Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

## C210

Volume 34

12 August 1991

Notice No

91/C210/01

91/C210/02

91/C210/03

91/C210/04

91/C210/05

91/C210/06

91/C210/07

91/C210/08

Contents Pa e e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

No 505/90 by Mrs Christiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Measures to combat poaching 1

No 547/90 by Mr Francesco Speroni to the Commission

Subject: Poaching in southern Italy 1

Joint supplementary answer to Written Questions Nos 505/90 and 547/90 1

No 1024/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra
Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission
Subject: Special character of Mediterranean fisheries 2

No 1030/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra
Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Rivera Icaza, Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez and Mr Josep

Pons Grau to the Commission

Subject: Common fisheries policy for the Mediterranean 2

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1024/90 and 1030/90 2

No 1850/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: Changing the legal basis of Commission proposals 2

No 2065/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Restoration of a Duvalier-style regime in Haiti 2

No 2116/90 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject: Export of tobacco from intervention 3

No 2290/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Commission

Subject: Commission staff concerned with development policies in Latin America and Asia . . . . 4

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) P a g e

91/C 210/09 No 2478/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Reduced fares for retired persons on Community railways 4

91 / C 210/10 No 2496/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Implementation by Spain of the Directive on sampling and analysis for the monitoring
of foodstuffs intended for human consumption 5

91/C 210/11 No 2497/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Aid to agriculture in Andalusia, Spain 5

91/C 210/12 No 2498/90 by Mr John McCartin to the Commission

Subject: Statistical management of the dairy markets 5

91/C 210/13 No 2578/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Specific programme of research and development in the field of thermonuclear fusion 6

91 / C 210/14 No 2621 /90 by Mrs Marie Jose Denys to the Commission

Subject: Regional airlines 6

91/C 210/15 No 2645/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination against conscientious objectors 7

91/C 210/16 No 2908/90 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission

Subject: Performance of civilian service in other Community countries 7

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2645/90 and 2908/90 7

91 /C 210/17 No 2686/90 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission

Subject: Marketing ban on the herbicide atrazine 8

91/C210/18 No 2731 /90 by Mr Richard Balfe to the Commission

Subject: Inward processing relief 8

91 / C 210/19 No 2769/90 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject: Postal rates 9

91/C 210/20 No 2850/90 by Mr James Elles to the Commission

Subject: Linkage between EC and NATO 9

91/C 210/21 No 2855/90 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Ban on bicycles in Cambridge, UK 10

91/C 210/22 No 2865/90 by Mr Karel Pinxten to the Commission

Subject: Environmental implications of the HST route and financial assistance from the EC ... 10

91/C 210/23 No 2876/90 by Lord Bethell to the Commission

Subject: Ferry service between Gibraltar and Algeciras 10

91 / C 210/24 No 2900/90 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission

Subject: Assessment of disadvantages of summer time 11

Notice No Contents (continued)

91/C210/25

91/C210/26

91/C210/27

91/C210/28

91/C210/29

91/C210/30

91/C210/31

91/C210/32

91/C210/33

91/C210/34

91/C210/35

91/C210/36

91/C210/37

91/C210/38

91/C210/39

No 2926/90 by Mr Lyndon Harrison, Mr Kenneth Collins, Mr Gordon Adam, Mr
David Bowe, Mr Kenneth Coates, Mrs Leila Onur and Mr Roger Barton to the

Commission

Subject: Structural funds and the protection of wildlife habitats in the Community 11

No 2988/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of the development programme for rural areas 12

No 3003/90 by Mr Reimer Boge to the Commission

Subject: The budget rules 12

No 3072/90 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject: Project for a dam in the municipality of Alqueva, 13

No 32/91 by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of the Structural Funds in 1990 (Spain, Objective 2) 13

No 37/91 by Mrs Barbara Simons to the Commission
Subject: Application of the EEC—Morocco fisheries agreement to the waters of the Western

Sahara ^

No 69/91 by the following Members: Mr Carlos Perreau de Pinninck Domenech, Mr
Jose Ruiz-Mateos Jimenez de Tejada, Mr Christian de la Malene and Mr Mark

Killilea to the Commission

Subject: Aid for olive oil production 15

No 100/91 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes and Mrs Claire Joanny to the

Commission

Subject: Community financing of the Pau-Somport road link 15

No 154/91 by Mr Max Simeoni to the Commission

Subject: Community funding for the Pau-Somport highway (Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France) ... 15

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 100/91 and 154/91 16

No 108/91 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Changes in the olive-oil subsidy arrangements 16

No 139/91 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Extension of the agreement on Spanish imports of maize from the United States 17

No 148/91 by Mr Gianfranco Fini to the Council
Subject: De Gasperi-Grueber Agreements - 1'

No 200/91 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of the fishing agreement between the EEC and Guinea (Conakry) ... 17

No 202/91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject: Cost of VAT to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution 18

No 223/91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Selection of candidates for the Jean Monnet chair 18

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No

91/C210/40

91/C210/41

91/C210/42

91/C210/43

91/C210/44

91/C210/45

91/C210/46

91/C210/47

91/C210/48

91/C210/49

91/C210/50

91/C210/51

91/C210/52

91/C210/53

91/C210/54

91/C210/55

91/C210/56

91/C210/57

Contents (continued) Page

No 224/91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Change in the status of the Consultative Council of Local and Regional Authorities ... 19

No 228/91 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: Zero rates of VAT 1"

No 229/91 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Hybrid vines 20

No 250/91 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject: Development aid for countries not party to the Lome Convention 20

No 252/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Free distribution of food products po citizens of Community Member States 21

No 276/91 by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission
Subject: Timetable for initiatives on development of vocational training and equal treatment .. 21

No 301/91 by Mr Elio Di Rupo to the Commission

Subject: 1990 tobacco harvest in Italy 22

No 307/91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: The Directive on working time 22

No 309/91 by Mr Christos Papoutsis to the Commission
Subject: Reorganization of the technical and social infrastructure of less-favoured mountain
areas in Greece ^

No 317/91 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco 23

No 328/91 by Mr Jesus Cabezdn Alonso to the Commission
Subject: The Gulf war and its effects on cereals exports 24

No 331/91 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: Possible distortion of competition by the Commission 24

No 340/91 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject: Completion of the single market — abolition of tax-free sales 24

No 342/91 by Mr Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject: Protection of cork in the Community 25

No 344/91 by Mr Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject: Funding of the 'moyenne corniche' road in Porticcio 26

No 345/91 by Mr Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject: Community support framework for Corsica 26

No 366/91 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject: Debt, trade and aid relationships 26

No 388/91 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject: European Social Fund — programmes in favour of women 27

Notice No

91/C210/58

91/C210/59

91/C210/60

91/C210/61

91/C210/62

91/C210/63

91/C210/64

91/C210/65

91/C210/66

91/C210/67

91/C210/68

91/C210/69

91/C210/70

91/C210/71

91/C210/72

91/C210/73

91/C210/74

91/C210/75

Contents (continued) Pa s e

No 389/91 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: Critical situation affecting the Community tuna fleet 28

No 410/91 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission

Subject: Commission Panel of Experts on an Equitable Wage 28

No 412/91 by Mr David Morris to the Commission

Subject: Slaughter 29

No 465/91 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: PERIFRA programme - 29

No 495/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Sexually transmitted diseases - ^"

No 514/91 by Mr Henry Chabert to the Commission

Subject: Transport policy - 30

No 543/91 by Mr John McCartin to the Commission

Subject: Prohibition on the use of BST 31

No 545/91 by Mr Jacques Tauran to the Council
Subject: Maritime transport of animals for slaughter 31

No 589/91 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject: Intra-European vocational training networks 32

No 593/91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject: Inspection procedures carried out at the Lauwersoog wholesale fish market 32

No 598/91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject: Electronics and communications industries: 1992 33

No 662/91 by Mr Jean-Pierre Cot to the Commission

Subject: Arolsen archives 33

No 689/91 by Mr Frederic Rosmini to the Council

Subject: Rhine-Rhone link 34

No 755/91 by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Council
Subject: Implementation of the measures envisaged in the action programme contained in the
Social Charter in respect of vocational training and the elderly 34

No 894/91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Council
Subject: Legal status of fuel retailers for social security purposes 35

No 896/91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Council
Subject: Government-run youth employment scheme in the Netherlands 35

No 924/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Control over organ transplants 35

No 1009/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Council
Subject: The setting-up of a European food inspectorate . 36

(Continued overleaf)

Nonce No Conrents^conrinued^ r ^

91/C^10/^o Nol031/91byMr]ean-PierreRaHarinrorheCouncil
Subject: Social exclusion in the EC 3o

9 1 / C ^ 1 0 / ^ No 1034/91 by Mrs ^ i e Mayer, Mr Sergio Ribeiro, Mr VassilisEnhremidis and

Mr FroinsiasL^eRossarorbe Commission

Subject: resumption of scientific cooperation ^vith Israel 3o

91/C^10/^8 No 1038/91 by Mrs MarieChrisrine Aulas, Mr Eugenio Melandri and Mr wilfried
Pelkamperrorhe Commission

Subject: Closure ofl^alestinian universities 3^

Joinrans^erro^riuen questions Nosl034/91andl038/91 3^

91/C^10/^9 Nol0oD/91byMr]oseAl^arezdeFazandMr]oseVazquezEouzrorheCouncil
Subject: decision bv the federal Cerman authorities to abolish visas for polish citizens 3^

91/C^10/80 Noll^l/91byMrlan^hirerorheCommission

Subject: Social ^vorl^ers 3^

91/C^10/81 Noll^/91byMrsRaymondeL^uryrorbeCouncil
Subject: Council ofEurope convention on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation .. 38

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/1

_(Information)_

#### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 505/90

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(91/C 210/01)

_Subject:_ Measures to combat poaching

The Bern Conventions have been infringed in many
Community Member States including Italy, especially as
regards the poaching of birds of prey, storks and
protected species during the migration period, despite
the many reports which have reached the Community
from citizens, parliamentarians and environmental
associations. In many cases, hunting wardens have failed
to carry out their duties, as many reports have testified,
for example in the Italian province of Reggio Calabria
and Messina, and in some areas of the Community the
persistence of poaching means that individuals are able to
go around carrying firearms more or less legitimately and
that poachers' hides (wooden or concrete huts) remain in
place and could be used for other illegal purposes.

Does the Commission intend to press for more active
intervention by national forestry guards and ministries of
the environment? Does it intend to set up a Community
education programme to combat poaching and a centre
for gathering information on the situation as regards the
capture or killing of animals belonging to protected
species?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 547/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(91/C 210/02)

_Subject:_ Poaching in southern Italy

Poaching in the provinces of southern Italy adjoining the
Straits of Messina is largely concentrated on birds of prey

and other migrant birds, amounting to a serious attack on
European fauna since, frequently, more than 50 % of
migratory birds belonging to protected species are killed.

Since poachers of this kind operate mainly from fixed
sites which are actually concrete bunkers, efforts to curb
this deplorable practice could be very effective, if only the
authorities had the necessary motivation.

However, the authorities fail to act, coming up with
various excuses which merely serve to mask their
complicity with a despicable tradition which shows no
sensitivity towards nature, so that the poachers are free to
carry on this slaughter with impunity.

What steps does the Commission have in mind to end
such uncivilized and illegal practices?

Joint supplementary answer to Written Questions

Nos 505/90 and 547/90
given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(21_ _September 1990)_

A synopsis on poaching is being sent direct to the
Honourable Members and to Parliament's Secretariat.
The Commission has recently been informed of more
active intervention by the national forestry authorities
and the Ministry of the Environment.

Under the EEC Treaty it is for the Member States to
enforce Community law. The Commission has initiated
several infringement procedures against Italy, resulting in
a judgment by the Court of Justice. However, it is
important to realize that the desire to protect the
environment and to comply with formal commitments
made at Community level calls for political will.

On the basis of information it has received, the
Commission is planning to make a financial contribution

No C 210/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

to a project drawn up by the Federation of Hunting
Associations of the EEC concerning training, education
and information to ensure better application of Directive
79/409/EEC by hunters (*).

O OJ No L 103, 25. 4.1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1024/90

by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr
Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de

la Camara Martinez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(91/C 210/03)

_Subject:_ Special character of Mediterranean fisheries

The fisheries sector in the Mediterranean has specific
and very distinct characteristics which distinguish it in
almost all aspects from fisheries sector elsewhere in
the Community. In its efforts to implement and direct
fisheries policy in the Mediterranean, will the
Commission take account of these specific features or
does it intend to use uniform criteria instead?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1030/90

by Mr Jos6 Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr
Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Rivera Icaza, Mr Juan

de la Camara Martinez and Mr Josep Pons Grau (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(91/C 210/04)

_Subject:_ Common fisheries policy for the Mediterranean

What system does the Commission intend to use for the
management of fishery resources in seeking to introduce a
common fisheries policy for the Mediterranean?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1024/90

and 1030/90
given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(12_ _September 1990)_

The Commission is aware of tne^ specific geopolitical and
biological characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea and is
preparing a joint system of resources management which
will take these special characteristics into account.

The problem of fishing in the Mediterranean will also be
raised at the first discussion seminar with the Parliament

Subcommittee on Fisheries to be held in Brussels on 21

and 22 June 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1850/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 July 1990)_

(91/C 210/05)

_Subject:_ Changing the legal basis of Commission
proposals

In what instances has the Council changed the legal basis
of a Commission proposal since the entry into force of the
Single European Act?

In each case, what was the legal basis proposed by the
Commission and what change did the Council make?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(13_ _May 1991)_

During the first three years following the entry into
force of the Single Act the Council formally changed the
legal basis proposed by the Commission nearly 170
times, including 14 times under the cooperation
procedure.

