Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

## C266

Volume 33

22 October 1990

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Notice No

90/C266/01

90/C 266/02

90/C 266/03

90/C 266/04

90/C 266/05

90/C 266/06

90/C 266/07

90/C 266/08

90/C 266/09

90/C266/10

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Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

N o 494/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Poverty in Europe 1

N o 573/89 by M r Michael Welsh to the Commission

Subject: Protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes 1

N o 624/89 by M r Niall Andrews to the Commission

Subject: Tobacco addiction warnings 2

N o 635/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: HIV and AIDS in prisons 2

N o 642/89 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: Ecological reasons for promoting the use of nuclear energy in third countries 3

N o 674/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission

Subject: European Community Youth Opera 3

N o 735/89 by M r Ben Fayot to the Commission

Subject: Common market in electricity and the safety standards of nuclear power stations . . . . 3

N o 806/89 by M r Gttnter Topmann to the Commission

Subject: Repayment of value added tax — companies engaged in international road haulage . . 4

N o 830/89 by M r Francois de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Infringement proceedings for failure to inform the Commission of national
implementing measures 5

N o 835/89 by M r Francois de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Infringement proceedings for failure to inform the Commission of national
implementing measures 5

(Continued overleaf)

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Notice No Contents (continued) Page

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90/C266/11

90/C266/12

90/C266/13

90/C266/14

90/C266/15

90/C266/16

90/C266/17

90/C266/18

90/C266/19

90/C 266/20

90/C266/21

90/C 266/22

90/C 266/23

90/C 266/24

90/C 266/25

90/C 266/26

90/C 266/27

90/C 266/28

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No 874/89 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

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Subject: Failure of Belgium to comply with Community environmental law 6

N o 944/89 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Noise at airports 6

N o 1003/89 by M r Francois Musso to the Commission

Subject: Franchises 7

N o 1069/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: The increase in casual work 8

N o 1179/89 by M r Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of item 9310 of the budget, 'Financial and technical cooperation with
Latin American developing countries' 8

N o 1192/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Social clause in public contracts 9

N o 1193/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Methods of informing and consulting workers 9

N o 1194/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Commission priorities for 1990 and the Social Charter 10

N o 1230/89 by M r Roberto Barzanti and M r Roberto Speciale to the Commission

Subject: 1992 Genoa International Exhibition — 'Christopher Columbus: Ships and the Sea' 11

N o 1243/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Sale of poison germanium 11

N o 1281/89 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Taxation of French farms 12

N o 1328/89 by M r Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Financing of the dam at La Borie (Gard) in France 12

N o 0009/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: International airport at Nantes 13

N o 49/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: The European region ('Euregio') of Zeeland, Eastern Flanders and Western Flanders 13

N o 55/90 by M r J. Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: WHO's Essential Drug Programme and the export of drugs from the Community . . . 14

N o 58/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Financial support for monuments and landscapes 14

N o 60/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Community support for adult education 14

N o 64/90 by M r Michael Welsh to the Commission

Subject: German taxes on tourists 15

Notice No

90/C 266/29

90/C 266/30

90/C266/31

90/C 266/32

90/C 266/33

90/C 266/34

90/C 266/35

90/C 266/36

90/C 266/37

90/C 266/38

90/C 266/39

90/C 266/40

90/C266/41

90/C 266/42

90/C 266/43

90/C266/44

90/C 266/45

90/C 266/46

Contents (continued), Page

No 66/90 by Mr Frederic Rosmini to the Commission
Subject: Introduction by the Federal Republic of Germany of a road tax on lorries with a total
weight exceeding 18 tonnes 15

No 83/90 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Commission
Subject: Sale of a map of Europe by international airline companies showing the 'German Reich'
with its 1937/1939 borders 15

No 86/90 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject: Co-responsibility levy for soya 16

No 92/90 by Mr Marco Taradash to the Commission
Subject: European School 16

No 123/90 by Mr Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Use of a medical insurance card in the European Community 17

No 139/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Coal and the greenhouse effect 17

No 146/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raff arm to the Commission
Subject: Dangerous substances 18

No 156/90 by Mr Anthony Simpson to the Commission

Subject: Salmonella from poultry and eggs 18

No 166/90 by Mrs Birgit Bjarnvig to the Commission

Subject: Import of animals treated with BST 19

No 196/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission

Subject: 1982 report of the European Community's Scientific Committee for Food 19

No 211 /90 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Waste dump in Weeze-Wemb (supplementary question) 20

No 224/90 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission
Subject: Medicine labelling 20

No 226/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject: Crocodile farming in France (Hagetmau — Landes) 21

No 228 /90 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission
Subject: Steps towards a system of fixed prices for books 21

No 240/90 by Mr Alexander Langer, Mrs Solange Fernex, Mrs Maria Santos and Mr
Karl Partsch to the Commission

Subject: Threat to Community citizens posed by military activity in the vicinity of chemical and
nuclear plants 22

No 263/90 by Mr Yvan Blot to the Commission

Subject: Application of the principle of subsidiarity in the European institutions in the context of
the implementation of economic and monetary union 22

No 286/90 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject: Paris—Dakar rally 23

No 288/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject: Cooperation with Eastern European countries 23

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 266/47 No 300/90 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission

Subject: Use of the 'Europe for a Better Life' symbol 24

90/C 266/48 No 306/90 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject: Trade embargo on elephant ivory 24

90/C 266/49 No 309/90 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject: Export of certain types of non-ferous metal waste 24

- 90/C 266/50 No 321 /90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Commission inspections of nuclear installations 25

90/C 266/51 No 335/90 by Mr Bruno Gollnisch to the Commission

Subject: Abolition of border taxes for taxis as part of the internal market 25

90/C 266/52 No 479/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Charges on French taxis at the Belgian border 26

90/C 266/53 No 482/90 by MrAdrienZeller to the Commission

Subject: Free movement of taxis within the Community's borders 26

90/C 266/54 No 514/90 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission

Subject: Obstacles to freedom to provide taxi services 26

90/C 266/55 No 1016/90 by Mrs Mireille Elmalan to the Commission

Subject: Crossing of intra-Community borders by taxis 26

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 335/90, 479/90, 482/90, 514/90 and
1016/90 27

90/C 266/56 No 338/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission

Subject: Laundering of money from illicit transactions 27

90/C 266/57 No 356/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Participation of Community citizens in political life 27

90/C 266/58 No 369/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Unfair US competition vis-a-vis maize producers 28

90/C 266/59 No 371 /90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Protection of maritime pines in the Adantic region of western France 28

90/C 266/60 No 384/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: Community aid for the development of alternative energy sources in Southern Spain 29

90/C 266/61 No 388/90 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject: Objectivity of recruitment procedures 29

90/C 266/62 No 439/90 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject: Removal of disparities in the audio-visual sector 30

90/C 266/63 No 451 /90 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission

Subject: Integration of consumer policy into other common policies 30

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 266/64 No 455/90 by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission
Subject: Submission of the work programme for 1990 30

90/C 266/65 No 461/90 by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission
Subject: The Work Programme for 1990 and the EEC's energy model 31

90/C 266/66 No 481 /90 by Mr Lyndon Harrison to the Commission
Subject: Amazon rain forests 31

90/C 266/67 No 500/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject: Commission report on immigration 32

90/C 266/68 No 501 /90 by Mr Andrea Raggio and Mr Felice Contu to the Commission
Subject: Coordination of fire-fighting measures 32

90/C 266/69 No 504/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Correct use of plasma products 33

90/C 266/70 No 511 /90 by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Notifying the Commission of electrical energy investment projects 33

90/C 266/71 No 515/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Refusal of authorization for GNS to begin operations 34

90/C 266/72 No 536/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Commission

Subject: Specific taxation of insurance premiums 35

90/C 266/73 No 555/90 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission

Subject: Permission for Commission staff to engage in remunerative employment outside their
Commission duties 35

90/C 266/74 No 559/90"by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject: Noxious substances in UHT milk packaging                  - 36

90/C 266/75 No 582/90 by Mr Manfred Vohrer to the Commission
Subject: Civil servants 36

90/C 266/76 No 606/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raff arin to the Commission
Subject: Nuclear fission energy 37

90/C 266/77 No 609/90 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject: Animal testing of cosmetic products 37

90/C 266/78 No 620/90 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject: Catalytic converters in cars ... 38

90/C 266/79 No 624/90 by Mr Juan Garaikoetxea Urriza to the Commission
Subject: Aid to the Basque country in 1989 38

90/C 266/80 No 638/90 by Mrs Marie Jepsen to the Commission

Subject: Abuses in respect of child labour in Portugal 39

90/C 266/81 No 642/90 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject: Creation of the BTT cooperative 39

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 266/82 No 665/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Damage to the ozone layer 40

90/C 266/83 No 670/90 by Mr Giuseppe Rami to the Commission .
Subject: Destruction of tropical rain forests 40

90/C 266/84 No 672/90 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject: Cable television in Belgium 41

90/C 266/85 No 675/90 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject: Commission proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the
Community of the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for
experiments and other scientific purposes 41

90/C 266/86 No 676/90 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission

Subject: Planned legislation against moist chewing tobacco 42

90/C 266/87 No 683/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: Events for the disabled 42

90/C 266/88 No 691/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject: Radon gas emissions — pilot projects 43

90/C 266/89 No 692/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Domestic radon emissions in Ireland 43

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 691/90 and 692/90 43

90/C 266/90 No 711/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission

Subject: Transboundary movements of toxic wastes 44

90/C 266/91 No 716/90 by Mr Francisco Lucas Pires to the Commission
Subject: Programmes for grant holders 44

90/C 266/92 No 761 /90 by Mr James Elles to the Commission
Subject: European Community and international organizations 45

90/C 266/93 No 785/90 by Mr James Elles to the Commission
Subject: Procedure for standards approval 45

90/C 266/94 No 799/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: Transposition of Community directives 46

90/C 266/95 No 814/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Regulations governing the _in_ _vitro_ diagnosis of human and animal pathologies 46

90/C 266/96 No 820/90 by Mr Ben Fayot to the Commission
Subject: Revision of the Euratom Treaty 46

90/C 266/97 No 845/90 by Mr Andrea Bonetti to the Commission

Subject: Carriage of goods direct and in transit on Austrian territory — Introduction of road
cabotage 47

90/C 266/98 No 878/90 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject: Effect of the internal market on the German pharmaceutical sector 47

(Continued on inside back cover)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 266/99 No 916/90 by Mr George Patterson to the Commission
Subject: Pharmaceutical pricing 48

90/C 266/100 No 940/90 by Mr Proinsias de Rossa to the Commission
Subject: Safeguarding the art heritage 49

90/C 266/101 No 949/90 by Mr Juan Ramirez Heredia to the Commission
Subject: Shelter for the homeless 49

90/C 266/102 No 980/90 by Mr Pol Marck to the Commission
Subject: Projected Borie Dam — Department of Gard 49

90/C 266/103 No 1003/90 by Mr William Newton Dunn to the Commission
Subject: Definition of a 'non-bank' 50

90/C 266/104 No 1082/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Joint relief programme in Ethiopia 50

90/C 266/105 No 1104/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Situation in Liberia and attitude of the Community 50

90/C 266/106 No 1180/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Impact of German reunification on the EC's economy 51

_12._ 10. 90 Official journal of the European Communities No C 266/1

_(Information)_

#### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 494/89 WRITTEN QUESTION No 573/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbcloa Mum (S) by Mr Michael Welsh (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _October 1989)_ _(24_ _October 1989)_

(90/C 266/01) ' (90/C 266/02)

_Subject:_ Poverty in Europe

According to various sources within the Community
institutions and in some Member States, there are
considerable variations in the number of poor people —
based on the criteria set out in the Community
programmes against poverty — within the Community
and within the Member States. Does the Commission
have a recent, more exact study of the overall numbers
involved and the numbers in each of the twelve countries?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

The Commission has no new recent figures, which are
comparable and exact, on the number of poor persons in
the Member States.

The figures which the Commission has used for the
interim report on the second programme for the fight
against poverty or which were used in reply to written
Parliamentary questions were no more than estimates and
were given as such.

A more precise assessment of the number of persons in a
situation of need now being undertaken by Eurostat and
its results will be used for the final report on the second

programme.

In an endeavour to provide a more in-depth quantitative
knowledge of the phenomenon of poverty, it is planned to
continue the collection and improvement of statistics as
part of the new Community programme for the economic
and social integration of disadvantaged persons.

_Subject:_ Protection of animals used for experimental and
other scientific purposes

Article 21 of Directive 86/609/EEC (') states that certain
species of animals must be used for experimental purposes
when a general or special exemption has been obtained
from Member State Authority. Concern has been
expressed on numerous occasions concerning the export
of greyhounds from Great Britain and Ireland to Spain
where they are used for experimental purposes.

1. Can the Commission state who are the authorities in
charge of implementing these rules in the United
Kingdom, Ireland and Spain?

2. Is the Commission aware of any general or special
exemption issued by the Spanish authorities covering
the use of imported (i.e. non-bred) dogs for
experimental purposes and could it make appropriate
enquiries?

3. Does the Commission consider that if no exemptions
have been issued in the United Kingdom and Ireland
that the authorities there would be justified in banning
the export of greyhounds to Spain if exemption had
been granted by the Spanish authorities and it could
be shown that there were reasonable grounds for
believing that the dogs would be used for
experimentation ?

(*) OJNoL358,18.12.1986, p. 1.

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

_(4 December 1989)_

1. The 'Animal Experimentation Directive'
(86/609/EEC) does indeed regulate the supplying and

No C 266/2 Official Journal of the European Communities _22._ 10. 90

breeding establishments from which animals destined for
laboratories should originate.

However, this Directive only entered into force on
24 November 1989.

As far as formal implementation in concerned, the United
Kingdom and Ireland have not yet communicated to the
Commission any regulations on administrative measures
which have been adopted regarding this Directive. The
Commission has been informed neither of the adoption of
special exceptions under Article 24 of the Directive, nor
about the competent national authorities for verification
that the provisions of the Directive are properly carried
out.

2. As regards Spain, the Commission was informed on
31 June 1988 of the adoption of the Real Decreto
223/1988 of 17 March, on protection of the animals used
for experimental and other scientific purposes. This Real
Decreto entered into force on 19 March 1988.
Nevertheless, a transitory period of 18 months was
provided. As a result, the registration obligation for
breeding and supplying establishments, and the
compliance of experiments with the other provisions of
the Real Decreto, were not required until 19 September
1989. Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Real Decreto
223/1988 provides that supplying establishments can only
obtain animals coming from breeding establishments,
other supplying establishments, or imports coming from
the abovementioned categories of establishments duly
authorized by the country of origin. Exemptions could be
granted by the competent authorities.

The Commission has not yet been informed of the
granting of any exemption under this Article.

3. In relation to enquiries, a letter was sent to the
Member States on _17_ February 1987, requiring the
communication of the provisions adopted or already in
force upon notification of the Directive.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 624/89

by Mr Niall Andrews (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 266/03)

_Subject:_ Tobacco addiction warnings

According to a news item in _Newscan,_ a weekly summary
of Canadian news (Vol. 11, No 2 up to 14 July 1989), the
federal government was spending CAN$ 30 000 to find
out if people can become addicted to tobacco before
deciding whether tobacco manufacturers must include
addiction warnings on their packaging.

Is the Commission aware of this study and does it share
the view that addiction warnings should be included on
tobacco products?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 November 1989)_

The Commission is aware of studies on the labelling of
tobacco products and the advisability of including
warnings on addiction brought on by the consumption of
tobacco.

In this context, the list of warnings contained in the annex
to the proposal for a Directive on the labelling of tobacco
products was drawn up by the Committee of European
Cancer Specialists in close collaboration with
representatives of the health authorities of the Member
States.

The experience of the Member States in this field gives
reason to think that warnings about tobacco addiction do
not have the same dissuasive effect on consumers as the
warnings contained in the proposal for a Directive.

Thus, while acknowledging the existence of the addiction
factor, the Commission chose not to include in the list of
messages contained in the Directive a warning
underlining the addiction which may result from the
consumption of tobacco.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 635/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27_ _October 1989)_

(90/C 266/04)

_Subject:_ HIV and AIDS in prisons

Can the Commission state whether any of the Community
countries require compulsory blood testing of prisoners
to check for AIDS and other diseases?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 December 1989)_

The Commission has no information on required
compulsory blood testing of prisoners with regard to
AIDS and other diseases.

Concerning AIDS, all the Member States have agreed to
reject any compulsory blood testing in various texts
adopted since 1986 by the Council and the Ministers for

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/3

Health of the Member States meeting within the
Council 0). The Commission fully supports such an
approach.

(') OJNoCl85,22.7. 1989, p. 9.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 642/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 266/05)

_Subject:_ Ecological reasons for promoting the use of
nuclear energy in third countries

The view recently put forward both at meetings of the
Club of Rome and at the World Conference on Energy in
Montreaj, that the use of coal and oil must be gradually
reduced in the countries of the world, that priority should
be given to natural gas and that for ecological and
economic reasons use of nuclear energy should also be
stepped up, presupposes that the rich countries will
provide the technological and financial aid needed to
ensure that the underdeveloped or developing countries
can be supplied with the energy they need without serious
ecological consequences or financial loss.

Since the countries of the European Community should
play an important role in providing this assistance, does
the Commission not consider that it should be responsible
for drawing up the relevant proposal and, if necessary,
carrying out the coordination work needed to channel the
aid to the countries which require it?

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

_(5 December 1989)_

The question of aid from the industrialized countries to
developing countries in the form of nuclear power
stations needs very careful assessment. A number of
points require consideration, in particular the existence in
these countries of an industrial infrastructure and

whether the level of technical skills and safety is high
enough. Were a nuclear power station to come on stream
in a developing country, it would also be a question of
having a viable system for the distribution of the power
produced to the centres of consumption.

In any case, the question of the financing of nuclear
power stations by — or for — developing countries is a
tricky one, for while they are cheap to run, nuclear power
stations require a high level of investment, _a fortiori_ for
developing countries.

With technological aid from the industrialized countries
to developing countries it must always be remembered
that few of the former — or companies based there —
have the technology to construct and guarantee the
running of nuclear power stations.

For its part, the Commission will continue to help any
country interested with customized training courses, for
example at its Ispra establishment in conjunction with the
International Atomic Energy Agency.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 674/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/06)

_Subject:_ European Community Youth Opera

Will the Commission provide a report on how plans are
progressing with regard to the setting up of a European
Community Youth Opera?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 November 1989)_

The promoters of the European Community Youth
Opera project have decided to continue their prior
consultations with the responsible authorities of the
Member States.

The Commission, for its part, can only confirm its
intention to make a financial contribution — for a trial

period of two years — to the launching of this venture.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 735/89

by Mr Ben Fayot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/07)

_Subject:_ Common market in electricity and the safety
standards of nuclear power stations

On several occasions the Commission has said that it

intends to speed up the establishment of a common
market in energy, in particular electricity.

Does the Commission envisage setting up this market
before the safety standards for nuclear power stations are
harmonized?

No C 266/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

How does the Commission intend to achieve transparency
with regard to the cost prices of the various electricity
producers, taking into account, for example, debt and
differences in safety standards and the equipment used?

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

_(11_ _May_ _1990)_

In general the Commission takes the view that the
harmonization of certain national measures relating to
electricity companies should not be a precondition for the
achievement of the internal market in electricity but that
this matter should be dealt with gradually as the electricity
market opens up.

The Commission has already examined some of the
problems in question, in particular concerning the
question of nuclear safety and achievement of a single
market for nuclear equipment.

For many years now the Commission has been seeking to
harmonize the technological aspects of nuclear safety.

