Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

### of the European Communities

##### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 145

Volume 38

12 June 1995

Notice No Contents Pagt .

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 145 / 01 E-2185 / 94 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subject : Failure to comply with the provisions of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement 1

95 / C 145 / 02 E-2363 / 94 by Pedro Marset Campos to the Commission
Subject : The Structural Funds and the Autonomous Community of Murcia 1

95 / C 145 / 03 E-2370 / 94 by Willy De Clercq to the Commission
Subject : The Belgian budget and the Maastricht criteria 3

95 / C 145 / 04 E-2426 / 94 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou to the Commission
Subject : Utilization of appropriations under Item B3-41 10 4

95 / C 145 / 05 E-2454 / 94 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subjeet : Support for honey producers 4

95 / C 145 / 06 E-2465 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Pharmaceutical prices 5

95 / C 145 / 07 E-2481 / 94 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies for agricultural production 6

95 / C 145 / 08 E-2483 / 94 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Operation of the single market 6

95 / C 145 / 09 E-2569 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Uruguay Round GATT agreement and animal welfare 7

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Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 145 / 10 E-2595 / 94 by Werner Langen to the Commission
Subject : Plans for a minimum tax on wine at European level

95 / C 145 / 11 E-2619 / 94 by John McCartin to the Commission
Subject : Opening up of the market in insurance

95 / C 145 / 12 E-2631 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Fraud prévention

95 / C 145 / 13 E-2632 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Fraud prévention

95 / C 145 / 14 E-2633 / 94 bv Freddy Blak to the Commission

Subject : Fraud prévention

95 / C 145 / 15 E-2635 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Airport security

95 / C 145 / 16 E-2653 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Combating fraud

95 / C 145 / 17 E-2670 / 94 bv Cristiana Muscardini to the Council

Subject : Human rights in Algeria

95 / C 145 / 18 E-2680 / 94 by Klaus Rehder to the Commission

Subject : Trade in zoo animais

95 / C 145 / 19 E-2692 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Copyright legislation and music users

95 / C 145 / 20 E-2698 / 94 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission
Subject : VAT rates on ornamental plants

95 / C 145 / 21 E-2699 / 94 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission
Subject : VAT rates in the shoe manufacturing sector

95 / C 145 / 22 E-2729 / 94 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Aid to the fisheries sector — Pesca Programme

95 / C 145 / 23 E-2731 / 94 by Magda Aelvoet to the Commission
Subject : Vlaamse Milieuholding

95 / C 145 / 24 E-2738 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Projects in Spain financed by the Pesca Community initiative . .

95 / C 145 / 25 E-2755 / 94 by Michl Ebner to the Commission
Subject : Discriminatory tax treatment of environment-friendly vehicles .

95 / C 145 / 26 E-2765 / 94 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Organic farming

95 / C 145 / 27 E-2783 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Directive 86 / 609 / EEC on animal experimentation

95 / C 145 / 28 E-2803 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Formation of cartels by commercial broadcasting organizations

95 / C 145 / 29 E-2805 / 94 by Honório Novo to the Commission
Subject : Community initiatives — programmes proposed by Portugal . .

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95 / C 145 / 30 E-2826 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : European airport system 17

95 / C 145 / 31 E-2827 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : European airport system 18

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E-2847 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Interest on advances for project financing ( Funds ) 18

E-2862 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Information on UK nuclear installations 19

E-2870 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject : Juan Mayo Mendez 20

E-2873 / 94 by Winifred Ewing ARE ) to the Council
Subject : Prisoner of Conscience Ma Yun-Jong 20

E-2879 / 94 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission

Subject : Euratom Guarantee Fund 20

95 / C 145 / 37 E-2883 / 94 by Michl Ebner to the Council

Subject : Ban on Nazi and Fascist emblems and symbols 21

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P-2891 / 94 by Christoph Konrad to the Commission
Subject : Decisions on subsidies for individual undertakings in the European steel industry ... 21

E-2896 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear aid for the Ukraine 22

E-2905 / 94 by Willy De Clercq to the Commission
Subject : Use of funding from the Structural Funds 23

E-26 / 95 by Alexandras Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Illegal imports to the European Union of products originating from the occupied part of
Cyprus 23

E-42 / 95 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission
Subject : Irradiation of food 24

E-43 / 95 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission

Subject : European Conservation Year 24

E-52 / 95 by Karin Junker to the Commission
Subject : Educational grants for German students studying and living abroad 25

E - 65 / 95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Animal carcass disposal and meat waste processing plants in the European Union ... 25

E-79 / 95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Review of the Fifth Action Programme on the Environment 26

P-89 / 95 by Luigi Florio to the Commission
Subject : The sale of DAF and compliance with the principle of fair competition 27

E-95 / 95 by Philippe De Coene to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Article 39 of the Fourth ACP-EEC Lomé Convention 27

( Continued overleaf )

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E-97 / 95 by Philippe de Coene to the Commission
Subject : Commission Decision of 2 December 1992 concerning the banning of pentachlorophenol
in Germany

E - 1 02 / 95 by Phillip Whitehead to the Commission
Subject : Firework safety

E-111 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Risks from Russian nuclear submarines

E-l 12 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Consumer participation in standardization

E-1 15 / 95 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Price policy

E-118 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Information office in Nicosia

E-128 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Concern caused by breach of Community legislation

E-145 / 95 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Application of safety standards to medicinal products derived from plasma

E-153 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject : Eurovignette

E-156 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Future of the Atlantic Arc regions

E - 1 62 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Culture and structural programmes

E-l 65 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Atlantis Programme

Joint answer to Written Questions E-156 / 95, E-162 / 95 and E-165 / 95

E-l 57 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Research and technology transfer in the outlying regions

E-290 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Research policy and the peripheral regions

Joint answer to Written Questions E-157 / 95 and E-290 / 95

E-l 60 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Amendment of the Directive on the quality of drinking water

E-161 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Measures to accompany Spain's entry into ' Blue Europe '

E-l 63 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Informing young people about Europe and the European institutions

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###### EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E - 1 72 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : European cultural policy 36

E-l 78 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Assistance to regional newspapers 37

E-2 14 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : European defence and security policy 37

E-248 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : European defence policy 37

P-260 / 95 by Vassilis Ephremidis to the Commission
Subject : Withholding EU funds for the projects ' ancillary areas and car park of the Palace of Music '
in Athens 38

E-285 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : Human rights issues ; meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council 38

E-2 86 / 95 by Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Calls for tenders under the Phare Programme 39

E-291 / 95 by Karla Peijs to the Commission
Subject : Distortion of competition as a result of differences in excise duty on various alcoholic
beverages 39

E-300 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Eco-labels 40

P-328 / 95 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Draft Directive on the transmission of television signs coming before Parliament in March

1995 for a second reading 40

E-342 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Oil pollution from leakages at a refinery 41

E-348 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : Artificial insemination 41

E-349 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Employment of disabled persons in EU institutions 42

E-350 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Protection of ecologically sensitive sites in the Philippines 42

E-354 / 95 by Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : European senior citizen's pass 43

P - 356 / 95 by Giovanni Burtone to the Commission
Subject : Serious problems concerning the application of milk quotas in Sicily 43

E-362 / 95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission
Subject : Ban on drift-nets 44

E-373 / 95 by Maria Colombo Svevo, Gerardo Bianco, Giovanni Burtone, Carlo Casini,
Pierluigi Castagnetti, Giampaolo D'Andrea, Michl Ebner, Livio Filippi, Antonio
Graziani, Danilo Poggiolini, Carlo Secchi, Mariotto Segni and Ombretta Colli Comelli to
the Commission

Subject : Crimes against street children in Guatemala 45

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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E-379 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : Fatalities at the ELI's external borders 45

P-381 / 95 by Georg Jarzembowski to the Commission
Subject : Régulation ( EEC ) No 1893 / 91 46

E-390 / 95 by David Morris to the Commission
Subject : Failure of Portuguese Bar Council to progress complaint against Portuguese soliciter
made by non-Portuguese European Union citizen 46

E-392 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Transposition of Directive 92 / 43 / EEC into Greek law 46

P-397 / 95 by Helena Torres Marques to the Commission

Subject : EU hinding for Expo ' 98 47

95 / C 145 / 89 E-402 / 95 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission

Subject : Alternative development 47

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E-4 12 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dôrfler to the Commission
Subject : Gran Carajas project in Brazil 48

E-429 / 95 by Michel Rocard to the Commission
Subject : Length ot working time 49

E-443 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : EU harmonization of export guarantee credit arrangements 49

E-456 / 95 by José Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Schools for handicapped children in Portugal 50

E-458 / 95 by Sérgio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Migrants ' Forum 50

P-476 / 95 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission
Subject : Appeals and / or complaints concerning environmental taxes in Belgium 51

E-499 / 95 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Proposed amendment of Directive 74 / 409 / EEC on apiculture 52

E-503 / 95 by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado to the Commission
Subject : Situation of managerial staff in the European Community 52

E-515 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Action to counter the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in Europe 53

E-521 / 95 by José Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Community policy on postal services 53

E-530 / 95 by Kenneth Coates to the Commission
Subject : Paid leave for members of reserve armies 53

E-550 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Postal services and telecommunications 54

E-573 / 95 by Frederik Willockx to the Commission
Subject : Universal service — definition 54

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###### EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-647 / 95 by Eryl McNally to the Commission

Subject : Use of Esperanto 54

E-662 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of direct taxation, 1994 55

E-663 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of human resources, education, training and youth,

1994 55

E-664 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of customs and indirect taxation, 1994 55

E - 665 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of financial control, 1994 55

E - 666 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of fisheries, 1994 55

E-667 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of energy, 1994 55

E-668 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of information technologies and telecommunications,

1994 55

E-669 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of financial services, 1994 56

E-670 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of external affairs 56

E-671 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of common foreign and security policy, 1994 .... 56

E-672 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of economic and financial affairs, 1994 56

E-673 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of internal market, 1994 56

E-674 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of industrial affairs, 1994 56

E - 675 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of relations with the European Parliament, 1994 56

E-676 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of regional policies, 1994 56

E-677 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of relations with Member States, openness and
communication, 1994 57

E-678 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises, 1994 57

( Continuée ! overleaf )

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###### EN

E-679 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of immigration, home and judicial affairs, 1994 . .

E-6 80 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of consumer affairs, 1994

E-681 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of anti-fraud measures, 1994

E-6 82 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of employment and social affairs, 1994

E-683 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of institutional questions and the Inter-governmental
Conference, 1994

E-684 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of nuclear safety, 1994

E-6 85 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of agriculture and rural development, 1994

E-686 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of competition, 1994

E-687 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of the environment, 1994

E-6 8 8 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of transport, 1994

E-689 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of tourism, 1994

E-690 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of budgetary affairs, 1994

E-691 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of credit and investments, 1994

Joint answer to Written Questions E-662 / 95 to E-691 / 95

E-762 / 95 by Helwin Peter to the Commission
Subject : European Social Policy — A Way Forward for the Union ( White Paper ) COM(94 ) 333
final, Chapter 6 / B, Item 11, Point 2

E-879 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission

Subject : Regulating the postal sector

E-894 / 95 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : Teleterminals Directive

E-948 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of modern industrial architecture

E-949 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a breakwater at the entrance to Chania harbour

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12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2185 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

(9 SIC 145 / 01 )

Subject : Failure to comply with the provisions of the

EU-Morocco fisheries agreement

On 1 0 August 1 994, Manuel Ornelas, a Community citizen,
submitted a claim, with supporting evidence, to the
Portuguese Directorate-General of Fisheries, demanding
reimbursement for 41 days in July, August and September

1994, for which he had been unable to use his Moroccan
fishing licence due to bureaucratic difficulties caused by the
Moroccan authorities .

This claim was addressed to the Commission . Can the

Commission state whether reimbursement has been made in

these cases, and how it has dealt with the claim in
question ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

Mr Manuel Ornelas ' vessel is the Marta Isabel, the licence
for which for the third quarter of 1994 was received on

1 August . The vessel had come into compliance with its
obligations on 1 1 July ( handing over of seamen's contracts ).
Accordingly by the Commission's calculation the period
during which a licence was unavailable without good reason
amounted to 20 days and not the 41 days stated by the

owner .

The claim for reimbursement appears otherwise to be
justified and the Commission intends to press it at the

appropriate time . It cannot however guarantee that
Morocco will agree to pay compensation .

The Portuguese authorities will be kept informed of the
Commission's endeavours to resolve this difficulty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2363 / 94

by Pedro Marset Campos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 02 )

Subject : The Structural Funds and the Autonomous
Community of Murcia

The Commission has granted, and is continuing to grant, aid
to the Autonomous Community of Murcia under the
Structural Funds . Can the Commission state :

1, the total amount granted in aid to the Autonomous
Community of Murcia or any of its organs by the ESF,
ERDF and EAGGF ( Guidance Section ) in the years
1991, 1992 and 1993, broken down by fund and
financial year ;

2, the state of execution of the above credits and, where
applicable, which payments have been cancelled and
which sums have yet to be paid, on the basis of a
breakdown similar to that specified above ?

No C 145 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies ( ECU )

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The Community support framework ( CSF ) for the
Objective 1 regions of Spain contains two types of
assistance : specific assistance for each region ( the regional
section ) and assistance covering several regions at a time ( the
multi-regional section ). In the case of the first type,
Community commitments are broken down by region and
by year . In the case of multi-regional assistance, however,
the Commission commits and makes payments for the
programme overall, so a regional breakdown can be made
only as regards the multi-annual forecasts contained in each

programme .

European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF )

Total aid granted under the ERDF to the Autonomous
Community of Murcia and committed in 1991, 1992 and
1993 amounted to ECU 176,39 million . The details for each
operational programme are given below :

( in ECU million )

1991 1992 1993 Total

Regional aid measures

OP Murcia ( 95% paid ) 39,40 26,45 16,48 82,33

Murcia global grant

( 91 % paid ) 5,32 6,81 8,12 20,25

Multi-regional aid measures

Valoren ( 100% paid ) 0,92

Star ( 100 % paid ) 8,65

Scientific infrastructure OP

( 90,6% paid ) 4,19

Environment OP

( 99,3% paid ) 8,12

Local OP

( 68,3 % paid ) 5,50

Aid for agriculture OP

( 100% ) 18,22

Community initiatives 28,21

Total 176,39

Operational programme

Training and recruitment of the unemployed 2 732 195

Combating long-term unemployment 3 970 768

Occupational integration of young people 7 389 609

Studies into the regional labour market and
training needs 60 840

Total 14 153 412

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund

( EAGGF )

1 . Measures financed by the EAGGF, Guidance Section
in the Comunidad of Murcia under the Community support
frameworks ( commitment appropriations expressed in
millions of ECU ) for which a breakdown of the funding by
region is available :

( in ECU million )

1991 1992 1993 Total

Agricultural structures

Aid for farm holdings

( Reg. 2328 / 91 ) ( 100% paid ) 1,80 2,60 2,75 7,15

Rural development

—
Operational programmes

( Reg. 4256 / 88 ) ( 99% paid ) 6,10 5,70 5,11 16,91

— Other regional measures

( 100% paid ) 2,39 1,50 0,03 3,92

Community initiatives

( 50 % paid ) 2,32 2,32

Total 12,61 9,80 7,89 30,30

2 . Measures financed by EAGGF Guidance Section for
which a regional breakdown is not available .

Murcia also qualifies for funding under Regulation ( EEC )
No 866 / 90 ( 1 ) ( processing and marketing of agricultural
products ). As the relevant operational programmes are
multi-regional, no regional breakdown is available .

European Social Fund ( ESF ) Total commitments in the period 1991— 1993 for the
Objective 1 regions of Spain amounted to ECU
145,56 million ( 64% paid ).
Total aid granted by the ESF in the period in question
amounted to ECU 14,153 million ; the implementation rate
stood at 91,7% on 31 December 1993 . (') OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 .

The above amount was shared between operational
programmes as follows :

12 . 6 . 95 UN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2370 / 94

by Willy De Clercq ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 03 )

Subject : The Belgian budget and the Maastricht criteria

With reference to the Ecofin Council meeting of 10 October

1 994 concerning the examination of the budgetary situation
of the Member States in the light of the Maastricht criteria

( particularly regarding the budget deficit ) for proceeding to
Economic and Monetary Union, Belgium's Minister for the
Budget, Mr Rompuy, informed the Committee on the
Budget and Finance of the Belgian Chamber of
Representatives on 12 October 1994 that Belgium's ' 1994
programme for the sale of assets is proceeding . . . entirely in
accordance with the accounting rules of the European
System of Integrated Accounts ( ESIA )'.

1 . Under the ESA rules, can revenue from privatization be
taken into account in calculating the net government
borrowing requirement ? Is not revenue from
privatization pureley financial revenue, which cannot be
taken into account for this purpose ?

2 . Did not the recently published IMF report on Belgium
moreover state that Belgium must firmly resist the
temptation to sell any more public assets ?

3 . Ought not economic reality to take precedence over any
legal and accounting arrangement whatsoever for the
purpose of assessing whether a transaction constitutes
privatization ?

4 . In the light of these questions, what is the Commission's
view of the following privatizations which have been
carried out in Belgium :

( a ) the privatization of the National Investment
Corporation ( Nationale Investeringsmaatschappij,
NIM ) on 23 September 1994, which is intended to
yield Bfrs 15,5 billion ?

( b ) the planned anticipatory financing, on behalf of the

Belgian State, by the Belgian enterprise
ASLK-Holding of the sale of a block of shares in
Belgacom valued at Bfrs 25 billion ?

Ought not these operations to be excluded from the ESIA
calculation of Belgium's net government borrowing
requirement ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1995 )

1 . Privatization operations involving the transfer of
shares for cash are entered in national accounts, in
accordance with the spirit of the European System of
Integrated Economic Accounts ( ESA ), as financial
transactions which alter the composition of the State's
financial assets .

Under the present ESA, the balance of the State's current and
capital receipts and expenditure constitutes the borrowing
requirement . Financial transactions are not taken into
account in calculating the borrowing requirement but
enable it to be met . In this connection, they can be shown
' below the line '.

There are cases where the State indirectly exercises its right
of ownership and control of the company being privatized
through a public holding company . It is the holding
company which sells off all or part of the capital of the
subsidiary and receives the proceeds from the sale . All or
part of those proceeds may subsequently be repaid to the
State . The ESA does not explicitly lay down how an
operation involving repayment to the State is to be
classified .

A committee composed of representatives of the
Commission and national accountancy experts is in the
process of examining the application of the ESA
accountancy rules to the treatment of privatization
operations and is preparing a recommendation which could
be ready early in 1995 . A decision will then be taken by the
Commission .

2 . The Commission has no comment to make on the IMF

report in question .

3 . The ESA, like the other systems of national accounts
which it closely resembles ( OECD, UN ), lays emphasis on
economic logic by providing an accounting framework
centred on economically homogeneous definitions of
transactions and units .

4 ( a ) The Commission is currently examining the
accounting treatment of receipts from the sale of
public participations by the Belgian authorities in

1993 and 1994 .

Pending the abovementioned recommendation, the
Commission's Autumn 1994 economic forecasts

include receipts from such transactions in the
government borrowing requirement . A footnote to
the table showing general government accounts
states that : ' The figures for 1993, 1994 and 1995
include the proceeds from the sale of public
participations, the accounting treatment of which is
currently being examined . The amounts are
respectively Bfrs 31,7 billion, Bfrs 32 billion and Bfrs
38,5 billion .' The proceeds from the privatization of

No C 145 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

the Société nationale d'investissement / Nationale

Investeringsmaatschappij ( Bfrs 15,5 billion ) are
included in the amount of Bfrs 32 billion for

1994 .

( b ) The Commission considers that a transaction
involving the advance financing of the sale of a block
of Belgacom shares by CGER / ASLK-Holding in
anticipation of a privatization operation in 1995
would be a financial transaction . In any event, that
would not alter the borrowing requirement for 1 994,
which is calculated by entering transactions on the
basis of rights recognized under the accounting rule
laid down by the ESA . Pending the decision on
privatization operations, the Commission has
allocated the amount in question ( Bfrs 25 billion ) to
the borrowing requirement for the year in which the
privatization operation will take place, i.e . 1 995, and
has consequently included it in the amount of Bfrs
38,5 billion mentioned for that year .

The net government borrowing requirement is a public
accounting concept that is specific to each country and is
different from the definition of net borrowing employed in
the ESA national accounts . The concepts used in the Treaty
on European Union are based on the ESA .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2426 / 94

by Jean-Yves Le Gallou ( NI )

those for seminars, publications, conferences or congresses,
as well as the respective amounts, is sent to the Hounorable
Member and to the Secretary General of the Parliament .

There were some 807 projects totalling commitments of
ECU 15,7 million .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2454 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 05 )

Subject : Support for honey producers

Could the Commission give details of the financial support
granted by individual Member States under Regulation

( EEC ) No 1360 / 78 (') ( in the form in which it appears in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 746 / 93 ( 2 ), on honey producer groups
and Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90 ( 3 ) ( in the form in which it
appears in Regulation ( EEC ) No 3669 / 93 ( 4 )) as regards
processing and marketing aid in the honey sector ?

(M OJ No L 166, 23 . 6 . 1978, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 77, 31 . 3 . 1993, p . 14 .
(■') OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990, p . 1 .

to the Commission ( 4 ) OJ No L 388, 31 . 12 . 1993, p . 26 .

( 30 November 1994 )

{9 SIC 145 / 04 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Utilization of appropriations under Item
B3-4110 ( 12 January 1995 )

Can the Commission provide :

— a detailed list of associations or organizations which

received funding from Item B3-4110 in respect of
payments for 1993 and 1994, indicating the

amounts,

— a detailed list of seminars, publications, conferences or

congresses which received funding from Item B3-41 10 in
respect of payments for 1993 and 1994, indicating the
amounts ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

The detailed list of organizations having received payment
from budget-line B3-4110 during 1993 and 1994, including

The Community system of aid for the setting-up of producer
groups introduced by Regulation ( EEC ) No 1360 / 78 applies
to honey producers in Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal . At
October 1994 there were 50 recognized groups, comprising
two in Spain, one each in Greece and Portugal and 46 in
Italy . Reimbursements from the EAGGF Guidance Section
amounted to ECU 0,1 million .