The Commission will send a table containing the details
direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's

Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2065/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _September 1990)_

(91/C 210/06)

_Subject:_ Restoration of a Duvalier-style regime in Haiti

On 22 January 1990, General Prospere Avril, President of
the military government of Haiti, instructed the Ministry
of Information to introduce censorship of the media to

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the

check the 'truth and accuracy' of news and prevent it from
being used to 'stir up the population'. BrUtal paramilitary
forces have been set up alongside the army, which has still
not been purged of its worst elements, in addition to the
presidential guard and the plain-clothes political police.
All broadcasting is controlled, with the exception of
weather, sport and non-subversive religious.programmes,
while brutal arrests, arbitrary detention and
state-sponsored violence have again become
commonplace (400 murders have been reported since
January 1989 according to reliable sources).

A state of emergency has been declared and the articles of
the democratic constitution of 1987 concerning
fundamental human rights have been suspended.
Democratic parties and associations are unable to
function. In short, despite attempts to present a front to
the outside world, Haiti has once again become a
Duvalier-style regime four years after the departure of the
notorious dictator and the intervening rule by General
Namphy.

What are the Commission's views on this matter, is it
concerned at the serious violations of human rights and
does it still consider that preparations should be made for
fair elections in accordance with the letter and spirit of the
1987 constitution without any attempt to stifle public
opinion and the right to communicate freely other than by
'bush telegraph' or 'teledyol' as it is known in the local
dialect? In addition, what is the nature and scale of the aid
given to Haiti by the Community and its Member States?
How can the Republic of Haiti remain a member of the
. Convention of Lome when Articles 5 and 13 of that text

require the signatories to respect the dignity and
fundamental rights of individuals and peoples?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 October 1990)_

Since General Prospere Avril resigned on 10 March and
Mrs Ertha Trouillot took over on 12 March as president
of an interim civil government, the government's main
task has been to prepare for free elections. These had been
scheduled for 4 November but have now been deferred

until December. Preparations are continuing and the
Commission hopes that elections will be able to take place
smoothly on the date planned.

In the light of the positive developments that have
occurred since 12 March the Commission has decided to

speed up the implementation of operations already
approved to assist Haiti and to plan others in order to
reinforce the process of democratization under way. It
has therefore made available ECU 5,3 million to be paid
under Stabex and in the past few months has decided to
grant food aid worth some ECU 6 million.

Between 1976 and 1988 Haiti was granted a total of ECU
64,5 million of aid (under the various headings) from

European Communities No C 210/3

Community budget resources. It will be allocated ECU
120 million (of which ECU 14 million in the form of risk
capital) under the seventh EDF (Lome IV).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2116/90

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 September 1990)_

(91/C 210/07)

_Subject:_ Export of tobacco from intervention

Between _Official Journal of the European Communities No_
C 37 of 17 February 1990 and _Official Journal of the_
_European Communities_ No C 142 of 12 June 1990, the
Commission sought tenders for the sale for export of
tobacco held in European Community intervention stocks
amounting to 26 million kilogrammes.

How much has it cost the Community:

(i) to pay the growers?

(ii) to keep the tobacco in intervention?

(iii) to dispose of it on the world market?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 March 1991)_

The intervention agencies have bought at derived
intervention price approximately 25 000 tonnes of
tobacco, a small amount of which is leaf-tobacco, the rest
being baled tobacco. The prices are determined each year
by the Council both for a given harvest and a given
variety.

For tobaccos offered for sale by tender, the average
purchase price (with deduction of the premium) was ECU
1 963/tonne in Greece, ECU 1 570/tonne in Italy and
ECU 2 100/tonne in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The average monthly storage costs were ECU 12,4/tonne.

The average selling price was ECU 338/tonne.
Depreciation costs and below-cost selling, with deduction
of the premium, amounted to approximately ECU 9,5
million for all tobaccos tendered for.

No C 210/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2290/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 October 1990)_

(91/C 210/08)

_Subject:_ Commission staff concerned with development
policies in Latin America and Asia

The ratification of the Fourth Lome Convention and

the redefinition of cooperation policy towards the
developing countries of Asia and Latin America signal a
new stage in EEC development cooperation policy
towards the developing countries. Could the
Commission explain the criteria and objectives governing
the reorganization of the relevant departments in DG I
and DG VIII?

Does the Commission not consider that the increasing
separation of these two directorates-general could
become an obstacle to the coordination and greater
effectiveness of development projects in Latin America
and Asia?

Does the Commission believe that these

directorates-general have enough staff to ensure that their
tasks are effectively carried out?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1991)_

Since 1985 the Commission has taken certain steps
dictated by a flourishing cooperation policy towards
the Asian and Latin American developing countries. At
that time North-South relations became a new-single
portfolio with the regrouping of a number of tasks
previously handled under the separate portfolios of
external relations and development.

The reorganization in 1989 of the Commission
departments concerned was a logical consequence of the
growing importance of Community operations in the
developing countries and of a concern to attain, in the
most constructive way possible, the objectives of the new
policy towards these countries. This reorganization
provided _inter alia_ for the regrouping within the
Directorate-General for External Relations of all staff of

the geographical and technical back-up departments
dealing with the ALA developing countries.

With regard to staffing in the sector, the Commission
would like to see the numbers increased. This view is

reflected in its communication on the guidelines for

cooperation with the ALA developing countries (').
Budgetary constraints preclude this from happening in the
immediate future.

O COM(90) 176 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2478/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 210/09)

_Subject:_ Reduced fares for retired persons on Community
railways

On retirement, former employees of the Belgian National
Railway Company are entitled to a 50 % reduction on rail
travel in neighbouring countries, with the exception of
France, where the SNCF is proving very intransigent.

In the context of its measures regarding retired workers,
can the Commission state whether it considers the retired

Belgian railway workers' request to SNCF to be
well-founded and, if so, would it support this request by
approaching the relevant political and administrative
bodies in France?

Would the Commission support the extension of
reciprocal reduced rate (50% or 25%) rail travel for
retired railway workers throughout the Community?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 January 1991)_

In the absence of Community rules, this is a matter
for the Member States, which can impose public
service obligations on the railways for certain
categories of traveller. In some cases the railway
companies allow reduced fares for retired railway
workers, under general or special agreements or on their
own initiative.

In May 1989 the Commission adopted a recommendation
concerning the European senior citizen's card, which
should make it easier for people aged 60 or over to benefit
from the fare reductions available in the Member

States (').

O OJ No L 144, 27. 5.1989.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2496/90

by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 210/10)

_Subject:_ Implementation by Spain of the Directive on
sampling and analysis for the monitoring of
foodstuffs intended for human consumption

Great concern has been expressed by consumers
concerning the monitoring of foodstuffs in Spain. Is
Spain currently implementing Directive 85/591/EEC (*)
concerning the introduction of Community methods of
sampling and analysis for the monitoring of foodstuffs
intended for human consumption?

O OJ No L 372, 31.12. 1985, p. 50.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 January 1991)_

As its title indicates, Council Directive 85/591/EEC of 20
December 1985 concerning the introduction of
Community methods of sampling and analysis for the
monitoring of foodstuffs intended for human
consumption lays down general criteria and guidelines for
drawing up and establishing methods of sampling and
analysis at Community level. This merely requires an
effective legal act of transposition into national law,
where the latter does not already include the said general
criteria and principles.

In many Member States the law already includes these
general criteria, so that there is no need to transpose the
abovementioned Directive. Such is the case in Spain, as it
has informed the Commission.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2497/90

by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C210/11)

_Subject:_ Aid to agriculture in Andalusia, Spain

Has the Guidance section of the EAGGF, or any other
Community source, provided funds directly or indirectly
for:

1. Strawberry production

2. Eucalyptus production

3. Drainage

4. Irrigation

:an Communities No C 210/5

during the years 1988, 1989 and 1990 to date in the
municipalities of Almote (Huelva), Aznalcazar (Seville),
Coria del Rio (Seville), Dos Hermanas (Seville), Hinojos
(Huelva), La Puebla del Rio (Seville), Las Cabezas de San
Juan (Seville), Lebrija (Seville), Pilas (Seville), Sanlucar de
Barrameda (Cadiz), Trebujena (Cadiz), Utrera (Seville),
or Villamarque de la Condesa (Seville)?

What is the total sum of money involved ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1991)_

Almonte (Huelva), Hinojos (Huelva) und San Lucar de
Barrameda (Cadiz) are among the areas covered by the
specific common measure for certain less-favoured areas
of Spain (Regulation (EEC) No 1118/88), which includes
the improvement and installation of irrigation works. The
programme is to be implemented between 1988 and 1993.
The Commission does not at present have detailed
information on investments already carried out in each
municipality.

The operational programmes submitted by the regional
government of Andalusia under the reform of the
structural Funds for part-financing by the EAGGF
include one on the improvement of agricultural
infrastructures, which contains a sub-programme on the
installation and improvement of irrigation works. The
scope of this sub-programme includes the municipality of
Trebujena in the Campina de Cadiz. The area covered in
that district is 3 600 ha although it is not at present
possible to state how much lies in the municipality itself.
Commission departments are currently studying and
holding discussions on that programme.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2498/90

by Mr John McCartin (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 210/12)

_Subject:_ Statistical management of the dairy markets

Will the Commission agree that, to facilitate the better
management of the market in dairy produce, the
Commission needs to have up-to-date statistics provided
by the Member States on a monthly or bi-monthly basis
on the prices paid to farmers for milk?

No C 210/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8.91

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 January 1991)_

The figures for the prices paid to producers for milk are
available on a monthly basis. The Commission agrees
with the Honourable Member that the delay in providing
these figures is regrettable. However, in spite of the
complexity and diversity, in each of the Member States, of
the methods of price formation, the Statistical Office of
the European Communities is making every effort to
ensure that the Member States forward the necessary
information more speedily.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2578/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 November 1990)_

(91/C 210/13)

_Subject:_ Specific programme of research and
development in the field of thermonuclear fusion

How will the Commission incorporate environmental
protection into the proposal for a specific programme in
the field of thermonuclear fusion?

How much of the programme could in practice be directly
devoted to an environmental impact survey?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 January 1991)_

The production of energy through controlled
thermonuclear fusion presents potential benefits with
regard to safety and environmental impact (e.g.
considerable passive safety, no release of C 0 2 into the
atmosphere, great simplification of the problem of
radioactive waste). Over the last 10 years studies on the
future impact of fusion on the environment have been
carried out under the fusion technology programme.

In accordance with the recommendations of the

evaluation report on the Community fusion
programme ('), one of the main aims of the specific fusion
programme (1900—1994) is 'the demonstration of the
safety and environmental feasibility of fusion power in
parallel with the demonstration of its scientific and
technological feasibility' ( [2] ).

Specific operations with a bearing on environmental
protection are included in research areas 1 (Next Step), 2

(Long-term Technical Developments) and 3 (JET) of the
proposed programme. Area 2, in particular, is devoted in
large part to confirming the potential benefits of fusion
with regard to environmental protection, and includes the
development of low activation materials and a reference
design for a commercial fusion reactor, which will
constitute the technical basis for further safety and
environmental impact analyses.

The proposal for a specific programme provides for the
setting-up of a Long-Term Development Team, one of
whose main tasks will be to incorporate safety and
environmental criteria into the development of the
Community fusion programme.

Between 5% and 10% of the ECU 458 million earmarked

for fusion under the framework programme
(1900—1994) should be allocated to Area 2 (see ref. 2,
page 16).

(*) EUR 13104 — Evaluation of the Community Fusion
Programme (1984—1990) — COPEC, Science and
Technology policy series, Luxembourg, 1990.
O COM(90) 441 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2621/90

by Mrs Marie Jose Denys (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 210/14)

_Subject:_ Regional airlines

The outlying regions of the Community and, in
particular, the maritime regions are facing growing
development problems, to a great extent because of
their isolation due to the lack of efficient means of

communication.

The existence of regional airlines is a vital factor in the
regional and socio-economic development of these areas.

The airlines in question are encountering the following
problems which are jeopardizing their continued
existence:

— difficulties in providing transport on essential but little
used routes, since the large national companies
monopolize the most popular time slots,

— difficulties arising from the frequently high fare which
they are obliged to charge as a result of the increase in
the price of fuel imposed by the oil companies.

These difficulties constitute a possible distortion of
competition.

^ 8 ^ 1 COfficial Journal of the European Communities ^oC^lOBB

Cancontactshemadeandastudycarriedout without
delay in order to remedy this extremely worrying
situation,particularlywitha^iewtor^^3^

Answer given by ^rVan^iert
o^ behalf oftheCo^u^ission

The Commission shares fully the opinion of the
Honourable member of Parliament on the importance of
interregional air services.

The Commission is aware of thefactthatregional air
carriers have occasionallyfacedprohlems resulting froma
lackof opportunities to get appropriate slotsat certain
huhsMThis is one of the reasons why the Commission has
prepared on the hasis of the outcome of careful internal
studies,aproposalforaCouncil regulation on common
rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports^
and has adopted a regulation on the application of
Article 85, paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty to slot
allocation at airports ^.^fhis proposal will also address
the problem of an undue blocking of slots by maior
carriers.

The Commission is wellinformed about the difficulties
resulting from higher fuel prices. It considers that
somewhat highertariffs are in many cases the unavoidable
consequence of this development.The Commission very
much^hopes that these external burdens are of temporary
natureit will continue to carefully observe the impact of
higher fuel prices and other cost elements on the market
situation in aviation

C^coj^oLtom^mm^t

by^rt^erard^o^ruerBesombes^

to the Cor^^ssio^i of the European Communities

^ t B C ^ t O B ^

^^cr.Loiscriminationagainstconscientious objectors

By adopting the resolution by ^ir^iacciochi in Eebruary
1^83^nd the report by ^r^chmidbauerinC^ctobert^8^,
the Parliament has demonstrated its wish for the right of
conscientious objection to be recognised and respected^

lOespite this, a number of member states, and in
particular Creece, have continued to discriminate against

conscientious objectors, subjecting them to severe
penalties ^imprisonment, ilLtreatmentetc^.

