Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

## C214

Volume 34

16 August 1991

Notice No

91/C214/01

91/C214/02

91/C214/03

91/C214/04

91/C214/05

91/C214/06

91/C214/07

91/C214/08

91/C214/09

Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

No 1734/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject: The economic aspects of security 1

No 2210/90 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject: Food aid (dairy products) for India, Operation Flood 2

No 2223/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation
Subject: Kouyous detained in the Congo 3

No 2254/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Ministers to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation

Subject: Free movement of persons 3

No 2398/90 by Mr Frederic Rosmini to the Commission
Subject: High-speed trains 3

No 2409/90 by Mr William Newton Dunn to the Commission

Subject: Conditions for including Romania in the Community's aid to Central and Eastern
Europe 4

No 2445/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: List of EEIGs in the European Community 4

No 2480/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to European Political Cooperation
Subject: Implications of the EUCLID (') programme for the Community 5

No 2633/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Lack of controls at Community level on the sale of launchers and warheads 5

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

91/C214/10

91/C214/11

91/C214/12

91/C214/13

91/C214/14

91/C214/15

91/C214/16

91/C214/17

91/C214/18

91/C214/19

91/C214/20

91/C214/21

91/C214/22

91/C214/23

91/C214/24

91/C214/25

91/C214/26

91/C214/27

No 2652/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject: Road tolls 6

No 2738/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Illegal dumping of Dutch waste in Belgium 6

No 2792/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: UNO — issue of a stamp that may be considered racist 6

No 2811 /90 by Mrs Sylvie Mayer to the Commission
Subject: Instrumental pay-load for vegetation on board SPOT 4 7

No 2814/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: High-speed trains and the environment 7

No 2829/90 by Mr Elio Di Rupo to the Commission
Subject: Reduction of Community subsidies for tabacco 8

No 2836/90 by Mr Didier Anger to the Commission

Subject: Reafforestation as a means of combating the greenhouse effect 8

No 2960/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject: Commission contracts with the Cornelissen Project Support Organization (OPOC
l'Europe) 9

No 2970/90 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of Article 2 (3) of the Directive on the assessment of the effects of
certain private and public projects on the environment 10

No 3024/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Advertising campaign to boost wine consumption 10

No 3034/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation
Subject: Killings in Mauritania 11

No 3035/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation

Subject: Imprisonment of a trade union leader in Mauritania 12

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3034/90 and 3035/90 12

No 3044/90 by Mr Elio Di Rupo to the Commission
Subject: Evaluation of the Schengen agreement 12

No 3052/90 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Border checks on the Paris—Brussels train 13

No 3058/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject: Agricultural policy and the environment 13

No 14/91 by Mrs Doris Pack to the Commission
Subject: Financial protocol between Yugoslavia and the Community 14

No 16/91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject: Primary aluminium production in the European Community 14

No 18/91 by Mr Stephen Hughes to European Political Cooperation
Subject: Sanctions against South Africa 15

Notice N o Contents (continued) Page

9 1 / C 214/28 N o 26/91 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Reform of the CAP 16

9 1 / C 214/29 N o 52/91 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Regional aid for Castilla y Leon 17

91 / C 214/30 N o 60/91 by M r Alonso Puerta to the Commission

Subject: The electric power line between Sabinanigo and Sarvise (Huesca, Spain) 17

9 1 / C 214/31 N o 73/91 by M r Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Alternatives to reprocessing spent nuclear fuel 18

9 1 / C 214/32 N o 183/91 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: Failure to comply with Community environmental directives on the island of
Saint-Martin (dependency of Guadeloupe — French overseas department) 19

9 1 / C 214/33 N o 184/91 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: Failure to respect the environment on the island of Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
(Overseas countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 19

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 183/91 and 184/91 19

91 / C 214/34 N o 208/91 by M r Ben Fayot to the Commission

Subject: MEDIA programme for the theatre 20

9 1 / C 214/35 N o 232/91 by M r Jose Mendes Bota to the Commission

Subject: The massacre and torture of people belonging to the Tuareg ethnic group 20

9 1 / C 214/36 N o 233/91 by M r Elio Di Rupo to the Commission

Subject: Imports of tropical wood from Malaysia 21

9 1 / C 214/37 N o 268/91 by M r Eugenio Melandri to the Commission

Subject: Nuclear power station in Czechoslovakia 21

9 1 / C 214/38 N o 272/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Energy-saving 22

9 1 / C 214/39 N o 353/91 by M r Karl von Wogau to the Commission

Subject: Monitoring of environmental acceptability in border areas 22

9 1 / C 214/40 N o 394/91 by M r John Bird to the Commission

Subject: Fluoridation of water in the European Community 22

9 1 / C 214/41 N o 414/91 by M r John Bird to the Commission

Subject: Toy safety 23

91 / C 214/42 N o 429/91 by M r Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou to the Commission

Subject: Financial support for the European Youth Parliament 23

9 1 / C 214/43 N o 458/91 by M r Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission

Subject: Situation of the air transport sector 24

9 1 / C 214/44 N o 485/91 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Problems with exports arising from exchange rates 24

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 4 5

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 4 6

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 4 7

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 4 8

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 4 9

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 0

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 1

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 2

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 3

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 4

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 5

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 6

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 7

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 8

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 5 9

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 6 0

9 1 / C 2 1 4 / 6 1

N o 540/91 by M r Helwin Peter to the Commission

Subject: Arms conversion 25

N o 552/91 by M r Antonio Marques Mendes to the Commission

Subject: Trade programmes 25

N o 567/91 by M r Fernand Herman to the Commission

Subject: Authorization for the Belgian National Giro Office to issue credit cards 26

N o 597/91 by Sir James Scott Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Gulf War and Community economic growth 26

N o 699/91 by Ms Christine O d d y to European Political Cooperation

Subject: Guyana 27

N o 716/91 by M r Brian Simpson to the Commission

Subject: Cabin baggage in civil aircraft 27

N o 719/91 by M r Brian Simpson to the Commission

Subject: European leather industry 28

N o 772/91 by M r Jean-Pierre Raff arm to the Commission

Subject: Radio transmissions in international waters 28

N o 780/91 by M r Gerhard Schmid to the Commission

Subject: Use of vegetable oil for the cleaning on offset printing machinery . . 28

N o 789/91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission

Subject: Community supervision of marriage bureaus 29

N o 810/91 by M r Jose Barros Moura to the Commission

Subject: Industrial accidents in Portugal 29

N o 844/91 by M r Francesco Speroni and M r Luigi Moretti to the Commission

Subject: Names used by married women 30

N o 859/91 by M r Herman Verbeek and Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission

Subject: Harmful fibrous substances 30

N o 1332/91 by M r Henri Saby to the Council

Subject: Famine in Africa 31

N o 1336/91 by M r Otto Habsburg and M r Joachim Dalsass to the Council

Subject: Decisions of the Council of Europe on minorities 32

N o 1340/91 by M r j a a k Vandemeulebroucke to the Council

Subject: Decisions of the Council of Europe on minorities 32

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1336/91 and 1340/91 32

N o 1337/91 by M r Pierre Ceyrac to the Council

Subject: Economic and monetary union 32

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/1

##### I

_(Information)_

#### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1734/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 July 1990)_

(91/C214/01)

_Subject:_ The economic aspects of security

In its answer to my Written Question No 1969/86 (') on
possible overlapping between military and civil research
and development programmes, the Commission
announced that it would be reporting on its fundings.

