Source: EURLEX
Language: en
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^ ^ / * / * •  - _%_ T " "I ISSN 0378-6986
# Official Journal C328

. # Volume 33
### of the European Communities n [ !>«*«»«> ]

##### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

90/C 328/01 No 314/89 by Mr Joan Colom i Naval to the Commission
Subject: Discriminatory Belgian postal charges for mail to Spain and Portugal 1

90/C 328/02 No 627/89 by Mr Niall Andrews to the Commission
Subject: EC aid for cot deaths research 1

90/C 328/03 No 745/89 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission

Subject: Energy saving through district heating central plants 2

90/C 328/04 No 777/89 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject: Infringements of the EEC Treaty by Fiat 3

90/C 328/05 No 1137/89 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: Failure by the Italian Government to implement EEC directives on atmospheric
pollution caused by industry 3

90/C 328/06 No 1139/89 by Mr Gordon Adam to the Commission
Subject: Dangerous substances in antifouling paints 4

90/C 328/07 No 1164/89 by Mr Proinsias de Rossa to the Commission
Subject: EC security policy 5

90/C 328/08 No 874/90 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission

Subject: Defence advisory team 5

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1164/89 and 874/90 5

90/C 328/09 No 11 /90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission

Subject: Community defence policy 6

2 (Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/10 No 28/90 by Mr Pierre Lataillade to the Commission

Subject: Attacks on French vessels by Spanish trawlers 6

90/C 328/11 No 97/90 by Mr Pierre Lataillade to the Commission

Subject: Renewed attacks on French vessels by Spanish fishermen 6

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 28/90 and 97/90 7

90/C 328/12 No 170/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission

Subject: Social Charter 7

90/C 328/13 No 187/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the Valoren and STAR programmes in Greece 7

90/C 328/14 No 214/90 by Mr Pierre Lataillade to the Commission

Subject: Closures and transfers of iron and steel plant 8

90/C 328/15 No 237/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: EC fraud 8

90/C 328/16 No 299/90 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject: Computer-aided teaching methods in hospitals and nursing homes for children
suffering from long-term illness 9

90/C 328/17 No 317/90 by Mr John Iversen to the Commission
Subject: Relationship between vehicle speed and pollution 9

90/C 328/18 No 333/90 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject: Threat to the environment 10

90/C 328/19 No 342/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Transport research in the EC 11

90/C 328/20 No 467/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Pollution based on aquaculture 12

90/C 328/21 No 507/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Child neuropsychiatry 12

90/C 328/22 No 508/90 by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission
Subject: Remote reading of electricity meters 12

90/C 328/23 No 516/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Bullfights during the 1992 Seville World Exhibition 13

90/C 328/24 No 531/90 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission

Subject: Town twinning 13

90/C 328/25 No 577/90 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject: Milk supplies to Poland and Romania 14

90/C 328/26 No 596/90 by Mr Gordon Adam to the Commission
Subject: Coal power stations 14

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/27 No 607/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Application of Community law in the environmental field 14

90/C 328/28 No 648/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of the Media programme in Spain 15

90/C 328/29 No 657/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: The Bastille Appeal for cancellation of Third World debt 15

90/C 328/30 No 678/90 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject: Unification of the two Germanies — implications 16

90/C 328/31 No 686/90 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject: Stricter measures against illegal fishing vessels 16

90/C 328/32 No 694/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: The EEC-Morocco fisheries agreement 17

90/C 328/33 No 704/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: Situation concerning the fishing grounds referred to in the EC fisheries agreements 17

90/C 328/34 No 748/90 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers and Mr Eisso Woltjer to the Commission
Subject: Fraud in the Dutch beef and veal sector 18

90/C 328/35 No 764/90 by Mr Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject: Re-registering of American fishing vessels under Irish and UK flags 18

90/C 328/36 No 767/90 by Mr Louis Lauga to the Commission

Subject: Community employment initiatives in the Department of the Landes 19

90/C 328/37 No 817/90 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject: Powers of Dutch border officials 19

90/C 328/38 No 825/90 by Mr Reinhold Bocklet and Mr Gerd Miiller to the Commission
Subject: Achievement of the internal market between Italy and Germany 19

90/C 328/39 No 833/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Infection of children with the AIDS virus 20

90/C 328/40 No 835/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Infection of children with the AIDS virus as a result of contaminated blood 20

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 833/90 and 835/90 20

90/C 328/41 No 857/90 by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Community regulation of agricultural contracts 21

90/C 328/42 No 894/90 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject: Snuff 21

90/C 328/43 No 905/90 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando to the Commission
Subject: Doubling of the structural funds 22

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/44 No 914/90 by Mr Enrico Falqui, Mrs Maria Aglietta, Mr Gianfranco Amendola,
Mr Virginio Bettini, Mr Alexander Langer, Mr Paul Lannoye, Mr Gerard MonnierBesombes and Mr Paul Staes to the Commission

Subject: Pesticides exported by the EC to Poland under the action programme of aid to Poland
and Hungary 23

90/C 328/45 No 946/90 by Mr John McCartin to the Commission
Subject: Court of Justice ruling on the '48-hour' rule 23

90/C 328/46 No 974/90 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Doc. COM(89) 322 final 24

90/C 328/47 No 981/90 by Mr Carlos Carvalhas to the Commission

Subject: Identity card for members of anti-fascist resistance movements 24

90/C 328 /48 No 986/90 by Mrs Anna Hermans to the Commission
Subject: Regulation on compensation for employment by secretarial agencies by the Netherlands Government's policy of granting subsidies to employers who provide jobs for the longterm unemployed 24

90/C 328/49 No 1013/90 by Mr Bruno Gollnisch to the Commission
Subject: Producers of phonograms 25

90/C 328/50 No 1023/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra
Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission

Subject: Temporary inactivity of the non-industrial fishing fleet in the Mediterranean 26

90/C 328/51 No 1026/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra
Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission
Subject: Conservation of the marine environment in the Mediterranean 26

90/C 328/52 No 1040/90 by Mr Joaquin Sis6 Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Aid for the monastery in Casbas, Spain 27

90/C 328/53 No 1044/90 by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: European Community security guards 27

90/C 328/54 No 1056/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Problems concerning the settlement of Pontic Greeks in Greece 28

90/C 328/55 No 1057/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: Tax-free zones 28

90/C 328/56 No 1102/90 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission

Subject: Common market in datavision services 29

90/C 328/57 No 1111 /90 by Mr Marcelino Oreja to the Commission

Subject: Declaration of fundamental rights and freedoms 29

90/C 328/58 No 1119/90 by Mr Virgilio Pereira to the Commission

Subject: Budget difficulties and economic development in Objective 1 regions 30

90/C 328/59 No 1146/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission

Subject: World development 30

90/C 328/60 No 1169/90 by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission

Subject: Interconnection of gas transit systems 31

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/61 No 1181/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Impact of German reunification on EC institutions 31

90/C 328/62 No 1190/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission,

Subject: Energy prices 32

90/C 328/63 No 1191/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: Energy and the environment 33

90/C 328/64 No 1192/90 by Mr Jose Mendes Bota to the Commission
Subject: Projects in Indonesia financed by the EEC 34

90/C 328/65 No 1219/90 by Mr Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for France 34

90/C 328/66 No 1256/90 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission

Subject: Proceedings for infringement of the Treaties — transparency 35

90/C 328/67 No 1270/90 by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie to the Commission

Subject: Pamphlet on the European Community institutions 35

90/C 328/68 No 1286/90 by Mr Gordon Adam to the Commission
Subject: Electric cars 35

90/C 328/69 No 1288/90 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission

Subject: Regular time off work 36

90/C 328/70 No 1291/90 by Mr George Stevenson to the Commission
Subject: Leros psychiatric colony — Greece 36

90/C 328/71 No 1303/90 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission

Subject: Refund of VAT by Italy to taxable persons not established in the territory of the
country 37

90/C 328/72 No 1304/90 by Mr Henry McCubbin to the Commission
Subject: Myalgic encephalomyelitis 38

90/C 328/73 No 1306/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: French broadcasting law 38

90/C 328/74 No 1312/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: European solidarity for the funding of liver transplants 39

90/C 328/75 No 1328/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Commission

Subject: Scientific cooperation between the EEC and Latin America 39

90/C 328/76 No 1343/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Social policy to benefit older workers 40

90/C 328/77 No 1366/90 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission

Subject: European conference on minimum income levels, Windsor 15-17 November 1989 .... 40

90/C 328/78 No 1367/90 by Mr Fernando Suarez Gonzalez to the Commission
Subject: Community social policy 41

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/79

90/C 328/80

90/C328/81

90/C328/82

90/C328/83

90/C 328/84

90/C 328/85

90/C 328/86

90/C 328/87

90/C328/88

90/C 328/89

90/C 328/90

90/C328/91

90/C 328/92

90/C 328/93

90/C 328/94

90/C 328/95

90/C 328/96

No 1386/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Mail exchange service 41

No 1406/90 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject: Uncontrolled waste tip in Revallines (Asturias, Spain) 41

No 1412/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: The Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the environment 42

No 1433/90 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject: Congress to commemorate El Greco 42

No 1439/90 by Mr Giuseppe Rauti, Mr Antonio Mazzone and Mrs Cristiana
Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Differences between Europe and the US with regard to environmental problems 43

No 1448/90 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Research and development of alternative energy sources and rational use of energy —
funding 43

No 1540/90 by Mr Maxime Verhagen and Mr Petrus Cornelissen to the Commission
Subject: Introduction of a European postage stamp 44

No 1558/90 by Mr Elio Di Rupo to the Commission
Subject: Liver transplants 44

No 1567/90 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject: The Royal Family of the United Kingdom 45

No 1604/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Education programme for migrant workers' children 45

No 1605/90 by Mr Francpis-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Energy and raw-material stocks available in the Member States 46

No 1638/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: High-energy centre in Texas 47

No 1641/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: The construction and extension of marinas on the Ligurian riviera 47

No 1671/90 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject: Keep Sunday Special Campaign 48

No 1689/90 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Council
Subject: Preserving the dignity of female officials of the Community institutions 48

No 1720/90 by Mr Georgios Romeos to the Commission

Subject: Programme for the restoration of listed buildings 49

No 1746/90 by Mr Lyndon Harrison to the Commission
Subject: Environmental impact assessment and the structural funds 49

No 1754/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: Water quality 50

(Continued on page 60)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C 328/97

90/C328/98

90/C 328/99

90/C328/100

90/C328/101

90/C328/102

90/C328/103

90/C328/104

90/C328/105

90/C328/106

90/C328/107

90/C328/108

90/C328/109

90/C328/110

90/C328/111

90/C328/112

90/C328/113

90/C328/114

No 1774/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Implementation by Spain of the Directive on the conservation of wild birds 50

No 1776/90 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject: The 'drug' Ritalin 51

No 1778/90 by Mrs Eva Quistorp to the Commission
Subject: Protection of the public against indoor exposure to radon 51

No 1783/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Hydraulic test at the Chinon B-4 nuclear reactor in France 52

No 1794/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Membership of the Scientific Committee for Food 52

No 1811 /90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject: Assistance for the protection of biotopes in Greece 52

No 1876/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject: Coordinated Community action on AIDS 53

No 1994/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Court of Justice: Case 170/84 53

No 2019/90 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject: Licensing of pharmaceutical products 54

No 2024/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Batteries and accumulators 54

No 2054/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Approach taken by European officials at the World Bank in connection with a loan to
Brazil 54

No 2124/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Presence of dioxin in cartons of milk 55

No 2172/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Foreign Ministers meeting in European
Political Cooperation

Subject: Political conditions for expanding trade relations between the Community and Central
America 55

No 2241/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council

Subject: Free movement of persons 56

No 2242/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council

Subject: Free movement of persons 56

No 2243/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 56

No 2244/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 56

No 2245/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 328/115 No 2246/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/116 No 2247/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/117 No 2248/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/118 No 2249/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/119 No 2250/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/120 No 2251/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 57

90/C 328/121 No 2252/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council
Subject: Free movement of persons 58

90/C 328/122 No 2253/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Council

Subject: Free Movement of persons 58

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2241/90 to 2253/90 58

90/C 328/123 No 2473/90 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject: Suicides by young people in Community prisons 58

90/C 328/124 No 2543/90 by Mr Rolf Linkohr, Mr Claude Desama and Mr Michel Herve to the

Council

Subject: Reform of the ECSC and Euratom Treaties 59

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/1

_(Information)_

###### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 314/89

by Mr Joan Colom i Naval (S)

to the Commission of die European Communities

(7 _September 1989)_

(90/C 328/01)

_Subject:_ Discriminatory Belgian postal charges for mail
to Spain and Portugal

Written Question No 223/87 ( [s] ) attacked the
discriminatory postal charges applied in Belgium for mail
to Spain and Portugal. In its answer, the Commission
accepted the validity of the complaint.

Since this anomaly was still with us, two years later, I
asked the Commission about its criteria in Written
Question No 2094/88 ( [2] ), but the interesting reply I
received on 26 May 1989 set out a series of criteria for the
future but failed to answer the actual question. Would the
Commission therefore please indicate whether it
considers that Belgium, by charging different, higher
rates for mail to Spain and Portugal than for mail to the
other Member States, is in fact contravening the Treaties,
and in particular, Articles 80 and 90 of the EEC Treaty?

If it does, indeed what effective steps does it propose to
take?

0 OJNoC61,4.3.1988, p. 8.
O OJNoC270,23.10.1989, p. 20.

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(19_ _January 1990)_

PPTs may be dominant undertakings within the meaning
of Article 86. Their traditional monopoly for the

collection and distribution of mail now faces competition
from international air couriers for 'time-sensitive'

documents.

Examples of abuses of a dominant position given in
Article 86 of the EEC Treaty include "directly or
indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices or
other unfair trading conditions' and 'applying dissimilar
conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading
parties, thereby placing them at a competitive
disadvantage'. In this context, it should be noted that
preferential rates are frequently granted on a bilateral
reciprocity basis.

Article 90 would apply only once a case was established
for the application of Article 86 or another substantive
Treaty provision.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 627/89

by Mr Niall Andrews (ROE)

to the Commission of the European. Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 328/02)

_Subject:_ EC aid for cot deaths research

Has the Commission any new plans to coordinate
research at EC level on the continuing and complex
question of cot deaths, bearing in mind a threefold
increase of such deaths in the Netherlands since 1971,
continuing concern in Ireland and England, in contrast
with the rare incidence of cot deaths in Hong Kong which
_is_ being linked to the fact that babies there are never alone
in the cramped conditions, compared again with a higher

No C 328/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

incidence in New Zealand's South Island due possibly to
particular combinations of infant care practices?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 March 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the importance of the
continuing and complex question of cot deaths.

The EC Medical and Health Research Programme works
mainly through concerted research actions and
concentrates on a few areas, which do not include at
present cot deaths.

This programme will be pursued in a revised and
expanded form under the third Framework Programme
(1990—1994), which lays particular emphasis on the
European 'added value' of the research activities
concerned. In the medical context, these will particularly
address 'harmonized methodological and protocol
studies in epidemiological, biological and clinical
research', and the development and assessment of
'prophylactic and therapeutic methods'.

As soon as the Framework Programme has been adopted,
the Commission will submit proposals for implementing
specific programmes. The European Parliament will
examine, and could amend, all these proposals according
to the Cooperation Procedure provided for in Article 130
of the Single Act. Work on cot deaths might be included
in this particular new programme if the medicial, political
and social authorities concerned advise that this area is

one which deserves priority.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 745/89

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 328/03)

_Subject:_ Energy saving through district heating central
plants

It is well known that combined power and heat
production in industry and power stations is one of the
most promising energy-saving techniques.

1. Can the Commission say to what extent non-electric
district heating central plants supply electricity to
public networks?

2. Is the Commission satisfied with the way in which the
relevant EC directive has been translated into

economic reality? To what extent and in which
Member States do institutional barriers continue to

exist?

3. Is it true that the USA is far ahead of Europe in the
field of combined power and heat production?

4. Is it true that the EC could meet its entire electricity
needs through district heating central plants?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that combined heat and power (CHP) is of high value as
an energy saving technology. This is true for large-scale
heat recovery from power stations (e.g. to feed district
heating schemes), for industrial cogeneration and for
modular small-scale CHP units, i.e. combustion motors
fuelled by gas or liquid petrol products coupled to an
electric generator, whose heat output is recovered.

1. These small-scale CHP units are usually dimensioned
in order to cover the heat needs of the user and, in
parallel, his electricity requirements. According to the
ratio between heat and electric power needed, which
in most cases varies considerably in the course of the
day as well as in the course of the year, the economics
of such a unit can be increased if part of the electricity
generated can be sold to the public grid.

2. The Council recommendation of 7 December 1988

(OJ No L 335, p. 29 ff.) aims at protecting users of
CHP units and certain other private generators of
electricity against discriminatory measures, e.g. by
public utilities, and to guarantee to these generators
that an adequate price will be paid for electricity they
want to sell to the grid. The Commission intends to
launch an inquiry in order to get information on
possible practices not in line with the Council
recommendation and to propose, if needed, further
pertinent measures.

3. The United States are not ahead of Europe in the field
of CHP, but it is correct that CHP has been developed
there since 1978 with considerable effort and that the

part of CHP in overall electric power generation was
increased from virtually nothing to a noticeable 3%
and is still increasing rapidly.

In the Netherlands, however, the part of CHP already
amounts to about 14% and industrial units, which are
partly already under construction will increase this
share to more than 20 %. In Spain, 4 % will be reached
soon. In Italy and in the Federal Republic of Germany
the part of CHP presently amounts to about 6 %.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/3

4. It must be noted that (except for D and NL)
small-scale CHP is of minor importance in the context
of electricity generation by CHP; the number of these
modular units is, however, steadly increasing. A
complete coverage of all electricity supply of the EG
exclusively by using small modular CHP units might
be possible in pure theory. Apart from problems of
economics because of insufficient coincidence

between heat and electricity demand locally and
timewise, we would have to face a practically complete
dependency of our electricity supply on gas and petrol
products. This is contradictory to the objectives of the
Community energy policy, which aims at keeping the
share of hydrocarbons in the electricity supply at
values lower than 15 %.

Furthermore, the operation of at least a million
individual small-scale CHP units would create big
environmental problems by the emissions of the
combustion motors, changing of lubricants etc. and
would pose insurmountable problems for the
electricity transport and distribution grids, which
would endanger the security of electricity supply.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 777/89

by Mr Gianf ranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 328/04)

_Subject:_ Infringements of the EEC Treaty by Fiat

1. In view of the proceedings being brought against Mr
Romiti, the managing director of the Fiat vehicle
company of Turin and other executives in that company
because of 'accidents at work' does the Commission not

consider that the whole affairs reveals an infringement of
the EEC Treaty, more precisely the articles containing the
rules governing competition?

2. Does the Commission not consider that Fiat's

behaviour towards its employees has created inequality of
treatment and opportunity between Fiat workers and
workers in the car industry in other countries?

3. Does the Commission not consider that the

behaviour on the part of Fiat which is now being
examined by the Italian judiciary, is contrary to the spirit
of Title III, Chapter I of the Treaty, 'Workers'?

4. What steps has the Commission taken to intervene
in the affair?

5. Can the Commission explain what considerations
have induced it so far not to take Fiat to the European
Court of Justice of the infringement in question?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

The Commission understands that the problem raised by
the Honourable Member is the subject of a pending court
case in Italy, based on Italian national jaw. The
information available to the Commission to date is

insufficient to enable it to form a definitive view as to

whether any aspect of Community law could be involved.
Should the national judge have any doubt in this respect,
the procedure provided for in Article 177 of the Treaty
would allow him to seek preliminary ruling from the
Court of Justice.

However, it seems very doubtful that Fiat's treatment of
its workers could give rise to an infringement of either
Article 85 or 86 of the Treaty, which are not in principle
concerned with matters of labour law.

As to the Honourable Member's question as to why the
Commission has not brought Fiat before the Court of
Justice, even if there were an infringement of Community
law the Treaty provides no mechanism for the
Commission to bring a private enterprise before the
Court.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1137/89

by Mr Gianf ranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 328/05)

_Subject:_ Failure by the Italian Government to implement
EEC directives on atmospheric pollution caused
by industry

Since the Italian Government has, through a number of
administrative and legislative acts, rendered inoperative
Presidential Decree No 203 of 24 May 1988 and hence
Directives 80/779/EEC O, 82/884/EEC _(_ _[2]_ _),_
84/360/EEC ( [3] ) and 85/203/EEC ( [4] ) on environmental
pollution, which this Decree was intended to bring into
effect, does the Commission intend to initiate
proceedings against the Italian Government for
infringement of the Treaties?

(') OJNoL229,30.8. 1980, p. 30.
(*) OJ No L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 15.
O OJN0LI88,16.7.1984, p. 20.
O OJ No L 87, 27. 3.1985, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

Some years ago the Commission initiated an infringement
procedure against Italy for failure to introduce national

No C 328/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

measures incorporating into national law the Directives
referred to by the Honourable Member. Following
notification of the Italian legislation adopted for that
purpose, the Commission suspended the procedure while
it made a detailed examination of the new legislation. It
has now decided to reactivate the procedure, in the belief
that the Italian provisions still do not fully correspond to
the Community provisions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1139/89

by Mr Gordon Adam (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 328/06)

_Subject:_ Dangerous substances in antifouling paints

Would the Commission provide evidence as to the
environmental and/or health hazards produced by
tri-organo, di-organo and mono-organo tin compounds
which have been described as 'dangerous substances' in
antifouling paints and prohibited from use by Directive
76/769/EECO?

O OJ No L 262,27.9. 1976, p. 201.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 February 1990)_

The Commission confirms the hazards of the organotin
compounds both for the environment and for health.

Health hazards

In the framework of Directive 67/542/EEC on the

classification, labelling and packaging of dangerous
substances (') the Commission in 1976 ( [2] )> after
consultation with the experts of Member States, has
classified:

— as toxic by the three routes of exposure (inhalation,
ingestion, skin contact) the following organotin
compounds: triphenyltin acetate, triphenyltin
hydroxide, trimethyltin compounds, triethyltin
compounds, tripropyltin compounds, tributyltin
compounds,

— as harmful by the three routes of exposure the
following organotin compounds: tricyclohexyltin
hydroxide, tricyclohexyltin compounds, trioctyltin
compounds, tributyltin oleate, tributyltin naphtenate.