In its conclusions the ^chmidbauer report calls on the
member states to take measures to solve this problem and
make iteasierto carry outalternative community service^

Although the Commission has already stated that it
is not required to take measures in this area, does
it recall the resolution calling on it to set up a
programme of development aid projects to enable
conscientious objectors to carry out community
service in theThirdWorldi If so,what measures has it
taken in this directions

W^ITTE^^E^TI^^^o^O^B^O

by^rst^rsulaBraun^oser^PPE^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

^ I B C ^ t O B l ^

^ ^ c r, performance of civilian service in other
Community countries

L T^he performance of civilian service abroad has had
beneficial effects in the countries where this is already
possible for recognized conscientious objectors, for
example, in the federal republic of Cermany, in
contributing to international understanding and the
desired integration of the European Community

^ What action has the Commissiontakento date in
pursuance of the European Farliament^sresolution^oc^
Aoad5B8^^D paragraph ^ calling for conscientious
objectors to be allowed to participate in programmes of
alternativeserviceinother^iember^tates, anddoesit
know of any moves in this direction by national
governments orministriesB

^ e o j ^ o ^ ^ n ^ o m t m ^ ^ n m ^ .

JointanswertoWrittenC^uestionsc^os^D^^B^O

and^O^B^O
given by ^ r f O ^ ^
on behalf of the Commission

As the Commission has already indicated on several
occasions, both in answers to written and oral questions
and during the debate in the European Parliament on the
^chmidbauer reportin October r^8^, the Commission
has no competence in this areaD

With regard to 'the drawingDup of a programme of
developmentprojects in the^Third World in which all

No C 210/8 Official Journal of the

conscientious objectors from the Member States can
participate, releasing them from alternative service in
their own country', it is for the Member States to take
such decisions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2686/90

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/17)

_Subject:_ Marketing ban on the herbicide atrazine

It will be forbidden to market the herbicide atrazine in

Germany after 1 January 1991.

What measures will the Commission propose with a view
to securing an EC-wide ban on the use of atrazine and its
release for free circulation?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 7 March 1991)_

Commission departments are examining the scientific and
technical data supplied by the German authorities in
November 1990 to establish, on the basis of this and other
data, whether a Community-wide prohibition in the
framework of Directive 79/117/EEC prohibiting the
placing on the market and use of plant protection
products containing certain active substances O would be
justified.

(') OJ No L 33, 8. 2. 1979.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2731/90

by Mr Richard Balfe(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/18)

_Subject:_ Inward processing relief

Council Regulation (EEC) No 1999/85 O, Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 2315/76 ( [2] ) and Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 2281/88 ( [3] ).

Some Member States have granted licences to their
traders for the import of butter. Can the Commission
provide:

European Communities 12. 8. 91

1. The total number of licences authorized and total

quantity of butter as a result: since the publication
of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2281/88 — to
date,

2. The number of "licences authorized and total quantity
of butter as a result per Member State,

3. Actual imports effected against licences in total and
per Member State?

4. Is it the Commission's view that licences granted be at
prices in conformity with any GATT obligations ?

5. Have any licences been granted with the knowledge
that the purchase price has been below GATT
minimum?

O OJ No L 188, 20. 7.1985, p. 1.
O OJNoL261,25.9.1976, p. 12.
O OJ No L 200, 26. 7.1988, p. 20.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 March 1991)_

1. and 2. The number of inward processing relief
authorizations for butter and the quantities relating to
those authorizations for 1988, 1989 and 1990 are given in

the table below:

_(in tonnes)_

Total quantity of butter

Member State

Belgium/
Luxembourg

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

EC Total

1988

2

3

32

1

38

Number of

authorizations

1990 (*)

4 302

3 720

1 561

25 754

35 337

1989

19 700

1 820

17

16 200

3 701

250

41688

1990 (')

4

11

7

213

242

1988

40

490

416

500

1446

1989

7

6

1

3

94

2

113

(') January to August.

3. The imports of butter under inward processing
arrangements in 1988, 1989 and 1990 are given in the
table below:

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/9

It recognizes that the lack of harmonization in these areas
has a negative impact on customers, especially those who
have posting requirements across the Community.

2. To deal with this situation and to develop a
Community policy for the postal sector, the Commission
is involved in the process of preparing a Green Paper on
postal services in the Community. The Commission
intends to present this paper early in 1991.

3. After the informal meeting of EC Telecommunications Ministers in Antibes in September 89, the postal
situation has been debated several times at Council level.
Additionally, a Senior Official Group on Post (SOGP)
has been created as a forum of high civil servants of the
Member States to discuss the problems and to advise the
Commission in the preparation of the Green paper. This
group has been very active during 1990, and it is expected
to continue this activity during the whole process of
preparing proposals and then implementing a Community
postal policy.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2850/90

by Mr James Elles (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/20)

_Subject:_ Linkage between EC and NATO

What contacts, both formal and informal, have taken
place over the past 12 months between officials at the EC
and NATO? Does the President of the European
Commission meet the Secretary General of NATO on a
regular basis? Are there plans under way to ensure that the
contact between these institutions is set up on a more.
regular basis?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 May 1991)_

Informal contacts between officials of the Commission

and of NATO on matters of common interest fall under
the general responsibility assigned to the Commission by
Article 229 of the Treaty to 'maintain such relations as are
appropriate with all international organizations'.

Occasional meetings between the President of the
Commission and the Secretary-General of NATO are to
be seen in that context, without such contacts as a whole
being formal or regular in character.

_(in_ _tonnes)_

1990 O

6 574

—

588

—

—

60

—

—

2 340

—

12

9 574

1989

3 870

5

241

—

—

1201

—

— .

1 492

—

—

6 809

Belgium/Luxembourg

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

Total

1988

—

—

30

—

—

—

.—

—

115

—

1 580 0

1725

(') January to August.
( [2] ) This figure is under examination with the UK authorities.

4. Yes.

5. Yes. However, Member States have been requested
to withdraw authorizations where the purchase price is
below the GATT minimum.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2769/90

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/19)

_Subject:_ Postal rates

1. Does the Commission agree that European
cooperation on postal rates has so far made very little
impression on EC citizens?

2. What stage has the Commission reached in its
efforts to simplify postal rates and, thereby facilitate the
sending of letters and postcards within the EC?

3. How many EC conferences have been held on this
subject, at the suggestion or initiative of the Commission
with Ministers responsible for postal services, and how
many more are planned?

Answer given by Mr Pandolf i
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January_ _1991)_

1. The Commission is fully aware of the diverse
problems in the Postal sector within the Community,
including those related to tariffs and posting conditions.

No C 210/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2855/90

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/21)

_Subject:_ Ban on bicycles in Cambridge, UK

Is the Commission aware that the municipal authorities of
the English university city of Cambridge have decided to
prohibit the use of bicycles in the city centre during
daylight hours?

Does the Commission consider this to be consistent with

efforts to promote the use of bicycles rather than cars in
city centres?

Is the Commission prepared to make its feelings known to
the Cambridge municipal authorities?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

The Commission is in general in favour of the promotion
of the use of bicycles in city centres in order to reduce
vehicle traffic and improve the environment.

The Commission has taken notice of the measure in

Cambridge as mentioned by the Honourable Member.

It is difficult to judge such a measure taken by local
authorities without knowing all the circumstances and
considerations.

As this is really an issue that should be dealt with at the
local political level the Commission does not intend to
communicate an opinion on this matter to the Cambridge
authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2865/90

by Mr Karel Pinxten (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 210/22)

_Subject:_ Environmental implications of the HST route
and financial assistance from the EC

What are the Commission's views as regards the
micro-environmental implications of the HST?

At the macro-environmental level a number of impact
assessments have stressed that the HST scores higher
marks than alternative land or air transport.

However, this must not obscure the fact that at the
micro-environmental level there will undoubtedly be
disadvantages for those living in the immediate vicinity.

How will the Commission tackle the serious problem of
communities (mainly villages) which the proposed route
threatens to divide in two? Will their situation be

adequately taken into consideration (participation or
consultation?) and will specific solutions be devised to
which they can if necessary claim legal entitlement?

Does the Commission propose to provide financial
incentives for the construction of underground
thoroughfares through villages and built-up areas and/or
is it planning to provide financial compensation for those
living nearby who will be affected by the scheme?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

Although the Commission is not involved in the actual
decision-making on the routing of high-speed trains, it
does ensure that Member States comply with Community
law, in this particular case Directive 85/337/EEC of 27
June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain

public and private projects on the environment (*) and
Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the
conservation of wild birds ( [2] ).

Any measures to protect persons against the deleterious
effects of a new infrastructure are taken under national

law which in many cases is extremely stringent.

On 17 December the Council agreed that a study should
be made in 1991 of the European high-speed train
network.

Environmental protection costs will be indirectly covered
by Community funds earmarked for a number of
high-speed train links under the general funding packages
of which they form a part.

O OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40.
O OJNoLl03,25.4.1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2876/90

byLordBethell(ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 210/23)

_Subject:_ Ferry service between Gibraltar and Algeciras

What steps has the Commission taken in resppnse to
Spain's clear infringement of Community legislation in

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/11

refusing to authorize a regular passenger ferry service
between Algeciras and Gibraltar, invoking reasons of
international politics for its failure to comply with the
binding provisions of Community law contained in
Council Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86 (') applying the
principle of freedom to provide services to maritime
transport between Member States?

(') OJ No L 378, 31.12.1986, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 March 1991)_

The Commission has taken the view, and informed the
Government of the United Kingdom on its request
accordingly, that the refusal by the Spanish authorities to
authorize the introduction of the service in question does
not seem to be in conflict with the guarantees provided by
Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86, since the refusal applies
without distinction to any applicant, irrespective of his or
her nationality. Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86 does not
go so far as to grant a freedom to nationals of other
Member States which does not exist for nationals of the

Member State concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2900/90

by Mr Jacques Vernier (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 210/24)

_Subject:_ Assessment of disadvantages of summer time

The time change which is imposed on Community citizens
twice a year, although justified by energy saving concerns,
seems to cause disturbance and inconvenience (daytime
drowsiness, etc.) to many, especially children and old
people.

1. Has there been any real assessment of energy savings
achieved by the time change?

2. Has there been any Community-level research on the
effects of the time change on health and, if so, what
are the findings?

3. If not, could the Commission:

— undertake research of this kind;

— carry out a cost benefit analysis of the summer
time system taking account of the findings of the
research;

V

— report to the European Parliament on all these
matters and, if appropriate, submit proposals for
solutions?

Answer given by Mr A^an Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 March 1991)_

Research carried out by Commission staff has shown that
the percentage energy savings resulting from the change
to summer time are not significant. Savings are essentially
limited to electricity (lighting) and are of the order of
several tenths of one percent of annual consumption. It is
particularly difficult to arrive at an exact figure given the
small percentage involved and the existence of other
fortuitous phenomena (for example, variations in cloud
cover) which can have a similar impact on consumption.

Commission staff have had two additional studies carried

out on the impact on human health and on the
environmental effects. The results of the first of these

studies indicate that the time change has no serious effects
on health, but that certain groups of people, in particular
old people and children, are affected. These effects are
more pronounced in the west of the Community than in
the east.

The results of the second study are not yet available.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2926/90

by Mr Lyndon Harrison, Mr Kenneth Collins, Mr Gordon
Adam, Mr David Bowe, Mr Kenneth Coates, Mrs Leila

Onur and Mr Roger Barton (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 January 1991)_

(91/C 210/25)

_Subject:_ Structural funds and the protection of wildlife
habitats in the Community

There have been numerous reports from a number of
Member States that Structural Fund assistance has been

provided for projects that have caused serious damage to
important wildlife habitats, despite the fact that the Single
Act requires environmental protection to be integrated
into all Community policies and Regulation (EEC) No
4253/88 O on the coordination of the Structural Funds

requires the Commission to assess the compatibility of
projects and programmes with relevant Community
legislation.

1. Is the Commission in possession of all relevant
information on all projects, whether they are
presented individually, form part of operational

No C 210/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8.91

programmes or are to be supported from a global
grant — including their specific location and whether
this coincides with areas designated for protection
under Community or national law or identified in
other sources of information available to the

Commission, such as the CORINE biotopes register
and the SFF3 list of important bird areas — together
with a full environmental impact assessment for
projects likely directly or indirectly to have an adverse
effect on the environment before funds are authorized

and disbursed?

2. If not, how can the Commission be sure that it is not
funding projects that are not compatible with
Community law?

O OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to its answer to Written Questions No 1962/90 by Mr
Monnier-Besombes and No 2013/90 by Mr Papayannakis
and others (*).

O OJNoC70,18.3.1991, p. 27.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2988/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 210/26)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the development programme
for rural areas

In the first half of 1989, the areas of the
Provence-Alpes-Cdte d'Azur region eligible for assistance
as part of the development programme for rural areas
were defined for the purposes of the ERDF.

In this connection, the Departement of Alpes de
Haute-Provence launched a number of projects to meet
its essential needs, in particular a major road project to
open up the Ubaye valley, scheduled to run from 1989 to
1991, the total cost being FF 15 million. Because of the
delay in drawing up the programme, the successive stages
of the project will be completed later than planned, which
means that investment by the local authorities concerned
before September 1990, and possibly even later, cannot be
taken into account.

Can the Commission specify the deadline for investments
by the local authorities to be taken into account under the
programme for the development of rural areas? If the
deadline is later than 1990, would it not be possible to
envisage retroactive consideration of projects eligible
under the programme for the development of rural areas
from the beginning of 1989 so as to avoid penalizing
go-ahead local authorities in less-favoured areas?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(9April 1991)_

In accordance with the relevant Council Regulations,
application of the structural Funds to the rural areas
eligible under Objective 5 (b) took place in several phases
after 1 January 1989: decision on eligible areas (May
1989), submission of development plans by the Member
States (October 1989), adoption of Community support
frameworks (June 1990) and submission of operational
programmes by the Member States (September 1990).
The Commission is currently examining, for later
adoption, all operational programmes submitted by the
Member States under Objective 5 (b) and so the
procedure for adopting the operational programme for
the rural areas of the Provence-Alpes- C6te d'Azur region
cannot be said to have suffered any undue delay.

As regards the eligibility of measures under that Objective
for assistance from the structural Funds, Article 15 of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of 19 December
1988 O states that expenditure may not be considered
eligible if it was incurred before the date on which the
application reached the Commission. The Commission
received the operational programme for the rural areas
of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, which
constitutes the application for assistance, on 20
September 1990.