1. Does the Commission propose to issue this report
now?

With regard to the question of better coordination
between civil and military R&D activities, in particular
improved mutual spin-offs, the Commission stated that it
would be proposing appropriate measures on the basis of
the findings from the study referred to above.

2. What are the Commission's proposed measures?

(') OJNoC42, 15.2. 1988, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 January 1991)_

In its opinion of 21 October 1990 on the proposal for
amendment of the Treaty establishing the European
Economic Community with a view to political union,
the Commission asked three questions it considered
fundamental, and for its own part answered them in the
affirmative:

— do the Member States consider that they share vital
common interests and do they wish to act together to
pursue them?

— what are the ambitions of the Community and its
Member States and are they prepared to accept all
the economic and financial consequences of their
decisions?

— should a common foreign policy also cover security
matters, given that defence is an essential element of
security?

It was this thinking, and particularly that reflected in the
third question, that prompted the Commission to
undertake the study of dual-use technologies it referred
to in its answer to the Honourable Member's Written

Question No 1969/86.

The aim of the study was:

1. to identify the commonalities between civil and
defence technological needs;

2. to determine which are the main fields of dual-use

technologies; and

3. to assess the scope for improving technological
synergy between civil and defence production.

The results of the study broadly confirm observed trends.
They show that a growing number of key advanced
technologies are of importance to both civil and defence
sectors (e.g. advanced materials, sensors, information
technologies and telecommunications, advanced design
and manufacturing, and propulsion). Increasingly,
however, the development of these dual-use technologies
in Europe is determined by civil applications; and defence
R&D programmes tend increasingly to concentrate on
developments specific to defence requirements.

No C 214/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

Because of these trends and of the efforts being made at
national level to improve coordination and the transfer of
technologies between the civil and defence sectors, there
is a decreasing risk of duplication between civil and
defence programmes. There is scope, however, for
improvement in European coordination and cooperation
between national defence R&D efforts, and the Member
States of the independent European Programme Group
(IEPG) have responded to this by launching the Euclid

programme.

The issue now is not so much one of duplication between
civil and defence research programmes, but rather the
increasing need for companies with both civil and defence
activities to exploit the technological synergy between
them.

As Mr Bangemann promised Parliament at the July
part-session, the Commission will in the coming months
be setting out its ideas on the defence aspects of industrial
policy, and particularly the interaction between civil and
military production in the Community, with special
reference to the Commission opinion mentioned earlier.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2210/90

by Mrs Maartje van Putten (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 October 1990)_

(91/C 214/02)

_Subject:_ Food aid (dairy products) for India, Operation
Flood

1. Can the Commission indicate the extent to which

European Parliament's resolution on EC-India
cooperation particularly as regards Operation Flood
(Doc. A 2-247/87) has been implemented?

2. Does it already have an assessment of the above
project, emphasizing the following points:

— the need for continued EEC food aid to India in the

form of dairy products;

— the effects of this EEC food aid on price formation,
production and regional inequality in the local dairy

sector;

— the effects of Operation Flood on landless peasants
and small dairy farmers, with special reference to the
impact on the situation of women;

— the possibility of extending the supply of subsidized
milk from EEC food aid to the poor,

and is it prepared to make this assessment available to the
European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 April 1991)_

1. On 25 March 1988 the Commission signed an
agreement with India, on behalf of the European
Community, concerning the development of the
cooperative milk sector in India through the use of
counterpart funds generated by food aid in the form of
milk products supplied on a multiannual basis. The text of
the agreement is being forwarded direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

2. Operation Flood III, which is being carried out
jointly with the NDDB and the World Bank, is scheduled
to run until 30 June 1994. A mid-term evaluation of the

programme is planned for the first half of 1991. Each year
the World Bank and the Commission carry out a joint
monitoring mission in close coordination with the Indian
authorities; the latter also submit six-monthly reports on
their activities to the World Bank and the Commission.

An extract from the latest report available (October
1989—November 1990) is being forwarded direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

More specifically, 1990 saw India become self-sufficient
in milk products for the first time, with a residual stock of
30 000 tonnes of milk powder; under the terms of the
agreement there was, therefore, no longer any need to
keep up Community food aid in the form of products, and
an alternative operation was commenced. This operation
is intended to finance measures to improve the marketing
of milk products and thereby increase overall
consumption by widening the consumer base.

The effects of Operation Flood III on prices have been
particularly beneficial; good prices have been paid to
producers, thus boosting their income and attracting new
producers, notably landless peasants and women, for
whom milk production provides a substantial daily
income. In addition, the abolition of consumer subsidies
has stimulated production and eliminated certain
distortions between urban and rural areas.

At the same time the Community has kept up its aid to
poor consumers, through food aid administered via
NGOs.

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2223/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 October 1990)_

(91/C 214/03)

_Subject:_ Kouyous detained in the Congo

In view of the announcement last November by the
President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis
Sassou-Nguesso, that the 26 Kouyous detained without
charge in 1987 and 1988 would be tried without delay,
and given that they still have neither legal representation
nor the opportunity to protest against their detention, can
the Foreign Ministers Meeting in European Political
Cooperation do anything to help them?

Answer

_(18 July 1991)_

The specific question raised by the Honourable Member
has not been discussed within European Political
Cooperation.

The Presidency would, however, point out that all the
civil or military political detainees in the Congo were
released on 14 August of last year, including the 26
civilians and members of the security forces arrested in
1987 and 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2254/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 October 1990)_

(91/C 214/04)

_Subject:_ Free movement of persons

With a view to the free movement of persons within
the Community in 1992 and the implementation of a
common visa policy, the primary aim of which is the
drawing up of a common list of those countries whose
nationals require a visa as well as the conditions for
granting such visas, could the Foreign Ministers specify
how and in accordance with which timetables they intend
to proceed?

Answer

_(18 July 1991)_

The problem of the free movement of persons is not dealt
with in the European Political Cooperation bodies.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2398/90

by Mr Frederic Rosmini (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 214/05)

_Subject:_ High-speed trains

The Commission has recently authorized the French
Government to grant aid for research into the future
development of the high-speed train (TGV). The
high-speed train constitutes an essential element of
European regional policy. Given the considerable
investment necessary to establish such a network at
national level, it is only logical to envisage a network
operating on a larger scale serving the major European
capitals.

Has the Commission initiated a European high-speed rail
project which would be compatible with the French
network which has been planned and implemented taking
into account the vital ecological factors of the areas which
such a network would cross?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

Following the resolution adopted by the Council at its
meeting of 4 and 5 December 1989, the Commission set
up a high-level working party to assist in drawing up:

(i) the master plan for a European high-speed network;

(ii) a list of priority projects to be undertaken, based
on national plans and decisions already taken at
international level.

The working party was also given the task of examining
common standards and characteristics which will enable

modern trains to operate without hindrance on this
network and ensure the compatibility of the technical
specifications and infrastructure of the various sections of
the network.

This masterplan and the choice of priority projects and
the first results concerning technical standards are to be

No C 214/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

found in the Commission communication on the

European high-speed network.