At the beginning of 1989 the Commission published a
report giving details of the consensus of the safety
authorities, operators and builders concerning the
methods and objectives with regard to the safety of
nuclear power stations in terms of both design and
operation.

The report in question was examined in detail by the
Council which on 21 June 1989 adopted conclusions
encouraging the Commission to play an active role in this
area at Community and international level.

The Commission will continue to step up its activities with
regard to the technological problems of nuclear safety in
order to encourage greater solidarity between Member
States and, if the methods and objectives are
implemented, help increase public confidence in the safety
of nuclear power.

As regards the single market in nuclear equipment, the
Commission recently adopted an updating of its
illustrative nuclear programme for the Community
focusing on die prospects of the nuclear manufacturing
industry in the Community. The Commission
communication will be formally published once the
Economic and Social Committee has given its opinion, as
required by Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty.

Basically, the message is that steps must be taken to
standardize nuclear equipment and components and, in .
conjunction with the companies concerned, seek the best
ways of facilitating the coordinated development of
investment pursuant to Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty.

Since costs are an important aspect of any assessment of
the scope for developing electricity transfer, information
about costs is essential with a view to achieving the single
market.

The Commission has, therefore, announced its intention
of securing transparency in the following aspects by 1 July
1990:

— financing,

— investment structures, and the financing of the
generation, marketing and distribution of electricity
in the Member States.

Transparency will therefore cover the aspects mentioned
by the Honourable Member in the question. However,
the Commission is of the opinion that this list is not *
exhaustive and that transparency should be aimed as a
matter of priority at aspects such as state aid to the
electricity generating sector which are the subject of
Commission investigations under the Community's
competition rules.

The same applies to the application of the pricing
principles set out in Council Recommendation
81/924/EEC of 27 October 1981 on electricity tariff
structures (*) in particular as regards cost coverage and
the role of the public authorities in the setting of prices.

O OJNoL337,24.11.1981,p. 12.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 806/89

by Mr Giinter Topmann (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/08)

_Subject:_ Repayment of value added tax — companies
engaged in international road haulage

Is the Commission aware that European Community road
haulage companies travelling to and from Italy encounter
considerable difficulties and delays in this Member State
with the repayment of value added tax (for example on
fuel). It is not unusual for arrears in repayments to
medium-sized undertakings with 20 lorries to have
accumulated over four years to amounts in the region of
ECU 100 000, since the Italian authorities are extremely
slow in repaying value added tax.

1. Are such delays compatible with Community law?

2. If so, why does the Commission not propose
Community rules setting out suitable deadlines for the
repayment of VAT?

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/5

3. If not, why does the Commission not institute
proceedings against Italy for infringement of the
Treaties?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 January 1990)_

The Commission has approached the Italian authorities
on several occasions with the request that outstanding
refund applications submitted to the Italian tax
administration by foreign firms be dealt with.

In the Commission's view, these delays are compatible
neither with Community law nor with Italian legislation
itself.

This is because Article 7 (4) of the Eighth Council
Directive of 6 December 1979 (79/1072/EEC)
concerning arrangements for the refund of value added
tax to taxable persons not established in the territory of
the country ('•) lays down that the refund must be paid
within six months of the date on which applications,
accompanied by all the necessary documents required for
assessment purposes, are submitted. This provision has
been correctly transposed into Italian legislation
(Article 38 b of the Italian VAT Law) but is not complied
with by the competent departments.

Apart from action by the Commission, as envisaged in
point 2 of the question, any of the firms concerned may
lodge a complaint with the competent authorities in Italy
for failure on the pan of the tax administration to comply
with the deadline laid down by Article 38 b (2) of the
Italian VAT Law.

O OJNoL331,27. 12. 1979, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 830/89

by Mr Francois de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/09)

_Subject:_ Infringement proceedings for failure to inform
the Commission of national implementing

measures

In May 1989, the Commission sent the Belgian
Government a letter of formal notice for failure to inform

it of the national measures implementing the second
Council Directive (84/5/EEC) of 30 December 1983 O
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the
use of motor vehicles.

1. Could the Commission state what argument the
Belgian Government, has put forward to justify its
failure to inform the Commission?

2. What further action does it intend to take in this

matter?

O OJN0L8,11.1.1984, p. 17.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1990)_

1. The Commission is bound by the rules of
confidentiality regarding correspondence with Member
States in connection with Article 169 of the Treaty.
However, it can be stated that procedural problems were
the cause of the delay.

2. Belgium recendy informed the Commission of the
national measures implementing the Directive, namely the
Law of 21 November 1989, published in the _Moniteur_
_Beige_ of 8 December 1989, p. 20122. The Commission
could now terminate the infringement procedure.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 835/89

by Mr Francois de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/10)

_Subject:_ Infringement proceedings for failure to inform
the Commission of national implementing

measures

In May 1989, the Commission sent the Belgian
Government letters of formal notice for failure to inform

it of the national measures implementing Directives
79/279/EEC of 5 March 1979 0, 80/390/EEC of
17 March 1980 ( [2] ) and 82/121/EEC of 15 February
1982 ( [J] ) on official stock-exchange listing.

1. Could the Commission state what argument the
Belgian Government has put forward to justify its
failure to inform the Commission ?

2. What further action does it intend to take in this

matter?

C) OJ No L 66,16. 3.1979, p. 21.
O OJNoL 100,17.4.1980, p. 1.
O OJ No L 48,20.2.1982, p. 26.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

1. As far as point 1 is concerned, the Commission
would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his

Written Question No 830/89 (').

No C 266/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

2. The Commission considers it regrettable that even
after the judgment of 12 February 1987 ( [2] ), in which the
Court found that Belgium had failed to fulfil its
obligations under the EEC Treaty by failing to adopt
measures transposing the Directives in question, the
necessary legislation has still not been enacted. The
Commission has accordingly initiated fresh infringement
proceedings against Belgium for failure to fulfil its
obligations under Article 171 of the EEC Treaty. Since it
has been announced that the national measures are to be

adopted shortly, the Commission hopes that there will be
no need to bring a second action before the Court of
Justice.

(') See page 5 of this Official Journal.
( [2] ) Case 390/85 [1987] ECR 761.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 874/89

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 266/11)

_Subject:_ Failure of Belgium to comply with Community
environmental law

Further to an earlier written question, could the
Commission supply an up-to-date survey of the specific
areas in which Belgium has failed to comply with
Community environmental law?

Could it also supply a list of proceedings instituted against
Belgium for failure to comply with this law?

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

_(8 February 1990)_

1. Belgium is one of the Member States which has the
greatest difficulty in incorporating Community
environmental directives into national law and in

implementing them.

As regards failure to incorporate directives into national
law, the main Directives concerned are 75/439/EEC
(waste oils), 76/403/EEC (PCBs and PCTs),
78/176/EEC (titanium dioxide) and 75/442/EEC (waste)
in respect of which the Court of Justice has already ruled
against Belgium on two occasions. The same applies
to various Directives on dangerous substances
(87/432/EEC, 87/302/EEC and 88/347/EEC) and on
noise (87/252/EEC — lawnmowers).

As regards incorrect implementation, the main directives
concerned are listed below by subject area:

— water: Directives 75/440/EEC and 79/869/EEC

(surface water and methods of measurement — case

brought before the Court), 80/68/EEC
(groundwater — Court judgment has not yet been
complied with), 80/778/EEC (water intended for
human consumption — case pending before the
Court) and 76/464/EEC (dangerous substances),

— nature conservation: there are several procedures
concerning Directive 79/409/EEC (wild birds) in
respect of which a Court judgment has still not been
complied with,

— waste: Directives 78/319/EEC (toxic waste),
75/442/EEC (waste), 75/439/EEC (waste oils),
76/403/EEC (PCBs and PCTs), 85/339/EEC
(containers of liquids for human consumption) and
78/176/EEC (titanium dioxide) are the subject of a
number of infringement procedures because of
failure to produce programmes and reports and
incorrect practical application,

— air: Directives 84/360/EEC (air pollution from
industrial plants) and 85/203/EEC (nitrogen
dioxide) are the subject of infringement procedures
because of failure to comply with some of their
provisions,

— the same applies to Directive 85/337/EEC
(environmental impact assessment).

In addition, a number of complaints have prompted the
Commission to initiate infringement procedures for
incorrect application of Directives 82/501/EEC (the
'Seveso' Directive on the major accident hazards of
certain industrial activities), 79/409/EEC (wild birds),
76/160/EEC (bathing water) and 85/337/EEC
(environmental impact assessment).

2. The procedures initiated against Belgium for failing
to comply with Community environmental law are found
in the reports on the monitoring of the application of
Community law which the Commission has been sending
the European Parliament since 1983.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 944/89

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 266/12)

_Subject:_ Noise at airports

What regulations exist within the Commission to protect
the rights of citizens whose homes are close to airports
where new runways are being constructed and where
residents are within the 50 NNI range?

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

_(9 February 1990)_

Firstly, mention is to be made of Directive 85/337/EEC
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/7

private projects on the environment ('), which entered
into force on 4 July 1988.

This Directive applies to the assessment of those public
and private projects which are likely to have significant
effects on the environment.

Member States are obliged to subject to an environmental
impact assessment (in accordance with Articles 5 to 10)
the construction of airports with a basic runway length of
2 100 metres or more ( [2] ) (see Article 4 (1) of the said
Directive), an Annex I project. Construction of airfields
(projects not listed in Annex II, see Article 4 (2) and
Annex II-10.D) are to be subjected to such an assessment,
where Member States consider that their characteristics

so require.

The Directive furthermore requires that the public be
informed of the request for development, the information
supplied by the developer, and the decision and
conditions attached thereto (see Articles 6, 7 and 9 of the
Directive). The public must also be given the opportunity
to express an opinion before the decision is taken.
Information thus gathered must be taken into
consideration in the development consent procedure (see
Article 8 of the Directive).

As regards Community directives on noise that have been
agreed to date, it should be pointed out that they merely
relate to the permitted noise emissions from 'products'.
However the Commission committed itself to make

progress in the defining of quality objectives or guidelines
and the setting of limits for ambiant noise levels in various
circumstances during the period of the Fourth
Environmental Action Programme (1987 to 1992) ( [}] ).

Directives which set limits for the permitted noise
emissions of aeroplanes are:

— Directive 80/51/EEC on the limitation of noise
emissions from subsonic aircraft ( [4] ), and

— Directive 83/206/EEC amending Directive
80/51/EECC).

As a result of these directives only, civil subsonic
aeroplanes that comply with requirements which are at
least equal to the standards specified in Part II, Chapter 2
of Volume I of Annex 16/5 of the International Civil

Aviation organisation (ICAO), are allowed to use
Community airports, though temporary exemptions may
be granted by Member States. Such exemptions were due
to expire for foreign (non-EEC) registered aeroplanes by
31 December 1989 at the latest.

After 1 January 1990, only in exceptional situations such
as emergencies can Member States under Article 6 deviate
from the provisions of the Directive.

Finally, on 4 December 1989 the Council adopted
Directive 89/629/EEC to further limit noise from civil

subsonic jet aeroplanes (*). Its main purpose is to restrict
the addition of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes to Member
States' registers to those which comply with the standards
specified in Part II, Chapter 3, Volume I of ICAO,
Annex 16,1st edition.

O OJ No L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
O For the purposes of the Directive, 'airport' means airports
which comply with the definition in the 1944 Chicago
Convention, setting up the International Civil Aviation
Organization (Annex 14).
(*) OJNoC70,18.3.1987, p. 3.
(*) OJ No L 18,24.1.1980, p. 26.
O OJNoL 117,4.5.1983,p. 15.
(*) OJNoL363,13.12.1989, p. 27.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1003/89

by Mr Francois Musso (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 266/13)

_Subject:_ Franchises

The practice of granting franchises to distributors has
been subject to a number of derogations so that franchise
holders established on Community territory are exempt
from the ban on the resale of their products between
distributors. This exemption was introduced to comply
with the principle of the free movement of goods.

1. Can the Commission provide a list of the parent
companies or manufacturers, particularly in the
beauty products and cosmetics or natural beauty
products sector, which have applied this principle to
their franchises on Community territory?

2. The bilateral agreement concluded between the
Community and the Republic of Austria (Council
Regulation (EEC) No 2836/72) f), and more
specifically Article 23 (1) (1), states that 'the following
are incompatible with the proper functioning of the
Agreement insofar as they may affect trade between
the Community and Austria — all agreements
between undertakings, decisions by associations and
concerted practices between undertakings which have
as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or
distortion of competition as regards the production of
or trade in goods'.

Does the Commission not consider that this

Agreement, even if it predates any decision granting
individual exemption, must be interpreted as a _de facto_

No C 266/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

extension of the contractual derogation granted to
sole franchise holders established within the territory
of the Community to franchise holders established on
Austrian territory?

Does the Commission consider that the exemption
would therefore automatically be extended to any
franchise holder established in a country which has
signed a similar agreement with the Community
(EFTA, Maghreb, etc.)?

C) OJ No L 300, 31.12.1972, p. 1.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brktan
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 February 1990)_

1. Article 4 (a) of Commission Regulation (EEC)
No 4087/88 of 30 November 1988 on the application of
Article 85 (3) to categories of franchise agreements (')
explicitly makes exemption conditional on the franchisee
being free to obtain the goods that are the subject-matter
of the franchise from other franchises.

More specifically, in the beauty products and cosmetics
sector franchise agreements are very insignificant in the
Community, since the principal brands are sold to the
public through selective distribution networks formed by
a limited number of approved retailers. The Commission
has always taken steps to ensure that such networks
safeguard at least the possibility that any approved retailer
may sell goods of the brand for which he is the agent to
any other approved retailer established in another
Member State.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC)
No 17/62 O the Commission may communicate
information concerning the substance of contracts
officially notified to it only to natural or legal persons
who can demonstrate a legitimate interest that warrants
their intervention in an individual procedure.

2. Article 23 (1) (i) of the Agreement between the
Community and Austria does not have the effect of
automatically extending to retailers established in
Austrian territory the same legal arrangements as those
deriving from the application of Article 85 EEC to the
beauty products and cosmetics sector.

3. The same applies to the interpretation of similar
provisions in other free-trade agreements between the
Community and non-member countries.

O OJNoL359,28.12.1988, p. 46.
O OJNoL13,21.2.1962, p. 204.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1069/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 266/14)

_Subject:_ The increase in casual work

What does the Commission think of the spectacular
increase in casual work in the EEC and does it consider
that strict limits need to be imposed on the use of this type
of labour?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 February 1990)_

The Commission is well aware of the fact that
non-standard employment, i.e. employment contracts and
relationships which are other than full-time and
open-ended, has been quantitatively increasing as a
percentage of the working population and that new
recruitments especially are often made on other bases
than full time open-ended contracts.

As the Commission has announced in its communication
concerning its action programme relating to the
implementation of the Community Charter of basic social
rights for workers, it intends to submit a proposal for a
Council Directive on contracts and employment
relationships other than full-time open-ended contracts in
order 'to lay down at Community level certain
requirements concerning, in particular, working
conditions and social protection for the employees in
question'.

While it is too early to outline the main elements to be
contained in this proposal, it has to be stressed that it
should maintain the necessary flexibility for improving
the competitiveness of firms while avoiding aspects of
such employment contracts that may lead to distortion of
competition.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1179/89

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 266/15)

_Subject:_ Implementation of item 9310 of the budget,
'Financial and technical cooperation with Latin
American developing countries'

The funds allocated to this item of commitment and
payment appropriations will not be fully used up in the

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/9

1989 financial year; on the basis of the most recent
information available, what are the reasons which in the
Commission's view justify this failure fully to use these
resources?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 June 1990)_

The Honourable Member must have based his question
on partial statistics from 1989. According to the latest
information available, implementation at 31 December
1989 was as follows:

— rate of utilization of commitment appropriations
entered in the budget: 100 %

— rate of utilization of payment appropriations entered
in the budget: 100%

— rate of utilization of outstanding payment
appropriations: 93 % (').

(') Because of a higher rate of implementation than foreseen in
the initial budget, the appropriation was supplemented by a
transfer of ECU 10 million, of which ECU 5 million have
been used.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1192/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/16)-''

_Subject:_ Social clause in public contracts

Does the Commission consider it necessary to introduce a
social clause in public contracts ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

The Commission's action programme concerning the
implementation of the Community Charter of
fundamental social rights for workers refers in the
chapter on freedom of movement to a proposal for a
Community instrument concerning the inclusion of a
social clause in public contracts.

The programme comments on the proposal in these terms:

As part of Community action in respect of public
contracts, Directive 71/305/EEC (the works
Directive) ( [J] ) and Directive 77/62/EEC (the supplies
Directive) ( [2] ) laid down strict rules for checking the
suitability of bidders on the basis of their economic,
financial or technical capacity. Fair competition and the

promotion of efficiency are aims which must be achieved
by eliminating 'social dumping' and by guaranteeing equal
treatment for workers from other member countries.

Directive 89/440/EEC ( [J] ) amending the public works
Directive introduces a 'transparency clause' under which
the contracting authority may provide tenderers with the
necessary information regarding the working conditions
applicable to the work envisaged.

On the basis of an analysis of firms' actual utilization of
improved access to public contracts and in the light of the
work now being done on the 'excluded sectors', the
Commission may draft a proposal for the purpose of
having a 'social clause' included in public contracts.

(*) OJNoL185,16.8.1971, p. 5.
O OJNoLD, 16.1.1977, p. 1.
O OJ No L 210, 21. 7.1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1193/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/17)

_Subject:_ Methods of informing and consulting workers

Does the Commission feel that the three possible methods
of ensuring workers' rights to information and
consultation, namely the Vredeling proposal, the Fifth
Directive and the Statute for a European company, are
valid and effective?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 February 1990)_

The Commission does not regard t,he three proposals
mentioned by the Honourable Member to be the only
possible methods of ensuring workers' rights to
information and consultation. There are already three
Community directives laying down compulsory
procedures for the information and consultation of
workers.

In the social field, the Directive of 17 February 1975 on
collective redundancies (') lays down a consultation
procedure involving workers' representatives and
stipulates that the employer must first supply them with
all relevant information to enable them to make

constructive proposals.

No C 266/10 Official Journal of th<

Similarly, the Directive of 14 February 1977 relating to
the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of
transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of
businesses ( [a] ) lays down that workers' representatives
should be informed and consulted before a transfer takes

place and that this should be done in good time.

Finally, the Directive of 12 June 1989 on the introduction
of measures to encourage improvement in the safety and
health of workers at work ( [3] ) makes provision not only
for the information and consultation of workers but also

for their participation in discussions.

Furthermore, the communication from the Commission
concerning the implementation of the Community
Charter of basic social rights for workers provides for two
new Community instruments (in the chapter entitled
'Information, Consultation and Participation'). The first
of these, which will be the subject of a Commission
proposal to the Council this year, relates to procedures
for the information, consultation and participation of the
workers of European-scale undertakings. The second
concerns equity-sharing and financial participation by
workers — a proposal on this should be presented in
1991.

As regards the three proposals for Directives — which are
still before the Council — referred to by the Honourable
Member, the Commission can only confirm their formal
validity.

O OJNoL48,22.2.1975, p. 29.
O OJ No L 61, 5. 3. 1977, p. 26.
O OJNoL 183,29.6. 1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1194/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/18)

_Subject:_ Commission priorities for 1990 and the Social
Charter

What are the Commission's priorities for 1990 as regards
the action programme for the Community Charter of
fundamental social rights?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 February 1990)_

Among the various initiatives described in the
communication from the Commission concerning its
action programme relating to the implementation of the
Community Charter of fundamental social rights for
Workers, the following appear in the Commission's
Programme for 1990 which was presented to Parliament
at its January part-session (*):

European Communities 22. 10. 90

1. _The labour market_

'Employment in Europe' report.

