Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Notice No

94 / C 251 / 11

94 / C 251 / 12

94 / C 251 / 13

94 / C 251 / 14

94 / C 251 / 15

94 / C 251 / 16

94 / C 251 / 17

94 / C 251 / 18

94 / C 251 / 19

94 / C 251 / 20

94 / C 251 / 21

94 / C 251 / 22

94 / C 251 / 23

94 / C 251 / 24

94 / C 251 / 25

94 / C 251 / 26

94 / C 251 / 27

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-1579 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Methods used in construction of the Mount Hymettus ring-road

E-l 602 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Drought in Portugal

E-l 832 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Funding under Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90

E-l 849 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Weapons in the Community

E-l 900 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : High-voltage power lines in inhabited areas of Attica

E-l 909 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Products of forced and compulsory labour

E-2099 / 93 by Michael Elliott to the Commission
Subject : Designation of a Commissioner as specifically responsible for race relations and for
combating racism in the Community

E-2148 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to alert farmers to the environmental consequences of the unconsidered use of
agricultural chemicals

E-2 171 / 93 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Seafarer safety and training

E-2228 / 93 by Dimitrios Dessylas and Rogério Brito to the Commission
Subject : Incorporation in the common organizations of the market of ten environment-friendly

agricultural products in short supply

E-2269 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Natural gas contract in Greece

E-2290 / 93 by Bruno Boissiere to the Commission
Subject : Destruction of a biological zone

E-2408 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Social and economic situation in the region of Mandoudi, Evvia

E-2498 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of producers ' organizations in the fishing industry

E-2620 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Study of economic development strategies for the Greek region of Ilias

E-2623 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Special development programme for the region of Ilia

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2620 / 93 and E-2623 / 93

E-2648 / 93 by Otto Habsburg to the Commission
Subject : Disregard for regulations on hand luggage on flights

7

8

8

9

9

10

10

11

11

12

13

14

14

15

16

16

16

16

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 251 / 28 E-2649 / 93 by Klaus Wettig to the Commission
Subject : Production of sodium carbonate ( soda ) in the European Community 17

94 / C 251 / 29 E-2745 / 93 by Gunter Topmann to the Commission
Subject : EC                   - Austria transit agreement 17

94 / C 251 / 30 E-2778 / 93 by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Meat treated with the hormone BST 18

94 / C 251 / 31 E-2874 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : New technology in the automobile components industry 19

94 / C 251 / 32 E-2880 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Violation of Directive 90 / 31 3 / EEC 20

94 / C 251 / 33 E-2954 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Use of EC resources to fund advertising by the Nea-Dimokratia Party 20

94 / C 251 / 34 E-2964 / 93 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Sale of frozen beef in west Africa 20

94 / C 251 / 35 E-2985 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Phebus 21

94 / C 251 / 36 E-3028 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Open-cast mining and quarrying of granite, clay and gravel in the Harz ( Saxony-Anhalt )
and Erzgebirge mountain ranges ( Saxony ) without the requisite authorization procedure 21

94 / C 251 / 37 E-3169 / 93 by Enrico Falqui, Gérard Onesta, Jean-Pierre Raffin, Virginio Bettini,
Gianfranco Amendola, Eva-Maria Quistorp, Eugenio Melandri, Claudia Roth, Hiltrud
Breyer, Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf, Wilfried Telkàmper, John Iversen,
Birgit Cramon Daiber, Paul Staes, Yves Frémion, Paul Lannoye, Maria Aglietta, Bruno
Boissière, Marie Isler Béguin, Aline Archimbaud, Rinaldo Bontempi, Alexander Langer,
Luciano Vecchi, Antoni Gutiérrez Diaz, Biagio De Giovanni, Maria Santos, Max
Simeoni, Vincenzo Mattina, Karl Partsch, Jannis Sakellariou, Heribert Barrera i Costa,
Pedro Canavarro, Anna Catasta, Edward Newman, Pasqualina Napoletano, Renzo
Trivelli, Birgit Bjornvig, Diego Santos Lopez, Elda Pucci, Dacia Valent, Pierre Camiti,
Ulla Sandbæk, Alexander Falconer, Antonio Coimbra Martins, Luciana Castellina,
Mario Melis and Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard to the Commission
Subject : Sentence imposed on the Green regional deputy Sergio Andreis for revealing the results of
an inquiry into high-risk undertakings in Lombardy 22

94 / C 251 / 38 E-3 184 / 93 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Progress towards introducing a uniform European electrical plug and socket system 23

94 / C 251 / 39 E-3300 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Concern amongst Spanish fruit and vegetable producers at the negotiations on the
Euro-Maghreb agreement 23

94 / C 251 / 40 E-3330 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Aid to South Africa 24

94 / C 251 / 41 E-3331 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Amendments to the articles of the Lomé Convention 24

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

94 / C 251 / 42

94 / C 251 / 43

94 / C 251 / 44

94 / C 251 / 45

94 / C 251 / 46

94 / C 251 / 47

94 / C 251 / 48

94 / C 251 / 49

94 / C 251 / 50

94 / C 251 / 51

94 / C 251 / 52

94 / C 251 / 53

94 / C 251 / 54

94 / C 251 / 55

94 / C 251 / 56

94 / C 251 / 57

94 / C 251 / 58

94 / C 251 / 59

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-3332 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : ' Rehabilitation ' of peoples destabilized by war or natural disasters

E-3333 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Labour costs in the Community

E-3342 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Environmental disaster at Pylos

E-3354 / 93 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Situation of the Panasqueira mines ( Portugal )

E-3361 / 93 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten to the Commission
Subject : EC legislation on measuring SPF ( Sun Protection Factor )

E-3372 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : The tunnel under the Guadalquivir River ( Andalusia )

E-3378 / 93 by Maria Cassanmagnago Cerretti, Giorgio Rossetti, Roberto Speciale,
Giulio Fantuzzi, Luigi Vertemati, Franco Iacono, Gabriele Sboarina, Giulio Gallenzi and
Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission

Subject : Italian imports of Greek cement

E-3400 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Action programmes for the protection of Greek waters from nitrate pollution

E-3408 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject : Seat of Europol

E-3413 / 93 by Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Postal services in rural areas — Green Paper

E-3440 / 93 by Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Community standards for the fixing of hotel prices

E-3479 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Access to rural public transport

E-3492 / 93 by David Bowe to the Commission
Subject : Chemical Weapons Convention

E-3495 / 93 by Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear fuel cycle and plutonium re-use

E-3500 / 93 by Arie Oostlander to the Commission
Subject : Committee on education

E-3501 / 93 by Arie Oostlander to the Commission
Subject : Advanced vocational training and guidelines in the field of education and training . . .

E-3511 / 93 by Andre Sainjon to the Commission
Subject : Four-way steel talks

E-3515 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : New arrangements for products from EFTA and Visegrad countries

24

25

25

26

26

27

27

28

28

28

29

30

30

30

31

31

32

32

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 251 / 60

94 / C 251 / 61

E-3528 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Toxic and hazardous solid waste in Greece 33

E-3543 / 93 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of beer duty in the Community 33

94 / C 251 / 62 E-3573 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission

Subject : Trade in birds 34

94 / C 251 / 63

94 / C 251 / 64

94 / C 251 / 65

94 / C 251 / 66

94 / C 251 / 67

94 / C 251 / 68

E-3578 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : The Euroform Programme and Corsica 34

E-3579 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : The Horizon Programme and Corsica 34

E-3584 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : Funding allocated to Corsica 34

E-3603 / 93 by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Community law 35

E-36 12 / 93 by Henry McCubbin to the Commission
Subject : Failure to complete the internal market for pensions 35

E-3618 / 93 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission

Subject : Community aid to Georgia 36

94 / C 251 / 69 E-3627 / 93 by Eolo Parodi to the Commission
Subject : Safe blood 36

94 / C 251 / 70 E-3630 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Adoption in Greece 37

94 / C 251 / 71

94 / C 251 / 72

94 / C 251 / 73

94 / C 251 / 74

E-365 5 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Accession of the European Union to the international convention on human rights . . 37

E-3696 / 93 by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt to the Commission
Subject : Relocation of Cedefop from Berlin to Thessaloniki 37

E-3713 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Hazardous waste list 38

E-3718 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission

Subject : Household refrigerators 38

94 / C 251 / 75 E-3753 / 93 by Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission
Subject : GATT Agreement on working hours 38

94 / C 251 / 76 E-3792 / 93 Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Community legislation on cooperation in industrial training 39

94 / C 251 / 77 E-3802 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission

Subject : EC-Maghreb cooperation 40

94 / C 251 / 78 E-3821 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : ' Worker release ' Directive 40

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

94 / C 251 / 79

94 / C 251 / 80

94 / C 251 / 81

94 / C 251 / 82

94 / C 251 / 83

94 / C 251 / 84

94 / C 251 / 85

94 / C 251 / 86

94 / C 251 / 87

94 / C 251 / 88

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-3824 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Programme monitoring costs

E-3850 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Improving management of the Tempus Programmes

E-3 875 / 93 by Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Workers ' entitlement to an adequate pension

E-3883 / 93 by Francois Guillaume to the Commission
Subject : Coffee producers

E-3901 / 93 by Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject : Delayed VAT refunds in Italy

E-4002 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Shopping by mail-order markets

E-40 16 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Consumers ' rights

E-3 / 94 by Carlos Perreau de Pinninck Domenech to the Commission
Subject : Community funds for SMUs

E-273 / 94 by Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject : Cosmetics Directive

E-484 / 94 by Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou to the Commission
Subject : Relocation of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training . . . .

40

41

42

42

43

43

44

45

45

45

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 896 / 92

by Henry McCubbin ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1992 )

( 94 / C 251 / 01 )

régionales et locales ', ' der regionalen und lokalen
Gebietskorperschaften ', ' representantes de los entes
regionales y locales ').

In addition, the Commission 's position on the Committee of
the Regions was clearly set out in the opinion which it
transmitted to the intergovernmental Conference in June

1991, namely that the members of the Committee should be
holders of elective office at regional and / or local level .
Subject : Committee of the Regions

In the English text of the Maastricht Treaty an unfamiliar
and a term without any legal meaning appears . That term is
' local bodies '. Assuming that it is not the intention of the
signatories of the Treaty that the representatives of the
regions from the United Kingdom be recruited from the
local mortuary, should not a more legalistic definition be
provided ? In the French text the term ' collectives locales '
and the German text ' Gebietskorperschaften ' are used both
of which translate as ' local authority '. Would the
Commission agree that this is the intended translation ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

Irrespective of the terms used on the different language
versions of Article 198 A of the EC Treaty as inserted in the
Treaty on the European Union ( TFXJ ) the Commission
considers that as the Court of Justice of the European
Communities has held on several occasions, there is only one
and uniform interpretation of the provisions of Community
law for the whole territory of the Community . In particular,
the terms ' representatives of regional and local bodies '
in the English version of Article 198 A have to be
interpreted in a way that would give to the English version
of Article 198 A the same meaning and scope as in the
other language versions (' representants des collectivites

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 156 / 92

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 September 1992 )

( 94 / C 25 1 / 02 )

Subject : Measures to improve the European civil service

The growing importance of the European civil service makes

it necessary to employ specialists in various sectors of the
Community administration . For this reason moves should
be made towards offering Community staff appropriate job
opportunities and retraining in the light of experience
already acquired .

Internal competitions provide a means of meeting these
needs, together with promoting mobility, vocational
training and the development of a F^uropean civil service .

Can the Commission say what budget appropriations are
earmarked for the organization of open competitions to
bring staff up to strength ?

What are the respective costs of organizing an open and
internal competition and what is the ratio between the
various categories in terms of posts to be filled ?

No C 251 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

1 . The budget allocated to the Commission for the
recruitment of officials totalled ECU 3 500 000 in 1993 .

This sum was to cover the organization of both external and
internal competitions ( transition from one category to
another and establishment of temporary staff ).

2 . The cost of holding competitions varies greatly :
internal competitions, which do not entail the
reimbursement of applicants ' travel expenses, are relatively
cheap ( about ECU 10 000 on average ), whereas open
competitions, which attract a large number of applicants,
are much more expensive ( about ECU 400 000 ).

3 . At 15 September 1993 there were 966 vacant posts

( 404 in categories A and LA, 309 in category B, 237 in
category C and 16 in category D ). This unusually high figure
is the result of the recruitment freeze which the Commission

has had to impose in order to cope with its budgetary
problems .

3 . How can arrangements be made to ensure that the slots
allocated in different Member States for international

journeys connect properly ?

4 . Is there any provisions for appeal procedures in case
these arrangements prove unsatisfactory ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

In the context of the implementation of Directive
91 / 440 / EEC C ) on the development of the Community 's
railways the Commission is in close contact with the
Member States ' experts and the railway organizations .

Regular meetings are held for this purpose . At these
meetings ideas for EC legislation on the allocation of rail
infrastructure capacity are also discussed . These ideas
include among other things the procedures for international
cooperation for the allocation of cross-border train paths,
arbitration procedures and the possibility of granting
priority rights e.g. for certain rail passenger services . The
Commission is intensively examining these questions and it
is intended to submit proposals relatively soon .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3266 / 92 (>) OJ No L 237, 24 . 8 . 1991 .

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 January 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 03 )

Subject : Access to the railway network for third parties

As of 1 January 1993 the Member States ' railways networks
will in principle be open to third parties in return for
payment of a user 's fee . As no specific implementation
measures have been laid down, it is anticipated that serious
problems will arise in practice .

National railway authorities will have to allocate to their
new ' clients ' time slots when they can use the network . The
authorities will choose these slots to fit into their own

schedules . For international journeys, slots will have to be
purchased from more than one Member State, and will have
to connect adequately .

1 . Does the Commission accept that specific
implemenation measures are required to make it
practicable for third parties to use railway networks ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to propose Regulations in
the near future ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-98 / 93

by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 10 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 04 )

Subject : Distortions of competition resulting from the

Draft Seventh Regulation amending the
Regulation on maximum residue levels

70 % of the spinach produced in the Federal Republic of
Germany is grown in the western Miinsterland . It is
cultivated on 125 holdings, which have signed a contract
with the Langnese-Iglo GmbH in Reken ( Borken district )
and 1 600 jobs in this structurally weak area depend on the
vegetable processing sector .

Is the Commission aware that if the maximum residue levels
proposed in the Draft Regulation are adopted, this will

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 3

cause a shift in spinach growing to neighbouring EC
Member States, in particular the Netherlands ?

While the explanatory note to the proposal for a Regulation
refers to maximum levels already applying in the
Netherlands ; it fails to mention the fact that the maximum
value varies between 3 500 and 4 000 mg / kg, depending on
the season . The distortions of competition which already
exist, for example as a result of differing plant protection
legislation, have been aggravated to the disadvantage of
Westphalian producers since the maximum nitrate levels are
well below those applying in the Netherlands .

The proposal for the Regulation stipulates a maximum
nitrate level of 2 500 mg / kg for a transitional period up to

1995 and, as of 1 May 1995, 2 000 mg / kg . As a result, the
transitional period is being used by the processing sector to
transfer spinach cultivation to the Netherlands . Legislation
on maximum residues is being brought forward in
Germany, with the result that German farmers are losing
their markets . This makes a mockery of consumer health
protection since processed Dutch vegetables will
immediately enter the internal Community market .

Is the Commission aware that the transitional periods for
the harmonization of maximum nitrate residue limits are

causing serious distortions of competition on the internal
market and what steps will it take in response to this ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

the adoption of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 315 / 93 laying
down Community procedures for contaminants in food i 1 ),
Community rules on the restriction of nitrate levels in
vegetables are being prepared . Distortions of competition
could be eliminated by such harmonization of legislation in
the Member States, and greater account would be taken of
the health and consumer protection aspect of the single
market .

(M OJ No L 37, 13 . 2 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 77 / 93

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 05

Subject : Phare Programme

Can the Commission give details of projects currently
operating in the environment field with assistance from the
Community under the Phare Programme and those
expected to be funded during 1993 ?

on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

( 22 December 1993 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1993 )

The Commission is aware that the German Government is
currently preparing a draft seventh statutory order
amending the order on maximum residue levels . Germany
has notified the final version of this draft, in accordance
with the communication obligations incumbent upon it .

Nitrates are among those chemical substances which
represent a potential public health hazard when ingested by
man . The consumption of certain types of vegetable,
including spinach, accounts for a major part of nitrate
intake . The potential level of nitrates in vegetables varies
with sasonal changes in weather .

The Commission thinks an improvement in health
protection in this field could be brought about by
introducing good farming practices . Therefore, given the
transitional period required until definitive limits are
adopted, increasingly restrictive maximum levels must be
laid down for each product .

The Commission is fully aware of the danger of distortions
of competition in this connection . For this reason, following

The Phare Programme has in the years 1990, 1991 and 1992
made 254 MECU available for support of environmental
improvements through projects in Bulgaria, the Czech and
Slovak Republics, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, and the
Baltic States . This is approximately 11 % of the total Phare
budget for 1990-1992 . A detailed budget breakdown is
attached .

The support is being provided either in the form of yearly
National or Regional Environmental Sector Programmes or
through environmental components in the General
Technical Assistance Facilities . Today more than 300

individual projects are under implementation . In the case of
Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic
and Bulgaria, these projects are being managed by Phare
Project Implementation Units located in the Ministries of
Environment . The rest are managed directly by the Phare
Operational Service .