The setting of technical standards, which could be of
compulsory application in years to come, will therefore
ensure that the French network and the rest of the

European network are technically compatible.

With regard to the vital ecological factors of the areas
crossed by the network, impact studies must be
undertaken when each project is carried out, in
accordance with Council Directive of 27 June 1985 on the

assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment ('). In addition, the working
party will draw up proposals on the introduction of
high-speed lines in the environment.

O OJNoL175, 5.7. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2409/90

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 214/06)

_Subject:_ Conditions for including Romania in the
Community's aid to Central and Eastern Europe

Is the Commission convinced that the Romanian

authorities are implementing legislation favouring
pluralism in economic life and fulfilling treaty obligations
on human rights?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 January 1991)_

Even though there is still some way to go, the
Commission feels that Romania is on the road towards

economic reform and respect for the values on which
democratic societies are based, in particular respect for
human rights.

There are in fact encouraging signs in Romania, as
regards both economic reform and respect for human
rights. Thus in relation to economic reform the Romanian
Parliament has approved a set of laws permitting the
privatization of about 30 % of the economy, obstacles to
foreign investments are being removed gradually and
reform of prices and of the banking sector is in progress.
As regards human rights there have also been some
advances such as the abolition of the death penalty and

the repeal of laws and decrees restricting freedom of
speech and movement. In addition, the new constitution,
which is at present being drawn up, should protect and
guarantee the rights of minorities. In the Commission's
view it is clear that the effective implementation of these
measures is of the utmost importance.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2445/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 November 1990)_

(91/C 214/07)

_Subject:_ List of EEIGs in the European Community

It is fair to say that, during the period of application of the
new Council Regulation on the European Economic
Interest Grouping (EEIG), the development of this new
legal and commercial instrument has proved to be
satisfactory.

However, many undertakings wishing to join these
EEIGs have not done so, since they do not have sufficient
information concerning existing groupings and how to
join them.

Does not the Commission therefore think that it would be

a good idea to publish a periodical list of existing EEIGs,
indicating the way in which they are organized, how
to join them, conditions of eligibility and any other
information which would be useful to undertakings
wishing to join?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 December 1990)_

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view

that the use of the new legal instrument, the European
Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG), is a satisfactory way
of responding to the requirements of transfrontier
cooperation between firms in the particular circumstances
for which it has been devised. To its knowledge, more
than 100 EEIGs have been formed since 1 July 1989.

The Commission is, however, surprised to learn that the
information available on EEIGs is deemed insufficient.

The conditions governing the formation and operation of
an EEIG are clearly set out in Regulation (EEC)
No 2137/85 of 25 July 1985 0). A European File was

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/5

devoted to this subject (No 6/89 of April 1989) and an
information day held in Brussels on 17 April 1989
attracted more than 500 participants.

Moreover, the competent department of the Commission
(DG XV/B/3) has, on its own initiative, drawn up
additional documents which it distributes to anyone
requesting them and updates regularly. These documents
comprise:

— a list of all EEIGs of which the Commission is aware;

— a list of the national measures implementing the EEIG
Regulation;

— a bibliography of legal and practical articles and works
on this subject.

This general documentation is normally kept available for
businesses in the Euro-Info-Centres in each Member

State. These centres regularly forward any more specific
requests for information to Brussels. The Commission
feels that this system operates satisfactorily.

Moreover, under Article 11 of Regulation (EEC)
No 2137/85, a notice on the formation of any EEIG is
published in the _Official Journal_ _of the_ _European_
_Communities_ (C and S series). This notice contains among
other things the registration number of the EEIG at the
registry of the Member States where it has its official
address to enable anyone wishing to have further
information about the cooperation in question to obtain
it.

In the light of the above, the Commission considers that it
already provides firms with a high level of information.

O OJNoL 199,31.7. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2480/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to European Political Cooperation

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 214/08)

_Subject:_ Implications of the EUCLID (') programme for
the Community

On 20 and 21 February 1990, the Defence Ministers of
the 13 member countries of the Independent European
Programme Group (IEPG) approved a ECU 120 millon
research and military technology initiative. Several
Member States of the EC confirmed that they would
participate in this programme in June 1990. Has it been
considered by Political Cooperation?

(') European Cooperative Long-Term Initiative for Defence —
EUCLID.

Answer

_(18 July 1991)_

The initiative to which the Honourable Member refers

has not been examined in the context of European
Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2633/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 214/09)

_Subject:_ Lack of controls at Community level on the sale
of launchers and warheads

In 1987, a Missile Technology Control Regime consisting
of the UK, Canada, Italy, Japan, the FRG, the US and
even France agreed to set controls on the sale of launchers
capable of sending a 500 kg missile over a distance of
more than 300 km, in accordance with a provision of the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT). This agreement, however, is not binding in
international law and is, in any case, not being respected
by its European signatories, who are selling their war
technology to Brazil and to other third world countries
such as Libya, and will shortly do the same to Pakistan
and Argentina.

Does the Commission intend to make representations to
the governments of France, Belgium, Sweden, the FRG,
Switzerland and Denmark urging them to accede to the
Missile Technology Control Regime and to ensure
respect of its provisions by the companies based on their
territory?

Does the Commission intend to press for this agreement
to become binding in international law, in the absence of
any plans for Europe-wide legislation on the armaments
trade?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 April 1991)_

As the Community has no jurisdiction in this matter, the
Commission is unable to make representations to the
governments of Member States in the manner suggested,
nor can it undertake to ensure that this agreement is
respected by Member States and companies from Member
States.

Nevertheless, the Commission must point out that the
situation desribed by the Honourable Member could
affect the working of the internal market in a way that is
incompatible with the aim of Article 8A of the EEC

No C 214/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

Treaty. The Commission therefore supports the work
that is currently being done within the context of political
cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2652/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C214/10)

_Subject:_ Road tolls

What is the Commission's attitude towards the levying of
road tolls on roads which have been constructed

exclusively from EC and public monies and which are
now administered by private companies?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1991)_

At present there exists no Community legislation in this
field, but in its proposal for a Council Directive on the
charging of transport infrastructure costs to certain
categories of heavy goods vehicle of 8 January 1988 ('),
for which the Commission adopted a modification on 22
November 1990, the levying of motorway tolls has to
respect three different conditions:

— tolls have to be charged without direct or indirect
discrimination amongst hauliers;

— tolls have to be related to the cost of constructing and
operating the infrastructure concerned;

— the collection of the tolls must be organized in such a
way that the free flow of traffic is not hindered.

In determining the participation of the ERDF in any
revenue-bearing project, the income generated by the
project is one of the factors which is taken into account.

(') OJNoC79,26. 3. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2738/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 December 1990)_

(91/C214/11)

_Subject:_ Illegal dumping of Dutch waste in Belgium

According to the Belgian paper _Le Soir,_ a Dutch local
authority in the province of South Holland, was involved

in the dumping of waste from South Holland in Walloon
Brabant in Belgium, completely illegally.

Does the Commission intend to take action in this matter,
which concerns both environmental protection and
relations between local authorities in different Member

States?

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

_(13 February 1991)_

The Commission has not been informed of the facts

referred to by the Honourable Member.