2. _Employment and remuneration_

Directive on contracts and employment relationships
other than full-time open-ended contracts.

3. _Improvement of living and working conditions_

Directive for the adaptation of working time.

Directive on the introduction of a form to serve as proof
of an employment contract or relationship.

4. _Freedom of movement_

Proposal for a Community instrument on working
conditions applicable to workers from another State
performing work in the host country in the framework of
the freedom to provide services, especially on behalf of a
subcontracting undertaking.

Communication from the Commission on the living and
working conditions of Community citizens residing in
frontier regions and of frontier workers in particular.

5. _Information, consultation and participation of workers_

Community instrument on the procedures for the
information, consultation and participation of the
workers of European-scale undertakings.

6. _Equal treatment for men and women_

Third Community programme on equal opportunities for

women.

Directive on the protection of pregnant women at work.

7. _Health protection and safety at the workplace_

Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements
to encourage improved medical assistance on board
vessels.

Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements
for work at temporary or mobile worksites.

Directive on the minimum requirements to be applied in
improving the safety and health of workers in the drilling
, industries.

Recommendation on the adoption of a European
schedule of industrial diseases.

Directive on the minimum requirements for safety and
health signs at the workplace.

Directive defining a system of specific information for
workers exposed to certain dangerous industrial agents.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/11

Directive amending Directive 83/447/EEC on the
protection of workers from the risks related to exposure
to asbestos at work.

Establishment of a safety, hygiene and health agency.

8. _The elderly_

Community initiative for the elderly.

9. _The disabled_

Directive on the introduction of measures aimed at

promoting an improvement in the travel conditions of
workers with motor disabilities.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-385 (January
1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1230/89

by Mr Roberto Barzanti and Mr Roberto Speciale (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/19)

_Subject:_ 1992 Genoa International Exhibition —
'Christopher Columbus: Ships and the Sea'

In Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and all
over Liguria, a large number of scientific and cultural
events are to be held in 1992 to commemorate the 500th

anniversary of the discovery of America, including the
1992 Genoa International Exhibition 'Christopher
Columbus: Ships and the Sea', registered with the Bureau
International d'Expositions.

The authors of Written Questions No 1716/89 (') to the
Commission advocated that the Commission itself should

take part in the event by occupying a stand of its own. It
has shown interest in doing so and has contacted the
organizing body.

Mediaeval breakwaters have recently been discovered in
the harbour of Genoa and will be displayed during the
exhibition.

The exhibition is being designed by an architect of
international renown and the construction work is being
carried out by important public and private Italian firms.

Could the Commission bring Parliament up to date
regarding the decisions it intends to take, taking into
account the latest developments, with regard to both
financial support and its participation in the exhibition?

O OJNoC 195,31.7. 1989,p. 31.

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 April 1990)_

The Commission has sent a letter signed by its President,
Mr Jacques Delors, giving notice of its great interest in the
event in question; the letter says, however, that a final
answer as to whether or not it will be taking part will be
given when the budgetary authority has granted the
requisite appropriations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1243/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/20)

_Subject:_ Sale of poison germanium

In view of the conclusive medical evidence linking it with
renal failure and other fatal or debilitating complaints,
does the Commission intend to propose the 'banning of
the poison germanium, which is currendy sold openly in a
number of Member States, and promoted as a panacea
with particular benefits for the immune system?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 April 1990)_

In accordance with Community pharmaceutical
legislation, any substance or combination of substances
which is presented for treating or preventing disease is
considered a medicinal product. A medicinal product may
only be placed on the market if marketing authorization
has been granted by the competent authorities of the
evaluation of the quality, safety and efficacy of the
product concerned.

At the present time, no Member State has authorized the
placing on the market of germanium for oral
administration as a medicinal product. However, in one
Member State, the Federal Republic of Germany, a
parenteral form of germanium is authorized for use as a
medicinal product.

Currently there is no Community legislation concerning
the germanium content of foodstuffs. According to our
information, food supplements containing germanium are
currently on the market of some Member States. The
Commission has the intention, at a future date, to put
forward proposals to bring under legislative discipline
products sold as food supplements.

However, it should be noted that Council Directive
79/112/EEC O on the labelling, presentation and

No C 266/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

advertising of foodstuffs stipulates that the labelling of
foodstuffs must not attribute to them the property of
preventing, treating or curing a human disease, or refer to
such properties.

In these circumstances, the presentation or sale of
foodstuffs containing germanium for the prevention, cure
or treatment of diseases of the immune system is unlawful
thoughout the Community.

O OJ No L 33, 8.2.1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1281/89

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/21)

_Subject:_ Taxation of French farms

Taxation causes such distortion of competition for French
farms that it almost cancels out the advantages of soil
quality, climate and farm structure. Apart from the
general problem of VAT, the land tax has a decisive
impact.

Land tax is zero-rated in certain countries (the United
Kingdom and the Netherlands) but is at its highest level in
France.

What measures are envisaged to reduce the adverse
impact of the land tax on French agriculture compared
with the situation in other Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to the following Written Questions:
No 315/78 by Mr Scott-Hopkins O, No 23/79 by Mr
Dewulf O, No 1718/79 by Mr Damseaux ( [J] ), No 921/80
by Mr Hutton ( [4] ), No 978/83 by Mr Davern ( [s] ),
No 976/85 by Mr McCartin (*), and No 2198/85 by Mr
MacSharry (')•

As can be seen from the above answers, the Commission
takes the view that differences between local taxes, such
as taxes on real estate levied in the Member States, do not

have any impact on the functioning of the common
market and therefore do not need to be harmonized.

0) OJ No C 188,7.8.1978, p. 68.
O OJ No C 164,2.7.1979, p. 5.
0 OJ No C 126, 27. 5.1980, p. 90.
O OJNoC 288,6.11.1980,p. 13.
( [5] ) OJ No C 361, 31.12.1983, p. 5.
0 OJNoC291,13.11.1985,p. 11.
O OJ No C 78, 7. 4.1986, p. 17.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1328/89

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 266/22)

_Subject:_ Financing of the dam at La Borie (Gard) in
France

In view of the fact that:

1. the purpose of the La Borie dam and the way it is
being built in the department of Gard in France no
longer correspond to the original project, which was
to be completed within a short period of time and was
financed by the Commission of the European
Communities using ERDF funds,

2. the project does not meet the conditions laid down in
Directive 85/337/EEC (') on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment,

does the Commission not consider that the funding
allocated for this project should be suspended?

O OJNoLl75,5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 March 1990)_

In order to ensure that measures financed by the
Community are correctly implemented, the Member
States are required to carry out regular checks to ensure
that they are progressing as planned.

This means that it is up to the French authorities to notify
the Commission of any project which is no longer in
accordance with the original plans.

_\_

In the case of the dam at La Borie, this has not yet been
done and so the Commission will raise the matter with the

French authorities.

With regard to compliance with Community directives,
following a complaint by a local group the Commission
has been notified of certain changes in the construction
and design of the dam. Accordingly, the Commission is

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/13

re-examining the plan for the dam to ensure that it
complies with Directive 85/337/EEC on effects on the
environment.

If this re-examination confirms that irregularities have
occurred, the Commission may reduce or cancel its
assistance.

That reduction or cancellation could, however, be
implemented only after the recipient had had the
opportunity to make its comments within the period of
time laid down by the Commission.

It should be noted that no payment has yet been made in
respect of this project and that Community assistance will
be suspended until the results of the re-examination are
available.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 0009/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 266/23)

_Subject:_ International airport at Nantes

As part of the development of the regions on the Atlantic
seaboard of Europe, is the Commission willing to provide
financial support for the building of an international
airport at Nantes?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1990)_

Following the reform of the Structural Funds, the area of
Nantes is eligible only under the Community programme
to assist the conversion of shipbuilding areas (Renaval),
which does not, however, permit part-financing of
infrastructure projects as large as the construction of an
international airport.

The Commission would nevertheless stress that it is aware
of the problems of regions on the Community's Atlantic
seaboard. As it has already stated in answer to the
Honourable Member's Written Question No 719/89 (')
and his Oral Question H-569-89 ( [2] ), the Commission has
decided to finance under Article 10 of the new Regulation
on the European Regional Development Fund ( [J] ) a study
whose main objectives are to assess the prospects for the
regions on the Atlantic seaboard, measure the impact of
the internal market on those regions and encourage
cooperation among them.

O OJNoC97,17.4.1990.
( [2] ) Debates of the sitting of 17 January 1990.
(») OJ No L 374, 31.12. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 49/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/24)

_Subject:_ The European region ('Euregio') of Zeeland,
Eastern Flanders and Western Flanders

Recently the provinces of Zeeland, Western Flanders and
Eastern Flanders issued declarations of intent regarding
increased cooperation in the economic, cultural and social
spheres.

Their ultimate aim is to gain recognition by the EG as a
'subsidized European region' ('Euregio').

To what extent, in the Commission's view, can this
project be realized, and are there, in fact, sufficient funds
available to subsidize it?

If this is the case, what of the declarations of intent issued
by Western Flanders and Nord-Pas de Calais some time
previously?

Can these areas join together to form a single large
European region?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(22_ _March 1990)_

As part of the measures to encourage transfrontier
cooperation, ECU 2 million was committed in 1989 under
budget item 5490 to part-finance studies contributing to
the preparation of transfrontier programmes or pilot
projects. One such study, for which ECU 46 500 "was
committed, concerned the regions of Zeeland and
Flanders.

Transfrontier measures, which should in general be
submitted to the Commission by the designated national
and regional authorities responsible, could be considered
under various provisions of the ERDF Regulation, in
particular Article 10, and any provisions of a Community
initiative to encourage transfrontier cooperation in
regions eligible under the ERDF, which was approved in
principle on 22 November 1989. The Commission has
paid particular attention to transfrontier training
measures in the context of the guidelines for the Social
Fund under Objectives 3 and 4. Those measures will be
considered by the appropriate national and regional
authorities with a view to their inclusion in the
operational programmes under Objectives 3 and 4.

No C 266/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 55/90

by Mr J. Vandemculebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/25)

_Subject:_ WHO's Essential Drug Programme and the
export of drugs from the Community

Under its previous director-general, the World Health
Organization (WHO) put a considerable effort into the
Essential Drug Programme, the aim of which was to make
essential drugs available in the poorest countries. A list of
some 350 drugs proved sufficient, as opposed to 40 000 in
countries like the Federal Republic of Germany or the
USA. However, under pressure from the pharmaceutical
industry the new director-general has started to dismantle
the drug programme.

Can the Commission say what measures it is taking to
ensure that the export of drugs from the Community to
Third World countries proceeds in accordance with the
original guidelines laid down in the Essential Drug
Programme, and to prevent the pharmaceutical industry's
heinous practice of dumping its products in Third World
countries, which is so harmful to health?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May_ _1990)_

The Commission does not share the Honourable
Member's views regarding the World Health
Organization's (WHO) Essential Drug Programme, past
or present. The aim of the policy is to concentrate the
scarce budgetary resources of developing countries on a
limited list of priority medicinal products which, however,
is not sufficient to cover all public health requirements. In
particular, the WHO has never taken the view that this
restrictive list would cover the needs of industrialized

countries.

In April 1989 Parliament debated the issue, examining the
Commission's proposals to extend the pharmaceutical
Directives to include medicinal products not yet covered.

In agreement with Parliament, on 3 May 1989 the Council
adopted Directive 89/341/EEC (*) which aims to provide
non-member countries with every guarantee as regards
quality and conditions of use of medicinal products
manufactured in the Community. This Directive will
enter into force on 1 January 1992 at the latest.

In particular, the provisions concerning manufacturing
authorization, good manufacturing practice and

inspection are extended to include medicinal products
intended for export. The Member States will be obliged to
apply the WHO quality certification system and to inform
the WHO if any product is withdrawn from the market to
protect public health.

0 OJNoLl42,25.5.1989, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 58/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/26)

_Subject:_ Financial support for monuments and landscapes

Can the Commission say which Belgian projects have
received support under the plan for financial support for
monuments and landscapes from 1 January 1985 to the
present date?

Can it also give a brief description'of each project and the
amount of financial support provided (in total and per
project) ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April_ _1990)_

Since 1984 the Commission has operated a scheme to
support the conservation of the Community's
architectural heritage.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and Parliament's Secretariat a list of the Belgian
monuments which have received support, with a brief
description of the work done and a statement of the funds
provided.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 60/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/27)

_Subject:_ Community support for adult education

I understand that grants are provided for those engaged
in the adult education sector to attend seminars in the
various Member States for the purposes of their
profession.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/15

Can the Commission say what grants have been provided
from 1985 to the present for this purpose, indicating the
seminars concerned?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1990)_

Subsidies as referred to by the Honourable Member do
indeed exist. In 1981 a credit line (Article 634) wag
established with a view to promoting cooperation in the
field of continuing education of adults, involving
residential centres for adult education.

Seminars supported since 1982 have covered a wide
variety of topics in this area. The Commissipn will
transmit directly to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat-General of the European Parliament a list of
the seminars supported since 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 64/90

by Mr Michael Welsh (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/28)

_Subject:_ German taxes on tourists

The Civic Society of Lytham St Annes, which is twinned
with Werne in West Germany, objects most strongly to
having to play a flat-rate tourist tax each time a coach
party visits its twin town. Could the Commission state:

1. whether such a tax is acceptable at a time when we are
supposed to be promoting the idea of a People's
Europe;

2. what discussions it has held with the German

authorities concerning this tax;

3. what proposal it will be making to remove this tax in
the framework of the 1992 programme;

4. when these proposals will be adopted?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 March 1990)_

The Honourable Member probably has in mind the
flat-rate VAT charge levied by the German authorities on
supplies of passenger transport services performed in the
Federal Republic of Germany by a taxable person from
another Member State.

In this context, the Commission would ask the
Honourable Member to refer to the answer it gave to
Written Question No 1140/89 by Mr Harrison (').

(') OJNoCl25,21.5. 1990, p. 39.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 66/90

by Mr Frederic Rosmini (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/29)

_Subject:_ Introduction by the Federal Republic of
Germany of a road tax on lorries with a total
weight exceeding 18 tonnes

From 1 May 1990 the Government of the Federal
Republic of Germany intends to introduce a road tax on
all lorries operating within its territory.

It is reported that, in the case of German hauliers, this tax
will be refunded by the Lander.

In June 1989 the Commission delivered an unfavourable

opinion concerning these proposed measures.

Despite this, the German authorities apparently intend to
go ahead.

. Does the Commission intend to take rapid measures,
particularly within the framework of Article 92 and 93 of
the EEC Treaty, in order to prevent the introduction of
this tax, which could be regarded as a form of indirect
subsidy for German hauliers?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

       - on behalf of the Commission

_(23 August 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to Oral Question H—566/90 by Mr De
Donnea, which it gave during question time at
Parliament's May 1990 part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3—390 (May 1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 83/90

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/30)

_Subject:_ Sale of a map of Europe by international airline
companies showing the 'German Reich' with its
1937/1939 borders

1. Is the Commission aware that, according to the
'Berliner Flug Ring (BFR) GmbH & Co. KG', charter

No C 266/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

companies in (West) Berlin, in cooperation with the
Franco-German airline company Euroberlin SA, are
issuing customers with a map of Europe which does not
show the borders of the two German states but depicts
Germany as a single country defined by its 1937/1939
borders, unmistakably asserting its claims to East Prussia
by the words 'under Polish administration' and 'under
Soviet administration' and that 'Germany' is printed
across Polish areas in what was known under the National

Socialist regime as the 'Corridor', and which was annexed
to Hitler's 'Greater German Reich' in 1939 following the
invasion of Poland, thereby claiming them as German
territory?

2. What measures does the Commission intend to take

to ensure swift and effective action to prevent the
circulation of this map of Europe, which is so overtly
revanchist, a threat to peace and an obstacle to
understanding between peoples? 

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 February 1990)_

1. The Commission has taken note of the resolution

adopted by the European Parliament in December 1989
concerning the situation referred to by the Honourable
Member.

2. The abovementioned resolution is addressed to the

government of the Federal Republic of Germany. For its
part, the Commission has no competence to intervene in
the matter.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 86/90

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/31)

_Subject:_ Co-responsibility levy for soya

This year's high co-responsibility levy for soya (Dr 20 per
kilogram) is having a particularly serious impact on small
producers in Greece and those who are experimenting for
the first time with soya production.

In view of the problem caused to small producers in
Greece, does the Commission intend to exempt small soya
producers up to 20 000 kilogram from the
co-responsibility levy?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

The stabilization legislation which applies to soya beans
does not include a co-responsibility levy. The legislation
provides for the institutional support price to be abated by
a flat-rate amount in the light of the harvest estimate.
Since the market support arrangement works via the
payment of an aid to bridge the gap between Community
prices and the world market price, it is not possible in the
xurrent system to guarantee a different price per tonne for
different categories of producers.

Nevertheless, the Commission has proposed (as part of
the 1990/91 proposals for prices and related measures) a
system of direct aids for small producers of crops which
includes those who produce soya beans.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 92/90

by Mr Marco Taradash (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/32)

_Subject:_ European School

Further to the budgetary decision concerning the
European School in Mol (Belgium) to increase fees for
'non-entitled' pupils, i.e. students whose parents are not
Community officials or teachers at the school, by 350 %
over five years,

1. Does the Commission not consider that it is

unjustified for the school (defined by the Statute of
the European Schools as a public institution), which is
situated in Belgium, where there is entitlement to free
public education until 18 years of age, to demand fees
of up to Bfrs 43 030 by 1993 ?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the Board of

Governors, comprising the Education Ministers of the
Member States, should take measures to ensure that
everyone without distinction is given a genuine
opportunity to attend the European School, primarily
in order to promote the integration of the citizens of
Europe?

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

_(16 March 1990)_

1. While the European Schools do have the status of
'public institution', their method of funding and their

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/17

recruitment procedures make them different from the
ordinary state-run schools in the Member States. The
European Schools were set up by an intergovernmental
agreement — the Statute — ratified by the Member
States.

The Statute provides specifically that the Schools' budgets
are funded in part by 'fees charged to parents of pupils by
decision of the Board of Governors'. The fees to which
the Honourable Member refers are set by the Board of
Governors, then, and cannot be regarded as unjustified.
They represent only a proportion of the actual running
costs and are on the same scale as those of comparable
schools.

2. Under the terms of the Statute, the European
Schools cannot simply be made accessible to everyone
without distinction, as the Honourable Member wishes.
However, the Commission has placed before the Council
and the Board of Governors a communication in which it
proposes that the educational achievements of the
European Schools be put to better use by the other
schools in the Member States so that they will be able to
cope more effectively with the educational challenges
arising out of European integration.

The Commission takes the view that the integration of
Europe's young citizens should be encouraged above all
by incorporating the European dimension in all the
educational systems of the Member States, as indicated,
incidentally, by the resolution adopted by the Council and
the Ministers of Education meeting within the Council on
24 May 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 123/90

byMrMarcGaUe(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/33) .

_Subject:_ Use of a medical insurance card in the European
Community

People covered by social security schemes have until now
had to use the El 11 for each visit to another Member
State. When does the Commission intend to draw up
provisions which will enable nationals of the Member
States of the European Community to be admitted to a
hospital or to have the costs of medical care reimbursed in
another Member State, on production of their national
medical insurance card?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

, _(20_ _March 1990)_

In response to the request made by the Council on 29
September 1989, the Commission is currently looking

into the possibility of having a study carried but under the
1990 budget on procedures for the recognition by each
Member State of the national medical insurance cards
issued by the other Member States.