As regards the Community aid scheme for the processing
and marketing of agricultural products provided for in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90, Greece received nearly ECU
0,5 million from the EAGGF Guidance Section during

1992 / 93 for the modernization of three honey treatment
and packaging establishments . In the same period Italy
received EAGGF Guidance Section funds amounting to
nearly ECU 0,8 million for investment projects involving the
restructuring of two honey treatment plants and the
setting-up of three honey treatment and storage centres .

12 . 6 . 95 \_ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2465 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 06 )

Subject : Pharmaceutical prices

Prompted by European guidelines, the 1994 Financial Law
in Italy replaced the fixed pricing of medicines with a
monitoring system based on the average price in Europe .

By decision of the CIPE ( Interministerial Committee for
Economic Planning ) of 25 February 1994 the system of
rigidly fixed prices was reinstated .

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to suspend
the decision of the CIPE, which not only makes it impossible
to move towards a free market economy but infringes
Community law by reducing the European average to only
four countries and by comparing like products and
reimbursable proprietary medicines but not active
ingredients, including in such comparisons generic
medicines which are legally and economically quite different
from proprietary medicines ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

It should be pointed out first of all that the market in
pharmaceutical products differ from other markets in
consumer products in that a significant part of expenditure
by patients on these products is borne by national
health-insurance schemes . In order to limit public
expenditure, most Member States have therefore introduced
measures which include direct or indirect controls on the

price of medicinal products, limitation of reimbursements
for certain categories of products, and schemes whereby the
patient bears part of the purchase price of such products .

The price-control arrangements applicable to medicinal
products in Italy were altered recently .

Until 1993 a price-control system operated by the
Interministerial Committee for Prices regulated the prices of
proprietary medicinal products reimbursable by the
national health service . Law No 537 / 93 ( Finance Law ),
however, empowered the Interministerial Committee for
Economic Planning ( CIPE ) to lay down the criteria and
detailed rules applicable under the arrangements for
monitoring the prices of proprietary medicinal products
other than over-the-counter medicines by reference to the
average European prices for similar products having the
same active principle .

At its meeting on 25 February 1994, the CIPE adopted the
following criteria for determining the average European
prices of proprietary medicinal products reimbursable by
the national health service :

— the comparison of prices is made with reference to four

Member States : France and Spain, where prices are
fixed, and the United Kingdom and Germany, where
they are unrestricted ;

— the comparison is based on ex-factory prices ;

— in determining the exchange rates for the currencies of

the four countries, account is taken of purchasing power
parities ;

— the comparison covers products having the same active

principle ;

— for each active principle, the five most widely sold

pharmaceutical products ( including generic products )
are taken into account on the basis of turnover .

With regard to the system itself, the criterion of average
European prices may be in accordance with Community law
provided that the rules for determining those prices do not
entail any market distortions and do not hamper the
importation into Italy of pharmaceutical products from
other Member States .

With regard to restriction of the scope of the price
comparison, the four Member States selected are fully
representative of the various conditions obtaining on
European markets since in two of them prices are freely
determined while the other two operate price controls .
These markets are also the most important in Europe in
terms of both size and population, so that the CIPE's choice
of these four Member States for the price comparison does
not seem in any way incompatible with Community law .

On the other hand, with regard to the inclusion of generic
medicines among the products forming the basis for the
calculation of prices, it is evident that, since these medicines
are produced without incurring research or trial and testing
costs, they can be sold more cheaply than proprietary
medicinal products . To that extent, the inclusion of generic
medicines among the proprietary medicinal products taken
into consideration in determining the price of medicines
could lead the Italian authorities to fix the prices of Italian
proprietary medicinal products at a lower level than those in
other Member States .

The Commission is currently examining this matter and has
suggested to the Italian authorities on several occasions
solutions which are reasonable from the viewpoint of
Community law and, while safeguarding the interests of the
European pharmaceutical industry, accommodate the
Italian Government's wish to contain public expenditure for
budgetary reasons . In any case, no action can be taken
pending the final reform of the system since significant
changes may yet be introduced . It should be borne in mind
that the system of average European prices has not yet
become fully operational in Italy owing to the CIPE's

No C 145 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

decision of 24 June 1994 to suspend application of its
decision of 25 February 1994 introducing that system .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2481 / 94

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 07 )

Subject : Subsidies for agricultural production

The reform of the common agricultural policy decided on in

1992 has resulted in a sharp fall in producer prices,
compensated for with subsidies paid per hectare, without
any restriction whatsoever .

This measure undoubtedly encourages farmers with a large
number of hectares to grow crops solely in order to obtain
Community subsidies, and penalizes small farmers .

Consequently, there is a significant increase in certain crops,
such as sunflowers in France, and citrus fruit in Italy, which
are grown solely for the EU subsidy, with the result that
small farmers who rely on the quality of their produce are
penalized by a situation they can do nothing about .

Will the Commission implement a quota system for the
number of hectares eligible for EU subsidies and will it
consider quota restrictions on State aids for all agricultural
production ?

Following the third year of application ( 1995 / 96 ) the
Commission will thoroughly review the working of the
reform and the results obtained . It is only at this time that
any changes will possibly be made to Regulation ( EEC )
No 1765 / 92 establishing a support system for producers of
certain arable crops .

The Commission does not envisage any substantial
modifications, such as suggested by the Honourable
Member, before this assessment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2483 / 94

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 08 )

Subject : Operation of the single market

Since the abolition of customs barriers on 1 January 1994,
many undertakings complain of technical barriers which
hamper the marketing of their goods in the European
Union .

Does the Commission intend to take steps to ensure that the
single market operates perfectly and to get rid of the
artificial technical restrictions on intra-Community trade
which compromise the establishment of a genuine market
prior to Economic and Monetary Union ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

Answer given by Mr Steichen on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 january 1995 )
( 13 January 199 S )

The purpose of common agricultural policy reform in the
arable crops sector is to obtain a better balance between
production and consumption of cereals, oilseeds and
protein crops in the Community . A three-pronged approach
has been adopted to curb production :

— lower intervention prices

— compensation for the resulting income loss to
producers

- — set-aside of arable land .

The results obtained in the second year of application of the
reform appear to indicate that this purpose is in the course of
being achieved .

The Commission is aware that more has to be done before

the internal market is fully in place . To remove the
remaining technical trade barriers action is needed in three

areas :

1 . Implementing législation

Implementing Community legislation is the task of the
Member States . But Community law cannot be put into
effect without close cooperation between the Member States
and the Commission, which has to ensure that the
legislation is applied in a fair, effective and even-handed way
in every Member State . The Commission already :

— assesses regularly how the rules are applied at national

level . The Commission prepared a report for the
December internal market Council of the transposition

12 . 6 . 95 \_ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 7

of national legislation, including technical
harmonization Directives, in order to focus political
attention on delays or apparent misunderstandings
about what Community law requires . Similar reports
will be submitted to future Council meetings .

— encourages administrative cooperation between the

national enforcement authorities in order to resolve

difficulties that can arise in the application of the
law .

2 . Promoting mutual récognition

The preferred route to a single market is, and will remain,
mutual recognition of the equivalence of different national
rules rather than their harmonization through Community
Directives . The main obstacle to the free movement of goods
in the Community today is the application of national rules
without taking into account the principle of mutual
recognition .

In order to solve these problems the Commission is taking
the following steps :

— an interpretative communication on the application of

the principle of mutual recognition to trade in industrial
products is being prepared .

— the Commission has already proposed to the Council

and the Parliament a procedure for the exchange of
information between the Member States on national

measures derogating from the principle of mutual
recognition . Such a procedure would improve
knowledge about national decisions to ban or restrict the
marketing of products which can seriously affect the
flow of trade, by obliging Member States to notify any
decision to refuse a product coming from another
Member State . This draft decision, which has been
strongly supported by the Parliament, is not yet
supported by a majority of Member States .

3 . Speeding up the resolution of problems

In case of problems in trading across the single market,
companies must be able to complain and see that their
complaints are solved within reasonable time . The
Commission is reviewing its complaints procedures and the
information given to complainants . As a first step, more
information about the possibilities for making complaints
will be issued in the coming months . Other options are an
acceleration of the handling of infringement procedures,
and increased publicity about complaints received .
Problems of this kind may also be tackled through informal
procedures, such as ' package meetings ', where a group of
Commission officials from different services meet national

officials, and discussions in the internal market advisory

committee .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2569 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 09 )

Subject : Uruguay Round GATT agreement and animal

welfare

Is the Commission aware that considerable concern is

expressed by constituents that the Uruguay Round GATT
agreement could destroy animal protection ?

In particular there is concern that any law which restricts
trade in animals or animal products could be construed as
an unnecessary barrier to trade, and the prohibition of
discrimination between like products may fail to take into
account how animals were reared, how the animal was
transported, what was injected into its body and how it
died .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the concerns which have been

expressed concerning possible adverse effects of the GATT

1994 agreements on Community animal welfare legislation
but considers that such concerns are unfounded .

The agreements negotiated in the Uruguay round, including
the agreement on technical barriers to trade ( TBT code ),
explicitly recognize that Members have the right to take
measures, such as the adoption and application of technical
regulations, necessary to fulfil a legitimate objective such as
the protection of animal life or health, as long as they are in
accordance with the provisions of the relevant

agreement .

In particular, the TBT agreement has always recognized the
legitimacy of certain objectives . The protection of animal
life and health has been recognized as such an objective since
the first version of the TBT in 1979 . The TBT agreement
resulting from the Uruguay round did not introduce any
change in this respect . The new TBT only spelled out, with a
view to enhancing transparency, the concept of
proportionality with respect to technical regulations . In
evaluating the trade-restrictiveness of such regulations, the
TBT allows account to be taken of the risks which

non-fulfilment of a legitimate objective could create .
Available scientific and technical information as well as

No C 145 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

related processing technologies are recognised as relevant
elements in assessing such risks .

Methods of rearing, transport and slaughter may have clear
and measurable effects on animals . Community animal
welfare legislation has been adopted, on the basis of
scientific evidence, with a view to establishing what the
Community considers to be an appropriate level of
protection from undesirable effects . As this legislation is
applied transparently and without discrimination in trade
with third countries, the Commission does not consider that
it is open to attack under the GATT 1994 .

has already been established in Council Directive
92 / 84 / EEC ( l ). The Commission is due to submit a report to
Council and Parliament on these rates . The contents of this

report are currently under consideration .

(') OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2619 / 94

by John McCartin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 11
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2595 / 94

by Werner Langen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(S December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 10 )

Subject : Plans for a minimum tax on wine at European

level

It has come to my attention that the Commissioner
responsible intends to present a Commission proposal to
introduce a minimum tax on wine in the EU . Necessary
though it is to harmonize consumer taxes, these plans are
completely at odds with the Commission's efforts to put the
wine market in order . An EU-wide wine tax would impede
the marketing of wine, thereby running counter to the
objective of increasing sales .

1 . What stage have discussions on introducing an EU
minimum tax on wine reached ?

2 . What minimum rate is envisaged ? By what date is the tax
to be introduced ?

3 . Are there also plans to reduce the higher rates of tax on
wine which are in force in some Member States ?

4 . What is the Commission's view of the contradictions

between the aims of the proposed wine market reform
and the introduction of a tax on wine ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member
that a system of minimum rates for all alcoholic beverages

Subject : Opening up of the market in insurance

Will the Commission state whether all Member States have
fully implemented Directives 92 / 49 / EEC ( l ) and
92 / 96 / EEC ( 2 ) on the insurance market and notified the
Commission of the national implementing measures ? Will
the Commission be undertaking any infringement
proceedings against Member States that have not fulfilled
their obligations under these two Member State
Directives ?

(') OJ No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 360, 9 . 12 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

Five Member States ( Denmark, Germany, Netherlands,
Portugal, United Kingdom ) have so far completed
transposai and notified the Commission of the national
implementing measures in respect of Directives 92 / 49 / EEC
and 92 / 96 / EEC ( third life assurance and non-life insurance
Directives ).

The Commission is taking action under Article 169 of the
EC Treaty against the seven other Member States ( Belgium,
Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg ) for
failure to communicate national implementing measures .
More specially, of these Member States, only France has
notified certain measures transposing the Directives .

Proceedings have also been initiated against Germany for
failure properly to apply Directive 92 / 49 / EEC .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 9

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2631 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2632 / 94

by Freddy Blak ( PSE ) by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(8 December 1994 ) (8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 12 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 13 )

Subject : Fraud prévention Subject : Fraud prévention

Will the Commission state what measures have been

introduced within Directorates-General VI ( Agriculture ),
XIX ( Budgets ), XX ( Financial Control ) and XXI ( Customs
Union and Indirect Taxation ), and within the
Secretariat-General / Uclaf to combat fraud and ensure

compliance with EU legislation ? Will it specify what
legislative acts have been adopted to combat fraud, what
proposals exist for future legislative acts to combat fraud
and what legislative acts relating to other fields also address
the issue of fraud prevention ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The Commission has reported to Parliament on the
protection of the Community's financial interests and the
fight against fraud in 199 3 ('), with details of the measures
taken to combat fraud in the various budget areas .

The Commission also presented its anti-fraud strategy and
its 1994 work programme .

Parliament will be informed of what was achieved by the
measures in this programme when the annual anti-fraud
report ist drawn up in March . The 1995 work programme
has been approved ( 2 ), and Parliament was the first to be
informed of it .

Following Parliament's 1993 resolution on relations
between the control bodies of the Community budget, the
Commission is carrying out a study on payments to
whistle-blowers in the Member States .

This study, which will be finished at the end of 1995, will
serve as a reference document for the Commission with
regard to measures to improve detection of fraud against the
Community's financial interests .

(') COM(94 ) 94 .

i 1 ) COM(95 ) 23 .

Will the Commission state what training initiatives are to be
introduced in 19 95 to raise national authorities ' awareness
of fraud prevention and what seminars are expected to be
held ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

In the past, the Commission organized general seminars for
civil servants in several Member States on Community
policy relating to the fight against fraud against the
Community budget . In 1995 it will be organizing general
seminars in Brussels for a limited number of civil servants

from the new Member States .

Future seminars will be targeted on groups of civil servants
specializing in monitoring specific areas . These seminars will
be organized at the request of the Member States .

In 1995, seminars are planned on the following topics :

— Structural Funds ( Portugal );

— monitoring by remote sensing ( Italy );

— the fight against fraud ( French and Italian customs ).

Seminars are also organized for national civil servants
responsible for the financial management and monitoring of
Community funds where Community policies are managed
on a decentralized basis .

The following are planned for 1995 :

— Structural Funds ( France, Italy, Germany );

— Phare ( Czech Republic );

— EAGGF Guarantee Section ( Greece ).

The European lawyers ' associations in all the Member States
organize seminars with the Commission for those involved
in combating fraud .

No C 145 / 10 1 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

The topics to be dealt with in 1995 include judicial and
administrative cooperation between the authorities
responsible for fighting trans-border fraud and training for
investigation departments and officers in the detection and
pursuit of fraud against the Community budget .

Events are planned for Dublin in June and for Portugal in
May and June .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2633 / 94

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

(9 SIC 145 / 14 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2635 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

95 / C 145 / 15 )

Subject : Airport security

Does the Commission believe that airport security is only as
strong as its weakest link ? Does it not feel it is absurd and
redundant for UK airports to insist on inspecting passports
three times, while elsewhere in the Union one or at the most
two checks suffice ?

Is this not an unwarranted restriction on the free movement

of people within the Union ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Fra ud prévention

(9 February 1995 )

Will the Commission state how many direct on-the-spot
inspections have been carried out in the various Member
States for each of the years in which a legal basis existed for
such action ? Will it also state, for the years in question, how
many time it has asked individual Member States to conduct
inspections in which it can or did take part, and provide the
same information for administrative cooperation and
inquiry missions in non-member countries ? Will it also, for
each of the above cases, specify the legal basis for such
actions ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

There are many provisions constituting legal bases for
Commission inspections or participation in inspections in
the Member States or in non-member countries and for

requests that the Member States carry out inspections .

The Honourable Member will find a description of the most
important cases investigated over the last few years together,
with references to the legal basis, in the annual Commission
reports on the fight against fraud ('). The reports cover the
various budget areas ( own resources, EAGGF Guarantee
Section, structural measures, etc .). The 1994 report is due
out shortly . It will contain the most recent cases and outline
how the rules have evolved .

(') The last one is in COM(94 ) 94 final, 23 . 3 . 1994 .

In its communication of 8 May 1992 to the Council and to
Parliament on the abolition of border controls ('), the
Commission explained that the objective of Article 7a of the
EC Treaty was to do away with all border controls, i.e . all
controls carried out solely because an internal border is
crossed . Passport checks made in respect of intra-EC
journeys by carriers under the legislation on carrier
responsibility will also have to be abolished .

However, realization of the Article 7a objective must not
prevent security checks intended to protect certain
infrastructures such as airports and the Channel Tunnel or
certain types of transport such as air or sea transport . These
checks are triggered not by the crossing of a border but by
use of the infrastructure or type of transport concerned .
Thus, the retention of security checks is not incompatible
with the idea of the internal market since such checks are

also carried out, for example, on internal flights .

This principle is laid down in particular by Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3925 / 91 of 19 December 1991
concerning the elimination of controls and formalities
applicable to the cabin and hold baggage of persons taking
an intra-Community flight and the baggage of persons
making an intra-Community sea crossing ( 2 ). Article 1 ( 2 ) of
the Regulation lays down that the principle of abolishing
controls and formalities ' applies without prejudice to the
safety and security checks carried out on baggage by the
authorities of the Member State, port or airport authorities
or carriers '.

(') SEQ92 ) 877 Hnal .
Ç -) OJ No L 374, 31.12 . 1991 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 11

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2653 / 94 In the face of this tragic state of affairs, does the Council not

by Freddy Blak ( PSE ) consider that :

to the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 16 )

Subject : Combating fraud

What point has been reached in efforts to bring Structural

Fund commitments into line with EAGGF, Guarantee
Section, commitments ? Which rules have been breached,
which types and amounts of expenditure are involved, what
are the recovery possibilities and what legislative measures
have the Member States taken ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The Commission adopted Regulation ( EEC ) No 1681 / 94 ( )
concerning irregularities and the recovery of sums wrongly
paid in connection with the financing of the structural
policies and the organization of an information system in
this field on 11 July 1994 .

With regard to the various points referred to by the
Honourable Member, this Regulation is largely based on
Regulation ( EEC ) No 595 / 91, which applies to the EAGGF
Guarantee Section .

(') OJ No L 178, 12 . 7 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2670 / 94

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Council

( 19 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 17 )

Subject : Human rights in Algeria

As is well known, since the state of emergency was
proclaimed thousands of Algerian citizens have been killed
in despicable attacks by both the armed Islamic groups and
the security forces of the Algerian overnment . The Islamic
Armed Group and the Islamic Armed Movement are also
responsible for the murders of foreign citizens .

1, the question of human rights in Algeria should be given
absolute priority in contacts with both the Algerian
authorities and the representatives of the Islamic
Salvation Front ;

2, suitable pressure should be brought to bear on the
Algerian authorities and the political leaders of the
Islamic opposition to ensure that any future agreement
for cooperation and the restoration of order and
stability includes an unambiguous commitment to
respect for human rights ;

3, in any new cooperation agreements between the
European Union and Algeria, respect for human rights
should be a central element in the negotiations ;

4, support should be given to the requests and
recommendations made by Amnesty International to
the government in Algiers and the leaders of the Islamic
Salvation Front ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

1 . The European Union is following the situation in
Algeria very closely . On a number of occasions — for
example the Corfu European Council in June 1994, the
Presidency's statement to the UN General Assembly in
September 1994, the Essen European Council in December

1994, and the General Affairs Council in January 1995 —
the European Union has expressed its sharp concern at the
deteriorating situation in Algeria and its conviction that it is
up to the Algerians, and the Algerians alone, to find a
peaceful solution to the crisis on a basis of reconciliation .
The Union has consistently condemned the use of violence .
It re-affirms its profound attachment to respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms, irrespective of the
political convictions or religious beliefs of individuals and
political forces .

2 . The European Union has no formal or informal
contacts with those responsible for the now-disbanded FIS .
While adhering to the principle of non-interference, it
supports any initiative which might help the dialogue along
and, to that end, welcomed with interest the recent
initiatives which provided an opportunity to reflect on the
future of Algeria and encouraged all participants in Algerian
political life to come to an understanding on ways and
means of following up those initiatives and giving the
prospects they afford some tangible reality . The European
Union reconfirms its willingness to support a policy of
democratic development and economic re-structuring in
Algeria .

No C 145 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2680 / 94

by Klaus Rehder ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 18 )

Subi eet : Tråde in zoo animais

What possibilities exist for exempting zoo animals,
generically related to animals subject to market regulations

( e.g ., sheep, goats ), from the prevailing market regulations
governing the trade within the Community of animals for
show and for breeding in zoos and wildlife parks, thereby
avoiding high administrative costs ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The organization of the various animal sectors is regulated
in so far as market, trade and veterinary support measures
are concerned .

Special veterinary measures in respect of certain zoo animals
have been laid down by Council Directive 92 / 65 / EEC (').
Veterinary requirements concerning sheep and goats have
been laid down by Council Directive 91 / 68 / EEC ( 2 ). These
measures are designed to avoid the spread of contagious
diseases .

Council Directive 92 / 102 / EEC ( 5 ) on the identification and
registration of animals applies to holders, including zoos, of
various animal species including sheep and goats .

Although these measures require administrative work by
producers, including the authorities of zoos, the
Commission does not consider that this work is excessive

and has no plans to create exemptions from it .

(') OJ No L 268, 14 . 9 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 46, 19 . 2 . 1991 .
(') OJ No L 355, 5 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2692 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 19 )

Subject : Copyright legislation and music users

Given that the rights of music users are as important as those
of copyright owners,

what consultations have taken place with music users, in
particular the Music Users Council of Europe, which
includes the Music Council of Great Britain as a

member ?