Generally, Community directives on waste management
make the competent authorities in the Member States
responsible for monitoring the removal of waste.

Where it is a matter of the movement of dangerous waste,
Community legislation on the monitoring of transborder
movements (Directive 84/631/EEC) lays down a system
of notification and monitoring by the authorities in the
two countries concerned. However, Belgium, in applying
this directive, has extended the system to the monitoring
of other wastes.

Since the application of the provisions of this directive is
not uniform, monitoring may be incomplete, and so the
Commission has just proposed that this directive be
replaced by a regulation ('), which will extend the
monitoring system in two ways — it will apply to all
wastes and to all movements thereof, even internal

movements within a Member State.

O COM(90) 415 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2792/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C214/12)

_Subject:_ UNO — issue of a stamp that may be considered
racist

A stamp issued by the United Nations, showing a group of
thieves who bear a strange resemblance to Jews, is
arousing strong feelings among the Jewish community
throughout the European Community and even
throughout the world, since it is seen as being racist. The
stamp, which has been issued simultaneously in dollars,
Swiss francs and Austrian schillings, is part of a series
issued as part of a crime-prevention campaign and the

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/7

design shows three figures, who are obviously thieves,
wearing beards, hats and long black robes, which make
them look very much like orthodox Jews.

Can the sale of this postage stamp be banned in our
countries, for example on the basis of legislation on
racism and xenophobia?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1991)_

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer

given by the Commission to oral question H-l 108/90 by
Mr Cot during question time at Parliament's November
1990 part-session (').

The President of the Commission has sent a letter to the

UN Secretary-General expressing his distress.

(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-396 (November
1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2811/90

by Mrs Sylvie Mayer (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C214/13)

_Subject:_ Instrumental pay-load for vegetation on board
SPOT 4

The instrumental pay-load for vegetation that was due to
have been put on board SPOT 4 is currently awaiting
programme decisions. Vegetation could play a vital role
not only in the Global Change programme but also in
various Community programmes for studies of the
oceans, the development of large ecosystems and their
impact on the climate.

It would be a great loss to the European scientific
community if it were deprived of such an instrument. Has
the Commission considered financing it? If so, when
might such funding take effect?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 April 1991)_

Commission staff are carefully examining the space
instrument project for the monitoring of plant cover and

will be consulting the scientific community in Europe in
this connection in the coming months.

This matter raises basic questions going beyond the
scientific or economic benefit of the instrument itself,
since the Commission has also been approached for
support for other space instruments for the study of the
global environment. Also, the European Space Agency,
whose task it is to develop European space systems, has to
take a decision on its Earth observation programme this

year.

It is therefore essential to examine this matter in a broader

context, given the need for the various space projects to be
geared to Europe's requirements and to ensure that action
by the Community and by the space agencies is consistent
and complementary.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2814/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C214/14)

_Subject:_ High-speed trains and the environment

Does the Commission have knowledge of any studies
concerning high-speed trains (in excess of 200 km per
hour), their noise-levels, impact on the countryside and
consumption of energy?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 April 1991)_

Studies have been carried out in France, Italy, Germany
and Spain to assess the impact of high-speed trains in
Europe.

An environmental impact assessment has to be carried
out in connection with the construction of lines for

long-distance railway traffic in accordance with Article 4
(1) and Annex 1 of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27
June 1985 (').

Different facets of the environmental impact of
high-speed trains and lines are covered to some extent in
articles appearing in specialist journals.

A study completed by 'Mens en Ruimte' into the impact of
the high-speed train in Belgium at the end of 1989 and

No C 214/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

part-financed by the Commission presents an overview of
these problems.

At its meeting on 5 December 1990 the Commission
adopted the report of the high-level working party on
the high-speed rail network ( [2] ). Chapter 4 deals with
environmental issues and also refers to the 'Mens en

Ruimte' study.

Among the working party's key recommendations
(point IV) is an assessment of the network's impact on the
environment in the broadest sense of the word (including
safety and energy management) and a comparison with
other modes of transport.

(') OJNoL 175,5.7. 1985.
( [2] ) SEC(90) 2402 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2829/90

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C214/15)

_Subject:_ Reduction of Community subsidies for tobacco

In the current Uruguay Round negotiations, the
European Commissioner Mr MacSharry proposed a 30 %
reduction in EEC agricultural subsidies over 10 years,
using 1986 as a reference period.

It appears, however, that the reduction in Community aid
for tobacco in particular would be 10% and that the
reference period would be fixed by calculating the average
for the years 1986—1988, the sum to be reduced being
therefore higher.

Can the Commission say why it is treating tobacco
production differently, when it already benefits from
substantial Community support (export refunds,
premiums, etc.) and when quotas have been greatly
exceeded for certain categories of tobacco (e.g. Badischer
Geudertheimer)? Can it explain what has led it to choose
different reference periods for different categories of
agricultural products?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1991)_

In the Uruguay Round negotiations, the Community
made an offer concerning agriculture in November 1990.
It proposed a 30% reduction in Commission support for
the main agricultural products (cereals, rice, sugar, oil and
protein crops, olive oil and products in the honey sector)

and a reduction of 10 % for other products (tobacco, fibre
plants, hops, fruit and vegetables, wine, seeds). This
reduction would be carried out over a period of 10 years
beginning in 1986 and the reductions in Community
support effected since 1986 would be taken into account.

For the main products, a 'global support measure' (GSM)
is calculated on the basis of the difference between an

external reference price (based on the average
1986—1988) and the price on the Community market, to
which are added direct payments and certain subsidies for
farm inputs. 1986 is the base year for the calculation of the
GSM. For products for which calculation of the GSM is
impossible, the support is calculated on the basis of
production aid applying in 1986, or measures at
Community frontiers.

Tobacco is in the category of products for which support
is calculated on the basis of production aid. The reference
period for all products is, therefore, 1986.

Independently of the GATT talks, the Commission will
shortly present a proposal for reform of the market
organization for tobacco, particularly in order to gain
better control over expenditure in this sector.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2836/90

by Mr Didier Anger (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C214/16)

_Subject:_ Reafforestation as a means of combating the
greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect, which is causing unnatural global
warming and beginning to alter climatic conditions,
patterns of life and sea levels, is more than half
attributable to carbon dioxide. It is therefore necessary to
halt the destruction of Amazonian and tropical forests
and our own lime-planted woodlands and hedges and to
carry out reafforestation. However, as trees age, die and
decompose, they produce methane, which is even more of
a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. It is therefore
preferable to burn such trees since, although the carbon
dioxide stored therein is released, it has been neutralized
by the wood for anything up to one hundred years or
longer.

Reafforestation accompanied by the introduction of
wood-fired heating might help to alleviate the greenhouse
effect and facilitate the introduction of new patterns of
energy consumption. Do the wood biomass experiments
provide a possible field of action?

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/9

The use of wood rather than plastics for the manufacture
of furniture is an extremely effective means of containing
carbon dioxide.

What measures is the Commission taking to promote the
wood-based industries?

Does the Commission intend to increase aid for the

Eastern European countries and ACP States for this
purpose?