O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3003/90

by Mr Reimer Boge (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 210/27)

_Subject:_ The budget rules

The Council of Ministers has agreed on a negotiating
brief for the Commission in connection with the GATT

agricultural negotiations.

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/13

Accordingly, the Commission will be calling _inter alia_ for
aids that do not affect production and environmental
protection support to be classified as measures which are
not subject to mandatory dismantling.

Can the Commission say what are the potential
implications of this development in the common
agricultural policy for the current rules governing the
budget, in particular with regard to classifying such
programmes, to the .outmoded and to some extent highly
arbitrary practice of classifying expenditure as either
'compulsory' or 'non-compulsory' and to a greater role
for Parliament in the budgetary procedure?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 March 1991)_

The Commission is unable at present to indicate what
effects a change in the common agricultural policy might
have on the existing financial framework and, in
particular, on the presentation of the budget and the
classification of expenditure.

It appears unlikely, however, that the Financial
Regulation as such would be affected.

Whatever the case, the Commission will indicate the
budget and financial consequences of whatever measures
it may decide to propose.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3072/90

by Mr Sergio Ribeiro (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 210/28)

_Subject:_ Project for a dam in the municipality of Alqueva

Whatever form it takes, the construction of a dam in the
municipality of Alqueva is of capital importance for the
Alentejo region since it will impede the process of
desertification which is occurring in a. number of areas
despite their inherent potential, and notably the left bank
of the river Guadiana.

This project has unfortunately not been included in the 33
investment projects in Portugal approved for ERDF aid.

Will the Commission say why this project is constantly
being passed over and priority given to others which,
notwithstanding their importance, are more limited in
their regional impact and, in some cases, serve private
interests through the creation of infrastructures?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 March 1991)_

The Commission is well aware of the importance of the
Alqueva dam project for the development of the Alentejo
region. However, the Portuguese authorities did not
consider this project sufficiently far advanced at the time
when the Community support framework (1989—1993)
for Portugal was being negotiated.

The Commission, together with the Portuguese
Government, has now recognized the importance of an
analysis of the overall aspects and the operational
considerations involving the Alqueva dam; it is for this
reason that a study is proposed which will serve as a basis
for decision-making on the matter.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 32/91

by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/29)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the Structural Funds in 1990
(Spain, Objective 2)

Can the Commission give details, for each of the Spanish
Objective 2 regions and with an indication of any
cancelled appropriations, of the implementation of the
Structural Funds in the 1990 financial year?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 April 1991)_

The regional breakdown at ERDF assistance for
Objective 2 areas in Spain in 1990 was as follows:

No C 210/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 37/91

by Mrs Barbara Simons (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/30)

_Subject:_ Application of the EEC—Morocco fisheries
agreement to the waters of the Western Sahara

The event reported by the Spanish newspaper El Pais of 5
November 1990 regarding the Spanish fishing vessel
'Nuevo Juan' indicate that Morocco is also applying the
fisheries agreement with the EEC to the waters of the
occupied Western Sahara.

The 'Nuevo Juan' had no licence and was fishing in a
prohibited area (the waters of the Western Sahara,
currently occupied by Morocco) and at a prohibited time.
The Moroccan authorities imposed a fine of Ptas 20
million (DM 300 000) on the 'Nuevo Juan'.

Under current international law, the Western Sahara is
clearly not part of Moroccan sovereign territory.

1. Does the Commission approve of the application of
the EEC — Morocco fisheries agreement to fishing in
waters which are not part of Moroccan sovereign
territory?

2. How, in legal terms, does the Commission view the
case of the Spanish fishing vessel 'Nuevo Juan' ?

3. Does the Commission approve of the fact that
European vessels in the waters of the Western Sahara
are subject to Moroccan Government regulations?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 March_ _1991)_

The fisheries agreement between the EEC and Morocco
applies to the waters over which the Kingdom of Morocco
has sovereignty or jurisdiction which it describes as
'Morocco's fishing zone', but contains no fuller
geographical definition.

The Commission is unable, therefore, to comment on the
geographical demarcation of that zone, in particular in
relation to the waters off the Western Sahara.

The Commission cannot express an opinion on the matter
of the Spanish fishing vessel 'Nuevo Juan' since it did not
hold a licence issued under the EEC-Morocco fisheries

agreement.

_Commitments_

Aargon

Cantabria

Catalonia

Rioja

Madrid

Navarre

Basque Country

Multiregional

_Payments_

Aargon

Cantabria

Catalonia

Rioja

Madrid

Navarre

Basque Country

Multiregional

_Commitments cancelled_ (')

Cantabria

Aargon

Navarre

_(Ecu)_

8 870 990

15 927 993

62 674 003

3 034 200

19 576 336

7 007 197

94 852 800

12 494 740

224 438 259

16 440 395

31 645 616

94 640 518

1 517 100

10 191 843

1 768 420

31 756 433

6 247 369

194 207 694

28 287

823 809

21 600

(') Appropriations were cancelled at the request of the Member State:

— because the cost of projects carried out was lower than expected;
— because two projects were withdrawn.

The figures for the Social Fund are as follows:

_(Ecu)_

_Commitments_

INEM training (multiregional)

Cantabria

Madrid

Navarre

Aargon

Rioja

Basque Country

Catalonia

Objective 2 total

_Payments already made_

INEM training (multiregional)

Cantabria

Madrid

Navarre

Aargon

Rioja

Basque Country

Catalonia

Objective 2 total

_Appropriations cancelled_

48 035 816

119 288

705 856

437 012

655 006

166 390

5 718 976

7 048 515

62 881 859

23 094 143

54 947

339 354

210 102

314 907

79 996

2 749 508

3 388 710

30 231667

None

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 69/91

by the following Members: Mr Carlos Perreau de Pinninck
Domenech, Mr Jose Ruiz-Mateos Jimenez de Tejada, Mr

Christian de la Malene and Mr Mark Kilhlea (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/31)

_Subject:_ Aid for olive oil production

Given the importance of olive oil production in certain
regions of the Community and the fact that the
Commission has set 1991 as the point at which it will start
to carry out measures to improve the quality and
encourage consumption of olive oil, has the Commission
considered the need to set up other aid measures for this
sector, such as measures to improve production processes
and subsidies to convert producing areas, and is there any
possibility that all these measures can be implemented
rapidly?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 March_ _1991)_

The Commission has approved the olive oil quality
improvement programmes proposed by the producer
Member States. These annual programmes envisage
measures to ensure olive oil quality, in the context of
olive production, harvesting and processing into olive
oil. In this connection, the Commission is organizing
throughout the Community campaigns to promote olive
oil consumption. Outside the Community, the promotion
of olive oil consumption is organized by the International
Olive Oil Council, of which the Community is the major
partner.

The measures referred to by the Honourable Members,
namely the improvement of production systems and the
granting of assistance for the conversion of production
areas, may be undertaken by private initiative under
programmes to improve agricultural holdings (Regulation
(EEC) No 797/85) ('). EAGGF assistance may be granted
for the improvement of facilities for processing olives into
olive oil (Regulation (EEC) No 866/90) ( [2] ).

The Commission is willing to examine other measures
proposed by the Member States in the operational
programmes, on the basis of the rules laid down in the
Community Support Framework for assistance from the
structural Funds, including the EAGGF.

The Commission has made no provision for further
assistance to the sector concerned.

O OJ No L 93, 30. 3.1985.
O OJ No L 91,6. 4. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 100/91

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes and
Mrs Claire Joanny (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/32)

_Subject:_ Community financing of the Pau-Somport road
link

By its Decision of 21 December 1989 the Commission
allocated FF 42 million of ERDF funds within
the framework of the IMP to improve the
Pau-Oloron-Somport Pass road link in the
Pyrenees-Atlantiques region. This is the first tranche for a
project which will cost an estimated FF 84 million.

On site investigations have revealed that no impact study
was carried out before work began on the project as
a whole and notably the Aspe valley area (where 38 km
of the Asasp-Urdos expressway is due to be built). To
avoid the French impact study procedure, the services
concerned have split the project into a number of
unconnected operations.

This is clearly contrary to the provisions of Directive
85/337/EEC (')•

What action does the Commission intend to take to
ensure compliance with this Directive? Should the
Community continue to fund a project which does not
respect Community legislation?

O OJ No L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 154/91

by Mr Max Simeoni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20_ _February_ _1991)_

(91/C210/33)

_Subject:_ Community funding for the Pau-Somport
highway (Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France)

On 21 December 1989, the Commission decided to grant
funding of FF 42 million from the ERDF within the
framework of the IMP for the Pau-Oloron-Somport
highway.

The 93-km stretch concerned has not been the subject of
any overall environmental impact study for the highway
project. The last public inquiry, which was held from
8 October to 16 November 1990, dealt only with
the question of access to the planned tunnel and
its effects on the municipalities of Urdos and Borce.

No C 210/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8.91

However, subprpgramme 4, measure 9 concerning the
trans-Pyrenean link requires that an impact study be
carried out. (See also Decison (c) 89-2257/2 of the
Commission of 21 December 1989.) Moreover, these
practices are all contrary to Directive 85/337/EEC.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure
that the Directive is applied?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 100/91 and 154/91

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(HA£rill991)_

The Commission would point out to the Honourable
Members that, contrary to the information to which they
refer, the French authorities undertook the impact studies
required by national and Community rules before
beginning works to improve the Asasp to Urdos section of
RN134.

The infrastructure directorate of the Pyrenees Atlantiques
department has told the Commission that the works have
been confined to the modernization of the existing main
road involving realignment of the carriageway and the
straightening of bends to permit a design speed of 60 kph
in order to limit the environmental impact of the project
and bypasses to existing villages.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 108/91

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/34)

_Subject:_ Changes in the olive-oil subsidy arrangements

Under the basic Regulation (136/66 EEC (')) and the
specific implementing Regulations, support for olive oil
production is granted in the following two ways:

1. To olive growers who are members of producer
organizations and whose mean production per season
is 500 litres of olive oil or more, on the basis of the
amount of olive oil they actually produce in
recognized olive presses;

2. To olive growers who are members of producer
organizations and whose average production per

season is less than 500 litres and to olive growers
who are not members of producer organizations
(independents) as a lump sum on the basis of the
number of their olive trees.

These different methods of calculation have produced a
disparity between the subsidized amounts of olive oil and
the amounts actually produced in the case of second
category producers, and created problems in the proper
implementation of the system. Does the Commission
intend to modify the present system so as to grant the aid
on the basis of actual output for all olive growers,
reserving the higher subsidy per unit for small producers?

O OJ Special Edition 1965—1966, p. 221.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

In 1990 the Commission sent the Council a report on the
operation of the aid scheme for the production of olive
oil, together with appropriate proposals. These were
thoroughly considered by the Council, which adopted
Regulation (EEC) No 3500/90 O at the end of
November 1990.

Although this Regulation considerably amends the aid
scheme, it retains the double system for granting aid.

Standard aid is now paid only to small producers, whether
members of an association or not, whose production
ceiling has now been raised from 400 kg to 500 kg per
marketing year. Other growers receive aid calculated on
the basis of their actual production.

While it is true that standard aid can give rise in the short
term to discrepancies between actual production and that
calculated from the average olive yields and oil yields, in
the medium term these discrepancies tend to cancel each
other out so that their effect on the producer's income is
neutral.

Furthermore, the new rules attempt to stabilize the level
of support provided by standard aid by paying this aid on
the basis of the average yield over the last four marketing
years. This will also mean that aid payments can be
considerably speeded up.

O OJNoL338,5. 12.1990.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/17

WRITTEN QUESTION No 139/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/35)

_Subject:_ Extension of the agreement on Spanish imports
of maize from the United States

On Monday, 17 December 1990, the Commission of the
European Communities decided to extend by one year the
EC/US agreement on trade in maize and sorghum. Under
this agreement, the United States has special access to the
Spanish market, enabling it to import 2 million tonnes of
maize and 300 000 tonnes of sorghum per annum. Maize
farmers in Spain have been hard hit by this agreement,
and its extension for a further year will exacerbate the
difficulties already facing the agricultural sector.
Agriculture cannot be expected to bear the main brunt
of the 'trade wars'. What compensation does the
Commission intend to provide for maize farmers in
Spain?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 March_ _1991)_

Following a proposal from the Commission, on 21
December 1990 the Council decided to extend the
time-limited provisions of the EC/US agreement for the
conclusion of negotiations under GATT Article XXIV.6
by one year. The agreement called for a major review to
be initiated during July 1990 which would take into
account _inter alia_ agreements on agriculture reached in
the Uruguay Round. As the Round was not concluded as
foreseen in December 1990, an important element of the
review was missing. Therefore, it was considered
appropriate to roll-over the provisions.

As in previous year, the agreement will be executed in
such a way as to avoid disruption to the market.
Furthermore, the intervention mechanism to support
cereal prices is maintained. No supplementary
compensatory measures are envisaged.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 148/91

by Mr Gianfranco Fini (NI)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(20_ _February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/36)

_Subject:_ De Gasperi-Grueber Agreements

The Austrian Republic instigated legal-diplomatic
proceedings in the UN on the procedures for

implementing the Italian-Austrian Agreement known as
the De Gasperi-Grueber Pact on safeguarding the rights
of the German speaking minority in Alto Adige (South
Tyrol). The dispute remains unresolved to date, as is clear
from the fact that the Austrian Government has not yet
delivered to Italy the document formally renouncing its
claim over the territory. Given that Austria has applied
to join the EEC, does the Council consider that a
long-drawn-out dispute between European states is
compatible with the requirements of mutual cooperation
and full integration laid down by the Treaties?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that
the question of accession of Austria is currently being
examined by the Commission at the Council's request, in
accordance with Article 237 of the EEC Treaty and the
corresponding Articles of the Euratom and ECSC
Treaties.

If the procedures for implementing the 'De
Gasperi-Grueber Pact', which was embodied in Annex IV
to the 1947 Peace Treaty with Italy, are the subject of
talks between the Italian and Austrian Governments, the
Council has not been informed of this.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 200/91

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/37)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the fishing agreement
between the EEC and Guinea (Conakry)

Given that, under the fishing agreement between the
Community and Guinea (Conakry), the duration of the
Protocol thereto is from 1 January 1990 to 31 December
1991 and that the Protocol has therefore been in force for

over a year,

1. To what extent has the Protocol been used in respect
of the various types of vessel (trawlers, tuna seiners,
pole-and-line vessels and surface longliners) to which
fishing rights are granted?