The Commission will inform Parliament of the findings
of this study in due course.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 139/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Pkpier (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/34)

_Subject:_ Coal and the greenhouse effect

In June 1989, the Association of the Coal Producers of the
European Community published an interesting report on
European coal and the greenhouse effect, containing data
and interpretations concerning material of major
importance for both energy policy and environmental
policy in general and, especially, at Community level.

Do the relevant services of the Commission agree with the
conclusions, the figures and the overall content of this
report?

Is the Commission able to undertake, or at least to
support, the research recommended by the Association?
Does it share the view, repeatedly stated in the document,
that the developing countries will in the future be the
largest producers of the gases responsible for the
greenhouse effect?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
onbehalf of the Commission

_(27 April_ _1990)_

The Commission has examined with interest the report on
European coal and the greenhouse effect published by the
Cepeco.

In view of the nature of the report and the organization
which drew it up, the Commission does not feel that it will
be appropriate for it to say whether it agrees with the
conclusions, the figures and the overall content of the
report.

The Commission's point of view regarding the problems
raised by the greenhouse effect are set out in a
communication to the Council to which the Honourable

Member should refer.

V

No C 266/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

In addition, on 21 June 1989 the Council adopted a
resolution on the greenhouse effect (') which sets out
guidelines on the matter for the Community.

On 8 February 1990 the Commission adopted a
communication on energy and the environment which
indicates energy policy measures likely to help reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases.

With regard to the research allocated by the Cepeco,
while recognizing the theoretical value of technologies
which could make it possible to separate and confine the
COi in the exhaust gases from coal-fired power stations,
given the major difficulties associated with this
technology, the Commission takes the view that priority
should be given to techniques which make it possible to
restrict the use of fossil fuels by improving energy
efficiency and by developing and promoting renewable
energy sources and alternative energy technologies.

O OJNoC 183,20.7.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 146/90

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

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/35)

_Subject:_ Dangerous substances

According to the answer to Written Question
No 885/89 ( [l] ), the Commission does not possess any lists
of establishments with respect to the discharge of
dangerous substances.

What measures does the Commission intend to take in

order to fill this gap ?

(') OJ No CI 39,7.6.1990, p. 11.

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

_(7 March 1990)_

Article 11 of Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused
by certain dangerous substances discharged into the
aquatic environment of the Community (') does indeed
provide for an inventory of discharges of List I
substances.

Within the strict meaning of the Directive, 13 List I
substances are currently covered by the directives
implementing Directive 76/464/EEC listed in the Annex.

Pursuant to Article 13 (1) the Commission has asked the
Member States to supply it with information relating to
discharge authorizations and to the results of the
inventory provided for in Article 11 for these 13
substances.

On this basis, and when it has received all the information
requested, the Commission will be able to send to the
Council the comparative assessment of the application of
each of these specific directives.

However, the Commission is not in a position to provide a
nominative list of establishments discharging these
dangerous substances for the following reasons:

1. Member States may communicate the inventories
without making explicit mention of the names of the
industries, which may be indicated simply by a
number;

2. the Commission is in any case bound by the provisions
of the second and third paragraph of Article 13, which
prohibit the disclosure of information covered by the
obligation of professional secrecy.

This situation may change in future if the Council adopts
the proposal for a Directive on freedom of access to
information on the environment (*).

O OJNoL129,18.5.1976.
O OJ No C 335, 30.12.1988, p. 5.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 156/90

by Mr Anthony Simpson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/36)

_Subject:_ Salmonella from poultry and eggs

What steps has the Commission taken and/or is it
proposing to take to introduce protective measures
throughout the Community to prevent the infection of
the public by salmonella from poultry and eggs?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

The Council, acting on Commission proposals has
already adopted on 20 June 1989 Directive 89/437/EEC
on hygiene and health problems affecting the production
and placing on the market of egg products (').

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/19

This Directive lays down detailed hygiene and health
rules for production and control of egg products intended
for direct human comsumption or for die preparation of
other foodstuffs.

In particular, microbiological criteria, including
salmonella, are laid down in the Annex.

In addition, the Commission transmitted to the Council
on 30 October 1989 a proposal for a Council Regulation
laying down the veterinary rules for the disposal and
processing of animal waste, for its placing on the market
and for the prevention of pathogens in feedingstuffs ( [2] ).

This proposal contains rules for the production of
feedingstuffs in such a manner as to prevent the presence
of pathogens therein and the consequent infection of
animals using those feedingstuffs.

The next step will be the presentation, scheduled for June
1990, of a proposal for a Council Regulation concerning
controls for the prevention of specified zoonoses and of
specified zoonotic agents in animals and products of
animal origin in order to prevent outbreaks of foodborne
infections and intoxications.

This proposal is intended to establish:

1. a system of notification of some zoonotic diseases in
humans and animals;

2. a survey for the presence of some zoonotic agents in
the Member States;

3. a legal framework for adoption of specific
Community actions;

4. a scheme for the eradication from poultry of
salmonella serotypes frequently associated with
human infections. The scheme will start at the level of
the breeder flocks and will be extended at a later stage
to commercial flocks.

The Commission already proposed to the Council on 25
January 1990 the financial measures concerning
Community involvement in such actions.

According to the Scientific Committee for Food ('), the
problem of salmonella in poultry can be reduced with the
use of irradiation for poultry meat and animal feeds.

The Commission has therefore proposed in its modified
proposal on food irradiation, the inclusion of deboned
poultry meat in the list of foodstuffs to be treated with
ionizing radiation.

O OJNoL212,22.7.1989, p. 87.
O OJ No C 327, 30. 12.1989, p. 76.
O Report EUR 10840, March 1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 166/90

by Mrs Birgh Bjernvig (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/37)

_Subject:_ Import of animals treated with BST

Is the Commission aware that animals treated with BST
are being imported into the Community? If so, can it say
to what extent?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(10April_ _1990)_

To the knowledge of the Commission, no animals treated
with BST are imported into the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 196/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/38)

_Subject:_ 1982 report of the European Community's
Scientific Committee for Food

In its 1982 report the SCF gave an estimate of between
0,03 and 0,15% of the population as being affected by
food additives.

Can this be translated into actual numbers per Member
State for the current population level?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15_ _March 1990)_

The 1982 report of the Scientific Committee for Food
referred to by the Honourable Member deals with the
sensitivity of individuals to both food components and
food additives. It is important to note that the Committee
stated '... it has been established that several food
additives are capable of causing symptoms of intolerance
in susceptible individuals who may constitute about 0,03
to 0,15 % of the population ...' (').

No C 266/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

The figures quoted refer to die percentage of susceptible
individuals in the population and is an estimate which
covers the Community as well as the individual Member
States.

These figures, however, are derived from studies which
have not been performed in all Member States and
estimates from study to study vary considerably, thus the
relatively large interval between lowest and highest
estimate. While using these figures, it should also be
borne in mind that allergy and intolerance to normal food
ingredients play a much higher role than additives in the
overall food-induced adverse reactions.

Nevertheless, acting on the advice of this report, the
Commission has always taken a very prudent attitude with
regard to the use of additives in food, subjecting the
'technological need' criteria to the closest possible
scrutiny before making its proposals.

The estimates of food intolerance given in this report
therefore cannot be used to calculate numbers of

individuals exhibiting symptoms of intolerance to food
additives.

(') Report of the SCF, Twelfth series, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 211/90

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/39)

_Subject:_ Waste dump in Weeze-Wemb (supplementary
question)

Having regard to my Written Question No 731/88 (*) on
the waste-dump at Weeze-Wemb (Federal Republic of
Germany), in view of the action currently being taken by
about 60 Dutch local authorities which draw their

drinking water from the Meuse and are clearly very
concerned at German plans for a waste dump at
Weeze-Wemb:

1. has the Federal Republic of Germany fully
incorporated Directives 85/337/EEC ( [2] ) and
80/68/EEC ( [5] ) into its national legislation? If not,
what stage has been reached by the proceedings
initiated by the Commission before the Court of
Justice in Luxembourg?

2. what steps have the German authorities taken to
consult the municipality of Bergen and other
interested parties in the Netherlands when taking
decisions concerning this waste dump?

3. has an evironmental impact survey been carried out? If
so, what are the results? If not, why have the German
authorities neglected to do so?

0) OJNoCl03,24.4.1989, p. 23.
O OJ No L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
O OJNoL20,26.1.1980, p. 43.

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

_(26 March 1990)_

1. As regards Directive 85/337, the Federal Republic
of Germany is on the point of adopting legislation in
order to comply with that Directive. The Commission will
study the Act after receipt in order to decide whether the
infringement procedure which was started under
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty can be brought to an end.

As regards Directive 80/68, the Commission has appealed
to the European Court since it is of the opinion that
German legislation does not fully comply with the
Directive. The Court has not yet decided on the case.

2. The government of North Rhine-Westphalia has
committed itself to fully consult with the Dutch
authorities at Bergen when the environment impact
assessment for the site is made. For the time being, the
Commission has no reason to believe that this

commitment will not be honoured.

3. As far as the Commission is informed, the
environment impact assessment has not yet been made
since preparatory work is still being undertaken.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 224/90

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/40)

_Subject:_ Medicine labelling

Would the Commission please inform me what action is
being taken to see that the labels and leaflets on medicines
should include a full declaration of ingredients and any
additives?

Would the Commission also let me know what the

position is in the principal countries of the European
Community in this regard?

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/21

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May_ _1990)_

The Commission recently transmitted to the Council a
draft Directive on the labelling and the package insert for
medicinal products for human use.

This draft lays down that the labelling of medicinal
products for human use must comprise, in particular, the
following information:

— the name of the product, including or followed by the
common name when the product has only one active
ingredient,

— a statement of the active ingredients expressed
qualitatively and quantitatively per dosage unit or
according to the form of administration for a given
weight or volume, using their common names,

— the pharmaceutical form and the contents by weight,
by volume or number of doses of the product,

— a list of the excipients.

This point is currendy regulated by Article 4 of Council
Directive 65/65/EEC ('), which provides for the
compulsory indication of the composition by quality and
by quantity of all the ingredients of a medicinal product,
but no list of the excipients.

(') OJNoL22,9.2. 1965, p. 369/65.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 226/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/41)

_Subject:_ Crocodile farming in France (Hagetmau —
Landes)

The Mayor of Hagetmau (Landes) has publicly alleged
that the Community financed a feasibility study on the
establishment of an intensive alligator farm _(Alligator_
_mississippiensis)_ in his commune. He stated that the
Community experts' conclusions were favourable to the
plan.

Can the Commission confirm these statements and, if so,
supply the technical details (productivity, planned sex
ratio, fertility, predicted growth rate, confinement
methods, etc.) on which the favourable opinion was
based?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(19_ _March 1990)_

The Commission can confirm that under the tourism
subprogramme of the Integrated Mediterranean
Programme for the Aquitaine region the French
authorities had a feasibility study carried out on the
setting up of an intensive alligator farm at Hagetmau.

However, the results of the study have not been sent to
the Commission and so its departments have been unable
to form an opinion on it. In any case, the French
authorities have not so far expressed an intention to make
use of Community assistance under the second stage of
the IMP to carry Out the project to which the feasibility
study related.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 228/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/42)

_Subject:_ Steps towards a system of fixed prices for books

The conclusions of the third European conference on
publishing and the book trade held recently in Valencia
stated that there was a need for a system of fixed prices,
allowing readers to receive the widest possible range of
books at the most advantageous prices, to be established
within the European Community.

Would the Commission care to comment on this matter
and state to what extent it believes it would be possible to
respond positively to the conference's demand for a
system of fixed prices?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April_ _1990)_

The Honourable Member is referred to the

communication from the Commission to the Council on
'Books and reading: a cultural challenge for Europe', in
which the Commission stands by its view that there is no
need to put forward proposals for the introduction of a
system of fixed prices for books.

No C 266/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 240/90

by Mr Alexander Langer, Mrs Solange Fernex, Mrs Maria
Santos and Mr Karl Partsch (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/43)

_Subject:_ Threat to Community citizens posed by military
activity in the vicinity of chemical and nuclear
plants

On 18 December 1989 two F16 USAF fighter-bombers
collided during a simulated dogfight over the
Ludwigshafen—-Frankenthal conurbation in the Federal
Republic of Germany, posing a very serious threat to
residential areas near Maxdorf and Oggersheim
(Chancellor Kohl's birthplace), the BASF chemical and
industrial complex in Ludwigshafen and the Biblis nuclear
power station: it was only by a stroke of luck that a major
disaster was avoided.

What does the Commission intend to do to put an end to
this folly so that the lives of Community citizens are no
longer put at risk by military activity in the vicinity of
chemical and nuclear plants?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 May_ _1990)_

As it already stressed on several occasions (*), the
Commission does not consider that the Community is
competent as regards the regulating of flights by military
aircraft.

The Community's activities in the field of conventional
civil defence are defined in the resolutions adopted by the
Council and representatives of the Governments of the
Member States meeting within the Council on 26 June
1987 O and 13 February 1989 ( [J] ).

(') _Inter_ _alia,_ in its answer to written question No 737/89 by Mrs

Maij Weggen, OJ No C 97,17.4.1990.
O OJNoC 176,4.7.1987.
O OJ No C 44, 23.2. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 263/90     

byMrYvanBlot(DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19_ _February 1990)_

(90/C 266/44)

_Subject:_ Application of the principle of subsidiarity in the
European institutions in the context of the
implementation of economic and monetary
union

1. The debate on the first reading of the budget once
again highlighted the overlapping powers of the

Community and the Member States. Is there not a need to
clarify who does what in the light of the introduction of
economic and monetary union?

2. Is there not a need for a study to be drawn up into
the allocation of powers between the Community and the
Member States? Such a study could be submitted to the
intergovernmental conference on economic union as a
basis for revising the treaties with a view to making
explicit the principle of subsidiarity in relations between
the Community and the Member States?

3. At the forthcoming intergovernmental conference
on economic and monetary union, should not the Court
of Justice be granted powers to resolve conflicts arising
from the effective application of the principle of
subsidiarity within the context of redefining the
allocation of powers between the Community and the
Member States?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April_ _1990)_

The principle of subsidiarity is likely to provide
significant guidelines for the definition of the powers of
the Community and of the Member States respectively, as
the Commission has pointed out on many occasions. The
practical implications of this principle are currently under
study in the Commission.

At this stage the Commission considers that
implementation of the guidelines derived from the
principle of subsidiarity with respect to relations between
the Community and the Member States is a matter for a
second intergovernmental' conference on the revision of
all the Treaties, or should at least be given study in
parallel with thinking as to the EMU proper. The creation
of an economic and monetary union should also have
regard to this principle when the limits between the
powers of the Community and the Member States in
economic and monetary matters are defined. With this in
mind, at the meeting in Madrid in June 1989 the European
Council felt that achievement of economic and monetary
union would have to take account of the parallelism
between economic and monetary aspects, respect the
principle of subsidiarity and allow for the diversity of
specific situations (').

In carrying out its task of ensuring that in the
interpretation and application of the Treaty the law is
observed (Article 164), the Court of Justice is required to
ensure that the Community institutions respect the limits
of the powers conferred on them by Community law. In
the context of a revision of all the Treaties, it would also

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/23

be appropriate to study ways and means of making it
easier to bring cases before the Court concerning conflicts
of competence.

(') Bull. EC 6-1989, point 1.1.11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 286/90

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19_ _February 1990)_

(90/C 266/45)

_Subject:_ Paris-Dakar rally

The last Paris-Dakar rally claimed numerous victims,
profaned holy places and left large quantities of refuse.
No compensation was paid for the damage caused.

1. Does the Commission not consider that it should take
measures to ensure that respect for the integrity of
persons, the environment, and places of worship is
guaranteed at the next Paris-Dakar rally?

2. Does the Commission not consider it necessary to
prohibit such rallies if the above guarantees are not
provided and is it prepared to take the necessary
measures?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 March 1990)_

As it has already stated in previous answers ('), the
Commission understands the Honourable Member's
concern. However, this matter is not among the
Commission's responsibilities.

(') Notably to Written Question 2474/87 by Mr Alvarez de
Eulate Penaranda, OJ No C 138, 5.6.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 288/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19_ _February 1990)_

(90/C 266/46)

_Subject:_ Cooperation with Eastern European countries

How does the Commission intend to involve the Eastern
European standards institutes in the work of CEN,
Cenelec and ETSI?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May_ _1990)_ _•_

The Commission is aware that the changes in die
economic and industrial situation in the countries of
Eastern Europe require the drafting and application of
basic instruments of an industrial policy such as
standardization. In the European Community (and in
EFTA) standardization has for a number of years been
regarded as an effective means both in the context of
technical harmonization (Council Resolution of 7 May
1985) ( [l] ) and with a view to making firms more
competitive.

The European standardization bodies indirectly involve
the standardization bodies of non-member countries in
European standardization activities, by:

— systematically taking over international standards as
the basis for European Standardization,

— giving access to information about European
Standardization activities at the various stages, and
encouraging all members of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the
international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),
including the standardization bodies of the countries
of Eastern Europe, to submit comments via the
secretariat of those bodies. _Ad hoc_ meetings can be
organized between CEN/Cenelec experts and experts
from non-member countries,

— the cooperation agreements between CEN and ISO
and between Cenelec and IEC: the agreements in
question provide for the reciprocal exchange of a
range of information (including detailed working
programmes) and close cooperation between these
bodies.

Under the trade and cooperation agreements between the
European Economic Community and the countries of
Eastern Europe, the Commission, together with the
European Standardizations Organizations, is examining
the scope for closer cooperation with these countries on
standardization, in particular by means of arrangements
for the transmission of detailed information on European
standardization activities and technical assistance.

Other possible "ways of making it easier for
standardization bodies in the countries of Eastern Europe
to keep abreast of standardization work in Western
Europe are the subject of discussions between the
Commission and the European Standardization
Organizations.

O OJ No CI 36,4.6.1985, p. 1.

No C 266/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 300/90

by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/47)

_Subject:_ Use of the 'Europe for a Better Life' symbol

Last year the Commission adopted the symbol 'Europe
for a Better Life' with the aim of persuading companies to
use it in their advertising.

So far, relatively little use has been made of this symbol.
Could the Commission provide information about its
efforts to achieve its aim?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 April_ _1990)_

The Community slogan 'Europe for a Better Life' was
devised and publicized by the European Association of
Advertising Agencies, with which the Commission had a
contract for 1988 and 1989. Most of the advertising
agencies in Europe belong to the EAAA.

Under the contract with the Commission, the EAAA ran
an information compaign targeted at European industries
and used the 'Europe for a better life' symbol as part of it.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 306/90

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/48)

_Subject:_ Trade embargo on elephant ivory

Given the total embargo on the elephant ivory trade,
which entered into force on 1 January 1990, following the
agreement concluded at the last Cites meeting, can the
Commission say:

1. whether there was an increase in the number of
elephants slaughtered in the 90-day period between
the signing of the agreement and its entry into force
and, if so, of how many?

2. whether the States concerned took steps to prevent an
increase in elephant slaughter and, if so, what they
were?

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

_(7 May_ _1990)_

There are no indications that there was an increase in the
number of elephants killed between 18 October 1989
(date on which the Cites Conference of the Parties
decided on the transfer of the species from Appendix II to
Appendix I) and 18 January 1990 (date of entry into force
of the Appendix I listing).

On the contrary, numbers of elephants killed are believed
to have dropped well in advance of this decision, on the
one hand as a result of the measures taken in the course of
1989 by the main consumer nations to reduce or prohibit
ivory imports.

On the other hand, the countries of origin of the African
elephant stepped up their efforts to stop poaching and
illegal trade and an important number of them adopted
measures to prohibit the export of ivory.,

As a result of the combination of the measures taken by
both producer and consumer countries, world market
prices for ivory have decreased considerably in recent
months.