This classification was established on the basis of existing
available toxicological data.

Preparations containing the abovementioned substances
are classified and labelled according to Directive
77/728/EEC on the classification, packaging and
labelling of paints, varnishes, printing inks, adhesives and
similar products ( [5] ).

Antifouling paints generally contain triphenyl- and
tributyltin compounds ( [4] ). However, in certain cases they
can contain mono-, di-organotin compounds.

Environmental hazards

In 1986, the Department of the Environment of the
United Kingdom Government published a report ( [s] )
which summarizes the evidence underlying the concern
related to organotin in the aquatic environment: their
capacity at low concentration to kill many commercial
(egoystero) and non-commercial species (particularly
larvae and plankton) and to affect growth and
reproduction in others.

The Scientific Advisory Committee for the examination
of the toxicity and ecotoxicity of chemical compounds has
expressed an opinion on quality objectives for tributyltin
oxide and triphenyltin compounds (i.e. triphenyltin
chloride, hydroxide and acetate) in aquatic environment
(Article 6 of Directive 76/464/EEC) (*). The Committee
recommended placing tributyltin oxide and all three
triphenyltin compounds in list 1 and also recommended
that the total concentration of tributyltin oxide and of
triphenyl chloride, triphenyltin hydroxide, triphenyltin
acetate in aquatic media (fresh and salt water) should be
kept as low as possible and in any case should not exceed
0,001 microgram per litre, respectively 0,01 microgram
per litre for each triphenyl compound individually.

As the three triphenyltin compounds above are often
used/found together with tributyltin oxide, the total
concentration of all four compounds together should not
exceed 0,001 microgram 1-1, of which not more than
0,001 microgram 1-1 should be tributyltin oxide.

In 1988, a group of experts related to the 'concerted
action COST 641 — Organic micropollutants in the
aquatic environment' provided a review of the toxicity,
sources, fate and determination of these compounds ( [7] ).

In that context the Commission would refer the

Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question
No 278/88 by Lord O'Hagan ( [8] ) where it was stated that
it is now clear that antifouling paint on boats harms
oysters and other organisms in water and at sea.

On the basis of these elements, the Commission, on 9
February 1988, proposed the 8th amendment of Directive
76/769/EEC on the limitation on use and placing on the
market of dangerous substances or preparations (*) which
covers, amongst other things, the organotin compounds
used as such or as a constituant in preparations used as
antifouling protection for boats or for any apparatus or
equipment totally or partially submerged.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/5

This proposal was adopted by the Council on 21
December 1989 ( [l0] ).

O OJNoLl96, 16.8. 1967, p. 1.
O-OJNoL 360, 30. 12.1976.
O OJ No L 303, 28. 11.1977.
( [4] ) Tin and organotin compounds. A preliminary review.
Environmental Health Criteria 15. WHO 1980.
( [5] ) Organotin in antifouling paints — Pollution paper No 25
Department of the Environment.
0) O J N o L l 2 9, 18.5. 1976.
( [7] ) Tributyltin in the environment — Source, fate and
determination — Report EUR 11562.
( [8] ) OJ No C 36, 13. 2. 1989, p. 44.
O OJNoL318, 10. 12. 1989.
O OJNoL398,30. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1164/89

by Mr Proinsias de Rossa (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 328/07)

_Subject:_ EC security policy

According to a report in _The Irish Times_ of 21 November
1989 (attached), the President of the Commission, Mr
Delors, has set up a 'defence advisory team' in apparent
contravention of the Single European Act, which excludes
military aspects of security from EC discussions.
According to the press report, the rapporteur of the
general affairs committee of the Western European
Union, Mr Carro, said that he is 'now sure that this group
exists in the Secretariat-General of the Commission, but it
is just as if the Commission was doing its utmost to
conceal its real activities from the public, or even from
certain governments.

Can the Commission state whether or not the President of

the Commission, Mr Delors, has a defence advisory team?

If so, what is its remit?

What is the composition of the 'Defence Advisory Team'.
Is it representative of each Member State, and if not, on
what basis are members selected, and what is their
authority when attending meetings?

Is the Commission considering a review of its quest for a
joint security policy in the light of recent developments in
Eastern Europe and, more especially, does it not now
consider the search for greater integration of defence and
military policies by some Member States to be a hindrance
rather than a help to further European integration?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 874/90

by Mr Peter Crampton (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/08)

_Subject:_ Defence advisory team

In a recent report to the Western European Union, Mr
Caro, rapporteur, said that a defence advisory team
existed in the Secretariat-General of the Commission.

Would the Commission confirm or deny this report and
comment on Mr Caro's statement that the Commission is

doing its utmost to conceal its activities from the public?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1164/89 and

874/90 given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

_(29 June 1990)_

1. There is no 'defence advisory team' in the
Secretariat-General of the Commission.

2. The Commission strongly believes that the new
situation in Europe requires the Community to play a
central role in foreign policy — indeed, this is already
under consideration by Member States and Community
institutions. Some Heads of State or Government took

steps in this direction at the last European Council
meeting in Dublin.

3. The Commission would add that Member States

agreed, within the political cooperation framework
(Title III, Article 30), 'to coordinate their positions more
closely on the political and economic aspects of security'
and to 'maintain the technological and industrial
conditions necessary for their security'. Both these
objectives have to be pursued in harmony with the various
forms of military cooperation that exist between certain
Member States within the framework of the Western

European Union or the Atlantic Alliance.

Title III of the Single Act also states that the Commission
shall be 'fully associated with the proceedings of political
cooperation' and with the Presidency has special
responsibility for ensuring that consistency is sought and
maintained between the external policies of the European
Community and the policies agreed in European political
cooperation.

These provisions and the powers of the Community, as
defined by the Treaty of Rome and the Single Act, mark

No C 328/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

the bounds of the contribution that the Commission is

currently able to make in the areas referred to by the
Honourable Members.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 11/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 328/09)

_Subject:_ Community defence policy

Since events in Eastern Europe are upsetting the balance
of international relations every day, would it not be
appropriate to reconsider the question of military
cooperation within the European Community?

What steps will the Commission take to encourage a
rationalization and stabilization of national budget
appropriations for military purposes now that we are at
the end of the twentieth century?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 June 1990)_

In the context of political cooperation (Title III,
Article 30 of the Single European Act) the Member States
of the Community agreed 'to coordinate their positions
more closely on the political and economic aspects of
security' and 'to maintain the technological and industrial
conditions necessary for their security'. Both these two
objectives have to be pursued in harmony with the various
forms of military cooperation that exist between certain
Member States within the framework of the Western

European Union or the Atlantic Alliance.

Title III also stipulates that 'the Commission shall be fully
associated with the proceedings of political cooperation'
and with the Presidency shall have special responsibility
for ensuring that consistency is sought and maintained
between the external policies of the European
Community and the policies agreed in European political
cooperation.

These provisions and the powers of the Community as
defined by the Treaty of Rome and the Single European
Act mark the bounds of the contribution the Commission

is currently able to make in the areas referred to by the
Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 28/90

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 328/10)

_Subject:_ Attacks on French vessels by Spanish trawlers

On Friday, 24 November 1989 an inshore fishing vessel
'Le Biniou' registered in Arcachon was attacked by a
Spanish trawler less than 12 miles from the coast off
Arcachon, resulting in the destruction of 12 fishing nets
valued at FF 20 160. The same evening and the following
day similar tactics were attempted without success by
other Spanish trawlers, on which the registration marks
had been concealed.

Does the Commission intend to take steps to prevent the
recurrence of such incidents, which are harmful from
every point of view, and to ensure that the Spanish
Government enforces compliance by its nationals with
European Community fisheries agreements?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 97/90

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/11)

_Subject:_ Renewed attacks on French vessels by Spanish
fishermen

Over the last few weeks there has been a further outbreak

of attacks on French vessels by Spanish fishermen in the
Bay of Biscay.

These activities, which violate the most fundamental
principles of the Law of the Sea and of the code of
conduct adopted by Spanish fishermen, are having an
extremely serious economic and social impact on the
French fishermen whose equipment has been destroyed as
a result of Spanish action, and are gravely undermining
mutual understanding and respect between Spanish and
French people.

The French authorities are clearly not deploying adequate
resources for the purpose of surveillance in the Bay of
Biscay, since Spanish vessels frequently refuse to comply
with instructions during inspection procedures.

Such incidents also highlight the inadequacy of the
Community's own inspection force.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/7

Does the Commission intend to prevent any recurrence of
such incidents, which are harmful from every point of
view, and ensure that the Spanish Government obliges its
nationals to comply with European Community fisheries
agreements?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 28/90 and 97/90

given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 February 1990)_

The Commission is fully aware of the problems caused in
the Bay of Biscay by the different types of vessel and
methods of fishing used there, making up a fleet capacity
which, in some cases, exceeds the available stocks.

It has received complaints from French and Spanish
fishermen on several occasions.

Consequently, within the context of the multiannual
guidance programmes submitted by the Member States
for Commission approval, it is applying various measures
to obtain reductions in fleet capacity.

The Commission is also pursuing its efforts with the
Member States and fishermen's organizations to arrive at
the definition and application of codes of good conduct
which should help to allay the concern of the fishing
communities in question.

Finally, the Commission would point out that direct
control of fishing is a matter for the Member States in
their own waters. But, for its part, it will continue to
deploy all the means at its disposal, including Community
inspection, to remind the Member States of their
obligations in the matter.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 170/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/12)

_Subject:_ Social Charter

What is the position with regard to the conciliation
process currently in hand under Rule 43 with regard to
the Social Charter?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1990)_

In view of the fact that the text of the 'Community
Charter on the fundamental social rights of workers' was

adopted by the heads of State or government of eleven
Member States, the Honourable Member's question is no
longer relevant.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 187/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/13)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the Valoren and STAR
programmes in Greece

The Valoren and STAR special Community programmes
are intended by the Community to improve the
telecommunications and information infrastructures in its

peripheral regions. Under the related decisions, Greece is
entitled to certain sums.

What are the overall amounts earmarked for Greece, what
precise amounts have so far been made available and what
is the rate of utilization of the Community appropriations
committed?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 April 1990)_

The ERDF aid allocated for the STAR programme in
Greece (development of Greek regions by better access to
advanced telecommunications services) is ECU 100
million over a five-year period from 1987 to 1991.

The commitments entered into by the ERDF up to 31
January 1990 amounted to ECU 45,76 million.

Payments made by the Commission by 27 February 1990
(absorption of ERDF aid) totalled ECU 30,2 million.

The ERDF aid earmarked for the Valoren programme in
Greece (development of Greek regions by exploiting
indigenous energy potential) is ECU 50 million over a
five-year period from 1987 to 1991.

The commitments entered into by the ERDF up to 31
January 1990 totalled ECU 2,75 million.

Payments made by the Commission by 27 February 1990
(absorption of ERDF aid) totalled ECU 2,2 million.

The main reason for the delay in the implementation of
this programme has been difficulties encountered in the
development of geothermal resources.

No C 328/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 214/90

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/14)

_Subject:_ Closures and transfers of iron and steel plant

Is the Commission aware that iron and steel plant which
has been closed down as part of its approved restructuring
programmes is being purchased cheaply and
recommissioned by other European undertakings?

Does the Commission consider that such transactions —

which effectively cancel out the effects of the closure —
are in line with the objective of eliminating excess
capacity?

In the case of a transfer to an EFTA country, would it not
be in the generally prevailing spirit of cooperation to
ensure that the same rules are applied as in the territory of
the EEC?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 March 1990)_

In the course of the restructuring of the Community steel
industry between 1980 and 1985, the Commission used its
powers under Article 58 of the ECSC Treaty to lay down
rules regarding the destination of the plant to be closed. It
was decided that plant withdrawn from service should be
either scrapped or sold outside the Community.
Undertakings complied with the rule, and none of the
plant concerned was subsequently recommissioned within
the territory of the Community.

After 1985, and in particular on the accession of Spain and
Portugal to the Community, further plant closures were
carried out to offset State aid. In such cases, the
Commission required the undertakings concerned to
scrap the plant or sell it outside Europe. It imposed this
requirement, for example, in its 1988 decision on aid to
restructuring the Italian State-owned steel industry.

The decision to extend the export ban to all European
countries was taken after rumours started up concerning
the possible relocation in an EFTA country of a plant
closed during the 1980—1985 period.

Given the current situation of the Community steel
industry, and the outlook for the future, there is no
question of a further phase of restructuring under
Commission guidance. This means that undertakings will
be completely free to decide on, and bear full

responsibility for, any restructuring, and may take fully
independent decisions on the destination of the plants to
be closed down.

Nonetheless, the Commission's departments will continue
to keep a close eye on production capacity in relation to
foreseeable demand, by means of periodic statistical
surveys and examination of undertakings' programmes
for investment and withdrawal of investment, which must

be announced in advance in accordance with Decisions

No 3302/81 /ECSC and No 2093/85/ECSC.

The Commission is also examining the lessons learnt from
the common policy on steel, with particular reference to
restructuring, which should be applied in the context of
the policy of forging closer links with the EFTA countries.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 237/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/15)

_Subject:_ EC fraud

Leaving aside the Court of Auditors, what arrangements
and personnel does the Commission itself have to combat
EC fraud? Does it have any plans to change current
arrangements or increase the number of personnel
involved in this area?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

Arrangements for fighting fraud

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its report on 'The fight against fraud: Work done and
progress achieved in 1989' which was submitted to the
European Parliament on 31 January 1990 and presented
to the Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee on 22
February 1990.

Staffing

It is part of all Commission officials' duties in charge of
administering Community monies to prevent misspending
of any kind. In this respect normal control type work also
has a useful preventive effect on fraud. Financial Control,
which has overall responsibility for scrutiny of the
Community budget, has an important role in this
connection. Within this service about 2,5 posts are
allocated to specific anti-fraud activity.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/9

More specifically, three special types of administrative
structure are to be mentioned in the area of anti-fraud

staffing:

— the operational services, responsible for specific
preventive or administrative legislation in the area of
agriculture, customs and own resources as well as for
certain investigations, with 29 permanent officials,
one temporary official and five detached national
experts, supported by an appropriate number of
clerical/secretarial personnel.

As a result of the Commission's decision of 20 November

1987 on tougher measures to fight against fraud,

— the anti-fraud coordination unit with nine permanent
officials, 10 temporary officials and one detached
national expert, again with secretarial support,

— a network of anti-fraud 'cells' in the services of the

Commission acting as correspondents for this unit.

These cells generally consist of one official who, beside
his normal tasks, is responsible for following questions
related to fraud.

It is clear from the above that the Commission has made

great efforts in recent years to intensify the fight against
fraud, including devoting increased staff resources to this
activity. It will continue to give the anti-fraud area the
important attention which it deserves and will do all it can
to ensure that the necessary resources are provided.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 299/90

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/16)

_Subject:_ Computer-aided teaching methods in hospitals
and nursing homes for children suffering from
long-term illness

Further to my Written Question No 295/88 (')

1. Has the Commission set up investigations, with the
aid of the Eurydice network, into computer-aided
teaching methods in the different Member States?
Does it have any other information on the current
situation?

2. Does the Commission plan, depending on the results
of the investigations, to ask government and/or
private organizations working in this field to draw up
European pilot projects? What criteria will these

organizations have to comply with in order to take
part?

3. When does the Commission expect to have concrete
information available and, if appropriate, to publish
invitations to tender?

(') OJNoC255,9.10.1989, p. 25.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 June 1990)_

The Eurydice network has been making investigations
into computer-assisted teaching methods for children
suffering from long-term illness and being cared for in
hospitals and nursing homes. But information available in
the data bank concerns only computer-assisted teaching
in schools.

The Commission, at this point in time, has no plans for
any specific action in this particular field. For the time
being, Community and Member States' activity is
confined to projects seeking to integrate handicapped
children into standard education systems.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 317/90

by Mr John Iversen (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/17)

_Subject:_ Relationship between vehicle speed and
pollution

Swedish studies carried out by the Swedish National
Environment Protection Board have estimated that

nitrogen oxide pollution from cars without catalysers
increases by 65 % between the speeds of 90 and 110 km/h,
while carbon dioxide emissions increase by 34 %.

How does the Commission view these and similar studies,
and does it intend to submit a new proposal on speed
limits, reducing motorway speeds to 90 or 100 km/h, and
thereby withdraw its present proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

Although the Commission is not familiar with the study
referred to by the Honourable Member, it recognizes the

No C 328/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

link between vehicle speed and emissions. This applies not
only to vehicles without a catalytic converter, but also to
those which are equipped with such devices, although in
this case emission levels are much lower.

This was one of the reasons why, in its communication to
the Council of 9 May 1987 ('), the Commission concluded
that the Community should adopt a directive setting
speed limits and taking account of road safety aspects,
nuisance, energy consumption and the cost/benefit ratio
in industry and transport.

The communication mentions that studies have shown

that a reduction in average vehicle speed to 100 km/h
would mean a fall in No x emissions of some 300 000
tonnes in the Community as a whole.

Following on from this communication, the Commission
sent the Council a proposal for a directive ( [2] ) setting speed
limits for goods transport and public transport vehicles
(motorway speed limits of 100 km/h and 80 km/h
depending on the type of vehicle).

This proposal is still before the Council. The Economic
and Social Committee has already delivered its opinion.

The proposal does not cover private vehicles. However,
studies are under way and the Commission may put
forward a proposal for speed limits for this type of
vehicle.

As regards emissions, on 2 February the Commission put
forward a proposal for a directive ( [3] ) requiring the use of
the most advanced technology, i.e. regulated three-way
catalytic converters, which would reduce these emissions
by 80 to 90%. Such measures would have a far greater
impact than the mere restriction of speed.

(') COM(86) 735 final.
O COM(88) 706 final.
( [3] ) COM(89) 662 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 333/90

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/18)

_Subject:_ Threat to the environment

The Turkish Government is planning to construct a 700
MW power station in the Ali-Aga area 40 km from

Nitilini on the island of Lesbos. The power station will
use approximately 60 000 tonnes of seawater per day as a
coolant, which will then be discharged back into the sea
(in Candarli Bay) at a much higher temperature and
without any form of processing. Serious concern is being
expressed concerning the effect on the surrounding
waters which are a breeding ground for sardines. This
would cause great damage to both Turkish and Greek
fishermen (around the islands of Lesbos and Khios). On
28 January 1990 Greek and Turkish environmentalists
held a large demonstration. Given that in 1976 Turkey
signed the Barcelona Convention concerning specially
protected areas of the Mediterranean Sea and that it has
been in force there since 1981, can the Commission say:

— What progress has been made in the implementation
of the Protocol signed in Athens on 17 May 1980 for
the protection of the Mediterranean Sea aginst
pollution from land-based sources (Council Decision
83/101/EEC O of 28 February 1983)?

— Does it intend, in its capacity as an International
Energy Agency observer, to ask for more details and
guarantees from Turkey, whose energy policy, like
that of the other IAE member countries, is subject to
regular review in respect of its environmental impact,
so as to judge the validity of the fears expressed about
the effects of this project on the environment?

— What pressure does it intend to exert on the Turkish
Government to comply with the provisions of the
Barcelona Convention and prevent the realization of
this project, which would destroy all forms of life in
the surrounding waters?

O OJNoL67,12. 3.1983, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 October 1990)_

The Honourable Member is referred to the joint answer
given by the Commission to Written Question
Nos 1310/89 and 27/90 from Mr Romeos and Mr

Alavanos respectively ('). The Commission has
approached the Turkish Government with a request for
more detailed information.

Turkey's accession on 21 February 1983 to the land-based
sources Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, signed on
17 May 1980, took effect on 17 June 1983.

The International Energy Agency seeks to implement
mechanisms designed to safeguard the availability of oil
supplies for its member countries.

In its annual report on energy policy in these countries,
the IEA proposes, in particular, that factual mention be

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/11

made of measures taken in the field of environmental

protection, although it refrains from expressing any value
judgment on such measures.

As underlined by the Honourable Member, the
Commission is monitoring the work of the IEA solely in
its capacity as an observer.

(') OJ No C 207, 20. 8. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 342/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 328/19)

_Subject:_ Transport research in the EC

On the basis of what funds, aid programmes and research
programmes is transport research carried out in the EC?

How are resources distributed among the various means
of transport and transport systems (motor traffic, TGV,
air traffic, etc.)?

What aid is given under the Eureka programme?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 June 1990)_

The Community's second framework programme of
research and technological development comprises
several sectoral programmes which includes research
projects on matters relating to transport.

Only one of these programmes (Euret) covers all
transport modes. The rest are concerned with research
which could be applied in transport but whose main
application is in other fields (e.g. Monitor, Brite-Euram,
Joule, Esprit, RACE) or particular aspects of which could
be applied to one or other mode of transport (e.g. Drive
and research on aeronautical construction in

Brite-Euram).

Apart from the framework programme there are also
other Community programmes under which research of
interest to transport could be carried out. Examples are
Thermie, Tedis, and Impact.

Under the COST programme the Community participates
in, and supports, about 10 concerted action projects on
transport.

The resources set aside for transport in these various
programmes are approximately:

— Euret (transport research programme currently
before the Council for approval): ECU 25 million,

— Drive (application of information technologies to
road transport): ECU 60 million over three years
(1989—91),

— Brite-Euram (aeronautics section): ECU 35 million.
Of the ECU 500 million set aside for the Brite-Euram

programme as a whole, certain projects specifically
dedicated to aeronautics are also of interest to

transport. The current projects concentrate on
advanced materials which could be used in the

aeronautics sector and account for some ECU 36

million,

— Joule (energy, non-nuclear energies and rational use
of energy): It is difficult to estimate what proportion
of the total ECU 122 million programme is accounted
for by projects relating to transport. So far ECU 7
million have been set aside for research on internal

combustion,

— the RACE programme (R & D in advanced
communications technologies) includes several
projects which apply these technologies to transport,
particularly in aircraft maintenance, maritime
communications and the motor manufacturing
industry,

— certain aspects of the Esprit programme (R & D in
information technology) have applications in
transport, examples being automatic piloting systems
for aircraft, rail management systems and urban
traffic management,

— Thermie (promoting technologies for energy
management; submitted for approval): what
proportion of the total ECU 700 million to be
devoted to transport has not yet been decided,

— Tedis (electronic data interchange): transport
projects account for some 500 000 of the total ECU
5,3 million,

— Impact (information services market): at present
transport account for some 2,5 million of the total
ECU 36 million spread over two years (1989—90).