2. Which Member States have obtained fishing licences,
and how many licences are involved?

3. What are the results of the scientific programme as
regards research into fishing resources.

4. In what way have the funds intended for study grants
been used?

No C 210/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

5. Has any conflict involving the Community fleet arisen
in the waters off Guinea, and, if so, how was it

resolved?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 April 1991)_

The rate of utilization of the fishing opportunities
provided in the agreement between the Community and
Guinea (Conakry) during 1990 was as follows:

— trawlers: the fishing rights of 12 000 grt a month, as an
annual average, were used at a rare of 93,2%, or
11 182,9 grt, by 39 Community vessels, of which 26
were from Spain, two from France, nine from Greece
and two from Portugal;

— tuna seiners: of the 45 licences available, 34 were paid
for. These were used by 14 Spanish vessels and 20
French vessels;

— pole-and-line tuna vessels and surface longliners: six
surface longliners, all Spanish, requested licences out
of the 35 available for the two categories. No
pole-and-line vessels went to the area because there
was no tuna there (seasonal variation).

At the request of Guinea, the funds for the scientific
programme were allocated to the modernization and full
equipment of a research centre for the investigation and
scientific management of Guinea's.fishery resources.

Most of the funds available for training were used to
renovate the premises of a seamen's training centre in
Conakry, for study grants at training centres in Europe
and to cover the travel and subsistence expenses of
Guinea's official representatives at international meetings
on fisheries.

The most serious conflict arose from the boarding of a
Greek vessel and the threat to board the entire

Community fleet in Guinea waters. Both measures were
taken, without recourse to the consultations provided for
in the Agreement, to force the Commission to make
certain payments. The matter was discussed at the
meeting of the Joint Committee held in November 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 202/91

by Mrs Christine Crawley (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/38)

_Subject:_ Cost of VAT to the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a UK voluntary
organization which financially supports the UK's lifeboat

crews, is seriously concerned about the threat of losing
their zero VAT rate. The bravery of the UK's lifeboat
crews is legendary. If the RNLI zero-rate entitlement is
removed, this will cost them the equivalent of SIX
all-weather lifeboats. Is the Commissioner happy with
this or will she guarantee that the RNLI (and indeed other
UK charities) will be allowed to continue with their zero

rate?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

The present situation whereby charitable institutions such
as the RNLI enjoy the right to a zero rate of VAT jn
respect of their purchases is under the provisions of the
Sixth VAT Directive, due to end when fiscal frontiers
within the Community are abolished.

However, questions relating to the zero rate and other
issues are currently under discussion within the
framework of the Council. It is not possible to predict the
outcome of these discussions at present.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 223/91

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/39)

_Subject:_ Selection of candidates for the Jean Monnet
chair

In order to put an end to what is doubtless idle
speculation and wholly unjustified criticism, can the
Commission say what criteria were applied this year to the
selection of candidates for the Jean Monnet chair

throughout the Community? How were the selection
panels composed and what were the qualifications of their
members? What tests, qualifications, etc. were taken as a
basis for the selection procedure? What was the nature of
the'regional'criterion?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1991)_

In implementing the Jean Monnet project to promote
European integration in university studies, the Council
relies on the European University Council for the Jean
Monnet Project.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/19

This body is composed of nine members, namely four
representatives of the Liaison Committee for the National
Conferences of Rectors/Vice-Chancellors of the

universities of the European Community (Professor M.
Cusin, Vice-Chancellor of the Lumiere Lyon II University
and President of the Liaison Committee for the National

Conferences of Rectors; Professor R. Meiser,
Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Saarland;
Professor B. De Schutter, Pro-Rector of the Vrije
Universiteit of Brussels; Professor A. Kintis, Rector of the
Athens School of Economics and Business), President of
the European University Institute in Florence (Mr E.
Noel) and four representatives of the European
Community Studies Association (ECSA), which includes
the national associations of teachers specializing in
European integration studies (Professor M. Anderson,
President of ECSA-Europe and Dean of the Social
Sciences Faculty, University of Edinburgh; Professor J.
Bourrinet, Centre europeen, Aix-en-Provence University;
Professor A. Papisca, Dean of the Political Science
Faculty, Padua University; Professor H. Rasmussen,
Copenhagen Business School).

The University Council makes recommendations to the
Commission on proposals for 'European chairs' that are
selected according to the following criteria (see Jean
Monnet Project Vade Mecum 1990):

— a link with problems of European integration,

— the quality of the application,

— the academic and educational feasibility of the
project,

— the guarantee of continuity of the project.

A 'European chair' includes instruction at undergraduate
and post-graduate levels, and responsibility for research
supervision at post-graduate level.

A 'European chair' supported by the Jean Monnet project
includes at least part of the compulsory subjects in the
foundation course.

The holder of the 'European chair' must be a member of
the teaching staff specializing in studies in European
integration.

The Commission has taken pains to ensure that European
chairs are set up throughout the various regions of the
Community where the academic quality of the
applications makes this possible. To this end, and in
agreement with the University Council, the Commission
finances only one European chair per university under
both the Jean Monnet I 1990 and Jean Monnet II 1991

Projects.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 224/91

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/40)

_Subject:_ Change in the status of the Consultative Council
of Local and Regional Authorities

What view does the Commission take of the proposal
made by the Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions
(AER) at its meeting on 6 September 1990 in Rome to give
the Consultative Council of Local and Regional
Authorities the status of a genuine consultative committee
similar to the Economic and Social Committee, a proposal
which is similar to that recently approved by the European
Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 April 1991)_

As the Commission indicated in its opinion of 21 October
on the proposal for amendment of the Treaty establishing
the European Economic Community with a view to
Political Union, it considers it necessary that the
Intergovernmental Conference take into account the
request to establish a body to represent all the regions of
the Community.

As the present wide variety of regional structures in the
Member States constitutes an obstacle to the involvement

of such a body in the decision-making process, the
Commission proposes in the abovementioned opinion
that, pending fresh developments, it should hold regular
consultations with such a body.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 228/91

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 210/41)

_Subject:_ Zero rates of VAT

Following on from the answer given by Mrs Scrivener on
behalf of the Commission on 8 January 1991 to my
Written Question No 2651/90 ('), can the Commission
state which of the zero-rated supplies the UK authorities
have applied to maintain?

O OJNoC90, 8.4.1991, p. 61.

No C 210/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8.91

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

The United Kingdom authorities have indicated that they
would wish to retain all of their current zero rated
supplies after 1992.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 229/91

by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/42)

_Subject:_ Hybrid vines

1. Are there in the Commission's view valid objective,
scientific or agricultural reasons why certain hybrid vines
should not be permitted for production of quality wine
and, if so, what reasons?

2. If there are no scientific objections to hybrid vines,
will the Commission bring forward amendments to EC
law to permit the use of hybrid vines for quality wine
production, at least in the northernmost production areas
where their disease resistance properties are of
importance?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 April_ _1991)_

As regards the use of hybrid vines for production of
quality wines, a proposal for a Council Regulation
amending Regulation (EEC) No 347/79 (') on general
rules for the classification of vine varieties was submitted
to the Council in Spring 1988.

On the ground of scientific work carried out in Germany
on the interspecific crossing and back-crossing of
varieties of the species 'vitis vinifera' with other species, it
seems that hybrid vines with a high resistance to fungal
diseases producing good quality wines could be obtained.

In view of these results, the Commission considers that it
would be possible to extend the cultivation suitability
trials of those varieties to a very limited area of vineyards
and establish whether the wines obtained would be
accepted by the consumer as quality wines.

At present the Council has not decided on this proposal
and the Commission does not intend to withdraw or to
modify this text.

O OJ No L 54, 5. 3.1979.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 250/91

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/43)

_Subject:_ Development aid for countries not party to the
Lome Convention

1. According to reports, the Commission has increased
the financial resources for countries not party to the Lome
Convention by means of additional development aid
tranches. Is this true?

2. How is this increase spread amongst the Member
States, and in what chapter of the EC budget is it entered?

3. What periods will be covered by these
supplementary resources?

4. What additional amounts of aid will be allocated to
the countries of Central America (from Mexico to
Panama inclusive), and what increase is involved in
absolute and percentage terms for the various countries,
compared with the EC development aid which they have
received in recent years?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 May_ _1991)_

1. In June 1990 the budgetary authorities revised the
financial perspectives with a view in particular to
increasing aid to the countries of Latin America, Asia and
the Mediterranean. A further revision took place at the
end of 1990 in favour of those countries most affected by
the Gulf crisis.

2 and 3. The increases will be financed from the
Community budget, and in the case of the Mediterranean
countries will include an increase in EIB loans as well. For
the Mediterranean, new financial protocols will run from
1992 to 1996. A horizontal aid programme for the
Mediterranean has also been proposed for the same
period. The Commission has also proposed a five-year
programme for Latin America and Asia from 1991 to
1995.

4. There certainly will be an increase for Latin
America, including Central America, Mexico and

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the

Panama. But the increase has not been allocated to
individual countries. The aid received by individual
countries depends on their needs and availability of
project proposals. Many of the Community-financed
projects are regional in nature. Within Central America, a
project may benefit all or several of its Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 252/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/44)

_Subject:_ Free distribution of food products to citizens of
Community Member States

Italy received 9,8 million ECU worth of Community aid
in the form of foodstuffs taken from stocks of surplus
products in 1986—87, 17,91 million ECU in 1988 and
22,5 million ECU in 1989. Can the Commission state who
receives these foodstuffs and the number of people
involved? What research is carried out to identify the
individuals concerned? How are they selected and on the
basis of which criteria are the food products allocated?
What checks are carried out to ensure that the foodstuffs
are distributed properly and that the goods are not
misappropriate^? What problems have been solved once
and for all by these operations? What is the percentage
breakdown of distribution to the various regions of Italy?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May_ _1991)_

Since 1987, appropriations for the distribution of
products from intervention stocks to the most deprived
categories in the Community are allocated on the basis of
a scale which takes into account the number of poor in
each Member State. This number is weighted by a
regional development index based on the number of
people living in regions where the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is less than 75% of the Community

average.

The Member States are left to choose the organizations to
be given the task of distributing the food and selecting the
recipients.

The Commission's report on the first two years of
distribution of food from intervention stocks will shortly

European Communities No C 210/21

be submitted to Parliament and to the Council. No major
problem was notified by Italy for 1988 or 1989. The
Member States are responsible for monitoring the
operations. The Italian Government informed the
Commission that no in-depth monitoring was needed
because of daily contacts between the appointed
organizations and Italy's most deprived. The food
products were distributed as quickly as possible and no
losses were recorded.

The Commission does not have any information on the
breakdown across the Italian regions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 276/91

by Mr Jos6 Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/45)

_Subject:_ Timetable for initiatives on development of
vocational training and equal treatment

Given the principle of equality laid down in Article 119 of
the Treaties, the Community Charter of Fundamental
Social Rights and the Third Community Action
Programme, which proposes the development of new
initiatives in favour of women in the field of vocational
training, can the Commission outline the proposed
timetable of measures to be taken?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April_ _1991)_

The vocational training initiatives undertaken as part of
the Third Action Programme (1991 — 1995) will be
concerned primarily with:

— implementing the programme for the Community
initiative NOW (1991-1993);

— continuing with the exchanges and the transfer of
experience already under way through the IRIS
network in order to help prepare women for the 1992
deadline;

— developing common tools and assessment methods for
vocational training with a view to improving the
quality and effectiveness of programmes in favour of

women.

In addition, in 1991, the Commission will assess the
measures taken by the Member States to implement

No C 210/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

recommendation No 87/567 and will establish new
priorities for the period after 1992.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 301/91

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/46)

_Subject:_ 1990 tobacco harvest in Italy

In 1990, what were the exact production figures and areas
under cultivation in Italy for the following varieties of
tobacco:

— Badischer Geudertheimer,

— Havana,

— Paraguay?

To what extent, if any, were quotas exceeded ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _April_ _1991)_

According to information supplied by the Member State,
the provisional estimates of production and area under
cultivation for the following tobacco varieties harvested
in Italy in 1990 are:

the tobacco sector does not provide for quotas, but uses
instead a system of maximum guaranteed quantities
(MGQs).

For production in Italy of the two varieties above, the
MGQs and the provisional overruns are as follows:

Variety No 11

Variety No 4 (Zone B)

MGQ
(tonnes)

22 700

2 700

Provisional overrun
(tonnes)

173%

293 %

Production
(tonnes)

19 000

21

—

—

43 000

10 800

Variety No 11 (a) Forchheimer
Havanna II c

(b) Nostrano del Brenta

(c) Resistente 142

(d) Gojano

(e) Badischer

Geudertheimer
hybrids

Variety No 4 Paraguay

cultivated
(ha)

9 335 '

13

—

—

19 100

7 340

Final figures on the size of the harvest are not yet
available. The Member State is to send them to the
Commission by 1 June at the latest, in accordance with
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1076/78 (*).

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the
fact that the common organization of the market in

(') OJ No L 136, 24. 5.1978.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 307/91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/47)

_Subject:_ The Directive on working time

Does the Commission propose that the provisions of the
new directive on various aspects of the organization of
working time, particularly:

1. the minimum daily rest period of 11 hours out of 24
each day and

2. at least two days off per fortnight,

should apply to (a) EC government ministers and (b) all
employees of the Commission? If the answer is 'y [es] '> what
implications does it believe this will have for the efficacy
of EC decision-making?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May 1991)_

It is the intention that the Directive should apply to all
employees in the Member States of the Community,
although there are a limited number of specific
exclusions, for example, in respect of certain public
service activities, such as the armed forces or the police.
The question of whether government ministers are
covered will depend on their legal status within the
Member State concerned, but it is the Commission's
understanding that most government ministers are not
employees and are therefore not covered.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/23

It is certainly the Commission's intention to comply fully
with the provisions of the Directive as regards its own
staff (the link between such compliance and the efficacy
of EC decision-making remains to be seen but the
Commission does not expect to observe any significant
differences in this respect).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 309/91

by Mr Christos Papoutsis (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/48)

_Subject:_ Reorganization of the technical and social
infrastructure of less-favoured mountain areas in

Greece

In accordance with the letter and spirit of the Single
European Act, the Community is required to narrow the
gap between the development levels of the various regions
and eliminate the backwardness of the most
underdeveloped areas with the lowest standards of living.