If this organization has not been included in discussions on
copyright proposals, does the Commission feel that it
should ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 199 S )

For the purpose of completing the internal market, the
Commission adopted a work programme in 1991 to
harmonize legislation in the field of copyright and
neighbouring rights . Before this and before launching a
programme of specific measures to harmonize legislation
and strengthen the protection of copyright and
neighbouring rights, the Commission sought the opinion of
all those concerned ( authors, artists, cultural industries and
users ) to be in a position to make a proper assessment of the
interests affected . In addition, further consultations have
taken place during the execution of that programme . Several
hearings on specific subjects have been organized by the
Commission to which the representative organizations of all
those concerned in the Member States have been invited .

The music users ' council of Europe figures among the bodies
which, as a matter of routine, receive the invitation sent out
by the Commission soliciting views in this area of its work . It
is on this basis, to take the most recent example, that the
music users ' council of Europe submitted its position on the
possible harmonization of private copying to the
Commission in November 1993 . The Commission would

welcome any further representations which the music users '
council might wish to make .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2698 / 94

by Marie-Paule Kesteliin-Sierens ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 20 )

Subject : VAT rates on ornamental plants

In view of the fact that the VAT Directive of 1992

( 92 / 77 / EEC ) (') does not include ornamental plants in the
list of products subject to a reduced rate of VAT,

1 . Does the Commission consider that ornamental plants
must be subject to high VAT rates from 1995, with,
according to a recent study in the Netherlands, a
consequent loss of jobs in this sector in the countries
where reduced rates currently apply ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 13

2 . Is the Commission aware of fraud and distortions of should be regarded as ' second-hand goods ', specifically
competition in the horticulture sector, more specifically ' tangible movable property that is suitable for further use as
with regard to trade within the Community ? it is or after repair, other than works of art, collectors ' items

or antiques and other than precious metals or precious
(') OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 1 . stones as defined by the Member States ?

(!) OJ No L 60, 3 . 3 . 1994, p . 16 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 145, 13 . 6 . 1977, p . 1 .
Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware of reported cases of fraud in intra
Community trade in ornamental plants . These are
essentially a matter of investigation by the authorities of the
Member States concerned . However, it is clear that some
may have arisen because unscrupulous traders have decided
to take advantage of the differences in VAT rates applied by
Member States in this sector permitted by Community VAT
legislation ( Article 12(3)(d ) of the Sixth Council VAT
Directive ( as amended )).

The Commission has, accordingly, recently tabled a
proposal for a Directive under which Member States would
have the option of applying a reduced VAT rate to supplies
of flowers and plants on a transitional basis (').

(8 February 1995 )

While shoes do meet the conditions which the Seventh VAT
Directive requires to be fulfilled by second-hand goods, the
special arrangements introduced by that Directive do not
apply to shoe repairs . Those arrangements cover only
supplies of second-hand goods and do not apply to other
operations such as reconditioning, repairs and contract
work .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2729 / 94
(M COM(94 ) 584 .

by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2699 / 94

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 21 )

Subject : VAT rates in the shoe manufacturing sector

In view of the fact that the Ecofin Council of 14 February

1994 adopted the long-awaited Seventh VAT Directive

( 94 / 5 / EC ) ('), on special arrangements for so-called
' secondhand goods ', works of art, collectors ' items and
antiques, which will come into force by 1 January 1995,

bearing in mind that the shoe manufacturing sector is
labour-intensive, environmentally friendly and requires
craftsmanship,

considering that cross-border trade resulting from
differences in VAT is not applicable to the shoe
manufacturing trade,

does the Commission consider that the shoe manufacturing
sector is covered by the special provisions under Article 1(3 )
of Directive 94 / 5 / EC, which adds an Article 26a to Directive
77 / 388 / EEC ( 2 ), and that therefore manufactured shoes

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

95 / C 145 / 22

Subject : Aid to the fisheries sector — Pesca Programme

Under the Pesca Programme, Ptas 40 billion are to be
provided over the next five years to assist the conversion of
the fisheries sector . The Commission plans to allocate 50 %
of these funds to regions classified as Objective 1 regions . As
a result, there will be less opportunity for the conversion of
fishing industries located outside these regions .

The areas which are to benefit from the programme are not
defined in accordance with criteria which accurately reflect
their socio-economic circumstances . Too much emphasis is
placed on per capita income, while the unemployment rate
in relation to the Community average is ignored .

Another feature not taken into account in this scale of

priorities is the fact that the fishing industry is based in very
specific areas . Because fishing is concentrated in certain
coastal areas, such places experience particular social and
economic problems which often differ from those faced by
the rest of their region . As a result, when Community aid
comes to be granted, some coastal areas are at a
disadvantage to others with similar fishing industries and
similar social circumstances .

Has the Commission considered using fairer criteria when
allocating these funds ?

No C 145 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

Does the Commission believe that any regional
discrimination in this matter should be based fundamentally
on socio-economic criteria in the fisheries sector and in

fishing areas which are highly dependent on fishing ?

What representations has the Commission made to Belgium
to put an end to this situation, to comply with Articles 92
and 93, and consequently to declare the shares ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Bonino ( 13 Januarv 1995 )

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1995 )

The reform of the Structural Funds decided by the European
Council held in Edinburgh concentrates the available budget
resources in the period 1994 — 1999 on Objective 1 regions

( regions whose development is lagging behind ). Seventy per
cent ( 70% ) of the resources have been allocated to the
Objective 1 regions as a result . However, the Pesca
Community initiative has divided the budget resources
available to it equally between Objective 1 and other
regions .

The Commission would stress that the aim of the Pesca

initiative is to prepare the fishing sector to deal successfully
with change, help it cope with the attendant social and
economic consequences and contribute to the
diversification of the regions involved by developing
activities that create employment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731 / 94

Article 222 EC Treaty stipulates that the Treaty shall in no
way prejudice the rules in Member States governing the
system of property ownership . The Commission is therefore
neutral as concerns ownership of the Vlaamse
Milieuholding . In its communication on public authorities '
holdings in company capital ('), the Commission
distinguished several situations in which public authorities
may have the occasion to acquire a holding in the capital of
companies . In many instances these holdings do not involve
State aid as long as capital is provided under normal market
economy conditions .

Under Article 93(3 ) EC Treaty Member States are obliged to
notify proposed State aid measures to the Commission .
Consequently, if the participation contains State aid the
Belgian authorities should inform the Commission .

Only the Commission is competent to decide whether a
measure is compatible with the common market, and at
present the Commission has no indication that the
participation of the Flemish Region constitutes aid in the
meaning of Article 92(1 ) EC Treaty .

C ) Bulletin EC 9-1984 .

by Magda Aelvoet ( V ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2738 / 94

to the Commission
by Miguel Arias Cañete ( PPE )

( 16 December 1994 ) to the Commission

( 95 / C 145 / 23 ) ( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 145 / 24 )

Subject : Vlaamse Milieuholding
Subject : Projects in Spain financed by the Pesca Community

initiative

Vlaamse Milieuholding is a holding company owned by the
Flemish Community . According to the minister responsible,
shares in the company are not aid which should be declared
to the Commission, pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of the
Treaty on European Union . The shares are accordingly not
declared to the Commission .

Does not the Commission have powers to ascertain whether
the granting and use of drawing rights constitutes aid and, if
so, whether this aid is compatible with the common market
and whether shares in Vlaamse Milieuholding should,
accordingly, be declared to the Commission ?

Should Vlaamse Milieuholding shares be declared to the
Commission ?

Can the Commission specify in detail the projects selected in
Spain in 1994 for financing under the Pesca Community
initiative ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

Under the reform of the Structural Funds, the Spanish
authorities sent the Commission an operational programme
for the Pesca Community initiative . The Commission
adopted the operational programme on 27 December

1994 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 15

In accordance with the code of conduct agreed on 13 Juliy

1993 between the Commission and Parliament, under
which the Commission implements structural policies, the
Pesca operational programme for Spain was sent to
Parliament for information on 11 January 1995 .

due in particular to the fact that the pollutants differ in
nature with these two types of fuel . The Commission
considers therefore that, overall, no distinction can be made
between petrol - and diesel-engined vehicles meeting
equivalent standards .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2755 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2765 / 94
by Michl Ebner ( PPE )

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

( 21 December 1994 )
( 95 / C 145 / 25 )

( 95 / C 145 / 26 )

Subject : Discriminatory tax treatment of
environment-friendly vehicles Subject : Organic farming

In Italy, vehicles fitted with a diesel oxidation catalytic
converter are presently exempt from supertax for three

years .

After three years such vehicles, which have been
scientifically found to be considerably more
environment-friendly than vehicles with petrol catalytic
converters are ' penalized ' by being taxed at the higher rate
known as the ' superbollo '.

Can the Commission confirm that in this instance, because
of the Italian Government's discriminatory treatment of
environment-friendly vehicles by comparison with petrol
vehicles, Italy occupies a special position within Europe ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(1 S March 1995 )

The Honourable Member is referring to those provisions of
Italian law whereby diesel-engined vehicles conforming to
certain emission standards, registered between 3 February

1992 and 31 December 1995, are exempt for a period of
three years from the surcharge imposed on diesel-engined
vehicles in Italy .

The Commission wishes to point out first of all that the
Italian surcharge on diesel vehicles is a fiscal measure falling
within the exclusive competence of the Member States,
provided however that the measure does not discriminate
against imported vehicles, a condition which is satisfied in
this case since the measure applies to any diesel vehicle,
regardless of origin, and does not affect the proper
functioning of the internal market .

Moreover, it should be pointed out that comparing the
respective environmental merits of diesel-engined vehicles
and petrol-engined vehicles remains a matter of controversy,

Organic farming is a visible and interesting alternative for
certain farmers, in the face of the difficulties of conventional
agriculture and the new CAP orientations .

Can the Commission state whether surveillance and

inspection arrangements exist so as to provide consumers
with sufficient guarantees that the food they buy is totally
free from toxic substances ? If so, can it explain what these
arrangements are ?

Can it state what programmes it is undertaking for the
retraining and updating of technicians and farmers who
practise this activity ?

Can it state whether any information network or publicity
campaign is in place to enhance awareness of the existence
of such products on the part of consumers and
distributors ?

Can it state what initiatives are being undertaken to
standardize the labelling of such products ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 199 S )

Under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2092 / 91 of 24 June

1991 on organic production of agricultural products and
indications referring thereto on agricultural products and
foodstuffs (') any producer, importer or processor wishing
to market organic products must take part in an inspection
scheme designed to ensure that he respects the production
rules set by that Regulation and does not use products, in
particular fertilizers and plant health products, not
authorized under it . Member States are responsible for
setting up the inspection system and supervising the
inspection agencies, a list of which is regularly published by

No C 145 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

the Commission in the Official Journal . Organic food
products are also subject to inspection under general
provisions on inspection of foodstuffs .

Action designed to improve and spread organic production
techniques can be aided under several general
Community-level agricultural measures, in particular the
Community agricultural research programme ( AIR ) and the
agri-environmental aid scheme accompanying reform of the
common agricultural policy, the latter financed under
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 ( 2 ).

There is at present no information network or publicity
campaign organized at Community level .

Precise rules on labelling of organic products are given in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2092 / 91 . In a recent proposal, now
under examination in the Council, the Commission asked
for a brief for establishment of a European logo for organic
products to make them more easily identifiable and
recognizable by consumers .

( i ) OJ No L 198, 22 . 7 . 1991 .

i 1 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2783 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 27 )

Subject : Directive 86 / 609 / EEC on animal
experimentation

Given the discrepancies which are emerging in Member
States ' compliance with Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ('), will the
Commission seek a comprehensive and expert report on this
matter ? Such a report should include :

1, the actual controls in the different Member States

2, the system for monitoring compliance used by the
responsible authority

3, the qualifications and numbers of both monitoring and
licensing / administrative personnel and

4, the likely effectiveness of the controls ?

(') OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1995 )

Directive 86 / 609 / EEC has now been implemented by nearly
all Member States ( Luxembourg and Ireland are expected to
implement it in the very near future ).

1, and 2 . The discrepancies observed are mostly due to
the late implementation by some Member States of the
Directive and to the difficulty in setting up an
appropriate monitoring and control system in order to
comply with the provisions of the Directive .

3 . Being aware of the lack, both in number and in
qualification, of scientific personnel assigned to the
implementation of the Directive, the Commission has
initiated courses in various Member States, along with
the assistance of Eurogroup and Felasa ( federation of
European laboratory animal science associations ) in
order to improve the conditions and treatment of
laboratory animals through the training and education
of animal technicians .

4 . There can be no doubt that the increase in controls can

only improve the level and the quality of measures taken
for the correct implementation of the Directive . The
Commission will therefore examine, in detail, all of
these aspects . Several studies have been commissioned to
clarify and identify any differences between the Member
States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2803 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 28 )

Subject : Formation of cartels by commercial broadcasting

organizations

Veronica Broadcasting Association, the TV production
company Endemol and the commercial television station

RTL have agreed to set up a joint holding company to
operate all four commercial television channels specifically
aimed at viewers in the Netherlands . The company will hold
some two-thirds of the Dutch television advertising market,
and will give Endemol a decisive advantage over other TV
producers .

Does this agreement violate the competition rules in
Articles 85 and 86 of the EC Treaty ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 17

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

The Commission is aware that Veronica, Endemol and RTL
intend to create a holding company in order to exploit four
commercial television channels aimed at the Netherlands .

According to the information obtained by the Commission
it appears that the parties have not yet concluded the
necessary agreements . As no final agreements exist the
Commission cannot assess whether this cooperation
infringes European competition rules .

In line with its answer to Written Question No 2471 / 94 (')
of the Honourable Member, the Commission is also closely
following developments in this case .

(!) OJ No C 75, 27 . 3 . 1995, p . 49 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 805 / 94

concerning the Interreg, Regis, Urban, Rechar, Resider,
PME, Emploi, Adapt, Leader and Pesca Community
initiatives .

The Commission has since adopted decisions on the
Resider, Emploi and Pesca initiatives . It will sent the
adopted texts direct to the Honourable Member and to the
General Secretariat of the Parliament .

The programme proposals for the other initiatives are still
being considered by the Commission, particularly as regards
their compatibility with the guidelines and priorities set
down for each initiative .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2826 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1 995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 30 )

by Honorio Novo ( GUE / NGL ) Subject : European airport system

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 29 )

Subject : Community initiatives — programmes proposed

by Portugal

In the Commission's reply to my Written Question
E-2429 / 94 ('), Mr Bruce Millan, Commissioner, kindly
confirmed that on 28 October 1994 the Portuguese
Government submitted programme proposals concerning
the Community initiatives Interreg, Regis, Urban, Rechar,
Resider, PME, Emploi, Adapt, Leader and Pesca, which are
currently under consideration by the Commission .

Although it was objective, I consider the reply to have been
insufficient . Could the Commission therefore forward the

complete list of proposals submitted on that date by the
Portuguese Government for each of the abovementioned
initiatives and a list of all the proposals approved once this is
done ?

(>) OJ No C 75, 27 . 3 . 1995, p . 46 .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The Commission confirms that on 28 October 1994 the

Portuguese Government submitted programme proposals

Financial, technical and administrative obstacles are
hampering completion of the 1 1 trans-European network
projects accorded priority status at Corfu .

The Malpensa problem also encompasses the issue of
Milan's whole airport system, which also comprises
Milan-Linate and Bergamo-Orio al Serio . Milan is a hub for
traffic between Italy and Europe and as such is regarded as a
Category 1 system ; it is essential for the three airports to be
connected with one another as soon as possible ( e.g . by a
rapid light railway ) to allow optimum use of the entire

system .

Will the Commission not consider these facts and include

this argument when assessing all the priorities ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

The development of Malpensa airport was presented by the
Italian authorities in the context of the work of the

Christophersen Group .

The objective of the project is to develop Malpensa airport
as an international ' hub ' for Northern Italy with a view to
meeting the increasing demand for air transport at Milan,
while taking into account existing and future capacity
constraints at Linate airport . In this context, the Italian
authorities did not propose any changes to the role of

No C 145 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

Bergamo airport which is part of the Milan airport system as
defined in Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2408 / 92 of 23 July

1992 on access for Community air carriers to
intra-Communiy air routes (').

A workshop on this project, held in June 1994 in the
presence of all parties, including regional and local
authorities, allowed for the identification of all
airport-related priority projects . The contruction of a rapid
rail link between Malpensa and the city centre as well as the
proper interconnection between Malpensa and the rail and
road networks were identified as an integral part of the
airport project and given the same priority as the airport
itself .

The connection through a rapid rail link of the three airports

( Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo ) forming the Milan airport
system, as suggested by the Honourable Member, has not
been identified by the parties directly concerned as a priority
project . The Commission is of the opinion that according to
the subsidiary principle it should endorse the decision of the
parties concerned .

(') OJ No L 240, 24 . 8 . 1992 .

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1995 )

Since 1 January 1993, all Community air carriers have been
completely free to operate air services between Italy and
other Member States to and from the cities of Milan, Turin
and Bologna . They are also free to fix fares .

However, Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2409 / 92 on fares
and rates for air services ( 1 ) allows Member States, under the
control of the Commission, to withdraw a basic fare which
is excessively high to the disadvantage of users in relation to
the long term fully allocated relevant costs of the air carrier .
The Commission may also act directly on the basis of a
complaint made by a party with a legitimate interest . The
Commission has so far received no such complaint
concerning the routes to which the Honourable Member
refers . In any event, it is primarily a matter for Member
States to apply and enforce these provisions . The
Commission may intervene to apply the fare safeguards
provided for in the abovementioned articles only in properly
founded cases .

In the event of a complaint, the tariff practice in question
should also be assessed, where appropriate, in the light of
Article 86 of the EC Treaty which prohibits abuses of a
dominant position .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2827 / 94 C ) Ol No L 240, 24 . 8 . 1992 .

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 11 january 1 9 9 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 31 )

Subject : European airport system WRITTEN QUESTION E-2847 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

Financial, technical and administrative obstacles are
hampering completion of the 1 1 trans-European network
projects accorded priority status at Corfu .

Within the European airport system, the highest fares are
charged between Milan and Turin and Bologna and the
other important European cities ( e.g . the Milan-Brussels
fare is almost twice as much as Rome-Brussels ). Apparently
this is because the abovementioned cities are business

destinations rather than tourist destinations .

This explanation is nonsense ; Piedmont, Lombardy and
Emilia have ample architectural, cultural and historical
attractions .

Will the Commission approach the companies which
manage European air transport to have this situation
rectified and this manifest injustice remedied ?

( 11 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 32 )

Subject : Interest on advances for project financing

( Funds )

The Annual Report of the Court of Auditors concerning the
financial year 1 993 indicates that the ESF and ERDF, among
others, extend advances to finance programmes or projects .
These advances often yield interest . Attention has been
drawn to this point in the past .

Is there not now an urgent need to adopt a uniform rule
concerning the use of such interest ? If the Commission
agrees, does it have any idea what form such uniformity
might take ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 19

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

The Commission does in fact seek to apply a uniform rule in
the instance cited by the Honourable Member . Its thinking
proceeds from the assumption that any advances it pays are
dependent on actual progress of operations on the ground,
so that funds are unlikely to be tied up for any length of time
and little profit should be made from interest accounts . This
is borne out by the fact that the regulations require the
Member States and their designated authorities to pass on
any Community funds received to the final beneficiaries
within three months .

In the case of the Structural Funds, the Commission ceases
to own the funds once they have been transferred to the
Member States . But it monitors compliance with the
relevant provisions, in particular regarding the time limit for
the transfer of Community funds to the final beneficiaries
and their correct utilization .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2862 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 199 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 33 )

Subject : Information on UK nuclear installations

Will the Commission please state what information it has
received in the past year from the UK Government regarding
its activities at all of its nuclear re-processing plants

( including notification of accidents )?

Is the Commission satisfied with the level of information it is

receiving ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

In general the Commission is not systematically informed by
Member States of activities at specific nuclear installations
although it does maintain a watching brief, as guardian of
the Euratom Treaty, based on the media and routine direct

contacts .

Exceptionally, under the terms of Article 37 of the Euratom
Treaty, information is required on any new plan for the

disposal of radioactive waste and a Commission opinion is
issued on whether implementation of such a plan is liable to
result in the radioactive contamination of water, soil or
airspace of another Member State . The most recent opinion
concerning a United Kingdom plan was in fact for the Thorp
re-processing installation and was issued in 1992 (').

As regards other radiation protection matters, it is the
responsibility of the individual Member States to ensure
the application of the Community basic safety standards
for the health protection of the general public and workers
against the dangers of ionizing radiation ( Council
Directive 80 / 836 / Euratom ( 2 ), as amended by Directive
84 / 467 / Euratom ) ( 3 ). The Commission would only become
involved if questions arose concerning the correct
application of these standards . Thus an accident does not
require to be reproted unless it is on a scale such as to trigger
the specific Community arrangements for the early
exchange of information in the event of a radiological
emergeny ( Council Decision 87 / 600 / Euratom ) ( 4 ). No such
accident has occurred since these arrangements became
operational in 1988 .

However, in the context of periodic or occasional reviews
the Commission does request information on specific topics
from time to time . Such exercises include data on radioactive

effluent discharges from nuclear power stations and nuclear
fuel reprocessing plants, including those from Sellafield and
Dounreay . Due to changes in immediate priorities
post-Chernobyl the most recent related review ( - ) extends
only to 1 986 but work is already in hand to update this with
more recent data .

Information provided to the Commission in the framework
of Chapter VII ( safeguards ) and its implementing
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3227 / 76 ( 6 ) is received in confidence
directly from the people or undertakings that hold the
nuclear material and not from the UK Government . The

information received from these people and undertakings
deals with basic technical characteristics of the installation,
activity programmes, advance notifications of imports and
exports, monthly declarations of inventory changes,
declarations of inventories of nuclear materials and of

material balance reports and other aspects as they arise
relevant to safeguards as defined in the Regulation . In the
past year no notification of accidents was received from
installations in the United Kingdom .

The provision of safeguards information is a dynamic
process . The Commission is, however, satisfied with the
level of information it receives .

(') OJ No L 138, 21 . 5 . 1992 .

i 1 ) OJ No L 246, 17 . 9 . 1980 .
C ) OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 371, 30 . 12 . 1987 .
H EUR 15928 EN ( in press ).

( h ) O ) No L 363, 31 . 12 . 1976 .