The focus, content and approach of the environmental
programmes and the nature of the projects has developed
from vear to year as described below :

No C 251 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

National Programmes Phare environmental programmes 1990 — 1992

In 1990 the economic transition, and the associated
development of national environmental policies and
strategies had not yet started . The Phare Environment
Programme consequently contained a great number of
individual projects, all of high quality, identified by
international experts ( G-24 Fact Finding Missions ) in
collaboration with the recipient governments . However,
many of these were not directly linked to the transition
process and modernization of the environmental

management .

In 1991 the ' shopping list approach ' was replaced with a
coherent and integrated programme approach, where the
Phare supported activities were directly linked to the
implementation of the respective government 's
environmental policy with a clear focus on support for
development of the environmental management
capabilities, including institutional strengthening, training
and policy formulation . This approach was and will be
continued in the Baltic States, Rumania and Bulgaria in

1992 and 1993 .

For Poland and Hungary the programmes were in 1992
developed into Fund Programmes, where the approach is to
channel the Phare support through existing domestic
instruments for environmental investments, in order to
support the mobilization of domestic resources for
environmental investments . The details for these

programmes, which have been seen as ' forerunners ' for the

1993-1997 Phare Orientation, and which will imply a clear
decentralization of the implementation, are currently being
prepared .

( in million ECU )

Country 1990 1991 1992 1990-1992

Bulgaria 3,5 7,5 7,5 18,5

Czechoslovakia 30,0 5,0 — 35,0

Hungary 25,0 10,0 10,0 45,0

Poland 22,0 35,0 + 5,0 18,0 80,0

Ex. Democratic

Republic of Germany 20,0 20,0

Romania — 2,0 5,0 7,0

Estonia — — 0,3 0,3

Lithuania — — 0,2 0,2

Latvia — — 0,2 0,2

Regional (') 2,0 ( 2 ) 20,0 16 + 10 ( 3 ) 48,0

Total 102,5 84,5 67,2 254,2

Percentage of total
Phare budget 20,5 % 10,7% 6,3 % 1 1 %

(') The Regional Environmental Programmes for 1991 and 1992 include :

— Integrated Environmental Programme for the Danube River
— Integrated Environmental Programmes for the Black Sea and the

Baltic Sea

— Programme for the rehabilitation of the Black Triangle
— Extension of the Corine Methodologies
— Remote Sensing ( Basically the extensions of the MARS
Programme
— Research Programme for Air and Health ( Partly managed by
DC, XII )
— Support for the elaboration of the State of the Environment Report for

Europe
— Support for the Regional Environmental Centre in Budapest .

( 2 ) Support for the Regional Environmental Centre for central and eastern

Europe in 1990 and 1991 .
(•*) Support for the implementation of an Environmental Action Programme

for Europe ( I)ohris follow up ).
Regional Programmes

Recognising the political and trans-boundary nature of
environmental degradation, a Regional Environmental
Programme with the focus on some of the major
pan-European problems ( i.e. the Danube River Basin, the
' Black Triangle ', the Baltic Sea and Black Sea ) was launched
in 1991 and followed up with a new programme in 1992 . A
strong political drive for closer environmental integration at
a pan-European level was expressed by the European
Environment Ministers at the Conference at Dobris Castle

in June 1991 and the preparation of an Environmental
Action Plan for Europe ( EAPE ) was initiated . In late 1992,
the Commission approved a 10 MECU Programme to
support the development of projects resulting from the
EAPE .

Programmes funded for 1993

The 1991 and 1992 National Environment Programmes
and the 1991 and 1992 Regional Programmes have a
three-year span and so will continue to be funded in 1993 .
The preparatipon of the 1993 national and Regional
Environment programmes is still at a very early stage and it
is not yet possible to give a firm indication either of the
money which will be available, or of the type of projects
which will be funded .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-587 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 06 )

Subject : Tanned hides in the Community

In view of the overall situation regarding the production and
trading of tanned hides in the Community, does the
Commission believe that steps should be taken to regulate
imports from third countries and to improve and develop
the quality of hides produced in the Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

Provided that imports of leather into the Community are
carried out under fair conditions, there is essentially no

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 5

reason to regulate them, particularly as some leather
imports are necessary for the activities of Community
businesses . The Commission will continue to examine with

its customary attention any case which is put to it where the
conditions and procedures laid down in Community
provisions relating to safeguards and anti-dumping

measures are met .

The Commission acknowledges that there is scope for
improving the quality of raw hides produced in the
Community . If projects of benefit to the sector as a whole
were put forward, the Commission would be willing to
consider possible accompanying measures under the
existing instruments .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-832 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 April 1993 )

Public Administration at Maastricht and the Academy of
European Law at Trier specialize in the organization of
training courses on Community Law for the legal
professions .

The seminar took place on 15 / 16 March in Luxembourg
under the auspices of the European Institute of Public
Administration with participants from the Court of Justice
and the Commission . While recognizing that basic training
and documentation remains a Member State responsibility
but needs to be stepped up at national level, the seminar
agreed that continuing education and specialisation, as well
as the exchange of experience, should be pursued at
Community level by the various educational institutes, in
consultation with the Community institutions . The question
of how best to follow up this seminar is under
examination .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1075 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

( 94 / C 251 / 07 ) to the Commission

(6 May 1993 )

Subject : Holding of seminars tor judges

The unification of Europe has caught many Member States

unprepared in the important area of justice . There arc very
few judges, in Greece for example, who have even a passing
knowledge of Community law — a developed, dynamic
system of law which applies to the authorities and to
individuals . Since Community legislation needs to be
directly applicable throughout the Community, as held in
the Factortame judgment of 1 9 June 1990, what immediate
representations will the Commission make to the national
authorities to ensure that seminars are held for judges so
that they are taught Community law as soon as possible and
understand not just their national but also their Community
judicial role .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member on
the importance for the Community of achieving the
necessary level of knowledge and training of judges and
magistrates of Member States in Community law . The
subject has been discussed on more than one recent occasion
at meetings of Ministers of Justice . Not only is it a question
of general importance, it also has a particular relevance to
the follow-up to the Sutherland Report on managing the
internal market . In this context Ministers accepted the
Commission 's suggestion that it should organize a seminar
bringing together representatives of the Member States
responsible for the training of judges and representatives of
institutes active in the field of European law education .
Among these education institutes, the European Institute of

( 94 / C 251 / 08 )

Subject : European Fund for Creative Work

The financial position of most authors in Europe is not good
at present . Does the Commission intend to draw up a
Directive to set up a European Fund for Creative Work
which would give financial support to authors and if so,
when ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1 993 )

Thought has already been given to the possibility of
introducing arrangements for payment for works in a
Community-wide public domain, which is the matter
indirectly raised by the Honourable Member 's question . It
relates to recovery by the state or by duly authorized
societies of authors of revenue accruing from the use of
literary and artistic works that have come into the public
domain, with a view to financing a general fund from which
to provide support for creative endeavour .

Some Member States are firmly opposed to such an idea, for
legal and economic reasons . Among other things, it would
mean charging more for works of art and thus adversely
affecting the competitiveness of European works of art on
export markets .

However, other more significant and interesting solutions
have been found at Community level to the problem of
supporting writers .

No C 251 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

On 19 November 1992 the Council adopted Directive
92 / 100 / EEC on rental right and lending right ('). The
Directive provides for an exclusive right to authorize or
prohibit the rental and lending of copyright works . Member
States may derogate from the exclusive right in respect of
public lending, provided that at least the authors obtain a
remuneration for such lending . The generalization of the
public lending right to the Community as a whole ensures
that authors will receive a consideration for the use of their

works .

In the resolution of the Council and the Ministers

responsible for cultural matters meeting within the Council
of 19 May 1989 concerning the promotion of books and
reading ( 2 ), eight priority actions are identified in the field of
books and reading . Some of the measures, such as the
preparation of a guide for authors and translators to be
published n the course of 1993 and the European literary
prize, are of direct interest to literary writers .

( 1 ) OJ No L 346, 27 . 11 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 183, 20 . 7 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1163 / 93

by Dieter Rogalla ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 09 )

Subject : Environmentally compatible fibres

1 . Is it true that in the debate on environmentally
compatible fibres the methods of producing and finishing
natural fibres have been described as very worrying ?

2 . Is it also true that, particularly in the case of cotton
production, where the pesticides used have been detected in
garments made from them, they have adversely affected the
environment ?

3 . Am I right in assuming that consumers ' health may be
at risk from traditional methods of natural fibre

production ?

4 . What efforts are the Member States making to
minimize, if not eliminate, health risks during
production ?

5 . What opportunities are there to use Community
agricultural subsidies to induce Community cotton
producers ( e.g. Greece, with 200 000 tonnes of cotton per
year, or Spain with 80 000 tonnes of cotton per year ) to
adopt ecologically sound production methods ?

6 . Some politicians take the view that the developing
countries, which are more dependent on exports of cotton,
cannot be expected to accept similar conditions as they
reduce yields and hence earnings . Are there valid arguments
that will diminish the force of this theory, if not refute it
altogether ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( IS December 1993 )

1 . The methods used to harvest natural fibres pose no
specific environmental problems . Factories industrially
processing raw natural fibre must comply with existing
legislation and have the necessary means for avoiding water
and air pollution .

2 . According to the information available to the
Commission, pesticide residues arising from pre-harvest
crop treatment occur only rarely, and then at very low
levels .

3 . In certain cases, illnesses have been linked with the
handling of natural fibre ( e.g. byssinosis ).

4 . The Member States are responsible for the protection
of workers . Nevertheless, Council Directive 89 / 391 / EEC ( l )
lays down minimum health and safety requirements for
workers which the Member States are obliged to transpose
into national legislation .

This framework Directive, which has now been
supplemented by more than 10 Directives for the
application of specific aspects, lays down both the
responsibilities and obligations of employers and the rights
and obligations of employees with regard to health and
safety at work, particularly concerning information,
training and participation inside companies . It also lays
down the general principles of prevention to be applied in
workplaces throughout the Community, as minimum
standards to be applied by the Member States .

5 . Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 ( 2 ) provides for the
grant of aid to farmers who undertake to produce using
more environmentally friendly methods, for example by
reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers or applying
extensive production methods like reducing irrigation .

Cotton producers who undertake to follow specifications as
part of a zonal programme which also includes cotton can
benefit from premiums provided the programme is
approved by the Commission pursuant to the
abovementioned Regulation .

6 . On technical grounds the cultivation of cotton
without pesticide residues requires the application of
specific pesticide and insecticide programmes or measures as
an alternative to pesticide-intensive cultivation . The

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 7

application of these programmes or measures does not It would add, however, that certain related measures have
necessarily result in a negative impact on developing already been launched under the Media Programme .
countries ' exports . The Commission believes that there are
always ways and means to make trade and environment not (') OJ No C 219, 8 . 8 . 1994, p . 14 .
only compatible but also mutually supportive .

{') OJ No L 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E                        - 1 5 79 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516 / 93 ( 17 June 1993 )

by Henry Chabert ( PPE ) ( 94 / C 251 / 1 1 )

to the Commission

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 10

Subject : Violence and pornography on TV

Will the Commission describe the situation obtaining in
each of the Member States of the Community as regards
legislation on TV programmes containing violent and
pornographic scenes ?

Leaving aside the views of individual European citizens
Member States on this type of programme, will the
Commission say what initiatives it intends to propose so as
very rapidly to ensure that at least children and adolescents
in Europe will be protected from these harmful
influences ?

Has the Commission considered how it could promote in
Europe the emergence of image-literacy teaching enabling
all young pupils to become not only literate — the object of
all school curricula — but also image-literate, given that our
civilization attaches increasing importance to this form of
expression and communication ?

Subject : Methods used in construction of the Mount
Hymettus ring-road

A ring-road is being constructed through the important
' green lung ' area of Mount Hymettus to ease Athens traffic .
The methods used in constructing this road have caused a
wave of protest because of the lack of an environmental
impact assessment, irregularities in the consultation
procedures and the felling of tens of thousands of trees over
more than 1 00 hectares of valuable suburban woodland . On

11 December 1991 the local residents lodged an appeal with
the State Council and on 5 May 1 992 submitted a complaint
to the Commission for infringement of Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ('). The part of the overall project ( budget Dr
26 billion ) currently being carried out — tree clearance in
preparation for the earthworks ( budget Dr 4 billion — has
been started without an overall preliminary study of
alternatives to select the optimum environmental solution .
With regard to the actual planning, it is significant that the
environmental requirements were set out on 6 July 1 992, i.e.
eight months after the contract had been awarded on
6 November 1991 .

What stage has been reached in investigating the complaint
to the Commission ?

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure

that the Hymettus ring road is constructed in such a way as
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro to minimize its environmental impact ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 ) (') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No 1461 / 93 on pornographic
television programmes ( ] ) which also concerns programmes
containing scenes of gratuitous violence .

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's desire to

see the emergence of image-literacy teaching in the school
curricula of the Member States, but would remind him that
education policy comes under the jurisdiction of the
national authorities .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 1994 )

The Commission has been informed that, by Decisions 1035
and 1038 / 93 of 1 1 June 1993, the Hellenic Council of State
has annulled the two decisions of the Environment Ministry
authorizing the construction of the ring-road in question

No C 251 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

because of irregularities in the procedure for the evaluation
of the project 's environmental impact . For the project to
re-commence, a fresh authorization would be required
which cannot be granted until a new impact evaluation has
been carried out in compliance with the provisions of the
Greek legislation transposing Directive 85 / 337 / EEC into
Greek law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 602 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 18 June 1993 )

With regard to the ' concelhos ' of Moura ­
Barrancos-Serpa-Mourao, the Portuguese authorities have
granted aid amounting to Esc 49 million and loans at
reduced interest totalling Esc 4 680 million in this
region .

In addition, the region has received EAGGF Guarantee
Section aid amounting to Esc 700 million under Regulation

( EEC ) No 331 1 / 92 on special measures for farmers affected
by the drought in Portugal (').

(') OJ No L 332, 18 . 1 1 . 1992 .

( 94 / C 251 / 12 WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 832 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

Subject : Drought in Portugal ( 13 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 13 )

The drought affecting certain parts of Portugal, in particular
the sub-region comprising the municipalities of Moura,
Barrancos, and Serpa, warrants special Commission
action .

1 . What financial support has already been transferred to

Portugal under the operational programme on drought
in Portugal ? When were the funds transferred ?

2 . What aid has been granted to the abovementioned

Moura — Barrancos — Serpa sub-region, expressed as a
percentage of the total amount of support ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1993 )

In July 1992 the Commission approved an operational
programme concerning the drought in Portugal provided
for a financial contribution of ECU 51 million from the

EAGGF Guidance Section for 1992 / 93 .

Under the financing procedure for operational programmes,
Community appropriations are transferred to the Member
State on the basis, in particular, of the financial
implementation of the programme and at the request of the
Member State .

To what extent is the Commission aware of the Greek

administration 's intentions and does it intend to approve an
alteration of this kind to the first Community Support
Framework ?

Subject : Funding under Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90

In accordance with Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90 ( 1 ) the
Commission has approved the sectoral plan for milk in
Greece which contains the measures to be funded under the

first Community Support Framework in that sector .

The plan, totalling Dr 34,5 billion for the whole of Greece,
does not provide for aid to set up new cheese factories . For
eastern Macedonia and Thrace it allocates total aid of Dr 1,7
billion, Dr 340 million of which is to be used to relocate a
minor cheese factory .

Despite this, the Greek Ministry for Agriculture proposes to
incorporate in the sectoral plan for milk a new cheese
factory in Thrace budgeted at Dr 9 billion and to seek
Community funding . This has caused deep dismay among
existing factories .

Questions are rightly being asked about the prospect of this
happening . Firstly, it is completely outside the plan adopted
by the Community . Secondly, it is doubtful whether the
existing factories in the area and the new factory itself are
viable given that milk production in Thrace is falling at a
rate of 10% per annum and that consequently there will
inevitably be shortages of raw material .

On 30 June 1993 ECU 25,5 million were transferred to
Portugal as a Community contribution to the operational
programme concerning the drought . (') OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990, p . 1 .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 9

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

The Member States are responsible for selecting investments
to receive EAGGF aid under Regulation ( EEC )
No 866 / 90 .

The conditions which investments must meet include the

selection criteria laid down in Commission Decision
90 / 342 / EEC { l ) as well as the provisions of the Greek
Community support framework pursuant to Regulation

( EEC ) No 866 / 90 and No 867 / 90, approved by Commission
Decision 82 / 80 / EEC ( 2 ).

In view of the above, the Commission systematically asks for
information on the situation in the regions for which a
Member State proposes investments . This Commission
procedure, which varies depending on the case in question,
is based on an overall analysis by sector and by region .

To date, the Commission has received no request from the
Greek authorities for an amendment to the current

Community support framework in order to be able to
submit an application for . funding for the investment in
question and the appropriations available for the financing
of investments under Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90 and the
current Community support framework have already been
exhausted .

New requests from Greece for the part-financing of
investments for the processing and marketing of agricultural
and forestry products will be examined under the provisions
governing the new programming period of the Structural
Funds, which commences on I January 1994 .

H OJ No L 163, 7 . 6 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 31, 7 . 2 . 1992 .

legislation on weapons and, if so, what steps has it
taken ?