The medium- and longer-term effects of the ban on
international trade in ivory on elephant populations will
be studied as part of the African Elephant Action Plan
developed by the African Elephant Conservation
Coordinating Group of which the Commission is a
member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 309/90

by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/49)

_Subject:_ Export of certain types of non-ferrous metal
waste

1. Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) No
4249/88 O of 21 December 1988 states that the Council
shall decide in due time, and in any case before 1 January
1990, on the measures to be taken regarding the export of
certain types of non-ferrous metal waste.

/
Why did the Commission not submit a proposal for a
regulation to the Council by 1 January 1*990?

2. Can the' Commission supply a breakdown by
Member State of the quantities of zinc waste and scrap
corresponding to the export licences issued in 1989
pursuant to Article 1 (2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/25

4249/88 of 21 December 1988 and specify, in accordance
with Article 1 (3), in which cases the licences 'specifically
concern zinc alloy scrap resulting from the non-ferrous
heavy-metal component of the fragmentation of disused
equipment'?

O OJ No L 373, 31.12.1988, p. 53.

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(27April1990)_

1. The Commission's decision not to put forward a
proposal for a Council Regulation renewing for 1990 the
restrictions on the export of copper waste and scrap is
founded on two considerations:

(a) market conditions in this sector improved
considerably last year and justify the decision not to
renew export restrictions this year;

(b) in the Uruguay Round negotiations, the Community
hopes to resolve, with its GATT partners, the
problem of access to raw materials. It would be
difficult to attack the non-member countries'
measures aimed at restricting access to raw materials
if, at the same time, the Community were to continue
applying similar measures to the export of
non-ferrous metals. Not renewing the restrictions
puts the Community in a better tactical position.

2. Export authorizations issued last year for zinc waste
and scrap were as follows:

France 6 770 tonnes

United Kingdom 17 562 tonnes

Germany 8 720 tonnes

Benelux (July/November) 16 599 tonnes

(zinc alloy scrap) (July/November) 16 555 tonnes

Denmark 1 561 tonnes

The Commission has received no information from other
Member States on export authorizations for zinc waste
and scrap.

Only the Benelux countries have indicated the share of
export licences issued for zinc alloy scrap resulting from
the non-ferrous heavy-metal component of the
fragmentation of disused equipment.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 321/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

. (90/C 266/50)

_Subject:_ Commission inspections of nuclear installations

Will the Commission state whether it has decided to
revive the practice of Commission inspections of nuclear
installations to verify their operation and efficiency and
ensure that the environment is not being damaged in
accordance with Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty? Will it
also state which Member States have expressed objections
to such a decision?

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

_(W May_ _1990)_

On 20 December 1989, the Commission decided to
resume inspection of environmental radioactivity
monitoring facilities under the terms of Article 35 of the
Euratom Treaty. The inspections will cover facilities for
monitoring discharges from nuclear installations (e.g.
power plants and reprocessing facilities) and for
monitoring the environmental radioactivity in the
neighbourhood of such installations. The proper
functioning and the efficiency of the monitoring facilities
will be checked together with the records of radioactive
discharges.

According to this decision such inspections will be carried
out where and when the Commission deems appropriate
and in particular if requested by another Member State.
The Commission has informed the Member States and
taken the preliminary measures necessary for their
implementation.

No Member State has expressed objections to this
decision so far.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 335/90

by Mr Bruno Gollnisch (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/51).

_Subject:_ Abolition of border taxes for taxis as part of the
internal market

\
At a time when the Member States of the European
Community are preparing for the completion of the

No C 266/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

internal market in 1993 and the borders are being
gradually phased out each day in many areas, the
members of one socio-professional category are
apparently being forgotten, those providing taxi services.
Taxis are still subject to border taxes and irksome border
formalities, despite the fact that private vehicles are now
allowed to circulate freely.

What specific measures will the Commission take to
remedy this situation, particularly in border areas, where
taxis are greatly hampered in their activities (e.g. in the
Ardennes and Alsace in France) ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 479/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/52)

_Subject:_ Charges on French taxis at the Belgian border

At their general meeting on 21 January 1990, the
association of Ardennes taxi drivers reported on
difficulties experienced when crossing into Belgium.

They are forbidden to use some crossing points and, after
making the subsequent detour, they have to pay a charge
of five francs when they do cross the border.

What steps is the Commission considering to put a speedy
end to this state of affairs?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 482/90

by Mr Adrien Zcllcr (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/53)

_Subject:_ Free movement of taxis within the Community's
borders

With a view to the single market in 1993 is the
Commission intending to propose the free movement of
taxis from one Member State to another, opening up all
border crossings to taxis and abolishing charges made at
such crossings?

If so, how long will it be before such a proposal is
implemented?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 514/90

by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/54)

_Subject:_ Obstacles to freedom to provide taxi services

The national Federation of Independent Taxis, which
belongs to the European Taxi Confederation, has drawn
my attention to the fact that taxis taking customers across
the border between France and Belgium are forbidden to
cross at certain border posts. They are obliged to make a
large and expensive detour and, in addition, are subject to
a five-franc levy on crossing the border.

Is the Commission aware of such practices?

If so, does it not consider that this is a serious obstacle to
freedom to provide taxi services within the Community?

What measures does it intend to take to remedy matters?

More generally, does the Commission intend to propose a
directive on freedom of movement for taxis within the
Community and positive aid measures, for example tax
relief on fuel, reduction in VAT rates, the creation of
.special fund for vocational training and retraining,
measures for the harmonization of fares, conditions of
access to this profession (restricted entry) and protection
of the designation 'Taxis'?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1016/90

by Mrs Mireille Elmalan (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/55)

_Subject)_ Crossing of intra-Community borders by taxis

Is the Commission aware that taxis face difficulties when
crossing some intra-Community borders?

For example, taxis from the Ardennes are prohibited from
using some border posts between France and Belgium.
They are also penalized by a tax at the Belgian border and
by time-wasting due to administrative procedures.

Is the Commission willing to help solve these difficulties,
which are unwarranted from a Community point of view?

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/27

Joint Answer to Written Questions Nos 335/90, 479/90,

482/90,514/90 and 1016/90 given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June_ _1990)_

The difficulties being encountered by taxis at border
crossings are due to the fact that, under the Sixth VAT
Directive (*), transport is taxed on the basis of the
distance covered in each Member State. Although some
Member States do not charge VAT, this is only by virtue
of a transitional provision which is due to lapse
(Article 28 (5) of the Sixth Directive). At the end of the
transitional period, transport is to be taxed in the country
of departure. Once this principle has been put into effect,
taxis will no longer encounter difficulties at border
crossings.

The Commission is aware of the social importance of
public transport, for which it is proposing a reduced rate
of VAT (between 4 % and 9 %).

With particular reference to the charging of tax by the
competent Belgian authorities, the Commission is able to
inform the Honourable Members that:

— either the VAT payable on the distance covered in
Belgium is levied through a fixed establishment which
the French carrier may have set up in Belgium or by
way of a responsible representative of the French
carrier especially approved for this purpose,

— or, in the absence of a fixed establishment or
responsible representative in Belgium, taxi drivers are
required to pay to customs a flat-rate amount of tax,
instead of the VAT payable on the distance covered in
Belgium.

More generally, the Commission is now examining
measures which might be taken within the Community
with regard to taxi services, particularly with a view to
completion of the internal market.

O OJNoLH5,13.6.1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 338/90

by Mr Yves Verwacrdc (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/56)

_Subject:_ Laundering of money from illicit transactions

Can the Commission say whether there are any Member
States of the Community which do not treat money
laundering as a crime?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May_ _1990)_

According to the information available to the
Commission, at present no Member State has
incorporated into its legislation a money laundering
offence which covers proceeds from all criminal activities.

Only four Community countries haye a specific money
laundering offence in their legislation: France and
Luxembourg (concerning proceeds from drug offences),
United Kingdom (from drug offences and terrorism),
Italy (from aggravated robbery, aggravated extortion and
kidnapping for extortion). Parliaments in other countries
(i.e. Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany) are
discussing proposals for legislation in this field.

The Commission has made a proposal for a Directive on
the prevention of the use of financial systems for money
laundering ('), which has been presented to the Council.
One of the most important provisions of this proposal is
that the laundering of proceeds from any serious crime
must be treated as a criminal offence in all Member States.
The Commission hopes, in view of the necessity of
combating urgendy the serious phenomenon of money
laundering, to reach early agreement on the adoption and
implementation of this Directive.

O OJNoC 106,28.4.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 356/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/57)

_Subject:_ Participation of Community citizens in political
life

Does the Commission not consider xhat, in order to
achieve greater Community cohesion, urgent measures
should be taken to ensure that Community nationals
resident in a Member State other than their Member State
of origin are able to participate in the political life of their
Member State of residence, particularly by having the
right to vote and stand for election at national, regional or
local level?

If so, what measures are being taken to achieve this
objective?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29_ _March 1990)_

The Commission considers that participation by
European citizens in local elections of the Community
country in which they are resident is a vital element of a

No C 266/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

People's Europe. Consequently, the Commission has
presented a proposal for a Council Directive based on
Article 235 of the EEC Treaty which would give the
nationals of Member States the right to vote in local
elections in their Member State of residence. Parliament
endorsed the proposal on 14 March 1989.

The Commission has since transmitted an amended
proposal for examination by the Council. The proposal is
limited to local elections, however. This is because
national, parliamentary and presidential elections, etc.,
have a bearing on national sovereignty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 369/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/58)

_Subject:_ Unfair US competition vis-a-vis maize producers

What measures has the Commission taken in response to
the maize producers' demand that proceedings be
brought against the United States within GATT on the
grounds of unfair competition?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April_ _1990)_

The Commission is studying the matter raised by the
Honourable Member in the context of the instruments
provided by Community law to guard against the unfair
trading practices of non-member countries.

The Commission is ready to make use of these
instruments within the bounds fixed by the regulations
governing their use.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 371/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/59)

_Subject:_ Protection of maritime pines in the Atlantic
region of western France

To what extent can research programmes (COST) in the
field of forestry encompass the protection of maritime

pines, whose survival is threatened in the Atlantic region
of western France?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May_ _1990)_

The information available to the Commission indicates
that the current decline in certain populations of maritime
pine _(Pinus pinaster)_ is mainly due to two consecutive
years of drought which in turn have led to damage by the
processionary caterpillar _(Thaumetopoeapityocampa)._

The extreme climatic conditions of the last two years —
characterized by long periods of drought — have made
forest ecosystems more susceptible to attacks by parasitic
insects. Maritime pines may however be protected: there
are fairly effective methods of controlling the
processionary caterpillar, ranging from simple mechanical
methods to biological control (monitoring of population
dynamics and use of _Bacillus_ _thuringiensis)._

As regards Community research, the Commission is
paying great attention to the protection of plant health in
forests. The forest subprogramme of the raw materials
and recycling research programme (1990 to 1992) (*)
includes a research project on the ecological
characterization of various provenances of maritime pine
and genetic improvement by early selection: resistance to
parasitic insects will be taken into account when material
is selected for reproduction.

Forest pathology problems which still need clarifying are
being looked at in COST (European cooperation in the
field of scientific and technical research) project 612 'Air
pollution effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems'.

Finally, also under COST, a Forests and Forest Products
Committee is to be set up for—two years. First, a
comparative study of R&D requirements in the timber
industry will enable each participating country to
determine their priorities. During these discussions, the
Commission will draw attention to the importance of
protecting the maritime pine.

O OJNoL359,8.12.1989.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of

WRITTEN QUESTION No 384/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/60)

_Subject:_ Community aid for the development of
alternative energy sources in Southern Spain

In view of the scientific, technical and financial efforts
required to maintain and improve the solar platform of
Almeria in Southern Spain, can the Commission say what
assistance it is prepared to provide in 1990 and future
years and how it considers this platform might contribute
to the experimental and industrial development of
alternative solar forms of energy?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(23_ _May_ _1990)_

The Almeria solar platform is one of the installations
selected under the experimental Community plan to
support and facilitate access to large-scale scientific and
technical facilities and installations of European interest
(1988 to 1992) (').

A contract between the Commission and the Almeria solar
platform was signed in December 1989, allocating ECU
2,2 million over a period of three years.

This covers work in a number of areas: not only solar
systems but also new metallurgical materials, the
manufacture of composite fibres and the detoxification of
pollutants.

Over the next three years, Community funding will enable
fifteen research teams from the Member States to take
advantage of the experimental facilities at Almeria.

The Community Support Framework for the regions of
Spain covered by Objective 1 makes provision, for the
period 1989 to 1993, for ERDF aid for 'Research,
development and innovation' (a section of one of the
priority areas) amounting to ECU 123 million, 13 million
of which must be provided by the Andalusian authorities.
The Spanish authorities are responsible for submitting the
applications for aid. To date, the ERDF has not received
any request relating to cofinancing of the Almeria Solar
Platform.

(') OJNoL98, 11.4. 1989.

European Communities No C 266/29

WRITTEN QUESTION No 388/90

by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 266/61)

_Subject:_ Objectivity of recruitment procedures

1. A Commission notice has just been published in the
newspapers for the recruitment of two highly qualified
temporary-staff members (category A; career bracket
A5-4).

The following qualifications are required for the first CD
project post to be filled (ref. 27 T/89):

— at least 12 years' graduate-level professional
experience after obtaining a university degree,
including at least 10 years' experience in customs and
indirect taxation; at least five years' professional
experience in computing, involving knowledge of
systems architecture design techniques and practical
experience of supervision; at least two years'
experience in technical management, defining and
developing a data-processing system for use in the
customs field.

2. In the light of this precisely formulated and detailed
profile, can the Commission give an assurance that it has
not already made its choice and that the person it is
preparing to recruit is not a British subject already on the
spot and employed by a British firm with which the
Commission has concluded a contract to perform services
in customs-related and fiscal data processing?

If unable to give this assurance, does the Commission
consider it usual to recruit its staff on the basis of such a
costly and spurious procedure?

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

_(8 May_ _1990)_

The Commission acknowledges that the requirements laid
down for the temporary post cited by the Honourable
Member and for a number of other temporary posts
recendy advertised in the press may appear particularly
demanding as regards the qualifications called for.

The Commission seeks to fill temporary posts with
persons whose skills, whether acquired in the public or
private sector, equip them to cope with specialist tasks for
which Commission departments do not have the
appropriate in-house resources.

No C 266/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

The Commission is concerned to attract talent from
throughout the Community and, after a selection
committee has drawn up a list of suitable applicants, it
decides which one is to be appointed to the post. The
applicant recruited will remain in the Commission's
service for a few years and then leave to join other
interests involved in building the Community. The
Commission attaches a great deal of importance to a
two-way flow of skills between the Community civil
service and the Member States.

In this specific instance, the selection procedure attracted
26 applications from 11 Member States. The selection
committee has concluded its work and been obliged to
note that it has been unable to find an applicant meeting
all the linguistic and technical requirements of the
advertised post.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 439/90

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/62)

_Subject:_ Removal of disparities in the audio-visual sector

The introduction of 'television without frontiers' in
conjunction with joint programmes such as Media etc.
and moves towards the introduction of a European
system of high definition television will in all likelihood
create an extremely competitive climate.

What measures will the Commission take to ensure
balanced conditions of competition to avoid placing at a
disadvantage Member States such as Greece which, while
they are very well endowed in terms of cultural heritage
and dynamism, are lagging behind in economic and
technological terms?

Are measures planned to provide balanced support in this
sector to avoid any form of 'dominance' in the audiovisual
sector in respect of the quality of information broadcast
to European citizens and the production and broadcasting
of programmes of all kinds?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of (he Commission

_(19 June_ _1990)_

Further to the answer given on 6 April 1990 ('), the
Commission would draw the Honourable Member's
attention to the proposal it adopted on 10 April for an
action programme to promote the development of the
European audiovisual industry (Media) (1991 to 1995).
The programme provides for five lines of action one of

which is aimed specifically at helping to develop the
audiovisual potential of countries or regions with a lower
production capacity or restricted language area.

0) OJ No C 207,20. 8.1990, p. 36.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 451/90

by Mr Kenneth Collins (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/63)

_Subject:_ Integration of consumer policy into other
common policies

When will the Commission produce a report with
proposals for improving the integration of consumer
policy into other common policies, as requested by the
Council of Ministers in a resolution in 1986?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May_ _1990)_

The Commission is currently examining progress on the
integration of consumer policy into the other common
policies and should be able to present a report this year.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 455/90

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/64)

_Subject:_ Submission of the work programme for 1990

What worries the Commission and the President of the
Commission more: avoiding so-called social dumping and
other distortions of competition 'or the fact that the
economic impetus generated by the internal market and
which is influencing the development of the EEC might
lead to the creation of two Europes? Does the
Commission really think that social dumping operates at
the expense only of the most prosperous countries ?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May_ _1990)_

Although there is no precise universally accepted
definition of social dumping, it can be described as
recourse to working conditions and social standards

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/31

below the level normally justified by economic
productivity in an attempt to increase market shares and
improve competitiveness.

On the basis of this definition, it may be concluded that
social dumping could occur both in countries with high
living and working standards and in those with lower
standards. However, the fear of social dumping differs in
the two groups of countries.

In countries with a high standard of living, fear of a
decline in working conditions or a relocation of
investment because of existing differences is felt among
certain sections of the population.

In the other group of countries, fear of a drop in living
and working conditions is virtually nonexistent, but there
is a real and broadly shared concern that it may prove
impossible to catch up with the standard of living of the
first group. Care must be taken to ensure that these
countries are able to make the most of their relative
advantages and that they are not burdened with charges
they are unable to bear because they are not
commensurate with their level of economic development.

Both these aspects are taken into account by the
Commission in its various proposals, especially those in
the action programme on the Social Charter.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 461/90

by Mr Josfe Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/65)

_Subject:_ The Work Programme for 1990 and the EEC's
energy model

In point No 122 of its Work Programme for 1990, the
Commission proposes a gradual reshaping of the
Community's energy model.

Does this mean that the EEC is proposing to opt for
certain types of energy, which will be boosted more than
others? In the new energy model, what will be the
respective roles of nuclear energy, clean energy and coal?
What aid does the Commission envisage for the
redevelopment of regions which produce energy of a type
other than those favoured by the new model?

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

_(7 May_ _1990)_

The creation of the internal market for energy, the
dissemination of new technologies, the need to ensure a

high level of environmental protection and the new
situation observed on the international energy market,
will lead to a gradual reshaping of the Community's
energy model.

In view of these developments, the Commission has
drawn up a study of energy scenarios for the period up to
the year 2010. An initial report on the results of this study
entitled 'Major themes in energy' was distributed in
September 1989. A copy of this report is addressed
direct to the Honourable Member and to the
General-Secretariat of the European Parliament.

Following this report, an alternative examination was
undertaken with all the sectors involved. This will be
completed at a conference to be held in Brussels on 3 and
4 May. All sectors involved — political, economic and
social — have been invited to attend and make known
their views and opinions.

Only when this detailed examination is complete, and the
new constraints appearing on the international energy
market have been taken into account, will it be possible
for the Commission to define its energy strategy for the
beginning of the 21st century.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 481/90

by Mr Lyndon Harrison (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/66)

_Subject:_ Amazon rain forests

In its programme for 1990 the Commission declared its
intention to introduce measures to protect tropical rain
forests in the eight Amazon countries.

In view of this declaration has the Commission
considered any action to help Waorani Indian Land in
Ecuador which is now under threat from the activities of
large industrial oil groups?

Answer given by Mr RipadiMeana
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May_ _1990)_

The Commission has not yet worked out the practical
details of cooperation between the European Community
and the .countries of the Amazon region to protect the
tropical rain forests. In any event, as outlined in the
objectives in its communication to the Council on the
tropical forests, the Commission considers that the
protection of the indigenous populations should be one of
the main objectives of Community action in the sphere.

