WRITTEN QUESTION E-2827/03 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Isolation units in hospitals.
Date: 2003-09-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: disease prevention, health control, health policy, infectious disease, medical institution

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/435

Belgium has seen many accidents involving lorries caused by the use of cruise control. Can the
Commission provide clarification of the safety guarantees that accompany the installation of electronic
equipment, and cruise control in particular, in cars?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2003)

There is a wide range of conceivable measures to reduce the environmental impact of road vehicles. In this
connection, voluntary agreements on CO2 emissions and technical improvements to vehicles will have an
important role to play.

Driving style is an equally important factor. Results show that ecodriving makes it possible to cut fuel
consumption by around 10 % and at the same time to reduce accidents and pollution. The Commission
has provided its support to a number of projects in this area (see www.ecodrive.org). The STEER
programme, which is an element of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, will offer the possibility of
supporting other projects.

In the technological field, a significant number of research projects in progress under the 5th Framework
Programme for RTD aim to make vehicles more environmentally friendly. Generally speaking, their main
objective is to develop new engine technologies which are both more fuel efficient (CO2) and cleaner. For
example, a great deal of work has been carried out in the DEXA (Diesel Engine Exhaust particles After
treatment) projects, in order to eliminate particle emissions from diesel engines and in the VCR (Variable
compression ratio for CO2 reduction for gasoline engines) project which allows a significant reduction in
consumption and hence CO2. This work is continuing in the 6th Framework Programme where new
projects should allow further advances, whether for conventional engines or fuel cells in the longer term.

The Commission is planning to propose a Directive on energy services in the months to come. This
proposal could require energy suppliers to help their customers to use energy products more efficiently.
In the field of transport, customers would be advised on how to manage their energy costs more
effectively, check tyre pressures and undergo ecodriving training.

As regards the announcement by the Netherlands of a proposal making it compulsory to fit cruise-control
devices, given that the type approval of vehicles is an area where the Community has competence, the
Commission would have to receive a specific draft in order to assess its actual impact and the suitability of
a proposal with two co-legislators. In any event, this is one of a number of innovative technologies which
could improve environmental protection and safety. The effects of the various options will have to be
carefully weighed to ensure that the most effective solution is chosen.

Finally, as regards accidents involving heavy goods vehicles equipped with cruise control in Belgium, the
Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answer to written question E-1501/03 (1).

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 48.

(2004/C 78 E/0457)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2827/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(23 September 2003)

Subject: Isolation units in hospitals

Europe escaped the SARS virus. According to virologists, however, there is a significant risk of a renewed
outbreak of the SARS virus before the end of the year. Biological terrorism can also never be ruled out.
In order to prevent the spread of viruses such as SARS, work needs to be done on isolation units in
hospitals. Now that the threat of the SARS virus appears to have subsided, however, no such work is being
carried out in Member States.

C 78 E/436

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Does the Commission agree that European hospitals need to have isolation units?

Does the Commission intend to take action in this area?

How many isolation chambers does the Commision believe hospitals in the EU should have available?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2003)

The application of health protection measures, including those undertaken to prevent the spread of Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in hospitals, is the responsibility of the authorities of the Member
States.

The Commission has taken, in its areas of competence, a proactive role in responding to SARS and other
viral diseases.

This concerns, in particular, co-ordination of surveillance and technical guidance for responding to SARS
and other communicable diseases in a coherent way throughout the Union. Details of this work can be
found on (http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/index_en.html).

(2004/C 78 E/0458)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2832/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 September 2003)

Subject: Compliance with of the Stability and Growth Pact

What is the overall situation regarding compliance by the Member States with the Stability and Growth
Pact, given the difficulties experienced by large economies like France and Germany in keeping within the
3 % budget deficit limit? How does the Commission view the fact that some countries are succeeding in
keeping their deficits within these limits by externalising a significant proportion of state investments
through public companies or introducing drastic cuts in welfare spending?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 2004)

The deterioration in fiscal positions reflects to some extent the present weak economic situation. Gross
domestic product (GDP) growth has been more subdued than projected in spring and several countries of
the euro area have been in a technical recession. However, an important part of the slippage also derives
from past policy inaction or from deficit increasing measures.

The situation in the three Member States that are in the Excessive Deficit Procedure is of particular
concern. The Council issued recommendations under Article 104(7) of the EC Treaty to Germany, France
and Portugal, setting deadlines for taking corrective action and a deadline for the correction of the
excessive deficit of 2003 for Portugal and 2004 for Germany and France. On the basis of the latest data on
2003 budgetary outcome and budgets for 2004, the Commission will have to assess the situation in