No C 145 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

QUESTION E-2870 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-28 79 / 94

E wing ( ARE ) by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Council to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2870 / 94

by Winifred E wing ( ARE )

( 16 January 1995 )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 951 C 145 / 34 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 36 )

Subject : Juan Mayo Mendez Subiect : Euratom Guarantee Fund

Will the Foreign Ministers meeting in Political Cooperation
please raise the case of Juan Mayo Mendez, a student, who
was arrested in Las Tunas, Cuba, in January 1990 for
writing anti-government slogans ? He has been sentenced to
six years ' imprisonment .

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that,
according to its information, the student Juan Mayo
Mendez was released following the visit to Cuba in
December 1 994 by Mr Ayala Lasso, High Commissioner for
Human Rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2873 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ARE )

to the Council

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 35 )

Subject : Prisoner of Conscience Ma Yun-Jong

Will the Foreign Ministers meeting in Political Cooperation
raise the case of prisoner of conscience Ma Yun-Jong, a 29
year old French teacher in South Korea, who was arrested in
October 1992 and tortured and is now being held prisoner
despite his protestations that he has no connections with
North Korea and has never engaged in spying activities ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

3 . The Fund is intended to cover risks related to loans

and guarantees covering loans to third countries or for
projects executed in third countries . These are
macro-financial assistance loans backing up IMF funding or
EIB loans guaranteed by the Community budget . Its
resources are intended to repay Community creditors in the
event of a default by a recipient of a loan guaranteed by the
Community .

As an accompanying measure with a view to the extension of
Euratom loans to the countries of central and eastern

Europe and the former Soviet Union, consideration has been
given to setting up a guarantee fund to cover the financial
obligations of non-member States of the EU .

1 . Has this fund been set up ?

2 . Who pays in to this fund, and how much ?

3 . What specific areas is the fund supposed to cover ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 March 1995 )

1 . Regulation ( EC, Euratom ) No 2728 / 94 establishing a
Guarantee Fund for external actions (') was adopted by the
Council on 31 October 1994 .

2 . Articles 2 and 4 of this Regulation specify that the
Fund is to be endowed by payments from the general budget
out of the guarantee reserve, for which a ceiling of ECU 300
million at 1992 prices has been set for each year in the
financial perspective . These payments to the Fund are equal
to 14% of the capital of the operations decided on and
committed since 1 January 1993 until the Fund reaches the
target amount of 10% of outstanding capital liabilities .

Two other sources for financing the Fund are laid down by
the Regulation establishing the Fund :

— interest on Fund resources invested,

— amounts recovered from defaulting debtors where the

fund has already honoured the guarantee .

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Republic of Korea resources are
is a country with democratic institutions . It is led by a event of a default by a
civilian President whose election by direct universal suffrage Community .
aroused no dispute and its authorities have affirmed their
attachment to democratic values and human rights . (') OJ No L 293, 12 . 11 . 1994 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 21

QUESTION E-2883 / 94 recommendations to combat racism and intolerance . On the

Ebner ( PPE ) basis of these reports the European Council meeting in

to the Council Cannes in June 1995 will adopt an overall strategy of the
European Union against racism and xenophobia .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2883 / 94

by Michl Ebner ( PPE )

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 37 )

Subject : Ban on Nazi and Fascist emblems and symbols

In a few months ' time we shall be celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the end of the Second World War and
commemorating the downfall of extremist dictatorships in
Europe which caused a great deal of suffering to numerous
peoples, ethnic groups and countries . Many European
countries have resolutely committed themselves to resisting
extremism in whatever form .

While Germany, for example, has created legal instruments
such as its basic law, penal code, law on associations, etc .,
making it possible to ban fascist emblems and symbols and
even those liable to be mistaken for such symbols and to
remove existing ones, in Italy Fascist emblems and symbols
are still displayed on buildings or put on show in public
places ; Fascist symbols are also still freely manufactured and
marketed .

Is it not time, 50 years after the end of the Second World
War and the downfall of the Fascist dictatorship in Europe,
to find a European solution and ban Fascist and Nazi
emblems, symbols and memorials throughout Europe, and
to order their removal ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

The Council's position on racism and xenophobia is well

known . The Council would point out that the specific
questions raised by the Honourable Member fall within
national jurisdiction .

However, on the basis of a Franco-German initiative, the
European Council meeting in Corfu decided in June 1 994 to
develop an overall strategy against racism and xenophobia
in the European Union . To that end, the General Affairs
Council meeting on 18 July 1994 set up a Consultative
Commission which will submit its final report in April .
Similarly, at its meeting in March the Council of Ministers of
Justice and Home Affairs decided on its contribution to

the fight against racism and xenophobia . In addition, the
Youth and Education Councils meeting in December

1994 have already submitted contributions containing

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2891 / 94

by Christoph Konrad ( PPE )

to the Commission

(4 January 199 5 )

( 95 / C 145 / 38 )

Subject : Decisions on subsidies for individual undertakings

in the European steel industry

With the decisions it took on subsidies for individual

undertakings in the European steel industry in April 1994,
the Council required recipients of State aid to submit regular
reports . State aid amounting to Lit 4 790 billion ( DM 4,8
billion ) has been approved for the Italian undertaking ILVA .
In 1993 this undertaking made a loss of Lit 4 352 billion

( DM 4,4 billion ), no more than Lit 900 billion of which can
be covered by its own capital . Additional financial
requirements of at least Lit 3 400 billion ( DM 3,4 billion )
are thus already discernible .

Being aware of the reports from the Member States, how
does the Commission view the fact that this undertaking is
unlikely to be able to achieve its re-structuring objective ?

Will the emerging additional financial requirements
persuade the Commission to call for further reductions in
this undertaking's capacity ?

A number of undertakings for which State aid has been
approved are probably no longer in a position to achieve
their re-structuring objectives . In these circumstances, will
the Commission have to redefine the contribution made by
recipients of State aid to capacity reduction under the
re-structuring programme for the European steel
industry ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

Since the Honourable Member's question appears to be
based on a misunderstanding of the nature of the Ilva
re-structuring plan and the associated aids, it might be
helpful to explain the background .

No C 145 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

The re-structuring plan for Ilva called for the creation of two
new companies, ILP and AST, to be privatized while all the
other activities were kept in a company called ' Ilva in
liquidation ' with the intention to sell them separately or to
liquidate them .

The 1993 balance sheet showing a loss of Lit 4 352 billion
still refers to the whole Ilva group before splitting off of the
two new companies .

The amount of State aid approved ( Lit 4 790 billion ) was
calculated on the basis of the forecasted indebtedness of the

company at the end of 1993, minus the expected income
from the sale of, and the foreseen transfers of debts to, the
companies to be privatized .

The total indebtedness of the Ilva group at the end of 1993
was Lit 10 067 billion and it included the amount

corresponding to the 1993 loss which was Lit 4 352 billion .
From this total indebtedness, once the debts to be
transferred to the privatized companies and the incomes
expected from their sale have been deducted, there remain
Lit 4 140 billion, which will be covered by the approved aid
for writing off debts of Lit 2 943 billion plus Lit 1 197
billion for re-structuring and liquidation costs of Ilva in
liquidation . On top of this a contingency of a further Lit 750
billion was also authorised against the possibility of lower
than expected incomes from the sales of the companies
being privatized .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2896 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 16 January 199 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 39 )

Subject : Nuclear aid for the Ukraine

1 . In its answer to question E-2063 / 94 (') by Hiltrud
Breyer, MEP, why did the Commission not reply to the
question as to its view of the estimated cost of retrofitting
the three Ukrainian Type VVER 1000 nuclear power
stations so as to bring them up to a level of safety
comparable to that of nuclear power stations authorized in
the Federal Republic of Germany ?

2 . Is Euratom funding used to assist projects which do
not comply with safety standards applicable in the Federal
Republic ?

3 . In its answer to question E-2063 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer,
MEP, why did the Commission not give a true answer to the
question as to whether, in talks with the European Union,
the Ukraine had asked for modern gas-fired power stations
to be delivered to offset the loss of electricity production
capacity due to the closure of Chernobyl ?

(') O J No C 36, 13 . 2 . 1995, p . 34 .

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 1995 )
Up to the last report ( covering the period up to 30 June

1 994 ), the Commission is satisfied that the overall need for
aid will be within the limits of the December 1993 decision .

At this stage therefore there appears to be no ground for
believing that there will be additional financial requirements
or that the re-structuring plan will not achieve its
objectives .

Nevertheless, the Commission will continue to follow
closely the financial performance of Ilva in liquidation .

More generally, the Commission is maintaining a close
check on the implementation of the re-structuring plans of
all the undertakings for which State aid has been approved
under Article 95 ECSC Treaty, in order to ensure that all the
terms and conditions attached to the authorisation of aid,
including the necessary progress towards the attainment of
viability, are respected .

Through the monitoring reports the Council and the
Consultative Commitee will also be kept informed . If the
terms and conditions are not fulfilled, the Commission will
not hesitate to take the necessary action .

1 . and 2 . Due to differences in administrative

organization and practices, detailed licensing
regulations vary from one country to another .
Therefore, the Commission considers that it is not
appropriate to establish a detailed evaluation of the
costs of the completion of the three VVER   - 1 000 units
under construction to the safety level corresponding to
regulations in application in Germany . It has established
its preliminary cost evaluation by reference to an
adequate safety level which reflects internationally
recognized safety principles . The result of this
preliminary evaluation was included in the answer to the
Honourable Member's previous question .

2 . As far as cost is concerned, it is obvious that only
detailed investigations, performed during the setting up
of the financial dossier, will provide more precise and
definitive costs of the final list of upgrades to be
implemented before start-up .

3 . As far as a request from Ukraine for the supply of
modern gas-fired plants is concerned, the Commission
can confirm the answer given to the Honourable
Member's previous question . Ukraine has, however,
indicated that the closure of any unit of the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant poses the question of replacement
electricity .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 23

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2905 / 94

by Willy De Clercq ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 40 )

These products were exported by Cyprus Fruit and
Vegetable ' Cypfruvex ' Enterprises, Mersin, Ltd ., which
used to export products from the occupied part of Cyprus to
the European market ; the cases in which the fruit was
shipped sprecifically name its place of origin as Cyprus .

According to our sources, the Commission was notified in
good time of this commercial practice .
Subject : Use of funding from the Structural Funds

Is there any truth in the rumour that the restructuring of the
starch processing enterprise Amylum NV of Aalst, Belgium
— involving a move to the Nord Pas de Calais region of

France — has been made possible mainly by the aid which
the region concerned has received, via the Structural Funds,
from the European Union ?

If so, is not such use of this type of funding incompatible
with the basic principles of the Union ?

Is the Commission considering measures to alleviate the
social impact of this relocation ? If so, what ?

Will the Commission say :

— what specific action has the Commission taken ?

— has it raised the matter with the Dutch customs

authorities, given that the products in question clearly
originate from the occupied part of Cyprus, thereby
violating the terms of the relevant judgment handed
down by the European Court of Justice ?

— how have the Dutch authorities reacted ? Have they

investigated whether these exports were legal ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

( 21 February 1995 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

The restructuring operation to which the Honourable
Member refers did not receive assistance from the

Community Structural Funds .

The Commission is not planning measures of the kind
envisaged by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-26 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1995 )

(9 SIC 145 / 41 )

Subject : Illegal imports to the European Union of products

originating from the occupied part of Cyprus

As plant health certificates No 46446 and 46447
( 29 November 1994 ) issued by the Turkish Ministry of
Agriculture show, quantities of citrus fruits have been
exported to the Community through the Dutch port of
Rottderdam .

The Commission has been informed of the commercial

transaction referred to by the Honourable Member .

It immediately contacted the Dutch customs authorities and
their plant health services . The authorities concerned did
not believe, on the basis of the information they received and
the checks carried out, that there were grounds for stopping
the release of the goods . The Commission has, however,
asked the Dutch customs authorities for further details .

On a more general note, the Commission reaffirms the
importance it attaches to compliance with of the Court of
Justice's ruling on imports from northern Cyprus and points

out that it has formally explained the practical implications
of this ruling to representatives of the Member States in a
number of forums ( including the EC-Cyprus Customs
Cooperation Committee, the Fruit and Vegetables
Committee, the South-East Europe Working Party and the
Standing Committee on Plant Health ). Moreover, in
December 1994 the Commission sent a circular to all

customs authorities asking them to be particularly vigilant
in the case of products suspected of coming from northern
Cyprus .

No C 145 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-42 / 95

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR )

QUESTION E-42 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-43 / 95

Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR ) by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 42 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 43 )

Subject : Irradiation of food

Can the Commission say :

1 . Whether it is in possession of sufficient data to be able to
make a final assessment of the risks of irradiating
food ?

2 . What the situation is with regard to the draft Directive
concerning approximation of the laws of the Member

States on the irradiation of foodstuffs and their

ingredients ?

Subject : European Conservation Year

The Council of Europe has declared 1995 the second
European Conservation Year .

Is the Commission planning to take measures or initiatives
in this context ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1995 )
Apart from its own environmental information and
awareness-raising activities, the Commission is also taking
part in the Council of Europe's European Nature

scientific information the Conservation Year by endeavouring to enforce Regulation

On the basis of long-standing scientific information, the
Commission has decided to promote the ionization of
certain foodstuffs, on account of its decisive role in
disinfecting foodstuffs and eliminating pathogenic bacteria
harmful to human health . The process also provides other
ways of conserving foodstuffs, though the Commission has
chosen to withdraw these from its initial proposal following
Parliament's reserved opinion .

Discussions in the Council on the proposal for a Directive
were interrupted in March 1992, but began again during the
German presidency . All the Member States are aware of the
need for legislation introducing a general framework

( framework Directive ) an a Community list ( implementing
directive ).

Agreement has already been reached on the treatment of
dried herbs and spices . The biggest problem relates to
national authorizations, their movement and the fate of
products not transferred to the Community list at the end of
a transitional period . The French presidency is planning to
resume the discussion .

( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 (') on agricultural production methods
compatible with environmental protection requirements
and the preservation of the countryside .

In addition, the Commission plans to provide financial
support for three other projects in the context of the
European Nature Conservation Year :

— a project for the mapping, on the basis of satellite

images, of natural areas of special ecologicial interest ;
the work would be carried out in collaboration with the

European Environment Agency, the Council of Europe
and the Centre National d'études spatiales ( France );

— Project 2001 concerning the conservation of ecological

corridors in Spain using the old transhumance routes ;
this programme has already received financial assistance
under LIFE-nature ; in the context of the European
Nature Conservation Year, the Commission will
support the production of an instructional
documentary ;

For further information on this subject the Honourable — the Council of Europe's 1995 Euro - Agenda .
Member should refer to the Commission's communications
to Rev Parliament . and PE 201 of 4 458 October Rev . II 1994 ., references PE 203 687 C ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 25

WRITTEN QUESTION E-52 / 95

by Karin Junker ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 44

Subject : Educational grants for German students studying

and living abroad

Article 5(2 ) of the German Federal Education and Training
Assistance Act ( BAfôG ) provides that sudents and trainees
may receive a grant if they are studying abroad and have
their permanent place of residence in Germany . Article 6 of
the same law provides that Germans who have their
permanent place of residence abroad and also study abroad
may receive a grant if their particular circumstances justify
such a measure . These special conditions are not generally
met if the course of study in question is also available in the
Federal Republic of Germany .

Germans who have their permanent place of residence
abroad and also study abroad are thus excluded from
receiving a German grant, and this means that they may be
unable, in practice, to study abroad .

Does the Commission consider that this German legislation
is compatible with European legislation on the right of
settlement or does it take the opposite view ?

Will it justify its position, citing in particular those
judgments handed down by the European Court of Justice in
respect of the right of settlement of persons undergoing
training on which its position is based ?

If it considers that German legislation is incompatible with
European Community law, can it say what steps it has
already taken, or intends to take in future, to remedy this
situation ?

Answer given by Ms Cresson
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 March 1995 )

A Union citizen whose permanent place ot residence is in a
different Member State from that whose nationality they
hold benefits from the same treatment as the nationals of

that Member State, particularly with regard to access to
courses of study and the different forms of aid relating to
them . Indeed, the Court of Justice includes in the rules on
admission to courses of study general measures intended to
make it easier to pursue education ( study grants in
particular ) and also the forms of aid granted to cover a
student's teaching fees and subsistence .

The situation is different when it concerns a Union citizen

who, while retaining their permanent place of residence in
the Member State whose nationality they hold, moves

temporarily to another Member State for the duration of
their studies . This national, who is permitted to stay in this
Member State as a student ( covered by a temporary
residence card ) benefits in part from the same treatment as
home students with regard to registration fees or other
benefits in kind . However, they may not claim any aid —
including study grants — which is intended for cases of
students in financial hardship . Directive 93 / 96 / EEC on
Community students anticipates that a Community student
will have sufficient finances during their stay in the Member
State where they intend to study to avoid becoming a burden
on the social security authority of that Member State .

Where Community law is concerned, the Member State of
origin is at liberty to choose whether or not to award grants
to its nationals who move to another Member State for the

purpose of study . However, in cases involving the award of
such a national grant, the Member State in question must
treat its own national moving to another Member State to
study in the same way as a Community national living on its
own territory .

Therefore, under current Community law, the question
raised by the Honourable Member is the responsibility of
the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-65 / 95

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 January 19 95 )

( 95 / C 145 / 45 )

Subject : Animal carcass disposal and meat waste processing

plants in the European Union

What conditions must animal carcass disposal and meat
waste processing plants fulfil, and have any national
derogations been granted ?

Which products are produced in these plants ?

What are these products used for ?

What temperatures must be reached in processing ?

Is it true that pathogens and germs which can cause anthrax,
gas gangrene, polio, tetanus, botulism and, possibly,
hepatitis are able to survive temperatures of up to

110°C ?

Is it true that basic desiccation processes are permitted
which allow even salmonella to survive ?

No C 145 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

What investment costs would be necessary to refit animal updating of the lists of establishments and provide the
carcass disposal plants to enable them to carry out Honourable Member with the information requested .
processing at a higher temperature ?

How many animal carcass disposal and meat waste
processing plants exist in the Member States of the
European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

C ) OJ No L 363, 27 . 12 . 1990 .
(-) OJ No L 358, 8 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-79 / 95

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

( 20 Februarv 199 S ) to the Commission

(8 February 1 99 S )

The processing plants for dead farm animals and unfit meat
referred to by the Honourable Member treat animal
material in order to produce a variety of products in
particular meat and bone meal and tallow which may be
used for the susequent production of animal feedingstuffs,
fertilizer or other industrial uses . They are covered by
Council Directive 90 / 667 / EEC of 27 November 1990 laying
down the veterinary rules for the disposal and processing of
animal waste, for its placing on the market and for the
prevention of pathogens in feedingstuffs of animal or fish
origin ( ').

Under Article 21(2 ) Germany was given until 31 December

1 995 to comply with the Directive for the new Lander

( Commission Decision 92 / 558 / EEC of 23 November 1992
on transitional measures in relation to plants processing
high-risk material in the Lander of West Mecklenburg —
Pomerania, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and
Thuringia ( 2 )).

Member States are required to ensure that these
establishments operate in accordance with the requirements
of the Directive . The Annex in particular lays down
requirements as regards processing . To ensure effective
treatment a combination of parameters are laid down,
namely that the material must be heated to a core
temperature of at least 1 33 °C for 20 minutes at a pressure of
3 bar, and that the particle size of the raw material prior to
processing must be reduced to at least 50 mm by means of a
prebreaker or grinder . Stipulation purely of a temperature
of 110°C or only drying is not considered sufficient to
ensure destruction of bacterial spores of diseases such as
anthrax .

To measure the success of the process to inactivate
micro-organisms, samples of finished products, taken
directly after heat treatment, must be free from heat
resistant pathogenic bacteria spores . Samples are also
required to be taken during or on withdrawal from storage
to ensure compliance with standards for salmonella and
enterobacteria . Alternative heat systems may be approved
but only after they have been shown to ensure compliance
with the microbiological standards laid down .

The Commission is not in a position to give an indication of
the investments which might be necessary to upgrade
equipment in rendering establishments . The Commission's
lists of establishments are incomplete and do not yet include
the new Member States . It will ask the Member States for an

( 95 / C 145 / 46 )

Subject : Review of the Fifth Action Programme on the

Environment

In his reply to my earlier question 2535 / 94 ('), the then
Commissioner for the Environment said that the general
consultative forum would provide the Commission with
input into the review process of the fifth programme .

Could the Commission report on this input in due
course ?

C ) OJ No C 75, 27 . 3 . 1995, p . 53 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1995 )

The consultative forum on the environment which the

Commission established at the end of 1993 on the basis of
the fifth environment action programme ' towards
sustainability ', was set up by Commission Decision to
provide the Commission in its policy formulation with
opinions on matters on which the Commission specifically
requests an opinion from the forum .

At its plenary session on 27 and 28 January 1 995 the forum
had a preliminary discussion on the review of the fifth
programme . The issue will also be discussed at its next
session in April 1995 .

The forum discussed some potential elements for the review
such as strengthening the integration of environmental
aspects into other policies, trade and environment, the
relationship between environment, competitiveness and
employment and the broadening of the range of instruments
available to achieve sustainable development . It will send its
initial recommendations on these issues to the Commission

as an input to the review process .

If in due course the Commission decides to make public the
opinion of the forum on the review, the Parliament will of
course receive this information .

12 . 6 . 95 L _™ Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 27

WRITTEN QUESTION P-89 / 95

by Luigi Florio ( FE )

to the Commission

( 18 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 47 )

Subject : The sale of DAF and compliance with the principle

of fair competition

In March 1993, the Dutch and Flemish authorities drew up
a restructuring plan for DAF, which was on the verge of
bankruptcy .

Despite more generous bids, the abovementioned
authorities decided in favour of a group of Flemish and
Dutch businessmen who would receive funding put up by
the ABN-AMKO Bank .

Concern about the lawfulness of this operation does not end
here — by some miracle, DAF ended up with over Fl 10
billion in net profits at the close of 1993 . It is estimated that
the Westerlo and Eindhoven plants will yield net profits of
around Fl 100 million for 1994 .

Can the Commission provide Parliament with information
on DAF's stocks and valuation when Alpinvest, Janivo and
Vado Beheer became partners ?

Can the Commission supply information on the legitimacy
of the procedures followed ?