No C 266/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

Accordingly, the Commission is prepared to investigate
the possibility of participating in projects to assist the
indigenous populations of the Amazon, depending on the
availability of funds in the budget.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 500/90

by Mr Yves Verwacrde (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/67)

_Subject:_ Commission report on immigration

The European Council called for a report to be drawn
up outlining national positions on the question of
immigration in preparation for deliberations on the
matter in the Council.

Can the Commission inform Parliament what progress it
has made in this respect?

Does it intend to take more specific measures in this area
and, if so, when?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April_ _1990)_

In accordance with the wishes of the European Council in
Strasbourg on 8 and 9 December 1989, the Commission
has started to draw up a list of national positions with
respect to the question of immigration, with the help, _inter_
_alia,_ of an independent expert group. A report will be
drawn up fairly soon and will be available for discussion
in the Council in the course of the year. Parliament will be
duly advised of the relevant findings.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 501/90

by Mr Andrea Raggio (GUE) and Mr Felice Contu (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/68)

_Subject:_ Coordination of fire-fighting measures

The problem of summer fires is a determining factor in
the desertification of large areas of Southern Europe with

Sardinia, Corsica and other western Mediterranean
regions being <the worst affected.

The Commission intends to take measures to give
civil defence activities a Community dimension, with
particular emphasis on the coordination of fire-fighting
services and professional training.

Airborne fire-fighting facilities could in particular be
effectively coordinated in regions which are situated in
adjacent geographic areas and are not too far apart.

Does the Commission consider that it should, in
cooperation with the Member States and regions
concerned, promote coordination between the regions of
Sardinia, Corsica and the other Mediterranean regions
concerned in respect of airborne fire-fighting facilities
and professional training?

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

_(15 May_ _1990)_

The Commission believes that to help combat the
devastating forest fires which occur in many parts of
Europe each year, especially in the south, airborne
facilities should be coordinated at Community level, in
particular to deal with fires that are beyond the
fire-fighting capacity of the individual country
concerned.

However, the Commission would draw the Honourable
Member's attention to the fact that the problem of
controlling forest fires has other aspects — in addition to
civil defence — which need to be studied very carefully.

With regard to civil defence in particular, there are several
phases to consider (forecasting, prevention, crisis
management and rehabilitation).

The Commission will shortly be presenting proposals
adopting a comprehensive approach to the problem.

With regard to training, the Commission, as stated in its
communication to the Council of 12 December 1989, 'will
take the steps needed to study the scope for setting up
exchange, training and education programmes for
civil-protection staff and management, to support their
efforts by joint projects to share expertise, thinking,
procedures and equipment. Training modules could then

_22._ 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/33

be set up to meet the demands of Community cooperation
in specific areas of natural or technological hazards'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 504/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/69)

_Subject:_ Correct use of plasma products

There have been instances of biological damage caused by
plasma-derived pharmaceutical products registered and
distributed by national health services to haemophiliacs
and persons receiving multiple blood transfusions who
have been infected by the HIV virus. Haemophiliacs
sometimes have to use such products more than twice a
month. In the case of Italy, at least, plasma products are
mainly obtained from paid donors in the United States,
amongst whom there is a high number of categories at
risk from HIV. This has certainly been the case as regards
plasma products in recent years, without counting the
number of hepatitis B viral infections which have been
detected.

In view of the considerations outlined above, can the

Commission state what measures have been taken at

Community level to ensure that the use of plasma
products does not entail the risk of contracting dangerous
or fatal illnesses, and can it state whether preparations are
under way for a directive which would oblige Member
States to provide compensation for those who have
contracted the HIV virus, heptatitis B or other infections
through the use of plasma products distributed by
national health services?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1990)_

On 14 June 1989, the Council, on a proposal from the
Commission, adopted Directive 89/381/EEC (') on
medicinal products derived from human blood of human
plasma. Under the terms of Article 7 (1) the Member
States must take the necessary measures to comply with
the Directive by 1 January 1992 at the latest. The aim of
the Directive is to guarantee the safety of such products
by providing for application in the Member States of
measures recommended by the Council of Europe and the
World Health Organization, particularly with reference
to the selection and testing of blood and plasma donors.
Such measures must also be applied in respect of human
blood and human plasma imported from non-member
countries.

The Directive also stipulates that the Member States shall
take the necessary measures to promote Community
self-sufficiency in human blood and human plasma. To
this end, they should encourage the voluntary unpaid
donation of blood and plasma and take steps to develop
the production and use of products derived from human
blood or human plasma coming from voluntary unpaid
donations. In 1990, the Commission will be sending the
Council a report on the application of these provisions in
the Member States.

In addition, the Directive provides that the Member
States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the
manufacturing and purification processes used in the
preparation of medicinal products derived from human
blood or human plasma are properly validated and to
guarantee, insofar as the state of technology permits, the
absence of specific viral contamination. The Commission,
in collaboration with the Member States (Biotechnology/
Pharmacy Working Party) is drawing up guidelines for
manufacturers on purification processes and validation of
the elimination or inactivation of viruses.

A number of Member States have taken steps to
compensate the victims of HIV infection contracted as a
result of the use of medicinal products derived from
human blood or human plasma. At present, such measures
fall within the field of competence of the Member States.

(') OJNoE 181,28.6.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 511/90

by Mr Joaquin Sis6 Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/70)

_Subject:_ Notifying the Commission of electrical energy
investment projects

Throughout the electrical energy production sector in the
Community, special attention is being paid to the
announcement by the Commission that it plans to propose
that Brussels be notified of energy investment projects so
that other countries can be informed thereof, thereby
ensuring that any conflict of interests is avoided.

As this announcement comes- at a time when some

Community Member States are considering mergers of
national electricity companies, the Commission's plan
raises questions about the procedure to be followed in

No C 266/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

such mergers in view of the need to provide information
about any investments arising from the inevitable
adaptations which such mergers would entail.

Can the Commission state what kind of proposal it
intends to put forward? For example, when does it think
that the proposal can enter into force and what effect
might it have on the pattern of mergers of electricity
companies which are becoming widespread in the
electricity sectors in certain Member States?

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

_(7 May 1990)_

The Commission has proposed to the Council that
existing legislation on the notification of energy
investment projects should be amended to allow such
projects, including in the electricity sector, to be notified
to the Member States for their opinion.

The Commission's purpose in proposing this amendment
is to obtain authorization to communicate the

information it receives to the other Member States, in
order to enable them to submit any comments they may
have on the Community dimension of the project in
question. The Commission would forward any such
comments to the Member State concerned and, through
it, to the undertakings with whom the decision to
implement the project lies.

This exchange of information, which must take place at a
stage where it is still possible to modify projects, is crucial
to the optimum allocation of investment resources on a
Community scale. The Commission's role would be
limited to organizing the exchange of information, which
would remain confidential unless already made public.

As this is a field in which decisions lie with the

undertakings that bear the investment risk, the
Commission did not wish to propose a binding
coordination procedure.

The entry into force of the new procedure would not pose
any particular problem; it could take effect on 1 January
of the year following adoption of the proposal by the
Council.

This proposal should not have any effect on the
phenomenon of regrouping of electricity companies
observed in some countries (e.g. Belgium). If certain
investments appear necessary as a result of a company
merger, they will have to be notified to the Commission
by their promoter through the Member State in
accordance with the legislation in force.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 515/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/71)

_Subject:_ Refusal of authorization for GNS to begin
operations

On 30 September 1988 the 'Gesellschaft fiir Nuklear
Service mbH' (GNS) was set up by a number of German
electricity undertakings, not least in response to the
machinations of Transnuklear GmbH and Nukem

GmbH. According to a VDI news report of 26 May 1989,
however, GNS was prevented by Commission objections
from commencing its operations..

1. Why did the Commission refuse authorization for
GNS to begin operations?

2. Have these objections been lifted in the meantime
and, if so, what developments have led to this?

3. Does the Commission agree that, given the ownership
structure of GNS, there can be no question of
deconcentration of the nuclear energy sectors in the
field of reprocessing?

4. What view does the Commission take of a possible
merger between the German DWK nuclear fuel
reprocessing company with GNS, which was
announced by DWK on 23 November 1989 in a press   release?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May 1990)_

The agreement concluded between the German nuclear
power station operators and GNS (Gesellschaft fiir
Nuklear Service mbH), whereby the disposal
(conditioning and interim storage) of low- and
medium-level radioactive operating wastes and residues
arising from the generation of electricity in German
nuclear power stations is to be exclusively carried out by
GNS where the nuclear power stations do not do so
themselves, was notified in September 1988.

Since this agreement involves an exclusive obligation and
could, hence, in certain circumstances, place companies
from other Member States at a disadvantage, the
Commission has so far not officially exempted it from the
prohibition laid down by the competition rules of the
EEC Treaty. Consideration of the case has not yet been
completed by the Commission, so it is not possible at the
moment to answer the Honourable Member's questions
in more detail.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/35

However, the Commission would like to point out
explicitly that the notified agreement does not relate to
the reprocessing of nuclear fuels, but to the disposal of
low- and medium-level radioactive operating wastes and
residues from German nuclear power stations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 536/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/72)

_Subject:_ Specific taxation of insurance premiums

The premiums for the third party insurance that is
compulsory for all vehicles are subject to very high duties
in France as a result, in particular, of specific taxation. In
the context of tax harmonization, what steps are being
considered to abolish this discrimination?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May_ _1990)_

The Council has not so far adopted any measure
abolishing or harmonizing taxes and parafiscal charges
levied in the Member States on insurance services, in
particular motor vehicle liability insurance premiums.

Council Directive 88/357/EEC of 22 June 1988 0
provides that any insurance contract concluded under the
arrangements for the provision of services is liable
exclusively to the direct taxes and parafiscal charges levied
on insurance premiums in the Member State where the
risk is situated, without prejudice to future tax
harmonization. That provision is intended to maintain the
territorial basis of the tax and avoid double taxation.

Although motor vehicle liability insurance is provisionally
excluded from the scope of Title III of the Directive, a
proposal for a Directive including it is currently before
the Council. It is planned to apply the same territoriality
principle.

It should also be pointed out that, in pursuance of the
Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1977 ( [2] ), all Member

States exempt insurance and reinsurance transactions,
including related services, from VAT.

The Commission does not intend in the near future to
present any specific proposals for tax harmonization in
the insurance sector.

(') OJNoL 172,4.7.1988.
O OJNoL145, 13.6.1977, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 555/90

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/73)

_Subject:_ Permission for Commission staff to engage
in remunerative employment outside their
Commission duties

Can the Commission inform the House which members
of staff, and from which directorates, applied to the
Secretary-General of the Commission for permission to
engage in remunerative employment in the form of
consultancies or other entrepreneurial activities? Could
the Commission inform the House how many of these
applications were acceptable or rejected on the grounds
that a conflict of interest might arise between such
activities and work within the Commission's directorate?

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

_(11_ _May_ _1990)_

In 1989 the Commission granted permission to 99
officials to engage in an outside activity, gainful or not,
under the second paragraph of Article 12 of the Staff
Regulations.

In most cases such permission was for teaching activities.

No officials were granted permission to engage in
entrepreneurial activities or to practise a profession
(architecture, law, medicine, etc.) or engage in
commercial activities, on the grounds that such activities
were considered incompatible with service with the
institution.

No C 266/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 559/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/74)

_Subject:_ Noxious substances in UHT milk packaging

There has been concern about the sterilization of

packaged UHT milk since Greenpeace claimed that this
type of packaging generates dioxins. What should the
response to this warning be?

1. Can the Commission confirm the report that milk is
contaminated by carcinogenic and mutagenic
chemicals in the packaging?

2. Is this type of packaging subject to checks during
manufacture and is it regulated in anyway?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May 1990)_

The Commission has been informed that certain dairy
products sold in cartons have been contaminated by
minute quantities of dioxin present in the cartons. The
problem has therefore been raised at Community level
and was recently discussed at a Council of Europe
meeting preparing a motion for a resolution on paper and
cardboard intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.

Following the revelation, representatives of European
pulp manufacturers said at the meeting that minute
quantities of dioxin might indeed be present in the cartons
as a result of the chlorine treatment used in the bleaching
of the pulp. The treatment had accordingly been altered
so as to prevent dioxin production. Representatives of a
number of governments said that checks on cartons had
shown a drop in the levels of dioxin present. These levels
were below 1 ppt (part per trillion = part per millionth
part per million), which was around the same level of
pollution as was found in the river water used to
manufacture the pulp and in the air and the soil.

There was full agreement that any traces in the milk of
dioxin from the carton posed neither an acute danger
calling for immediate legislative measures nor a
significant long-term danger for man.

Council Directive 89/109/EEC of 21 December 1988 (')
on materials and objects intended to come into contact

with foodstuffs requires the Member States, and
consequently all packaging manufacturers, to check that
components liable to pose a risk to human health cannot
pass from materials and objects into foodstuffs. The
Directive also provides for a Community regulation on
paper and cardboard. The Commission has already begun
to study the problem and will not fail to take any
appropriate measures, where necessary, under this
forthcoming directive to prevent the problem referred to
by the Honourable Member.

O OJ No L 40, 11. 2.1989, p. 38.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 582/90

by Mr Manfred Vohrer (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/75)

_Subject:_ Civil servants

Is the Commission aware that the grading and
remuneration of European civil servants is becoming
increasingly out of step with national scales? Is the
journalist Mr Thomas Gack of the _Stuttgarter Zeitung_
justified in making the critical comparison 'European mail
sorter with professor's salary', which was published on 11
January 1990?

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

_(23 May 1990)_

Under the salary adjustment method adopted by the
Council, Community officials' salaries progress in line
with the average rise in civil servants' salaries in the twelve
Member States. Between 1980 and 1989 that represented,
on average, a loss of purchasing power of some 2,5 %. In
addition to this loss, a further 4% was lost owing to the
impact of the crisis levy. On the basis of these indicators
the Commission is unable to find that the remuneration of

Community officials is out of step with that paid in
equivalent posts on the Member State average.

As regards the substance of the article in the _Stuttgarter_
_Zeitung,_ the Commission has no information as to the
Council's approach. It takes the view that this question
should be addressed to the Council.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/37

WRITTEN QUESTION No 606/90

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

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/76)

_Subject:_ Nuclear fission energy

On 18 October 1989, the Economic and Social Committee
adopted an opinion in which it stressed that all possible
steps should be taken to reach an indispensable political
consensus in the field of radioactive waste storage and

management.

What are the main principles on which the Commission
wishes this consensus to be based ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 May 1990)_

The Commission shares the views of the Economic and

Social Committee as expressed in its opinion of 18
October 1989 to the effect that the long-term practical
application of research results cannot take the form of
safe storage installations unless, once the technical
conditions have been fulfilled, the public has been
informed and becomes aware of the need for and

correctness of the concepts adopted in this area. This
being the case a true political dialogue should thus be
entered into and promoted at all levels.

Like the Committee, the Commission also feels that any
delay in the search for solutions to the problems involved
in safe, long-term storage is becoming impossible to
justify and that close cooperation and a continuous
exchange of experience are essential both within the
Community and with non-member countries.

The Commission has taken note of the recommendations

made by the European Parliament in its opinion on the
proposal for an R&D programme on the management and
storage of radioactive wastes (1990 to 1994) (') and those
set out in the opinion from the Economic and Social
Committee which are aimed at stepping up the R&D
activities enabling final storage sites to be brought on
stream quickly.

The Commission is also involved in promoting strategies,
practices and regulations on the final storage of
radioactive wastes.

The Commission would remind the Honourable

Members of its stance regarding all of these points which
it put to the Council in its communication of 29 July 1987.

O OJNoL395,30.12.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 609/90

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/77)

_Subject:_ Animal testing of cosmetic products

The recent initiatives taken by the Commission and others
to eliminate the use of the LD50 test are noted with

approval.

However, is the Commission aware of new proposals for
amending the EEC Cosmetic Directive
(76/768/EEC) (')? These, as currently drafted, are being
opposed by the cosmetic industry since they refer to a
number of specific animal tests and would result in a
considerable increase in the number of animals used.

How can the intention of the Commission to reduce

animal testing as shown by the LD50 initiative and the
proposals for a Council decision for the protection of
vertebrate animals used in experimental and scientific
purposes ( [2] ) be reconciled with the requirements of these
new proposals?

(*) OJ No L 262,27.9. 1976, p. 169.
O OJ No C 200, 5. 8.1989, p. 8.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May 1990)_

The Commission is preparing an amendment of Directive
76/768 on cosmetics since major obstacles to the trade of
these products still exist. In fact, several provisions of the
said Directive such as the border line between cosmetics

and medicines, the safety of the finished product and the
labelling requirements for cosmetics have to be drafted in
a more specific and complete way in order to better reflect
the way in which safety of cosmetics is guaranteed.

Thus, the result of the new amendment will not be to add
any additionnal testing requirements to the present
practice. It will, however, better reflect the actual
Community law ensuring that safety provisions are
interpreted in a homogeneous way throughout the
Community.

As to the reduction of animal testing in cosmetics, the
Commission will certainly take into consideration *
through a new article, provisions of existing and binding
Community instruments such as Directive 86/609 on the

No C 266/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

protection of animals used in experiments or for other
scientific reasons (') and Directive 67/548 on chemical
substances ( [2] ) in the field of which works to eliminate the
use of the LD50 test have been undertaken. In addition,
the possibility of regulating claims for new cosmetics as
'animal-free tested' is being considered. This could have a
positive effect also.

In addition, in several research programmes the
Commission is supporting the development of novel _in_
_vitro_ test systems. In particular, projects such as
'Reconstruction _in_ _vitro_ of human skin for

pharmacological and toxicological studies' will contribute
to a reduction in the number of animals necessary for
testing the safety of cosmetics.

(') OJNoL358,18.12.1986,p. 1.
_C)_ OJNoL196,16.8.1967, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 620/90

by Mr Ben Visscr (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/78)

_Subject:_ Catalytic converters in cars

A newspaper article (') on the fitting of catalytic
converters refers to the disadvantages of their use. The
German cancer specialist, Dr Nieper, has discovered that
a catalytic converter releases between 0,8 and 1,6 mg of
platinum atoms per 1 000 km, which may cause lung
cancer when inhaled by human beings. Dr Nieper bases
his conclusions on his research in Taiwan, Japan and the
United States. Dutch research institutes such as the TNO

claim that Dr Nieper is exaggerating.

1. What results are known to the Commission of

research into the harmful effects of catalytic
converters?

2. Does the Commission consider that more research is

necessary?

3. If so, what activities does the Commission intend to
pursue in this area?

(') _De_ _Telegraaf,_ 3 February 1990.

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

_(31_ _May 1990)_

The value of 0,8 to 1,6 mg platinum per 1000 km
mentioned by the Honourable Member cannot be
confirmed from recent analytical data. Random tests in
this field show much lower values below the current

analytical detection limit.

There are now no known findings to justify the suspicion
that emissions from catalytic converters containing noble
metals, such as platinum, could impose a risk to
environment and human health.

In the USA and Japan motor vehicles with catalytic
converters were widely introduced about 10 years earlier
than in Europe. Alarming findings on effects of platinum
emissions have not been reported from these countries up

to now.

As a precaution the Federal Minister for Research and
Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany has
nevertheless commissioned a research project in order to
improve the analytical methods for the detection of traces
of platinum, to analyze the emissions of platinum from
catalytic converters, and to clarify the potential effects of
fine grained platinum on ecosystems, food chains and
human health. This research project has not been
completed.