(') OJ No I. 256, 13 . 9 . 1991, p . 51 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

Council Directive 91 / 477 / EEC of 18 June 1991 on control
of the acquisition and possession of weapons is one of the
accompanying measures taken in connection with the
completion of the internal market . The aim was to ensure
that the abolition of intra-Community frontier controls did
not result in any shortcomings in terms of safety . To that
end, the Directive lays down a number of minimum
standards, in particular as regards the classification of
firearms, the rules governing their acquisition and
possession by private persons, and the rules on the pursuit of
the activity of dealer, but it leaves Member States free to
maintain or adopt more stringent rules in these areas . It
should be noted that the Directive does not cover

commercial transfers of weapons of war or the acquisition
of weapons by the armed forces, the police or the public
authorities .

In order to help resolve the practical problems caused by the
fact that only half the Member States have to date
transposed the Directive into national law, the Commission
organized meetings with experts which facilitated
administrative coordination between the Member States .

The Commission does not plan to take any new initiatives in
connection with the weapons covered by Directive
91 / 477 / FTC and would remind the Honourable Member

that, pursuant to Article 223(1 ) of the EC Treaty, ' any
Member State may take such measures as it considers
necessary for the protection of the essential interests of its
security which are connected with the production of or trade
in arms, munitions and war material '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 849 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E                    - 1900 / 93
by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 )

( 15 July 1993 )
( 94 / C 251 / 14 )

( 94 / C 251 / 15 )

Subject : Weapons in the Community Subject : High-voltage power lines in inhabited areas of

Attica

With European integration in view measures must be taken
as soon as possible to implement Council Directive
91 / 477 / EEC (') and a Community policy for the import,
marketing and trading of weapons, together with their
possession and use . Has the Commission taken action to
secure the immediate harmonization of the Member States '

Greek environmental organizations have made serious
claims about high-voltage power lines crossing inhabited
areas of Attica, which various studies have implicated in
increased frequencies of diseases of the nervous system,
leukaemia and cancers .

No C 251 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Can the Commission state whether there is any basis for
these allegations and whether in fact the State Electricity
Corporation ( DEI ) is installing these power lines without
full studies of the environmental impact or the danger to the
public ?

What has the Environmental Planning Directorate at the
Ministry of Environmental Planning and Public Works done
to compel the DEI to meet the approval requirements for its
land use, pylons and substations ? If the DEI is not applying
the relevant Community Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ) ('), how
can the Ministry allow it to proceed with these
installations ?

( l ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Honourable Member is kindly requested to consult the
answer to Written Question No 554 / 93 by Mr L Smith ('),
which refers to all the written and oral questions concerning
the possible effects on human health of electro-magnetic
fields and, in particular, of those established by high-voltage
power lines .

In accordance with Article 4.2 of Directive 85 / 337 / EF.C on

the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, Member States are responsible
for considering whether or not an environmental assessment
should be made of projects included in Annex II to this
Directive, such as the project to install power lines in Attica,
with particular reference to their size or location .

In the absence of more detailed information on the location

of the project in question, the Commission is currently not in
a position to conclude that the Greek authorities have failed
to fulfil their obligations under the abovementioncd
Community legislation .

Commission say whether all the Member States have
abolished forced and compulsory labour ? Is there also a ban
on the importation into the Community from non-member
countries of goods produced by such labour ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1993 )

All Member States of the Community have ratified
International Labour Organization ( ILO ) Conventions
No 29 of 1930 on slavery and compulsory labour and
No 105 of 1957 on the abolition of forced labour .

The International Labour Organization has, however, made
a number of comments on the application of these
conventions by some Member States .

There is no Community legislation concerning imports of
goods made in prison or under conditions of forced or
compulsory labour .

The main reason for the absence of such legislation is the
difficulty customs authorities have in determining the
conditions under which goods are produced in non-member
countries .

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission 's

written answer to oral Question No H - 18 / 93 by Mr
Coates (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament, 3-426 ( January 1993 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099 / 93

by Michael Elliott ( PSE )
(•) OJ No C 207, 30 . 7 . 1993 . to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 17 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1909 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 16 )

Subject : Products of forced and compulsory labour

In the light of International Labour Organization ( ILO )
Convention No 29 of 1930 on slavery and compulsory
labour, which was ratified by 128 countries, and ILO
Convention No 105 of 1957 on the abolition of forced

labour, which was ratified by 111 countries, can the

Subject : Designation of a Commissioner as specifically

responsible for race relations and for combating
racism in the Community

The Migrants Forum, supported by the Commission under a

budget line approved by Parliament, has been consistently
calling for a Commissioner to be specifically designated as
repsonsible for race relations and combating racism in the
Community . This appeal has been supported by many
members of the Socialist Group .

What has actually happened ? It appears that Commissioner
Flynn is responsible for immigration, asylum and internal
affairs and Commissioner Archirafi for free movement of

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 11

people — but none of this is quite what is called for in the
light of the rise in racial hatred and violence in Europe . Will
the request of the Migrants Forum be genuinely met ?

One problem that this demonstrated, and it contributes to a
lack of public understanding of what the Commission does,
is the way in which portfolios are allocated and
administrative structures created on the basis of public areas
of professional expertise or abstract concepts rather than on
broad issues of concern to ordinary people . Why for
example is the fundamental concern to tackle
unemployment split between several Commissioners and
DGs and why are aspects of animal welfare split between as
many as four Commissioners ?

No wonder the public is confused !

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 December 1993 )

While fully sharing the Honourable Member 's concern to
combat racism in the Community, the Commission does not
consider that it would be appropriate to name a particular
Commissioner as being specifically in charge of an area
where the principal responsibility lies with Member States .
The Commission 's actions against racism and xenophobia
can fall within the area of responsibility of more than one
Commissioner, in which case they arc the subject of
horizontal coordination .

Commissioner Padraig Flynn has portfolio responsibility
for the principal aspects of the problem where the
Commission has some competence following the entry into
force of the Treaty on European Union, namely the
integration of legal immigrants and immigration policy in
general . It was on this basis that he recently held a meeting
with representatives of the Migrants Forum, as its natural
interlocutor .

of natural resources and to reduce the pollution of soil and
water by agricultural waste by training farmers and alerting
them to the consequences of the unconsidered or improper
use of agricultural chemicals ( herbicides, fertilizers,
hormones and plant growth agents )?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

The Commission, as part of the reform of the CAP, adopted
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 93 of 30 June 1992 on
agricultural production methods compatible with the
requirements of the protection of the environment and the
maintenance of the countryside ( '). This Regulation
provides, among other measures, for the granting of aid to
farmers who undertake, on a voluntary basis, substantially
to reduce the use of fertilizers and / or plant protection
products . Member States are under the obligation to apply
this aid scheme by means of multiannual zonal programmes
or a general regulatory framework providing for the
horizontal application throughout their territory . The
Community is to cofinance this aid scheme through the
Guarantee Section of the EAGGF at the rate of 75 % in

' Objective No 1 ' regions and 50% in the other regions .

Moreover, Article 6 of the abovementioned Regulation also
provides for the possibility of a Community contribution to
training courses and trainceships as well as demonstration
projects concerned with agricultural and forestry
production practices compatible with the requirements of
protection of the environment and natural resources and
maintenance of the countryside and the landscape .

(') OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 171 / 93

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 14 8 / 93 ( 28 July 1993 )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) ( 94 / C 251 / 19 )

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 18 ) Subject : Seafarer safety and training

Subject : Measures to alert farmers to the environmental

consequences of the unconsidered use of
agricultural chemicals

In view of the non-existence of an environmental education

policy in some Member States ( such as Greece ), does the
Commission intend to launch an initiative to curb the abuse

What steps is the Commission taking to ensure aid is given
to assist with seafarer training,, given that the UK
Department of Transport research showed that 90 % of
collisions and groundings and 75 % of contacts, fires and
explosions showed human factors to be present .

In particular what steps will the Commission take to ensure
that there are improved language requirements such as a

No C 251 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

common working language of the sea to avoid problems
encountered by multinational crews ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1993 )

The importance of the human factor has been explicitly
addressed in the communication of the Commission
concerning a common policy on safe seas ('). It has been
shown that human error ( which is often due to poor
organization of work ), either by crew or shore-based
personnel, accounts for about 60 % of all claims following
an accident and ever 80 % of the incidents .

In order to reduce the risk of human error, a number of
priority measures were identified in the communication, one
of which refers to the improvement of application of the
IMO 's Convention on Standard of Training, Certification
and Watch keeping for Seafarers ( STCW ).

In this context the Commission has submitted to the

Council a proposal for a Directive on the minimum level of
training of seafarers as a means of improving safety ( 2 ). The
proposal provides for minimum training requirements with
regard to masters, officers and ratings on board ships flying
a Member State 's flag, or a Euros flag once such a register
has been adopted .

The minimum training requirements proposed are those
defined in the IMO 's 1978 STCW Convention, which has
been approved and ratified by all Member States with
merchant fleets . The draft Directive also provides that crews
serving on passenger vessels or vessels carrying hazardous or
polluting cargos should have minimum linguistic
qualifications in order to be able to communicate amongst
themselves . Those of them nominated to assist passengers in
emergency situations should also be able to communicate in
the language(s ) appropriate to the majority of passengers as
the IMO Resolution 770 adopted on 5 November 1993
foresees .

With regard to third country seafarers serving on board

Community flag ships, or ships sailing in Community
waters, the draft Directive provides for the means to ensure
that these seafarers should have also been properly trained
according to the STCW Convention requirements .

The Directive 's objective is therefore to ensure that maritime
safety is improved by means of better training of all seafarers
involved in maritime transport within the Community .

The Transport Council of 29 / 30 November 1993 discussed
and took a positive stand on the Commission 's proposal for

which a Decision is expected only after the Parliament has
delivered its opinions under the cooperation procedure .

On the question of the safety and health of seafarers, the
Commission wishes to point out that Council Directive
89 / 391 / EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and
health of workers at sea ( 3 ) has already entered into force .
The Directive has a very broad scope and also applies to
maritime transport . Article 6 requires employers to take the
measures necessary for the safety and health protection of
workers, including prevention of occupational risks and
provision of information and training, as well as provision
of the necessary organization and means . This is to be done
on the basis of the general principles of prevention set out in
the Directive . The Directive also provides for giving workers
information and training on health and safety at work .

In order to lay down the details of this Directive for the
transport sector and to define a minimum level of safety for
workplaces on means of transport, the Commission has sent
the Council a proposal for a Directive on the minimum
safety and health requirements for transport activities and
workplaces on means of transport ( 4 ). Annex III contains
provisions aimed at eliminating the hazards arising from the
poor organization of activities, in particular those referred
to by the Honourable Member .

(') COM(93 ) 66 final, 24 . 2 . 1993 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 217 final, 26 . 5 . 1993 .
(-') OJ No L 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

( 4 ) COM(92 ) 234 final — SYN420 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2228 / 93

by Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG ) and Rogerio Brito ( CG )

to the Commission

( 30 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 20

Subject : Incorporation in the common organizations of the

market of ten environment-friendly agricultural
products in short supply

Ten agricultural products and sectors ( table olives, dried
fruit, legumes, flowers, honey, vegetables, horticulture,
mastic, aromatic plants and medicinal plants ) are still
outside the CAP common organizations of the market
despite the fact that they are in short supply in the EC, are
cultivated mainly on small and medium-sized farms in
disadvantaged and problematic regions and also help

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 13

preserve the landscape and environmental balance and WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269
could therefore be described as generally by Alexandras Alavanos ( CG )
environment-friendly .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269 / 93

to the Commission

What measures will the Commission take to incorporate
these products within common organizations of the market
forthwith ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

Most of the products listed by the Honourable Member are
already covered by one of the common organizations of the
market :

Table olives : Common organization of the market in oils
and fats ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 136 / 66 ) (')

Dried fruit, vegetables : Common organization of the market
in products processed from fruit and vegetables ( Regulation
( EEC ) No 426 / 86 ) ( 2 )

Flowers : Common organization of the market in olive trees
and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and
ornamental foliage ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 234 / 68 ) ( ? );

Legumes : Common organization of the market in oils and
fats ; Common organization of the market in products
processed from fruit and vegetables ; Common organization
of the market in fruit and vegetables ( Regulation ( EEC )
No 1035 / 72 ) ( 4 );

Plants used for making scents and medicines : Common
organization of the market in certain products listed in
Annex II to the Treaty ( Regulation ( EF'C ) No 827 / 68 ( 5 )

In 1991 the Commission proposed that honey should be
included among the other products covered by Regulation

( EEC ) No 827 / 68 on the common organization of the
market in certain products listed in Annex II to the Treaty
( Doc . COM(91 ) 328 final ) ( 6 ).

Mastic is not covered by Annex II of the Treaty and cannot
therefore be subject to a common organization of the
market .

On 19 July 1993 the Council adopted specific measures for
the smaller Aegean islands concerning certain agricultural
products ; these measures included aid for the maintenance
of olive groves in traditional olive-growing areas and aid for
the production of quality honey .

(!) OJ No L 172, 30 . 9 . 1966, p . 3025 / 66 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986, p . 1 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 55, 2 . 3 . 1968 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972, p . 1 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 151, 30 . 6 . 1968, p . 16 .

( 6 ) COM(91 ) 328 final .

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 21 )

Subject : Natural gas contract in Greece

In its reply to my Written Question No 3080 / 92 on this
matter (') the Commission stated that only 11% of the
natural gas programme had been implemented by 1 January

1993 . I have been informed that, in addition to funding
problems caused by long delays in implementing the project,
Russia has now threatened to cancel the contract outright
on the grounds that the first delivery should have been made
in 1992 .

Given the low take-up rate of this project and the
' suspension ' of the loan procedure by the European
Investment Bank, will the Commission say :

1 . How it views the possibility that this contract may be
cancelled outright ?

2 . On what grounds has the European Investment Bank
' suspended ' the loan ?

(') OJ No C 280, 18 . 10 . 1993, p . 20 .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

According to information in the Commission 's possession,
the date of the first gas delivery under the ' take or pay '
contract with the Russian company Sojuzgazexport was
postponed to 1995 following the intergovernmental
agreement signed in Athens on 1 July 1993 . There is
therefore no longer any risk of the contract being
cancelled .

With regard to the EIB, an initial contract for a loan of USD

10 million was signed in February 1991 . The EIB at no time
blocked support for the project but, according to the usual
rules, signature of the financing contract was subject to the
satisfactory progress of the project and, in view of the
existence of a number of problems, the EIB had to delay
implementation of the financing plan initially envisaged .

The Commission is aware of the delays and will continue its
efforts, in close cooperation with the EIB, to ensure that this

No C 251 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

project, of major importance for Greece, is carried out under
the best conditions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2290 / 93

mediterranean temporary ponds, dry heath and
pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals, which are priority
habitats .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408 / 93
by Bruno Boissiere ( V )

to the Commission by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 22 )

Subject : Destruction of a biological zone

Maures plain in central Var, a very beautiful area of 5 000
unbroken hectares, provides a habitat for 105 of the 450
European bird species, 21 species of mammal and 53% of
all reptile species .

In total, 50 species of flora and fauna are protected at
national or international level, in particular the spur-tailed
Mediterranean tortoise .

The Michelin Company has acquired 400 hectares of this
plain for the construction of a tyre testing centre .

Does the Commission consider this project to be compatible
with its intended environmental protection policy ?

What pressure will it bring to bear on the French
Government to ensure that the Maures plain is
protected ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

The plaine des Maures is on the list of areas of special
interest for the conservation of wild birds in the Community
communicated by the French authorities . The Commission
has asked them to provide further information on the
application of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of
wild birds ( the only one in force at present ) and is keeping a
close eye on the situation .

The information we have at the Commission indicates the

presence of animal and plant communities listed in
Annexes I and II of Directive 92 / 43 / EF'C on the conservation

of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, including

to the Commission

( I September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 23 )

Subject : Social and economic situation in the region of

Mandoudi, Evvia

Mandoudi on the island of Evvia was a traditional mining
area . The Greek Government decided to close down all the

mines in the area and this has already had a disastrous
impact on the social fabric and the local economy

( unemployment and under-cmployment for the
overwhelming majority of the population ). In view of this,
will the Commission fund an urgent study into the social
and economic situation in Mandoudi and take immediate

measures in cooperation with the Greek authorities ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 March 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the process of industrial
restructuring in Greece and the negative consequences on
employment in several Greek regions . The following actions
have increased the available alternative employment
opportunities and helped both national and local
organizations to prepare further action :

1 . In the area of Mantoudi the F^SF has since 1990

co-financed a significant number of actions in
cooperation with OAED in the field of vocational
training and self-employment promotion for the
unemployed . More specifically, during the period
1990 / 92 more than 1 600 people have benefitted from
self-employment promotion measures . The total cost for
these actions exceeded 22,3 MECUS . In addition
500 000 ECUS have been spent to convert buildings
necessary for the development of training capacity in the

area .

2 . In the framework of its employment and labour market
policy, the Commission has undertaken the following
measures, in response to the unemployment crisis in
North Evia :

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 15

( a ) North Evia ( including Mantoudi ) has been selected
as a pilot area in the framework of the LEDA
Programme ( Local Employment Development
Action Programme ).

( b ) The LEDA summer school was organized in 1992

in North Evia ( Istiaia ).

( c ) A diagnostic study of North Evia ( including
Mantoudi ) has been conducted by international
experts ( financed by the Commission 's LEDA
Programme ).

3 . A socio-economic study of development in North Evia

has been financed by the Commission in order to
explore the existing situation and identify solutions and
measures for structural adjustment ( June 1992 ).