There is no overall strategy for allocating funds to the
various means of transport except in the case of the
internal allocation in the Euret programme where care has
been taken to ensure a certain balance between rail, sea
and air transport. In the Commission's activities, fund
allocation is generally the outcome of the specific
circumstances obtaining in the various programmes in
which transport happens to figure.

According to the information available to the
Commission, the Eureka programme includes 21 projects

No C 328/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

relating to transport and accounting for a total ECU 591
million. The projects mainly come under the following
headings:

— road haulage,

— air transport,

— technologies and products of interest to transport.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 467/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/20)

_Subject:_ Pollution based on aquaculture

What investigation has the Commission carried out into
the diffuse sources of pollution based on aquaculture?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the environmental problems
raised by aquaculture projects and in 1980 financed an
environmental impact study on aquaculture development
projects which was carried out by CEMAGREF (Centre
National du Machinisme Agricole, du Genie Rural, des
Eaux et des Forets) of the French Ministry of Agriculture.

The aim of this study was to analyse the state of
aquaculture in the west European countries, its links with
the environment, both in terms of impact and utilization
of resources, and to put forward proposals concerning
new procedures to take account of the environment in
aquaculture projects and/or programmes, while taking
account of the specific environmental regulations that
already exist.

The experience gained in this field in the meantime has
obliged the Commission to make the granting of
development appropriations in this sector dependent on
strict compliance with Community environmental
protection provisions.

Furthermore, under Regulation (EEC) No 3252/87 (') on
the fisheries and aquaculture research programme a
research project is being carried out by laboratories in
Scotland, the Federal Republic of Germany, Portugal and
Ireland on the interaction between the environmental

impact of aquaculture units and the health of fish farmed
at sea. The project, which lasts four years and started in
December 1989, is based on the use of floating sea-cages
and is also coordinated with complementary studies in
Norway.

(') OJNoL314,4. 11. 1987,p. 17.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 507/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/21)

_Subject:_ Child neuropsychiatry

There is considerable concern about the future of child

neuropsychiatry in Italy, particularly as the national
health plan fails to include anything to do with this
subject, so that it is a virtually unknown discipline.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to make
up for this considerable omission by the Italian
authorities? Have other Member States also failed to

include child neuropsychiatry in their national health
schemes and does the Commission recognize this
discipline as a crucial sector in a European health
programme which takes account of the need to
rehabilitate handicapped children?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 May 1990)_

The Commission does not have the information

requested by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 508/90

by Mr Joaquin Sis6 Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/22)

_Subject:_ Remote reading of electricity meters

Some electricity companies in the Member States are
developing a system of remote reading of electricity
meters and data transmission which simplifies the process
of reading electricity meters and makes it possible to carry
out automatic controls on low voltage supply, thereby
enabling customers to hire multiple tariff systems without
needing to hire special meters.

However, many consumer associations are demanding
that the installation of this new system should be
accompanied by corresponding measures to ensure that
consumers' interests are not jeopardized.

Can the Commission state whether there is any provision
at Community level for protecting consumers against the
new system of remote reading of electricity meters which
the electricity companies are intending to introduce as a
general measure?

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May 1990)_

Electricity meters are subject to Directive 76/891/EEC of
4 November 1976 ('), which fixes the technical
specifications that electricity meters should meet,
together with the verification requirements to which they
are subject, in order to carry the EEC marks of type
approval and initial verification. The directive applies to
electro-mechanical meters that operate on the basis of
electric induction.

As a result of technical progress in the field of electricity
meters, there exist nowadays, apart from the meters as
described in Directive 76/891/EEC, other meters for the
measurement of electronic energy, in particular meters
that are wholly or partly electronic.

The Commission is aware that this new generation of
meters can be fitted with electronic data transmission

facilities, which enable the quantities of electrical energy
measured to be registered centrally.

The Commission evaluates the need for continuous

adaptation of the existing directives to the latest advances
in technology. In doing so it bases its work, inter alia, on
the work of the International Organization for Legal
Metrology (OIML).

When in due course it presents proposals for adapting
Directive 76/891/EEC to technical progress, the
Commission will take account of the possibilities and
limitations of electronic data transmission and the

consequences that this form of registration might have for
the consumer.

(') OJ No L 336,4. 12. 1976, p. 30.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 516/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/23)

_Subject:_ Bullfights during the 1992 Seville World
Exhibition

Is it true that an increased number of bullfights are to be
organized in 1992 in connection with the Seville World
Exhibition and the Barcelona Olympics?

Is it true that Unesco has endorsed and contributed to the
funding of 60 bullfights during the Seville World
Exhibition?

Is the Commission convinced that these bullfights
constitute a culturally and artistically valuable part of our
heritage?

European Communities No C 328/13

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
oa behalf of the Commission

_(13 June 1990)_

The Commission has no information as to the intentions

of the Spanish authorities regarding the organizing of
bullfights as part of the Seville World Exhibition.

The Commission is very concerned with the welfare of
animals within the European Community and has already
introduced legislation in those areas where it has
competence to do so.

However, it does not for the moment intend to take any
action on bullfighting. It takes the view that it is the
national authorities of the Member States in question who
are best qualified to deal with this matter in the first
instance.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 531/90

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/24)

_Subject:_ Town twinning

In section HI of the Commission's 'Information for

applicants for grants for twinning between towns in the
Community' it is stated that 'no aid where the two
municipalities are less than 250 km apart' will be granted.

Municipalities frequently deliberately chose twinning
partners for their geographical proximity with a view to
facilitating future travel between the people of the two
municipalities involved.

Does the Commission not agree that financial assistance
for travel should be granted to municipalities of less than
250 km apart, for at least the initial period when
arrangements for the twinning association are being
made? This would encourage new twinning associations,
which serve a valuable purpose in furthering European
integration at a popular level.

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1990)_

The Commission fixed the 250 km threshold in

agreement with the major European twinning
organizations, notably in response to Parliament's wish to
encourage twinning between towns located in Member
States which are remote from one another, as in the case

No C 328/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

of the more recent Community members (Portugal, Spain
and Greece). Furthermore, activities organized between
towns less than 250 km away from each other generally
involve only moderate expenditure, which can be covered
by the organizers and the participants. The Commission
considers that priority should be given to providing aid
for twinning arrangements between remote towns,
especially those in the outlying regions of the
Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 577/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/25)

_Subject:_ Milk supplies to Poland and Romania

It is known that there is an urgent need for foodstuffs in
Poland and Romania.

In view of the dairy surpluses in the Community, does the
Commission consider that dairy farmers could earmark
some of their surplus production for these countries
without any harm being done?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

Community dairy farmers are entirely free to sell their
produce to Poland and Romania, using the support
measures available for the various sectors.

As regards surplus production, public intervention stocks
in the Community are low at present. Within the
framework of the free distribution of agricultural produce
released by the Community 5 000 tonnes of butter have
nevertheless been made available to Romania. Poland for

its part has made no request for dairy products.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 596/90

by Mr Gordon Adam (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/26)

_Subject:_ Coal power stations

Many developing nations will make increasing use of coal
to generate power, and much of the generating plant will
be supplied by firms in Member States.

It is also likely that the European Community or Member
States will help finance the building of these new coal
power stations.

What action is being taken, in the context of investment
aid in the energy sector, to ensure that the best
environmental standards are being applied at these
stations?

In particular, what steps are being made to ensure
desulphurization units are fitted to any coal power
stations supplied to developing countries or financially
assisted by the European Community?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 July 1990)_

When appraising projects the European Community
constantly pays attention to the protection of the
environment. Before financing is granted it always
examines the environmental impact of the projects and
checks that the legal standards will be complied with. The
appraisal of projects for coal power stations therefore
involves, among other things, an analysis of their
compatibility with the environment. The final technical
design of a power station depends on the results of an
analysis of this type, which takes into account factors
specific to the project such as the site, the quality of coal
to be used, the combustion technology and also the
equipment for reducing gaseous emissions (including
sulphur dioxide (SO2)).

If appropriate improvement of the technical design of the
plant is proposed to the promoter before financing is
granted.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 607/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/27)

_Subject:_ Application of Community law in the
environmental field

The report presented on 8 February by Mr Ripa di Meana
on the application of Community law in the
environmental field demonstrated the poor record of
achievement in this area. Apart from an association of
states to prepare the directives and a financial

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/15

contribution from the Community, what measures are
going to be taken to ensure that Community law is
enforced?

In particular, what sanctions could be taken?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1990)_

Under Article 130r (4) of the EEC Treaty it falls to the
Member States to implement Community environmental
legislation. It is up to the Commission to see that
Community law is properly implemented (Article 155).

Community law does not currently provide for sanctions
in the event of failure to apply Community environmental
legislation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 648/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/28)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the Media programme in
Spain

Since 1987, the Media programme (on measures to
encourage the development of the audiovisual industry)
has proved effective, firstly through its impact on all
stages of audiovisual production as such and secondly
through its measures for creating synergy and financing
project launches, as the Commission itself has
acknowledged. However, this attempt to encourage the
European programming industry is being hampered in
practice by some national governments, e.g. Spain, where
access to such aid, including access to aid for financing
dubbing into Spain's official languages, is being
obstructed (specific complaints have already been made
regarding this practice).

What information does the Commission have about the

implementation and development of the Media
programme in Spain?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 June 1990)_

From the outset of the Media programme (developed by
the Commission in the form of a pilot programme from
1987 onwards), Spanish professionals have been taking
part in the consultations and studies prior to the
launching of projects. Today, they are participating in the

management of Media projects, beside their colleagues
from the other Community countries. The Commission is
sending directly to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament's Secretariat a list detailing Spanish
involvement in Media programme pilot projects, as well as
the comprehensive report on Media programme activity
up to December 1989.

Participation in these Community ventures is open,
directly, to all European audiovisual operators, according
to criteria which obviously exclude any discrimination
between nationalities.

In its proposal for a Council Decision adopting an action
programme to foster the development of the European
audiovisual industry (1991 — 1995) (Media — main
stage)('), the Commission made provision for a specific
project geared to the economic and commercial training
of audiovisual producers, the coordinating structure for
which might be based in Madrid.

During Media's pilot phase, a preliminary seminar on
production will be held in Madrid at the end of the year.
Similarly, to supplement the information for the Spanish
audiovisual sector on the various activities of the Media

programme, the Commission has proposed to the Spanish
authorities that a one-day briefing session be held in
Madrid at the earliest possible date to enable Media
project leaders and Spanish audiovisual professionals to
meet one another and exchange information.

O COM(90) 132 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 657/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/29)

_Subject:_ The Bastille Appeal for cancellation of Third
World debt

Following the launching on 24 January 1990 of the
'Bastille Appeal for cancellation of Third World debt', a
petition campaign is under way in several Member States
and non-member countries, sponsored by the Toussaint
Louverture Association in Paris ('). A 'summit of seven
representatives from among the poorest peoples in the
world' is to be held in Houston, USA on 9 July 1990, i.e.
on the same day and in the same place as the meeting of
the leaders of the seven richest countries on earth.

Will the Commission be represented at both these
meetings in Houston? What are its latest views on the debt
problem?

(') Rue de Nanteuil 14, 75015 Paris XV, Tel. 45 31 43 38.

No C 328/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 July 1990)_

As in previous years, the Commission will be represented
by its President, Jacques Delors, at the next summit
meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the G-7
countries (Canada, France, the Federal Republic of
Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the
United States). There are currently no plans for him to
attend the 'summit of seven representatives from among
the poorest peoples in the world'.

With regard to the poorest countries, which are generally
in debt mainly to official creditors, the Commission has
on a number of occasions stressed the need for them to be

given substantial external support: the economic revival
and development of these countries depends both on
concessionary financing and on debt relief. Decisions
along these lines were taken at the previous summits in
Venice and Toronto.

The Commission, followed by the Member States, gave
practical effect to its thinking on concessionary aid during
the last negotiations for renewal of the ACP-EEC
Convention. Under Lome IV, and with the exception of
risk capital, financing (all instruments) is to be provided in
the form of grants. This constitutes progress and will
ensure that there is no worsening in the level of ACP
indebtedness to the Community.

With regard to the countries which are overindebted to
banks, the Commission considers it essential for the
parties involved to conclude financial agreements
conducive to renewed growth. A reduction in the level of
outstanding debt and in the debt-servicing burden is
certainly needed in many cases. The Commission
welcomed the initiative taken by the governments of the
creditor countries in 1989 to support moves by the
multilateral institutions to promote such reductions,
achieved through negotiations between the parties
concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 678/90

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/30)

_Subject:_ Unification of the two Germanies —
implications

In the event of a unification of the two Germanies what

are the implications for:

1. the number of EC Commissioners,

2. qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers,

3. the number of MEPs from a united Germany?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 June 1990)_

Unification of the two German States and integration of
the GDR into the Community do not automatically imply
changes to the membership or voting procedures of the
institutions of the European Communities.

Moreover, the representatives of the Government of the
FRG have stated on several occasions that the Federal

Republic will not be pressing for such changes when the
time comes for German unification. In their view, the
composition of the European Parliament as it emerges
from the 1994 elections should ensure appropriate
representation for the population of the GDR.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 686/90

byMrNeaBlaney(ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/31)

_Subject:_ Stricter measures against illegal fishing vessels

Has the Commission been informed of the accident that

occurred recently in Irish waters when a fishing vessel put
to sea in dangerous conditions and an Irish sailor lost his
life in rescue operations and is the Commission ware of
suggestions that the vessel put to sea to avoid an
inspection, as it was not legally registered?

Will the Commission ensure that a thorough enquiry is
made into the presence of unregistered or illegally
registered vessels fishing in Community waters, and that
appropriate and effective steps are taken to end any
abuses which are found to exist?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 June 1990)_

The Commission was informed of the accident referred to

by the Honourable Member, which occurred on 30
January 1990 during a rescue operation for a fishing vessel

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C328/17

in Irish waters, and regrets the loss of one of the crew of
the inspection vessels involved.

It is unaware of the allegations to which the Honourable
Member refers.

The Commission would remind him that surveillance of

the activities of fishing vessels and the prosecution of
infringements are a matter for the Member States in their
territory and in their territorial waters.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 694/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/32)

_Subject:_ The EEC-Morocco fisheries agreement

In view of the systematic impounding of Community
vessels in Moroccan waters, often in highly dubious
circumstances, and of the adoption by the Government of
Morocco of rules governing fishing offences which
permit the imposition of heavy fines which would, if
actually imposed, ruin any undertaking affected, can the
Commission take action to ensure that the Moroccan

authorities interpret the fisheries agreement correctly and
that all cases of impounding are fully justified?

Can the Commission state whether, with a view to future
agreements, it intends to introduce arrangements for the
regulation of offences, on the basis of an agreement with
the Government of Morocco including legal guarantees
for all parties concerned?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 June 1990)_

As manager of the Community's fisheries agreements
with non-member countries, the Commission intervenes
when necessary to see that the agreements are correctly
applied.

The agreements^provide for a joint committee to oversee
their correct implementation.

The Commission requested an extraordinary meeting of
the joint committee provided for in the EEC/Morocco
agreement, which was held in Rabat on 19 and 20 March

and adopted an administrative procedure in cases of
impounding which includes a new system for settling, such

cases.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 704/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/33)

_Subject:_ Situation concerning the fishing grounds
referred to in the EC fisheries agreements

According to information available to the Commission
from biological studies, what is the situation in the fishing
grounds off Angola, Cape Verde, the Comoros, Gambia,
Greenland, Conakry (Guinea), Guinea Bissau, Equatorial
Guinea, the Faroe Islands, Mauritius, Madagascar,
Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Norway, Sao
Tome, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone and Sweden in
respect of the various species which may be caught under
the fisheries agreements with these countries?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 August 1990)_

Primary responsibility for the conservation and
management of the various species for which Community
vessels have fishing rights in the exclusive economic zones
of third countries rests with the coastal States and, where
appropriate, competent international organizations.

It is often the case that vessels from other distant water

fishing nations have fishing rights in the same exclusive
economic zones as Community vessels and it is only the
coastal State which possesses a full picture of all the
various activities which are taking place in its waters.

The Commission takes the view that in general there is
little information available concerning the state of
exploitation of fish stocks in most of the countries with
which it maintains fisheries agreements.

In order to make up for this lack of information, and to
improve scientific cooperation, which to date has been
less than satisfactory, with countries with which it
maintains fisheries agreements, the Commission is
intending to lay the foundations in those agreements for
scientific cooperation that will ensure the satisfactory
outcome of the planned investigations.

No C 328/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12.90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 748/90

by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers and Mr Eisso Woltjer (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/34)

_Subject:_ Fraud in the Dutch beef and veal sector

Articles have appeared in The Dutch agricultural press
_(Boerderijkrant_ of 12 and 19 January 1990 and _Boerderij_ of
23 and 30 January 1990) on wrongfully paid subsidies in
the Dutch beef and veal sector. Apparently, at least five
holdings have received HF1 80 million too much.
Excessive export refunds were paid as a result of fraud
concerning the country of destination and the percentage
of meat.

1. Has the Commission been officially informed by the
Dutch Government about investigations into the
above cases of fraud?

2. If so, when was it so, informed ?

3. If not, has the Commission been unofficially informed
by the Dutch Government?

4. Does the Commission accept that the amounts quoted
by the press are correct? If not, what amounts were
involved?

5. Is the Commission aware of the legal action currently
being taken by the undertakings concerned?

6. Does the Commission intend to make proposals to
reduce or eliminate difficulties in respect of export
refunds. What timetable has been drawn up in this
respect?

7. According to reports in the Dutch press, the Stubb &
More method used by the Netherlands customs
authorities is not adequate for the task of establishing
the composition of the meat to be exported. Is this
true?

If so, do other methods of checking exist which would
make it harder to perpetrate fraud in connection with
meat content?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1990)_

1 to 5. Under the notifications stipulated by
Regulation (EEC) No 283/72 0, the Netherlands.has
notified two cases of irregularities. The Dutch authorities

found, during an accounting audit, that meat preserves
contained a percentage of beef and veal and pigmeat well
below the percentage laid down.

An amount of HFL 25,2 million (ECU 10,9 million) was
paid in error. The procedure for recovering this money
have been initiated. According to the Dutch authorities,
no other irregularity of this kind was found.

6. The Commission has just adopted a Regulation
under which the higher refunds will be granted only on
preparations and preserves that contain no meat other
than beef and veal.

The new arrangement also stipulates that, when
preparations contain more than 60 % of beef and veal, the
benefit of the higher refunds is subject to the processing
of those products under customs control, in compliance
with Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 565/80 ( [2] ).

7 and 8. The Stubb & More method does not by itself
enable the meat content of a meat preparation or preserve
containing, say, proteins of vegetable origin to be
determined.

In such cases, in order to determine the meat content, one

must also know:

— the fat content

— the water content

— the ash content

— and the processing recipe.

This means that on-the-spot administrative supervision is
also essential.

(*) OJNoL36,10.2. 1972, p. 1.
O OJNoL62,7.3.1980, p. 5.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 764/90

by Mr Mark Killilea (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/35)

_Subject:_ Re-registering of American fishing vessels under
Irish and UK flags

Is it the intention of the Commission to re-register
American fishing vessels under Irish or UK flags, taking
note of the outraged reaction of fishermen in both
countries last year when it was discovered that this
agreement had been reached?

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/19

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of die Commission

_(20 June 1990)_

The transfer of fishing vessel registrations from a
non-member country to the flag of a Member State is a
matter outside the jurisdiction of the Community. Each
Member State must set the registration conditions for
vessels from such countries.

Nevertheless, one should note that the state of Member
States' fishing fleets is determined by the multiannual
guidance programmes submitted by Member States in
accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 (')• These
programmes, approved by the Commission (Decision
88/141/EEC ( [2] ) for the United Kingdom and Decision
88/142/EEC O for the Republic of Ireland), are aimed at
a gradual decrease in fishing capacity with a view to
establishing a fishing fleet adapted to available catch
opportunities by 31 December 1991. To this end the
Commission supports Members States' efforts to
rationalize their fleets and will ensure that they do all they
ca"n to achieve the balance needed between fishing
capacity and available stocks.

(') OJ No L 376,31. 12. 1986, p. 7.
O OJ No L 67, 12. 3.1988, p. 22.
O OJNoL67,12.3. 1988, p. 25.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 767/90

by Mr Louis Lauga (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 328/36)

_Subject:_ Community employment initiatives in the
Department of the Landes.

1. Can the Commission give a sector — by sector —
estimate of the number of jobs created and/or saved in
the Department of the Landes from 1979 to 1989, directly
or indirectly as a result of the aid from the various
Community funds (ESF, ERDF, EAGGF, etc.) and of the
EIB and the ECSC?

2. Can it provide a qualitative and quantitative
description of the various initiatives undertaken in this
region from 1979 to 1989?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 7 June 1990)_

In view of the length of the answer, which includes a
number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to
the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of

Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 817/90

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/37)

_Subject:_ Powers of Dutch border officials

Will the Commission spell out its difference of principle
with the Netherlands over the extent of the powers of
officials checking travellers at its borders, referred to in
point 107 of the sixth annual report on the monitoring of
Community law? (')

O OJ No C 330, 30.12.1989, p. 19.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 May 1990)_

The principal methods and arguments, concerning the
matter to which the Commission referred in the document

mentioned by the Honourable Member, have been
published in _Official Journal of the European Communities_
No C 99 of 20 April 1989, pages 9 and 10.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 825/90

by Mr Reinhold Booklet and Mr Gerd Mailer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/38)

_Subject:_ Achievement of the internal market between
Italy and Germany

On completion of the internal market all checks at the
internal frontiers of the European Community are to be
abolished by the end of 1992 and an area without internal
frontiers created. In their place checks at the
Community's external frontiers are to be stepped up. It is

No C 328/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

impossible however to abolish frontier checks between
the Member States of Germany and Italy because they are
separated from each other by Austria and Switzerland
which are not members of the Community. On
completion of the internal market, Germany's and Italy's
borders with Austria and Switzerland will, moreover
become external frontiers of the Community at which
checks will be stepped up. Consequendy, the internal
market between the Member States of Germany and Italy
cannot be achieved.