The results of the research in the Federal Republic of
Germany will be published. The Commission does not
therefore consider any research in this field necessary at
present and no funds have been allocated under the
environmental research programme.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 624/90

by Mr Juan Garaikoetxea Urriza (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/79)

_Subject:_ Aid to the Basque country in 1989

What ERDF aid was given to the Basque country in 1989,
excluding programmes initiated by the Community?

How have the ERDF funds allocated to Spain been
administered during the transitional period leading up to
the reform of the Structural Fund?

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/39

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May_ _1990)_

During 1989, the first year of implementation of the
reform of the Structural Fund, the Commission
concentrated its efforts on preparing and establishing the
Community support frameworks for the regions whose
development is lagging behind (Objective 1) and for
declining industrial areas (Objective 2). Accordingly, the
Commission, in agreement with the Spanish authorities
and acting under the transitional provisions of Article 15
of the framework Regulation, approved chiefly projects
which had been pending since before the end of 1988. In
the case of the Basque country, one project, involving a
contribution by the ERDF of ECU 250 000, was approved
in 1989 since the Spanish authorities preferred to convert
the former NPCI submitted at the end of 1988 into an
operational programme. That programme, which covers
the period 1989 to 1991 and will attract a contribution
from the ERDF of ECU 140 million, is currently under
consideration and could be approved very shortly.

Projects submitted before 31 December 1988 and
approved in 1989 for the various regions of Spain are
listed in the detailed table which the Commission is
sending direct to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat of Parliament.

O OJNoL185, 15.7. 1988, p. 9.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 638/90

by Mrs Marie Jepsen (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/80)

_Subject:_ Abuses in respect of child labour in Portugal

What measures does the Commission intend to take to
bring to an end as soon as possible the disgraceful abuses
affecting 200 000 child workers (of whom 75 % are under
14 years of age) who are employed in the Portuguese
footwear, textile, clothing, metal and construction
industries in contravention of ILO conventions and the
Community's Social Charter and in contradiction with the
objectives of the Commission's Social Action
Programme?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 June 1990)_

Portugal has not ratified ILO Conventions Nos 59 and 60
(1937) concerning the minimum age for the admission of
children to employment.

Under Article 123/1 of the Employment Contracts Act,
persons under 14 years or below the age of compulsory
schooling may not work. Enforcement of these provisions
is a matter for the national authorities.

Chapter 11 (Protection of Children and Adolescents) of
the Commission action programme to implement the
Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of
Workers provides for a Council Directive on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States on the
protection of young people.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 642/90

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 266/81)

_Subject:_ Creation of the BTT cooperative

Is the Commission aware that, since 1 January 1990, the
Bahntank Transport GmbH (BTT) Cooperative has been
set up by four transport undertakings in cooperation with
the German rail authorities?

Is the Commission also aware that no guarantees have
been given that BTT will not be given more favourable
treatment than private undertakings and that, on the
contrary, the German rail authorities have gone as far to
inform private undertakings that kilometre rates for
transport by rail can be given only after consultation with
BTT?

Will the Commission investigate this matter as soon as
possible to establish whether distortion of competition is
taking place? What measures does it intend to take if this
proves to be the case?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May_ _1990)_

The Commission knows that such a grouping has been set
up, but does not have enough facts at this stage to judge
whether it is compatible with Community law.

No C 266/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

The Commission has decided, therefore, to request fuller
information from the undertakings concerned and will
keep the Honourable Member informed of developments.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 665/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/82)

_Subject:_ Damage to the ozone layer

It has now been demonstrated that the damage to the
ozone layer in the stratosphere is far more extensive
than had previously been thought. In addition to
fluorocarbons a number of other chemicals are also

clearly responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer.

1. Is it true that chlorine compounds are mainly
responsible for damage to the ozone layer?

2. What damage to the ozone layer could be caused by
substances containing chlorine which do not contain
fluoride, e.g., carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene,
perchloroethylene, etc.?

3. What quantitites of these chlorinated hydrocarbons
are produced in Community countries? What amounts
are emitted and what quantitites are exported and
imported?

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

_(13_ _June 1990)_

1. Scientists have assigned the main reason for the
appearance of the diminution of ozone above Antarctica
to chlorine compounds.

2. Apart from CFCs and halons current scientific
information has indicated that carbon tetrachloride and

methyl chloroform (1,1,1 trichloroethane) can have a
negative effect on the ozone layer. This is the reason these
substances are expected to be controlled by the revised
Montreal Protocol due in June 1990.

Substances like trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene
are not thought to affect ozone because of their small
lifetime in the atmosphere.

3. In the Community 460 974 tonnes of carbon
tetrachloride were consumed in 1987 and 145 000 tonnes

of methyl chloroform in 1984.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 670/90

by Mr Giuseppe Rauti (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/83)

_Subject:_ Destruction of tropical rain forests

Can the Commission say whether there is a study
assessing the condition of the tropical rain forests all over
the world, in particular with a view to the forthcoming
launch of ERS-1, the European Space Agency's first
environmental satellite? EEC experts will also be involved
in this project and it has been announced that the
programme will devote particular attention to the process
of 'desertification' affecting many Mediterranean
countries and the rising level of the world's seas. In the
last few years the 'Centro Esrin' in Frascati — an ESA
office — has developed positive research capacity in the
field of environmental observation, since it administers
the gathering and distribution of data obtained by means
of the satellites used in this survey, which are of the
American Landsat type. The Centre also has the relevant
documentation, which we would like our committee and
each of its members to have in order to provide more
information for the debate on the destruction of the

tropical rain forests, which, according to the most recent
available data, is proceeding inexorably at an average rate
of more than 11,3 million hectares per year (21 hectares
per minute!). One of the many consequences of this is that
approximately half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide are
released into the atmosphere each year, which, added to
the five billion tonnes produced by the consumption of
fuel, obviously helps to cause the 'greenhouse effect'. In
addition to obtaining the documentation referred to
above, could the Commission ask an authoritative
representative of the ESA to report on this subject in the
near future?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1990)_

The Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA)
have prepared a joint project on the assessment of tropical
deforestation. The 'Tropical Ecosystem Environment
Observations by Satellites' (Trees) project has the
objectives of:

1. providing unambiguous space data sets and
information on the tropical ecosystem's
environmental parameters (e.g. rate of change of
forest cover, biomass burning) for an improved
scientific assessment of their impact on global
changes, such as the greenhouse effect;

2. establishing an integrated multi-satellite observational
programme for long-term, continuous monitoring of
the forest cover and the rate of deforestation.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/41

The project draws upon the extensive experience of ESA
in the collection of space data and the on-going research
activities of the Joint Research Centre (Institute for
Remote Sensing Applications, Ispra) in the area of
tropical vegetation monitoring using remote sensing
techniques.

The Trees project will comprise an extensive
observational and modelling effort from the involved
JRC/ESA research groups and the scientific community
concerned. In particular, the Joint Research Centre (JRC)
will attempt to demonstrate that the global ERS-1 data of
the all-weather sensor Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
could be exploited for a continuous monitoring of
tropical forests.

At present, the Institute of Remote Sensing Application,
JRC, Ispra, is involved in the analysis of the tropical
deforestation global data set obtained from the US
NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration)
satellites.

The research and development efforts devoted to this
project should lead to the production of an operational
system for monitoring tropical deforestation on a global
scale.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 672/90

by Mr Virginio Bettini (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/84)

_Subject:_ Cable television in Belgium

1. Does the Commission not consider that cable

television, as it exists in Belgium, constitutes a kind of
monopoly and does not allow the viewer any freedom to
tune into the wavelengths which he might be able to
receive if left to himself?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the fact that

the consumer does not have a choice of cable television

companies at local level constitutes an abuse of dominant
position as regards the cost of the 'service' provided?

3. Does the Commission not consider that distribution

companies have a virtual monopoly, since they oblige the
viewer to receive the channels they deem appropriate and
do not allow him freedom of choice?

4. Does the Commission not consider that State

control over television screens is contrary to the concept
of a free market in televised information?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 May 1990)_

Cable television provides the viewer with an additional
means of receiving TV programmes, alongside individual
or collective aerials.

It broadens the choice of programmes available to viewers
and is also the only method of transmitting certain
specific programmes.

In Belgium, cable television is governed by a law enacted
on 6 February 1987 and conferring on the Belgian
Government discretionary powers for authorizing the
operation of cable TV networks. By granting such special
or exclusive rights to cable TV companies, the Belgian
Government places them in a dominant position at local
or regional level. This does not necessarily mean,
however, that such positions are abused.

The cable TV companies could, admittedly, take
advantage of their position to impose unfair subscription
rates or conditions. The problem was nevertheless
anticipated by the aforementioned law, which makes the
companies subject to the rules on price control.

The legal protection the companies enjoy also enables
them to decide at their discretion which programmes to
retransmit through their networks. However, the
Commission does not have any evidence suggesting that
they would refuse to retransmit TV broadcasts from other
Member States without objective justification, such as the
relationship between demand and costs.

Accordingly, the organization of cable television in
Belgium in the form of a local or regional monopoly does
not infringe the provisions of the Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 675/90

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/85)

_Subject:_ Commission proposal for a Council Decision on
the conclusion on behalf of the Community of
the European Convention for the protection of
vertebrate animals used for experiments and
other scientific purposes

It is good news that the European Community as a whole
intends to become a party to the European Convention

No C 266/42 Official Journal of {he European Communities. 22. 10. 90

for the protection of vertebrate animals used, for
experiments and other scientific purposes.

1. What effects will this move have on the incorporation
of this European Convention into the national
legislation of the Member States ?

2. How many Member States have now signed the
Convention and which Member States are they?

3. Which Member States have now ratified the

Convention?

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

_(1_ _June 1990)_

1. In pursuance of Article 100 of the EEC Treaty,
Directive 86/609/EEC ('), adopted by the Council on
24 November 1986, has already incorporated into
Community law the principles, objectives and essential
provisions of the European Convention on the protection
of vertebrate animals used for experiments and other
scientific purposes. The deadline for transposition of
the Directive into national law by the Member States was
24 November 1989.

Furthermore, in its proposal for a Council Decision on
the conclusion on behalf of the Community of this
Convention, the Commission sets a deadline for the
simultaneous deposition by the Community and the
Member States of their instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval.

2. At present, eight Member States — Belgium,
Denmark, Germany, France, Greece, the Netherlands
and the United Kingdom — have signed the European
Convention on the protection of vertebrate animals used
for experiments and other scientific purposes. v

3. The information available indicates that only one
Member State — Spain — has ratified the Convention.

(') OJNoL358, 18. 12. 1986, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 676/90

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/86)

_Subject:_ Planned legislation against moist chewing
tobacco

The 'Europe against cancer' programme includes
anti-smoking measures. These measures concern '

cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and snuff and deal with
permitted tar levels and restrictions on advertising. In
addition to these products th^re are also moist and dry
chewing tobaccos. Does the Commission intend to make
moist und dry chewing tobaccos subject to the same
provisions as are already in force or are proposed for
smoking tobacco?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1990)_

The Commission is indeed committed to the programme
'Europe against cancer' to construct a framework of
European-wide measures to counteract the development
of tobacco addiction. Youth protection is particularly
envisaged by these measures.

The different possibilities for European action to tackle
the issue of moist snuff tobacco (oral smokeless tobacco),
which seems to be targeted specifically at young people,
are currently examined within the framework of the
specific powers of the European Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 683/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/87)

_Subject:_ Events for the disabled

Could the Commission provide information on any
competitive events for the disabled (e.g. special Olympics,
etc.) which the European Commission is currently
funding or may have plans to fund?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _May 1990)_

The Commission has been involved for a number of years
in supporting sports activities which are one of the means
by which it wants to stimulate activity to support the
social integration of persons with special needs. Recently,
the Commission has been in a position to give a limited
amount of financial support to some events.

During 1990 the Commission will be involved in 19 sports
projects for disabled people among which are some
competitive events such as the European Summer Special

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/43

Olympic Games (Glasgow), the European Wheelchair
Endurance (NL), the Special Olympics (B) and the World
Games (NL).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 691/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/88)

_Subject:_ Radon gas emissions — pilot projects

Would the Commission be prepared to introduce pilot
projects in the different Member States aimed at
furthering our knowledge of radon gas emissions?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 692/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/89)

_Subject:_ Domestic radon emissions in Ireland

After recent reports of high level of domestic radon
emissions in Ireland, could the Commission inform me
whether it is prepared to introduce proposals to alleviate
this problem?

Joint Answer to Written Questions Nos 691/90 and 692/90
given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1990)_

In recent years all Member States have been engaged in
pilot projects to investigate the extent of the problem of
exposure of the population to indoor radon gas
concentrations. In most Member States these pilot
projects have been completed with extensive national
surveys, from which results are already available or will be
available soon.

Some of the earliest pilot projects were carried out with
the support of the Commission in the framework of the
Radiation Protection Research programme. Such projects
were initiated by the Commission in 1980 and supported
during the 1980 to 1984 programme. This yielded a
reliable picture of the average exposure of the European
population as well as an indication of regions where
exposures higher than average may occur. In the 1985 to
1989 programme, emphasis was given to more
fundamental studies on radon daughter aerosols,
modelling of radon ingress and countermeasure
development. In 1987 an _ad hoc_ working party of the

Euratom Article 31 Group of Experts published a
report (') outlining the present situation within the
Community.

Following the initiatives of the Commission, all Member
States developed national or regional measuring
campaigns of indoor fadon concentrations. Therefore
such efforts must no longer be supported by the Research
programme. However, in order to ensure the reliability
and the quality of the measurements still in progress, the
Radiation Protection programme organizes every three
years a large scale international intercomparison and
intercalibration exercise, and each year at the (enlarged)
European level an intercomparison exercise.

In the current 1990 to 1991 programme three large
multinational contracts were started on radon sources,
modelling and remedial actions, on the physico-chemical
studies of the indoor radioactive aerosols and on the

retrospective assessment of indoor exposure to radon.
Research centres from the twelve Member States are

associated with these contracts.

The results of a national survey carried out in* the
Republic of Ireland were published at the latest
International Symposium on the Natural Radiation
Environment held at Lisbon, December 1987 ( [2] ). The
mean radon concentration equals 58 Becquerels m~ [3],
which is fairly high but still in the range of values
commonly found in other Member States. As in other
countries regional differences appear, related to
geological features. Higher values were found for
instance in the County of Clare. The maximum value
found among 29 randomly chosen dwellings in the county
was 1 700 Becquerels m~\ The Commission received
further information on the ongoing regional survey in the
West of Ireland showing that nearly 3 % of the dwellings
exceed 400 Becquerels m~\

The level of 400 Becquerels m [-3] is defined as a reference
level for remedial action in a recent Commission

recommendation on the protection of the public against
indoor exposure to radon ( [J] ). It is recommended that
simple but effective means aimed at reducing the radon
concentration below this level be considered.

Criteria should be developed for identifying regions, sites
and building characteristics likely to be associated with
high indoor radon levels. The identification of the
problem areas may necessitate further efforts
concentrated on regional surveys taking into account
geological features.

(') Radiation Protection — Exposure to natural radiation in
dwellings of the European Communities — Luxembourg,
May 1987.
( [2] ) Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 24, No 1/4, pp. 379 to
382(1988).
O OJNoL80,27.3. 1990, p. 26.

No C 266/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 711/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/90)

_Subject:_ Transboundary movements of toxic wastes

Can the Commission confirm that the reason being given
by the United Kingdom Government for delaying
ratification of the Basle Convention on the Control of

Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
their Disposal signed on 22 March 1989, namely that
owing to Directive 84/631/EEC ('), 'the United Kingdom
cannot ratify by itself but must act in unison with our
partners in the European Community', is valid?

Can the Commission give a timetable for proposed
amending directives to Directive 84/631/EEC which
would enable Member States to become signatories to the
Basle Convention?

In the light of the Lome IV Convention signed on 15
December 1989 and the vote of the European Parliament
of 25 May 1989 which called for a total ban on hazardous
waste exports to all developing countries, and the
recognition of the aforementioned Basle Convention of
the 'increasing desire for the prohibition of
transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their
disposal in other states, especially developing states' can
the Commission declare its intention to propose an
amending Directive to Directive 84/631 /EEC which
prohibits hazardous waste exports to all developing
countries and commits the Member States to the eventual

elimination of the trade in hazardous wastes?

0) OJNoL326, 13.12. 1984 >P . 31.

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

_(8 May 1990)_

The reason given by the United Kingdom Government
for delaying ratification of the Basle Convention, namely
that it must act in unison with the EC partners, is perfectly
valid. Indeed, the Community was amongst the first
signatories of the Convention, alongside eight of its
Member States; the United Kingdom Government signed
the Convention on 6 October 1989.

The Commission is actually working on a proposal for
a Regulation that will supersede Directive

No 84/631/EEC. The Council, by means of the
resolution adopted at its meeting on 22 March 1990,
invited the Commission to transmit its proposal by June
1990. The Commission is giving absolute priority to this
proposal.

All the same the Commission would like to point out that
ratification by Member States and approval by the
Community are not dependent on the adoption of the
implementing legislation. The Commission intends to
propose a mandate for approval of the Convention by
the Community by April, allowing for a common
ratification/approval by Community and Member States
well before the end of the year.

In pursuance of Article 39 of the Lome IV Convention,
the Commission will introduce an export prohibition for
dangerous wastes to ACP Countries. Exports to other
developing countries are rendered virtually impossible by
the provisions of the Basle Convention; if they occur, they
would have to be considered as illegal traffic. The
Commission will see to it that these provisions will be
scrupulously implemented; and that the approach
adopted will not be minimalistic.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 716/90

by Mr Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/91)

_Subject:_ Programmes for grant holders

How does the Commission intend to deal with the

problem of the holders of grants in biotechnology under
the BAP programme, given that this programme is due to
terminate this December and the Bridge programme will
not begin until next March, and that the interests of a
number of researchers are already affected by these
circumstances?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _May 1990)_

The BAP programme (') was adopted by Council
Decision on 12 March 1985 for a five-year period (1.1.
1985 to 31.12.1989).

The Bridge programme ( [2] ) was adopted by Council
Decision on 27 November 1989 for a four-year period
(1.1.1990 to 31.12.1993).

Grants have continued to be awarded without

interruption between the end of the BAP and beginning of
the Bridge programmes.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/45

For the Bridge programme, the first grant holders for
1990 were selected on 29. 3.1990.

(') OJ No L 83,25. 3.1985.
O OJNoL360,9.12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 761/90

by Mr James Elles (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/92)

_Subject:_ European Community and international
organizations

Would the Commission list those international

organizations in which the European Community is
legally a full member? What are the financial
contributions to each of these organizations by the
European Commission for membership?

Would the Commission also list those international

organizations to which the European Community belongs
in conjunction with the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

The Community is currently a member of certain
international organizations as a result of its having taken
part in the conclusion of international fishery agreements.

As a party to these agreements, the Community
contributes:

— ECU 63 800 to the North Atlantic Fisheries

Organization (NAFO);

— ECU 38 500 to the Commission for the Conservation

of Antarctic Marine Life Resources (CCAMLR);

— ECU 101 600 to the North Atlantic Salmon

Conservation Organization (Nasco);

— ECU 14 500 to the Baltic Fisheries Commission.

The Commission is sending the Honourable Member and
the Secretariat of Parliament a copy of 'The European
Communities' Relations with International

Organizations'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 785/90

by Mr James Elles (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/93)

_Subject:_ Procedure for standards approval

Now that the emphasis of the 1992 programme is moving
towards the standards bodies (CEN and Cenelec) in order
to implement decisions made by the European
Community, does the Commission believe that these
bodies are sufficiently open to interests who will be
affected by the decisions which they make? If not, how
would they recommend that such procedures should be
improved?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 May 1990)_

One of the aspects included in the 'Internal Market 1992'
programme is the removal of technical barriers, where
European standardization plays a very important role in
the directives based on the Council resolution of 7 May
1985 ( [!] ) and the Council conclusions of 16 July 1984 (the
'new approach' Directives).