Can the Commission provide Parliament with information
on the investigation opened at the request of the other
bidders who were excluded ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

Fl 371 million . Further details are given in the 1993
annual report . It should be noted that the profits are
stated as Fl 10 million and not Fl 10 billion .

2 . With regard to the legitimacy of the procedure, the

receivers have been dealing with the DAF case in
accordance with Dutch law applicable to bankruptcies .
The sale of the truck assets in the Netherlands and

Belgium were approved by the respective commercial

courts .

3 . On 2 February 1993, the board of directors of DAF N. V.
asked for a suspension of payments in the Netherlands,
Belgium and the United Kingdom . On 5 February 1993,
DAF N. V. was granted an estate credit of Fl 1 20 million,
which was sufficient for it to continue its activities for

three weeks so that possible purchasers could make
offers to take over the company's activities . On
20 February 1993, an agreement in principle was
reached between the receivers and the creditor banks

about the sale price of DAF's assets to a new company,
DAF Trucks N. V., founded on 2 March 1993 . It was
made public on the same day . According to Dutch law, a
sale is concluded when there is an agreement as to the
price and the assets to be purchased . This was the case
here and later bids came therefore too late .

(') OJ No C 31, 2 . 2 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-95 / 95

by Philippe De Coene ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 48 )

Subject : Implementation of Article 39 of the Fourth
ACP-EEC Lomé Convention

In Article 39 of the Fourth Lomé Convention (' Lomé IV '),
the Community undertook to ban all exports to ACP States
of hazardous and radioactive waste as defined in paragraph
The Article Commission 93.2 EC Treaty opened ( procedures the procedure C 38 / 93 provided concerning under the 3 ot the article .
Netherlands (') and C 36 / 93 concerning Belgium ( 1 ))
regarding R&D and rescue aid to DAF N. V. as well as Because of differences in definitions and scope, there is some
possible aid to the new company DAF Trucks N. V. confusion about the exact meaning of Article 18 of
contained in the public participation or in the take-over Regulation ( EEC ) No 259 / 93 (').
conditions .

1 . According to the annual report of DAF Trucks N. V. for

1993, the purchase price for assets relating to the truck
activities of DAF B. V. and of other bankrupt DAF
companies with subsidiaries in the Netherlands and
Belgium, together with their fixed assets and stocks,
amounted to Fl 482 million . In the opening balance of
DAF Trucks N. V. capital and reserves were equal to

Does it or does it not prohibit exports to ACP States of the
wastes listed in Annex II to the Regulation ( the ' green list ')
for purposes of ' recovery '?

If not, how can this provision be reconciled with the
Community's obligations under Lomé IV, given that the
aforementioned Annex II includes wastes which must be

No C 145 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

regarded as hazardous under the terms of Article 39(3 ) of
Lomé IV ( e.g . wastes containing heavy metals )?

C ) Ol No L 30, 6 . 2 . 1993, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1 99 . S )

Article 18 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 259 / 93 does not apply to
' green list ' waste products listed in Annex II exported for
purposes of recovery to countries outside the OECD,
including those in the ACP .

However, the Regulation does state that those waste
products in Annexes III ( orange list ) and IV ( red list ),
whether for disposal or recovery, may under no
circumstances be exported to ACP countries .

The Commission is currently checking whether Annex II of
the Regulation is compatible with the Community's
obligations under Lomé IV and will, if necessary, amend it
accordingly to bring it into line with the Community's
international obligations .

WR1TTEN QUESTION E-97 / 95

by Philippe de Coene ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 49 )

Subject : Commission Decision of 2 December 1992
concerning the banning of pentachlorophenol in
Germany

On 17 May 1994, the above Decision was set aside by the
Court of Justice because inadequate reasons had been stated
for it .

The Commission Decision to confirm the German

regulation was announced to the press on 11 June 1992

( press release IP(92)467 ). However, the official
communication concerning the Decision was not published
in the Official Journal until 18 December 1992 . According
to the communication, the Commission Decision dated

from 2 December 1 992 .

How can the Commission explain the delay in publishing
this important Decision ? Why was it that a Decision taken in
June 1992 was not officially formulated and announced

until six months later ?

Why was the Decision published in the form of a mere
communication and not in full, as is customary for
Commission Decisions concerning competition ?

Why were the reasons for the Decision not formulated with
the same care as those for Decisions on competition or
State-aid ?

What are the legal consequences of the Court's setting aside
the Decision ? May Germany continue to apply its national
ban on pentachlorophenol ?

Does the Commission intend to take a fresh formal Decision

concerning Germany's request, this time stating proper
reasons ? If so, when ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1 99 S )

The lapse of time between the initial announcement of
confirmation of the German national rules on

pentachlorophenol ( PCP ) and publication of the
Commission's first Decision in the Official Journal is
explained by the extensive procedures needed to adopt and
publish the Decision . This was the very first Decision taken
by the Commission under Article 100 A(4 ) EC Treaty .

The Commission considers that a formal legislative act is
needed to justify a derogation from harmonized internal
market rules and does not consider that the procedures
followed in competition cases are relevant to confirmations
under Article 100 A(4 ) EC ] Treaty .

Following annulment of its Decision on 17 May 1994 for
lack of argumentation the Commission, having consulted a
world-renowned expert in the field of PCP and dioxins,
adopted a second Decision on 14 September 1 994 . This was
published in the Official Journal on 9 December 1994 ('). It
is a fully argumented Decision confirming that Germany can
continue to apply its national PCP ban .

C ) OJ No L 316, 9 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-102 / 95

by Phillip Whitehead ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 Fehruary 19 95 )

95 / C 145 / 50 )

Subject : Firework safety

What proposals does the Commission have for reaching an
agreed product standard for fireworks sold for public use in
the European Union ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 29

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

Russian aid programmes could help to solve this alarming
problem ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

The Commission has not adopted any proposal specifically on behalf of the Commission
relating to fireworks, nor does it plan any such proposal (1 March 1995 )
unless the need for action at Community level is
established .

(1 March 1995 )

The Commission's main concern regarding fireworks is
safety . The Commission is of the opinion that the protection
of public safety in this field can be efficiently ensured by the
public authorities in the framework of existing Treaty rules
and applicable secondary law, such as Council Directive
92 / 59 / EEC on general product safety (').

The Russian ' Northern fleet ' operates somewhat less than

90 submarines and two battle-ships with nuclear power
propulsion in the Murmansk region . More than 70
nuclear-powered submarines are decommissioned .

The radiological risk related to the submarines is mainly
due to :

Standards for fireworks are nonetheless being prepared by — the management of spent fuel,
CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, with
the participation of all standardization bodies . The — the dismantling of obsolete
Commission encourages this standardization work, the management of associated
successful conclusion of which will have as a consequence
the substitution of national standards by Community-wide — the treatment and
standards .

— the dismantling of obsolete submarines and the
management of associated radioactive wastes

— the treatment and conditioning of stored liquid

wastes .

(') Ol No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-lll / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 51 )

Subject : Risks from Russian nuclear submarines

An official Russian report on the delicate and even
disastrous situation of the Russian submarines built in the

nuclear shipyards of the Severodvinsk naval base near
Murmansk in the Arctic Ocean not only states that building
new nuclear submarines could cause 'a nuclear accident

involving the radioactive pollution of vast areas of the city
and its surroundings '; even more disturbingly, it affirms that
to remodel or decommission nuclear submarines would be

more dangerous still . Does the Commission have any
information on this subject, and does it think that any of its

Spent fuel is sent, after a cooling period, to the Mayak
facility for re-processing . Damaged spent fuel is not
accepted by this facility, and stores of such fuel may exist on
ship or on land . Dismantling of obsolete submarines is
partially done by the Northern fleet ( cutting out of the
weapons section ), but complete dismantling is deferred due
to lack of storage and disposal facilities for the waste ( and
probably also by lack of funding ). For treatment and
conditioning of liquid waste a Russian-Norwegian-United
States group is working to expand a Russian pilot facility to
industrial scale .

The Commission cooperation and assistance programmes
have not up to now received requests from the Northern
fleet to assist in radioactive waste management .
Nevertheless, the general situation of radioactive waste
management at the Kola peninsula is worrying enough to
attract the Commission's attention . The main problem
identified is the lack of interim storage and of disposal
facilities . Under a recently concluded contract, a group of
Community radioactive waste management agencies is
drawing up an inventory of wastes, including those expected
from submarines and is assessing options for storage and
disposal .

Additional assistance for submarine waste management, for
example in remote handling of radiating material, could be
considered only if the Northern fleet allows access to its sites
and requests Western help .

No C 145 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 12 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 Februarv 1995 )

(9 SIC 145 / 52 )

Subject : Consumer participation in standardization

The European Bureau of Consumers ' Unions ( BEUC ) is
demanding greater consumer involvement in setting
European technical standards, given the ever more
significant role of standardization in achieving the
objectives of Union policy .

The Commission is currently holding discussions with
ANEC, a new association created by consumer
organizations for coordination of their work in
standardization, in order to improve consumer
participation and input in standardization, both at national
and European level, on the basis of a precise action plan,
setting clear and agreed priorities .

Interested organizations bear the main responsibility for
organizing at European level and for coordinating more
closely so as to play a constructive and more effective part in
their own right in European standardization activities, as
called for in the 1992 Council resolution on the role of

standardization in the European economy (').

(') OJ No C 173, 9 . 7 . 1992 .

Since the Commission itself made the very same comments
in its 1992 Green Paper, has it examined the possibility of
active consumer participation in European standardization
bodies ? If so, how are they to be represented and when will
such participation become a reality ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 15 / 95

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann (8 February 199 S )

on behalf of the Commission ( 95 / C 145 / 53 )

( 10 March 1995 )

Subject : Price policy

The Commission can confirm that it has a strong interest in
promoting participation by consumers in the creation of
European standards, as well as by other interested parties
such as workers .

The European standards bodies have taken practical
measures to improve the level of participation of interested
parties at European level . For example, the largest of the
European standards bodies, CEN, has introduced the
category of associated members, so as to allow the formal
participation in CEN structures, in particular the general
assembly, of European representative organizations
interested in furthering and promoting European
standardization . Furthermore, CEN has set up sectoral
technical boards, open to direct participation by European
groupings of interests, which are responsible for
management of the technical programme in their technical
area of competence . Similar measures have been taken
within the standards bodies Cenelec and ETSI .

The national standardization bodies that form the

membership of CEN and Cenelec, and have the
responsibility for formulating the national position in ETSI,
are responsible for ensuring that all interested parties,
including consumer interests, have an opportunity to
participate in the establishment of the national position in
European work .

In order to provide the fullest possible participation by the
social partners in the development of European technical
rules, the Community gives support to the bodies
representing their interests at European level .

The draft Directive on price ticketing for food and non-food
products seeks to impose double ticketing ( selling price and
price by unit of measurement ) for all products, whereas
Member States have hitherto been entitled to exempt certain
products from carrying a price by unit of measurement .

Given that certain bodies have already stated their unease
with regard to this initiative, believing that the costs
involved will be overwhelming for many European
undertakings, and that the current system of price ticketing
guarantees a high level of consumer protection, has the
Commission examined the possibility of amending its draft
Directive ? If so, what new features are to be included ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

Extensive consultations took place in 1994 on the proposed
revision of the Directives on the indication of prices, and
these consultations are continuing .

The Commission has made a start by adopting, on
23 November 1994, a proposal for a Directive extending for
a further four years the transitional period for bringing into
force the Community system of unit-price indication, the
present deadline being 7 June 1995 . This proposal is
currently being examined by the Parliament, the Council
and the Economic and Social Committee .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 31

The revision of the present system must be accompanied by
a re-definition of the present arrangements concerning
prepackaged ranges .

A proposal for a Directive assigning a central role to
unit-price indication is currently being prepared and the
Commission ought to be able to examine it fairly soon,
alongside the revision of the arrangements for pre-packaged

ranges .

At all events, whatever decision the Commission takes it will
be sure to take all relevant interests into account .

WRITTEN QUESTION E l 1 8 / 95

by Giis de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 54 )

Subject : Information office in Nicosia

According to a report in ' The European ' of 4 December

1994, the Commission's external inspectorate has compiled
a highly critical report on the abnormally large sums which
the Commission representative in Nicosia has spent on
accommodation .

1 . Exactly how much rent was paid ?

2 . Does the Commission regard the . amount of rent paid as
acceptable ?

3 . If not, what steps has the Commission decided to
take ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

2 . Given the concern that this is causing in Krioneri, will
the Commission investigate whether the Greek
Electricity Board will submit a new, complete
environmental impact assessment covering an
alternative route for the power line outside the
residential area, as called for in Parliament's resolution
and by other bodies ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-128 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 55 )

Subject : Concern caused by breach of Community
legislation

Is the Commission aware of the complaints made since 1991
about the Greek Electricity Board's installation of
high-tension transmission lines through an area covered by
the official town plan of Krioneri in Attica ? In its resolution
of 5 May 1994 ( A3-0238 / 94 ) (') on non-ionizing radiation,
the European Parliament deemed it unacceptable for
high-tension transmission lines to cross residential areas .
The authorities in Krioneri — which is already crossed by
two other high-tension lines — the Ministries of the
Environment and Health, the Central Health Council, the
Central Association of Municipalities and Communities, the
Local Association of Municipalities and Communities of the
Prefecture of Attica, lecturers at Athens University and
Polytechnic and the Chairman of the European
Environment Agency, have asked the Greek Electricity
Board to bypass the area . On 22 November 1994, after
protests by local residents, the Public Prosecuter intervened
and ordered the arrest of the foreman in charge of the
Electricity Board workers trying to install the new power
line across the area on the grounds that Community law was
being broken .

1 . Does the fact that the environmental impact assessment
carried out by the Greek Electricity Board does not
consider alternative routes for the power lines but
merely a single route through a built-up area, constitute
a breach of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ).

1 . At present the monthly rent paid on accommodation
for the head of the Commission delegation in Cyprus is CYP
4 125 ( ECU 7 040 ). C ) OJ No C 205, 25 . 7 . 1994, p . 439 .
(-) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, n . 40 .
2 . A property market survey carried out at the time by the
delegation found that the rent on various other houses
available was of the same order of magnitude . The
quality / price ratio on the property selected and accepted was
deemed reasonable by the Commission . Answer Mrs

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

3 . The current head of the delegation in Nicosia has
recently put before the Commission a proposal for a tenancy
agreement with a monthly rent of CYP 3 500 ( ECU

5 974 ).

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

The Commission some time ago received a complaint
concerning the transmission of high-voltage electricity by

No C 145 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

overhead lines which passed through the district of Krioneri .
In its examination of the complaint, the Commission
contacted the Greek authorities to ensure that Directive

85 / 337 / EEC ( impact assessment ) had been complied with .
In this case, this is the only legal basis applicable as the
Parliament's resolution is not legally binding .

The Greek authorities replied that the project hat been
adopted, the Public Power Corporation DEI had been asked
to carry out an impact study for an environmental
assessment in accordance with the Directive and that no

action would be taken before a final decision had been taken

in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Directive .
The Commission considered this reply to be satisfactory and
therefore shelved the case .

The Commission has now very recently received a further
complaint on the same subject stating that work has begun
and an ' urgent ' decision taken without following the
procedure laid down in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC . In its
examination of this fresh complaint, the Commission has
contacted the Greek authorities and asked them to comment

on the claims made with a view to ensuring that Community
legislation is complied with .

particularly the obligation to use properly validated
manufacturing and purifying processes guaranteeing the
absence of specific viral contamination, insofar as the state
of technology permits . The Committee for Proprietary
Medicinal Products has adopted guidelines on the validation
of viral inactivation processes . The authorities in every
Member State insist that these guidelines are applied,
whether the products are from the private or the public

sector .

Some Member States allow only products derived from
blood or plasma from unpaid donations to be placed on the
market . This is considered one means of encouraging
voluntary unpaid blood donations, as advocated by
Article 3(4 ) of Directive 89 / 381 / EEC . However, medicinal
products granted Community authorization under the
centralized authorization procedure established by Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2309 / 93 ( 2 ) will be allowed on to the
market in every Member State, solely on the basis of the
assessment of their quality, safety and efficacy .

(M OJ No L 181, 28 . 6 . 1989 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 53 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-145 / 95 by Florus Wiisenbeek ( ELDR )

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission

to the Commission
(8 February 1995 )

(8 February 1995 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 57 )

( 95 / C 145 / 56 )

Subject : Eurovignette
Subject : Application of safety standards to medicinal

products derived from plasma

Does the Commission monitor whether the same safety
standards are applied throughout the European Union, be it
in the private or public sector, in the authorization of
methods to render plasma-based proprietary medicines free
of viruses during their manufacture ?

If the same standards are applied, what are the reasons given
by certain Member States for preventing the free movement
of plasma-based products within the European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

Directive 89 / 831 / EEC ( ) extends all the requirements
imposed by the legislation on proprietary medicinal
products to medicinal products derived from human blood
or human plasma . It also introduced specific provisions,

Is the Commission aware that a number of Member States

have decided to introduce a ' Eurovignette ' ( regional
Euro-toll scheme ) with effect from 1 January 1995 ?

Does the Commission know that residents of the

Netherlands have to buy a one-year Eurovignette, whereas
under German legislation it is possible to purchase one for a
day, a week, a month or a year ?

This means that a German haulier carrying out cabotage in
third countries is required to pay for use of the German road
network only on those days when his vehicle is actually in
Germany, whereas a Dutch haulier who wishes to do the
same is compelled to buy a Dutch Eurovignette for a whole
year ?

Is this compatible with the principle that the costs of road
use should be as equal as possible throughout the
Union ?

Does it not rather constitute a distortion of competition,
imposing discriminatory conditions ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 33

Is the Commission aware that non-resident hauliers cannot
buy Eurovignettes in Belgium or Luxembourg, and can do
so only with difficulty in Germany ?

Is the Commission aware that this may expose massive
numbers of non-resident hauliers to fines and prosecution,
causing further distortion of competition ?

Does the Commission not consider it desirable and / or

necessary to take measures with regard to the
Eurovignette ?

If so, what ?

If not, why not ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1995 )

The Commission is indeed aware that five Member States

( Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands ) are in the process of introducing a common
road user charge system ( the so-called Eurovignette ). This is
in conformity with Article 8 of Directive 93 / 89 / EEC (') on
the application by Member States of taxes on certain
vehicles used for the carriage of goods by road and tolls and
charges for the use of certain infrastructures, which sets
minimum levels for vehicle taxes and the conditions for the

introduction of user charges, including those governing any
common regional user charge system, such as the
Eurovignette .

The agreement signed by the five Eurovignette Member

States, in compliance with the Directive ( Article 7g ), allows
contracting parties either to impose on their own hauliers
only annual rates ( the case of Belgium, Denmark,
Luxembourg and the Netherlands ) or to charge their own
hauliers as they charge foreign hauliers, i.e . by day, week,
month or year ( the case of Germany ).

The Eurovignette was introduced on 1 January in Denmark
and Germany . In Belgium, national hauliers are charged
with the annual rate, also since 1 January 1995 . However,
due to legislative delays the Eurovignette is not yet imposed
on foreign ( non Belgian ) transporters . Luxembourg and the
Netherlands, due to the length of their legislative procedure,
have not yet introduced the Eurovignette ( neither for their
own hauliers nor for foreign hauliers ).

Dutch hauliers, therefore, until the implementation of the
Eurovignette in the Netherlands ( possibly after July 1995 )
are charged currently, just like German hauliers, only when
they use the motorway network of Germany or Denmark

( i.e . by day, week, month or year ).

The current conditions of competition, as far as road fiscal
charges for freight carriers are concerned, have become
significantly fairer as a consequence of the adoption of
Directive 93 / 89 / EEC . The differences in vehicle taxes have

been reduced and the introduction of user charges is giving
effect to the territoriality principle .

The Commission follows very closely the development and
implementation of the Eurovignette and is aware of the fact
that, due to practical problems, the planned sales points of
the vignett, in the ' belt ' on French territory and in Belgium
and Luxembourg, are not yet all in operation . However, this
difficulty will be soon resolved .

The Commission will intervene whenever necessary to
ensure that the framework conditions set by the Directive
for the introduction of user charges are fully respected .

(>) OJ No L 279, 12 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 56 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 58 )

Subject : Future of the Atlantic Arc regions

In view of the prospect of the countries of central Europe
joining the European Union, along what lines is the Council
working to offset the increasing and, economically
speaking, disturbing marginalization of the Atlantic Arc
regions ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-162 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 59 )

Subject : Culture and structural programmes

How does the Council think it can make culture an integral
part of the socio-structural policies ( Objectives 2 and 5B )
put in place for the next five years ?

No C 145 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-165 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-290 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

Raffarin ( PPE ) by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council to the Council

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 60 ( 95 / C 145 / 62 )

Subject : Atlantis Programme

How might the Council help Parliament to ensure the
continuance of the Atlantis Programme which is intended to
help the regions of Western Europe overcome their
increased marginalization following the latest
enlargement ?

Subject : Research policy and the peripheral regions

Community studies carried out under the Europe 2000 +
programme show that the Union's peripheral regions have
very few technological resources available . Existing centres
are very isolated .

What measures does the Council intend to take to promote
the development of centres of research in these regions of the
Union, the objective being to promote the networking of
technological excellence sectors in the regions ?
Joint answer
to Written Questions E-156 / 95, E-162 / 95 and E-165 / 95

( 12 April 1995 )

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-157 / 95 and E-290 / 95

The Council has laid down the rules governing the operation ( 12 April 1995 )
of the Structural Funds . Those rules remain in force until
3 1 December 1999, and can not be adapted to take account
of further enlargement of the European Union until such an The objective of improving the scientific potential of the
enlargement has taken place, in accordance with the less-favoured countries and regions of the Union is
procedure set out in Article O of the Treaty on European specifically recognized in the Fourth RDT Framework
Union .

Programme .

The Council has entrusted management to the Commission .
It is not for the Council to intervene to steer such

management in one particular direction .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 5 7 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 61 )

Subject : Research and technology transfer in the outlying

regions

In spite of help from the Structural Funds, the outlying
regions are losing ground at an ever-increasing rate in the
area of research and technology transfer .

How does the Council intend to encourage the necessary
research investment in these regions ?