1. Is the Commission aware of the consequences of this

situation?

2. What arrangements will the Commission make to
prevent or reduce the expected adverse impact on
achievement of the internal market?

3. How in this connection does the Commission assess

Austria's application for accession, which does not
stipulate any conditions and seeks transitional
arrangements only for the agricultural sector?

4. Does the Commission consider speeding up the
accession procedure for Austria as an appropriate way
of mitigating the unfavourable impact otherwise to be
expected?

5. Is the Commission prepared to submit its expert
opinion on Austria's accession in sufficient time for
the accession negotiations with Austria to be opened
in -a fores^feajale future, so as to be concluded before
completion of the internal market and allow accession
to take place on I January 1993?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 June 1990)_

1. The Commission is aware of the consequences.

2. In the light of the joint declaration issued by the
Community, the Member States and the EFTA countries
on 19 December last year, the Commission has drawn up
proposals to open negotiations with all the EFTA
countries with a view to creating a European economic
space for the free movement of goods, services, capital
and persons among the contracting parties.

Furthermore, the conventions concluded by the
Community with the EFTA countries on a common
transit procedure and the simplification of trade
formalities have facilitated the movement of goods since 1
January 1988. An agreement was also signed between the
EEC and Switzerland on 20 December last year in order
to ease the checks and formalities carried out during the
transport of goods.

3 and 5. Internal preparatory work is under way on the
Commission's opinion on Austria's application for
accession.

It is, however, public knowledge that the Commission
considers that no negotiations regarding enlargement of
the Community should be initiated before 1993.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 833/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/39)

_Subject:_ Infection of children with the AIDS virus

Since 1985 1318 Italian children have been discovered to

be seropositive and of these 1 219 were born to
seropositive women or parents who were or had been
drug addicts. 50 % of these children lived no more than 11
months. An inquiry carried out by the Torino Children's
Clinic has shown that a high percentage of mothers
contracted the disease having unwittingly had intercourse
with AIDS carriers. Will the Commission provide relevant
statistics by Member State and launch a campaign to make
young people more aware of their future responsibilities
as parents, in view of the growth of the AIDS problem?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 835/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/40)

_Subject:_ Infection of children with the AIDS virus as a
result of contaminated blood

Given that hundreds of cases have been reported in the
European Community of children with haemophilia or
thalassaemia being given contaminated blood, will the
Commission provide information concerning this
phenomenon and draw up a Community plan for the
inspection of plasma derivatives ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 833/90 and 835/90

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _June 1990)_

The European Centre for Epidemiological Monitoring of
AIDS (WHO-EC Collaborative Centre in Paris)
publishes a quarterly report on AIDS surveillance in
Europe.

Their report of 31 December 1989 showed that there were
28 920 cumulated AIDS cases in the Community, which
represented 88,7 cases per million. Cases between birth

O U, A U ^ COfficiai]oumai of the European Communities ^ o C ^ B ^ I

andMmonths corresponded to t o ^ ^ d n ^ belonged
to theltot^vearold age groupBPhese figures included
r^IVblood transmission.

In response toresolutionsof theEuropean Parliament
and the rlealth Councils, the Commission is preparinga
comprehensive plan of action against AIL^^ at European
Communitv level which will include appropriate measures
forprevention of HIV transmission among children.

w ^ I T T E ^ ^ ^ T ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^ o ^

bvlv^oa^uu^oCruella^PP^

to ^he Commission of^heEu^opea^Co^^iu^iues

^ ^ ^ ^

^ O B C ^ ^ B ^

^^cr.Communitv regulation of agricultural contracts

In some Communitv countries a law on agricultural
contracts exists for the regulation of commercial
transactions between farmers.

however, the substantial increase in the number of
intraCommunitv contracts between farmers of different

countrieshasdemonstrated theneedforaCommunitv
legal bodvwhich could regulate such transactions without
one or other of the contracting parties being obliged to
renounce his rights under national lawortoresortto
arbitration proceedings,which have little practical value
in the agricultural sector.

Could the Commission outline the actual situation in the

member countries in this area and state whether it thinks
that there should beaCommunitv legal bodv to regulate
agricultural contracts throughout the European
Community

A^swer^ve^bv^r^^c^ha^r^

o^ behalf of die Co^^ission

The Commission does not possess a compendium of
individual member ^tates^ current legislation on
commercial transaction between farmers and, at present,
does not envisage anv specific Community legislation in
this sphere.

however, the Commission is currentlv examining the
feasibility of a Community measure to regulate
joint^trade organizations and the agreements concluded
betweenthem, withaviewtoencouragingapattemof
transaction conductive to improving the organization of
the production, marketing and, where appropriate,
processing of agricultural products, ^o conclusion,
however,has^et been reached on this question.

w ^ f r T ^ ^ ^ E ^ I T ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^ O

by^zGez^zd^cheud^

totheCo^mm^s^ofd^eEuzo^ea^Commu^uUes

^ ^ ^ ^

^ 0 B C 3 ^ B ^

^^cr.^nuff

I. ^hat is the level of snuff consumption in the
^ember^tates of the European Community^

^. ^hat is the revenue from the excise duty on snuff in
the member states of the European Community^

o5 ^hat will be the e^tra cost to undertakings and taz
authorities in the federal Republic of Germany and the
united Kingdom if the present system of duty on snuff
^which, in the ^United Kingdom, is zero^rated^ is replaced
bv an ad valorem ta^

^. In the light of the answers to the previous questions,
does the Commission consider it necessary to establisha
uniform excise dutyon snuff, or does it consider that,
since itisapettyta^,itwould be betterto abolish itB

A^swez^veziby^zs^c^rve^ez
o^beb^dfof^heCom^u^s^

land^. The Commission does not have available the
statistics necessary to answer the quesuons asked by the
rlonourable member.

^iost member states impose an identical rate of excise
duty on snuff and chewing tobacco and do not indicate in
their taz statistics the proportion of revenue attributable
to the consumption of snuff.

^. The switch toapurely ad valorem system should not
entail significant e^t^a costs for firms and taz authorities
in the Clnited Kangdom and the Eederal Republic of
Cermany.

^L In its proposal for a foirective of 1^ Loecember
t ^ ^ ^, the Commission considered it necessary to align
the consumption tazarrangementsapplicabletosnuff,
given thatlOout of 1^ member states impose excise duty
on snuff.

furthermore, the ta^ arrangements for snuff referred to
above fully meet public health requirements as set out by
the Commission in its plan of actions.

No C 328/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 905/90

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/43)

_Subject:_ Doubling of the structural funds

In 1993 the commitment appropriations for the structural
funds will in real terms be double what they were in 1987.

The allocation for the EAGGF — Guidance Section is

likewise supposed to be doubled.

Since the Commission, in the context of its multiannual
budgetary forecasts, produces each year a five-year
projection of the appropriations needed for all the
structural funds, accompanied by the proposed
breakdown of the commitment appropriations for the
various objectives, can the Commission say:

1. What amounts are to allocated to the EAGGF —

Guidance for each year until 1993, specifying the
allocations for Objective 1 and Objectives 5 (a) and
5(b)?

2. What amounts are earmarked for the ESF and the

ERDF until 1993?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 September 1990)_

EAGGF Guidance Section

The indicative breakdown for the 1989-93 of EAGGF

Guidance Section commitment appropriations for
Objective 1 is given below.

                         - _(ECUmillion in_ _1989prices)_

On 2 May 1990 the Commission approved a total
appropriations of ECU 2 607 million for Objective 5 (b)
measures, allocated among the Member States on 6 June.
The breakdown by year and by Fund is as follows:

N o l

Year

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1989-1993

EAGGF Guidance Section

792

1 095

1 098

1 171

1271

5 427

Objective 5(b) — Total commitments by Fund

_(ECU_ _million at 1989prices)_

EAGGF

25,920

78,002

221,458

354,624

388,088

1 068,092

Social Fund

80,000

38,689

81,602

111,894

123,682

435,867

%

—

 

183

60

9

—

%

—

—

Ill

37

10

 

%

—

12

3

7

6

—

ERDF

108,430

230,445

237,937

255,421

270,808

1 103,041

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

Total

Total

214,350

347,136

540,997

721,939

782,578

2 607,000

%(•)

—

62

56

33

8

 

(') Year-on-year change.

Except in the case of measures to improve the marketing
and processing of fisheries and aquaculture products, for
which a CSF is due to be adopted at the end of 1990 or
early in 1991, no CSFs will be drawn up for Objective 5 (a)
measures, which are financed entirely by the EAGGF
Guidance Section. The total appropriation is ECU 3 415
million, which has not yet been broken down by year.

ERDF and Social Fund

The indicative breakdown for 1989—93 of ERDF and

Social Fund commitment appropriations for Objective 1 is
as follows.

For Objectives 5 (a) and 5 (b), see notes above.

_(ECUmillion_ _at 1989prices)_

ERDF

3 392

3 685

4 196

4 623

5 064

20 960

Social Fund

1662

1 776

1 916

2 071

2 388

9813

N o l

Year

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1989-1993

^1 1290 official Journal of the European communities l^oC^B23

w ^ ^ f r r ^ ^ ^ E ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ t ^ B ^ o

by M^ Enrico Pal^u^M^sMa^aAglietta^ Mr G^anfranco

A ^ ^ d ^ Mr Vn^n^oHet^ini^ Mr Alexander Lange^ Mr
Paul Lannoye^MrGe^ardMonnierBesombesandMr Paul

^ t a e s ^

to the Commission ofthe European Communities

^90BC32^B44^

^^cr.Pesticides exported by the EC to Poland under
the action programme of aid to Poland and
Hungary

At the meeting of the Group of 24 of iDpebruary 1990,it
was announced that, as part of the action programme of
aid to Poland and l^ungary,the EEC had sent pesticides
worth ECU ^0 million byway of economic aid to PolandD

L^espiteobjectionsbyRural^olidavits, the Community
has entrusted theadministrationof thisprojecttothe
Foundation for thelOevelopment of Polish Agriculture,
which is hacked hy Rockefeller, Monsanto and other
American agrochemical concerns.

These undertakings frequently export pesticides
prohibited in their own country and theUnited states
Congress iscurrentlydiscussingahillprohihiting their
production and exportation.

Inviewofthis^

1. ^ h a t measures has the Commission taken to protect
the health of Polish citizens and prevent any damage
to the environments

2. Can the Commission provide a list of the various
pesticides and the quantities supplied ^active
substances and tradenames^ and make this public if
only to avoid provoking any excessively alarmist
reactions^

Answergrvenby Mr Mac gharry
on behalf ofthe Commission

1. Inresponsetoaspecificrequest from the Polish
Government, the Commission has approvedaprogramme
of assistance with crop health protection in Poland,
involving the supply of plant health products and
technical assistance together with help in environmental
impact assessment, for the implementation of the
programme, the Polish Government has given
responsibility for supervising the import of plant health
products and for the distribution of some of them within
the country totheFoundationfortheL^evelopment of
PolishAgriculture^EMPA^

.The Commission has made sure that the products
intended forPolandareregisteredforagriculturaluse
under Rolish and Community law,and are distributed in

accordance with the international code of conduct drawn

upbytheEAG.

2. Throughtheprovisionof technicalassistanceand
that part of the programme dealing with environmental
impact, the Commission and the Polish Government have
decideduponaseries of training measures for farmers
and their advisers and measures to improve environmental
controls to reduce agricultural pollution.

The Commission is sending the honourable Member and
the secretariat of Parliament a list of the pesticides
supplied to Poland.

w^irTE^^t]E^ITC0^^o94eB90

byMrJohnMcCartin^PPE^

to theCommissionofthe European Communities

^90BC^2^B4^

^^cr.CourtofJustice ruling on t h e ^ h o u r ^ rule

In view of the Court of Justice ruling on the illegality of
the 4^hourrule applied by the Irish Government, can the
Commission say if compensation will be paid to all those
travellers who had goods seized orwere prosecuted under
thisruleB

Answergiven by Mrs scrivener
on behalf ofthe Commission

The honourable Member refers to Case l ^ B ^,
Commission of the European Communitiesvireland, in
whichthe Court handeddownajudgment on 12June
1990

The Court ruled that Ireland had failed to fulfil its

obligations under the EEC Treaty by limiting the
application oTthe exemptions provided for in Council
directive 69B169BEEC of 2^ May 1969 on the
harmonization of provisions laid down by law,regulation
or administrative action relating to exemption from
turnover tax and excise duty on imports in international
travels, as last amended by Council Loirective
^ B ^ B E E C o f ^ J u l y l 9 ^ ^

Flence, any travellers to whom the Irish authorities have
applied the so-called 4^hour rule, to which the

No C 328/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

Honourable Member refers, are entitled to ask for their
case to be re-examined insofar as they apply under the
Irish rules and procedures for the refunding of incorrectly
levied import duties.

(') OJ No L 133, 4. 6. 1969.
O OJNoLl83, 16.7. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 974/90

by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/46)

_Subject:_ Doc. COM(89) 322 final

Are there any measures being introduced, or will the
Commission consider introducing compulsory marking of
animals, to prevent stolen horses ending up in
slaughterhouses after the implementation of the directive
on transportation of animals ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1990)_

The Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on
the protection of animals during transport ('), to which
the Honourable Member refers, includes a requirement
for animals being transported for slaughter to be
identified, and accompanied by documentation enabling
the competent authority to determine, among other
matters, their origin and ownership. The proposal also
requires animals to be inspected by the competent
authority on arrival at the slaughterhouse, to check on the
application of the Regulation.

In addition, Commission Decision 89/153/EEC
concerning the correlation of samples taken for residue
examination with animals and their farms of origin ( [2] )
requires that when farm animals, including horses, are
moved out of the holding on which they are kept, they are
identified in such a way as to enable their holding of
origin and their movements to be traced rapidly. This
Decision also requires that all persons engaged in the
transport, marketing or slaughter of farm animals,
including horses, are able to supply the competent
authority with information concerning the movement of
animals with which they have dealt.

(') OJNoC 214,21. 8. 1989,p. 36.
O OJNoL59,2.3. 1989, p. 33.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 981/90

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/47)

_Subject:_ Identity card for members of anti-fascist
resistance movements

Various associations of anti-fascist resistance movements

— the Belgian Independence Front and the URAP (Union
of Anti-Fascist Portuguese Resistance Movements) —
affiliated to the International Federation of Anti-Fascist

Resistance Movements have rightly been calling for an
official identity card entitling their members to reductions
in the price of public transport, (especially railways),
museums and cultural activities in all Community
Member States.

Does the Commission intend to take any steps in this
direction?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1990)_

The Commission does not intend to propose that the
Member States introduce identity cards entitling members
of associations to reductions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 986/90

by Mrs Anna Hermans (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April 1990)_

(90/C 328/48)

_Subject:_ Regulation on compensation for employment by
secretarial agencies by the Netherlands
Government's policy of granting subsidies to
employers who provide jobs for the long-term
unemployed

The Netherlands Government has issued a regulation on
compensation for employment by secretarial agencies. It
is linked with the framework regulation on integration
into working life, on the basis of which employers are
entitled to a subsidy if they provide jobs for the long-term
unemployed or allow them to gain work experience. The
regulation will provisionally apply until 1 January 1991.

From the text of the regulations it does not appear that
Belgians who have been unemployed for a long time and
are registered as job-seekers at regional labour exchanges
are eligible under this scheme.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/25

Does the Commission condone the fact that unemployed
Belgians, unlike unemployed Dutch people, are in effect
the victims of discrimination?

Does this regulation not constitute an obstacle to the free
movement of persons within the European Community?

Answerg given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1990)_

In its answer to Written Question No 1495/87 by Mr
Croux ('), the Commission expressed the opinion that the
practice in question was incompatible with Community
law in so far as it discriminated against frontier workers
who were nationals of other Member States and who had

already worked in the Netherlands and become
unemployed there.

The Commission also contacted the Netherlands

authorities, who agreed to amend the regulations so as to
remove any discrimination against frontier workers. The
situation can be summarized as follows:

1. The Commission originally felt that the four-year
exemption from part of the employer's social security
contribution granted to employers who provided
work for the long-term unemployed registered with
employment officies in the Netherlands was
discriminatory in that it limited access to employment
for workers from other Member States, especially
frontier workers.

2. The Netherlands authorities subsequently declared
that they had removed the discrimination, but that
workers who were not registered with employment
offices in the Netherlands would be required to show
that they had actually been actively seeking
employment and that they fulfilled the conditions
required of workers registered in the Netherlands.
This requirement seems reasonable, since it is the only
means of establishing facts which cannot be
determined in any other way by the competent
authorities.

The following persons now benefit from the
regulations:

(a) those who have been registered as applicants for
employment with a Dutch employment office for
an unbroken period of more than three years;

(b) those who can show to the satisfaction of the
head of the office that they have been actively
seeking employment as referred to above;

(c) those who have been registered as applicants for
employment with an employment office for an
unbroken period of more than two years, having
taken part in a training course which, in the
opinion of the head of the office, would facilitate
their access to the employment market;

(d) those who, in the opinion of the head of the
office, have been able to show that they satisfy
the conditions described at (c).

3. It is reasonable to conclude that the requirement to
provide proof of facts which cannot be established
directly and immediately by the competent authorities
is not discriminatory.

The only remaining differential factor is therefore the
discretionary role of the head of the employment office in
deciding on the validity of the proof supplied.

In the absence of a generalized system for the recognition
of such certificates at Community level, however, some
authority is clearly needed to monitor the validity of the
certificates submitted.

In sum, the Commission considers that there is no longer
any discrimination relating to the exemption from the
employer's contribution.

Naturally, this need not prevent the Commission from
taking the necessary measures if it were to prove that
discrimination had occurred in practice, and it would be
interested to know whether the Honourable Member's

question is based on an actual case.

O OJNoC244,19.9. 1988.

. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1013/90

by Mr Bruno Gollnisch (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 328/49)

_Subject:_ Producers of phonograms

European producer of phonograms are the victims of
serious discrimination in Japan by comparison with their
Japanese counterparts, particularly as regards the right of
reproduction and the right to control the hiring of their
records. The result of differences in the legal systems is to
permit the unauthorized and unremunerated exploitation
of recordings made by European producers. This unfair
treatment continues despite Japan's ratification of the
Convention of Rome for the protection of performers,
producers of phonograms and broadcasting
organizations. With a view to ending these deplorable
discriminatory practices, is the Commission mounting a
campaign to ensure the recognition of equal rights for
European phonographic producers in Japan and has it
taken or does it intend to take steps to prohibit
phonograms made in Japan from entering the territory of
the Community without authorization from the original
producers and, therefore, without the payment of
royalties to them?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 August 1990)_

The Commission is fully aware of the difficulties
European record companies encounter on the Japanese

No C 328/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

market through insufficient copyright protection. It is
currently engaged in multilateral negotiations on
intellectual property rights, including copyrights for
phonographic media, in the Uruguay Round. Agreement
is expected by the end of the year.

It should however be noted that the Japanese Government
has recently announced that it will submit within one year
amendments to the existing Copyright Law to the Diet. If
implemented, these changes in the law would effectively
end discrimination between Japanese and foreign
copyright owners, which currently arises regarding the
protection of pre-1978 recordings and the right of rental
authorization for copyright owners.

The Commission will furthermore monitor carefully the
implementation of the promised changes in Japan and
raise any particular issues in its bilateral trade talks.

There are currently no Community instruments to
prohibit entry of products which infringe copyright as
opposed to trademark rights. This competence falls under
the jurisdiction of Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1023/90

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

la Camara Martinez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 328/50)

_Subject:_ Temporary inactivity of the non-industrial
fishing fleet in the Mediterranean

Does the Commission consider the temporary inactivity
of the non-industrial fishing fleet in the Mediterranean to
be a key element of the structural measures?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 June 1990)_

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 of 18
December 1986 on Community measures to improve and
adapt structures in the fisheries and aquaculture
sector ('), the Member States may grant a laying-up
premium for temporary withdrawals of vessels measuring
not less than 18 metres in length between perpendiculars,
defined as the stoppage of fishing activities for additional
days in comparison to the average, recorded or
determined by the Member State on a standard basis per
category of vessel, of the days laid-up in the three
calendar years preceding the application for the grant of
the premium.

These measures apply to the whole of the Community
fleet. Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 lays down no
priority as regards implementation of these measures.

0) OJNoL376,31.12.1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1026/90

by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr

Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de

la Camara Martinez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 328/51)

_Subject:_ Conservation of the marine environment in the
Mediterranean

The conservation of the marine environment in the

Mediterranean is an understandable source of concern for

most of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean
and for all Community citizens in particular. What
initiatives is the Commission taking, or does it intend to
take, to avert, alleviate or remedy this serious problem?
What is the Commission's opinion on the results of the
application of the Convention of Barcelona on the
Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1990)_

The Commission has been concerned for a number of

years about the state of the environment in the
Mediterranean and increasingly so since 1986, in which
year it launched a Community programme of action on
the protection of the environment in the Mediterranean
region (MEDSPA). This has made it possible, during the
preparatory phase, to focus its environmental protection
policy more clearly by means of coherent intervention of
its financial instruments in this region. The Council is
currently examining a proposal for a regulation (') which
will provide the Commission with a specific legal base for
the next 10 years. The European Parliament has not yet
expressed its opinion on the proposal. MEDSPA will play
a full part as a catalyst and will provide a means of
intervention in addition to the structural Funds. With

regard to these Funds, the Commission has decided to
add the ENVIREG project to the environmental activities
forming part of the Community support frameworks.
This project has a budget of ECU 500 million over the
period 1990-93 and will co-finance operational
programmes to reduce pollution in coastal areas, mainly
those of the Mediterranean, and the management of
dangerous and toxic industrial waste in the Objective 1
regions.

ou,n^o Official ]oumal of the European Communities ^ O C ^ r n ^

^LL^PA will also playasupplementary part as regards
the initiatives contained in its renewed mediterranean
policy concerning the nonCommunitycountries of the
mediterranean. The financial institutions concerned with
this typeof problem (^ElB^ ^orldBank^ will also be
closely associated with this initiativehf^or the first time^
major financial resources will therefore be mobilized ina
pre-arranged^ coordinated manner.