4 . The area of Mantoudi has twice ( 1991 / 92 ) been granted
financial assistance under the SPEC Programme in order
to provide training courses for the workers made
redundant .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498 / 93

context of specific schemes, such as those established by the
Acts of Accession for Spain and Portugal and the one for the
Shetland Box, as well as those established under fisheries
agreements between the Community and non-member
countries . Under Article 5 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3670 / 92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a
Community system for fisheries and aquaculture ( J ), the
Council will establish a Community system before
31 December 1993 laying down rules for the minimum
information to be contained in the fishing licences which
will be required for all Community fishing vessels and be
issued and managed by Member States, without prejudice to
specific Community systems for which the Commission will
continue to administer licences . The Commission considers

that in the context of this management by Member States,
the necessary rule should be introduced to ensure that it can
be informed on the administrative rules and procedures
adopted by each Member State, on data on fishing activities
subject to professional fishing licences and on provisions for
the withdrawal or suspension of fishing licences, so that the
transparency and regulation of the exploitation of resources
by individual fishing vessels can be improved .

2 . The Community has limited scope for intervention on
matters of social security regarding payment entitlement
and the degree of cover guaranteed by each Member State 's
social security system .

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Referring to the action programme for the implementation

the Commission of the Community Charter on the fundamental social rights

September 1993 ) of workers, the Council adopted recommendation

( 94 / C 251 / 24 ) No 92 / 442 / EEC ( 2 ) on the convergence of social protection
objectives and policies .

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

Subject : Protection of producers ' organizations in the

fishing industry

With a view to protecting producers ' organizations in the

fishing industry, will the Commission take steps to :

1 . monitor the procedure for issuing professional fishing
licences and set up a register of fishermen,

Part 1A of the recommendation reiterates that it is the

prerogative of the Member States to establish the principles
and organization of their own social protection systems .
This applies not only to unemployment insurance
arrangements, but also to arrangements concerning the
numerous other forms of social assistance that exist in the

Member States .

uniform for workers safety in rules the fishing and unemployment industry in each fisheries 3 . The Commission producers ' organizations considers that to it is strengthen desirable their for
State, and the structures implementation with a view of to the taking common on certain fisheries responsibilities policy . With in

this prospect in mind, it will propose in its proposal for a

cooperatives ?

regulation laying down detailed rules for implementing the
financial instrument for fisheries guidance ( FIFG ) that
actions of collective interest implemented by the producers
themselves should be eligible for Community support .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

2 . introduce uniform safety rules and unemployment
arrangements for workers in the fishing industry in each
Member State, and

3 . support cooperatives ?

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

1 . At present, the Commission is responsible for the
administration and monitoring of licences granted in the

(>) OJ No L 389, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 245, 26 . 8 . 1992 .

No C 251 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2620 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-2620 / 93 and E-2623 / 93

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(1 September 1993 ) ( 30 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 25 )

Subject : Study of economic development strategies for the

Greek region of Ilias

In addition to the ECU 400 000 in emergency aid granted to
Greece for the Ilia region hit by an earthquake in the spring,
the Commission is prepared to examine any application
from the Greek authorities for Community part-financing
of a development programme for the affected area under the
Regulations governing new Structural Fund measures from

1 January 1994 .

The region of Ilias in south-western Grcece, which has an
unemployment rate of at least 22%, a per capita income
lower than the country 's average, and an agricultural-based
economy still suffering from an earthquake that hit the area
in March 1993, wants to commission a study of economic WRITTEN QUESTION E-2648 / 93
development strategies .

by Otto Habsburg ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )
Would the Commission consider underwriting part or all of
such a study ? ( 94 / C 251 / 27 )

Subject : Disregard for regulations on hand luggage on

flights

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2623 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 26 )

Subject : Special development programme for the region of

Ilia

Apart from causing incalculable damage, the disastrous
earthquakes which struck the region of Ilia in Greece last
spring together with their aftershocks, which continue
unabated to this day, have paralysed all social and economic
activity .

The Ilia region is mainly agricultural, it has high
unemployment, particularly among the young, its
infrastructure is run-down and its production structures are
fragile . It is, therefore, absolutely essential to introduce a
special development programme as soon as possible for this
region, the main aim being not only to ' heal the wounds ' but
to promote further development in the region . What is the
Commission 's view on this matter ?

In his quite unsatisfactory reply to my question,
Commissioner Matutes — while acknowledging the risks
involved in carrying more than the permitted number of
items of hand luggage — showed no willingness to draft a
binding Directive on this subject . In his reply to my oral
question on 16 July 1993 Commissioner Christopherson
admitted that the Commission ' may have competence ' in
this matter .

1 . Is the Commission actually competent in respect of
Directives on taking hand luggage on flights in the
Community ?

2 . If so, is it prepared to draft a Directive on this subject, or
will it wait until after the next air disaster ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

In its answer to Written Question No 751 / 93 by the
Honourable Member on the same subject, the Commission
pointed out that it was considering possible initiatives in this

area .

Hand luggage carried in board planes by passengers gives
rise to many problems, all of which must be carefully
considered before any Community Regulation can be drawn

up .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 17

The Commission hopes next year to receive the findings of a
study on the safety problems posed by hand luggage .

Any initiative would be made within the framework of
transport safety, which falls within the Community 's field of
competence as established by Article 75 of the EC Treaty, as
amended by the Treaty on European Union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649 / 93

by Klaus Wettig ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 28 )

Subject : Production of sodium carbonate ( soda ) in the
European Community

Soda is an important base material in the manufacture of
glass and steel and in the production of chemicals and
detergents .

Soda producers have been facing major problems since 1 990
when an EC anti-dumping scheme was not renewed .
Imports from eastern Europe place additional pressure on
European manufacturers . In 1992 imports amounted to
800 000 tonnes, or more than 13% of European soda
consumption . The market share of American importers has
risen from 0,9 % of the EC market in 1990 to 11,3 % ; in the
same period the European manufacturers ' share of the
market has fallen from 95,8 % to 83,6 % .

These problems have led to the shutdown of a number of
soda plants in Belgium and Germany, for example, and
thousands of jobs are at risk or have already been lost . The
reasons for this situation are as follows :

— The dumping margin for US imports is US$ 23,9 or

14,6 % per tonne soda sold cif Europe .

— Contrary to the original intention, the customs duties on

soda imports from Poland, Bulgaria and Romania are
not being applied over a long transitional period .

— Efforts are being made at the GATT talks to reduce

customs duties for soda imports from the USA over a
shorter period .

1 . How does the Commission intend to reduce the

increased pressure of competition and enable soda
manufacturers to reorganize this sector ?

2 . When does the Commission intend to review the

question of dumping ?

3 . Docs the Commission intend to seek, through GATT, an
extension of the period for phasing out customs duties
on soda imported to the EC from five to 15 years and to
keep the duty at its current level of 1 0 % for the first five
years ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(1 1 March 1 99 4 )

1 and 2 . In June 1993 the Commission received a
complaint from the European Chemical Industry Council

( CEFIC ) alleging that imports of sodium carbonate
originating in the United States were being dumped and
were causing material injury to the Community industry .

The Commission began an anti-dumping proceeding, notice
of initiation of which was published on 6 August 1993 ( 1 ). It
began an investigation under Article 7 of Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2423 / 88 immediately the notice was
published .

The Commission would point out that imports of light
sodium carbonate originating in Bulgaria, Poland or
Romania are subject to anti-dumping duties imposed by
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1306 / 89 ( 2 ).

3 . The results of the GATT negotiations reflect the
proposal for harmonizing customs duties on chemicals
which was approved by the heds of State or government in
Tokyo last year . Under this proposal all duties of 10% or
less were to be reduced to the appropriate harmonized rate

( 5,5 % in the case of sodium carbonate ) within five years .
No special arrangements were proposed for individual
products .

(') OJ No C 213, 6 . 8 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 131, 13 . 5 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2745 / 93

by Giinter Topmann ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 29 )

Subject : EC-Austria transit agreement

Under the transit agreement concluded with Austria, the
European Community has committed itself to taking

No C 251 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

measures to enhance railway infrastructure in the short and
medium term, in order to improve rail and combined
transport . Measures within German territory are to include
the upgrading of the Munich — Mühldorf — Freilassing rail
link ( Annex IV to the agreement ).

It appears, however, that there have already been not
inconsiderable delays in the original plans for upgrading the
link . Moreover, there still seems to be some uncertainty as to
whether the necessary upgrading of the Munich —
Mühldorf — Freilassing link is to take place at all .

1 . Is the Commission aware of these delays ?

2 . Can it confirm that there is no guarantee that the
Munich — Mühldorf — Freilassing link will actually be
upgraded ?

3 . If the above claims are correct, does it view this situation
as an infringement of the transit agreement and
Community law ?

4 . What will it do to ensure that the infrastructure
measures on Community territory laid down in the
agreement are carried out ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1994 )

1 . According to the information the Commission has
received from the German authorities, the delays are due to a
substantial increase in costs . In particular, the anti-noise
measures, not included in the original plan, require
additional investment . The Deutsche Bundesbahn is

reexamining the project with a view to cutting costs .

2 . Despite this constraint, as far as the Commission is
aware the Deutsche Bundesbahn still intends to go ahead
with its plan to upgrade the Munich — Mühldorf —
Freilassing rail link .

3 . The Commission assumes that the project will be
carried out as specified in the transit agremeent . The transit
agreement also stipulates that infrastucture projects on
Community territory may be carried out only if Member
States are willing to accept responsibility for the work done
on their own territory .

4 . As regards the Munich — Mühldorf — Freilassing rail
link, the Commission will assess the results of the
reexamination of the project in the light of the transit
agreement so that, if necessary, the matter can be discussed

with the German authorities with a view to finding a
satisfactory solution .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2778 / 93

by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 30

Subject : Meat treated with the hormone BST

On 15 January 1992 the Commission adopted a report on
BST ( bovine somatotrophin ) which questioned the safety of
this growth hormone .

On 20 May 1992 Commissioner Mac Sharry replied to my
Written Question No 421 / 92 ( ! ) announcing a Commission
report by June 1993 .

What are the conclusions of this report with regard to :

1 . the import and marketing of BST in Europe, and

2 . the import and marketing of meat from countries where
the use of this hormone is not prohibited ?

(!) OJ No C 242, 21 . 9 . 1992, p . 36 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1993 )

The attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the

fact that the Commission 's report concerning Bovine
Somatotrophin ( BST ), and its administration to dairy cows
as a productivity aid to milk production ( ! ) has been
addressed to the Parliament and the Council .

It concludes that the marketing of BST and its
administration to dairy cows in the Community should be
prohibited for the duration of the application of milk
quotas . A proposal to put these conclusions into effect will
be presented to the Parliament and Council soon .

0 ) COM(93 ) 331 final .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 19

QUESTION E-2874 / 93 It should be stressed that the forging of partnership

Robles Piquer ( PPE ) relationships implies not a greater dependence by suppliers

to the Commission contractual on their customers relations, but reflecting the establishment both parties of ' interest balanced in

(4 October 1993 ) together seeking the best possible solutions to the problems

( 94 / C 251 / 31 ) arising from product development or manufacture .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 94 / C 251 / 31 )

Subject : New technology in the automobile components

industry

When it seems that even Europe 's largest car manufacturer
will have to settle for being a regional rather than a global
concern ( The Economist, Is there room for Volkswagen ?
28 August 1993 ) and European manufacturers are
discussing ways of improving relations with their suppliers,
on the model of more efficient competitors, it is reported
that the Japanese components industry is becoming
increasingly independent .

It has already been pointed out that the independence of
these small suppliers derives from the fact that they were
able to renew their technology during the micro-electronics
revolution of the 1980s ( Japan Update, August 1993 ).

Can the Commission give any information on the situation
and prospects of the European car components industry ?

Moreover, it should be noted that the manufacturers are
putting increasing pressure on their equipment suppliers to
be less dependent upon them and to widen the circle of their
customers . Firstly this enables the manufacturers more
easily to opt for another supplier when developing a new
product and secondly this is an incentive to equipment
manufacturers to achieve the critical mass needed in an

increasingly competitive Community market .

Vehicle electronics is a major strategic springboard for an
increasing number of equipment makers in Europe . Often in
cooperation with the vehicle manufacturers these have
developed assistance, regulation and monitoring devices
that are dedicated to the main vehicle functions ( injection,
ignition, braking, steering and suspension ). Recent
development work has largely targeted an electronic device
combining all vehicle functions ( multiplexing ) and on-board
guidance and information systems . These systems are
intended to promote the entry into this motor vehicle
equipment sector of new operators from the world of data
processing, communications or consumer electronics and to
provide openings on the traffic management market .

Vehicle electronics might well represent 13 % of the cost of

given by Mr Bangemann the motor car in 1995 and close to 25 % in 2010 . It is thus an

the Commission essential sector whose innovative capacity will be one of the

underlying factors in the future competitiveness of the
( 14 January 1994 )
European motor industry .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

All of the motor manufacturers must ensure that they
remain competitive on a market that has become
increasingly world-wide . One cannot therefore refer to them
in terms of a regional companies .

There is currently witnessing a gradual change in the
structure of the European vehicle-component industry that
is linked with the emergence of a pyramid-shaped structure
similar to that existing in Japan and based on a restriction on
the number of direct suppliers and on the expansion of true
partnership relationships .

Stress must be placed on the fundamental role to be played
by the major original equipment manufacturers in this type
of structure . These will, indeed, be called upon to assume
more and more responsibilities regarding the design and
development of sub-systems . The high level of
sophistication of future components will, moreover, require
other original equipment manufacturers to be able to
cooperate closely with the manufacturers in developing
components having a very high technological value .

It should, moreover, be stressed that the car of the future will
be a clean car . It will be safer and more comfortable and will

meet the growing needs in terms of the environment and
quality of life . The manufacturers and equipment suppliers
must also put especially exhaustive research into areas such
as new materials and motive-power systems or new
production and assembly technologies .

The Community is seeking to promote innovative capacity
within the industry via its various research and development
programmes which will enable companies in various
Member States to cooperate on a specific precompetitive
research programme .

Of the Community programmes dealing with motor vehicle
research one can single out ' Industrial technologies ',
' Environment ' and ' Energy ' and the ' Information and
communications technology ' programme such as the
' Micromobile ' project which is specifically concerned with
micro-electronics as applied to road vehicles, and the ' Drive '

No C 251 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Programme which is aimed, among other things, at WRITTEN QUESTION E-2954 / 93
developing on-board guidance, information and by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
communication systems ( communications between vehicles
to the Commission
and the infrastructure ).

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 33 )

Subject : Use of EC resources to fund advertising by the

Nea-Dimokratia Party

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2880 / 93

by Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 32

Subject : Violation of Directive 90 / 313 / EEC

The subject matter of Directive 90 / 313 / EEC (') on the
freedom of access to information on the environment is

governed in Greece by Law No 1599 / 86 on relations
between the State and citizens which provides that any
physical or legal person may have access to the relevant
administrative documents . This law was issued in

accordance with Article 10(3 ) of the Constitution which
provides that the competent authority is obliged to answer
requests for information insofar as this is provided for by a
special law . However, this law is a framework law and
provides only the basis for relevant provisions and specific
administrative acts must be issued to implement the above
Directive ; as administrative acts have not so far been issued
the Directive has not been implemented .

Will the Commission say whether it has — or intends to —
set in motion the procedure provided for in Article 169 of
the EEC Treaty given Greece 's failure to implement the
above Directive and state what other specific measures it
intends to take to prevail upon the Greek Government to
implement the framework law seven years after its entry into
force, thereby ensuring compliance with the EC
Directives ?

i 1 ) OJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990, p . 56 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1994 )

In the middle of the election campaign the Mitsotakis
Government is using Community funds to pay for a TV
advertising campaign illustrating its achievements . In view
of this, what action does the Commission intend to take to
ensure that Community funds are not used to finance
Nea-Dimokratia 's election campaign ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 January 1994 )

The Community did not provide any financing for the Greek
Nea-Dimokratia Party 's campaign .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2964 / 93

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 34 )

Subject : Sale of frozen beef in west Africa

I am informed that the European Community is making
available frozen beef for sale in west Africa .

Is this beef being sold below the local market rate ? If so, has
the Commission taken any cognizance of the effect this may
be having on the well-being of local people whose living may
depend on the trade in livestock ?

Pursuant to Article 169 of the EEC Treaty the Commission Answer given by Mr Steichen
has already instituted proceedings against Greece for failure on behalf of the Commission
to communicate national measures implementing Directive
90 / 313 / EEC on the freedom of access to information on the ( 22 December 1993 )

environment . The proceedings are now under way .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

( 22 December 1993 )

The bulk of frozen beef sold to west Africa consists generally
of a low quality cut of beef ( capa ) the price of which is

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 21

necessarily below the average rate for locally produced beef

( all qualities included ). It is difficult to base any conclusion
on a comparison of prices when different qualities of beef
are involved .

The Commission is aware of the impact that increasing beef
exports to west Africa may have on local production and
trade in the region . On this basis, the Commission decided
to reduce by 15 % from 12 June 1993 the export refund for
certain beef exports to west Africa . Furthermore, the general
level of the export refunds for beef was reduced by 5 % from
31 July 1993 and again by 5 % from 27 November 1993 .
The Commission is currently studying the problem and will
come up with new proposals, where appropriate, at a later

stage .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2985 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 35 )

Subject : Phebus

The risk of a major nuclear accident during the meltdown
planned in the French research reactor Phebus is not ruled
out even by the scientists involved .

1 . What precautionary technical measures have been taken

to prevent an explosion of steam in the reactor core ?

2 . Have measures been taken to ensure comprehensive and
permanent monitoring of the experiment ?