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

_(12 March 1991)_

The Commission is fully aware of the importance of the
role played by woodlands in the carbon cycle. Woodlands
absorb carbon dioxide from the time they increase their
biomass. This can be brought about by enlarging the area
under trees or by increasing productivity. European and
North American woodlands are estimated at the moment

to be increasing their biomass at an annual rate of
between 0,5 and 1 %. The quantity of carbon dioxide fixed
in a more permanent form is dictated by the quantity of
wood used as timber. The use of wood as an energy
source is advantageous only if it replaces the use of fossil
fuels, in so far as it helps reduce the discharge into the
atmosphere of new carbon dioxide, the carbon in which
has previously been removed from the cycle in fossil form.

The quantity of methane released in woodlands by
decomposing wood is negligible since methane is
produced only in an anaerobic environment and this is
quite exceptional in woodlands.

The Commission believes, therefore, that measures
designed to obtain the maximum benefit from the positive
effect of woodlands on the carbon dioxide content of the

atmosphere must constitute a significant component of
any strategy for resolving the question of atmospheric
warming. Such measures must include, firstly, the slowing
down of deforestation in tropical areas, principally
through the promotion of the sustainable management
and development of . those woodlands,

conservation-oriented farming practices and the use of
alternative energy sources. In the Community, action
taken to safeguard woodlands against fire and air
pollution should be continued, as should schemes for the
development of woodlands and the optimum utilization
of their production potential.

The measures adopted by the Council in 1989 as part of a
first action programme for the forestry sector (') are to be
regarded as a first step in that direction. In the future
these measures will have to undergo further development,
notably in the context of changes to the common
agricultural policy and action to assist the central
European and ACP countries.

The Commission is fully aware also of the major role that
tropical forests can — and must — play in regulating the
climate. The burning of tropical forests (especially the
Amazonian forest), in order to provide land for

cropfarming and stockrearing, involves the release of
large quantities of carbon dioxide, while the
disappearance of large tracts of tropical forests diminishes
total carbon dioxide absorption capacity.

The Community has decided therefore to implement a
far-reaching strategy to counteract the threat to tropical
forests, as it was requested to do by the European Council
in Dublin. In the medium and long term this
comprehensive strategy will comprise the following

measures:

— increased technical assistance for the conservation of

tropical forests as part of development cooperation
programmes in close association with the ALA and
ACP countries concerned. In particular, it should be
mentioned that the Commission, as requested by the
G-7 at their summit in Houston, is engaged in the
preparation of a pilot programme for the conservation
of the Amazonian forest in cooperation with the
World Bank and the Brazilian authorities;

— Community support for the reform of the TFAP to
make it an effective instrument for the conservation

and sustainable development of tropical forests;

— Community support for the action now being taken to
establish an international instrument for the

conservation of forests.

(') OJNoL 165,15.6.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2960/90

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 January 1991)_

(91/C214/17)

_Subject:_ Commission contracts with the Cornelissen
Project Support Organization (OPOC l'Europe)

At the beginning of 1990 the Commission
(Directorate-General responsible for consumer policy)
contracted OPOC l'Europe to carry out a feasibility study
in connection with a European consumers organization
for the sick and disabled (Contracts Nos: 6670/89/103,
104 and 105).

OPOC l'Europe submitted its study at the beginning of
July 1990.

A number of questions arise concerning financial
settlement by the Commission. An advance of 50 % of the
total amount of the contract was paid only after five
months instead of the customary two months, and the
administrative formalities were so extensive that final

settlement took over six months. All accounts and

specifications were requested in triplicate (approximately

No C 214/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

300 copies!), and OPOC l'Europe was subsequently
informed that additional time would be needed to study
the documents.

As a result, a relatively small agency was forced
provisionally to bear cost of ECU 20 000, which placed it
in serious financial difficulties.

1. Why was the Commission unable to pay the amount
owing to OPOC l'Europe (and possibly many other
parties with which it has concluded contracts) within a
reasonable period, i.e. two months?

2. Does not the Commission consider that its

administrative requirements are excessively
bureaucratic, and is it prepared to make appropriate
changes?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ _May 1991)_

In the case referred to by the Honourable Member,
further information was required in addition to the
supporting documents. These documents have been
transmitted to the Commission together with the missing
information and the balances on the contracts concerned

have been paid.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2970/90

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C214/18)

_Subject:_ Implementation of Article 2 (3) of the Directive
on the assessment of the effects of certain private
and public projects on the environment

Under Article 2 (3) of Council Directive 85/337/EEC ('),
Member States may, in exceptional cases, exempt a
specific project from environmental impact assessment, in
which event they are required to notify the Commission.

1. Have exceptional cases arisen in the Member States
and, if so, how many, for which projects and in which
regions of Europe?

2. If the answer to the first question is in the affirmative,
can the Commission say which Member States have
made information relating to the exemption and the
reasons for granting it available to the public?

3. Have there been cases in which one or more Member

States have failed to give information of these

exceptional cases and, if so, how many, which ones
and in what regions of Europe.

O OJ No L 175,5.7. 1985, p. 40.

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

_(25 April 1991)_

1. Since the entry into force of Directive 85/337/EEC,
on 3 July 1985, two Member States have informed the
Commission of their recourse to the exemption procedure
provided for in Article 2 (3) thereof.

One case concerns a motorway project in Catalonia, of
which Spain informed the Commission at the end of 1989;
the other concerns several projects in the Netherlands, of
which the Commission was informed in May and July
1990, including a trunk road (Rosmalen-Geffen), a
holiday village and a sludge discharge site.

2. The two Member States informed the Commission

of the reasons which, in their opinion, justified these
projects, indicating that the information had been made
available to the public and the environmental authorities,
in accordance with the provisions of the Directive.

In the Spanish case, the Spanish authorities undertook to
carry out an impact study in accordance with the
Directive.

In the Dutch case, the exemptions were based on a
national provision whose field of application, in the
Commission's view, extends beyond the 'exceptional
cases' referred to in Article 2 (3) of the Directive. An
infringement procedure has also been initiated.

3. In the Dutch case referred to above, the
Commission was not notified by the Member State
concerned until after the infringement procedure had
been, initiated. As regards the other Member States, the
Commission does not have the information which would

enable it to answer the Honourable Member's question.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3024/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C214/19)

_Subject:_ Advertising campaign to boost wine
consumption

For various reasons wine continues to be a subject for
discussion in the context of Community agriculture,

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/11

because the discrepancies between the general situation in
this sector and the productivity of wine producers have
resulted in an overestimation of the figures used as
guidelines for improving production, selecting vineyards,
processing and marketing.

The main problem is that a great deal is being produced
and not enough consumed. Wine has lost ground to other
drinks such as beer and soft drinks and in some countries,
such as Spain, consumption has dropped from 60 litres
per inhabitant per year at the start of the decade to only 36
litres at present.

There is a clear need to resort to exceptional measures to
promote exports from the south of the Community to the
centre and north of Europe so as to balance the
consumption of wine with that of other alcoholic drink.
Does the Commission therefore not think that, on the
grounds that this is a matter of importance to the wine
sector, advertising campaigns should be used, as was done
in the case of butter, to encourage European consumers to
alter their consumption patterns in favour of wine,
thereby reducing the excessive surpluses in this key
agricultural sector of the Community's southern
countries?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 April 1991)_

In recent years great efforts have been made in the wine
sector to adjust supply to demand, the objective being to
achieve a better balance between production potential and
foreseeable consumption. To this end, action has been
taken aimed at intensifying the arrangements for the
permanent abandonment of wine-growing areas and
penalizing high yields through a reinforcement of the
deterrent effect of compulsory distillation, the result of
which has been a reduction in production potential.