Many less-favoured mountain regions in Greece have no
modern technical and social infrastructures which makes
it impossible to develop potential productive activities or
the natural resources available and results in the
population leaving the area.

In the light of the above, would the Commission say
whether:

1. given the existing technical and social infrastructures
in the less-favoured mountain areas of Greece, EEC
regulations on regional development which also apply
to other areas of the Community have been effectively
implemented in Greece.

2. in view of the particular nature of social and technical
infrastructure in mountain areas in Greece, it is
possible for IMP and Structural Fund mechanisms to
make a satisfactory contribution to the economic and
social cohesion of the Community regions, which is
one of the objectives of the Single Act?

3. it has carried out quantitative and qualitative checks
on Community measures designed to reorganize the
technical and social infrastructure of the less-favoured

mountain areas in Greece and with what results?

4. if it considers that the above objectives cannot be
achieved through existing Community mechanisms
now that 1992 is rapidly approaching, it envisages

taking special new Community initiatives in this
area which can be immediately and effectively
implemented?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(7May_ _1991)_ .

The Community Regulations on regional development have been applied in Greece through the Integrated
Mediterranean Programmes (IMPs), the Community
support framework (CSF) and the various Community
initiatives (e.g. Prisma, Interreg, Regen). All these
programmes include assistance to mountain areas, the
serious problems of which are well known to the
Commission. However, since most of these programmes
are still under way, it is too early to carry out either
quantitative or qualitative assessments.

The Commission does not intend to propose a
Community initiative for mountain areas.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 317/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/49)

_Subject:_ Renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco

The new quotas set by the European Commission for the
fishery sector could seriously affect negotiations for the
renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco. Given
the new situation which has been created, what alternative
or additional measures is the Commission studying with a
view to renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April_ _1991)_

The new catch quotas adopted by the Council on 19 and
20 December 1990 apply only to the common fisheries
arrangements affecting the waters defined in Commission
communications 85/C 347/05 O and 85/C 335/02 ( [2] ).

The Commission takes the view that no link can be
established with the fisheries agreement between the EEC

No C 210/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8.91

and Morocco governing bilateral fishing relations
between the Community and Morocco.

O OJ No C 347, 31.12.1985.
O OJNoC335,24.12.1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 328/91

by Mr Jesus Cabez6n Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/50)

_Subject:_ The Gulf war and its effects on cereals exports

The Gulf war and the increased chartering of vessels to
destinations in the Gulf region, coupled with the shortage
of vessels prepared to approach areas in the vicinity of the
conflict, are blocking exports of cereals from some EC
Member States to third countries.

Has the Commission made provision for alleviating the
adverse economic consequences of this situation?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

During the Gulf War, the delivery of cereals and other
products to a number of countries in the Middle East
experienced certain difficulties, caused in particular by an
increase in freight and insurance costs for exports to that
area. The Community export refund scheme does not
include compensation for such additional costs. The
Commission hopes that delivery conditions for the
countries in question will quickly return to normal now
that hostilities have come to an end.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 331/91

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/51)

_Subject:_ Possible distortion of competition by the
Commission

Does the Commission apply the same criteria to the
granting of Community subsidies as it imposes on the
Member States, thus ensuring that there is no risk of the
Community funding projects which are ineligible for
national support?

Does Community assistance for objective 1 regions
comply with Article 92 (3) (a) of the Treaty, and for
objective 2 regions with Article 92 (3) (c) ?

Does the Commission work within the same framework

for funding research and development activities as applies
to the Member States (') ?

If such agreements do not exist, why is that?

O OJNoC83,11.4.1986.

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1991)_

Structural Funds

The main financial instruments, the structural Funds,
provide assistance through the part-financing of national
and regional publicly-funded measures.

Under Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 on the
tasks of the Structural Funds ('), Community assistance
must be in keeping with the provisions of the Treaty, in
particular Articles 92 to 94 thereof. This means that, when
Community assistance involves the part-financing of a
national, regional or local aid scheme, this scheme must
have been previously notified to the Commission under
Article 93. The Commission also monitors national and

Community assistance for conformity with the provisions
of the Treaty under the partnership arrangements set out
in each Community support framework.

Community funding of research and development activities

With regard to Community assistance for research and
development, the Commission is governed by the
provisions set out in Annexes III and IV to the Third
framework programme of Community activities in the
field of research and technological development
(1990—1994) ( [2] ). Annex III sets out the selection criteria,
while Annex IV defines the rates of Community financial
participation.

O OJNoL185,15.7.1988.
O OJ No LI 17, 8. 5.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 340/91

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991_

(91/C 210/52)

_Subject:_ Completion of the single market — abolition of

tax-free sales

Commission proposal (COM(90) 183 final) amending
Directive 77/388/EEC (') on transitional arrangements

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/25

for taxation with a view to establishment of the internal

market makes provision for the repeal of Directive
69/169/EEC ( [2] ), in so far as it applies to travel within the
Community, by 31 December 1991.

Directive 69/169/EEC appears to be the legal basis on
which tax-free sales are organized. I learned of Mrs
Scrivener's position on the abolition of duty-free sales
from PE 143.429.

1. Can the Commission nevertheless say what direct and
indirect impact it considers the abolition of duty-free
sales will have on employment? What effect will it
have on airlines, ferries and charter undertakings, all
of which derive a substantial part of their income from
such sales?

2. If it cannot answer the above questions, can it say
whether it intends to carry out or commission a study
of this matter?

3. How does it view the proposals put forward by the
duty-free sales sector for the establishment, on the
Scandinavian model, of a so-called vendor control
system in ports and airports and on board ships and
airplanes?

O OJNoLl45,13.6.1977, p. 1.
O OJ No L 133, 4. 6.1969, p. 6.

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 May 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to written questions No 603/90 by Mr
Verwarde and Mr Raffarin and No 780/90 by Mr
Boge O, No 2289/90 by Mr Patterson ( [2] ), No 2344/90 by
Mrs Aleman ( [J] ), No 3050/90 by Mr Raffarin ( [4] ) and to
the oral question No 901/90 by Mr Cooney ( [s] ).

The legal basis for tax free shops is not Directive
69/169/EEC, which only provides for allowances
for purchases made there, but is rather Article 5,
paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 of Directive 77/388/EEC for
VAT and the equivalent national provisions for excise
duties.

The Commission has accepted Parliament's wish for a
study of the social and regional repercussions of the
removal of fiscal frontiers, including tax-free shops on the
areas concerned.

In the view of the Commission, the maintenance of
duty-free shops after 31 January 1992, is not in line with

the objective of a single market whatever the formula
retained to operate it.

O OJNoCl44,3.6.1991, p. 10.
O OJNoC98,15.4.1991.
O OJNoCl95,25.7.1991, p. 4.
( [4] ) OJ No C 144, 3. 6.1991, p. 20.
( [s] ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-400/401
(February 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 342/91

by Mr Francois Musso (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/53)

_Subject:_ Protection of cork in the Community

Is the Commission aware of the need for cork, and the
processing and export of products derived from cork, to
be protected in the Community?

If so, does it intend to assist this sector?

Answer given by Mr Mac Shany
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 April 1991)_

The Commission is very aware of the commercial and
ecological role of cork oak and products derived from
cork and is equally aware of the need to protect this tree,
which is part of our Community heritage. With this aim in
mind, the Community has undertaken measures in favour
of cork oak woodlands in the forestry component of the
1985 programme for the development of Portuguese
agriculture (') the 'Forestry Action Programme (FAP)'.

Furthermore, specific measures for the cork sector put
forward by the Commission in its proposal to the Council
for the Forestry Action Programme ( [2] ) were adopted by
the Council in May 1989. These measures include high
rates of aid for the renewal and improvement of
woodland under cork oak, pursuant to Regulation (EEC)
No 1609/89 ( [3] ), and a specific Regulation (EEC) No
1611/89 ( [3] ), for the primary processing and marketing of
natural cork and certain products derived from it.

With regard to the export of natural cork and its derived
products, given that most of the trade involves the
Member States of the Community, there are no customs
restrictions.

O Regulation (EEC) No 3828/85; OJ No L 372, 31.12.1985.
O COM(225) final, 11.11.1988.
O OJNoL165,15.6.1989.

12. 8. 91
No C 210/26 Official Journal of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 344/91

by Mr Francois Musso (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/54)

_Subject:_ Funding of the 'moyenne corniche' road in
Porticcio

Can the Commission state the amount and the percentage
contributed by the Community, and the decision under
which funding was approved, to the financing of the
'moyenne corniche' road in Porticcio in the commune of
Grosseto-Brugna in the departement of Southern
Corsica?

Can it also name the prime contractor and the contracting
authority?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 April 1991)_

The part-financing of the construction of a 'moyenne
corniche' road in Porticcio was the subject of a
Commission Decision of 5 May 1989 (ERDF No:
880.30.40.53). ERDF assistance to this project amounts to
12 million French francs, which is 50 % of the total cost of
the investment. The contracting authority is the
Departement of Southern Corsica; the prime contractor is
the technical service of that departement.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 345/91

by Mr Francois Musso (RDE)

' to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/55)

_Subject:_ Community support framework for Corsica

Can the Commission state what progress has been made,
as of 31 December 1990, in implementing the Community
support framework for Corsica and, in particular, can it
give a breakdown of the activities and funds authorized in
1989 and 1990?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 April 1991)_

The Community support framework for Corsica adopted
by the Commission on 31 October 1989 includes the
forms of assistance set out below:

The STAR and VALOREN (ERDF) programmes, which
introduce measures in the spheres of advanced

telecommunications services and the exploitation of
endogenous energy potential respectively, measures
under the integrated Mediterranean programme which
involve most of the economic sectors on the island and

which benefit from assistance from the three Community
structural Funds and from budget headings '551'
and 'Fisheries', the integrated operational programme
which also operates throughout the island's economy and
which links in synergy the three Community structural
Funds, and the 'Objectives 3 and 4 (ESF)' operational
programme introducing remedial measures for
unemployed young people under 25 (Objective 4).

Total commitments (national and Community financing)
by each type of assistance and expressed in millions of
ecus are given below.

1990

3,2

13,3

26,1

36,9

3,7

83,2

STAR

VALOREN

IMP

IOP

Objectives 3 and 4

1989

4,1

0,4.

29,0

—

—

33,5

WRITTEN QUESTION No 366/91

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/56)

_Subject:_ Debt, trade and aid relationships

What are the current and proposed actions of the
Commission to further the cardinal aim of the Brundtland

report, namely 'sustainable development' in relation to
debt, trade and aid relationships with the African States of
the Lome Convention?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

In accordance with Article 4 of the Fourth Lome

Convention the Commission is seeking to ensure that aid
to Africa supports development based on a sustainable
balance between economic objectives, the rational
management of the environment and the enhancement of
natural and human resources. So far 15 African countries

have signed Lome IV National Indicative Programmes

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/27

which either give priority to protecting the environment
or emphasise envrionment as a cross-cutting issue
affecting other priority sectors. The Commission has
suggested a similar approach to another 16 African
countries and this number is likely to increase as the
programming round is completed.

The Brundtland Report argues for greater urgency in
dealing with debt in Africa and elsewhere. Lome IV was
specifically designed not to add to Africa s debt burden.
Some 92 % of the Seventh European Development Fund
will be on grant terms compared with some 75 % of the
Sixth EDF. In addition the commission has recently
tybled proposals aimed at alleviating the burden of debt
due to the Community. These are being discussed by the
Council.

Many of the trade recommendations in the Report are
implemented in Lome IV. ACP countries enjoy free access
for almost all of their exports. Recources for export
compensation in particular under Stabex have been
increased, eligibility criteria have been further relaxed and
all future transfers to ACP States will be grants. Lome IV
financial and technical resources can be used for trade

diversification and the promotion of the private sector.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 388/91

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/57)

_Subject:_ European Social Fund — programmes in favour
of women

Can the Commission give the list of ESF projects in
favour of women by region and Member State? What
criteria are applied? Can the Commission say who
cocofinanced the programmes concerned and to what
extent?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Honourable Member will find below the amounts

of the appropriations per Member State granted for
programmes designed specifically for women under the
Community Support Frameworks for objectives 3 and 4.
Other ESF programmes are designed for both women and

men.

There is no regionalization of appropriations for
objectives 3 and 4 within the Community Support

Frameworks. Furthermore, the operational programmes
contain no information about individual projects; these
can be assessed only in the places where they are carried

out.

The criteria applied by the Commission in deciding to
award aid for operational programmes are either those of
the Regulations governing assistance by the structural
Funds or those of the Community Support Frameworks
or those set out in the guidelings for ESF aid for
objectives 3 and 4( [1] ), which, under Title IV, provide for
'the training and occupational integration of women who
wish to return to the labour market after a long break'
and, in the second paragraph of Title V(g), provide for
'integration of women in occupations where they are
substantially underrepresented . . .'( [1] ).

The operational programmes are financed jointly by the
Commission and the Member State in question or the
regional and local authorities.

The rate of Community aid granted under the ESF for the
various objectives is subject to limits of 75% and 50% of
the total costs, depending on whether the regions receive
aid under objective 1 or other objectives and generally
averages 65% of the public expenditure for objective 1
and 45 % for other objectives.

ESF departments are initiating an assessment study on the
qualitative and quantitative participation of women in the
whole range of operational programmes for 1990 (e.g.
number of women, level of qualification, appropriations
available, etc.). This study will make it possible to asses
the impact of ESF and structural funds measures on the
overall situation of women on the labour market and will

help in the choice of appropriate measures to be promoted
as part of ESF operations and, in particular, the NOW
initiative.

Country

Belgium

Germany

Denmark

Greece

Spain

France

Italy

Ireland

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

O OJ No C 45, 24. 2.1989.