3 . How hazardous are the hitherto unpredictable chemical
reactions between the molten uranium dioxide and its
highly radioactive fission products on the one hand and
the materials in the cladding around the fuel rods,
ceramic materials and the metals used in the coolant

pipes on the other hand ?

4 . What is to be the purpose of the data gathered ?

5 . Who will have access to these scientific data ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1994 )

produced by the fusion process . To prevent this, the tube is
protected by a 12 mm-thick zirconia insulant and the safety
tubes can resist a pressure of 720 bars . In addition, it should
be emphasized that the reactor building would function as a
containment barrier even if an earthquake took place during
the experiment .

2 . Comprehensive and permanent monitoring of the
experiment is ensured by 400 measuring instruments, the
professionalism of the operating teams, the large volume of
analysis and calculations relating to normal and abnormal
functioning .

3 . Reactions between the uranium dioxide and the

materials in the surrounding structure are not
unpredictable : considerable knowledge has been
accumulated from examination of the debris of the

Three-Mile Island 2 ( TMI 2 ) reactor and from previous
in-pile experiments . Besides, since the uranium dioxide is
chemically very stable, such reactions produce very little
energy or even consume it . The chemical reactions of fission
products whose total weight is several dozen grammes do
not constitute any risk .

4 . The ultimate purpose of the Phebus PF programme is
to achieve greater protection of the environment and the
public against the residual risk of existing and future nuclear
power stations by finding out more about hypothetical
serious accidents .

The programme 's objectives have been explained in greater
detail to the Parliament Committee responsible and in
numerous publications .

5 . The scientific data are disseminated to the partner
organizations in the various countries participating in
the programme ( IPSN / France ; EDF / France ; STI / JRC ;
NRC / USA ; Nupec / Japan ; Kaeri / Korea ; COG / Canada ). All
Community Member States have access to the data in
accordance with the rules governing activities performed
with financial assistance from the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3028 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 36 )

Subject : Open-cast mining and quarrying of granite, clay

and gravel in the Harz ( Saxony     - Anhalt ) and
Erzgebirge mountain ranges ( Saxony ) without the
requisite authorization procedure

1 . The test fuel involved in the experiment is situated in a
cell at the centre of the reactor core and insulated by a safety Is the Commission aware
structure composed of two steel cylinders . For a violent
reaction to take place between water and the fuel, there — that natural resources
would have to be a major breach in the test cell tube are being freely

— that natural resources such as granite, clay and gravel

are being freely extracted without the necessary

No C 251 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

authorization in Saxony ( e.g. at Saupersdorf,
Hartmannsdorf and Schneeberg ) and Saxony-Anhalt

( Harz )?

— that GDR legislation which is no longer in force is used

to justify this free method of open-cast mining ?

— that in contrast to this, and in accordance with German

Federal legislation, a very comprehensive authorization
procedure must be initiated for underground mining ?

— that this in effect means that two different sets of mining

legislation apply in the new Länder ?

— that as a result of this major disruption of the landscape,

the EC citizens affected are not being afforded the
protection from damage to their environment to which
they are entitled ?

— that open-cast mining is thus also frustrating the efforts

of the local authorities to develop suitable infrastructure
for tourism ?

What steps does the Commission intend to take with regard
to this infringement of Community law ?

Does it not agree that this also represents a distortion of
competition since the operators of these new pits are largely
from the old Länder and thus from a region where the
mining legislation of the FRG is applied in contrast to the
present practice in the new Länder ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

1 — 4 . The Community Directives applying to mines or
quarries have been transposed into German law . The
Commission is the guardian of Community law, and has no
competence regarding the implementation of the
Unification Treaty . According to the information at its
disposal, the mining legislation applied in the new Länder is
the same as that applied in the old Länder, with the
exception that some raw materials are still classified as
' bergfrei ', i.e. a mining licence may be granted ( whereas this
would not be the case in the old Länder, i.e. they belong to
the owner of the land ). All mining in Germany is subject to
prior authorization . In the new Länder, the ' bergfrei ' system
enables raw materials to be exploited more rapidly, with a
view to building up their economy swiftly by extracting
sufficient quantities of materials needed to develop the
infrastructure .

5 — 6 . The Commission could act only if there was
infringement of the Community Directives ( which is not the
case ).

There is no distortion of competition in the new Länder, as
the reserves are accessible to all potential operators .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 169 / 93

by Enrico Falqui ( V ), Gérard Onesta ( V ), Jean-Pierre Raffin
( V ), Virginio Bettini ( V ), Gianfranco Amendola ( V ),
Eva-Maria Quistorp ( V ), Eugenio Melandri ( V ), Claudia
Roth ( V ), Hiltrud Breyer ( V ), Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu
Baringdorf ( V ), Wilfried Telkàmper ( V ), John Iversen ( V ),
Birgit Cramon Daiber ( V ), Paul Staes ( V ), Yves Frémion ( V ),
Paul Lannoye ( V ), Maria Aglietta ( V ), Bruno Boissière ( V ),
Marie Isler Béguin ( V ), Aline Archimbaud ( V ), Rinaldo
Bontempi ( PSE ), Alexander Langer ( V ), Luciano Vecchi

( PSE ), Antoni Gutiérrez Diaz ( NI ), Biagio De Giovanni

( PSE ), Maria Santos ( PSE ), Max Simeoni ( ARC ), Vincenzo
Mattina ( PSE ), Karl Partsch ( LDR ), Jannis Sakellariou

( PSE ), Heribert Barrera i Costa ( ARC ), Pedro Canavarro

( ARC ), Anna Catasta ( PSE ), Edward Newman ( PSE ),
Pasqualina Napoletano ( PSE ), Renzo Trivelli ( PSE ), Birgit
Bjornvig ( ARC ), Diego Santos Lopez ( ARC ), Elda Pucci

( LDR ), Dacia Valent ( NI ), Pierre Camiti ( PSE ), Ulla
Sandbæk ( ARC ), Alexander Falconer ( PSE ), Antonio
Coimbra Martins ( PSE ), Luciana Castellina ( NI ), Mario

Melis ( ARC ) and Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard ( V )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 37 )

Subject : Sentence imposed on the Green regional deputy

Sergio Andreis for revealing the results of an
inquiry into high-risk undertakings in Lombardy

1 . On 1 July 1992, the former national deputy Sergio
Andreis was sentenced to 10 months in prison for revealing
information about high-risk undertakings in his region

( Lombardy ) in 1986, when he was a regional deputy .

2 . The summons from the Public Prosecutor 's

Department clearly states that the sentence was imposed in
view of the regional deputy 's failure to respect the regional
government 's ban on publishing the information in
question .

3 . This ban was imposed in contravention of the
obligation to report high-risk situations established in 1982

( four years before these events ) by the Seveso Directive .

4 . Does the Commission not consider that intervention

on its part vis-a-vis the Italian Government would enable the
court of second instance to pass judgment with a proper
knowledge of the legal facts ?

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 23

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

given by Mr Paleokrassas For the time being, the Commission can only encourage and

of the Commission support this initiative, while respecting the independence of

( 12 January 1994 ) the European standardization bodies .

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to

the reply it made to Oral Question H-0938 / 93 from Mr
Falqui at Parliament 's October part-session (').

( l ) Debates of the European Parliament 3-437 ( October 1993 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 184 / 93

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 38 )

Subject : Progress towards introducing a uniform European

electrical plug and socket system

Could the Commission inform me of current progress
towards introducing a harmonized European electrical plug
and socket system ( CEI 906-1 )? The advantages to
consumers of such a system are well known, but will the
Commission be taking any action on the report of the
Technical Committee of CEN ( May 1993 )?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3300 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 39 )

Subject : Concern amongst Spanish fruit and vegetable

producers at the negotiations on the Euro ­
Maghreb agreement

Spanish fruit and vegetable producers are seriously
concerned at the draft negotiating mandate for the
Euro-Maghreb association agreement with Morocco . The
necessary Community aid to Morocco must not be provided
at the expense of Spanish vegetable producers ; Community
preference must be maintained . Community aid should be
directed towards improving agricultural production
structures in sectors in which Morocco is not

self-sufficient .

Can the Commission say what basic data relating to the
sector concerned are being discussed in the negotiatons ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann ( 25 November 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

The Commission agrees entirely with the Honourable
Member as to the advantages and importance of
harmonizing electrical plugs and sockets for the completion
of the internal market in this specific sector .

The Commission took note of the decision of the Cenelec

General Assembly ( June 1993 ), taking into account the
progress of work in its Technical Committee, to continue
work on harmonization in this area and examine a coherent

and realistic plan for introducing a new single system in
Europe based on the international standards already
adopted .

The Commission is informed that an overall proposal will be
put before the next Celenec General Assembly for adoption .

On 6 December, the Council of the European Union
adopted negotiating directives for the conclusion of a new
agreement with Morocco . The wide-ranging agreement is
designed to strengthen relations with the country on the
basis of a genuine partnership . In the part on agricultural
trade, the planned agreement will take particular account of
the problems Community farmers have in the fruit and
vegetable sectors by avoiding measures which harm
Community preference . Similar concern will guide the
Commission in its proposals on reform of the common
organization of the fruit and vegetable markets .

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that
Morocco should be encouraged as far as possible to develop
production of those crops in which it is not
self-sufficient .

No C 251 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 40 )

Subject : Aid to South Africa

Now that the UN General Assembly has decided to lift all
embargos on the Pretoria regime, South Africa may take its
place as a member of the international trading community .
The UN has called on all its members to begin trading
immediately with South Africa whose economy is in dire
need of foreign investment . Can the Commission say
whether the Community will help South Africa and
how ?

long-term global agreement covering all aspects of our
relations with South Africa .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3331 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 41

Subject : Amendments to the articles of the Lome
Convention

Can the Commission say whether EEC-ACP negotiations
will aim to amend the articles of the Lome Convention

concerning the financial protocol ( amount, conditions of
payment, instalments, etc .) and the provision of incentives
on Answer behalf given of the by Commission Mr Marin to stimulate the private sector in third countries ?

( 22 February 1994 )

In its communication to the Council of 29 September 1993
on guidelines for a policy to support the transition to
democracy in South Africa, the Commission emphasized the
gravity of the problems and challenges facing that country as
it goes into the transition period against a backcloth of
extreme economic and social inequality and high
expectations in sectors such as education, health and rural
development . In implementing the ( Development ) Council
declaration of 25 May 1993, which provided for, as a first
step, adjustment of the special programme in line with the
immediate basic needs of the South African people and to
improve their standard of living, the Commission has
chosen to emphasize the democratization process, the
primacy of the rule of law, human rights, good governance,
grassroots participation and the creation of institutions . The
level of resources allocated to the special programme should
remain substantial, and should certainly not be reduced,
throughout the transition period .

In line with the general guidelines adopted by the European
Council on 29 October, the ( General Affairs ) Council of
9 November approved joint action on South Africa,
including the creation of a cooperation framework designed
to build on the economic and social foundations laid during
the transition period . The Commission will be instituting a
dialogue with the Transitional Executive Council ( TEC ) on
these matters .

The question of trade will also be examined in the near
future .

As soon as a democratically elected government is in place,
and in the light of the results of the exploratory contacts
outlined above, the Commission intends to ask the Council
to approve negotiating Directives for the conclusion of a

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

The Commission has indeed drawn up proposals for
amending articles of the Lome Convention . A decision on
the amount of the financial protocol will be taken in due

course .

These proposals have been presented to the Council, which
is examining them prior to the adoption of a Community
position . The ACP States will be notified of the outcome
before the end of February, in accordance with Article 366
of Lome IV . On the same basis, the Commission should
receive a mandate to open negotiations with the ACP States
at the beginning of May .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3332 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 42

Subject : ' Rehabilitation ' of peoples destabilized by war or

natural disasters

Does the Community have any special economic
programme designed to meet the needs for ' rehabilitation '
of peoples destabilized by war or natural disasters ?

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 25

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3333 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
( 17 January 1994 ) to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

94 / C 251 / 43 )

The Community does not, at present, have any special Subject : Labour costs in the Community
programme to rebuild countries which have been
destabilized and re-integrate people who have been According to a table produced by the Institute of German
uprooted by war or natural disasters . Economists, which takes account of commodity prices and
exchange rates in calculating the unit value of a product, all
European countries have lower labour costs than Germany .
Taking labour costs in Germany as 100, the relative costs in

As part of the Community 's development cooperation Belgium are 94, Denmark 93, Holland 92, Luxembourg 86,
policy, the Commission has implemented a large number of France 82, Spain 81, the UK 77, Italy 74, Ireland 63,

Portugal 58 and Greece 53 .

As part of the Community 's development cooperation
policy, the Commission has implemented a large number of
rehabilitation assistance programmes which have cost some
ECU 600 million since 1992 and benefited around ten

developing countries . In late November 1993 the
Commission published a country-by-country progress
report on the implementation of these programmes which
was communicated to the Council and Parliament (').

In a communication to the Council and Parliament dating
back to May 1993 ( 2 ), the Commission proposed setting up
a special rehabilitation support programme in developing
countries which would improve the aid provided by the
Community in this area and provide a coherent framework
for programmes in individual countries . Parliament
endorsed the Commission 's proposal in a resolution
adopted on 16 November 1993 ( A3-0329 / 93 ). The Council
examined the proposal and on 2 December 1993 adopted
conclusions on rehabilitation assistance which, while not
actually calling for the launch of a special programme,
specify suitable guidelines for future programmes financed
by the Community and its Member States .

In the absence of any specific resources, Community
rehabilitation aid has hitherto been financed by a
combination of development cooperation funds ( the EDF
and the budget ) which varies according to each recipient
country . The inclusion in the 1994 draft budget of a new
heading intended for rehabilitation activities in developing
countries ( B7-5076 ) will allow the Community to increase
its efforts and go further towards meeting the needs of
victims of fighting and natural disasters .

P ) SEC(93 ) 1926 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 204 .

Can the Commission confirm whether the figures produced
by the Institute of German Economists concerning labour
costs in the Member States of the Community are
accurate ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1994 )

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and
Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3342 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 44 )

Subject : Environmental disaster at Pylos

An oil spill from the tanker Iliad has caused a major
environmental disaster throughout the south-west
Peloponese and, particularly, in the waters off Pylos .

The local economy, mainly based on fishing and tourism,
has also been affected .

In what way can the Community help clean up the pollution
in the area as soon as possible and provide economic
relief ?

No C 251 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1994 )

The Commission understands that the clean up work on the
pollution caused by the tanker Iliad has been finalized and
the shipowners insurers have already dealt with the clean up
costs and are in the process of dealing with claims from
fishery activities and other economic impacts . It is also
understood that the total costs are well inside the limitations

of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund of
which Greece is a member .

and will have long-term positive consequences for the
region . A further programme for the period 1994 — 1999
will be adopted by the Commission once the new
Community Support Framework for Portugal has been
decided .

The Commission does not have any further information
from the Portuguese authorities concerning the future of the
mines, and understands that negotiations are still in

progress .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3361 / 93

by Ria Oomen-Ruiiten ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3354 / 93 to the Commission

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( CG )

( 26 November 1993 )
to the Commission

( 94 / C 251 / 4 6 )

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 45 )

Subject : Situation of the Panasqueira mines ( Portugal )

According to information provided by the Portuguese media
and trade union sources, a genuine risk now exists that the
Panasqueira mines, where some 400 workers have been
made redundant over the past year, may be closed .

The Panasqueira mines are both the largest tungsten deposit
and the only operating tungsten mine in Europe, supplying,
however, only 13% of the total requirements of the
Member States .

Does the Commission have any specific plan in mind to
protect these mines, situated in a region suffering from
unemployment as high as 20 % and under threat of
desertification ? Has it received any information from the
Portuguese authorities concerning the capacity of the
enterprise to meet the conditions attached to participation
in the Portuguese SIBR scheme ( see the reply of 24 June

1993 by Commissioner Millan to question No 221 / 93 by
the present author ) (')?

Subject : EC legislation on measuring SPF ( Sun Protection

Factor )

Regulations on cosmetics have now been harmonized
within the EC ( Directive 76 / 768 / EEC ( ] ) as subsequently
amended ). However, as yet there are no provisions on
measuring the SPF ( Sun Protection Factor ). The SPFs which
appear on anti-sunburn products on the Community market
are not uniform, and the values stated are not comparable
with one another . This causes confusion in the minds of

consumers . Consumers could be misled as regards the
protective effect of anti-sunburn products, which would
pose a risk to their health .

In order to protect consumers, would it not be appropriate
to adopt uniform regulations ? In view of the practical
advantages, the best approach would be to adopt
regulations based on physical / physico-chemical
methods ( 2 ).

Does the Commission intend to make a proposal to this end,
and if so, when ?

C ) OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976, p . 169 .
( ! ) OJ No C 297, 3 . 11 . 1993, p . 25 . (') Cosmetics report 55, April 1993, Health Protection Service,

Commodity Inspectorate, Enschede, Netherlands .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

The mines of Panasqueira are situated in the Centro region
of Portugal for which the Commission adopted on 31 July

1990 an operational programme with the objective of
co-financing infrastructures of a municipal character in the
region . This programme, which is being carried out as
planned, aims at strengthening the regional economic base

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1994 )

There are no proposals on this subject in the programme of
legislation for 1994 .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 27

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3372 / 93

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 47 )

Subject : The tunnel under the Guadalquivir River

( Andalusia )

Project No 1.1.2 of the operational programme for the
Upper Guadalquivir region ( 1991 —1993 ) provides for the
building of a tunnel under the Guadalquivir . Work on the
project began in 1992 and funding of Ptas 1 995 400 000
from the ERDF was earmarked between 1992 and 1993 .