The programmes for the restructuring of vineyards do not
clash with the above objective as it is necessary to take
account of scientific progress, market competition and
increased quality requirements on the part of consumers.

With regard to the downward trend observed for many
years in global wine consumption, the Commission would
point out that, while the decline is very marked in the
traditional wine-producing countries, it is not offset by
the gradual increase in the countries of northern Europe.
Reduced consumption in the producing countries seems
to be related to changes in life style which appear to have
given rise to changes in dietary habits, with the daily
consumption of table wines being replaced by the less
frequent consumption of better quality wines.

The slow progress, on the other hand, in the northern
countries' wine consumption could be related to

deeply-rooted dietary traditions which do not lend
themselves easily to sudden switches to other types of
drink.

Reduced production cannot, against this drop in
consumption, put an end to surpluses and restore
equilibrium. Hence, the Commission's price proposal for
the 1991/92 wine year aims at reinforcing the distillation
and abandonment measures while maintaining the guide
prices.

As regards the possibility of public authorities organizing
advertising campaigns to boost the consumption of
alcoholic products, the strong connotations of such
campaigns as far as public health is concerned should be
borne in mind.

By the Resolution of the Council and of the
representatives of the Governments of the Member
States, meeting within the Council of 29 May 1986 on
alcohol abuse ('), the Commission was invited to weigh
carefully the interests involved in the production,
distribution and promotion of alcoholic beverages, and
public health interests and to conduct a balanced policy to
this end.

Against this background, Commission staff are giving
careful thought to the various possibilities lying ahead
and are examining whether information campaigns at
Community level would be appropriate. The objective
would be to supply present and potential consumers with
information on wine, its civilization and uses from a
cultural, and not a commercial angle, providing a clearer
picture of the wine sector and its many facets: historical,
cultural, social, technological, health, etc., without
forgetting the problems linked to alcohol abuse.

(') OJNoC 184,23.7.1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3034/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to European Political Cooperation

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 214/20)

_Subject:_ Killings in Mauritania

To what extent have the Twelve followed the evolution,
over the last months, of the violent events which began in
Mauritania in the first months of 1990, involving
arbitrary arrests, torture, rape and extrajudicial
executions, and primarily affecting the black population,
especially the Peul, Fula and Fulari ethnic groups?

N o C 214/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3035/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to European Political Cooperation

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 214/21)

_Subject:_ Imprisonment of a trade union leader in
Mauritania

Are the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation willing to take up the case of the
Mauritanian trade union leader and political activist Ladji
Traove, aged 53 and married with eight children, who was
arrested in October in Nouakchott and is still imprisoned
without charge or trial, and whose situation is certainly
the result of his opposition to the government's policy of
discrimination against black Mauritanians ?

Joint answer to Written Question Nos 3034/90
and 3035/90

_(18 July 1991)_

The Presidency would like to reply to Questions
Nos 3034/90 and 3035/90 together.

The Community and its Member States have followed the
troubles in Mauritania with uneasiness. They have
expressed their deep concern over the worsening of the
situation resulting from the dispute between Senegal and
Mauritania, which has seriously threatened relations
between the two countries and, owing to the underlying
inter-ethnic problems involved, has doubtless helped to
heighten the antagonisms and accentuate the problems to
which the Honourable Member refers.

They have since called for a just and lasting solution both
internally and between the two countries, to be achieved
by peaceful means and a negotiated political settlement.
They have also supported any moves to bring about a
peaceful settlement and have made the authorities
concerned aware of the position of the Community and its
Member States on the question of the protection and
promotion of human rights in particular cases and in
general situations calling for the rights of minorities to be
protected.

Following the alleged coup d'etat in November of last
year, the Community and its Member States are greatly
concerned at the serious violations reported by the Heads
of Mission at Nouakchott, which are at present
undergoing thorough investigation within European
Political Cooperation.

The Presidency would emphasize, however, that
Mauritania has undertaken a programme of democratic
reform of its political system which includes a

constitutional referendum planned for 12 July 1991,
legislative elections, the establishment of a national
Assembly and Senate and a complete multi-party system.
The Community and its Member States trust that the
effect of this programme on the human rights situation
will be positive.

In this context, the Honourable Member may rest assured
that the Community and its Member States will use the
means at their disposal, both collectively and/or
bilaterally, to convince the Mauritanian authorities of the
overriding need to complete the programme which has
been initiated and to call for an enquiry into the events
referred to in his Question and for the conclusions of that
enquiry to be made public without delay.

The specific Question raised by the Honourable Member
in connection with the arrest of a trade union leader in

Mauritania has not been discussed within European
Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3044/90

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 214/22)

_Subject:_ Evaluation of the Schengen agreement

Since 27 November 1990 Italy has been an official
member of the Convention on the Schengen agreement.
Moreover, Spain and Portugal have observer status,
having also expressed the intention of acceding to the
Convention.

Could Mr Martin Bangemann, Vice-President of the
European Commission, who has been the Commission
representative at the ministerial meetings on Schengen,
give his assessment of recent progress by the Schengen
Group especially with regard to the free movement of
persons, the protection of the private life of the citizen,
the democratic guarantees of the Schengen information
system (SIS) and the confidentiality of data relating to
those seeking asylum?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 March 1991)_

The Commission has from the outset welcomed the work

of the Schengen Group on account of its value as a
testing-ground for the Community, from the standpoint
of completion of the internal market, and as a driving
force for those Member States which are not signatories
to the Schengen Agreements.

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/13

It thus views with satisfaction Italy's accession and the
approaches made recently by Spain and Portugal with a
view to joining.

The solutions arrived at by the Schengen Group in many
areas, all of which are politically sensitive, demonstrate
that political and technical problems can be overcome
where those concerned show the necessary willingness
and determination. The substance of the solutions that

have emerged also provides a source of inspiration — and
even, in some cases, a blueprint — for work by the
Twelve.

The Commission would stress that, by taking part in the
discussions as an observer, it has always ensured that the
Schengen process does not evolve in a manner which is
incompatible with the law, objectives and powers of the
Commission, including the provisions relating to the
protection of human rights.

On this last point, the Commission would draw the
Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the

Convention on implementation of the Schengen
Agreement contains a number of provisions relating to the
protection of personal data. These are based on the
Council of Europe Convention of 28 January 1981 for the
protection of individuals with regard to automatic
processing of personal data and take account of
Recommendation No R (87) 15 regulating the use of
personal data in the police sector, which was adopted by
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on
17 September 1987.

On 27 July 1990 the Commission sent the Council a
communication, together with a package of proposals, on
the protection of individuals in relation to the processing
of personal data in the Community and information
security (').

It would refer the Honourable Member to the joint
debate that took place on the matter during Parliament's
February 1991 part-session ( [2] ).

O COM(90)314.
( [2] ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-400, 401
(February 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3052/90

by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C214/23)

_Subject:_ Border checks on the Paris — Brussels train

Is the Commission aware that the French and Belgian
authorities carry out systematic passport checks on all

passengers on the Paris—Brussels international train
route?

