect to the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services on EU territory and, secondly, to
protect the places that give shelter to people and their possessions. From the latter point of view
locksmiths play literally a key role.

Does the Commission realise that there is a delicate balance between on the one hand the freedoms
enjoyed by Europeans and, on the other, the security requirements linked to practice of the locksmith
profession?