In its capacity asacontracting party to the Convention of
Barcelona^ the Commission also plays an important part
as shown by its recent election to the Bureau of the
management body of the Convention. COn its own
initiativemt recently calledaministerial meeting from ^D
to ^ April 1^0 of the countries bordering onto the
mediterranean followingwhichaCharterwas adopted.

The Charter containsafirm undertaking on the part of
the states bordering on the mediterranean onaseries of
concrete measures together withaspecific timetable for
the implementation of which the Commission will provide
technical and financial support. Mfteenyears after the
ratification of the Convention of Barcelona and five years
after the L^eclaration of Cenoa on the second
mediterranean decades this undertaking should speed up
the process of effective protection and rational
management of the mediterranean environment.

C^OOt^DC^O^O^.t^O

w^HITT^^^^T^r^^otO^OB^O

byl^^oa^u^^oCruel^s^PPP^

totheCo^missio^ofthe^u^opea^Comn^u^iues

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

t ^ O B C ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . Aid forthe monastery in Casbas^pain

The situation of the Cistercian monastery in the Huescan
village of Casbas C^pain^ founded in M ^ AL^ has
reachedasituation of no returns auguring its final closure
and disappearance due to the lack both of much needed
finance and of proper attention to the needs of the nine
nuns who make up the community^suL of whom are over
^O^^^^ld.

Located in the village of Casbas itselfmnr^uesca provinces
themonastery possesses asplendid Romanesqueporch
opening into an enclosed courtyard leading in turn to the
church and to the ^Vcentu^ycloister.The whole is of
incalculable architectural valued and it would be tragic if it
were to be allowed to fall into ruin.

Is the Commission in a position to provide financial
assistances under the appropriate budgetary item^ for the

monastic community in Casbas^ asagesture of solidarity
in the face of a situation ^ ^ r ^ ^ so that this
architectural marvel may continue to enrich the
Community^sCistercian inheritances

A^swe^^ivenhylv^rL^o^delmger
o^ behalf of the Commission

The Commission shares the concern of the rlonourable
member for the preservation of the Community^
architectural heritage.

^ince 1^^ it has run an annual scheme which seeks to
support pilotDprojects to conserve and promote the
Community^sarchitectural heritages

Under this schemed the Commission^on the advice ofa
Committee of international experts in the field ^
supports a limited number of pilotDprojects annually
which fulfil the conditions published in the C ^ c ^

The Commission is sending directly to theflonourable
member and to the secretariat general of the European
Parliament the conditions for submission of applications
for the 1^0 scheme for which the deadline was ^0
February 1^0^ the conditions for the 1^1 scheme will be
published in the COfficial journal sometime before the end
ofthisyear.

should the project in question fulfil the conditions of the
1^1 schemed the Commission would welcome an
application for consideration.

w ^ ^ I T T E ^ ^ ^ T I ^ ^ ^ G t O ^ B ^

by^JGa^um^soCruel^s^PP^

to the Commissionofthe European Communities

^ 0 B C 3 ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . European Community security guards

^ith the continuing growth of the European
Community^sadministrative apparatus^ an everincreasing
number of buildings is requiredto house the work of the
Community^sinstitutions.

The question of security provisions for these buildings
has been tackled inavariety of ways^withanumber of
bodiesof different typesbeingmadeuseof. Ooes the

No C 328/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

Commission agree that a European Community security
force should be set up to provide and guarantee the same
level of security in all buildings used by the various
institutions, and that this security force, without being
exactly a Community police force, should nevertheless
meet the criteria commonly accepted by national and
regional governments for the security forces which ensure
that their own smooth running is properly protected?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(13_ _June 1990)_

The protection of the buildings of the European
institutions is entrusted to the security services in each
institution, which call on private security firms.

The protection of buildings, to which the Honourable
Member refers specifically, is only one of the aspects of
the general question of security; the other, of major
importance, is the protection of people and information.

Numerous measures have accordingly been adopted with
a view to:

— harmonizing the rules for the protection of
Community documents and increasing staff

awareness,

— improving coordination between the security services
in each institution,

— reinforcing cooperation with the national authorities
concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1056/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/54)

_Subject:_ Problems concerning the settlement of Pontic
Greeks in Greece

It is common knowledge that the settlement in Greece of
Pontic Greeks from the Soviet Union is causing serious
problems not only as regards their integration in Greek
society, but also their means of earning a living.
Inadequate financial resources and the lack of suitable
infrastructures are giving rise to difficulties which will
undoubtedly require Community support and assistance

to overcome.

Can the Commission state what programmes have been
submitted by Greek central government and/or national
organizations to deal with the various problems of the
Pontic Greeks?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 September 1990)_

The Commission, assisted by the Greek authorities, has
established the Community support framework for
Greece, which includes provision for the financing of
specific programmes to help less-favoured categories of
person, including migrants.

The Greek authorities, who have had to cope with a large
influx of repatriated Greeks (whose numbers have
recently been swollen by a mass exodus from the Soviet
Union), have submitted to the ESF an operational
programme for 'repatriated migrants' which provides for
special measures to assist Pontic Greeks. The purpose of
these measures is to give training and vocational guidance
in those trades where there are openings on the labour
market, together with instruction in the Greek language.

These schemes, which are aimed both at young people
under the age of 25 and at adults aged 25 or over, will be
run in Athens, Thessaloniki and the Thrace region. The
body responsible for implementing the programme is the
'General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad'.

The Greek authorities have also submitted a regional
operational programme for Eastern Macedonia and
Thrace, which provides for special measures to assist
repatriated Pontic Greeks and for which ERDF and ESF
co-financing has been requested.

The measures in question comprise:

— the construction of reception centres for repatriated
Pontic Greeks,

— the construction of training and vocational guidance

centres,

— training and vocational guidance programmes and
job-promotion schemes.

It should also be pointed out that repatriated Pontic
Greeks are given priority treatment under the operational
programme granting recruitment incentives and creating
jobs for self-employed persons.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1057/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/55)

_Subject:_ Tax-free zones

In a number of regions within the Community, industrial
undertakings and certain service sectors — including

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/29

tourism — are exempted from paying corporation tax.
The regions concerned appear to be the following:

France: Aubagne-La Ciotat; Dunkirk; Toulon-La Seyne

Belgium: Tessenderlo-Beringen; Geel-Punt; Ieperkanaal;
Fleurus; Les-Hauts-Sarts and Sart-Tillman;

Marche-en-Famenne

Italy: Abruzzo; Basilicata; Calabria; Campania; Capraia;
Elba; Giglio; Molise; Puglie; Sardinia; Sicily.

1. Is this list complete? If not, which other regions within
the EC are exempted from corporation tax?

2. Did the Member States concerned inform the

Commission in sufficient time about these regions, in
accordance with Article 93 (3);

3. Does the Commission consider that the above support
provisions comply with Article 92?

Answer by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

A number of Member States have indeed designated areas
where businesses are exempt from corporation tax. This is
the case with the areas referred to by the Honourable
Member in France, Belgium and Italy.

Similar areas exist in Ireland (Shannon Airport and
Customs House Docks Site, Dublin) and Portugal (free
zones of Madeira and the Azores).

The Commission authorized the tax-free status of these

areas after ascertaining that they complied with
Articles 92 and 93 of the EEC Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1102/90

by Mr Michael Welsh (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/56)

_Subject:_ Common market in datavision services

Most European customers are prevented by the monopoly
rights of PTTs from receiving datavision services
provided by independent operators. Whereas the UK
authorities have licensed seven operators to provide
services to continental Europe, only the Irish Republic has
taken the necessary steps to coordinate their legislation to
permit transmissions to be received. What proposals will

the Commission make to promote competition in this vital
area, which has important implications for the
development of a competitive information market for the
Community?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1990)_

Until now, no complaint has been lodged with the
Commission against Member States preventing the
reception of data vision services provided by independent
operators. According to current Community law and in
particular under Directive 88/302/EEC ('), Member
States have to ensure that economic operators have the
right to bring into service receive-only satellite stations
not connected to the public telecommunications network.

The restrictions on the free provision of satellite services
concern essentially transmission to satellites (uplinking)
and the use of leased lines for the retransmission of the

received signals. These issues will be treated extensively in
the Green Paper on satellites which the Commission is
presently drafting. This paper will also look at possible
solutions to reconcile the necessity of frequency
management with the development of a Community-wide
and competitive market.

(*) OJNoLl31,27.5.1988, p. 73.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1111/90

by Mr Marcelino Oreja (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/57)

_Subject:_ Declaration of fundamental rights and freedoms

1. What research has the Commission undertaken to

date to prepare negotiations aimed at the adoption of this
Declaration? What proposals does it intend to submit to
the European Parliament taking into account the letter
from the President of the European Parliament to the
Commission President urging the Commission to take
measures in this field?

2. What action does the Commission intend to take in

response to this Declaration — for example, does it intend
to include the Declaration on the agenda for the
forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference?

3. With a view to the completion of the internal
market, is it not necessary to adopt such a Declaration so

No C 328/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

as to ensure that every citizen enjoys equal protection of
his rights and freedoms within the scope of Community
law?

4. How does the Commission intend to support this
Declaration and give it decisive political impetus in a
Community context?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 June 1990)_

After due consideration, the Commission considered that
at this stage it should not associate itself formally with the
declaration adopted by the European Parliament.
Therefore it has not undertaken a study on this subject
and does not plan to take any action on it. In its 1990
programme, however, the Commission announced that it
would present a proposal with a view to the Community
becoming a party to the Council of Europe Convention
on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Accession
to the Convention, while respecting the principle of
subsidiarity, will contribute to more effective protection
of citizens' rights with regard to Community enactments.

The possibility of including the European Parliament
declaration on the agenda for the forthcoming
intergovernmental conference has not yet been
considered by the Commission.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1119/90

by Mr Virgilio Pereira (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/58)

_Subject:_ Budget difficulties and economic development in
Objective 1 regions

The reform of the structural funds which came into force

on 1 January 1989 recognized the Objective 1 regions as
priority regions.

In these regions, the rates of assistance under the
structural funds (ERDF and ESF) are subject to a
maximum of 75 % of total investment costs, although, in
practice, these rates remain considerably below the
maximum.

What measures does the Commission intend to take,
given that some of these regions, such as the autonomous
regions of Madeira and the Azores, do not possess
sufficient budget resources to enable them to subsidize
their share of these investments — especially in
infrastructures — and thus risk having their economic

development jeopardized, and that if this happens the
principal objective of the reform of the funds will not be
achieved?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(1_ _August 1990)_

Article 13 of the framework Regulation (EEC)
No 2052/88 on the reform of the structural Funds

provides that the rate of Community assistance
amounting to 75% of the total cost, referred to by the
Honourable Member, is a ceiling, and that 'as a general
rule, at least 50% of public expenditure' will be
part-financed in the Objective 1 regions, for investments
other than revenue-bearing investments.

It should also be emphasized that the rates of assistance
adopted, and the programmes to which they apply, were
negotiated within the context of the partnership defined
in Article 4 of the abovementioned framework

Regulation.

In the particular case of the autonomous regions of
Madeira and the Azores, the average rates of Community
assistance, amounting to 71% and 61% of public
expenditure respectively, are well above the minimum rate
of 50%.

In Madeira they include the part-financing at 75% of
many sub-programmes, and in the Azores a wide variety
of rates ranging from 50% to 75% (for sub-programmes
linked with employment).

On the question of infrastructure, particularly
revenue-generating infrastructure, it is preferable for the
authorities concerned to turn to financing in the form of
loans, especially Community loans (for the record: an EIB
loan offer of ECU 80 million is included in the

operational programme for the Azores-PEDRAA).

In all cases the rates of Community assistance referred to
above are the outcome of the priorities established within
the context of the partnership discussions by Portugal, the
regional and/or local authorities concerned and the
Commission. The risk alluded to by the Honourable
Member does not therefore appear to be genuine.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1146/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/59)

_Subject:_ World development

Could the Commission advise how the European
company statute will be endorsed and extended _to_ secure
employment, marketing and environmental practices in
the Third World?

^t L^O Official journal of the European Communities ^oC^^BoU

A ^ ^ e ^ v e ^ h v ^ H ^ e ^ u i ^

^ ^ ^ ^

TheEuropean company statute ^ill provide an optional
form of incorporation for community industry designed
to facilitate crosshorder cooperations integration and
restructuring. The proposals relate essentially to the
company la^v aspects necessary to achieve these aims and
are therefore not appropriate for the purposes suggested
hy the rlonourahle ^viemher. Eor matters out^ith
company l a ^ European companies ^vill he hroadly
assimilated ^ith national puhlic limited companies and
the community's general policies in these areas ^ill
therefore apply to European companies as they do to
national puhlic limited companies.

h y ^ r Pierre Be^ard^ey^io^d^PPE^

to the commission of the European C^ommuruUes

^ ^ c r . Interconnection of gas transit systems

Invie^vof the single market^does the commission not
think it necessary to facilitate the interconnection of gas
transit systems^ particularly het^veen community
countries^ hysuhsidi^ing the construction of pipelines^

A^s^ver^ive^hy^rC^ardosoe^^ha
on hehalf of the commission

The Commission considers that^^vithavie^ to the single
market^the continuing integrationoftheEuropean gas
pipeline network is an essential condition for the creation
ofacommon market in natural gas and the adaptation of
gas infrastructures to meet husiness and consumer needs
at community level.

At the Council meeting on the internal market on ^1
foecemher lastyear^ aresolution^vas adoptedgranting
special priority to the development and interconnection of
the maiortransEu^opeannet^vorks^ including energy.ln
this resolution the Council invited the Commission to

suhmit a^vork programme and proposals for measures
heforetheendoft^O.

forking ^vith the ^iemher states and therelevantgas
companiesmhe Commission therefore hegan looking into
opportunities for making interconnections and for

stepping up the process of integrating the European gas
network.

In additions the Commission has already made a first
move in the regions eligible for structural Eund
operations hyadopting^on^^iay t^O^alOecisionof
principleconcerningaC^ommunity initiativeonenergy
infrastructure ^RECrE^ programmed Bet^veeni^O and
1 ^ ^ anoverallindicativeamountof EC^U^OOmillion

from the structural Eunds ^vill go towards financing
natural gas and electricity network projects and studies on
future interconnections' If the studies are favourable^

natural gas ^vill be introduced into (Greece and Portugal^
the British and Irish networks ^vill be connected^ gas ^vill
be supplied to Corsica and ^ardinia^ and the Spanish and
Portuguese networks and the electricity networks of Italy
and Greece interconnected.

^ ^ r r E ^ ^ t ] E ^ T t ^ ^ ^ o i ^ t B ^

h y ^ w ^ r e d E ^ m ^ A ^ C a .

to theC^ommissionofthe European C^ommumties

^OBC^^BDt^

^^ecrBlmpact of (German reunification on EC
institutions

P Can the Commission shed any light on the potential
impact of German reunificationonvoting rights inthe
council of ministers and on membership of the European
Parliaments

^. ^ill the commission state whether it has received

any indication of current ^ e s t German Crovernment
thinking on the demands ofareunified (Germany in this
respects

A^s^ergivenhylv^rfOelors
on behalf ofthe commission

r u ^ ^ ^

As already stated in the reply to written (question
^OD^B^O by ^ir ^viegahye^ unification of the t^vo
(German states and the incorporation of the (German
fOemocratic Republic into the community v^ill not
automatically mean changes in the composition and
voting arrangements of the Community institutions.

Representatives of the (Government of the Eederal
Republic of (Germany have said on various occasions that
the Eederal Republic is not asking for such changes ^vhen
(German unification takes place. In their vie^ the
question of proper representation for the population of
the German Eoemocratic Republic in the European
Parliament should be decided as regards the membership
of the Rarliamenttobe elected i n t ^ t .

No C 328/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

At the special meeting of the European Council held in
Dublin on 28 April 1990, the Heads of State or
Government of the Member States of the Community
agreed that the German Democratic Republic should be
incorporated into the Community without a revision of
the Treaties.

(') See page 16 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1190/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/62)

_Subject:_ Energy prices

Expressed as a delivered price per therm, what is the
expected projected cost of gas as compared to other fossil
fuels beyond 1995/96?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(21_ _June 1990)_

In the analytical work done for 'Major themes in energy
revisited', presented at the last May conference in
Brussels, different price scenarios according to each
macro-economic scenario were used. The main fuel price
was oil followed by coal. For natural gas, the following
principles were used:

— in scenarios 1 and 4 gas prices were indexed to oil
until 2000 and to coal thereafter,

— in scenario 2 there was a slight decoupling with oil
until 2000 and prices were indexed to coal thereafter,

— in scenario 3 we used the same approach as in
scenario 2 but with more decoupling up to 2000.

Table 1 summarizes the CIF average fuel pries in all
scenarios in constant 1987 US$.

TABLE 1

CIF fuel prices in specific units

Sc3

50

20

2,8

_(per toe)_

Sc3

71

145

110

Sc3

50

20

2,6

2000

Sc2

65

27

4,0

2010

Sc2

70

40

4,1

2010

Sc2

100

290

163

Scl

60

30

3,5

Scl

86

218

140

Scl

50

20

2,8

1995

Sc2

55

20

2,7

Steam coal (')

Crude oil ( [2] )

Natural gas (')

Scl

49

18

2,5

(') CIF price per tonne of coal equivalent (tee).
( [!] ) CIF price per barrel (bbl).
(') CIF price (weighted average by Member State) per million BTU (MBTU).

This gives us the following prices in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe).

TABLE 2

CIF fuel prices in heat units

Sc3

60

25

3,2

Sc3

86

181

127

Sc3

71

145

105

2000

Sc2

93

192

157

1995

Sc2

79

145

106

Scl

71

145

110

Steam coal

Crude oil

Natural gas

Scl

70

127

100

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/33

Considering that 1 toe equals 397 therms we obtained the following table:

TABLE 3

CIF fuel prices in heat units
(therm)

Sc3

0,18

0,37

0,26

Sc3

0,18

0,37

0,28

2000

Sc2

0,23

0,48

0,40

Scl

0,22

0,55

0,35

2010

Sc2

0,25

0,73

0,41

Scl

0,18

0,37

0,28

Sc3

0,22

0,46

0,32

1995

Sc2

0,20

0,37

0,27

Steam coal (')

Crude oil ( [2] )

Natural gas ( [J] )

Scl

0,18

0,32

0,25

(') CIF price per tonne of coal equivalent (tee).
_(')_ CIF price per barrel (bbl).
(') CIF price (weighted average by Member State) per million BTU (MBTU).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1191/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/63)

_Subject:_ Energy and the environment

In terms of greenhouse and acid rain gases, what are the
relative effects of generating electricity by

1. coal-fired stations with FGD;

2. coal-fired stations with fluidized bed combustion;

3. gas turbine plants;

4. gas turbine plants with staged combustion and steam
and ammonia injection?

What are the relative price and efficiency implications of
cleaner burn technology in each case?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 October 1990)_

A distinction should be made between the emissions of

greenhouse gases and the polluting emissions which cause
acid rain. In the first case, no economic reduction
technologies are at present available. The emission of
greenhouse gases is therefore directly linked to the
efficiency of the combustion process and the fuel used. As

regards acid emissions, various control technologies are
already in place in the Community and Directive
88/609/EEC ( [l] ) (large combustion plants) requires
Member States to draw up detailed programmes to reduce
emissions of SOa and NO x from existing plants in order to
comply with obligations falling upon them on specific
dates (1993,1998,2003).

The Commission must receive notification of these

programmes by 31 December 1990, as it reminded the
Member States at a meeting of governmental experts held
on 4 May this year to examine progress on the
implementation of the Directive.

Accordingly, the Commission cannot at present begin any
detailed assessment of the possible impact of United
Kingdom projects which have not yet been finalized or
notified.

A more general description of the economies and the
technological implications is contained in the
International Energy Agency (IEA) publication of 1988
on 'Emission controls'.

End of the pipe technologies to control acid rain
emissions generally imply an efficiency penalty and an
increase of CO2 emissions. CO? emissions from the

various technologies mentioned depend very much on the
efficiency of the installation and the type of fuel used. In
general terms, the ratio of CO2 emissions per unit of
energy consumption for lignite, hard coal, oil and natural
gas is about 121-100-88-58.

(') OJNoL336,7. 12. 1988, p. 1.

No C 328/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1192/90

by Mr Jose Mendes Bota (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/64)

_Subject:_ Projects in Indonesia financed by the EEC

The Community has financed projects in Indonesia as
part of its development aid cooperation programme.

Over the last 16 years, which projects in Indonesia
qualified for such aid, what was the total finance for each
one and what percentage of the cost did Community
finance represent?

Has the EEC financed or co-financed any project in the
occupied territory of East Timor?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 August 1990)_

In accordance with the usual criteria for financial and

technical development assistance, the Community has
financed seventeen projects in Indonesia in the following
sectors: irrigation and water resources management,
electrical power for rural areas, agriculture, rural credit,
fisheries and livestock farming. The total cost of these
projects is ECU 400 million, of which ECU 130 million
was provided by the Community. Some projects were
cofinanced with Member States (Italy, France, United
Kingdom) or international bodies (Asian Development
Bank, Islamic Development Bank, World Bank).

These projects are described in the Commission's annual
report on the implementation of financial and technical
assistance in non-associated developing countries.

No project is located in East Timor.

The Community has also contributed ECU 34 million to
other forms of cooperation (food aid, trade promotion,
energy, training, support for NGOs and so on).

The Commission is sending a list of projects in Indonesia
direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's

Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1219/90

by Mr Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/65)

_Subject:_ Multiannual guidance programme for
aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for France

Having regard to Commission Decision 88/1/EEC (') of
11 December 1987 on the multiannual guidance
programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) submitted by
France pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No
4028/86 ( [?] ), can the Commission give details of the
programme's specific objectives, in order of priority, and
the investment provided for in the programme?