Does the Commission consider this to be in accordance

with the principle of spot checks as applied to cars?

Is the Commission prepared to point out the
undesirability of this situation to the responsible
authorities?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 May 1991)_

As it stands Community law does not rule out systematic
checks on identity cards or passports at frontiers.

However, by the resolution of 7 June 1984 (') the Council
and the Governments of the Member States, meeting
within the Council, asked that, as far as possible, the
principle of spot checks be applied.

Although the resolution is not a legally binding act, the
political undertaking it represents has, according to the
information at the Commission's disposal, resulted in the
checks referred to by the Honourable Member no longer
being carried out systematically on the Paris—Brussels
train route.

Since internal frontiers are to be abolished by 31
December 1992, Member States will by then need to have
taken all the measures necessary to that end. Work is in
progress to achieve this objective, to which the
Commission attaches great importance.

The Commission would also inform the Honourable

Member that the Member States which have signed the
Schengen Agreement — including France and Belgium —
have already signed a Convention applying the Agreement
and aimed at abolishing identity checks at their common
borders. The ratification procedures for this Convention
are under way.

O OJNoC 159,19.6.1984.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3058/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 214/24)

_Subject:_ Agricultural policy and the environment

Serious overgrazing is now taking place on the western
seaboard of Ireland as a result of the payment of the ewe

No C 214/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

premium under the sheepmeat regime. This premium,
which is funded entirely by the Community, acts as a
strong incentive to overstock hill areas, with consequent
serious damage to soils, semi-natural vegetation and
water systems in environmentally fragile areas. The
current stocking limit of 1 000 ewes is not effective in
protecting the environment.

1. Is the environmental effect of the ewe premium
compatible with the requirements of Article 130r (2)
of the Treaty, which stipulates that environmental
protection requirements shall be a component of the
Community's other policies?

2. How does the Commission propose to tackle this
serious problem?

3. In particular, how does the Commission propose to
support marginal sheep farmers' incomes, while at the
same time promoting sound management of hill
pastures in environmentally fragile areas?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 April 1991)_

Overgrazing with ewes can be a problem in specific areas
of the Community including the Western seaboard of
Ireland.

While a substantial increase in sheep numbers has been
recorded in Ireland in recent years, the reasons for such
an increase cannot be ascribed solely to the ewe premium,
whose purpose is to compensate producers for a loss of
income when mashed prices fall below the basic price
fixed by the Council.

It was to be expected that the introduction of a
Community regime in the sheep sector in 1980 provided a
greater market for Irish lamb production at prices which
certainly encourage an expansion in sheep numbers. It
must be remembered also that the opportunities for
alternative enterprises are very limited especially in the
less favoured areas where sheep raising is often the only
source of income from agriculture.

In addition, difficulties encountered by beef producers, in
less favoured areas of Ireland in particular, have
encouraged them to seek alternatives to beef in order to
maintain income.

The Commission is currently reviewing the operation of
the sheepmeat regime and among the elements under
consideration is greater encouragement for the
extensification of production.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 14/91

by Mrs Doris Pack (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/25)

_Subject:_ Financial protocol between Yugoslavia and the
Community

In the most recent negotiations on the financial protocol
between Yugoslavia and the Community did the
Commission comply with the request made by the
European Parliament in its resolution of 11 October 1990
on Kosovo, which was worded as follows:

'Asks the Commission to make its negotiations on the
financial protocol between Yugoslavia and the
Community completely dependent on a proper respect
for human rights in Kosovo and the Helsinki Final
Act;'?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 March 1991)_

The Commission has on several occasions, particularly
during Parliament's debates on the Kosovo issue,
underlined the importance that it attaches to respect for
human rights and democracy in this region of Yugoslavia.

The Commission would point out that the aim of the third
financial protocol, for which the negotiating directives
were adopted at the Council meeting of 18 December
1990, will be to finance cooperation schemes in sectors
such as industry, the environment, telecommunications
and above all Yugoslavia's transport infrastructure, which
is of interest to Community transit traffic.

It will be up to Parliament, when it is consulted on the
third financial protocol, to decide whether and how, with
regard to these specific objectives, calling this financial
cooperation into question would be likely to bring about
an improvement in the political situation in Kosovo.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 16/91

by Mr Herman Verbeek (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/26)

_Subject:_ Primary aluminium production in the European
Community

1. In which Member States is primary aluminium
produced?

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/15

2. In this connection, what kind of energy contracts are
concluded between energy suppliers (or^ generating
companies) and the firms or branches of industry
concerned?

3. What is the ratio between the generating costs and
the price charged?

4. What is the situation in the Netherlands regarding
the contract for energy between Hoogovens NV and the
Ministry of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Aldel
aluminium smelter in Delfzijl?

5. Does the contract comply with the rules on
competition laid down in the EEC Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(4_ _April 1991)_

1. Primary aluminium is produced in seven Member
States. Production figures for 1989 reveal, for the
Community as a whole, a total of 2 368 000 tonnes, for
which the national contributions are as follows: Germany
742 000 tonnes, France 334 900 tonnes, Spain 352 500
tonnes, the United Kingdom 297 300 tonnes, the
Netherlands 274 000 tonnes, Italy 219 500 tonnes and
Greece 148 300 tonnes.

2. The Council Directive of 29 June 1990 on the

transparency of prices (') does not cover electricity
supplied to major industrial consumers. These include
aluminium producers, whose manufacturing processes
require vast quantities of electricity.

The Commission is accordingly not in a position to
establish what prices are charged in such cases and, by the
same token, what contracts have been concluded in that
industry for the supply of electricity.

3. With regard to the ratio between generating costs
and the price charged it is a generally accepted principle
that the price must be sufficient to cover, throughout the
period of the contract, all the electricity-supply costs,
including variable fuel costs. Should the price level be
such as to suggest that that principle is not being adhered
to, and that the price might include an aid component the
Commission is empowered to obtain the necessary
information from the firms concerned under Article 93

(2) of the EEC Treaty.

4. According to the information at the Commission's
disposal Aidel receives electricity under the terms of its
old electricity contract established in the sixties between
the aluminium company and the electricity utility. The

Dutch Government has undertaken to inform the

Commission of any changes made to that contract. So far
the Dutch Government has not informed the Commission

of any change.

5. The Commission has examined the special
arrangement of gas supply between Gasunie and eight
industrial users dating back to 1964. The Commission had
at that time requested some modifications of the
arrangement in question. By letter dated 20 July 1972, the
Dutch Government agreed to modify the arrangement as
requested by the Commission.

(') OJNoL185, 17.7. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 18/91

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to European Political Cooperation

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/27)

_Subject:_ Sanctions against South Africa

Would the Ministers Meeting in Political Cooperation
outline the Communities' current stance towards

sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa
and would the ministers indicate whether they will still be
in a position to support sanctions as a priority in 1991?

Answer

_(18 July 1991)_

The Presidency wishes to thank the Honourable Member
for providing it with the opportunity to outline the
reasons behind the decision of the Community and its
Member States to lift the remaining 1986 measures on 15
April 1991, subject to the position of one Member State's
legislature. This ministerial decision is the logical
outcome of the statements on South Africa published
since the Strasbourg European Council.