Can the Commission provide information as to the progress
of the project and the funding received from the Community
so far ?

distortion of competition caused by Greek export subsidies
to the cement industry had been resolved by its decision of
3 May 1989 and that it had notified the two Greek
manufacturers, Halkis and Heracles, of proceedings .
However the decision was totally ignored despite the
Court 's ruling against them for non-compliance .

Greek cement exports to the Italian market, which began in
1987 ( at the same time as the granting of State aid ), have
risen sharply as a result of the subsidies and had an
extremely harmful effect on manufacturers in the importing
regions, forcing them to close down plants, thus creating
serious unemployment problems in the southern regions,
which have also been worse affected by the economic
crisis .

The repayment order issued following the official
recognition that the aid granted to Halkis was illegal, was
totally ignored .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission The Greek Government has not even liquidated the
company, which is incapable of operating profitably
( 28 January 1994 ) without State aid and improper export activities .

The regional authorities concerned stated at the last
monitoring committee meeting that they intended to
withdraw measure 1.1.2 ( Tunnel under the river
Guadalquivir ) from the ' Operational Programme for the
Comarca del Bajo Guadalquivir ' (') approved by the
Commission and referred to by the Honourable Member .
The authorities subsequently made a formal application to
the Commission for a financial adjustment of the
programme to exclude this measure . The application was
accepted and was the subject of a new Commission
Decision ( 2 ).

No Community funds were ever paid out for this

measure .

( ] ) C(92 ) 101, 30 . 1 . 1992 .

What measures does the Commission intend to take to put
an effective stop to these unfair imports ?

(!) OJ No C 207, 30 . 7 . 1993, p . 47 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 January 1994 )

( 2 ) C(93 ) 2675, 6 . 10 . 1993 .
The Commission will continue to insist on compliance with
its final Decision ( 89 / 659 / EEC ) dated 3 May 1989 (*),
taking into account the ruling of the Court of Justice dated

11 June 1993 ( Case C-l 83 / 91 ) to which the Honourable
Members refer .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3378 / 93

by Maria Cassanmagnago Cerretti ( PPE ), Giorgio Rossetti

( PSE ), Roberto Speciale ( PSE ), Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE ), Luigi
Vertemati ( PSE ), Franco Iacono ( PSE ), Gabriele Sboarina

( PPE ), Giulio Gallenzi ( PPE ) and Vincenzo Mattina ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 48 )

Subject : Italian imports of Greek cement

In its answer of 18 May 1993 to Written Question
No 628 / 93 0 ), the Commission stated that the problem of

Regarding Halkis Cement Company, the Commission in its
final Decision 91 / 144 / EEC ( 2 ) criticized the lenient
behaviour of this company 's public creditors and demanded
abolition of the aid this behaviour entailed . The Greek

Government indicated its willingness to comply with this
Decision . A settlement was subsequently reached by all
creditors of Halkis, public as well as private, which would
allow each of them to recover more of their claims after the

sale of Halkis to the Italian cement manufacturer

Calcestruzzi, than if they were to press bankruptcy
proceedings . The financial claims resulting from this sale are
now being judged by the international arbitration tribunal
in Geneva .

No C 251 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

The Commission is following the development of this case
closely, in order to ensure that its decision is complied
with .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3408 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )
(') OJ No L 394, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 73, 20 . 3 . 1991 . ( 94 / C 251 / 50 )

Subject : Seat of Europol

Will the Commission say whether The Hague will be the seat

QUESTION E-3400 / 93 of Europol, the organization responsible for coordinating

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) the activities of the police forces in the 12 Member States of

to the Commission the Community ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3400 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 49 )

Subject : Action programmes for the protection of Greek

waters from nitrate pollution

Council Directive 91 / 676 / EEC (^ concerning the protection
of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from
agricultural sources seeks to reduce water pollution caused
directly or indirectly by nitrates used in agriculture and to
prevent further pollution of this kind .

Can the Commission say whether Greece has provided a list
of sensitive regions ( and name the regions involved ) and
whether it has drawn up action programmes containing
codes of correct agricultural practice which must be
observed in the regions in question ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1994 )

At the Brussels European Council on 29 October 1993 the
representatives of the Member States, meeting at Head of
State and Government level, decided by common accord
that the headquarters of Europol and the Europol Drugs
Unit would be located in The Hague .

(!) OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 1 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-3413 / 93

by Dieter Rogalla ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas (2 December

on behalf of the Commission ( 94 / C 251 / 51 )

on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1994 )

Directive 91 / 676 / EEC concerning the protection of waters
against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural
sources provides that Member States shall designate
vulnerable zones within two years of the notification of the
Directive and notify the Commission within six months of
the designation .

The deadline for this notification has not yet expired and the
Commission therefore has no information on the vulnerable

zones identified by Greece .

For similar reasons, the Commission has no information on
the action programmes to be applied in the vulnerable zones
from December 1995 .

Subject : Postal services in rural areas — Green Paper

1 . Is the Commission aware that, if privatized, the
country-wide services provided by the postal sector ( e.g.
letter delivery, telephone and fax line charges ) would be
restricted, given the costs involved ?

2 . Does the Commission share my view that, as the
public postal sector is able to provide every user with at least
some service by compensating for costs incurred in any
loss-making areas in the wide range of services offered, it is
to be preferred in terms of geographical coverage ?

3 . How does the Commission justify its view,
notwithstanding the above comments, that the privatization
of certain postal services should be encouraged ?

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 29

4 . On what statistics does the Commission base its

condemnation of the reorganization of or an increase in
technical aids in the postal and telephone sector ? Have these
basic data been published ? If so, where, and are they
accessible to everyone ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 January 1994 )

In accordance with the Treaty establishing the European
Community, the Commission is not putting forward any
proposal concerning the status of posts and
telecommunications services . Any decision to privatize these
services must come from the Member States themselves .

However, in the Green Paper on Postal Services (') and the
communication on ' Guidelines for the development of
Community postal services ' ( 2 ), the Commission puts
forward a scenario for balanced development, including an
opening up of the market and harmonization measures,
while still ensuring that a universal service is guaranteed .

The Commission 's view is that the decisive factor is not the

status, whether private or public, of the supplier of the
services, but the guarantee of a universal service of good
quality at an affordable price in the Community . To this
end, aligning tariffs for each service would continue to be a
factor .

The other side of the coin of the obligation for public postal
services to act in the general interest is the chance to benefit
from exclusive and special rights . According to the principle
of proportionality, a restricted field ought to be sufficient to
ensure the supply of a universal service, but it should never
be more extensive than what is necessary to attain this
objective .

With regard to statistics, the Green paper contains a large
number of figures for the sector . Nonetheless, some of the
statistical information supplied to the Commission by the
postal services has not been published at the request of the
services, as it is considered to be confidential and sensitive
commercial data .

However, when the Commission puts forward its final
proposals for the sector, it will justify its choices with the
help of the figures necessary for it to do so .

0 ) COM(91 ) 476 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 247 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3440 / 93

by José Lafuente Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 52 )

Subject : Community standards for the fixing of hotel

prices

One of the sectors which has suffered most from the current

economic crisis is, without question, the hotel industry, a
fact which has led to significant changes in pricing policy,
where the effects of discounts, special offers and negotiable
rates have been severely felt .

Prices in the hotel industry have been affected by these
practices to such an extent that a well-known president of a
Spanish hotel chain has called for an end to the system of
' one price for the clever and one price for the stupid '.

Since there are clear disparities between prices for different
types of customer, does the Commission consider that
Community " standards should be established in order to
defend the interests of hotel cifstomers on an equal basis and
without unfair discrimination, while at the same time
protecting hotel operators from the abuses practised by the
international chains, which are the primary cause of the
disparities in pricing affecting the hotel industry in certain
Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 )

Establishing Community standards in order to determine
hotel prices is outside the Commission 's field of competence
and, in most cases, would be contrary to the rules of
competition .

Generally speaking, any agreement or concerted practice
designed, directly or indirectly, to fix purchase or selling
prices or trading conditions is prohibited .

In addition, the Commission intervenes in particular cases
which come to its notice where an enterprise or group of
enterprises in a dominant position on the Community
market or on substantial section of the latter practices a
policy of ' undercutting '.

The Commission also intervenes if a pricing policy of this
kind results from an agreement between enterprises whose
purpose or effect is to restrict competition in the internal
market .

No C 251 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3479 / 93 Answer given by Mr Van den Broek
by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE ) on behalf of the Commission
to the Commission ^ February 1994 )

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 53 )

Subject : Access to rural public transport

What new initiatives — especially in the local community
context — is the Commission considering to improve access
to public transport for those who live in such places ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the importance of public
collective transport, and its promotion and encouragement
is one of the priorities outlined in the White Paper on the
Future of the Common Transport Policy .

Rural areas exist in all the Member States, and they
encompass widely different aspects of geography,
population dispersal and social structure .

Given these differing conditions, the Commission believes
that any measures to improve access to public transport in
these areas are best taken at a local level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3492 / 93

by David Bowe ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 54 )

The Community did not sign the Chemical Weapons
Convention . The implementation of the Convention is
discussed within the framework of the Common Foreign
and Security Policy with which the Commission is fully
associated .

All Member States have signed the Convention and are
currently taking the necessary measures to ratify and
implement it . The Commission will ensure that the
implementing legislation in the Member States is coherent
with Community policies, not least in respect of the integrity
of the internal market .

The Member States, not the Commission, are responsible
for the registration of the chemical companies covered by
the Convention . However particular attention may be
drawn to the draft Regulation on dual use goods currently
under discussion in the Council .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3495 / 93

by Llewellyn Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 55 )

Subject : Nuclear fuel cycle and plutonium re-use

What plans has the Commission to update Community
policy on the nuclear fuel cycle and plutonium re-use, as set
out in COM ( 85)401 final in the light of the great changes in
the nuclear fuel markets and drastic reduction in the

opportunities for plutonium-based fuel use in the eight years
since the PINC document was prepared ?

Subject : Chemical Weapons Convention
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Following the creation and signing of the Chemical (3 February 1994 )
Weapons Convention in January 1993, does the European

Commission propose to take any action on a
Community-wide basis to bring into compliance with the
provisions of the Treaty the activities of the European
chemical industry and ensure the registration of chemical
companies under this Treaty ?

The Commission follows up all aspects of the policy on the
nuclear fuel cycle and the re-use of plutonium on a
permanent basis .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 31

The Commission 's guidelines on this point are scheduled for WRITTEN QUESTION E-3501 / 93
publication in 1994 as part of the next Illustrative Nuclear by Arie Oostlander ( PPE )
Programme for the Community ( PINC ).
to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 57 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3500 / 93

by Arie Oostlander ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 56 )

Subject : Committee on education

Concerning the ' committee ' referred to in paragraph 50 of
the Guidelines for Community Action in the Field of
Education and Training ('), can the Commission say :

1 . Whether this committee represents educational
organizations ?

2 . Who would be entitled to sit on it ?

3 . 53

Subject : Advanced vocational training and guidelines in the

field of education and training

The Guidelines for Community Action in the Field of
Education and Training (') indicate two major areas of
action relating to Article 126 ( education, action line A ) and
Article 127 ( training, action line B ) of the Treaty of
Maastricht .

With regard to types of education directed at both higher
education and vocational training, such as advanced
vocational training in the Netherlands, it is important to
establish whether participation in both action lines is
possible or whether participation in action line A
automatically excludes participation in action line B. Is this
the case ?

Given the emergence of a new generation of action

Whether the committee would play a similar role for programmes details ? in this field, can the Commission give further
education in the European Community as that played by the
Economic and Social Committee for the socio-economic

sector ? ^ (') COM(93 ) 183 final .

(M COM(93 ) 183 final .

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission ( 11 March 1994 )

( 11 March 1994 )

The Commission has just proposed two Community action
programmes in the fields of vocational training and
education : the Leonardo Programme (') and the Socrates
Programme ( 2 ).

The proposals ( for a Council Decision ) stipulate that, in
order to implement these programmes, the Commission
should be assisted by advisory committees . The government
representatives on these committees will be appointed by the
Member States . It is also proposed that representatives of
the social partners and other non-governmental
organizations participate in the work of these committees as
observers . They will be appointed by the employers ' and
workers ' organizations representing the social partners at
European level . For the Socrates Programme, participation
will be extended to include representatives of educational
organizations ( teachers, universities, students, etc .).

(!) COM(93 ) 68 6 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 708 .

The answer to the question put by the Honourable Member
lies in the complementarity of the Socrates and Leonardo
Programmes and in the specific nature of the objectives and
measures which they each contain .

By adopting the two proposals for a Decision at more or less
the same time, the Commission wished to indicate its
intention of pursuing complementarity between education
and training . Accordingly, it has set as a general objective for
Community action the promotion of the continuum
between education and training on the one hand and
between initial and continued training on the other .

However, it should be pointed out that under the EC Treaty,
the areas of responsibility in the two fields are different and
these differences are reflected in the actions and measures

contained in the two programmes . In general terms, the
actions included in the Socrates and Leonardo Programmes
are designed mainly to support transnational projects,
which may take the form of pilot projects or exchange
schemes . Community support is given on the basis of the
nature and contents of the projects presented .

No C 251 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Hence, a higher education establishment such as a university
could be included in the Socrates Programme by virtue of the
various actions which this programme covers, e.g. student
mobility grants or inter-university cooperation
programmes . The same establishment may also submit a
project under the Leonardo Programme if it is of a different
kind, e.g. a transnational continued training project .
Generally speaking, the Leonardo Programme is designed to
encourage higher education establishments to participate
more in continued training with a view to improving its
quality .

Furthermore, the Community made the conclusion of that
agreement conditional on the current American
anti-dumping and anti-subsidy proceedings being resolved .
During the final phase of the Uruguay Round negotiations,
it became clear that the Americans were not in a position to
negotiate a settlement of this kind . This being the case, it was
decided that negotiations should resume at the beginning of

The Community 's negotiating stance remains the same : the
four categories of subsidy authorized by Community rules
governing aid to the steel industry must not be outlawed by
the Multilateral Agreement . This also applies to regional
aid, which Community policy tolerates, subject to certain
conditions, in the case of Portugal, Greece and the new
German Lander . To ensure the legitimacy of such aid, the
Community is seeking a temporary derogation from the
Multilateral Agreement .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3511 / 93 1994 .

by André Sainjon ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 58 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-35 15 / 93

Subject : Four - way steel talks by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

It seems that certain decisions were taken at the meeting of
four powers held during the OF2CD steel talks regarding the
rules governing aid to the steel industry . These rules define
five possible categories of aid, subject to the agreement of
Brussels : aid for closures, funding of social costs, research
and development funding, environmental aid and regional
aid . These are deemed illegal by Washington and are thus
likely to give rise to official complaints in America .

According to my information, the Commission asked for
environmental and social aid to legalized .

1 . Would the Commission provide clarification on the

outcome of this meeting ?

2 . Aid for social plans and aid for closures are often linked .
Why does the Commission not wish to make aid for
closures legal ?

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 59 )

Subject : New arrangements for products from EFTA and

Visegrad countries

The largest economic zone in the world, the European
Economic Area, will soon be operational .

Have new arrangements been made for products from the
European Free Trade Association and the three Visegrad
States, i.e. Hungary, Poland and the former Czechoslovakia
and, if so, what are those arrangements ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan (3 March 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

At the OECD steel committee 's last meeting 25 to
27 October 1993, some delegations had informal technical
discussions regarding the latest revision of the draft
Multilateral Steel Agreement ( MSA ). This exchange of
views enabled the various parties to gain a better
understanding of their respective positions . As expected,
bearing in mind the informal nature of these discussions, no
firm decisions were taken .

The Agreement on the European Economic Area entered
into force on 1 January 1994 . It covers all industrial goods
originating in the Contracting Parties ( the Community and
its Member States and Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway
and Sweden ) within the meaning of Protocol 4 as well as
trade in certain fishery and processed agricultural
products .

The EEA does not, however, constitute a customs union .
The Contracting Parties do not conduct a common

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 33

commercial policy vis-a-vis third countries but continue to
negotiate and conclude preferential agreements with such
countries autonomously .

The EFTA countries do not participate in the Europe
Agreements entered into between the Community and the
Visegrad countries and have concluded their own free trade
agreements with these countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3528 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3543 / 93

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 61 )

Subject : Harmonization of beer duty in the Community

Is the Commission aware that beer duty in the UK is almost
seven times the rate in France ?

Is the Commission aware that differentials in beer duty
distort competition ?

( 13 December 1993 )

What steps will the Commission take to harmonize beer
( 94 / C 251 / 60 ) duty in the European Community ?

Subject : Toxic and hazardous solid waste in Greece

Each year 700 000 types of toxic and hazardous solid waste
produced by industry in Greece are dumped without any
form of control . In view of this, what representations can the
Commission make to the Greek authorities to phase out all
the industries involved in this ' vicious cycle '?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

The Commission has submitted to the Council proposals for
Directives on the landfill of waste and the incineration of

hazardous waste . These proposals aim at higher standards
for land-filling and incineration of waste . For landfilling, a
stringent supervision and control regime is envisaged .
Responsibility for the application and enforcement of these
provisions will however lie with the Member States .