(') OJNoL4,7. 1.1988, p. 17.
0 OJ No L 376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 July 1990)_

The general objective of the programme is to strengthen
the position of what remains a weak sector despite the
economic importance of shellfish of production, to
promote the emergence of new product lines at significant
volume levels, and to protect and upgrade the littoral

zones.

For shellfish farming this involves:

— restructuring the basins,

— modernizing production and marketing techniques
(workboats),

— exploiting new sites by means of new techniques.

The production gain by the end of the programme will be
45 000 tonnes of shellfish.

The objectives for aquaculture are gains in production of
7 000 tonnes of salmonids, bass, bream and turbot at sea,
7 000 tonnes of freshwater fish and 1 500 tonnes of

crustaceans.

Total investment is estimated at FF 1 568 million over the
five years, of which FF 752 million will be priority
investment.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/35

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1256/90

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/66)

_Subject:_ Proceedings for infringement of the Treaties —

transparency

1. Does the Commission agree that proceedings under
Article 169 should be made more transparent for those
concerned in the European Community?

2. Does the Commission agree that competition in the
industrial sector and elsewhere would be more

straightforward if these proceedings were more
transparent, since those concerned would then adhere
more closely to the Treaties?

3. Will the Commission provide a regular progress
report on proceedings for infringement of the Treaties as
they occur?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1990)_

1 and 2. The Commission shares the Honourable

Member's concern. Within the limitations imposed by the
need for confidentiality before a case is taken to the
Court, it tries to make infringement proceedings under
Article 169 as transparent as possible. Significant progress
has been made in this regard: the annual reports to
Parliament on monitoring the application of Community
law and answers to parliamentary questions have been
improved, reports are produced on the implementation of
the White Paper on the internal market, press releases are
issued and so on.

3. The Commission does, in fact, indicate the stage
reached by the various infringement proceedings in the
annual reports to Parliament referred to above.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1270/90

by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/67)

_Subject:_ Pamphlet on the European Community
institutions

The Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities has recently published a document entitled
'Europe, our future'.

Surprisingly, the Commission appears first in this
pamphlet, placed before the Institution which was
democratically elected by the 12 Member States and
before the Council of Ministers, which is the
Community's decision-making body.

Was this brochure, which appears to have a wide
circulation, published with Community funds and under
what conditions?

How can the placing of an executive body before the
Council of Ministers and the Strasbourg Assembly be
justified?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 October 1990)_

A new edition of the pamphlet 'Europe, Our Future',
which explains how the Community works and what its
aims are, is being prepared. It is to be published jointly by
the information departments of Parliament and the
Commission and is financed by the budgets of those two
institutions.

In the new version which is now printing, the order of the
institutions is Parliament, the Council, the Commission,
the Court of Justice, the order in which they appear in the
EEC Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1286/90

by Mr Gordon Adam (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/68)

_Subject:_ Electric cars

In view of the increasingly severe problem of urban air
pollution the threat of global warming, and the dramatic
increase in urban traffic and vehicle use predicted with the
opening of the internal market: could the Commission
inform Parliament of the present state of research in the
Community in the field of electric cars? Is the
Commission aware that Japan recently announced a major
breakthrough in battering technology that could
significantly increase the feasibility of electric cars?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 September 1990)_

The Commission is sending information on the state of
research on electrically powered vehicles in Europe and

No C 328/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

recent developments in Japan direct to the Honourable
Member and the Parliament Secretariat.

Since 1975, research projects in the Community have
covered various new types of battery — sodium beta
alumina (Na/S) (Na/metallic chlorides) — to replace acid
batteries. This research has been conducted under the

various successive research and technological
development programmes in the field of non-nuclear
energy(1975-79,1979-83, 1985-89).

Work under the present non-nuclear programme (Joule
1989-92) (') is focused on solid lithium batteries only.

In the context of the third framework programme
(1990-94) ( [2] ), there are plans for other research work on
fuel cells for generating electrical power. They are among
the objectives of area 4 (energy utilization and
conservation) of the Commission's proposal for the new
specific programme on non-nuclear energies ( [3] ).

Furthermore, the proposal for a specific programme on
industrial technologies and materials makes allowance for
integrated projects in the transport sector. Research work
on electric cars could also be conducted in this context.

By means of a special fund attributed on the initiative of
the European Parliament, the European Association of
Electric Road Vehicles (AVERE) has been authorized by
the Commission to arrange for a system analysis study
under the following title: 'Advanced electrical propulsion
systems for buses, light trucks and special vehicles with
the object of reducing pollution' ( [4] ). Some of the main
themes of the study relate to electric cars. The final report
will be delivered in December 1991.

Finally, the Commission has also given its support to
European cooperation measures designed to promote the
use of electric vehicles based on existing technologies/For
example, it took part in COST project 302 which analysed
the technical and economic aspects of using electric road
vehicles ( [5] ). The results of this research work led to the
creation, in February 1990, of the association of
European cities interested in using electric vehicles
(CITELEC) which now has over 30 members. The main
aim of this association is to identify needs for urban
electric vehicles, accurately define the potential size of the
market and so interest industry.

O OJNoL98, 11.4. 1990.
O OJ No LI 17, 8.5. 1990.
O COM(90) 164.
C) Call for proposals, OJ No S 191,5. 10. 1989.
O Report EUR 111 15.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1288/90

by Mr Kenneth Collins (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/69)

_Subject:_ Regular time off work

Will the Commission agree that it is in the spirit of the
Social Charter that every worker is entitled to time off
work? Will they further agree that it would be reasonable
to propose that every worker should be entitled to one
day off a week and is it their intention to bring forward a
proposal for legislation to that effect, with a further
recommendation that the day should be harmonized, so
far as possible, across the Community?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 September 1990)_

The Commission is of the opinion that point 8 of Title 1
of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social
Rights of Workers should be fully applied in all Member
States. With this aim in mind the Commission adopted, on
25 July 1990, a proposal for a Directive concerning certain
aspects of the organization of working time (') including
_inter alia_ a minimum weekly rest period of one day on
average in every seven-day period following without
interruption the daily rest period which should be at least
11 consecutive hours per period of 24 hours.

In view of different traditions and practices the
Commission does not intend to recommend that the day
of the minimum weekly rest period should be harmonized
across the Community.

O COM(90)317.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1291/90

by Mr George Stevenson (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/70)

_Subject:_ Leros psychiatric colony — Greece

The Commission will be aware of the critical report on
conditions in the psychiatric colony in Greece, which was
prepared in 1984 by Professor Ivor Browne, and of the
substantial sum of money voted by the EEC, to be
matched by the Member State, in order to improve the
conditions of which there had been criticism.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/37

Can the Commission ascertain why there has been no
improvement of the conditions, why the money has not
been taken up, and can the Commission indicate if there is
any monitoring of the situation by any organ of the
European Community and if there is, or has been, no
monitoring, can the Commission indicate why not.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

The Commission has approved so far five projects
submitted by the Greek authorities in accordance with
Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 (') for the setting up of
rehabilitation and vocational training units for the
patients of the Leros hospital. These projects have not
been implemented as initially planned owing to technical
and administrative difficulties at local and central level.

The Commission has since 1984 closely monitored the
situation in Leros through numerous on-the-spot visits
and experts' reports.

The Commission will continue to use all political and
other avenues to press for a rapid solution to the problem

of Leros, the responsibility for which rests, however, with
the Greek authorities.

O OJ No L 88, 31. 3. 1984, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1303/90

by Mr Leen van der Waal (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/71)

_Subject:_ Refund of VAT by Italy to taxable persons not
established in the territory of the country

According to the eighth directive on the harmonization of
turnover taxes (79/1072/EEC) (') the Member States are
required to refund VAT to taxable persons not established
in the territory of the country within six months of the
date on which the relevant application is lodged.

1. Is the Commission aware that in the case of refunds

paid by Italy, the following facts are representative for
Dutch road transport sector:

Payment made

March 1986

April 1987

July 1988

not yet

Tax year

Application submitted

June 1984

June 1985

June 1986

June 1987

Time lapse

21 months

22 months

24 months

min. 35 months

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 July 1990)_

1983

1984

1985

1986

2. Is it aware that several medium-sized transport
undertakings have to reclaim over FL 100 000 each
year?

3. Does it share my view that, as Italian transport
undertakings obtain their refunds on VAT within a
few months of making the three-monthly
declarations, loss of interest and cash flow
disadvantages mean that there is distortion of
competition although the directive was specifically
designed to bring about more balanced conditions of
competition?

4. Has the action already been brought against the
Italian Government, as promised by the Commission
in answer to the question by Mr P. A. M. Cornelissen
(H-183/90) O?

5. Can the Commission indicate when a ruling is
expected on this matter and when the situation for
transport undertakings will be in line with the eighth
directive?

(') OJ No L 331, 27. 12. 1979, p. 11.
( [2] ) Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-387 (March
1990).

The Commission is well aware of the problem posed by
delays in refunding VAT to foreign taxable persons in
Italy. It has approached the Italian authorities on a
number of occasions with a view to obtaining settlement
of claims still outstanding.

It would point out to the Honorable Member that the
same shortcomings are evident at the level of the
departments responsible for refunding VAT to Italian
taxable persons, who have to wait even longer for their
refunds.

It has instituted infringement proceedings against Italy
under Article 169 of the Treaty in an attempt to secure a
ruling that the six-month time limit for refunds stipulated
in Community legislation and incorporated into Italian
legislation is not being complied with by the competent
authorities. Since this situation is detrimental to the

No C 328/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

interests of operators, payment of interest on sums still
outstanding has been requested.

The Commission feels that the Italian authorities should

put an end to this state of affairs at the earliest possible
opportunity. It is determined to do everything in its power
to bring about a swift solution to the problem.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1304/90

by Mr Henry McCubbin (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/72)

_Subject:_ Myalgic encephalomyelitis

Does the Commission have any information about the
disease Encephalomyelitis (ME or Post Viral Fatigue
Syndrome) and if so, what is the extent of the disease and
how many people have been identified as suffering from it
within the Community?

Does the Commission have any information as to the
incidence of ME elsewhere in the world and is there any
research being done into ME either within the
Community or elsewhere and would the Commission
consider supporting financially such research within the
Community?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1818/88 by Mrs
Ewing (')•

The problem of myalgic encephalomyelitis has been
recently reviewed by Dr Sartorius _et al_ in 'Psychological
disorders in general medical settings', Hogrefe & Huber
Publishers 1990, and the World Health Organization has
untertaken several studies in this area.

Supporting research in the specific field of Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis does not enter into the current
priorities of the Commission.

(') OJ No C 151,19.6. 1989, p. 37.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1306/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/73)

_Subject:_ French broadcasting law

In adopting the broadcasting Directive 89/552/EEC (*),
in October 1989, the Member States undertook to enact
the necessary measures to implement the directive no later
than 3 October 1991 (*). In January 1990, the French
government issued a decree which contains obligations
for broadcasting cinematographic works and audiovisual
works originating in the European Community ( [2] ).

The obligations contained in this decree (in particular in
Article 6, paragraphs 1 to 5) are much more restrictive
than the requirements listed in the EC Directive.

Does the Commission agree that the decree contravenes
both the letter and the spirit of Directive 89/552/EEC
(notably Article 6 and Article 25 ('))? Does the
Commission intend to call on the French government to
bring its legislation into line with the Directive before 3
October 1991?

O OJ No L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23.
O Decree No 90-68 of 17 January 1990, issued for the
application No 2 of Article 27 and No 2 of Article 70 of
amended law No 86-1067 of 30 September 1986 relating to
freedom of communication and determining the general
responsibilities for broadcasting of cinematographic and
audiovisual works by television services.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 July 1990)_

The Commission would point out that the compatibility
of national legislation with Directive 89/552/EEC of 3
October 1989 cannot be challenged until the latter has
been transposed into Member States' law. The Member
States have until 3 October 1991 to transpose the
Directive. However, the Commission is studying the
French decree in question to see whether it is compatible
with the EEC Treaty.

What is more, Article 3 (1) of the Directive provides that
Member States may, subject to the requirements of
Community law, require television broadcasters under
their jurisdiction to observe stricter or more detailed rules
in the areas covered by the Directive. This possibility
extends to the definition of European works given in
Article 6 of the Directive.

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/39

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1312/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 328/74)

_Subject:_ European solidarity for the funding of liver
transplants

The St Luc clinics in Brussels are at present the only
centres in Europe capable of carrying out liver transplants
on children aged 10 or under.

Since these clinics are obliged to charge patients directly
for some of the costs involved, their families are required
to pay a large deposit (about Bfrs 1 200 000). This sum is
then used, if necessary, to cover any costs not met by the
social security authorities of the patient's country of
origin.

Would it not be possible to set up a Community-funded
system to meet any additional payments arising in such
cases?

Would this not be an opportunity to give concrete and
practical expression to the concept of European
solidarity?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _July 1990)_

The question of the reimbursement of medical expenses
for organ transplants is a matter for the social security
systems of the Member States in this area.

It is, however, financing a seminar on health care in the
Community to be held in April 1991, which will include an
assessment of the possibility of treatment in 'centres of
excellence'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1328/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 328/75)

_Subject:_ Scientific cooperation between the EEC and
Latin America

Having regard to the importance and the development of
scientific cooperation between the EEC and Latin
America in recent years,

whereas the future framework cooperation agreement
between the EEC and Chile will be a 'third generation'
agreement, in view of the fundamental role to be played
by scientific cooperation with Chile,

whereas despite the limited appropriations allocated to
this budget line, these projects have had spectacularly
positive results and repercussions,

Is there provision for an increase in these appropriations
in order to help the 'strengthening of cooperation
between the Community and Latin America and Asia', as
laid down in the document on the conclusions of the

presidency of the Dublin European Council of 28 April
1990?

What measures does the Council intend to take within the

framework of scientific cooperation with Latin America?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

Since 1984, the appropriations allocated to International
Scientific Cooperation (ISC) with Latin America and Asia
have been limited, though steadily increasing. However,
despite modest resources CSI, which is based on bilateral
trade and economic cooperation agreements, has
attracted sustained interest from all partners.

The Commission recently sent the Council and
Parliament a communication on cooperation with
developing countries in Latin America and Asia ('). The
document includes specific proposals designed to
strengthen scientific and technical cooperation with these
countries.

In addition the Science and Technology Programme for
Development (STD2) (1987-1991)0, which comes
under the Scientific and Technical Cooperation
Framework-Programme, has been promoting scientific
and technical cooperation with the developing countries,
including Latin America, since 1983. It is confined to two
areas of vital importance: agriculture (including forestry
and fisheries) and medicine (health, nutrition) and has a
budget of ECU 80 million. A Commission proposal for a
third programme (STD3) (1990-1994) ( [J] ), will be debated
in Parliament shortly (estimated expenditure: ECU
111 million).

(') COM(90) 176 final.
O OJNoL355, 17. 12. 1987.
O COM(90) 163.

No C 328/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1343/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/76)

_Subject:_ Social policy to benefit older workers

Older workers who have become unemployed are
genuinely discriminated against when looking for a new
job. In many instances, their qualifications are poor —
something they have in common with young persons and
women who have difficulty finding employment.
Furthermore, in the opinion of many firms, they find it
difficult to adjust and they are less competitive.

In view of the scale of the problem throughout the
Community, what action programme has the Commission
proposed ?

What are the main measures that could from part of such
a programme to assist older workers undergoing
occupational retraining?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

The long-term unemployed accounted for more than 52 %
of all jobless persons in the Community in 1988, many of
them over 45. Although the problem affects all industries
and social groups, it tends to be concentrated in the most
disadvantaged areas and categories. However, it is not age
itself which is discriminated against, but certain features
associated with it — young people's lack of experience for
example, or older workers' difficulties in adjusting. Older
people, indeed, are often very highly skilled but their
special skills are unsuited to new job market conditions.

There are two dimensions to Community action in this
field:

— structural measures: these are carried out through the
funds (especially the European Social Fund) and
involve assistance for training and job support for the
long-term unemployed; a Community human
resources initiative has been developed to target
certain specific measures at the most disadvantaged
categories, such as older workers;

— the research, analysis and organization of
cooperation via special programmes such as ERGO to
combat long-term unemployment, as well as various

Community actions for the elderly to cover the period
1991-93, set out in a Commission communication
adopted on 24 April 1990 (').

These measures are intended as a response to the
difficulties experienced by the unemployed in retraining
and in obtaining advice or information.

(') COM(90) 80 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1366/90

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/77)

_Subject:_ European conference on minimum income
levels, Windsor 15-17 November 1989

Further to Written Question No 556/90 and the answer
given on behalf of Commissioner Papandreou, can the
Commission inform the House

1. to what use it will put the information gained from the
conference;

2. whether it would consider introducing proposals for a
directive on social assistance rather than a

recommendation;

3. what timescale is envisaged for such a
recommendation (or directive) ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _July 1990)_

The European Conference on Basic Incomes held at
Windsor (United Kingdom) from 15 to 17 November
1989 brought together government and independent
experts, whose exchanges of views helped the
Commission in its work on mechanisms for guaranteeing
resources within the social protection systems and, in
particular, in its drafting of a 'recommendation on
common criteria concerning sufficient resources and
social assistance in the social protection systems', which
forms part of the Commission's action programme
relating to the implementation of the Community Charter
of Basic Social Rights for Workers (').

The Commission explained in its action programme that it
was not appropriate to envisage harmonization of the
social protection systems, whose diversity reflects the
economic, social and cultural history of the Member

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/41

States, and that, to promote convergence between their
aims and assert a spirit of solidarity, it was therefore
necessary to adopt a gradual approach based on
consultation rather than resorting to constraining
measures. It is for this reason that the Commission has

chosen to propose a recommendation on common criteria
in this field.

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to the
replies which it gave to Written Question No 171/90 ( [2] )
and to Oral Question No 90-H/524 by Mr White ( [3] ).

(') COM(89) 568 final.
O OJNoC 246, 1.10. 1990, p. 9.
( [J] ) Debates of the European Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1367/90

by Mr Fernando Suarez Gonzalez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _June 1990)_

_._ (90/C 328/78)

_Subject:_ Community social policy

Can the Commission provide a list of the 29 organizations
receiving financial aid in 1989 for exchanges of young
workers?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(1_ _August 1990)_

The Commission is sending the information requested
direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's

Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1386/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 328/79)

_Subject:_ Mail exchange service

Recent reports that the Commission is considering the
withdrawal from the post office monopoly of the
dispensation which was granted to Rutland Exchange
Limited are being met with considerable concern in
Scotland.

Rutland Exchange, which operates a document exchange
service throughout Scotland, is very efficient and provides
an invaluable and time-saving mailing system for lawyers
who depend on the swift transmission of documents.

It is widely felt that a reversion to the post office
monopoly would be a retrograde step and would deny
businesses of an extremely useful and efficient service.

Will the Commission give an assurance that Rutland
Exchange Limited will be allowed to continue to operate
under its present format?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

The present postal law in the United Kingdom has a
provision for 'document exchange' systems (for example
Rutland Exchange), explicitly stating that these systems
are outside the reserved area, even if less than £ 1 (the
normal threshold for the non-reserved area) is charged
per item.

An overall view of the postal sector clearly shows two
different market requirements, namely:

— that for standard, universal service, priced at low,
unitary tariffs, which provides either a reserved
service (letters up to a certain weight or price), or a
non-reserved service (such as the parcel service),

— specific market niches (such as those requiring
express delivery) which are in competition.

The Commission will shortly publish a Green Paper on
Posts, where the relevant issues will be presented and
discussed at Community level. One of its main themes will
be the complementary role of postal administrations and
private operators, the needs of customers being of course
paramount.

It has to be stressed moreover that any Member State will
have the possibility of opening up still further the postal
sector to competition; i.e. going beyond the proposals
made at Community level. Therefore, the definition of a
common postal policy will not endanger the United
Kingdom's position of allowing 'document exchange'

systems to operate.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1406/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 328/80)

_Subject:_ Uncontrolled waste tip in Revallines (Asturias,
Spain)

An uncontrolled waste tip in the place known as
Revallines in the municipality of Mieres (Asturias, Spain)

No C 328/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12.90

is causing severe problems for the area's inhabitants,
endangering their health and safety.

It may be assumed that Directive 75/442/EEC (') on
waste is being breached. Article 4 of this Directive
stipulates that Member States shall take the necessary
measures to ensure that waste is disposed of without
endangering human health, and in particular:

— without risk to water, air, soil and plants and animals,

— without causing a nuisance through noise or odours,

— without adversely affecting the countryside or places
of special interest.

1. What measures does the Commission intend to take in

order to find a satisfactory solution for the people
affected by the uncontrolled waste tip at Revallines, in
cooperation with the Asturias authorities?

2. What action can the Commission take to ensure that

Directive 75/442/EEC is applied in this case?

(') OJ No L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 47.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 July 1990)_

The Commission has taken note of the Honourable

Member's observations.

It intends, as part of the procedure which it has just
initiated for taking evidence, to ask the Spanish
authorities to provide the relevant information
concerning the application of Directive 75/442/EEC to
Revallines (Mieres).

Without this information, the Commission cannot judge
whether or not the provisions of the Directive are being
respected.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1412/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muni (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 328/81)

_Subject:_ The Bank for Reconstruction and Development
and the environment

In view of the environmental devastation of various

countries in Central and Eastern Europe, will the future

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) devote a significant proportion of its resources to
restoring the environment in these countries? Could the
bank not add this specific aim to its title?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 August 1990)_

The Agreement establishing the EBRD was signed on 29
May 1990 and it is expected that the new Bank will
become operational in the early part of next year. The 42
future shareholders are now undertaking the legislative
procedures needed for them to ratify the agreement. In
this context the Commission has made a proposal (') so
that the European Economic Community will be able to
ratify in its own right. Attached to this proposal is the full
text of the new Bank's Articles of Agreement.

Under these circumstances it is too late to change the new
Bank's name as suggested by the Honourable Member.
Nevertheless, because of the current priorities for
investment in Central and Eastern Europe (including the
need to repair the environmental ravages of the past),
environmental concerns were uppermost in the minds of
those who drafted the Articles of Agreement. As a result,
the EBRD will be able to finance 'the reconstruction or

development of infrastructure, including environmental
programmes, necessary for private sector development
and the transition to a market-oriented economy' (Article
11.1. (v)). The Bank is also enjoined (Article 2.1.(vii)) 'to
promote in the full range of its activities environmentally
sound and sustainable development'. As a result, the
Commission expects that the new Bank will learn from the
experience of existing multilateral financial institutions
and incorporate the 'environmental reflex' right from the

stan.