Total

ECU

6 407 365,61

35 942 686,97

18 160 369,65

7 548 235,22

127 472 892,91

25 531 087,36

12 531 014,25

0,00

234 871,96

39 333 572,62

17 296 843,54

83 752 936,07

374 211 876,16

No C 210/28 Official Journal of tl

WRITTEN QUESTION No 389/91

by Mr Miguel Arias Caiiete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/58)

_Subject:_ Critical situation affecting the Community tuna
fleet

In the middle of 1990 the tuna market was severely
disrupted, largely as a result of the refusal of the largest
North American canning undertakings to import tuna
caught together with dolphins in the tropical zone of the
eastern Pacific, thereby causing the collapse of the
Community market (which has no form of protection) as
a result of massive imports of tuna at extremely low prices.

Given that the tuna fleet is a mainstay of the Community
fleet as a whole:

1. Will the measures for the prohibition of imports
provided for in Article 24 of Council Regulation
(EEC) No 3796/81 (') be put into effect as a matter of
urgency?

2. Does the Commission consider it necessary to adjust
the reference price in accordance with Article 21 of the
Regulation to bring it approximately or fully into line
with the price of Community production?

3. Does the Commission not consider that the
circumstances which led to the suspension in 1970 of
customs duties for imports of frozen tuna have
considerably changed, in particular following the
accession of Spain and Portugal to the Community,
and that they should therefore be reintroduced, as has
already been done for cod and cod fillets?

(') OJ No L 379, 31.12.1981, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 April_ _1991)_

In its discussions of the various reforms of the common
organization of markets in fishery products, the most
recent of which took place in November 1988, the
Council has decided to maintain the principle of
preserving balance between the interests of tuna
producers and those of the processing industry.

Since 1970 the arrangements for tuna based on that
balance have rested on a compensatory allowance payable
to Community producers' organizations to offset and
compensate for problems which may be created by the
arrangements for imports.

European Communities 12. 8. 91

Those arrangements, which include the total suspension
of customs duties on imported tuna for processing, are
intended to provide the Community industry with
supplies at a competitive cost.

The Commission considers that the reasons underlying
these arrangements are still valid in view of the
considerable interdependence on the Community market
of the shipowning and canning industries and the reliance
of Community industry on outside sources for supplies of
certain species.

The Commission would point out that the Council's
decision to rescind the autonomous suspension of duties
on cod and cod fillets was taken in 1986 in the context of
Spanish and Portuguese accession in order to preserve
the Community's fishing interests by maintaining the
principle of balance in reciprocal concessions under
fisheries agreements with certain non-member countries.

The situation with regard to the tuna sector is very
different and the Commission considers that
implementation of a safeguard clause or the
reintroduction of the suspended customs duties would in
the long term have deleterious consequences for the
Community market as a whole.

Accordingly, while the Community is striving to secure
fishing possibilities for the Community's tuna fleet in the
waters of non-member countries, the compensatory
allowance is the most suitable market mechanism for
countering the difficulties currently being experienced by
the tuna fleet.

The Commission has therefore made arrangements for
the compensatory allowance to be paid in 1990.

The same considerations apply to an increase in the
reference price for tuna, subject to compliance with the
Community's international commitments within GATT.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 410/91

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/59)

_Subject:_ Commission Panel of Experts on an Equitable
Wage

Will the Commission please provide a full list of the
names, nationalities and expertise of the members of the
Panel of Experts on an Equitable Wage, and will it publish
a timetable of proposed meetings?

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May_ _1991)_

At the end of 1991, as part of the Commission's action
programme relating to the implementation of the
Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of
Workers, the Commission will be delivering an opinion
on the establishment of an equitable wage by the Member
States. In this field, the Commission believes it has a
responsibility to conduct an assessment of an issue which
is important to an appreciable section of the working
population.

At the preparatory stage, departments are relying on
existing studies and information systems already in place
such as the industrial relations observatory and the
Statistical Office of the European Communities. A panel
of experts has been set up to collect additional
information. This is an informal panel of academics who
specialize in questions relating to wages. Its task is to
draw up an inventory of the information available in each
Member State.

Information regarding available studies and the member
of the panel of experts will be sent to the Honourable
Member and Parliament's Secretariat direct.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 412/91

by Mr David Morris (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/60)

_Subject:_ Slaughter

Can the Commission explain why its draft proposals on
the protection of animals at slaughter, which Parliament
was assured would be published by mid-1990, are being
delayed?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

This draft proposal deals with detailed technical matters,
which have been the subject of extensive consultations
with interested parties. This process has taken longer than
expected, but the Commission intends to publish the
proposal in the near future.

European Communities No C 210/29

WRITTEN QUESTION No 465/91

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/61)

_Subject:_ PERIFRA programme

A new programme PERIFRA is to be introduced to
support regions affected by the opening up of EC markets
to east European countries. Could the Commission state
what type of projects it intends funding under this
programme and what the likely allocation for Ireland will
be?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May 1991)_

On budget line B2-610 commitment credits of ECU 40
million have been included in the 1991 budget for the new
programme PERIFRA.

In managing the PERIFRA programme the Commission
intends to follow closely the definition of the four
objectives given by the budget commentary. PERIFRA is
a programme limited, for commitment purposes, to 1991.
In view of this limit and of the small sums available, the
programme will be managed in accordance with the 1982
Tripartite Agreement between the budget authorities.
Actions therefore will be small-scale and generally of a
demonstration nature. The Community territory as a
whole will be eligible for actions but with a preference
given to assisted areas under objectives 1, 2, 5b of the
Structural Funds. No ex ante allocation for the Member

States will be made but the Commission has invited
Member States to submit a small number of applications.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 495/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/62)

_Subject:_ Sexually transmitted diseases

According to figures published by the WHO, over 250
million people are infected with sexually transmitted
diseases each year, an the numbers are constantly
growing.

Given that the age-group most affected by these diseases,
which are transmitted in a wide variety of ways, is

No C 210/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

between 20 and 24, and that prevention is made difficult
by modern lifestyles, travel and the many different forms
of social activity, will the Commission formulate a plan to
tackle sexually transmitted disease which encourages
research into new vaccines and special treatment, covers
the setting up of well-equipped laboratories and promotes
a series of information programmes aimed at young
people in particular and Community citizens in general?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1991)_

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member on
the importance of the spread of sexually-transmitted
diseases within the Community. However these matters
are primarily the responsibility of Member States.

The Commission is devoting special attention to AIDS,
and has recently presented a proposal for a Decision of
the Council on a 'Europe against AIDS' programme ('),
complementing the ongoing research efforts within the
Medical Research Programme and the Science and
Technology Programme for Development.

O COM(90) 601 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 514/91

by Mr Henry Chabert (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/63)

_Subject:_ Transport policy

To date the Community has financed transport
infrastructure projects — via DG XVI — mainly intended
to assist peripheral and disadvantaged regions; for
reasons inherent in the nature of these regions, this type
of action has not proved to be highly beneficial, whilst at
the same time many bottlenecks are hindering traffic in
the heartlands of the Community.

The years 1987 to 1989 also saw a marked increase in
transport activities, particularly in international transport.

Can the Commission therefore say whether it intends in
the short term to refocus aid on the saturated areas, whilst
continuing to take account of the need for inter-regional
solidarity?

Does it not think it essential in its future proposals to lay
down certain priorities so as to ensure that the financing

of transport infrastructure projects takes greater account
of the interests of the countries in the centre of the

Community, given that this would also ease the freedom
of movement for persons and goods from the peripheral
countries?

Finally, does it intend to take greater account of the
importance of international transport and of the
socio-economic profitability of the projects selected for
funding?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1991)_

It is true that the regional development funds have been
used to finance many transport infrastructure projects in
regions eligible for this type of intervention.

Since 1982 the Community has employed a special budget
heading to help finance 188 transport infrastructure
projects, the total cost of which amounts to ECU 8 569,3
million. The Community contributed ECU 434 million.

From 1982 to 1989 financing was carried out on a yearly
basis. On 20 November last year the Council for the very
first time adopted, in the shape of Council Regulation
(EEC) No 3359/90 O, a multiannual (1990-1992)
action programme made up of projects of Community
interest aimed at:

— the elimination of bottlenecks,

— the integration of areas which are either
geographically isolated or situated on the periphery of
the Community.

— the reduction of costs associated with transit traffic

in cooperation with any non-member countries
concerned,

— the improvement of links on land/sea routes,

— the provision of high-quality links between the major
urban centres, including high-speed rail links.

In the light of these objectives, particular weight is being
given to the interests of countries at the heart of the
Community, thus enabling the regions to gain easier
access to the centre and the demands of international

transport to be better met.

O OJ No L 320, 24.11.1990.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/31

WRITTEN QUESTION No 543/91

by Mr John McCartin (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/64)

_Subject:_ Prohibition on the use of BST

In its proposal to extend until 1991 the prohibition on the
use of Bovin Somatotropin (BST), the Commission states
that the results of the in-depth studies required to
measure the effects of the BST are not yet completed.
When will these studies be completed?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May_ _1991)_

The Commission has asked for various studies to be
carried out in relation to bovine somatotrophin. It is
expected that the results will be available by the summer.
Once they have been received, the Commission will study
them carefully in order to decide upon the best course of
action.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 545/91

by Mr Jacques Tauran (DR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/65)

_Subject:_ Maritime transport of animals for slaughter

The transport of animals for slaughter by sea leads to a
great number of welfare problems for the animals.
Conditions on the ships bringing live horses from South
America to France are notorious. Overcrowding and heat
have caused the death of thousands of sheep being
transported from Australia or New Zealand to the Middle
East.

Given that the quality of chilled meat is indistinguishable
from freshly killed meat, will the Council agree to extend
the principle of limitation on the journey times of live
animals destined for slaughter as referred to in the
proposal for a Directive (COM(89) 322) (either by linking
maximum journey times to feeding and watering times, or
adopting the European Parliament's resolution setting an

eight-hour maximum time) should be extended to all
animals destined for immediate slaughter or for slaughter
within a certain time span after arrival at their destination,
travelling by sea, both in intra-Community trade as in
trade from the Community to third countries or from
third countries to the Community? Will it also extend this
principle to such animals transported by ships registered
in a Community Member State and to ships from third
countries making a stopover in an EC port?

Given the horror expressed by the public about conditions
on the vessels carrying sheep to the Middle East from
Australia and New Zealand, will the Council make
representations to the governments of these States to
transmit the outrage felt by many Community citizens at
the continuation of this form of transport?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

The Council does understand the concern being
expressed about the problems of animal welfare at sea.
However, it may be difficult to obtain welfare guarantees
where animals are imported from third countries that are
not contracting parties to the European Convention
for the Protection of Animals during International
Transport or where consignments intended for a third
country stopping over in a Community port are being
carried on a ship which does not fly the flag of a Member
State.

As far as the Community is concerned, the Council is
examining a proposal for a Regulation on the protection
of animals during transport, on which the European
Parliament delivered its opinion on 6 April 1990, and
which was amended by the Commission on 7 June 1990. It
is therefore not possible to anticipate what decision the
Council might take on the various aspects of this
proposal, particularly whether the transport of live
animals for slaughter within, to and from a Member State
should be subject to a limit on journey times, including
when the animals are travelling by sea.

Import controls on live animals coming from third
countries should ensure that animals are transported in a
manner consistent with Community welfare requirements
and are fit to continue their journey on Community
territory. These provisions are to be contained in
regulations currently under Council scrutiny, on which
the European Parliament has been asked to give its
opinion, on the principles governing the organization of
veterinary checks on animals entering the Community
from third countries.

No C 210/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

could then

WRITTEN QUESTION No 589/91

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/66)

_Subject:_ Intra-European vocational training networks

At the end of 1989 (European Council meeting in
Strasbourg, December 1989) an important initiative was
taken to harness the completion of the internal market
and economic and social cohesion to the creation of an
intra-European network infrastructure, _inter alia_ in the
field of telecommunications, with a view to establishing a
link between the peripheral regions and the centre of the
Community.

The Commission is already drawing up proposals and
measures to this end. However, despite the progress
already made, the question of financing these networks
remains vague and uncertain. Can the Commission give
its view on this matter and state whether it intends to
provide for the realization of this ambitious project new
and sufficient Community resources in addition to
existing resources and in addition to those provided by
private sources?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May_ _1991)_

In the Commission communication to the Council and
Parliament on 'Trans-European Networks' ('), several
references are made to the importance of vocational
training as a structural element of the single market.
Vocational training is clearly mentioned (point 6.1.4) in
the context not only of information exchange networks
between different vocational training professionals in the
Member States but also of networks devoted to distance
learning and training.

With regard to the financial aspects referred to by the
Honourable Member, the Commission is fully aware of
the considerable efforts required to obtain the necessary
resources in this field, subject to available budgetary
resources and to the financial perspective.

The Commission is therefore currently examining
possible ways of financing trans-European training
networks, bearing in mind their specific nature. Although
the aim is to secure primarily private-sector finance,
public finance could prove necessary, particularly in

peripheral regions. Community support
supplement national contributions.

O COM(90) 585 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 593/91

by Mr Herman Verbeek (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 210/67)

_Subject:_ Inspection procedures carried out at the
Lauwersoog wholesale fish market

The Commission has been ordered by the Court of Justice
to hand over documents to the Groningen examining
magistrate which reveal that European Community
inspectors were aware for two years (1984—1985) that
excess quantities of fish were being caught and marketed
and this was being camouflaged by means of dual
accounting procedures relating to the Lauwersoog
wholesale fish market _(Nieuwsblad van het Noorden,_ 22
February 1991).

1. Did EC inspectors discover any further cases of dual
accounting procedures in Lauwersoog in subsequent
years (1986—1991)?

2. Has the Commission discovered other 'grey market'
activities on other fish markets?

3. Does the Commission not consider it very unfortunate
in terms of the credibility of its administration, that no
measures were taken by its own inspectors in response
to infringements of EC catch quotas?

4. How does the Commission intend to enforce catch
quotas?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May_ _1991)_

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's
concern regarding possible infringements of Community
law on catch registration.