On 13 November 1984, the Commission concluded a
global cooperation agreement with CEN and Cenelec, the
European standardization bodies, under which these
bodies undertook to ensure that all interested parties,
should they so desire, would be involved in the drafting
of European standards. The organization of this
participation in the work of standardization and the
establishment of the national position is done by the
members of CEN/Cenelec in an open and transparent
manner on the basis of this undertaking. What is more,
the internal regulations of CEN/Cenelec guarantee a very
broad measure of consultation by means of public
enquiries and the application of a democratic
decision-making process.

In addition, in 1989 the Commission signed a cooperative
agreement with the European Trade Union
Confederation to allow for the consultation of workers'

representatives and facilitate their participation in
European standardization work in respect of problems
connected with health and safety at the workplace.

Given the vital importance of European standardization
work for the development of economic integration in
Europe, the Commission is currently examining ways of
improving direct consultation and participation on a
European level for all those involved. The Commission is

No C 266/46 Official Journal of the European Communities _22._ 10. 90

preparing a green paper on standardization with the aim
of launching a general debate on the future development
of European standardization.

(*) OJ No C 136, 4.6.1985, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 799/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 266/94)

_Subject:_ Transposition of Community directives

How many Community directives have not been
transposed into national law in one or more of the
Member States within the prescribed deadlines? How
many Member States have still not transposed into their
national law any one of these directives?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to the

annual reports to the European Parliament on
Commission monitoring of the application of Community
law C).

The seventh report (1989) is in process of being drafted.

(') 1st annual report to the European Parliament — COM(84)
181 final. 2nd annual report to the European Parliament —
COM(85) 149 final. 3rd annual report to the European
Parliament — OJ No C 220, 1. 9. 1986. 4th annual report to
the European Parliament - OJ No C 338, 16. 12. 1987. 5th
annual report to the European Parliament — OJ No C 310,
5. 12. 1988. 6th annual report to the European Parliament —
OJNoC330,30. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 814/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_{4 April 1990)_

(90/C 266/95)

_Subject:_ Regulations governing the _in vitro_ diagnosis of
human and animal pathologies

There are no specific regulations dealing with _in vitro_
diagnosis designed to identify and prevent diseases in

human beings and animals. Lack of diagnosis or a wrong
diagnosis of certain diseases may mean that a disease
cannot be cured or a disease may be passed from animals
to human brings if an animal has been treated in an
inappropriate way. Since there is an international prototol
on pharmaceutical products, the drawing up of specific
rules on instrumental diagnostics cannot be delayed any
longer. Can the Commission say what procedure should
be followed in the absence of such rules on the labelling,
advertising and marketing of these products at European
level and whether it is considering proposing a directive
on the subject or intends to make some other
arrangement?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1990)_

The Commission is planning to propose a directive
governing the marketing of medical apparatus for _in vitro_
diagnosis. However, studies on this subject are not yet
complete. A proposal should be ready by 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 820/90

by Mr Ben Fayot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 266/96)

_Subject:_ Revision of the Euratom Treaty

It is becoming increasingly evident that man is not in
control of nuclear energy. As far as the day-to-day
operation of nuclear reactors is concerned, a recent report
by EDF (the French electricity board) on nuclear safety in
1989 reveals that '1989 was marked by a number of
serious incidents'.

Furthermore the whole issue of the storage of radioactive
waste has never been tackled seriously when decisions
have been taken to build nuclear power stations. Finally,
the dismantling of old nuclear power stations causes
enormous problems, the cost of which has never been
taken into account when the cost price of nuclear energy
is calculated.

It has also emerged that the safety of people living nearby
is seriouly jeopardized (if a serious accident occurred at
the Cattenom nuclear power station two-thirds of the
population of Luxembourg could be wiped out) by the
establishment of nuclear power stations.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/47

Finally, the whole problem of non-proliferation still falls
within the domain of the national authorities and is

governed by commercial interest.

This state of affairs induces me to ask the Commission

whether is does not consider that a thorough revision of
the Euratom Treaty is urgently needed in response to the
profound concern felt by the vast majority of the
Community population?

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

_(8 June 1990)_

The protection of the population and of the environment
against possible dangers resulting from the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy has always been one of the
Commission's major concerns.

The Commission is convinced that nuclear energy can
only make a lasting contribution to the security of the
Community's energy supplies if the protection of the
population and the environment is assured at all times.

The Commission takes the view that such protection may
be achieved, above all, if full use is made of the powers
conferred on the Community by the Euratom Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 845/90

by Mr Andrea Bonetti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 266/97)

_Subject:_ Carriage of goods direct and in transit on
Austrian territory — Introduction of road
cabotage

The Commission's intervention, in agreement with the
Italian Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany,
has in fact paralysed the situation between these two
countries and Austria with regard to the carriage of goods
direct and in transit on the territory of that non-Member
country.

In view of the complaints by Italian road haulage
contractors about both the ban on heavy vehicle traffic at
night on Austrian territory and the insufficiency of
destination and transit permits on that territory, can the
Commission say what steps it has taken in this
connection ?

Can the Commission also say whether, with regard to the
proposal put forward by Italian road haulage contractors,
it accepts the validity of the arguments for deferring
implementation on the territory of the Italian Republic of

Regulation (EEC) No 4059/89 ('), which provides for the
establishment of an experimental quota of authorizations
for road cabotage?

(') OJ No L 390, 30.12.1989, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1990)_

The Commission is currently conducting negotiations on
behalf of the Community with the non-Community
countries, including Austria, through which the
Community's transit traffic passes. The aim of the
negotiations is to resolve the difficulties encountered by
intra-Community traffic in transit through these
non-Community countries. In the course of the
negotiations, at the Commission's insistence, the Austrian
Minister for Transport has granted a number of
exemptions to the Austrian ban on night driving. These
mainly relate to specific forms of transport (e.g. milk,
perishable foodstuffs and newspapers). The Commission
will maintain its efforts in this area.

There is no connection between the difficulties arising in
transit operations through non-Community countries and
Regulation (EEC) No 4059/89 ('). The latter concerns
only the performance of national road haulage services in
one Member State by Community operators established
in another (cabotage). The Regulation makes no
provision for implementation to be postponed. It simply
includes a safeguard clause allowing measures to be taken
in the event of a crisis ascribable to cabotage activities. As
no cabotage will be authorized before 1 July 1990, it is
premature to consider applying the said safeguard clause.

(') OJNoL390,30. 12. 1989, p. 3.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 878/90

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 April 1990)_

(90/C 266/98)

_Subject:_ Effect of the internal market on the German
pharmaceutical sector

In the pharmaceutical sector, the completion of the
internal market requires a number of Community rules,
some of which have already been submitted by the
Commission, while others have still to be drawn up. There
are still considerable discrepancies between national
provisions, particularly in respect of:

— the right of establishment of pharmacists (pharmacies
held in the name of other persons and ownership of
several pharmacies),

No C 266/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

— pricing of pharmaceutical products (in particular
pricing at the various stages of distribution:
ex-factory price, wholesale supplement, pharmacists'
profit margins),

— classification of pharmaceuticals being retailed
(subject to sale by pharmacists only, generally
available), and

— reimbursement of pharmaceuticals by social
insurance schemes.

1. Has the Commission carried out more detailed

investigation into these areas, particularly in view of
the economic implications of the internal market?

2. Does the Commission consider that the Directive on

the transparency of measures establishing price
structures of pharmaceuticals for human consumption
and their incorporation in public health insurance
systems is sufficient to achieve comparable price
structures in an EC internal market?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1990)_

1. The right of establishment of pharmacists within
the Community is regulated by Council Directives
85/432/EEC and 85/433/EEC of 16 September 1985 (').
The question of ownership of pharmacies is not regulated
by these Directives, but continues to come under the
national law of each Member State. The Commission is of

the opinion that no initiative specifically concerning
pharmacies is required in the run-up to the completion of
the internal market.

With regard to the conditions under which medicinal
products are supplied to patients, the Commission
recently submitted to the Council a proposal for a
Directive on the legal status for supply of medicinal
products for human health. This proposal seeks to
harmonize the criteria used to distinguish between
medicinal products available only on medical
prescriptions and those not requiring a prescription. The
Commission considered that completion of the internal
market did not require the harmonization of national
measures relating to the pharrhaceutical sector's
monopoly on the retail sale of medicinal products:
existing divergences in the field cause virtually no
significant obstacles to intra-Community trade.

2. Council Directive 89/105/EEC of 21 December

1988 relating to the transparency of measures regulating
the pricing of medicinal products for human use and their
inclusion in the scope of national health insurance
systems ( [3] ) is merely a first step on the road to the
approximation of national policies in the field of pricing
and reimbursement of the cost of medicinal products. It
expressly provides that, in the light of experience, the
Commission shall, not later than 31 December 1991,
submit to the Council a proposal containing appropriate
measures leading towards the abolition of any remaining
barriers to, or distortions of, the free movement of

medicinal products, so as to bring this sector closer into
line with the normal conditions of the internal market.

O OJ No L 253, 24. 9.1985.
O OJNoL40,11.2.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 916/90

by Mr George Patterson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17April 1990)_

(90/C 266/99)

_Subject:_ Pharmaceutical pricing

What steps have been taken to compile the database
relating to the pharmaceutical products' pricing
arrangements detailed in Directive 89/105/EEC (')? How
will this database be made generally available?

O OJNoL40,11.2.1989, p. 8.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(31_ _May 1990)_

The Commission is currently working on the creation of a
Community drug database containing both scientific and
economical data (including prices) pertaining to
proprietary medicinal products marketed in a majority of
Member States. The following steps have already been
taken:

a) The preanalysis study was carried out during the first
half of 1989, and the resulting preanalysis report has
fixed the main strategic choices relating to the
information architecture of the database.

b) A prototype of the Community database has been
built with a limited sample of proprietary medicinal
products.

c) The Commission has started a detailed study of
national drug databases, in order to assess in detail
their information structure and the sort of

information each one of them contains. A network of

contacts throughout the Community has been
established for this purpose.

A feasibility report will be prepared on the basis of the
information gathered. The actual construction of the
Community drug databank will progressively be achieved
during the next three years.

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No G 266/49

The Commission has the intention of making this
database generally available, as it does now with other
databases within the framework of Eurobases.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 940/90

by Mr Proinsias de Rossa (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/100)

_Subject:_ Safeguarding the art heritage

Given the advent of the EC internal market, will the
Commission agree to introduce regulations to safeguard
works of art in Member States and in their country of
origin through controls on sales instead of customs
controls and, further, if they intend to take any initiatives,
to ensure public access to all major art collections?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June_ _1990)_

In its communication of 22 November 1989 on the
protection of national treasures possessing artistic,
historic or archeological value: needs arising from the
abolition of frontiers in 1992, the Commission put
forward suggestions for reconciling, as part of the moves
to complete the internal market, the fundamental
principle of the free movement of cultural property with
the right of Member States to protect their 'national
treasures possessing artistic, historic or archeological
value' (Article 36 of the EEC Treaty).

It has thus initiated a dialogue with Member States
to determine whether measures could be taken at
Community level to ensure that the abolition of checks at
the Community's internal frontiers does not have adverse
repercussions on the protection afforded to national
treasures.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 949/90

by Mr Juan Ramirez Heredia (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/101)

_Subject:_ Shelter for the homeless

On 16 June 1987 (*) Parliament adopted a resolution on
the problems facing the poorest sections of society in the

Community and, in particular, on people who lack decent
housing.

What results has the Commission to show, following its
undertaking to present detailed proposals aimed initially
at improving the situation facing the homeless and, in the
long term, at eliminating the problems of such people?

(*) OJNoCl90,20.7.1987, p. 33.

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 June_ _1990)_

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's
answer to Written Question No 1163/89 by Mr De
Rossa 0).

The Commission has received the report from the
institute responsible for carrying out a feasibility study for
a standing information system on the homeless in the
Community. It is currendy examining the report to
determine what action should be taken on the proposals it
makes.

The financial support for Feantsa (Federation
Europ6enne des Associations Nationales Travaillant avec
les Sans-Abri) was renewed until 31 December 1990 with
a programme adjusted to changing needs in this field.

Provision is also made for Community technical
assistance from 1 March for the networks developed
under the second Poverty programme, including those
working for the homeless, one of its aims being to
improve access to information on the various Community
measures which might concern them, and on the financial
possibilities available to projects concerned with the most
disadvantaged, in particular under the Structural Funds.

0) OJ No C 125,21.5.1990, p. 40.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 980/90

byMrPolMarck(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/102)

_Subject:_ Projected Borie Dam — Department of Gard

On 11 May 1989 the Mayors of the Municipality of
Saint-Jean du Gard and neighbouring municipalities drew
the attention of the Commission President to the fact that
the promoters of the projected dam were failing to
comply with Community provisions.

No C 266/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

Among other things, they complained that no
environmental impact report had been drawn up.

Until now this question has remained unresolved. Can the
Commission say whether these claims are correct and
what representations it has made to the French
Government?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 June_ _1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
its answer to Written Question No 1328/89 by Mr
Monnier-Besombes (').

(') See page 12 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1003/90

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11_ _May_ _1990)_

.(90/C 266/103)

_Subject:_ Definition of a 'non-bank'

A draft paper has apparently been issued (reference
XC-251-89-EN) which outlines possible regulations for
banks and non-banks.

Is the Commission able to provide a definition of a
non-bank?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 June_ _1990)_

The document referred to by the Honourable Member is
intended for internal use within the Commission: the
terminology it uses is colloquial and should not therefore
be considered as having any legal significance.

However, a definition of investment services has been put
forward by the Commission in the amended proposal for
a Council Directive on investment services in the

securities field.

The term 'non-bank', as used in the document to which
the Honourable Member refers, means any business
which provides investment services and which is not a
credit institution as defined by Directive 77/780/EEC ('),
the latter being termed a 'bank' in the document in
question.

O OJ No L 322, 17. 12. 1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1082/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of die European Communities

_(11 May_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/104)

_Subject:_ Joint relief programme in Ethiopia

In view of the vital need for food supplies to reach the
famine stricken areas of Tigray and the recent news that
the Ethiopian Government has agreed to a joint relief
programme which can at full potential supply 10 000
tonnes of food per month, what concrete assistance is the
Commission giving to ensure that food supplies and
trucks are made available so that the food corridor can be
kept open?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 June 1990)_

The Commission fully supports in every respect the
'Southern line' from Dessie to the Tigray region, which is
progressing well and constitutes an access of vital
importance to the populations of the Northern regions.

To date, the humanitarian assistance given by the
Commission to the 'Southern line' consists of food aid
allocated to the organizations involved in this operation
and particularly to the Joint Relief Partnership QRP) to
which more than 40 000 tonnes of food products have
already been granted.

The Commission is also financing various expenses
related to the 'Southern line', such as internal transport
costs, spare parts for trucks, storage equipment,
amounting to approximately ECU 5 million.

In addition, the Commission is following the situation
very closely and would be ready to give any
complementary support considered necessary,
particularly within the framework of the United Nations
programme of action in favour of Northern Ethiopia.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1104/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/105)

_Subject:_ Situation in Liberia and attitude of the
Community

Since the 'elections' of October 1985, characterized by
general intimidation, the exile and arrest of numerous

22. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 266/51

political figures, the closing down of newspapers and
flagrant irregularities in the counting of votes, the regime
of President Samuel K. Doe is now facing a rebellion in
the Nimba region. This rebellion is being repressed with
extreme cruelty (by means of a scorched earth policy and
very brutal massacres) causing 120 000 people to seek,
refuge over the border. The confrontation is also taking
on tribal dimensions (the Krahn which currently hold
power are carrying out 'preventive' reprisals against the
Gios and Manos tribes) while 'disappearances' are
becoming increasingly frequent in the capital.
In view of this, the United States House of
Representatives and Senate have suppressed the United
States aid programme (although military advisers are
remaining in Nimba to improve the combat 'technique' of
government units) despite the enormous advantages
traditionally granted by Monrovia to Washington: Voice
of America broadcasts throughout Western Africa, special
landing and refuelling rights for the US Air Force,
information, favourable treatment of the giant rubber
company, Firestone, etc. On 14 April the Twelve
expressed their 'deep concern'.

1. Since 1 January 1986, how much aid has been granted
to Liberia under Lome III and through the European
Development Fund?

2. Over the same period how much bilateral aid has been
granted by European Community Member States?

3. Would it not be appropriate to 'freeze' assistance
under Lome III and FV pending the conclusions of an
international committee of inquiry convened and
organized on an objective and equal basis with the
ACP countries and the reports by the International
Red Cross Committee?

4. Is it not necessary to take measures to ensure the
presence of attentive on-the-spot observers for the
presidential elections to be held in 1991, assuming that
President Doe completes his term of office, and to
attempt to defuse without delay, if possible, the
extremely violent tribal and non-tribal
confrontations?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(4/uli_ _1990)_

1. ^ The indicative programme for Liberia under the 6th
EDF (European Development Fund), Lome III, amounts
to ECU 45 million. As at 31 October 1989, ECU 30,8
million (68,4% of the indicative programme) has been the
object of financing agreements or decisions, and about

ECU 6,6 million (14,6% of the indicative programme)
were committed. Total disbursements at the same date
were about ECU 2,5 million (5,5% of the indicative
programme). Outside the indicative programme the
Commission launched an emergency aid exercise, at a cost
of ECU 130 000, to provide medical care to persons
displaced within Liberia because of the civil war and the
insecurity situation prevailing in the country since
December of last year.

2. Member States do not provide to the Commission,
on a regular basis, information relative to the quantity and
quality of the bilateral aid granted to the ACP countries.
Nevertheless, it may be estimated that the level of bilateral
aid from Member States to Liberia reached, on a
commitments basis, ECU 26,2 million and ECU 12,3
million in 1986 and 1987, respectively.

3. The Lome Convention states that development
policy and cooperation are closely linked with the respect
for human rights and the Commission is fully aware that
human rights have to play an increasingly relevant role
within the context of the new convention. As regards the
question of the maintenance of Community assistance,
the Commission will continue to monitor developments
closely and to conduct its cooperation in Liberia in full
conformity with the provisions and spirit of the Lome
Conventions.

4. The Community will also follow closely the general
political evolution in Liberia, especially in the run-up to
the presidential elections.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1180/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May_ _1990)_

(90/C 266/106)

_Subject:_ Impact of German reunification on the EC's

economy

Will the Commission publish details of its provisional
estimates on the impact of German reunification on
the Community's economy and on the EMS and/or
information on its intentions to produce such estimates?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July_ _1990)_

The impact of German economic and monetary union on
the Community's economy was taken into account in the
Commission's short-term economic forecast in May.

No C 266/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 90

Even under the cautious assumptions made by the
Commission, exclusion of German unification, whose full
impact will be felt from 1992 onwards, would lower the
forecast of economic growth in 1991 by more than a
quarter of a percentage point for the Community as a
whole.

The main change since the completion of the
Commission's forecast in May has been the establishment
of the 'Fonds Deutsche Einheit' by the Federal Republic
of Germany. This will take over two-thirds of the German
Democratic Republic's public deficit. This arrangement

will increase the Federal Republic of Germany's public
deficit to about 1,5% of the Federal Republic of
Germany's gross national product in 1990 and nearly 2 %
of the Federal Republic of Germany's gross national
product in 1991. However, this split-up of the German
Democratic Republic's public deficit has no major
repercussion on the other variables of the Commission's
forecast, because the assumption made for the magnitude
of the total German Democratic Republic deficit is not
affected. The Commission's economic forecast of May
1990 is published in the European Economy Supplement
A, No 4/5 - April/May 1990.