(') COM(90) 190 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1433/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/82)

_Subject:_ Congress to commemorate El Greco

In order to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the birth of
the Greco-Spanish painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos
the authorities of Cretan capital Heraklion have decided

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/43

to hold a congress in which world-renowned experts on
El Greco are to take part.

During the congress there will be an exhibition of some of
the painter's best works which are at present in State
institutions, museums or private collections. In view of the
importance of this event commemorating the famous
artist closely linked with two Community countries —
Greece and Spain — does the Commission not consider
that the European Community should be involved in the
commemoration and take an active pan in helping to
enhance the significance and prestige of the event?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1990)_

The Commission is grateful to the Honourable Member
for drawing attention to the commemoration of the 450th
anniversary of the birth of El Greco, whose works form
part of the cultural heritage of all mankind.

As regards taking pan in the event, the Commission will
give careful consideration to the dossier which the
promoters should be submitting to it. But it cannot take a
decision at this stage without examining the dossier in
detail and evaluating it, including the proposed budget
(expenditure, resources, etc.).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1439/90

by Mr Giuseppe Rauti, Mr. Antonio Mazzone and Mrs
Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/83)

_Subject:_ Differences between Europe and the US with
regard to environmental problems

At the conference in Bergen it emerged that there are
widely diverging views between all the Community
countries and the United States on all the major
environmental problems affecting the world as a whole,
from the greenhouse effect to the hole in the ozone layer,
so that Commissioner Ripa de Meana said he was
'horrified' at the measures which the government in
Washington seems to be intending to take. So that we may
be precisely acquainted with the situation, can the
Commission give details of the issues on which the two
sides disagree and the reasons for the disagreement?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 September 1990)_

At the Conference of Bergen (8-16 May), the negotiations
leading up to the adoption of the Declaration were
difficult. The Commission and the Member States

maintained that it was necessary to underline the
precautionary principle, and to provide new and
additional resources to assist developing countries and
Central and Eastern European countries in their efforts
towards sustainable development, both within the
framework of the Montreal Protocol, and across the
board. They also wished to move forward from the
Noordwijk Declaration in relation to limiting and
reducing CO2 emissions. The delegation of the United
States of America found serious difficulties in accepting
these four points, but ultimately a compromise solution
was found which would be accepted by all parties. Thus
the Declaration was adapted by consensus.

Clearly it will be necessary to build upon the Bergen
Declaration, and to move funher in the near future,
notably during the Second World Climate Conference in
Geneva in November 1990. It is to be hoped that the US
authorities will by that time also be able to take a more
positive position on the issues referred to above.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1448/90

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 328/84)

_Subject:_ Research and development of alternative energy
sources and rational use of energy — funding

Since 1974 the EEC has been funding research into the
use of renewable forms of energy and the rational use of

energy.

Can the Commission indicate the funding year by year
from 1974 to 1987 and the budget for 1988, 1989, 1990
and beyond for:

1. research and development on a shared cost basis on
alternative energy sources broken down by research
fields and country;

2. research and development on a shared cost basis on
rational use of energy broken down by research fields
and country;

3. demonstration projects on. alternative energy sources
broken down by research areas and country;

No C 328/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

4. demonstration projects on rational use of energy
broken down by research areas and country;

5. research development and demonstration of
alternative energy sources and rational use of energy
at the Joint Research Stations broken down by
research area?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 November 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table

containing the information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1540/90

by Mr Maxime Verhagen and Mr Petrus Cornelissen (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/85)

_Subject:_ Introduction of a European postage stamp

1. Does the Commission consider it possible, given the
increase in crossborder contacts as a result of cooperation
between the European regions and the steady progress in
European integration, to introduce a European postage
stamp, denominated in ECUs, which could be used in all
the Member States of the European Community?

2. Does the Commission agree that the introduction of
such a stamp would be in keeping with the policy for a
Citizens' Europe, which aims to strengthen the image and
identity of the Community?

3. Is the Commission prepared to submit specific
proposals for the introduction of a European postage
stamp and, if necessary, to enter into consultations with
the relevant organizations in the different Member States
with a view to securing the introduction of such a postage
stamp?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 July 1990)_

The Commission would ask the Honourable Members to

refer to its answer to Written Question No 1276/89 by
Mrs Llorca Vilaplana (').

For a number of years, the Commission, together with the '
Member States, has been endeavouring to define a

common approach and to formulate a policy in the field
of postal communications since it attaches considerable
importance to the role of the postal administrations in the
run-up to the single market. It is with this in mind that it is
currently preparing a 'green paper' setting out the various
aspects of the policy to be implemented in the postal
sphere.

The Commission would like to see the ecu playing a key
role, especially as regards the administrations' terminal
dues. In its view, consideration should be given to issuing
ecu-denominated postage stamps that would help to make
individuals more aware of the progress being made
towards the unification of Europe. Appropriate contacts
have already been made with the competent national
administrations.

However, it transpires that systematic issues of
ecu-denominated postage stamps in the twelve Member
States would still present numerous difficulties to do with
the legal aspects, the different cost structures, the
divergent tariffs charged by Member States and
exchange-rate fluctuations. These problems are, of
course, expected to become less pronounced in line with
progress towards economic and monetary union in the
Community.

(') OJNoC 139,7.6.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1558/90

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/86)

_Subject:_ Liver transplants

The UCL University Hospital in Belgium has achieved
outstanding results in the field of liver transplants. It
successfully carried out over 100 liver transplants in 1989,
of which around 50 involved very young children.

However, the cost of such operations is very high; it is
estimated that the average cost of an operation amounts
to approximately Bfrs 5 million.

Access to this particular type of operation is totally
discriminatory owing to major differences between social
security systems in the Member States as regards
reimbursement of health care costs. For example, the
Danish social security system pays for the whole
operation, in Belgium the social security system pays 80%
of the costs, while certain categories of citizens of Italy
(such as the unemployed) are not allowed to obtain the
necessary documents (Form E 112) enabling the costs to
be borne by the social security system.

In view of the fact that organ transplants are going to
become considerably more widespread in the next few

31.12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/45

years, does the Commission not deem this situation to be
totally discriminatory and in contradiction with the
objectives of the internal market? Can the Commission
state what progress has been made towards harmonizing
throughout the Community access to this particular type
of healthcare?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 August 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1312/90 by Mrs
Dury(').

The Commission does not envisage any legislative
measures for the time being. It does, however, devote
particular attention to the issues raised by the Honourable
Member and has agreed to finance a seminar on health
care in the Community, to be held in April 1991. It is
hoped that this seminar will identify the need and scope
for Community action in this field.

(') See page 39 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1567/90

by Lord O'Hagan (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 June 1990)_

(90/C 328/87)

_Subject:_ The Royal Family of the United Kingdom

There have been some shortsighted and tendentious
discussion in the United Kingdom to the effect that
current proposals for economic, monetary and political
union might undermine the position of the Royal Family
in the United Kingdom.

1. Do these proposals threaten the position of the Royal
Family or Grand Duke of any Member State?

To what extent can the European Community take
decisions which effect monarchies in Member States?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 July 1990)_

1. No.

2. To no extent.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1604/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/88)

_Subject:_ Education programme for migrant workers'
children

Of the pilot projects carried out since the education
programme for migrant workers' children was launched,
could the Commission:

1. Indicate how many pilot projects have been carried
out in schools in Belgium, how much they have cost,
and how many pupils have benefited?

2. provide a breakdown by region (Brussels, Wallonia
and Flanders) of the number of projects, and cost
thereof and the number of pupils benefiting?

3. indicate in what way and to what extent any
contributions have been made by the Belgium
national, regional and community authorities in
implementing these projects?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 July 1990)_

The position with regard to pilot schemes concerning the
education of migrant workers' children supported by the
Commission that have been carried out in Belgium under
the action programme in the field of education, is as
follows:

No C 328/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

pupils

7 200

1 800

6 000

3 000

—

Community

(in ECU)

517510

208 360

216 583

176 500

About 200 000

Number of

teachers

350

60

350

180

150

Flanders (1976-91)

Dutch-speaking schools, Brussels
(1981-90)

Wallonia (including French-speaking
schools in Brussels) (1984—87)

French-speaking schools, Brussels
(since 1988)

In-service training for Frenchspeaking teachers in Brussels and
Wallonia (1979-82)

Number of

schemes

4

2

1

1

1

schools

22

4

8

3

Since all these schemes included aspects of intercultural
education, the figures do not relate to immigrant children
and their teachers only but to all the children and teachers
of the schools concerned. The in-service training scheme
for teachers, carried out in conjunction with the
authorities of French-speaking Belgium, 150 teachers in
all, from both Brussels and Wallonia; no breakdown by
region can be given.

The contribution from the Belgian authorities entailed
making teachers and additional educational facilities
available to the schemes. In financial terms, this
contribution ranged from 20 to 80 % of the total cost of
operations; the Community contribution has tended to
decline in recent years.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1605/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/89)

_Subject:_ Energy and raw-material stocks available in the
Member States

1. Do the Member States regularly forward
information to the Commission on the stocks of energy
(oil, gas, uranium, etc.) and raw materials available to
them in the event of an embargo?

2. If:

(a) Is there a legal basis for such information
gathering?

(b) What use does the Commission make of the
information?

(c) What precautions does the Commission take to
ensure that the information is treated in

confidence?

3. If not:

(a) On what time scale does the Commission believe
that it can compile exhaustive information on
energy and raw-material stocks available in each
Member State?

(b) Does the Commission propose to act in this
regard ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

(5 _October 1990)_

1. The Member States regularly supply the
Commission with information about oil, coal and
uranium stocks. No information is provided about the
volume of gas stocks. However, the Commission does
receive annual information about gas storage capacities in
existence, under construction or proposed, and this gives
an indication of the volume of gas stocks.

The two Member States (France and the United
Kingdom) which have established strategic stocks of
certain non-energy raw materials do not provide the
Commission with information about the stocks in

question.

The Commission intends to take steps concerning security
oil stocks in the light of the completion of the internal
energy market and the Community's needs in terms of
security of supply.

2. (a) The legal basis for the provision of information

concerning energy products is Article 46 of the
ECSC Treaty in the case of coal, Article 4 of
Directive 68/414/EEC (') in the case of oil,
Regulation (EEC) No 1056/72 ( [2] ) in the case of
gas, Chapters VI and VII of the Euratom Treaty
in the case of uranium and Article 3 of Directive
75/339/EEC ( [3] ) in the case of stocks of fossil
fuels at power stations.

(b) On the basis of this information, the Commission
draws up periodical reports and analyses which it

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/47

initiative regarding Japan. No such proposal has yet been
received by the Commission. However, as it indicated in
its communication to the Council on cooperation in
science and technology with third countries of 19 June
1990 (*), the Commission would like to set up a better
structured dialogue with the United States in the field of
science and technology.

(') COM(90)256.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1641/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 328/91)

_Subject:_ The construction and extension of marinas on
the Ligurian riviera

The Directive on the assessment of environmental impact
has not only not been implemented by the Italian
authorities but has also been distorted, since its
application has been confined to trading ports.

In view of the tendency to build mega-marinas without
any thought for the environment — the latest example
being the restructuring and extension work being carried
out at Varazze on the coast near Imperia, and on the
whole Ligurian riviera — can the Commission say what
steps it intends to take to ensure compliance with the
environmental impact assessment procedure? Can it also
take the necessary measures to ensure that in future
permission for the construction and enlarging of marinas
is actually made subject, throughout Community
territory, to assessment of environmental impact?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 October 1990)_

The Commission has started infringement proceedings
against the Italian authorities in respect of the port at
Varazze. It has approached the Italian Government on
several occasions without so far having received a
satisfactory reply.

Furthermore, the Commission carefully monitors
compliance with the provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC
on the basis of the complaints which it receives.

(c)

forwards to the various Community authorities
concerned. The decision to impose an embargo
on Kuwait and Iraq speeded up the process of
collection and transmission of information which

is now on a monthly basis. This information
enables the Commission and the Member States,
meeting within the Oil Supply Group set up
pursuant to Directive 73/238/EEC ( [4] ), to analyse
the situation with regard to security oil stocks.

The Commission provides the Member States
with data concerning the Community as a whole.
The information remains confidential, but
general or summary information which does not
contain information about individual companies
can be published.

O OJNoL308,23. 12. 1968.
O OJNoL 120,25.5. 1972.
( [3] ) OJNoL 153,13.6. 1975.
O OJNoL 228, 16.8. 1973.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1638/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 328/90) .

_Subject:_ High-energy centre in Texas

The United States administration is preparing to
construct a high-energy centre using a tunnel 100 km long
in the State of Texas for the purpose of carrying out
experiments concerning the forces which created the
universe.

According to newspaper sources considered to be reliable,
the United States Government has invited the Japanese
Government to participate in this project and to invest
$2 000 million, which would make this the biggest
agreement ever concluded between these two nations in
the field of science and technology.

Has the Commission received a similar invitation and if so

what was its response?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the high-energy study centre
project and has taken proper note of the United States'

No C 328/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1671/90

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 328/92)

_Subject:_ Keep Sunday Special Campaign

What is the position relating to Sunday trading in each of
the Member States?

What is the Commission's attitude to the 'Keep Sunday
Special Campaign' in the UK?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 October 1990)_

In answer to the first question, the Commission would
inform the Honourable Member that it is sending direct
to her and to Parliament's Secretariat an extract from its

latest updated summary of the laws governing trading in
Member States.

With regard to the second question, the Commission
takes the view that the arrangements for shop-opening
hours should be seen in the context of each Member

State's own socio-cultural characteristics and are

therefore, a matter for Member States provided that
Community law is not infringed.

The European Court of Justice is currently looking into
the question of Sunday trading from the point of view of
compatibility with the EEC Treaty, and in particular with
the principle of the free movement of goods.

While two cases concerning the situation in Belgium and
France are still before the Court, a judgment on the rules
applicable in the United Kingdom was delivered on 23
November 1989.

The Commission's view in the light of that judgment is
that such rules could create barriers to trade which would

not be justified and hence would be incompatible with
Article 30 of the EEC Treaty if the resulting restrictions
on trade had implications beyond the intrinsic effects of
such rules, in other words if they proved disproportionate
to the objective sought.

In the case in point, the Court felt that it was a question of
fact to be determined by national courts, thus leaving
room for differing interpretations of Article 30.

Taking advantage of the opportunity afforded by the
cases involving Belgium and France, the Commission, in
its observations before the Court, defined the precise

criteria for assessing the 'proportionality' of the rules in
question: if the Court decides to take up those criteria in
its judgments, they should be such that they can be
referred to by national courts in assessing the
compatibility of such provisions with Article 30 of the
EEC Treaty and can ensure uniform application of that
Article in the Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1689/90

by Mr Virginio Bettini (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/93)

_Subject:_ Preserving the dignity of female officials of the
Community institutions

The 20 May 1990 edition of the Italian weekly magazine
_Europeo_ contained an article entitled 'Desperately seeking
a man' which was an insult to the female officials of the

European Communities. In view of this, what steps has
the Commission taken to safeguard the dignity of women
employed by the Communities?

Does the Council not consider that it should immediately
condemn this kind of phoney journalism which makes up
for its inability to publish news by inventing stories? What
steps has the Commission's Press Office taken to this
end?

Has the Council already instituted legal proceedings
against the pseudo-journalist responsible for the libellous
article in the _Europeo_ and against the editor, in order to
defend the dignity of the Community's female officials
and the Community institutions themselves?

If it has not already done so, when does it intend to take
appropriate legal action in accordance with Italian
legislation governing the press?

Answer

_(30 November 1990)_

It is not Council policy to comment on articles in the
press, irrespective of their content, or whether or not the
Council approves of the facts or opinions they contain.

More generally, the Council has often stressed the
importance it attaches to safeguarding women's rights
and dignity, most recently in its Resolution of 29 May
1990 on the protection of the dignity of women and men
at work.

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/49

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1720/90

by Mr Georgios Romeos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/94)

_Subject:_ Programme for the restoration of listed
buildings

The aid programme for the restoration of listed
monuments and buildings which make up the fabric of
urban and rural communities is the first programme of the
cultural action unit to include buildings which are not
owned by the state. The appropriations allocated to the
programme are so insufficient that they would not meet
the costs of restoring one building per Member State.
However, it is essential to provide incentives and rewards
for private individuals who undertake to restore listed
buildings at enormous cost.

Does the Commission intend to tackle this matter, for
example by increasing the appropriations or allocating
them in a more balanced manner?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 October 1990)_

In the framework of the programme referred to by the
Honourable Member, financial support for publicly
and/or privately owned buildings has been possible since
1984. The very limited budgetary resources available do,
however, impose a very restrictive selection of projects on
the basis of theme and historical importance criteria as
well as on the basis of well justified and documented
technical interventions to be executed.

In this context, the Commission has chosen, for 1990, 26
of the best projects submitted, independently of
ownership criteria (whether publicly or privately owned),
on the basis of the recommendations of a jury of
international experts.

The very restricted budgetary allocations for the
Commission's 'Cultural action' unfortunately do not
allow any increase in the relative appropriations, which
could positively influence the pilot-projects scheme as far
as the increase in requests is concerned (822 in 1989, 1 138
in 1990).

As to the question of a more balanced distribution of the
available resources, the Commission, according to
Article 222 of the EEC Treaty, does not make any

distinction between the private or public nature of
submitted projects.

Also, the distinction of requests in categories (public,
organizations, companies, private individuals, etc.) as well
as the existence of 'quotas' between them is against the
spirit of the Scheme, which is primarily based on the
concept that 'the investment for the conservation of our
architectural heritage can have positive influences on the
future cultural, social and economic development'
independently of groupings.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1746/90

by Mr Lyndon Harrison (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/95)

_Subject:_ Environmental impact assessment and the
structural funds

The internal guidelines on the Commission's handling of
EIA in relation to the structural funds require that an
assessment is carried out for structural projects planned
within special protection areas.,

Most Community countries have not yet declared or
delimited all their SPAs.

1. Do the safeguards contained in the internal guidelines
extend to known biotopes of wildlife importance that
have no official designation?

2. What safeguards operate to prevent SPA boundaries
from being drawn according to the future location of
structural projects rather than the biological criteria
necessary for full protection?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 September 1990)_

The documents concerning applications for assistance by
the structural funds contain requirements to ensure that,
when appropriate, biotopes whether designated or not,
will be subject to a prior environmental impact

assessment.

Furthermore, on receiving the designation of special
protection areas by the Member States, the Commission

No C 328/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

checks on the areas with the help of an inventory of
important bird areas based on scientific criteria, which
also indicates the boundaries of the sites.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1754/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/96)

_Subject:_ Water quality

Does the Commission have any information on the
quality of domestic water supplies in each of the Member
States? If so, could it provide details for each Member
State of contaminants identified on the basis of the

Community's drinking water Directive?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 September 1990)_

The data the Commission receives throughout its work to
assess and improve the state of implementation of Council
Directive 80/778/EEC (*) relating to the quality of water
intended for human consumption in the Member States
are neither comprehensive nor comparable. The
Commission is hindered in this work by the Directive's
lack of legal provision obliging Member States to inform
the Commission about the quality of their drinking water.

Most of the information the Commission does hold has

been submitted in relation to complaints by members of
the public and many of these have in turn led to
infringement proceedings. The number of complaints
varies according to Member State but, since these are
confidential and do not necessarily give a complete or true
picture of the quality of domestic water supplies in the
Member States, it is not possible for the Commission to
publish details.

The Commission has presented a proposal for a Directive
establishing and harmonizing reporting requirements for
all existing environment directives, including Directive
80/778/EEC. It is hoped that this will rectify the current
unsatisfactory situation.

(') OJNoL229,30.8. 1980.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1774/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/97)

_Subject:_ Implementation by Spain of the Directive on the
conservation of wild birds

Instances of failure to implement the Directive on the
conservation of wild birds (Council Directive
79/409/EEC (') of 2 April 1979) are frequently reported
in Spain. Has Spain adopted all the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions required to bring its domestic
law into line with the Directive? What information does

the Commission have on the extent to which this

Directive has been implemented by the autonomous
communities?

O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

The Commission has noted that Spanish legislation does
not fully comply with the provisions of Directive
79/409/EEC. This is particularly true of the hunting
regulations in the autonomous communities for 1987/88.

The Spanish authorities have acknowledged the validity
of the Commission's complaints. Nevertheless, the
Commission has noted that the hunting regulations in the
autonomous communities for 1988/89 still fail to comply
with the provisions of the Directive.

Contrary to the provisions of the Directive, hunting
regulations in the autonomous communities, which are
adopted annually, are not automatically communicated to
the Commission. To obtain the regulations and examine
them the Commission has to rely on complaints and
information from other sources.

As regards the effective application of the Directive in the
autonomous communities, the Commission has noted, on
the basis of the 1986-88 reports on derogations under
Article 9, that the provisions of the Directive have been
infringed.

With regard to the habitats of wild birds and their
protection. Spain has not yet fulfilled all the obligations
deriving from Article 4 (1) of Directive 79/409/EEC, and
the Commission has received numerous complaints about
the deterioration or pollution of habitats.

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/51

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1776/90

by Mrs Maartje van Putten (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 July 1990)_

(90/C 328/98)

_Subject:_ The 'drug' Ritalin

Is the Commission aware that Ritalin, — a drug used in
psychiatry _inter alia_ to treat very young children —
produces serious side-effects, such as growth disorders,
depression and suicidal tendencies, and is addictive in
some cases?

Is the Commission further aware that Ritalin may no
longer be used in Denmark, Sweden and Norway?

What action does the Commission propose to take that
will result in Ritalin being withdrawn from the European
Community market?

In the meantime, is the Commission prepared to point out
to the relevant Member State authorities the dangers
presented by Ritalin and to inform them that the use of
Ritalin has already been banned in Denmark?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 September 1990)_

Subsequent to the enquiries made, the Commission has
been informed that the medicinal product Ritalin
(methylphenidate hydrochloride), a product used in
narcolepsy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
is authorized in a number of Member States of the

Community, i.e. Belgium, Denmark (for narcolepsy), the
Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Ireland,
the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The product is
also authorized internationally, in the United States,
Canada, Australia, Japan, South America and Middle
Eastern countries.