In this context, the two specific programmes adopted to
implement the third and fourth activities respectively of the
Fourth Framework Programme will have an increasing
impact on the less-favoured regions and countries of the
Community, including the outlying regions .

They are :

1 . Council Decision 94 / 917 / EC of 15 December 1994

adopting a specific programme for the dissemination
and optimization of the results of activities in the field of
research and technological development, including
demonstration ( ').

This specific programme contains a number of specific
activities in favour of the Community's outlying regions
such as :

— organization and support for access to international

expertise for designing and evaluating technology
dissemination networks in the less-favoured

regions ;

— implementation of schemes to encourage the
less-favoured regions to join with the more advanced
regions in an exchange of experience on the design
and application of measures aimed at increasing the
capacity of their small and medium-sized enterprises

( SMEs ) to absorb technologies ;

12 . 6 . 95 I EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 35

— promotion of decentralized awareness-enhancement

projects in the fields of technology transfer and
innovation ;

— action to help the regional operators to analyse their

technology-transfer infrastructures and fine-tune
their policies and instruments with the assistance of
external experts .

The programme also provides for the granting of
technical and management assistance to public and
private financial intermediaries in Member States,
offering small and medium-sized enterprises the
opportunity for participative co-funding, with
particular reference to facilitating the evaluation of
technological projects to be submitted by SMEs,
particularly in the less-favourerd regions of the
Community .

More generally, the programme provides for the
continuation and development of the network of ' Value '
relay centres in all the Member States in order to ensure
that enterprises and research laboratories have easier
access to information on Community RTD activities .

2 . Council Decision 94 / 916 / EC of 15 December 1995

adopting a specific programme of research and
technological development, including demonstration, in
the field of training and mobility of researchers (').

The requirements of the Community's less-favoured
regions are borne in mind in all the specific activities of
this programme, in particular : research networks, access
to large-scale facilities, training through research and
accompanying measures .

The accompanying measures provide inter alia for
encouraging the less-favoured regions to participate in
the programme and the possibility of organizing training
through distance-learning for researchers in the
less-favoured regions of the Community, in close
consultation with other Community programmes . The
return of researchers from less-favoured regions to their
regions of origin will be encouraged and assisted
financially .

3 . It is finally pointed out that all the specific programmes
include technology stimulation measures for SMEs,
such as granting feasibility awards and support for
cooperative research . Those measures will be
particularly useful for undertakings in the outlying
regions .

C ) OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 60 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 63 )

Subject : Amendment of the Directive on the quality of

drinking water

What are the Council's reactions to the Commission

proposal to amend the 1980 Directive on the quality of
drinking water, with particular reference to maximum
presticide residue content ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

The Council has not yet received the proposal for a Directive
amending the 1980 Directive on the quality of drinking

water .

However, the Council can assure the Honourable Member
that when this matter is considered by the Council particular
attention will be paid to the question of maximum pesticide
residue content .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-161 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 64 )

Subject : Measures to accompany Spain's entry into ' Blue

Europe '

What measures does the Council have in mind to

accompany Spain's complete entry into ' Blue Europe ' on

1 January 1996 ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

1 . The Council's agreement of 22 December 1994
concerning the integration of the Spanish and Portuguese

fleets into the common fisheries policy provides for

No C 145 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

arrangements to ensure that such integration meets the
criteria of non-discrimination, relative stability of fishing
activities and non-increase of fishing effort in the fisheries
concerned . Starting with lists of names of vessels for each
fishery, Member States are required, to draw up fishing
plans, under which the levels of effort proposed will have
to comply with the three criteria just mentioned . In some
cases compliance with the last of these criteria can only be
ensured by the creation of a mechanism to regulate fishing
effort .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-163 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 65 )

Subject : Informing young people about Europe and the

European institutions

What can the Council do to help ensure that young people
2 . National fishing plans will have to be approved by the are better informed about the organization and work of the
Council, on a proposal from the Commission . While these institutions and policies of the European Union ?
measures apply generally to demersal fisheries, specific
decisions will be taken as regards pelagic species in certain

cases . Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

3 . In certain especially sensitive areas the Council has
already outlined the framework for national fishing levels,
with particular reference to the Irish Box . Since the fishing
effort in these areas has to be kept at the present level for all
Member States, the number of vessels flying the flag of Spain
— which had not hitherto operated in this area — is limited
to 40 .

The third phase of the ' Youth for Europe ' programme
recently adopted by the European Parliament and the
Council under the procedure provided for in Article 189b
includes an information action involving projects ' designed
to promote an awareness of European citizenship amongst
young people ' ( Annex, second paragraph of the general
introduction ).

4 . Compulsory control measures were also decided for It falls primarily to the Commission to provide young people
enforcing the new access arrangements, fully in keeping with with information on Community matters .
the three criteria mentioned in paragraph 1 . Member States
will have to adopt national measures guaranteeing that the
limits on fishing effort are not exceeded . At Community
level provision has been made for a communications system
for vessels entering and leaving fishing areas, which will

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 72 / 95

apply to regulated fisheries and, in general terms, to the Irish
Box . From 1 January 1998 at the latest, i.e . when the by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )
necessary Community infrastructure has been put in place, to the Council
such communications will be augmented by catch ( 22 February 1995 )
statements .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 72 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 66 )

5 . Still on the subject ot improving resource Subject : European cultural policy
management, a number of back-up measures were agreed,
including certain exchanges, on a multiannual basis, of Jean Monnet once said ' If it had to be done all over again, I
fishing-possibility quotas by Belgium, Spain, France and would start with culture '. Nowadays this is a widely shared
Portugal, and certain reciprocal access arrangements for sentiment . What is the Council's policy for helping teachers,
vessels in Spanish and Portuguese waters . who are the prime vehicles of culture, towards a better

understanding on the process of European integration ?

6 . The Council also endorsed the principle of improving
technical conservation measures in western waters . Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

7 . Lastly, the Council authorized extra Community
financial assistance for Ireland, to cover operating
expenditure among other things . This will put Ireland in a
better position to meet its control responsibilities .

Chapter II of the Annex to the Decision establishing the
Socrates Programme, which has recently been adopted by
the European Parliament and the Council, provides teachers
with many possibilities for understanding better and
promoting the European dimension in education .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 78 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 67 )

Subject : Assistance to regional newspapers

With a view to safeguarding the position of the written word
in the balance of culture, does the Council consider that
Europe should be more involved in tackling the crisis facing
the newspaper industry in all the countries of the Union,
particularly with regard to regional newspapers which are
an essential factor in local democracy ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

The Honourable Member will have noted that successive

Union Presidencies have endeavoured to promote
development of the WEU as the defence component of the
European Union and as a means to strengthen the European
pillar of the Atlantic Alliance . This is one of the priorities of
the current Presidency . Its objectives also include promoting
closer relations between the WEU and the European Union .
The European Union is also working to strengthen the
security aspect of its common foreign and security policy by
pursuing discussions on the new conditions which have been
created both in Europe and in the rest of the world . The
European Union and the Western European Union can
make complementary contributions in these areas . The same
applies to the further discussions under way in the Western
European Union for drawing up a White Paper on security
in Europe .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-248 / 95

The Council has received no proposals concerning either the by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )
newspaper industry as a whole or regional newspapers . to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 69 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-214 / 95 Subject : European defence policy

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 68 )

Subject : European defence and security policy

How does the Council expect to take advantage of the
timetable which will now enable Spain to preside over both
the European Union and the WEU in the second half of

1995 ?

Is this not an opportunity to activate the WEU prior to
promoting the development of an independent European
defence and security policy ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

Having the same country presiding over both the European
Union and the Western European Union in the second half
of 1995 will provide an opportunity to acquire practical
experience of a situation — namely harmonization of the
Presidencies of the two organizations — referred in the
declaration on the WEU formally noted by the Maastricht
Conference . The European Union has begun to look into
such harmonization, although the Council has not yet
reached any conclusions .

In theory, the Eurocorps should be operational on
1 October 1995 . What is the Council's attitude to the

possible use of this corps for defensive, humanitarian,
peace-keeping or peace-making missions and missions to
defend allies by its being made available to NATO and the
WEU ?

Answer

( 12 April 1995 )

The tasks of the Eurocorps fall within the framework of the
European Union . On the basis of a decision by the
responsible political bodies, in compliance with national
constitutional limits and the provisions of the United
Nations-Charter, use is made of the Eurocorps for the
following tasks :

1 . Common defence of allies pursuant to Article V of the
Washington Treaty or the Brussels Treaty ;

2 . Maintaining and restoring peace ;

3 . Humanitarian action .

The common decision to make use of the Eurocorps, which
will take account of the guidelines defined by the European
Union, remains in any case within each Government's
sphere of competence .

No C 145 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

The scope of utilization of the Eurocorps resulting from the
abovementioned tasks may result in its involvement in very
varied frameworks both under the aegis of the WEU and as a
special contribution to NATO .

If the Council of the Union decided on action which it

requested the WEU to implement pursuant to Article J. 4 of
the Treaty on European Union, the Eurocorps would be one
of the military forces to which such implementation could
be entrusted .

the environment before allowing construction of the project
mentioned by the Honourable Member to proceed .

The Commission has not so far taken any decision on
co-finance for the project cited by the Honourable Member
as a potential candidate for aid under the Operational
Programme for the Attica region .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-285 / 95

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION P-260 / 95 (9 February 1995 )
by Vassilis Ephremidis ( GUE / NGL ) ( 95 / C 145 / 71 )

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 70 )

Subject : Withholding EU funds for the projects ' ancillary

areas and car park of the Palace of Music ' in
Athens

Under the Regional Operational Programme for Attica, the
EU is to bear 15 % of the cost of certain projects in the
Freedom Park in Athens . The projects are to be executed
privately, but the cost — Dr 4,5 billion — is to be paid for
entirely out of public funds . However, no studies have been
submitted, and even the criteria and thresholds for
determining the environmental impact have not been laid
Down, as required by Community Directives . There has
been strong popular opposition to the unlawful and
unconstitutional project ' ancillary areas of the Palace of
Music ' and basically to new independent projects which will
place the region's already overburdened environment under

yet more stress .

Will the Commission withhold funding from the
construction of an underground car park and conference
centre in this area, bearing in mind that the Presidential

Decree on this issue has been annulled by the courts, there is
no lawful building permission and Freedom Park constitutes
an historic monument and is closely associated with the
Greek people's recent fight for freedom and democracy ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1995 )

In common with all projects financed by the Structural
Funds in Greece, the Greek authorities are obliged to
comply with the requirements of Community legislation on

Subject : Human rights issues ; meeting of the EU-Turkey

Association Council

Were issues concerning human rights in Turkey raised at the
most recent meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council
in December 1994 ?

If so, which, and how were they dealt with ?

If not, why not ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

Yes .

In its opening address at the Association Council with
Turkey on 19 December 1994, the Presidency emphasised
that ' the strict observance of internationally recognised
human rights standards is a crucial element in the process of
developing still closer ties with European institutions . The
performance of Turkey in the fields of democracy, human
rights and the rule of law showed marked shortcomings
compared with the situation in the Member States,
considering that Turkey must apply fundamental
international standards in this field '.

The Commission continues to stress the importance of
human rights issues, and in addition reminds the
Honourable Member that it has a programme of support to
non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) in that country . A
programme of assistance, of a further ECU 500 000 for

1995, to eight NGOs working to improve human rights in
Turkey, has just been approved .

12 . 6 . 95 lEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 39

QUESTION E-286 / 95 In practice the chosen implementation arrangement has

Gerhard Schmid ( PSE ) proven to be effective, ensuring very satisfactory and

to the Commission timely implementation of a certain number of priority

road infrastructure projects in the three Phare
(9 February 1995 ) countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-286 / 95

by Gerhard Schmid ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 145 / 72 )

Subject : Calls for tenders under the Phare Programme

The construction of the road from Horosovsky Tyn to
Prague in the Czech Republic is being co-financed under the
European Union's Phare Programme . The supervision

( management ) of the construction work has been contracted
out to an Italian firm .

1 . When was the public call for tenders to supervise the
construction of the road issued ?

2 . How many firms submitted tenders ?

3 . Why was the contract awarded to an Italian firm ?

4 . Does the Commission consider such supervisors and the
complex administrative arrangements they involve

( separate calls for tenders for the construction work and
its supervision ) to be necessary ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-291 / 95

by Karla Peiis ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 73 )

Subject : Distortion of competition as a result of differences

in excise duty on various alcoholic beverages

1 . Is the Commission aware of the conclusions of the

Bossard report concerning competition among the various
types of alcoholic beverages ?

2 . Does the Commission agree with the report's
conclusion that the level of excise duties affects competition
among the beverages ?

3 . Will the Commission amend Article 9 of Directive
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek 92 / 84 / EEC (') to eliminate its discriminatory impact on

on behalf of the Commission spirits ?

( 14 March 1995 )

The question concerns a Phare project funded under the

1992 regional transport programme providing technical
assistance for the supervision of transit infrastructure
projects in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic
including the Meclov-Horsovsky Tyn road section .

1 . An international restricted tender for the supervision
project was launched on 21 April 1993 .

2 . For that project four companies have been invited to
participate, with companies from Belgium, Germany,
France and Italy short-listed .

3 . The selected Italian company made the economically
most advantageous offer, considering the weighted
technical and financial proposals .

4 . The Commission is of the opinion that independent
supervision of infrastructure improvement projects is of
great importance, and does allow for the most effective

use of funds available for the rehabilitation and

construction works .

(') OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 29 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the conclusions of the

report since it was carried out on behalf of the
Commission .

2 . The Commission accepts the conclusion of the report
that rates of excise duty can influence the consumption of
the various alcoholic drinks through the impact on
consumer prices .

3 . The Commission does not view Article 9 of Directive

92 / 84 / EEC as giving rise to any discrimination against
spirits .

No C 145 / 40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-300 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 74 )

Subject : Eco-labels

The Commission has recently laid down the criteria relating
to eco-labels for toilet paper and kitchen towels . Some
experts in the trade maintain that the decision will serve to
exclude many products manufactured by environmentally
acceptable methods and that the resulting new system will
therefore be in danger of misleading consumers . The main
consideration is the general preference for the use of
re-cycled fibres, disregarding any scientific assessment of the
actual environmental impact generated by from cellulose
wadding products, irrespective of the source from which the
fibres have been obtained .

Does the Commission riot believe that products made from
natural fibres may be environmentally less harmful and that
the current Directive on eco-labels may not allow accurate
comparisons of products on the basis of environmental
criteria ?

Consequently, the Commission considers that the fears
voiced by certain interest groups and mentioned by the
Honourable Member are unfounded .

(M OJ No L 364, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-328 / 95

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 75 )

Subject : Draft Directive on the transmission of television

signs coming before Parliament in March 1995 for
a second reading

Is the Commission concerned about the implications, for
European consumers, of the Directive on the transmission of
television signals coming before the Parliament again in
March, namely : the risk that the consumer will be forced to
buy multiple decoder boxes ; and the ability of a few pay TV
broadcasters who control conditional access systems to
artificially restrict the choice of channels available to the

consumer ?

What action does it propose to take in this regard to protect
the interests of consumers ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

The Commission recently published in the Official Journal
Decisions Nos 94 / 923 / EC, 94 / 924 / EC and 94 / 925 / EC of

14 November 1994 concerning the ecological criteria for the
products in question ('). The text of these Decisions show
that a global and ' multi-criteria ' approach has been
adopted .

As regards the fibres used, the criteria in question are
intended to promote the recycling of certain waste, more
specifically the use of waste paper as a raw material for the
production of toilet paper and kitchen rolls .

However, the percentage of recycled fibres is only one of the
parameters considered . The global approach adopted makes
it possible to select those products which ' globally ' show the
best environmental performance, having regard to all
aspects of the production and use of such products . A
product manufactured entirely from virgin fibres but with a
very good environmental performance from other aspects
could qualify for the eco label . This approach has been
established on the basis of lengthy scientific work carried
out by independent experts .

The Commission is fully aware of the consumer concerns
mentioned by the Honourable Member . It considers that it
would be inappropriate for consumers to have to invest in
more than one decoder box in order to receive the

programmes they wish to see . The Commission hopes that
future arrangements between industry and commerce will
result in a single decoder box solution in the market .

The attitude of the Commission is similar as far as access

systems are concened .

The Commission willl avail itself of the provisions of
Article 6 of the draft Directive on the use of standards for the
transmission of television signals ( 1 ), in order to monitor the
market implementation of the Directive and will, if
necessary, make new proposals to the Parliament and the
Council .

(') COM(94 ) 455 final, OJ No C 321, 18 . 11 . 1994 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 41

WRITTEN QUESTION E-342 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 20 March 1995 )

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 76 ) The Commission has been made aware, through the petition
and the complaint referred to by the Honourable Member,
of the pollution problems in the region of Aspropyrgos and
Thriassion Pedion in Attica, and in particular the pollution

Subject : Oil pollution from leakages at a refinery of lake Koumoundouro by petroleum products .

Since 1984 the municipality of Elefsina's pollution
monitoring unit has detected pollution in Lake
Koumoundouro resulting from leakages of petroleum
products . In 1992 the Geological and Mineral Research
Institute confirmed the existence of a ' layer ' of oil covering
427 000 m 2 in the subsoil of the Thriasian Plain, originating
from the ELDA refinery . Owing to rainfall or fresh leakages,
the groundwater level has risen over the last few days and
now crude oil, oil and petrol is gushing out of the earth,
posing a threat to the entire region, owing to the
inflammable nature of this pollution .

This is also causing significant ecological damage to nearby
wetlands covering 143 000 m 2 and the overall
archaeological site to which the lake belongs . In addition,
significant quantities of gaseous pollutants ( hydrogen
sulphide, toxic gases ) have made the air unbreathable . There
are also industrial and military installations located in this
region . Will the Commission say :

1 . What action it intends to take in respect of the Greek

authorities who have for years been continuously
violating Community legislation on the environmental
effects of certain projects ( 85 / 337 / EEC ) ('), the
major-accident hazards of certain industrial activities

( 82 / 501 / EEC ) ( 2 ), the quality of surface and
groundwater ( 75 / 440 / EEC ( 3 ) and 80 / 68 / EEC ( 4 )), air
quality ( 80 / 779 / EEC ( 5 ), 84 / 360 / EEC ( 6 ) and
85 / 203 / EEC ( 7 )), toxic and dangerous liquid waste

( 76 / 403 / EEC ( 8 ) and 78 / 319 / EEC ( 9 )) and pollution
caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into
the aquatic environment ( 76 / 464 / EEC ) ( l0 )?

2 . Does it intend, in cooperation with the Greek
authorities, to take special measures to clean up the
groundwater ?

3 . What stage has been reached in the examination of

Petition No 413 / 92 submitted by Georgios
Ambatzoglou and others and complaint No 4682 / 92
filed by the Municipality of Aspropyrgo ?

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

( 2 ) OJ No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982, p . 1 .
(■') OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975, p . 26 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 20, 26 . 1 . 1980, p . 43 .
H OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980, p . 30 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 188, 16 . 7 . 1984, p . 20,
o OJ No L 87, 27 . 3 . 1985, p . 1 .
(*) OJ No L 108, 26 . 4 . 1976, p . 41
(") OJ No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978, p . 43 .

( I0 ) OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p . 23

The information available to the Commission indicates

problems in the application of Directives 78 / 319 / EEC ( toxic
and dangerous waste ), 80 / 68 / EEC ( ground water ),
76 / 464 / EEC ( dangerous substances in the aquatic
environment ), 76 / 403 / EEC ( PCB-PCT ) and 76 / 160 / EEC

( bathing water ) ('). It is on this basis that the Commission
has contacted the Greek authorities . The case is currently
being examined, and the Commission is maintaining close
contacts with the Greek authorities to ensure that the

abovementioned Directives are properly applied in this
instance .

It is for the Greek authorities to ask the Commission, where
necessary, for aid to clean up the ground water . The
Commission would then examine all the ways in which it
could help Greece .

(•) OJ No L 31, 5 . 2 . 1976 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-348 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 77 )

Subject : Artificial insemination

In view of the scandalous mistakes concerning artificial
insemination reported in the press recently, in particular in
England about a month ago and in Naples in the last few
days,

— whereas, though difficult, it is possible to mix up sperm

and frozen embryos,

— whereas there is a need for strict, comprehensive and

precise regulations governing in vitro fertilization,

— whereas while there is currently a wide-ranging debate

throughout the European Community and whereas,
regardless of the stand taken for or against, the fact is
that artificial insemination within the couple is already
being used,

— whereas it is essential to remove all doubt as to the

paternity of a baby since, though it may not be spelled
out, this is a real problem, not least because of any sexual
relations the woman might have had,

No C 145 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

— whereas it is certain that possible mix-ups of sperm

would alow the husbands of mothers of resulting
children to disclaim paternity,

Does the Commission not consider it essential to draw up
definitive regulations for all the Member States to ensure
that children born as a result of homologous in vitro
fertilization ( artificial insemination within the couple ),
especially where there is a shortage of seminal fluid, are
subject to a DNA test to check that the right sperm has been
used ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 March 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the importance of the matter
referred to by the Honourable Member . In November 1 992,
it organized a colloquium in Paris on the ethical and medical
aspects of sperm donation in the framework of its
biomedical ethics research activities .

However, the regulation of medically-assisted fertilization
and the donation of gametes is a matter for the national
governments and not the Community authorities .

Most of the Member States already have legislation on
sperm donation . At the moment, none of the national laws
provides for genetic testing to establish paternity following
artificial insemination .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-349 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

Finally, can it provide a summary, broken down by grade
and nationality, relating to the employment of handicapped
persons in EU institutions ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1995 )

1 . The Commission does all that it can to facilitate the

participation of the disabled in its competitions . For
candidates with an officially recognized physical disability
age limits are raised by three years . All application forms
request disabled candidates to give details of any special
arrangements that they believe to be necessary to enable
them to participate in the tests . Approval of any such
arrangements is the responsibility of the independent
selection board appointed for each competition and the aim
is at all times to ensure that disabled candidates can compete
on equal terms with other candidates for posts in the
Commission .

2 . The Commission does not currently operate a quota
system for the employment of the disabled . For those that
are recruited the Commission does its best to provide an
appropriate working environment .