It is true that the existence of the 'grey market' in the
Netherlands was brought to the Commission's attention
in reports by its inspectors in 1984. The Commission
considered that the Netherlands had failed to comply
with Article 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No

12. 8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 210/33

2057/82 O and consequently it initiated the procedure
provided for in Article 169 of the Treaty. The procedure
was closed when the Commission was satisfied that

effective action to combat the situation had been taken.
Furthermore, in the two years following no further cases
of dual accounting procedures were discovered at the
Lauwersoog wholesale fish market.

The General Inspection Service (AID) of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries in the Netherlands has
discovered irregularities regarding the registration of
catches in three other wholesale fish markets and the
matter has been referred to the public prosecutor's office
in the Netherlands for further consideration.

The Commission has no definite proof of 'grey market'
activities on fish markets in other Member States.

The Commission draws the Honourable Member's

attention to the fact that it is the Member States who are
responsible for the direct control of the registration of
catches and the institution of legal proceedings for
infringements in their territory and waters. The
Commission uses all the means at its disposal, in
particular Community inspection measures, to remind
Member States of their obligations in this respect.

O OJNoL220,19.7.1982.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 598/91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15_ _April_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/68)

_Subject:_ Electronics and communications industries: 1992

What particular aspects of the Single Market legislation
does the Commission judge will have an effect on the
electronics and communications industries? How will this
affect the ability of these industries to compete with
non-Community competitors?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 June 1991)_

On 26 March 1991 the Commission adopted a
communication on the European electronics and
data-processing industry which analyses in detail the

situation in the industry particularly in relation to its main
competitors on the world market (the United States and
Japan), both generally and at company level, and the
conditions that have to be met at Community level to
ensure lasting recovery in the industry.

The positive effects of the completion of the internal
market on the industry are examined in detail in the
communication, which also discusses the other factors
likely to help improve their competitiveness.

In its conclusions, the Commission emphasizes that the
document is intended to contribute to a discussion with
Parliament, the Member States, the Economic and Social
Committee and all the interests concerned.

The Commission is sending a copy of the communication
to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's

Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 662/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Cot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/69)

_Subject:_ Arolsen archives

Recent events in Central Europe might give rise to the
temptation to destroy archives and other reminders of
events which took place and shameful acts which were
committed under the Nazi regime, the memory of which
must be kept alive as a lesson tb future generations.

The Arolsen centre, which contains archives relating to
the camps, the prisons and the Gestapo, seems in
particular danger.

Is the Commission aware of the existence of an
international agreement concerning the preservation of
such archives?

Could an inventory of these archives be drawn up and
microfich copies safely entrusted to a neutral body such as
the United Nations, and who would have access to them?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1991)_

Whilst being very aware of the problem raised by the
Honourable Member, the Commission has no powers to

No C 210/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

act in this field, which is primarily a matter for the

Member States.

The Honourable Member might be advised to address his
question to UNESCO, whose World Heritage Committee
has already placed the Auschwitz concentration camp on
the World Heritage List.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 689/91

by Mr Frederic Rosmini (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 210/70)

_Subject:_ Rhine-Rhone link

On 11 September, 1989 the Council of Ministers meeting
in Paris expressed a clear interest in inland waterway
transportfor East-West as well as North-South traffic.

The board of directors of the North Sea-Mediterranean

Association, meeting in Marseille on 18 January 1991,
noted the decisions by the French Government
concerning works to be carried out for the linking of the
Rhine and Rhone.

Given the size of the investment and the undeniably
European nature of such a project, the Council should not
inflexibly adhere to positions of principle. Significant
Community funding will, in any event, be necessary to
complete the infrastructure which is essential for regional
development and the future of the port of Marseille.

In view of this, can the Council give its views on financial
participation by the Community to ensure that this
waterway link can be completed within a reasonable
period?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

The Rhine-Rhone link is included in plans for inland
waterways of Community interest, although no financial
support from the Community is envisaged, at least for the
time being, either by way of a Community contribution as
laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 3359/90 (*) or under
any other financial instrument. The above Regulation
provides for a three-year action programme
(1990-1991-1992) covering seven major transport
infrastructure projects of Community interest. The
Rhine-Rhone link is not included in that programme.

The Council will certainly give careful consideration to
any proposal that the Commission might make on this

matter.

O Council Regulation of 20 November 1990 for an action
programme in the field of transport infrastructure with a view
to the completion of an integrated transport market in 1992
(OJNoL326,24.11.1990, p. 1).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 755/91

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(23 April 1991)_

(91/C2K3/71)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the measures envisaged in the
action programme contained in the Social
Charter in respect of vocational training and the
elderly

At its meeting of 14 and 15 December 1990 in Rome the
European Council noted that it was necessary to give the
social and the economic aspects of European integration
equal priority, especially as regards measures to promote
the rights embodied in the Social Charter and the
accompanying action programme.

Can the Council specify its position and views on
vocational training and measures in support of the
elderly, thereby fleshing out the brief indications
contained in its report on European Union (Doc.
C3-0097/91)?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

1. Pursuant to section 9 of its action programme
(Vocational training), the Commission submitted to the
Council:

— in March 1990, a proposal for a Decision to extend the
third young workers' exchange programme until the
end of 1991. The Council adopted the proposal on 29
May 1990;

— in November 1990, a proposal for a Decision
amending Decison 87/569/EEC.

Discussions on this second proposal are under way.

2. Pursuant to section 12 of its action programme (The
elderly), the Commission submitted a proposal to the
Council in April 1990 for a Decision on Community
actions for the elderly.

The Council adopted this Decision on 26 November

1990.

No C 210/35
12. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 894/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/72)

_Subject:_ Legal status of fuel retailers for social security

purposes

The petroleum distribution sector, and particularly fuel
retailing, is highly complex. The social-security status of
those engaged in this sector, for example retailers who are
legally self-employed but in fact dependent on their
suppliers, the major oil companies, appears to pose
problems in various Community Member States.

This is a problem both in itself and in respect of the
organization of the Community internal market.

Have the Community institutions considered the various
aspects of this major problem and if so with what results?
If not, when do they intend to do so?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

The Council and the European Parliament have before
them a Commission communication entitled 'Towards a
single market in distribution', which assesses the situation
in that sector.

Although that communication covers the whole spectrum
and does not deal specifically with the situation obtaining
as regards the distribution of petroleum products, the
Commission might announce, in particular within the
Committee for Commerce and Distribution, that
developments in this sector are to be taken into
consideration.

Moreover, petroleum distribution retailers may, where
appropriate, benefit from the major measures initiated by
the Community to assist small and medium-sized
undertakings.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 896/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 May_ _1991)_

(91/C 210/73)

_Subject:_ Government-run youth employment scheme in
the Netherlands

A specialized Belgian publication entitled 'La Defense
Sociale' of 7 March 1991 announces the introduction by

the Netherlands authorities of a 'social renewal'

programme as of 1 July 1991.

This programme includes a scheme under which young
people between 16 and 27 years of age who have been
unemployed for up to six months will be recruited at a
minimum wage by government or state-subsidized bodies
for a period of one year.

Are the Community institutions aware of this initiative? Is
multilateral supervision required?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

The Council has not held any discussion of the
Netherlands authorities' 'social renewal' programme in
the course of its multilaterial surveillance exercises.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 924/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15_ _May 1991)_

(91/C 210/74)

_Subject:_ Control over organ transplants

Can the Commission state its position on the alleged
abuses involving patients in irreversible coma from whom
vital organs have been removed on the grounds of
so-called 'consenting silence'? Does it not believe that the
procedure should be regulated, since the irreversibility of
a coma cannot at present be diagnosed with absolute
certainty — as demonstrated by the numerous cases in
which patients pronounced brain dead have regained
consciousness — and hence that the concept of
consenting silence should be outlawed?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
the reply to the oral question H-733/90 by Mrs Llorca
Vilaplana, which it gave during question time at
Parliament's July 1990 part-session ( [x] ).

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-392 (July 1990).

No C 210/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1009/91

*by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_{22 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/75)

_Subject:_ The setting-up of a European food inspectorate

A few days ago the Commission abandoned plans to set
up a European food inspectorate, on the pretext that EEC
citizens had widely differing tastes in food. However,
spoiled food which is unfit for consumption continues to
be distributed and sold.

Does the Council agree with the Commission's decision,
or does it intend to press ahead with its attempt to set up a
European food inspectorate in view of the increasingly
widespread distribution of spoiled food on European
markets?

Answer

_{10 July 1991)_

Since the Council has not received any proposals from the
Commission for setting up a European food inspectorate,
it is unable to comment on the facts referred to by the
Honourable Member.

However, it does consider that one of the main aims of
Community food legislation is to give consumers a
guarantee of food health quality.

The Council is equally aware of the need to supplement
this legislation; in this connection, the Commission has
recently submitted a proposal for a Directive on 'scientific
cooperation' which will improve the precautionary safety
evaluation of food and food ingredients.

Other measures have also been announced in

implementation of some aspects of the Directive on the
control of foodstuffs, or to strengthen the early warning
system for contaminated or spoiled food, which the
Commission set up 10 years ago.

The Council assures you that any Commission proposals
on food safety will be examined with the utmost care and
all due dispatch, in order to be well equipped for the
single market in 1993.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1031/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_{22 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/76)

_Subject:_ Social exclusion in the EC

Social inclusion is sadly a reality in the European
Community, but in this Europe of the single market
poverty should not be regarded as an inescapable
condition, still less as a consequence of the single market
itself.

In order to provide an assurance for the least favoured
that they will, not suffer as a result of developments
leading to an economically strong Europe, would the
Council be in favour of setting up a kind of 'Committee of
the excluded' responsible for assessing the impact of each
proposed Directive on the poorest section of the
population, with a requirement for this committee to give
an opinion, before a directive is drawn up, on its likely
social consequences for individuals?

Answer

_{10 July 1991)_

Under the Treaties, it is the Commission which has the
right of initiative, and it is therefore for the Commission
to judge the wisdom or otherwise of setting up the
proposed Committee, especially bearing in mind that it
could to some extent restrict the Commission in the

exercise of its right of initiative.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1034/91

by Mrs Sylvie Mayer, Mr Sergio Ribeiro, Mr Vassilis
Ephremidis and Mr Proinsias De Rossa (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/77)

_Subject:_ Resumption of scientific cooperation with Israel

Early in February 1990, in response to a call made by
Parliament in its resolution of 18 January 1990, the
Commission decided on a partial freeze in scientific
cooperation with Israel with a view to securing the
reopening of all the Palestinian universities closed since
January 1988.

The Commission has now decided, without first
consulting Parliament, to resume that cooperation.

12. 8. 91 Official Journal of thi

Violations of human rights, in particular those protected
by the Forth Geneva Convention, have worsened further
and the Palestinian universities, whose reopening has
frequently been announced by the Israeli occupiers, are

still closed.

Can the Commission state the reasons for this volte-face,
given that none of the conditions set for the resumption
of cooperation has yet been met?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1038/91

by Mrs Marie-Christine Aulas, Mr Eugenio Melandri and
Mr Wilfried Telkamper (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/78)

_Subject:_ Closure of Palestinian universities

In line with an urgent resolution adopted by the European
Parliament on 18 January 1990, the Commission partially
suspended scientific cooperation with Israel in order to
press for the reopening of the Palestinian universities
which have been closed since January 1988, despite
repeated promises to open them made in response to this
pressure but not acted upon.

Following the recent increase in human rights violations
in the Occupied Territories, the European Council,
meeting in Rome in December 1990, called 'once again on
Israel to comply with Resolutions 672 and 673 of the UN
Security Council, to act in conformity with its obligations
under the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection

of the Civilian Population, and to cooperate with the
United Nations.'

Why, in these circumstances, has the Commission now
spontaneously abandoned the only firm action it has ever
taken to induce Israel to fulfil its obligations?

Will the Commission no longer take human rights into
consideration where cooperation with third countries is
concerned?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1034/91

and 1038/91

given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_{3_ _July 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to the reply to the oral question H-147/91 by Mrs Valent,

European Communities No C 210/37

which it gave during question time at Parliament's
February 1991 part-session ( [1] ).

(') Debates of the European Parliament Nos 3-400 and 3-401
(February 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1066/91

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz and Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_{29 May 1991)_

(91/C 210/79)

_Subject:_ Decision by the Federal German authorities to
abolish visas for Polish citizens

The abolition of visas for Polish citizens wishing to enter
the unified FRG will clearly lead to a significant increase
in the numbers of Polish citizens wishing to remain in the
FRG and the other Member States which have removed

border controls, with a view to obtaining access to
consumer goods and, possibly, employment, on the basis
of their perfectly legitimate desire to improve their living
standards.

Does the Council posses estimated figures for the number
of Polish 'citizens', the length of their stay on EEC
territory and the number of work permits granted ?

/ Answer

_{10 July 1991)_

The Council would draw the Honourable Members'

attention to the fact that the matter they raise is not
covered by the Treaties and therefore falls outside the
Community's jurisdiction; it is the Member States which
determine which third countries' nationals need a visa to

enter their territory.

The Council is unable to supply the statistical information
requested by the Honourable Members.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1121/91

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _June 1991)_

(91/C 210/80)

_Subject:_ Social workers

Since 1980, in each Member State, how many social
workers have been killed by their clients while they were
on duty?

No C 2t0/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 8. 91

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 July 199!)_

The Commission does not have the information
requested by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1172/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5 June 1991)_

(91/C210/81)

_Subject:_ Council of Europe convention on administrative
cooperation in the field of taxation

The Council of Europe and the OECD have jointly
submitted for signature and ratification a convention on

mutual administrative assistance in the field of taxation.
This is designed to help in the fight against tax crime,
which is increasingly being organized on an international
basis. Is the Community taking account of the framework
of this convention in defining and implementing its own
strategy in this area?

Answer

_(10 July 1991)_

There are at present two Commission proposals (') before
the Council amending Community rules on mutual
administrative assistance in the field of taxation.

The proposal on indirect taxation does take account of
the as yet unratified OECD/Council of Europe
convention to which the Honourable Member refers.

(») _O]_ No C 141, 7. 6. 1989, p. 7 and OJ No C 187, 27. 7. 1990,
p. 23.