Consequently, industries will be required to reduce the
quantity and toxicity of waste they send for final disposal .
Until these Directives are adopted and enter into force,
industries have to comply with the relevant requirements of
Directive 91 / 156 / EEC amending Directive 75 / 442 / EEC ( ! )
on waste and Directive 91 / 689 / EEC ( 2 ) on hazardous

waste .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the great difference between
the rates of indirect tax charted on beer in the United

Kingdom and in France .

It is generally accepted that, within an internal market, all
wide differences in indirect tax rates adversely affect
conditions of competition . In this respect it will be recalled
that the Commission originally proposed common rates of
excise duty for the various classes of alcoholic drinks .
Finding that these were acceptable neither to Parliament nor
to the Council, it later proposed a series of minimum rates
which were far higher than those which were eventually
adopted by Council and a series of ' maximum ' rates which
the Council accepted only in the form of guidelines with no
legal standing .

The Commission has an obligation under Article 8 of
Directive 92 / 84 / EEC (') to review the minimum rates
currently in force and to make a report and proposals to the
Council, which is itself required to adopt appropriate
measures not later than 31 December 1994 . For that

purpose an independent study of the effects of the existing
rates has been commissioned .

(!) OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991 . (») OJ No L 76, 31 . 10 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

No C 251 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3573 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-35 79 / 93

by Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) by Francois Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 62 ) ( 94 / C 251 / 64 )

Subject : Trade in birds Subject : The Horizon Programme and Corsica

There now appears to be a trade in the Teide blue chaffinch

( Fringilla teydea ) between the Canary Islands, Belgium and
Italy . Is the Commission aware of such trade and, if so, what
steps does it intend to take ?

Can the Commission provide details of the implementation
of the Horizon Programme in Corsica, including the amount
of funding earmarked for and the amount actually allocated
to the programme ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas Answer given by Mr Flynn

on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1994 ) ( 17 February 1994 )

The Commission has not been aware of any trade in blue
chaffinches — Fringilla teydea, between the Canary Islands,
Belgium and Italy . However information on this matter has
been requested from the Belgian, Italian and Spanish
authorities .

If any such trade were to be confirmed the Commission
would study the action to be taken in order to bring this to a
halt .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-35 78 / 93

by François Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 63

Subject : The Euroform Programme and Corsica

The Horizon Programme has developed in accordance with
forecasts .

Where disable people are concerned, the accent was put on
vocational training, the creation of activities for those
people wishing to integrate into the world of work,
information and awareness-raising campaigns, training for
instructors and improvement of the conditions governing
access to the job market . Particular emphasis was put on
improving the image of the disabled as perceived by
undertakings . FX'U 595 532 were allocated to disabled
people .

As far as the disadvantaged are concerned, the emphasis was
on training and the exchange of trainers and social
development agents as well as on training courses, training
visits, pre-qualification and qualification . ECU 478 568
were allocated to the disadvantaged .

The resulting total of ESF financing for Corsica ( F ) under the
Horizon initiative was ECU 1 704 100 .

Can the Commission provide details of the implementation
of the Euroform Programme in Corsica, including the
amount of funding earmarked for and the amount actually
allocated to the programme ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-35 84 / 93

by Francois Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 14 December 1993 )
on behalf of the Commission
( 94 / C 251 / 65 )
( 17 February 1994 )

Subject : Funding allocated to Corsica
The Commission is sending a table containing the requested
information Parliament Secretariat directly to . the Honourable Member and the Can the Commission state the total amount of year-on-year
funding ( commitment and payment appropriations )
granted to Corsica between 1989 and 1993, including the
Community initiative programmes ?

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 35

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Delors these provisions lend themselves to producing direct effects
on behalf of the Commission as a result of their precise, clear and unconditional

( 28 March 1994 ) character . For example, Article 3(4 ) of Directive

90 / 313 / EEC which states that a public authority shall
respond to a person requesting information as soon as
possible and at the latest within two months, could possibly
In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is be considered by the Court of Justice as fulfilling the
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and substantive criteria for having direct effect .
Parliament 's Secretariat .

( 28 March 1994 )

(') CoJEC, 4 December 1974, Case 41 / 71, Court Reports
p . 1347 .

( 2 ) CoJEC ], 5 April 1979, Case 148 / 78, Court Reports p . 1629 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603 / 93

by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-36 12 / 93

( 94 / C 251 / 66 ) by Henry McCubbin ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

Subject : Implementation of Community law 94 / C 251 / 67

In its Tenth report on the implementation of Community
law (*) the Commission says :

' The Commission considers that several provisions of
Directive 90 / 313 / EEC have direct effcct and will be

applicable from 1 January 1993 even if there is no
national legislation implementing them '.

Could the Commission specify the provisions to which it is
referring ? Does it propose to take steps to inform the public
accordingly ?

(') OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993, p . 44 .

Subject : Failure to complete the internal market for
pensions

What actions have been taken to ensure that workers who

are members of an occupational pension scheme in one
Member State can transfer the full value of their pension
rights to a scheme in another Member State, that is the
individual 's contributions plus any tax allowances which
form part of the deferred wages which contribute to an
occupational pension scheme ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas ( 11 February 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )

The direct effect of Directives is a doctrine conceived by the
Court of Justice to counteract a Member State 's failure to
fulfil its obligations under Community law . lhe Van
Duyn (') judgment which lays the foundations of this
appraoch states that it is necessary ' to examine, in every
case, whether the nature, general scheme and wording of the
provision in question are capable of having direct effects on
the relations between Member States and individuals .' In
addition, the Tullio Ratti ( 2 ) judgment states that provisions
capable of such effects are those which are ' unconditional
and sufficiently precise '.

The Commission considers that an individual may seek
application of certain provisions of Directive 90 / 3 1 3 / EEC if

The Commission is aware of the problems posed by
cross-border transfers of occupational pension assets and in
particular of the fact that the Member State of origin will
usually try to recoup any tax advantages given in respect of
these pension assets . In its communication to the Council of
July 1991 (') the Commission drew attention to this

problem and tried to stimulate a debate on the obstacles to
the free movement of workers which result from

occupational pension schemes . Following this
communication it is considering the possibility of proposals
to eliminate such obstacles .

It should, however, be kept in mind that the double taxation
of occupational pension rights of migrant workers which
results from the withdrawal of tax advantages at the
moment of an international transfer of pension assets can be

No C 251 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

avoided by leaving pension rights in the pension scheme of family food parcels, basic food supplies, winter clothing and
the country of origin where they should be adequately small heating stoves .
protected against inflation .

(') SEC(91 ) 1332 final : Supplementary social security schemes :

The role of occupational pension schemes in the social
protection of workers and their implications for freedom of

movement .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3627 / 93

by Eolo Parodi ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 69 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3618 / 93

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE ) Subject : Safe blood
to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 68 )

Subject : Community aid to Georgia

Is it true that the Community granted total humanitarian aid
of ECU 7,8 million to Georgia in 1993 ?

Can the Commission give details of how this aid was used in
Georgia ( i.e. types of project and results )?

With regard to its recent Decision ( October 1993 ) to grant
ECU 500 000 in humanitarian aid for displaced persons in
Georgia, and in view of the estimates as to the number of
such persons ( between 200 000 and 400 000 ) and the
desperate situation they appear to be in, does it intend to
grant additional aid to ensure at the very least that an
adequate amount of food, medicines and blankets can be
distributed ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1994 )

It is correct that so far this year 7,8 MECU have been
granted from the Community 's humanitarian aid budget to
Georgia . Full details of the partners used and the aid
provided are forwarded direct to the Honourable Member
and to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

That Commission is well aware of the vast and often

extremely urgent needs that have afflicted this country
during the year . At the height of the fighting in Abkhazia it
was able to have medical supplies in the neediest areas
within 24 hours of a request through MSF .

The Commission is equally aware that the aid so far given
meets only a proportion of the needs and is therefore
currently proposing a further 3 MECUS worth of aid to the
country to cover medical supplies throughout the country,

Whereas Article 129 of the Maastricht Treaty includes the
provision that Community action shall be directed towards
the prevention of diseases,

— whereas the Commission may take any useful initiative

to promote coordinated action by the Member States in
the field of health protection,

— whereas the reports of contaminated blood being used in

various Member States and most recently in Italy have
caused a public outcry,

What emergency measures will the Commission take to
guarantee the safety of blood throughout the Community
and to introduce an action plan for self-sufficiency in blood
and blood derivatives ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

The Commission places the utmost importance on ensuring
the Community is provided with safe blood products of high
quality and in adequate supply . Community pharmaceutical
legislation (') covering medicinal products derived from
blood, which has been in effect since 1 January 1992 for
existing products and 1 January 1993 for new products,
imposes strict manufacturing requirements in order to
guarantee their quality, safety and efficacy .

It is the intention of the Commission, as stated on the
occasion of the adoption of the conclusions on
self-sufficiency in the Community by the Council on

13 December 1993, to gather information on the legal
provisions and current practices in Member States regarding
the collection, control, and treatment of blood as well as the
distribution and trade in blood and blood products, and if
applicable, to submit on that basis proposals for common
safety criteria .

0 ) OJ No L 181, 28 . 6 . 1989 .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3630 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 24 February 1994 )

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 70 )

Subject : Adoption in Greece

Greece 's outmoded legislation on adoption and the
bureaucratic conditions and obstructions which have been

imposed in this field have provided fertile ground for the
development of an unprecedented market in babies which
yields huge profits to skilled operators and enmeshes the
adoptive parents in illegality, while exposing the children
themselves to enormous danger .

In view of these shortcomings in Greek legislation, will the
Commission press for the modernization of the legal
framework for adoption in Greece ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 )

As the Community has no powers in the area of adoption the
Commission cannot take action to improve the Greek
legislation on adoption in the way the Honourable Member
describes .

Nevertheless, on the basis of the conclusions of the ministers
for family affairs meeting within the Council in September

1989, the Commission does organize exchanges of
experience and information on topics such as adoption . Last
March, for example, a seminar was held in Brussels for
government representatives, lawyers and practitioners on
the subject of international adoption .

The Commission is sending the Honourable Member and
the Secretariat-General of the Parliament copies of the
documents arising from this seminar .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3655 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 71 )

Subject : Accession of the European Union to the
international convention on human rights

Regarding the European Union 's intended accession to the
international convention on human rights, when does the
Commission envisage that this will take place ?

In November 1990, the Commission asked the Council for
authorization to negotiate the Community 's accession to the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms with the Council of Europe .
The purpose of this move was to bridge a gap in the

Community 's legal system arising from the fact that, unlike
its Member States, the Community itself was not subject to
the control of the Commission and the Strasbourg Court in
the field of human rights .

In the second half of 1993, the Council conducted a
thorough assessment of all the legal and political
implications of accession . The Justice and Home Affairs
Council of 29 and 30 November agreed to seek the opinion
of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, in
accordance with Article 228 ( 6 ) of the EC Treaty, to
ascertain whether or not the Community was empowered to
accede to the Convention and whether or not accesion

would be prejudicial to the Court of Justice 's exclusive
jurisdiction . The Court ruled that the Council could
authorize the Commission to conduct the requisite
negotiations to allow the Community to become a
contracting party to the Convention, the European Union
itself being ineligible to accede since it lacked an
international legal personality . Needless to say, when the
negotiations are completed, it will be for the Council to
conclude the Community 's accession to the Convention .

Consequently, the Commission is unable to say exactly
when accession will take place, but hopes that it will be
reasonably soon .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3696 / 93

by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

94 / C 251 / 72 )

Subject : Relocation of Cedefop from Berlin to
Thessaloniki

When the European Council met in Brussels on 29 October

1993, political agreement was reached on relocating the
European Centre for the Development of Vocational
Training from Berlin to Thessaloniki, without the
employees affected by the decision having been previously
informed .

1 . Within what period of time is the Commission planning
to implement the relocation ?

2 . What accompanying and compensatory measures will
the Commission provide for the staff in Berlin in order to
ensure that their transfer, or rather the change in their
living conditions, is socially tolerable ?

No C 251 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mr Rubcrti
on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

1 . On 2 February 1994 the Commission adopted a
proposal for an amendment to the Regulation setting up the
European Centre for the Development of Vocational
Training which sites the Centre in Thessaloniki . The
Commission hopes that the Parliament and the Economic
and Social Committee will issue their opinions during the
Greek Presidency so that the Council can adopt the
amended Regulation in the first half of 1994 .

2 . At the meeting of the Bureau of the Management
Board held on 10 November 1993 the Commission asked

the director of Cedefop to provide information on the main
questions concerning the move and, in particular, the staff
of the Centre . The Management Board asked the director of
Cedefop, also on 10 December 1 993, to let the Management
Board have this document as soon possible for analysis and
forwarding to the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3713 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 73 )

Subject : Hazardous waste list

Will the Commission explain the reasons for the failure to
provide by 12 June 1 993 the hazardous waste list that it was
required to prepare for implementation of Directive
91 / 689 / EEC ('), and what attempts have been made to
calculate the cost implications to Member States for
adopting the amended Directive ?

waste . This proposal allows for a new deadline to implement
the Directive and this new deadline will give the Member
States the opportunity to complete their preparations for the
necessary adjustment of their waste management

systems .

In the meantime, the Member States have committed
themselves to continue to apply the provisions of Directive

78 / 31 9 / EEC ( 2 ) on toxic and dangerous waste . In these
circumstances, the Commission does not understand to
what cost implications the Honourable Member refers .

(') OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991 .

i 1 ) O J No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3718 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 74 )

Subject : Household refrigerators

What communication has the Commission received from

Greenpeace International on the feasibility of introducing
commercially competitive low-energy household
refrigerators ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

The Commission has received a copy of a study carried out

by Greenpeace on the possibility of reducing the energy
consumption of household refrigerators . This study

, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 20 . constitutes a contribution to the Commission 's reflection on

the introduction of minimum efficiency standards for this
type of equipment .
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

(') OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 20 .

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1994 )

Initially the development of the list of hazardous waste was
foreseen as an integral part of the development of the
general list of waste as required by Article 1(a ) of Directive

91 / 156 / EEC amending Directive 75 / 442 / EEC (') on waste .
However due to the fact that two different requirements had
to be satisfied for hazardous and non hazardous waste, it
was not possible to produce the integral list within the fixed
deadline .

The Commission was aware of the implications of the
absence of a list for Member States and that is why the
Commission decided to submit a proposal for a Directive
modifying Council Directive 91 / 689 / EEC on hazardous

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3753 / 93

by Vincenzo Mattina ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1 99 4 )

( 94 / C 251 / 75 )

Subject : GATT Agreement on working hours

In view of the need to conclude an agreement on working
hours, does the Commission not agree that proposals should
be put foward at the GATT negotiations concerning :

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 39

— an across-the-board reduction of working hours to 36 practical experience to complete their curriculum vitae and

hours per week in the most industrialized countries ; make their job applications look more attractive .

— measures to monitor hours worked in developing

countries in order to prevent the serious exploitation of
workers which occurs there ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1994 )

The Council has recently adopted a Directive on certain
aspects of the organization of working time ( Directive
93 / 104 / EC ) (') which provides, inter alia, for a maximum
working week of 48 hours on average .

The Commission considers that increased flexibility in
working time arrangements can have a beneficial effect on
employment . Experience suggests, however, that
arrangements, which are specifically tailored to specific
industries or activities, are more likely to lead to the creation
of jobs than across-the-board reductions in working time .
The Commission therefore supports the conclusions of the
Council held in Brussels on 10 and 11 December 1993 that
economically sound formulae for the reorganization of
work should be examined at enterprise level . Such measures
should be not be directed towards a general redistribution of
work, but towards internal adjustments compatible with
improved productivity .

The Commission does not therefore consider that it would
have been appropriate to put forward proposals for general
reductions of working time in the GATT negotiations .

On the other hand, the Commission is concerned about the
exploitation of workers in certain third countries and is
studying carefully the issues raised by the Honourable
Member .

(!) OJ No L 307, 13 . 12 . 1993 .

To do this, they need to work as trainees in firms where their
qualifications are relevant but they realize that this must not
impose excessive costs on the firms in question . Various
young people 's organizations are therefore calling for
legislation to allow for unpaid traineeships for periods of
nine months or less, which would not involve any form of
contractual arrangement with the employer, in exchange for
job training and accident and medical insurance . The aim
would be to obtain a certificate attesting their practical skills
in their chosen profession .

Could the Commission not propose Community legislation
in this area, to satisfy the desire of young people to enter a
labour market in which jobs have become scarce as the result
of the prolonged crisis ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1994 )

The Commission encourages measures which give young
people a better chance of acquiring or upgrading
qualifications through placements in undertakings as part of
sandwich courses or linked training / work experience
systems . The Petra Programme for the vocational training of
young people ( adopted in 1987 and amended in 1991 )
enables young people undergoing initial training and young
workers ( in work or available forwork ) to obtain
transnational training placements to upgrade their
qualifications .

The Commission helps to realise these placements by
providing Member States with a global subsidy . However,
in addition to this, the Member States can use the structures
available under Petra for paid or unpaid trans-national
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 792 / 93 placements .

Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

Furthermore, on the basis of a Commission proposal the

( 12 January 1994 ) Council has adopted a joint framework of guidelines for the

( 94 / C 251 / 76 ) Member States under the Petra Programme in order to, for

example, step up cooperation between education and
training systems and all economic sectors, both public and
Subject : Community legislation on cooperation in private .
industrial training

( 12 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 76 )

One of the strongest ambitions of young people finishing
their regulation period of training is to acquire sufficient

No C 251 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 802 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE ) by Des Geraghty ( NI )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821 / 93

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 ) ( 17 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 77 ) ( 94 / C 251 / 78 )

Subject : ' Worker release ' Directive

Subject : EC-Maghreb cooperation

In the context of EC-Maghreb cooperation, can the
Commission say what projects have already been assisted
under the MED-Invest, Med-Urbs and MED-Campus
programmes, specifying the countries concerned and the
funding provided by the Community ?