3 . Disabled people working in the Commission are not
the subject of any specific statistical analysis so it is
unfortunately not possible to provide the Honourable
Member with the information he requests . The Commission
is not in a position to provide any information in respect of
the other institutions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-350 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 145 / 79 )

( 13 Fehruary 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 78 ) Subject : Protection of ecologically sensitive sites in the

Philippines

Subject : Employment of disabled persons in EU
institutions

Will the Commission state how its own recruitment
procedures take account of the need to provide
opportunities for disabled persons ?

Does it operate a quota system for the recruitment of
disabled staff ? Does it provide such staff with adequate
facilities to enable them to adapt as well as possible to their
working environment ?

The Commission is reported to be intending to support IPAS

( Integrated Protection Area Systems ) in the Philippines, the
aim being tô protect specific ecologically sensitive sites .

Is this true ? If so, have projects been identified and which
ones have been selected ? Was the potential impact on the
local aboriginal population taken into account when the
projects were selected ?

Is the Commission aware that the National Organization of
the Aboriginal Peoples of the Philippines opposes such
projects because there has been no consultation of, or

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 43

cooperation with, local people ? What action does it intend Answer given by Mr Flynn
to take in response to such justified complaints ? on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 ) There is a wide range of concessions available to older
people in the Member States but no Member State has
introduced an over-sixties ' card as set out in the

approved a grant for a national recommendation of 10 May 1989 . The Commission, while
areas programme ( Nipap ), with the regretting the failure of Member States to implement the

The Commission has approved a grant for a national
integrated protected areas programme ( Nipap ), with the
overall project objective to help protect, conserve and
manage tropical forest biodiversity areas with endangered
endemic species, in some eight protected areas at various
sites throughout the Philippines . A management plan will be
prepared for each area through a process of thorough
consultation with the local population including the local

indigenous communities .

Within this framework and reflecting the relevant
provisions of the Nipas ( national integrated protected areas
scheme ) Act, the project will ensure that the rights of
indigenous peoples are properly respected in all its activities .
In particular, the project will not operate in areas considered
' as ancestral domain except with the full consent of the

indigenous inhabitants, properly expressed after a
substantive information and consultation process .
Individual project components will help to ensure the
respect of rights of indigenous communities living in and
around the protected areas and will promote activities
consistent with their cultural practices .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-354 / 95

by Bartho Pronk ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 80 )

Subject : European senior citizen's pass

Measures have been adopted in various Member States
pursuant to recommendation 89 / 350 / EEC ('). However, the
citizens of Europe are not sure which countries recognize the
advantages associated with the senior citizen's pass and
what these advantages are .

1 . What measures have been taken in the various Member

States to implement the recommendation in relation to
the European senior citizen's pass ?

2 . Can the Commission provide a summary of the
measures adopted, broken down by Member State ?

3 . Can it also provide, broken down by Member State, an
overview of the impact of those measures on the public ?
To what extent can EU citizens benefit from the senior
citizen's pass when staying in a Member State other than
the one in which they are resident ?

(') O J No L 144, 27 . 5 . 1989, p . 59 .

1989 recommendation, is trying to make progress in this
matter by other means . Of particular relevance in this
context is a report produced for the European year of older
people and solidarity between generations, with
Commission support, in which the most important
concessions for older people are listed as an aid to improving
acess to them by older people . A copy is forwarded direct to
the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of

the Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-356 / 95

by Giovanni Burtone ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 81 )

Subject : Serious problems concerning the application of

milk quotas in Sicily

The application of milk quota arrangements is causing
serious problems in Sicily . The latest figures published in the
EIMA Bulletin show that Sicilian producers are being badly
affected because many of them especially those with small
holdings, have not been able to supply the tax documents
required to certify their production .

The quota now established for Sicilian producers is
1 325 000 quintals, equivalent to only 20 % of their
production capacity, and well below the 1994 quota of
2 600 000 quintals .

The damage caused by this drastic and unjustified
adjustment will amount to tens of billions of lire and will
have a devastating social impact in areas where conversion
to other production and employment sectors is practically
impossible .

1 . Does the Commission agree that the latest EIMA
Bulletins are unreliable since the data collection methods

used are inappropriate ?

No C 145 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

2 . Does it not consider that self-certification, as provided
for in national and Community legislation relating to
many other sectors, and possibly followed by stringent
checks by the appropriate public authorities, is an
appropriate means of certifying production ?

3 . Would a breakdown of production quotas on a regional
basis, taking account of geographical area, not be fairer
and more in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity, as
enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-362 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 Febmary 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 82 )

Subject : Ban on drift-nets

What measures will the Commission take to prevent fishing

Answer given by Mr Fischler conflicts such as those which took place in 1 994 over the use
on behalf of the Commission

of different fishing-nets by fishermen from different
( 20 February 1995 ) Member States ?

Milk quotas were allocated to producers in Italy by the
Italian authorities using as a basis deliveries during the
1988 / 89 milk year, as corrected by deliveries during
1991 / 92 where the latter proved greater . The Italian
authorities required the tax documents for the quantity
delivered to be presented as proof .

In accordance with that method, the quantities allocated for

1994 / 95 do not take account of production during the most
recent years and under these circumstances it is to be
expected that some producers will be compelled to reduce
their production to the level of the reference year . The
Italian authorities applied the same method throughout
Italy and Sicily did not suffer any discrimination in this

respect .

Where a national reserve with sufficient quantities exists,
the problem of producers requiring higher quotas could be
solved, on condition that they have priority as determined
on the basis of objective criteria established by the Member
State in agreement with the Commission .

Since the Community Regulations provide for the allocation
of individual quantities on the basis of a reference year, the
requirement that real figures which are easy to verify be
available is fundamental . Self-certification procedures do
not ensure the transparency of the system and the
requirement that tax documents be provided as proof of
quantities seems appropriate .

The breakdown of the national quota into regional quotas is

not permitted by the Community Regulations . This is
justified by the desire to ensure that all producers in the
Member State are treated in the same way since otherwise,
although they are in identical situations, they are likely to
receive different reference quantities .

What measures will the new Commission take to impose a
definitive ban on drift-nets, in line with the stated wishes of
Parliament ?

Answer given by Mr Bonino
on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )

The first responsibility in avoiding conflicts at sea between
different groups of fishermen lies with the fishermen
themselves . It is of vital importance that fishermen respect
the rules and that the authorities of the Member States

ensure that this is the case .

The Commission for its part will be monitoring the situation
very closely . Under no circumstances can it accept as
legitimate any act of aggression between individuals or
groups of fishermen . The Commission will do its utmost to
ensure that appropriate action is taken against the
perpetrators of violence .

The Commission's proposal ( ), which includes conditions
for the eventual phasing out of driftnets, remains on the
table . This issue will be decided by the Commission in the
light of al the information available to it, including the
opinion of the Parliament .

(M COM(94 ) 131 final, OJ No C 118, 29 . 4 . 1994 .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 45

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 73 / 95

by Maria Colombo Svevo ( PPE ), Gerardo Bianco ( PPE ),

Giovanni Burtone ( PPE ), Carlo Casini ( PPE ), Pierluigi
Castagnetti ( PPE ), Giampaolo D'Andrea ( PPE ), Michl
Ebner ( PPE ), Livio Filippi ( PPE ), Antonio Graziani ( PPE ),
Danilo Poggiolini ( PPE ), Carlo Secchi ( PPE ), Mariotto Segni

( PPE ) and Ombretta Colli Comelli ( FE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

(9 SIC 145 / 83 )

Subject : Crimes against street children in Guatemala

Among the various human rights violations perpetrated in
Guatemala, some humanitarian organizations have
condemned acts of cruelty and violence committed against
street children, some of whom ( according to the same
sources ) have been killed with impunity by members of the
armed forces .

Is the Commission aware of these crimes ?

Bearing in mind the resolutions adopted by Parliament,
most recently its resolution of 15 December 1994 on the
peace agreements in Guatemala, what action has the
Commission taken or does it intend to take in response to
these serious reports ?

Does it not consider that it should make use of all the means

at its disposal, including the contractual relations between
the European Union and the countries of Central America,
to press for clarification of these events and urge the
Guatemalan authorities to pursue the perpetrators of these
crimes with the utmost vigour ?

The Commission demonstrates in practical terms, through
its policy guidelines and also through the tangible objectives
of the programmes it finances in Guatemala, its concern for
the establishment, maintenance and observance of the rule
of law, in addition to its resolve to help close the steadily
widening gap between a wealthy minority with a tight grip
on power and the poverty-stricken mass of the people,
lacking education, culturally divided and struggling daily
for survival .

The Commission realizes that any reduction of international
aid — let alone its temporary suspension — would have a
critical and immediate impact on the poorest sections of the
population, towards whom the bulk of cooperation efforts
are targeted . This obviously does not prevent the
Commission from conveying to the Guatemalan authorities
its condemnation of human rights violations, including
maltreatment of young people .

The European Union has endeavoured to make its own
contribution in international forums to tackling the serious
problem of street children . It is as the result of an EU
initiative that the United Nations General Assembly has
adopted, every year since 1992, a resolution on the tragic
fate of the street children . In 1993 and 1994 the EU also

raised the matter in the UN Commission on Human

rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 79 / 95

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 84 )
Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1995 ) Subject : Fatalities at the EU's external borders

The Commission thanks the Honourable Members for

conveying their concern regarding the fate of street children

in Guatemala . The Commission is well aware that

maltreatment of young people is still a pressing issue .

The multiannual Community programme to help street
children in Guatemala City, approved in June last year by
the ALA Committee and due to signed shortly in Guatemala
by the recipients, is aimed at remedying this problem . The
amount allocated for the programme is ECU 2,5 million . It
will run for three years and follows on from the more limited
operations conducted over the last four years as part of the
provision of support for democratization and the
observance of human rights .

It has also to be acknowledged that the street children's
situation results from a complex mix of economic, social
and political factors .

Is the Commission aware that, according to reports in
German newspapers, refugees have lost their lives
attempting to cross the EU's external borders ?

If so, how many such cases is it aware of ?

Does it see any need for action on its part ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1995 )

The Commission has not so far been informed of such

incidents at the external frontiers .

No C 145 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

If such incidents have indeed occurred, it is up to the judicial WRITTEN QUESTION
authorities in the Member State or States concerned to
by David Morris ( PSE )
conduct investigations, given that the enforcement of

to the Commission

controls at external frontiers is the responsibility of the
Member States . 15 1995

WRITTEN QUESTION E-390 / 95

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION P-381 / 95

by Georg Jarzembowski ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 85 )

Subject : Régulation ( EEC ) No 1893 / 91

Regulation ( EEC ) No 1191 / 69 ('), as amended by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1893 / 91 ( 2 ), is to be transposed into
German law subject to the following proviso . In accordance
with § 8(4 ), third sentence, of the Law on the Transport of
Persons pursuant to the Law on the Reorganization of the
Railways of 27 December 1993 ( Federal Law Gazette I,
p . 2378 ) the Regulation shall be applied with effect from

1 January 1996 if adequate services cannot be provided
profitably for local public passenger transport . The
profitability of transport services is defined in the second
sentence of the Law, according to which services are
profitable even if losses in providing services are offset by
other earnings within the meaning of commercial law . The
official interpretation is that such earnings include transfers
of equity capital .

Can this definition of the concept of profitability and its
application be reconciled with Regulation ( EEC )
No 1893 / 91 if the losses to be offset are due, directly or
indirectly, to intervention by the state owner in pursuance of
public interests ?

(') OJ No L 156, 28 . 6 . 1969, p . 1 .
(-) OJ No L 169, 29 . 6 . 1991, p . 1 .

( 95 / C 145 / 86 )

Subject : Failure of Portuguese Bar Council to progress

complaint against Portuguese solicitor made by
non-Portuguese European Union citizen

A foundation stone of the European Union must be the right
of all European Union citizens to receive justice in all
Member States .

Is the Commission aware that the Portuguese Bar Council
has failed to act on a complaint of negligence against a
Portuguese solicitor made over two years ago, despite
numerous reminders ?

Will the Commission investigate the policy of the
Portuguese Bar Council with regard to complaints from
non-Portuguese nationals ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

The Commission would not in the ordinary course of events
expect to be aware that a bar council had failed to act on a
complaint of negligence made against a lawyer . If however
the Commission is already seised of the matter, for example
by a letter from the citizen to whom the Honourable
Member refers, it would be helpful if the Honourable
Member could supply the date, reference etc .

In the absence of any suggestion that there has been a breach
of Community law, the Commission considers it has no
jurisdiction to deal wiht the question, which is a matter
solely for the national authorities concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-392 / 95
Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission
( 24 February 1995 )

( 15 February 1995 )

The Commission is collecting the detailed information
required for a full answer to the question and will
communicate the results to the Honourable Member as

soon as possible .

( 95 / C 145 / 87 )

Subject : Transposition of Directive 92 / 43 / EEC into Greek

law

Directive 92 / 43 / EEC (') on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora has not so far been

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 47

transposed into Greek law, although the deadline was June

1994 .

Will the Commission say :

1 . Which other Member States have so far failed to

transpose this Directive into national law ?

2 . How does Greece explain its failure to transpose this
Directive into its national law within the period of time
stipulated ?

3 . What action does it intend to take to ensure that Greek

legislation is brought into line with Community law as
regards Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ?

C ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 199 S )

Transposition of Directive 92 / 43 / EEC into national law is
proving to be difficult in a number of Member States .

Not only Greece, but also Belgium ( Walonia and the
Brussels Region ), Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Austria,
Portugal, Finland and Sweden have still to transpose the
Directive ( position at 10 February 1995 ).

The Commission has already instituted infringement
proceedings against Greece for failure to communicate its
national implementing measures, and a letter of formal
notice has been sent to the Greek Government . The

proceedings are continuing .

In the mean time, the Commission is financing a survey of
habitats in Greece, within the framework of the LIFE
Regulation, to facilitate the proper implementation of the
Directive in Greece and in particular the establishment of the
national list of important sites .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3 97 / 95

by Helena Torres Marques ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 88 )

Subject : EU funding for Expo ' 98

Expo ' 98 is due to take place in Lisbon .

Will the Commission say :

1 . Which projects or programmes relating to Expo ' 98
have received — or are due to receive — EU

funding ?

2 . What Community funds have been earmarked for this

purpose and what volume of aid is involved ?

3 . What percentages of funding has the EU agreed to
provide ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1995 )

Preparations for the European Union's participation in
Expo ' 98 in Lisbon are only at the exploratory stage at

present .

It is planned that Mr Cardoso e Cunha will attend a meeting
of the Council ' Fairs and Exhibitions ' Working Party next
May to give a progress report and outline the Expo's main
characteristics to the representatives of the Member
States .

The Commission will then have to adopt a decision on
participation in this event and make a proposal to the
budgetary authority for the requisite appropriations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-402 / 95

by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE )

to the Commission

( IS February 199 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 89 )

Subject : Alternative development

Will the Commission continue to recognize and act upon the
thesis that the production and supply of drugs from
developing countries is closely related to poverty and lack of
alternative opportunities ?

Has the Commission carried out any evaluations of
EU-supported ' alternative development ' programmes in
zones of drug-linked cultivation in Latin America and Asia ?
If so, what general conclusions does the Commission draw
from such evaluations ? If not, would the Commission
consider initiating an evaluation ?

Will the Commission explain what it sees as the main
constraints to progress in ' alternative development '
programmes in Latin America and Asia and suggest

No C 145 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

measures it could adopt or propose to help overcome such
constraints ?

Will the Commission give details of the total amount of EU
funds allocated to ' alternative development ' and drug crop
substitution programmes in developing countries in the
period 1990—1994 ?

preferences ) scheme for the period 1995 — 1998 . And even
then, the fight against drug demand and drug trafficking will
need to be pursued vigorously . Clearly, an integrated,
multi-sectoral approach continues to be required, as indeed
established by the UN global programme of action .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-412 / 95

Answer given by Mr Marin by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )
on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission

( 22 March 1995 )

In the period 1987 — 1994, the Commission committed
25 % out of cumulative commitments of ECU 66,5 million
to alternative development and drug crop substitution
programmes . This 25 % share was spent in a handful of
developing countries, including Bolivia, Colombia,
Thailand, Morocco and Lebanon . Clearly, the amounts
involved are marginal when compared to the long-term cost
of credible alternative development programmes .

It is correct to say that the cultivation by a multitude of
individual peasants in Latin America, in Central and South
East Asia, and in Africa is closely related to the combination
of poverty and the lack of cash crops or other income
earning economic activity that can really compete with the
earnings potential of illicit drug production . In that respect,
the granting by the Community of special additional import
privileges to the countries of the Andean region and of
Central America was a step in the right direction, by
expanding the export, and thus production, possibilities for
the beneficiary products . Indeed, supply and exports did
increase, sometimes substantially . But no attempt has been
made, for practical reasons, to confirm this prima facie
evidence of alternative economic activity by on-the-ground
checks of the actual trends in acreage devoted to illicit drug
production .

Evaluation of alternative development programmes in zones
of drug-linked cultivation has not been carried out by the
Commission . However, indications provided by other
donors involved, by non-governmental organizations, and
by UNDCP ( United Nations Drug Control Programme )
throw doubt on the long-term effect of such programmes,
because the root factors of demand, poverty, and
profitability continue . The same donors also confirm that
forced eradication is neither a sustainable nor an effective

solution .

To conclude, the long-term and successful reduction of illicit
crops hinges on various fundamental factors, such as the
forceful economic and social development of areas where
illicit production takes place, the provision of financial
assistance, in a coordinated manner so as to achieve the
required critical mass, and selective trade benefits such as
under the Community's GSP ( generalized scheme of

( 17 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 90 )

Subject : Gran Carajas project in Brazil

As a study recently carried out by students at Nijmegen
University shows, the Gran Carajas project in Brazil —
partly financed by the EU — will have a serious impact on
the life of the indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin . The
study also examines the impact of the pilot programme
funded by the EU and the World Bank .

Given that the United Nations has proclaimed this the
decade of indigenous peoples,

1, what measures has the Commission taken to
compensate the local people affected by the Gran
Carajas project ?

2, what is the Commission's assessment of the pilot
project ? Is it prepared to put a stop to, or alleviate, at
least some of the problems caused by the Gran Carajas
project ?

3, was the Indian population involved in any way in
drawing up and implementing the pilot programme ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The study referred to by the Honourable Member has not
been forwarded to the Commission .

It is necessary, first of all, to distinguish between the Carajas
mining project, which the Community helped to finance and
which has been an unquestionable success, and the Gran
Carajas project, which is a development programme centred
rail link between the Carajas mine and the port of S. Luis do
Maranhao . This latter programme, which sought to turn the
area into a hub of metallurgical manufacturing using
non-export iron ore from the Carajas mine, failed to achieve
its aim . It was also responsible for excessive de-forestation

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 49

in this part of Amazonia, as a result of illegal tree-felling
carried out for the purpose of coke production .

1 . The question of compensation has arisen only because
the Carajas mining project financed by the Community
in 1978 was mistakenly identified as the Gran Carajas
project .

2 . The principal adverse effect of the Gran Carajas project
has been the de-forestation . The Brazilian Government

has now abolished the grants paid to foundry enterprises
wishing to set up in the area and forced the closure of
concerns which lack a sustainable source of coke supply .
This decision is in line with the approach taken by the
pilot programme supported by the World Bank and the
Commission which reflects Brazil's new policy geared to
the sustainable development of Amazonia . The pilot
programme also stresses the need to give stronger
support to Brazilian environmental organizations,
particularly at Federal State level, as in the case of Para
which encompasses the Carajas area .

3 . The Commission has provided special technical and

financial support for non-governmental organizations

( NGOs ) and local population representatives through
the ' Grupo de trabalho amazonico ', an association
comprising over 200 NGOs and indigenous population
groups, with a view to enabling them to participate fully
in preparation of the pilot programme as a whole and
also in implementing its various sub-programmes . The
Commission is also providing substantial co-financing
for the demonstration projects, which are a component
of the pilot programme that seeks to channel resources
directly to the target groups in order to enable them to
demonstrate in situ the viability of various models of
sustainable development .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

In the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and
Employment (*) the Commission emphasised ( in Chapter
8.8b ) the imporance of taking appropriate measures in
order to increase the number of jobs at certain production
levels . The Commission has put forward a non-exhaustive
list of such measures, some of which relate to the reduction
or re-organization of working time .

As a follow-up to this White Paper the Commission has set
up a group of experts to study the complex relationships
between flexibility, organization of working time,
competitiveness and employment . The group's report,
which includes a chapter on working time, will be published
shortly in ' Social Europe '. The experts ' individual
contributions will be available on request in the original
language . The Commission has also begun a study of the
effects on employment of changed working time
arrangements in the European automobile industry . A
second study on the retail trade is planned in the longer

term .

The Commission will continue to devote particular
attention to eliminating obstacles, and to better distribution
and organization of working time .

(') COM(94 ) 700 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-443 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-429 / 95 to the Commission

by Michel Rocard ( PSE )

( 22 February 1995 )
to the Commission

( 95 / C 145 / 92 )

( 17 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 91 )

Subject : Length of working time

In the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and
Employment, and in the White Paper on a European Social
Policy, the Commission hardly mentions the reduction in
the length of working time as one of the factors in the fight
against unemployment on which a study needs to be carried

out .

Does the Commission plan in the immediate future to carry
out this study on the impact of the reduction and
organization of working time on job creation in Europe ?

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to
encourage job-sharing and the reduction of working
time ?

Subject : EU harmonization of export guarantee credit

arrangements

All EU export guarantee agencies provide guarantees for
only 95 % of any loan extended to a buyer, with the
exception of the UK Export Credit Guarantee Department
which has always favoured 100% on the basis that other
non-EU nations — Japan, USA and Canada — support
exporters with 100% guarantees .

Does the Commission not consider that the present situation
gives a trade advantage to the US, Canada and Japan ?

Will the Commission ensure that British exporters and the
UK Export Credit Guarantee Department representations
are properly taken into account when attempting to
harmonize export guarantee arrangements ?

No C 145 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

It is correct that all Member States except for the United
Kingdom give guarantees for less than 100% of the loan
covered . It is also correct that other countries such as the

USA, Canada and Japan equally guarantee 100% . Since it
seems implausible that major exporting countries such as
France, Germany and Italy would willingly place their
exporting firms at a clear disadvantage in the global market,
this suggests that the percentage of loan covered is only one
of several factors in the overall export credit package .