Authorizations for medicinal products in the Community
are granted by the competent authority in each Member
State, on the basis of Community pharmaceutical
legislation.

In Denmark, the product continues to be authorized in
the form of a 10 mg tablet, and the competent authority
has informed the Commission that no limitations on its

use have been introduced recently. Denmark is constantly
vigilant to side-effects of this and all other medical
products.

Nevertheless, the question raised by the Honourable
Member will be referred to the Committee for

Proprietary Medicinal Products (a scientific committee
established by Council Directive 75/319/EEC) (')
for consideration within the framework of

pharmacovigilance, and the Honourable Member will be
kept directly informed of any outcome.

(') OJNoLl47,9.6. 1975, p. 13.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1778/90

by Mrs Eva Quistorp (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/99)

_Subject:_ Protection of the public against indoor exposure
to radon

1. On what scientific basis does the Commission arrive

in paragraph 2 (b) of its recommendation
90/143/Euratom (') at a reference level of 20 mSv per
annum, the equivalent of 400 Bq/m [3] — and similarly in
paragraph 3 (b): 10 mSv per annum for future
constructions — for the effective radon dose equivalent
for the general public which is 60 times greater than the
maximum permissible dose from technical sources (0,3
mSv per annum) laid down by the German radiation
protection regulation and even four times greater than the
limit value for exposure at the workplace for persons
working outside the radiation area?

2. How does the Commission justify this reference
level when current scientific knowledge shows that
low-intensity radioactive radiation is about ten times
more harmful than suggested in current regulations?

3. Does the Commission take the view, therefore, that
natural radioactivity is 60 times less harmful than artificial
radioactivity?

4. Why does the Commission set a higher reference
level than other bodies have done in the recent past (USA:
EPA 1988:145 Bq/m [3] ; FRG: RPC 1988: 250 Bq/m [3] )?

5. Are public subsidies available to reduce the cost of
radon measurement, at least in buildings at particular risk
by virtue of their geographical position and
construction/condition?

6. Is technical aid and advice available from

government agencies to help with the reduction of radon
in public and private buildings?

(') OJ No L 80, 27. 3. 1990, p. 26.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 October 1990)_

1. The recommendation issued on 21 February 1990 on
the protection of public against indoor exposure to radon

No C 328/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

(90/143/Euratom), is in line with the recommendation of
the International Commission on Radiological Protection
(ICRP-Publication 39,1984), including the definition of a
reference level for the consideration of remedial action in

existing buildings. The definition of such an intervention
level is independent of the dose limitation system
applicable to planned exposure of workers or of the public
to man-made sources. For the exposure to natural
radiation sources, the decision whether intervention is
justified and, if so, at which level of exposure, is the
outcome of an optimization exercise taking into account
health, social and economic considerations. It does not
imply that natural radiation is considered to be safer than
artificial radiation.

2. There appears to be no reason to revise the radon
levels on the basis of the currently proposed increased risk
factors, since the risk associated with radon exposure is
essentially based on epidemiological data specific to the
radon exposure of miners, and these data have not been
subject to revision.

3. The value of 400 Bq/m [3] for existing buildings
recommended by the Commission has been adopted after
consultation of the Group of Experts referred to in
Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty and is based on recent
scientific studies.

4. As to the granting of subsidies, this falls within the
competence of the national authorities.

5. In several Member States, services have been created
to give technical advice or assistance for radon control in
buildings.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1783/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/100)

_Subject:_ Hydraulic test at the Chinon B-4 nuclear reactor
in France

According to information issued by the French Ministry
of Industry, in the course of an experiment in the Chinon
B-4 nuclear reactor conducted to leak-test the primary
circuit an incident occurred during which a saw, hammer
and screwdriver were used on one of the central reactor

core cooling pumps.

1. Is the Commission aware of this incident?

2. What conclusions does it draw from the incident?

3. Can the Commission rule out further incidents of this

kind in French nuclear power stations?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 October 1990)_

The incident referred to by the Honourable Member has
not been notified to the Commission since it has not been

classified on the French severity scale.

The description given by the Honourable Member does
not make it possible to draw any conclusions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1794/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/101)

_Subject:_ Membership of the Scientific Committee for
Food

Can the Commission say which members of the Scientific
Committee for Food are consultants to the ISA or to

companies manufacturing artificial sweeteners or to food
manufacturers using artificial sweeteners?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 November 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to his oral question H-939/90, which it gave
during question time at Parliament's October I 1990
part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 394 (October 1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1811/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 328/102)

_Subject:_ Assistance for the protection of biotopes in
Greece

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2242/87 (') of 23
July 1987, the Community may grant financial support for

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/53

projects providing incentives for, and aimed at
contributing towards, the maintenance or
re-establishment of seriously threatened biotopes which
are the habitat of endangered species and are of particular
importance to the Community under Directive
79/409/EEC ( [2] ). This regulation also covers projects
providing incentives for and contributing towards, the
protection or re-establishment of land threatened or
damaged by fire, erosion and desertification. The
regulation applies for four years and expires on 30 July
1991. A total of ECU 24 million is earmarked for the

implementation of the planned projects.

Has financing been granted to Greece under this
regulation? If so, how much?

(') OJ No L 207, 29. 7. 1987, p. 8.
O OJ No L 103,25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 October 1990)_

Having already granted Greece ECU 813 000 under
Regulation (EEC) No 1872/84 (') for projects providing
incentives for, and aimed at contributing towards, the
maintenance or re-establishment of seriously threatened
biotopes which are the habitat of endangered species and
are of particular importance to the Community under
Directive 79/409/EEC, the Commission has so far
granted financial support of ECU 385 000 for another
project of this type under Council Regulation (EEC)
No 2242/87 on action by the Community relating to the
environment.

(') OJ No L 176, 3. 7. 1984, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1876/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _August 1990)_

(90/C 328/103)

_Subject:_ Coordinated Community action on AIDS

The conclusions of the latest international conference on

AIDS in San Francisco indicate that the disease is

spreading rapidly. In particular, statistical surveys show
an alarming resurgence of sexual practices regarded as
high-risk, especially among young people. The view was
expressed that, at present, the only effective means of
combating the disease is a properly orchestrated and
systematic information campaign.

What measures will the Commission take to launch a

coordinated Community information and awareness
campaign?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 September 1990)_

The Commission transmitted in 1987 a communication to

the Council concerning AIDS ('), with actions planned
for two years, in 1988 and 1989, in the fields of
information, health education and prevention.

In 1990, the Commission has continued and developed its
activities in these fields, taking account of texts
subsequently adopted by the Council ( [2] ) and the
European Parliament ( [3] ).

Since the beginning of its actions against AIDS, the
Commission has emphasized the necessity to promote
exchanges of experience and information at Community
level. Pilot projects have been set up, in particular directed
towards young people and aimed at reducing the risk due
to intravenous drug use.

The Commission has been asked by the Council to draw
up proposals for action integrating in particular
appropriate measures to prevent and control AIDS. The
Commission is in the process of drawing up a series of
actions in order to respond to this request.

O COM(87)63.
O OJNoC 10,16.1.1990, p. 5.
0) OJ No CI 58,26. 6.1989, p. 192.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1994/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1990)_

(90/C 328/104)

_Subject:_ Court of Justice: Case 170/84

What action has been taken by the FRG in response to the
judgment handed down by the Court on 13 May 1986
concerning Bilka-Kaufhaus GmbH v. Karin Weber von
Hartz (Case 170/84)?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 September 1990)_

The Commission is considering what action to take in
response to the judgments handed down by the Court of

No C 328/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

Justice on 17 May 1990 in the Barber case and on 13 May
1986 in the case referred to by the Honourable Member,
Bilka Kaufhaus v. Weber von Hartz.

The present situation is complex and requires detailed
analysis of the Community Directives already adopted or
proposed on equal treatment for men and women in the
field of social security.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2019/90

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1990)_

(90/C 328/105)

_Subject:_ Licensing of pharmaceutical products

The British licensing system has become expensive and
slow. Fees have increased by some 140% in the last year
and it is admitted that the average time to issue a licence is
19 months.

Having regard to the costs and time scales of other
licensing systems in other parts of the EEC, it would
appear that the present British system imposes an unfair
handicap on pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers
in the United Kingdom and acts indirectly as an
impediment to the free movement of goods within the
Community.

Furthermore, separate licensing requirements in each
Member State inevitably add considerably to the cost of
medicines throughout the Community.

Would the Commission agree that the time is opportune
to create a centralized Community licensing system for all
pharmaceutical products?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's

concern at the wastefulness and duplication of existing
authorization procedures which require manufacturers of
medicinal products to obtain a separate marketing
authoriztion from each of the 12 Member States.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the explanatory memorandum to its recently adopted
package of proposals for a future system for the free
movement of medicinal products in the European
Community (') which fully addresses his question.

(') COM(90)283.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2024/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(y September 1990)_

(90/C 328/106)

_Subject:_ Batteries and accumulators

Will the proposal for a directive on batteries and
accumulators containg dangerous substances distinguish
between mercury batteries which do contain highly toxic
mercury oxide and other batteries in which mercury is
only present as an additive in metallic form?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 September 1990)_

On 1 December 1988, the Commission sent the
Parliament and the Council a proposal for a Directive on
batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous
substances ('). The European Parliament gave its opinion
on this text on 25 May 1989. Following this opinion, an
amended proposal was sent on 6 November 1989 ( [2] ). At its
session of 7 June 1990, the Environment Council adopted
the necessary elements for a joint position on this text.

The amended proposal differentiates between the various
batteries as a function of their mercury content, whatever
the form in which this element is present. It is, therefore,
proposed that batteries containing less than 25 mg of
mercury per battery element be excluded from the scope
of the directive, with the exception of alkaline batteries
containing manganese. So-called 'mercury' button cells
which contain mercury oxide, are included in the draft
Directive.

(') COM(88)672.
O COM(89)454.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2054/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

(5 _September 1990)_

(90/C 328/107)

_Subject:_ Approach taken by European officials at the
World Bank in connection with a loan to Brazil

The World Bank was to give its verdict in May 1990 on
the granting of a $167 million loan to Brazil for a project
in the tropical rainforest in the State of Rondonia, in
Western Amazonia (').

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/55

Will the Council say what views were expressed by
officials from the Member States of the Community
concerning the granting of the loan, the necessary
evaluation of the ecological quality of the project with the
assistance of the FAO and the UNDP and the controls

needed in future to ensure that the interests of the

indigenous population are respected?

(') See Written Question No 111 tabled on 20 February 1990 to
the Belgian Parliament by Mr Kuypers and the reply by Mr
Eyskens, Minister.

Answer

_(30 November 1990)_

The question put by the Honourable Member does not
come within the Council's sphere of competence.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2124/90

by Mr Ernest Giinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 September 1990)_

(90/C 328/108)

_Subject:_ Presence of dioxin in cartons of milk

According to the 7 August 1990 edition of _The Guardian,_
contrary to the results of previous research the British
Ministry of Agriculture has detected dioxin in milk
cartons and their contents, the cardboard containers
having been chemically bleached. In addition, the
Women's Environmental Network states that the level of

dioxin in baby food is five times greater than the tolerance
threshold laid down by the World Health Organization
and proposes, therefore, that milk should be distributed
in non-contaminated and non-contaminating cartons, for
example returnable containers.

Could the Commission give its opinion on this matter and
state what measures are open to it?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 November 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to Written Questions No 559/90 by Mr
Happart O and No 438/90 by Mr Woltjer _(_ _[2]_ _)._

(') OJNoC266,27. 10. 1990.
( [2] ) OJNoC97, 17.4. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2172/90

by Mr Ernest Giinne (S)

to the Foreign Ministers meeting in
European Political Cooperation

_(27 September 1990)_

(90/C 328/109)

_Subject:_ Political conditions for expanding trade relations
between the Community and Central America

In July the five governments of Central America and the
Government of Panama decided to diversify Central
American exports to the Community, promoting those
of non-traditional products. According to as yet
unconfirmed reports by Reuters, the Community would
be providing $120 million for the purpose; Mr Angel
Vinas, head of the European delegation, is said to have
stated that the range of exports should be widened, which
would indeed be most valuable, but to my knowledge
nothing has yet been said about the political conditions
the Community would be entitled to make prior to any
general promotion of Central American exports into its
own market. The democratic systems of Costa Rica and
Nicaragua are in fact different from those in El Salvador
and Guatemala, which are still in the throes of civil war
and without any political agreement tending towards
national reconciliation, while Honduras remains under
barely concealed military rule.

Should not the Community therefore be adopting a
country-by-country approach both in respect of the aid it
gives and the imports it allows?

What was the apportionment between 1985 and 1989 of
aid from the Community and its Member States to the
various countries in question?

Answer

_(30 November 1990)_

1. The Council is not aware of any Community aid
package costing US $120 million aimed at diversifying
Central American exports to the Community.

2. On the other hand, the Council can confirm that
following the fifth EEC-Central America Ministerial
Conference (San Pedro Sula, Honduras, 27 and 28
January 1989), the Community has adopted the first
element in a major programme, put forward at that
meeting by the Central American side, to boost
intra-regional trade.

This first stage involves setting up and running a regional
payments system (initial Community contribution for
1990: ECU 43,5 million), a multilateral clearing facility
designed to bring about a revival in trade within the
region.

No C 328/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

After appraisal of the system to see if it is working
properly and whether the Central Americans are keeping
to their commitments (in particular to dismantle barriers
to intra-regional trade), the Community might consider,
depending on the results, continuing its financial support
for the two years following the first year of operation.
Should it do so, the Community's contribution to the
system could reach approximately ECU 120 million over
three years.

The project, launched on 1 September 1990, is in line with
the Community's regional approach to aid for Central
America: in a statement annexed to the EEC-Central

America Cooperation Agreement signed on 12 November
1985, the Community stated its intention of granting
priority assistance for regional projects.

3. As regards the allocation of aid from the
Community and its Member States to the various
countries in question, it should be noted that it is not for
the Council to supply information on the aid the Member
States give to third countries.

A country-by-country breakdown of Community aid to
Central America between 1985 and 1989 is given in the
following table:

_(million_ _ECU)_

borders and the harmonization of laws to safeguard
security in areas such as the possession of drugs.

Could the Council confirm that this is one of its aims and

specify the timetable it intends to adopt so as to be able to
comply with the relevant deadline of 1 January 1993?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2242/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/111)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

The abolition of intra-Community borders in 1993
obviously entails the strengthening of controls at the
Community's external borders.

Could the Council outline the effective control measures

which could be implemented at land borders to limit or
lessen possible offences which might arise from the use of
false entry and residence permits?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2243/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/112)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the single market and the harmonization of
policies to combat drug trafficking, could the Council
give a progress report on its action to date and indicate its
guidelines for future action?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2244/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/113)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

The TREVI group, which was set up in 1976 to address
the major problems of terrorism and international crime,
has outlined common positions on the right of asylum,
immigration policy and information exchange.

Could the Council give a progress report on the Group's
activities and indicate which timetable it believes is

necessary for compliance with the deadline of 1 January
1993 in this area?

1988

0,15

2,87

26,11

5,65

37,91

0,34

73,03

39,10

112,14

1986

0,699

5,790

15,974

15,870

21,810

0,310

60,453

5,329

65,782

1987

0,304

19,727

9,871

3,489

21,420

0,114

54,925

27,302

82,227

Country

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Nicaragua

Panama

Total I O

Regional
Projects

Total II (')

1985

13,936

9,212

1,395

4,508

20,878

49,929

23,483

73,412

1989

5,623

3,913

7,034

3,187

16,486

0,39

36,633

55,467

92,100

(') EC/Central America Cooperation Agreement countries, Total I:
without regional aid, Total II: with regional aid.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2241/90

by Mr Yves Gotland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/110)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

The abolition of intra-Community borders in 1992 goes
hand-in-hand with a strengthening of controls at external

31. 12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/57

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2245/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

_**_ (90/C 328/114)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

In order to give fresh impetus to the policy of abolishing
personal checks at the Community's internal borders, the
Rhodes European Council set up a group of national
coordinators responsible for pushing ahead so as to
ensure that the People's Europe becomes a tangible
reality.

Could the Council outline the activities of this group and
the projects or measures which it is preparing and indicate
which timetable is necessary for compliance with the
deadline of 1 January 1993?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2246/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/115)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the establishment of a People's Europe in
1993, various intergovernmental and Community bodies
have been set up in recent years to prepare for this
deadline in different areas. These bodies include the

TREVI group, the Ad hoc Working Party on
Immigration, the Working Party on Cooperation, in the
field of Law, the Working Party on Mutual Assistance,
European Political Cooperation and the Pompidou
Group.

Could the Council specify how the activities of the
coordinators' group fit in with the abovementioned
bodies and the areas in which a common position is being
formulated?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2247/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/116)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

In the context of the approximation of laws relating to
extradition required as part of the preparations for the
single market, could the Council give a progress report on
discussions between the Member States?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2248/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/117)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

On 15 December 1989 the 12 ministers responsible for
immigration adopted the principle of a common visa.

This being the case, what action does the Council intend
to take to finalize this common visa and in accordance

with what timetable?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2249/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/118)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the free movement of persons and the
necessary harmonization of border controls, and with
particular reference to the drawing up of a common list of
those countries whose nationals require a visa, how and in
accordance with which timetable does the Council intend

to achieve a common visa policy?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2250/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/119)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

In the context of the harmonization of border controls

and the implementation of a common visa policy, is the
Council contemplating the introduction of a uniform,
harmonized visa for all Member States, or is it more in
favour of the mutual recognition of national visas,
following the example of the Schengen Agreements?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2251/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/120)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

In the context of measures aimed at abolishing personal
checks at frontiers, the timetable adopted at the Madrid

No C 328/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 90

Summit had provided for the introduction of a common
visa application form by the end of 1989. Could the
Council specify the date on which this measure might be
implemented?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2252/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/121)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the free movement of persons and the
necessary harmonization of border controls, and with
particular reference to the drawing up of the list of
non-admissible persons, how and in accordance with
which timetable does the Council intend to achieve a

common visa policy ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2253/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 October 1990)_

(90/C 328/122)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the free movement of persons and the
necessary harmonization of border controls, and with
particular reference to the specification of those States
from which the Community would not require visas, how
and in accordance with which timetable does the Council

intend to achieve a common visa policy?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2241/90 to

2253/90

_(30 November 1990)_

1. As it has pointed out on several occasions, the
Council attaches the utmost importance to the free
movement of persons as it looks ahead to the achievement
of an area without frontiers.

Noting the large number of bodies dealing with matters
falling within this area, the European Council, at its
Rhodes meeting, decided to appoint a body responsible
for the necessary coordination. The persons appointed
for this purpose make up the coordinators' Group. The
Group has the task of coordinating work both at
Community level and within the framework of
intergovernmental cooperation. It has drawn up an
inventory of essential and desirable measures with a view
to achieving such free movement. These^ measures were
given a target date. The inventory, known as the 'Palma
document', was submitted at the time to the European

Parliament. Discussions are currently under way to
update this document.

2. Many of the essential measures recommended by the
'Palma document' relate to checks at the Community's
external borders. The ad hoc Group on Immigration is
currently examining a draft Convention on the crossing of
the external borders of the Member States of the

European Communities.

This draft includes provisions relating to the checks
themselves (mutual recognition of visas or a common visa,
list of countries whose nationals require a visa, drawing
up of a list of non-admissible persons).

At its June 1990 meeting in Dublin, the European Council
drew attention to the states aim of signing this
Convention before the end of the year.

To date the Member States have already achieved the
following:

— a common visa application form,

— a forgery bulletin.

3. As regards more particularly the problem of drugs,
the general control measures to be included in the above
Convention will not only have consequences for drug
trafficking but also for trafficking of all kinds.

Moreover, the European Committee to Combat Drugs
(CELAD) is currently working out, in close collaboration
with the Commission, a European plan to combat drugs
to be submitted to the European Council at the end of the

year.

The Council is not in a position to reply to the
Honourable Member's questions relating to subjects
which fall outside the scope of TREVI or of political
cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2473/90

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(90/C 328/123)

_Subject:_ Suicides by young people in Community prisons

What is the number of suicides by young people in each
Member State's prisons?

Is the Commission aware of the high incidence of such
suicides in UK prisons?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to reduce
the incidence of such suicides in the Member States?

31. 12.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 328/59

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 November 1990)_

As the matter in question does not come within its
jurisdiction, the Commission is unfortunately unable to
supply the information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2543/90

by Mr Rolf Linkohr, Mr Claude Desama and Mr Michel
Herve (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(90/C 328/124)

_Subject:_ Reform of the ECSC and Euratom Treaties

On 11 July 1990 the European Parliament adopted the
second interim report on the Intergovernmental
Conference in the context of Parliament's strategy for
European Union (Martin report).

In paragraph 5 Parliament calls for reform of the ECSC
and Euratom Treaties.

1. Is reform of the ECSC and Euratom Treaties included

on the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference
on Political Union?

2. Which amendments to the two Treaties does the

Council regard as having priority?

3. What ideas does the Council have concerning the
institutional framework and the substance of a

comprehensive European energy policy?

Answer

_(30 November 1990)_

1. To begin with, it should be noted that the
Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union will
draw up its own agenda in due course.

2. Under the procedures laid down in ECSC Article 96
and Euratom Article 204 it is for the government of each
Member State or the Commission to take the initiative for

any amendment to those Treaties.

In the absence of a proposal for amending the ECSC
Treaty or a draft Euratom revision, the Council is unable
to comment on the desirability of such amendment.

3. Energy matters are dealt with, as appropriate, under
the ECSC Treaty or the EAEC Treaty, or, more
generally, under the EEC Treaty.

4. The Council has long recognized the need to set
overall energy policy objectives, and, specifically, has
done so for the periods to 1985, 1990 and 1995. These
objectives take account of the flexibility required in the
case of markets as sensitive as those in the energy sector.
Consequently, and without prejudice to any overall
revision of the objectives, the Council is always free to
make any adjustments to them which may prove
necessary, as is stipulated in paragraph 11 of its resolution
of 16 September 1986.