WRITTEN QUESTION P-0304/04 by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission. Prison guards.
Date: 2004-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, penal institution, penitentiary staff, prison administration, public safety

C 84 E/196

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2004)

The Commission is not aware of any provision that would require that all compact discs sold and delivered
in the United Kingdom and Ireland would have to be manufactured in Europe. More information is needed
to take a position on the applicability of the Community competition rules.

(2004/C 84 E/0238)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0303/04

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Booking tickets for travel in another country

Is the Commission aware that it is often impossible to book a ticket in one EU Member State for a journey
that originates in a country other than where the tickets are booked? For example, Air France will not
allow a citizen to book a ticket for a journey from Strasbourg to London and for the ticket to be delivered
to the UK. The ticket can only be delivered to an address in France.

It is often difficult to purchase flight tickets in Belgium with a UK credit card. With many online services,
one can not purchase a ticket with a credit card that has not been issued in the country from where the
journey starts.

Is the Commission able to confirm that these difficulties are not in breach of the principles of free
movement that the EU strives for?

If the Commission finds that there is a breach, can it outline what is being done to combat this and to
ensure that such discriminatory practice does not continue?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2004)

It has been reported to the Commission that certain distribution channels refuse to sell airline tickets to
people resident in other Member States. In such cases, it is always possible for the resident of the other
Member State to purchase a ticket, but only through a different distribution channel and at a different
price, often higher. This problem is particularly evident when sales are made via the Internet.

As a follow-up to information received, at the end of 2003 the Commission forwarded a series of letters to
18 European airlines asking them for clarification on these practices. Replies are expected in March 2004.
The Commission will then analyse the information received with a view to taking appropriate steps if
need be.

(2004/C 84 E/0239)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0304/04

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Prison guards

Various press reports and reports from the department concerned have highlighted the difficulties
currently facing the Italian prison guards’ service.

In accordance with staffing provisions laid down by former Minister Fassino (Ministerial Decree of
8 February 2001) this service is currently estimated to comprise 45 000 men and women in more than

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/197

200 prison establishments in Italy, including 12 in Puglia, with a total staff of 2 850 officers, which means
500 fewer than requirements for a prison population of 3 800, of whom many are terrorists, or members
of the Mafia or other organised crime networks.

Despite this precarious situation, the Minister of Justice, Roberto Castelli, has decided, as part of new
personnel plans, to transfer some 300 units provisionally from the south to the north of Italy, including
77 officers from Puglia, without even providing for mission expenses, other than a tiny allowance of
EUR 12 per day.

It is well known that international organised crime and the activities of Albanian mafia groups are
constantly increasing in the south of Italy. This transfer of prison personnel has therefore given rise to
serious concern, which has been voiced by the OSAPP trade union.

In view of the above, does the Commission intend to take action to ensure that this situation does not
adversely affect the internal security of prisons in Italy, law and order, and the quality of life of prison
personnel and their families?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

The transfer of prison personnel within Italy, to which the Honourable Member refers, must be considered
as a question regarding the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security in Italy.
The Commission can not intervene in this matter, as it is the Member States themselves, which, pursuant
to Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, are responsible for what action should be taken to
maintain law and order and to safeguard their internal security. The transfer of prison personnel within
therefore, not a question of police or judicial cooperation in criminal matters within the
Italy is,
framework of the Treaty on European Union.

(2004/C 84 E/0240)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0315/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Language programme for minority languages

In July 2003 the Commission published a call for proposals (DG EAC/45/03) to prepare the ground for the
implementation of the Action Plan on language learning and linguistic diversity (1).

One of the goals explicitly referred to in the call for proposals was to prepare information and to raise
awareness on the potential of existing programmes and activities to promote regional and minority
languages. Following the closing date for the submission of project proposals at the end of September,
seven of the 33 project proposals submitted were approved.

Does the Commission believe that the selection of projects corresponds to the goals of the Action Plan?

(1) OJ C 180, 31.7.2003, p. 34.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2004)

In answer to the Honourable Member’s question, which refers to the Action Plan on language learning and
linguistic diversity, the Commission would like to announce that, under Call for proposals EAC/45/03, the
best seven projects were selected in accordance with the two objectives in point 2:

1.

to disseminate information and to raise awareness on the potential of existing programmes and
activities to promote regional and minority languages, and