In this connection, the level of premium charged (a matter
on which the British Government has also expressed strong
views, in favour of having premium income over costs more
fully than in the past ), the conditions attached to a guarantee
and the limits that may be set to cover given in relation to
specific countries, are all relevant factors in the overall
package available to exporters .

The major aim of the Commission's current proposals in the
area of medium and long-term export credit insurance is to
reduce the major distortions of competition that exist as
between Community exporters, in the sense of the very
different facilities available to individual firms at present .
The aim is to bring the export credit sector within the
disciplines of the single market . In seeking to achieve this the
Commission however has no intention of leaving exporters
uncompetitive with their major non-Community
competitors .

The Commission has and will continue to take into account

representations from British exporting interests, as well as
from industry and banks in general . In doing so, it must of
course also consider the political context, i.e . what the
Member States are likely to agree by way of progressive
movement towards greater convergence in their export
credit policies . In this respect the different attitudes in the
United Kingdom and in other Member States to percentage
of loan cover has to be addressed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-456 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 Fehruary 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 93 )

Subject : Schools for handicapped children in Portugal

The level of funding provided by the Portuguese
Government under Decision 8 / SERE / SEAM / 90 for special
schools for handicapped children run by non-profit-making
organizations does not lower the real operating costs and

the families of the children concerned therefore have to

make a substantial financial contribution . Will the

Commission say — without, of course exceeding its terms of
reference — which Community instruments are available to
promote the social integration of the handicapped ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

Although certain Community programmes or other
instruments at the Commission's disposal provide
assistance for disabled people, e.g . the Helios II Programme
or the Horizon initiative under the European Social Fund

( ESF ), none offers direct financial support for school
integration for the disabled .

The emphasis of measures is more on fostering economic,
school and social integration for disabled people through
exchanges of experience and information .

Under the new Community cooperation programmes in the
field of education ( Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for
Europe III ), special attention is devoted to measures
contributing to the integration of disabled people in the
relevant fields .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-458 / 95

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 22 Fehruary 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 94 )

Subject : Migrants ' Forum

Since the creation of a European citizenship, the
representatives of migrants from the Member States have
withdrawn from the Migrant's Forum .

Howver there are a number of major problems ( for
example, the cost of residence permits and restrictions on
job seeking in the Netherlands, the plight of sub-contracted
workers, the reduction in aid for associations, etc .) which
have not been solved but have, on the contrary, become
more serious since the establishment of this new

citizenship .

Will the Commission say what measures it intends to take to
create an alternative to this Forum so that, with the
participation of representatives of intra-Community
migrants, it can monitor the situation more closely with the
aim of resolving problems more rapidly and / or avoiding
new ones ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 51

Answer given by Mr Flynn learned that a number of industrial groups affected and even
on behalf of the Commission certain States have lodged appeals and / or complaints with

( 31 March 1995 ) the Commission seeking the abolition of all or some of the
legal provisions concerned .

The migrants ' forum, whilst receiving a grant from the
Commission, is nevertheless politically independent, and
writes its own statutes and agenda .

Within the forum there is a place for European migrants as
associate members . It is and has always been open to the
associations of any Member State to join or not as they wish,
and no further action is required by the Commission to
enable them to do so .

Questions concerning difficulties of free movement
experienced by workers should be treated in the advisory
committee set up under Article 24 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 1612 / 68 on freedom of movement for workers within
the Community ( 1 ). The advisory committee is composed of
six members for each Member State, two of whom represent
the trade unions .

The advisory committee is responsible for assisting the
Commission in the examination of any matters concerning
the free movement of workers and their employment . Any
member of the advisory committee may request to put on
the agenda of the next meeting a discussion of problems
such as are enumerated by the Honourable Member, and the
Commission would welcome this .

Finally, the Commission administers a budget line to
promote the integration of Community or non-Community
migrants, and indeed has funded several projects for migrant
associations in the Honourable Member's Member State in

the last few years .

(') OJ No L 257, 19 . 10 . 1968 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-476 / 95

by Paul Lannoye ( V )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 95 )

Subject : Appeals and / or complaints concerning
environmental taxes in Belgium

In July 1993, the Belgian Parliament adopted a law
introducing environmental taxes with a view to encouraging
practices more beneficial to the environment . We have now

Can the Commission state :

1, the number of appeals which have been lodged,

2, the parties ( industrial groups or Member States ) which
have lodged the appeals or complaints,

3 . the main arguments put forward,

4, the action to be taken on the appeals ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )

Following Belgium's announcement that it was introducing
ecotaxes on a wide range of products, the Commission
received a high number of complaints and queries regarding
the compatibility of this type of measure with Community
law .

These complaints and queries came from Member States,
major businesses and industrial groups, professional and
trade associations, lawyers and others concerned by the

matter .

It is Commission policy not to disclose the identity of these
correspondents or the nature of their complaints unless they
specify otherwise .

The Commission can confirm, however, that it has
undertaken a thorough examination of the relevant Belgian
laws, including the taxation, environmental and aid aspects,
and their repercussions on the free movement of goods . As
far as it can tell - no infringement of Community law has
been committed .

Nevertheless, the Commission can only fully check Belgian
legislation in this area when it has before it all the relevant
legal material, particularly the implementing provisions for
each individual product . " Since the initial decision to
introduce these taxes, however, the government has
repeatedly postponed enactment of the law in question and
withdrawn certain measures for amendment . As a result, the
Commission will not be able to state categorically whether
or not ecotaxes are compatible with Community law until it
has examined the definitive implementing provisions .

No C 145 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

QUESTION E-499 / 95 called on the Commission to ' examine measures to make it

Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) easier for women to gain access to the positions of authority

to the Commission or responsibility associated with management '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-499 / 95

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 96 ) Can the Commission say what measures it has adopted or
proposes to adopt shortly in this respect ?

Subject : Proposed amendment of Directive 74 / 409 / EEC on

apiculture

We have received information that Directorate-General III is

apparently drawing up a proposal to amend Directive
74 / 409 / EEC of 22 July 1974 on the harmonization of the
laws of the Member States relating to honey ( 1 ). It seems that
the Directorate-General has chosen not to consult the

honey-producing sector about this amendment .

Can the Commission say why it decided against
consultation ?

(') OJ No L 221, 12 . 8 . 1974, p . 10 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

In response to the conclusions adopted by the European
Council in Edinburgh, the Commission is considering the
need to amend a series of Directives on food . Directive

74 / 409 / EEC on honey is to be simplified but the
Commission has yet to adopt any formal proposal .
However, it has proceeded with the usual consultations with
the trade via the Advisory Committee on Foodstuffs ( on
which agriculture, the food industry, workers, consumers
and the distributive trades are represented ). A preliminary
draft of the amendments to the Directive was examined in

detail at the meetings on 6 and 7 July 1993 . Representatives
of the honey industry attended and had a perfect
opportunity to express their views, orally and in writing . In
addition, the question of amendment of the Directive has
been discussed regularly with representatives of the industry
at meetings of the Commission working parties on
bee-keeping .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-503 / 95

by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 97 )

(M OJ No C 194, 19 . 7 . 1993, p . 405 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(S April 1995 )

Under its third programme on equal opportunities for men
and women ( 1991— 1995 ), the Commission has
implemented a series of measures to make it easier for
women to gain access to positions of authority or
responsibility . The Community network of experts on the
situation of women in the labour market has, for example,
produced a study of occupational segregation in the
European Community, which among other things analyses
the situation of women in respect of access to high-level
jobs ('). The Commission has also supported a study by the
European Trade Union Confederation on the importance of
the presence of women in trade-union organizations, as well
as a pilot project on strengthening the professional identity
of young female graduates .

In the White Paper on social policy (-), the Commission has
established three priorities for its future policy on equal
opportunities . These include de-segregating the labour
market and accelerating the participation of women in
decision-making, to enable women to achieve substantial
progress in respect of access to positions of responsibility, in
both the public and private sectors .

In the context of the follow-up to the European Parliament's
resolution of 26 June 1 993, it should also be mentioned that,
on the initiative of the Commission, the European
white-collar employees ' organizations have recently started
joint deliberations on safeguarding the supplementary
pension rights of white-collar employees moving within the
Community area for professional reasons .

(') Occupational segregation of women and men in the European

Community, Social Europe, Supplément 3 / 93 .
Subject : Situation of managerial staff in the European (') COM(94 ) 333 .

Community

In its resolution A3-0196 / 93 ( ) on the situation of
managerial staff in the European Community, Parliament

12 . 6 . 95 rËN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 53

WRITTEN QUESTION E-515 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 98 )

Subject : Action to counter the resurgence of racism and

xenophobia in Europe

On 21 April 1993, Parliament adopted resolution
A3-127 / 93 (') on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia
in Europe . What concrete action has the Commission taken
within the United Kingdom to promote contacts and the
exchange of experience, to combat racism and anti-semitism
and to further equal rights for immigrants ?

rapidly, before 1 July 1994, including measures ' containing
the definition of the universal service, describing the
obligations of the providers of the universal service and
defining the services which could be reserved '. The public
postal service is very important for the interests of the
general public .

Why has the Commission not yet submitted any proposal ?
What does it intend to do ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

and to further equal rights for immigrants ? The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No 413 / 95 by Mr Gil-Robles
C ) OJ No C 150, 31 . 5 . 1993, p . 127 . Gil-Delgado (').

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

The Commission in 1994 financed a total of sixty two
actions in the United Kingdom designed to promote the
integration of migrants, most of them containing major
elements to further the rights of migrants . Eight of these
projects were in the field of combating racism, anti-semitism
and xenophobia . Lists of the projects concerned are being
sent to the Honourable Member and to the

Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

Further, the Commission has financed and participated in a
number of international activities including the United
Kingdom, with the thrust of promoting contacts,
exchanging experience, combating racism and
anti-semitism, and furthering equal rights for migrants .
These included funding the migrants ' forum, the Elaine

( European local authorities interactive network on ethnic
minority policies ) network, and the conference ' challenge,
change and opportunity — the future of multi-ethnic
Britain ' organized by the Runnymede trust .

C ) OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 30 / 95

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 100 )

Subject : Paid leave for members of reserve armies

European Union citizens who are members of reserve armies
have to undergo training from time to time .

1 . What information does the Commission possess about

the periods of time reservists have to serve annually in
each Member State ?

2, ( a ) Which Member States have legislation to protect the

civilian occupations of reservists who are called

up ?

( b ) Does the Commission have plans to bring forward a
Directive to protect these jobs ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-521 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 99 )

Subject : Community policy on postal services

The Council adopted a resolution in December 1993 on a
Community policy on postal services to be developed

The Commission has received a report giving information
about employer support for army reserves in a number of
countries in Europe ( including ten Member States ) and
America . This provides very little information, however,
about the time which reservists have to serve annually in the
Member States covered .

According to the report, there is little legislation at present in
the Member States to protect the civilian occupations of

( 27 March 1995 )

No C 145 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

reservists who are called up . For its part, the Commission
has no plans to propose legislation on this subject .

More than a year and a half later, the Commission has still
not made any official proposals on this subject . The
Council's request for rapid action has thus been
disregarded .

Is the Commission working on a document which in
particular defines the universality of the service ? When will
WRITTEN QUESTION E-550 / 95
we officially receive it ?

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 ) Answer given by Mr Bangemann

( 95 / C 145 / 101 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 11 April 1995 )

Subject : Postal services and telecommunications

At its meeting of December 1993, the Council of Ministers
of Postal Services and Telecommunications adopted a
resolution calling on the Commission to introduce, from

1 July 1 994 a Community policy in respect of postal services
and measures defining the concept of a universal service
setting out the obligations of service suppliers and defining
reserved services .

No such proposals have yet been forthcoming from the
Commission . In view of the social and economic significance
of the postal services, can the Commission draw up without
delay a proposal for a Directive covering all Community
postal services ?

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No 413 / 95 by Mr Gil-Robles
Gil-Delgado (').

(') OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-647 / 95

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 103 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission Subject : Use of Esperanto

( 12 April 1995 )
Has the Commission considered the possibility of Esperanto
being taught in all schools, alongside other languages and
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its being used in a wider context within the European
answer to Written Question No 413 / 95 by Mr Gil-Robles Community as a whole ?
Gil-Delgado (').

(M OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995 .
Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 73 / 95

by Frederik Willockx ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 102 )

Subject : Universal service — definition

In December 1993 the Council of Ministers for Post and

Telecommunications adopted a resolution calling on the
Commission to elaborate as quickly as possible, and at all
events before 1 July 1994, a common policy for postal
services . More specifically, the Council asked the
Commission to propose measures to define the universal
service and reserved services .

In accordance with Article 126 of the EC Treaty, the
Member States are responsible for the content of teaching
and the organization of education systems, including the
question of languages .

It is therefore primarily up to the Member States to decide
which languages are to be taught within their respective
education systems . Community action in this field is limited
to developing the learning and spreading of the ' languages of
the Member States '.

Cultural and linguistic diversity is one of Europe's most
valuable assets . The Commission attaches considerable

importance to promoting multilingualism . It has done a
great deal of work in this direction under the Lingua
Programme, which was designed to promote the teaching
and learning of languages, and will continue with this

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 55

approach under the Socrates Programme, which takes over
and extends the activities of the Lingua Programme .

The Commission is of the opinion that the use of a neutral
language might lead to a loss of tradition and identity . A
neutral language could not possess all the cultural and
historic richness of natural languages . The Commission
does not intend to take any action to promote the teaching
of Esperanto .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-662 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 104 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-665 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 107 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of financial

control, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of financial control were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-666 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 108 )
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of direct

taxation, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of direct taxation were put forward by the Commission
in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-663 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of fisheries,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of fisheries were put forward by the Commission in

1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-667 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

( 10 March 1995 ) to the Commission

( 95 / C 145 / 105 ) ( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 109 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of human

resources, education, training and youth, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of human resources, education, training and youth
were put forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-664 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of energy,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of energy were put forward by the Commission in

1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-668 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 106 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 110 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of customs and

indirect taxation, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of customs and indirect taxation were put forward by
the Commission in 1994 ?

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of information

technologies and telecommunications, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of information technologies and telecommunications
were put forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

No C 145 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-669 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-673 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 111 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 115 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of financial

services, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of financial services were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-670 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of internal

market, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of the internal market were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-674 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 112 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 116 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of external

affairs

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of external affairs were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-671 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of industrial

affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of industrial affairs were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-675 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 113 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 117 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of common

foreign and security policy, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of common foreign and security policy were put
forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-672 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of relations with

the European Parliament, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of relations with the European Parliament were put
forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-676 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) hy Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 114 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 118 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of economic

and financial affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of economic and financial affairs and monetary matters
were put forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of regional

policies, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of regional policies were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 57

WRITTEN QUESTION E-677 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-681 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 119 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 123 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of relations with

Member States, openness and communication,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of relations with Member States, openness and
communication were put forward by the Commission in

1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-678 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of anti-fraud

measures, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of anti-fraud measures were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-682 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

( 10 March 1995 )
to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 124 )

( 95 / C 145 / 120 )
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of employment

and social affairs, 1994

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of small and

medium-sized enterprises, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of small and medium-sized enterprises were put
forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-679 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

( 10 March 1995 )

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of employment and social affairs were put forward by
the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-683 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

to the Commission
95 / C 145 / 125 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 121 )
Subject : Commission proposals in the field of institutional

questions and the Inter-governmental Conference,

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of immigration,

home and judicial affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of immigration, home and judicial affairs were put
forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-680 / 95

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of institutional questions and the Inter-governmental
Conference were put forward by the Commission in

1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-684 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 122 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 126 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of consumer

affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of consumer affairs and monetary matters were put
forward by the Commission in 1994 ?

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of nuclear

safety, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of nuclear safety in 1994 originated with the
Commission ?

No C 145 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-685 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-689 / 95

Peter Crampton ( PSE ) by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 199 S )

( 10 March 199 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 127 ) ( 95 / C 145 / 131 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of agriculture

and rural development, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
area of argiculture and rural development in 1994
originated with the Commission ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-686 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of tourism,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of tourism were put forward by the Commission in
1994 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-690 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 10 March 199 S )

( 10 March 1995 )
( 95 / C 145 / 128 )

( 95 / C 145 / 132 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of competition,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of competition in 1994 originated with the
Commission ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-687 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of budgetary

affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of budgetary affairs were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

by Peter Crampton ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-691 / 95

to the Commission by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission
( 10 March 1 99 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 129 ) ( 10 March 199 S )

( 95 / C 145 / 133 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of the
environment, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of environment in 1994 originated with the
Commission ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-688 / 95

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of credit and

investments, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of credit and investments were put forward by the
Commission in 1994 ?

by Peter Crampton ( PSE ) Joint answer to Written Questions

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 130 )

Subject : Commission proposals in the field of transport,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of transport were put forward by the Commission in

1994 ?

E-662 / 95 to E-691 / 95

given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 April 1995 )

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
answer the question . It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible .

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 59

WRITTEN QUESTION E-762 / 95

by Helwin Peter ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 134 )

Subject : European Social Policy — A Way Forward for the

Union ( White Paper ) COM(94 ) 333 final, Chapter

6 / B, Item 11, Point 2

Does the Commission intend to propose in its future social
policy action programme changes in the rules to enable
Community citizens working in one Member State ( for
example Germany ) and living in another ( for example,
France ), to claim health care insurance benefits in the latter
country for which they are already paying compulsory
contributions in the former ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1 995 )

The Honourable Member is referring to the new German
legislation on long-term care insurance ( Pflegegesetz ),
according to which a frontier worker residing in France and
working in Germany must contribute to this new form of
social security without being able to claim equivalent health
care benefits in his country of residence .

The Commission is aware of the problems of frontier
workers as a result of this new legislation . In order to find
appropriate solutions as quickly as possible, arrangements
have been made to discuss all the problems associated with
this new form of social security at a meeting of the
Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant
Workers during the first half of 1995 .

encourage the development of private undertakings
competing with the public postal services .

If these statements are true, what are the Commission's
motives for not having submitted its proposals on regulating
the postal sector ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question No 413 / 95 by Mr Gil-Robles
Gil-Delgado ( L ).

(') OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-894 / 95

by Hugh McMahon ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 136 )

Subject : Teleterminals Directive

Can the Commission indicate what progress has been made
towards amending the teleterminals Directive to prevent the
potential loss of thousands of jobs for disabled people and
will it confirm that it has the legal competence to
incorporate the necessary requirements, that is that all
teleterminal equipment should be capable of adaptation for

use by blind and partially sighted people, into the regulatory
WRITTEN QUESTION E-879 / 95 framework ?

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

( 95 / C 145 / 135 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 25 April 1995 )

Subject : Regulating the postal sector

At the end of January 1995, the trade union representatives
of organizations affiliated to the PTTI ( Postal, Telegraph
and Telephone International in the Community ), who
represent over a million workers, censured the European
Commission for not yet having submitted proposals for
regulating the postal sector ( the Council had requested these
proposals and fixed the deadline as 1 July 1994 ). The trade
union representatives accuse the Commission of dragging its
feet with regard to the adoption of proposals in order to

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply it gave to Oral Question H-l 1 1 / 95 by Mrs Read
during question time at Parliament's February 1995
part-session (').

(') Debates ot the Parliament ( February 1995 ).

No C 145 / 60 f EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-948 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 19 April 1995 )

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 137 )

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for
information regarding the facts referred to by the
Honourable Member . It will inform him of its findings .

Subject : Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of

modern industrial architecture

As part of the construction work on the Athens metro, the
Greek Government and the undertaking responsible for the
project have decided to demolish the FIX factory, a
monument of modern industrial architecture . The

expropriation of the building for demolition took place with
Community funding and this decision triggered strong
protests from many quarters both in Greece and abroad ( the
European Association of Architects, various Universities,
distinguished architects, etc .,).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-949 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 145 / 138 )

Given that : - Subject : Construction of a breakwater at the entrance to

Chania harbour

— the policy of the European Union as set out in the Green

Paper on the Urban Environment emphasizes the
importance of modern industrial monuments both for
the urban environment and for the future of modern

architecture ;

— the Granada Convention endorsed by all members of the

European Union also provides for the protection of
modern industrial architectural monuments ;

— Greek law also provides for the protection of such

monuments, and this unique example of modern
industrial architecture by the famous architect and
teacher of modern architecture, Takis Zenetou has been
deemed worthy of conservation ;

Will the Commission say :

1, whether it is familiar with the above facts ;

2, whether it intends to use its influence to ensure that this

monument can be saved and restored and used for

contemporary cultural or productive purposes and that
the alternative schemes put forward by the relevant
bodies for the metro project are taken into account ;

3, whether it might even suspend funding for this project
until a solution emerges that is more responsible and
more in keeping with European policy in this field so
that the future of this important architectural
monument is safeguarded ?

At the entrance to the old Venetian harbour of Chania work

is going ahead on a project to extend the breakwater by 150
metres in length and to increase its height to 0,80 metres
above sea level .

The ostensible reason for this project is to protect the
Venetian harbour from being battered by the sea .

Given that :

1, the first Community-funded construction above sea
level exceeded the specifications set out in the study that
had been approved ;

2, the study for the extension is incomplete and will
inevitably have undesirable consequences ( changes in
sea currents, the enclosure of more effluents within the
harbour area etc .,);

3, the Venetian pier has been listed as an historical
monument of European importance and it is therefore
unacceptable that the surrounding area should be
altered or disturbed in any way ;

4, the project will have no environmental or economic
benefits and is being opposed by local bodies ( the
municipal authorities, archaeologists, the technical
chamber of commerce, the architects association ) as well
as ordinary citizens .

Will the Commission say whether it intends to make direct
representations to the Greek authorities to prevent the

12 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 145 / 61

implementation of this project which will very likely have
irreversible consequences and make an amount equivalent
to that set aside for this purpose ( which may come from
Community funds ) available, firstly, for immediate
restoration work on those sections of the monument that

genuinely need to be repaired and, secondly, for an overall
investigation into the overall problems facing the seafront of
the old town ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 April 1995 )

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for

information regarding the facts referred to by the
Honourable Member . It will inform him of its findings .