What is the Commission 's reaction to the joint FETBB / FIEC
position on the draft ' worker release ' Directive, i.e. that the
draft Directive contravenes the different international

agreements and that the Commission lacks information on
the building industry 's situation in the different countries of
Europe ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1994 ) The Commission recognizes the significance of a common
declaration made by FIEC and the FETBB on the proposal
for a Directive on the posting of workers and has already
been in touch with the social partners concerned in order to

Under the New Mediterranean Policy the Commission has, get further clarification . The Commission will take into
with the endorsement of the Member States, launched account this declaration in future discussions about this
decentralized regional cooperation programmes involving important legislation .
all the Mediterranean non-member countries with which

association or cooperation agreements have been
concluded, including the Occupied Territories .

The main feature shared by these ' MED ' programmes is that
they aim to provide support to ordinary citizens involved in
public affairs at local level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3824 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

The projects are designed to promote the creation of ( 94 / C 251 / 79
trans-Mediterranean cooperation networks linking cities

( MED-URBS ), universities ( MED-Campus ), small
and medium-sized enterprises ( MED-Invest ) and
communications agencies ( MED-Media ). The Commission
will be sending the Honourable Member and the EP

Secretariat-General a table illustrating the involvement of
the Maghreb countries in the cooperation networks
supported by these programmes .

In addition to the programmes outlined above, there are also
a number of general projects ( scholarships, audits,
studies ), business-to-business contacts ( Europartnership,
Medpartnership and Medinterprise ), and access to the
BC-NET and BCC networks .

Subject : Programme monitoring costs

How much has the Commission spent on monitoring and
evaluation of development aid programmes and projects in
the course of the Sixth and Seventh EDFs ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1994 )

In accordance with Parliament and Council resolutions, the
Commission has in recent years attached growing

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 41

importance to one of the prerequisites for effective
development aid, the evalution and monitoring of projects
and programmes implemented under the Lome
Convention .

Hence in 1992 the Commission reviewed its monitoring and
evaluation policy for Community aid . Its new policy is based

on :

— greater independence thanks to a separation of the

functions of appraisal and implementation to the one
hand and evaluation on the other, evaluation being
assigned to the relevant unit ;

— systematic, more effective assimilation of evaluation

results, thanks to better integration of the evaluation
process and more efficient monitoring and feedback
procedures .

As part of the new policy, the evaluation unit became
responsible for all forms of evaluation, and was reorganized .
In addition, the special budget heading for evaluation was
increased from ECU 2,39 million in 1992 to ECU 3,6
million in 1993 ( ECU 1 million in 1985 ).

Thus the total sum spent in 1 993 on evaluation work carried
out for the evaluation unit was ECU 6,981 million, broken
down as follows :

— ECU 3,6 million for studies financed under the special

budget heading ;

— ECU 3,381 million for evaluation financed within the

framework of EDF projects and programmes ( Lome III
and IV ).

This sum does not include monitoring activities financed as
part of each project or programme 's implementation .
Indeed, it should be pointed out that the amounts allocated
to monitoring and evaluation activities within a given
project or programme are not entered separately in the

accounts .

The launch of several sectoral evaluations, covering all the
projects and programmes carried out within a particular
area ( rural development, urban development and transport )
largely explains the amount of EDE money spent on
evaluation in 1 993 ( and administered for the first time by
the evaluation unit ).

This trend will probably continue in coming years thanks to
the systematic application of project cycle management,
which attaches particular importance to monitoring and
evaluation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850 / 93

by Eilippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

94 / C 251 / 80 )

Subject : Improving management of the Tempus
Programmes

The Summary of the Annual Report of the Court of
Auditors of the European Communities on the financial
year 1992 states that ' in Tempus — the programme of aid
for higher education in the Phare countries — the national
priorities of the recipient countries, i.e. the reform of the
higher education sector and the development of the teaching
of management studies, were not always adequately taken
into account . The selection of projects is still mainly carried
out by Community experts rather than the competent
national university authorities of the recipient countries '.

What practical steps has the Commission taken or does it
intend to take remedy this situation ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1994 )

The surveys carried out by the Court of Auditors in 1990
covered countries in which the Tempus Programme was in
its first academic year ( Romania and Bulgaria ). Tempus was
thus being introduced into an entirely new political and
organisational system which presented difficulties for all
concerned .

Most of the problems pinpointed by the Court of Auditors
can be attributed to these conditions — e.g. imbalance in the
geographical distribution or subject range of the projects
and insufficient knowledge of the Tempus Programme on
the part of the target groups . The Commission notes that,
thanks to the efforts of the recipient countries and the
measures taken by the Commission to inform and train local
agents, there has been a marked improvement in the
situation .

Furthermore, since 1993 the Commission has stepped up
discussions with the recipient countries to help them target
Tempus activities more effectively to key areas in the
restructuring of higher education by ensuring correlation
with the guidelines and general objectives of the Phare
Programme which finances Tempus .

On the basis of requests by the authorities of the recipient
countries ( Ministries of Education ), priorities are published
annually in the applicant 's guide to the Tempus Programme .

No C 251 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

The recipient countries represented by the national Tempus
offices ( set up by the Ministries of Education ) and by local
academic experts are then involved in all the phases of the
project selection procedure and the result is submitted for
agreement to their national Ministers of Education . When
this process has been completed the Commission formally
adopts the list of projects selected .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3875 / 93

by Euigi Moretti ( NI )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 81 )

Subject : Workers ' entitlement to an adequate pension

Is the Commission of the European Union aware that the
Italian National Institute for Social Security is having to
shoulder the burden of benefits for which there are no

corresponding financial resources, which means that it is
having to make use of the contributions of workers and
employers, thereby putting in jeopardy the future payment
of old age pensions to present workers ?

Does the Commission not consider that such a financial

imbalance, together with the impact of demographic trends,
will jeopardize the attainment of the objectives enshrined in
paragraph 24 of the Community Charter of the
Fundamental Social Rights of Workers and, more especially,
in section 5 of the Council recommendation of 27 July 1992
on the convergence of social protection objectives and
policies, which guarantees former employed workers an
adequate pension by ' maintaining a balance between the
interests of the working population and those who have
retired '?

Does the Commission not consider that the above situation

also constitutes an obstacle to the free movement of

workers, amounting to a disincentive to accept a job in Italy
because of justified fears of not being covered, at the time of
retirement, for the period of time worked in Italy ?

What representations does the Commission intend to make
to the Italian authorities to ensure that they take adequate
steps to rectify the situation ?

It does not consider that these changes are likely to
jeopardise the attainment of the objectives set out in the
Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of
Workers and in Council recommendation 92 / 442 / EEC on

the convergence of social protection objectives and policies .
The latter recognises that it is up to each Member State to
determine the arrangements for financing and organising its
own social protection system . The combination of
contributory and non-contributory elements within a single
old-age pension fund does not jeopardise the relevant
objectives set out in the Council recommendation, namely
the guarantee of a pension which preserves a worker 's
standard of living to a reasonable degree and the
maintenance of a balance between the interests of the

working population and those who have retired .

Consequently, the fears expressed by the Honourable
Member that the changes to the Italian pension system may
constitute an obstacle to the free movement of workers are
unfounded and the periods of time worked in Italy will
continue to be taken into account when calculating old-age
pensions, as required under the Community regulation on
the coordination of social security schemes .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883 / 93

by Francois Guillaume ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 251 / 82 )

Subject : Coffee producers

An agreement between the coffee-producing countries came
into force in September, with the aim of regulating exports
and forcing up the price of coffee on world markets . Some
consumer countries, particularly the United States, are so
strongly opposed to this move that they have left the
International Coffee Organization ( ICO ).

What is the Commission 's position on this issue and what
support, if any, will it be giving to the new World
Association of Coffee-Producing Countries ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 18 January 1994 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1994 )

The Commission has been informed of the recent changes to
the Italian old-age pension system and their consequences in
terms of the financial balance of the Italian National

Institute for Social Security .

The Commission, in its capacity as spokesman for the
Community, had the opportunity at the opening session of
the last International Coffee Council on 27 September of
reacting to the Association of Coffee Producing Countries
and to the Retention Plan which those countries had agreed
to implement .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 43

The Community 's reaction was essentially neutral . For
reasons of principle the Commission could not condone the
Plan, which — as a unilateral action — runs counter to the
guiding principles of the 1983 International Coffee
Agreement, of which the Community is a signatory .
However, the Commission was also unwilling to condemn
the Plan, which it interprets as a reaction to the frustration
felt by producers at the failure to reach consensus on a new
quota-based International Agreement .

The Community 's position expressed in September was
preliminary . The Association itself only came into being on

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1994 )

Following the infringement procedure initiated by the
Commission under Article 169 FX Treaty the Court of
Justice ruled ( judgment of 3 June 1992 C-287 / 91 ) Italy had

not respected the six-month time-limit for the
reimbursement of VAT to non-resident taxpayers provided
by the Eighth VAT Directive ( 79 / 1072 / EEC ).

1 October 1993 and the Retention Plan was to begin
operating only as of that date . It is too early therefore for the So far the Italian authorities have not informed the
impact of the Association and more particularly of its
Retention Plan to be evaluated . situation Commission, of notwithstanding any measures repeated taken to requests improve . this The

Commission is thus examining the matter within the
framework of Article 171 EC Treaty .
On the question of support to the Association, no such
request has been received by the Commission .

The new version of this Article 171, as introduced by the
Treaty on European Union, offers the Commission
supplementary means to urge Member States to comply
with judgments of the Court of Justice . If necessary, the

Commission will make use of these new means .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3901 / 93

by Madron Seligman ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 83 )

Subject : Delayed VAT refunds in Italy

In the meantime, taxpayers can bring their case before an
Italian judge . Since the Italian authorities are in breach of
their own national law, which also provides for a six-month
time-limit for VAT refunds, a judge will be able to rule on
this as a breach of national law . Moreover, the Italian courts
may grant compensation for damages, which they alone are
competent to do .

A constituent of mine has complained about the
impossibility of securing a refund to which he is entitled
from the Italian authorities since May 1 992 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4002 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

I note from the Commission 's answer to Written Question
No 675 / 9 2 (') from my colleague Michael Welsh, given in
May and published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities in August 1992, that the Commission had
instituted proceedings under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty,
but that, of course, brings no immediate relief to aggrieved
firms in other Member States .

to the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 84 )

Subject : Shopping by mail-order markets

Does the Commission appreciate the effect upon public
opinion when the much publicised Single Market is seen by
many to operate against the interests of honest traders ?

opinion when the much publicised Single Market is seen by A study by the European Consumers ' Organization ( BEUC )
many to operate against the interests of honest traders ? has found that most retail mail-order companies refuse to

send their products abroad, thereby seriously affecting
consumers who wish to shop by mail order . Given that

How long will it take for a viable solution to be found ? mail-order shopping should be the most practical way in

which consumers benefit from the Single Market, what
measures does the Commission intend to take in this

f 1 ) OJ No C 202, 10 . 8 . 1992, p . 58 . matter ?

How long will it take for a viable solution to be found ?

No C 251 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1994 )

In May 1992, the Commission proposed a Directive on the
protection of consumers in respect of distance selling . As
part of its research, it asked the European Bureau of
Consumers ' Unions to carry out a practical operation
involving ordering catalogues and goods across national
borders . The results were as follows :

— 45 catalogues were ordered separately . 11 catalogues

ordered from another country were actually received
from that country . In five cases the consumer received
the catalogue from the company 's subsidiary in his
Member State of residence . 16 firms sent letters refusing
to forward the catalogue and 13 failed to reply .

— 33 orders for goods were placed, three of which resulted

in products being forwarded across national borders . In
six cases, the consumer received the product via the
company 's subsidiary in his Member State of residence .

16 firms sent letters rejecting the order and nine failed to
reply .

This study demonstrates a lack of awarenesses on the part of
certain firms of the possibilities of the single market . Typical
reasons put forward for non-delivery were customs or
payment problems and postal rates . In the three cases where
deliveries were actually made across national borders,
however, the firms concerned were small business who had
evidently managed to sort out these questions .

By contrast, the large mail order firms have tended to opt for
a distribution system organized by geographical zone,
generally corresponding to national borders . This system
can hinder the consumer 's right of access to goods and
services in another Member State under the same conditions

as the local population .

The proposal for a Directive currently before the Council is
designed to set up a harmonized legal framework for
consumer protection in order to facilitate such
operations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-40 16 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 85 )

Subject : Consumers ' rights

The European Bureau of Consumers ' Unions ( BEUC ) has
again expressed serious reservations concerning the

progress made hitherto on consumers ' rights in the context
of the internal market . According to the BEUC, very little
heed has been paid to the views of consumers '
representatives .

Guarantee clauses are not being instituted, the right to claim
compensation remains a dead letter and a product-quality
guarantee is still under discussion .

Moreover, the provision of information is still inadequate
and an obligation to provide for the use of the national
language in product labelling has met with rejection .

What are the Commission 's current views on these matters

on which the European Consumers Union expresses
reservations ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 March 1994 )

Article 129a of the EC Treaty, which provides for a high
level of consumer protection, should help reinforce the
rights of European consumers . Hence, the Commission may
take specific actions to supplement national policies
designed to protect consumer health, safety, and economic
interests, and to improve consumer information .

Moreover, in July 1993 ( 1 ) the Commission already adopted
its three-year action plan for 1993 to 1995, which sets out
the framework for future actions .

The implementation of Directive 92 / 59 / EEC on general
product safety, which must be transposed by June 1994,
should also lead to considerable improvements .

As regards compensation, Directive 85 / 374 / EEC on liability
for defective products has since 1989 provided greater
protection to victims .

As regards labelling, particularly in the case of products and
in regard to language use, the Commission in November

1993 transmitted two communications ( 2 ) to the Council
and Parliament, proposing topics for debate and initiatives
for the other institutions .

(') COM(9.3 ) 378 final .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 456 final . COM(93 ) 532 final .

8 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 251 / 45

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 / 94

by Carlos Perreau de Pinninck Domenech ( RDE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 84 / 94

by Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1994 ) ( 18 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 86 ) ( 94 / C 251 / 88 )

Subject : Community funds for SMUs

Can the Commission provide details of Community funds
earmarked for SMUs in Spain in 1993 ? Could it also say
what programms have been implemented in this period ?

Subject : Relocation of the European Centre for the
Development of Vocational Training

On 29 October 1 993 the European Council decided that the
European Centre for the Development of Vocational
Training ( Cedefop ) would be relocated from Berlin to
Thessaloniki . However, four onths have gone by since then
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi and none of the necessary steps has been taken for the
relocation of the Centre .

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 March 1994 )

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and
Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 73 / 94

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 251 / 87 )

Subject : Cosmetics Directive

What studies are being carried out on the effects of
hairdressing chemicals on health and what plans are there to
ensure that hairdressers and cosmeticians can work with

them without getting skin and respiratory complaints ?
What knowledge does the Commission for instance have of
the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, and does it
intend to amend the cosmetics Directive so that hairdressers

can enjoy the safest possible working conditions ?

Can the Commission state :

1 . what degree of cooperation exists between the
Commission and the Greek Government concerning the
selection of premises for the Centre in Thessaloniki ?

2 . wh^n it will make the necessary changes to Regulation

( EEC ) No 337 / 75 (') and, in particular, Article 1 thereof
governing the seat of the Centre ?

3 . what changes it will make to the contracts of the

Centre 's staff so as to safeguard their vested
interests ?

4 . whether it has made provision for the necessary
allocations from the Community budget, estimated at
ECU 4 million, for relocating Cedefop 's equipment ?

5 . whether it will draw up a timetable for the measures to
be taken, so that the people of Europe and, in particular,
the Greeks, will know who is responsible for the delays
that have occurred in establishing Cedefop ?

(') OJ No L 39, 13 . 2 . 1975, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener (8 March 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of
the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will
inform him of the outcome as soon as possible .

Discussions with the Greek authorities have been taking
place since November 1993 . The Commission is helping
Cedefop negotiate headquarters agreements with Greece .
Two missions have been organized : one on 21 / 22 January to
Athens and Thessaloniki and the other on 14 February to
Thessaloniki . As soon as the building is made available to
Cedefop, the removal can take place .

No C 251 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 9 . 94

The Commission has forwarded to the Council, the
European Parliament and the Economic and Social
Committee the draft Regulation concerning the
establishment of the seat of the Cedefop in
Thessaloniki ( ] ).

increased in 1994 . Cedefop will prepare the preliminary
draft budget for 1995, bearing in mind that Cedefop will
already be in Thessaloniki in 1995 .

Cedefop 's management board will draw up a timetable of

The Commission will do all it can to ease the situation of measures leading up to Cedefop 's removal to Thessaloniki
Cedefop 's staff, in cooperation with Cedefop 's management at its next meeting on 25 March 1994, provided that it has
board . definite decided information by the Greek regarding authorities the on offer this of date accommodation .

Cedefop has forwarded to the Commission the budget
estimates for the removal . Cedefop 's budget will have to be (') COM(94 ) 20 final .

The Commission will do all it can to ease the situation of

Cedefop 's staff, in cooperation with Cedefop 's management
board .