In the light of the major changes having occurred in South
Africa in 1990, the European Council in Rome adopted a
package of decisions on 15 December last designed
effectively to foster the process of irreversible change in
the direction advocated by the Strasbourg European
Council. These decisions stemmed from the

determination expressed by the Heads of State and of
Government at Dublin in June 1990 gradually to relax
pressure in response to the reforms desired by the
Community and its Member States. At the same time, the
European Council in Rome decided to step up the

No C 214/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

programmes of positive measures with a view to the
elimination of apartheid by peaceful means.

The December European Council thus decided that the
Community and its Member States would relax the
measures adopted in 1986 once the South African
Government had moved to introduced legislation for the
repeal of the Group Areas Act and Land Acts.

With the same end in view, and also in order to help to
combat unemployment and to improve the economic and
social situation in South Africa, the Rome European
Council decided meanwhile to repeal the ban on further
investment.

On 4 February, the Community and its Member States
welcomed the announcement made on 1 February by
President De Klerk at the ceremony inaugurating the
session of the South African Parliament which pointed to
further major changes to come in South Africa. At the
same time, they reiterated their position on the legislative
initiatives mooted by the authorities in Pretoria and
confirmed their wish to begin preparations for
appropriate action.

On 12 March, the South African Government presented
its White Paper on Land Reform, together with four bills
relating thereto, a legislative initiative constituting a
revision of, in particular, the Group Areas Act and the
Black Communities Development Act. In addition, on 9
April, the authorities in Pretoria placed before Parliament
the Population Registration Act Repeal Bill putting an
end to the practice of registration by race and containing
transitional measures for the implementation of the
present Constitution, pending the adoption of a new basic
law.

On 15 April, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs meeting in
European Political Cooperation alongside the General
Affairs Council noted that the conditions laid down by
the European Council in Rome in December 1990 had
been met by the presentation of the Group Areas Act and
Land Act bills and that the Population Registration Act
Bill had also been submitted. In this context, the Ministers
decided, with one partner holding a provisional
reservation, to lift the measures adopted in 1986 on
imports of certain iron and steel products and of
Krugerrands.

On 5 June, the South African Parliament approved the
Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Bill, in the
process repealing the Group Areas Act and the Land Acts.
This new bill contains a provision taken from the
Residential Environment Bill approved by Parliament on
20 May. An amended version of the Population
Registration Act Repeal Bill was also approved by the
Parliament on 17 June 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 26/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C214/28)

_Subject:_ Reform of the CAP

Mr Delors has just stated that the Commission will be
seeking radical reform of the Common Agricultural
Policy and Mr MacSharry has added that the measures
contemplated would be revolutionary and would
probably encounter the hostility of most professional
agricultural organizations. These remarks are especially
disturbing when farmers have proposals to make for their
future. The only way of avoiding widespread violence
throughout the European countryside is to set up a
genuine dialogue with the farmers' organizations on the
future of agriculture.

Europe must not join in the destabilization of farmers'
associations as practised by the French government
among others. What we really need is a new agricultural
policy to upgrade the countrysides and country people's
lives. This policy must be discussed with the
representative organizations. How and on what timetable
does the Commission intend to conduct democratic

debate on the new European agricultural policy?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1991)_

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable

Member regarding the need to recast the common
agricultural policy. Activities derived from farming have
not before now been identified as such by the community,
and as a result have not been identified in agricultural
policies. Under present conditions, such activities are
fundamental for future stability. The upgrading of the
countryside forms part of these essential activities.

The Commission is also well aware that a policy obviously
can not be developed against the wishes of those
principally involved. It incorporates into its analyses all
the relevant elements and, in particular, the opinion of
professional organizations in the agricultural sector.
These are constantly involved in Community thinking on
agriculture, not only through the possibilities for contacts
and information which the Community's administrative
openness permits, but even more so through formal
institutional channels, in particular the Advisory
Committees.

The ideas of all are thus heard and evaluated in the light
of their content. In this regard, the Commission relies on
the fact that both the farmers themselves and the

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/17

professional organizations which represent them are
strongly aware of their responsibilities.

However, even though the Commission is trying to
broaden its analytic base, the right of initiative falls to it
alone under the EEC Treaty. The Commission's
proposals to the Council will be submitted for
consultation to Parliament and to the Economic and

Social Committee.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 52/91

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/29)

_Subject:_ Regional aid for Castilla y Leon

In its 'Nineteenth report on competition policy' (1990),
the EEC Commission refers to approval for 'a proposal
for the region of Castilla y Leon establishing a regional
aid scheme . . .' (p. 174).

Can the Commission explain the content and scope of this
proposal and of the aid scheme to which it refers?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 March 1991)_

The proposal approved by the Commission lays down
general rules for the various financial aids to investment
granted by the regional government in Castille and Leon.

The total aid granted under the scheme to any investment
project must not exceed 75 % NSE (net subsidy
equivalent) in area I and 45% NSE in area II. Area I
covers the provinces of Avila, Leon, Salamanca, Soria and
Zamora and area II the provinces of Borgos, Palencia,
Segovia and Valladolid.

The aid may be granted in the form of interest-rate
subsidies, subsidies to help repay loans, outright grants,
guarantees, collective appropriations, unsecured loans
and subsidized feasibility studies.

The following sectors are eligible for aid under the
scheme: mining and quarrying, processing industries, the
agri-foodstuffs industry, industrial support and
commercial improvement services and tourism and leisure
facilities.

The following types of investment are eligible: purchase
and development of land and premises, capital goods,

project planning, other real fixed assets, and fixed
intangible assets which relate to the investment and which
do not exceed 20% of the total investment under the

project.

The firms eligible are those which, in Castilia y Leon,
carry out investment projects for the creation of new
establishments or the expansion, transfer and
modernization of existing establishments. The projects
must also meet the following requirements:

— they must be technically, economically and financially
viable,

— self-financing must account for at least 30% of the
investment,

— the investment must not have begun before the aid was
applied for.

Exceptionally, aid may be granted to firms buying up all
the assets in Castilia y Leon of businesses which have gone
bankrupt or have suspended payments and whose
workforce is under serious threat of redundancy. In such
cases the gross subsidy must not exceed 25 % of the value
of the assets acquired, less the updated value of any public
aid received during the last five years in respect of those

assets.

The aids under the scheme are not mutually exclusive and
can be cumulated with other aids granted by the region or
by the national authorities for regional purposes, subject
to a limit of 75 % net grant equivalent in area I and 45 %
net grant equivalent in area II.

The draft budget for the entire scheme in 1989 is Ptas
5 373,48 million, broken down as follows:

Farming-related industries Ptas 2 308,00 million

Support for industry Ptas 2 237,13 million

Marketing structures Ptas 828,35 million.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 60/91

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/30)

_Subject:_ The electric power line between Sabinanigo and
Sarvise (Huesca, Spain)

Owing to the fact that Directive 85/337/EEC ( [l] ) has not
yet been fully transposed into Spanish national law,

No C 214/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

several major projects have not been subject to an
environmental impact assessment. One specific example is
the project by the electricity company 'Electricas
Reunidas de Zaragoza' to construct an electric power line
between the towns of Sabinanigo and Sarvise, which will
have serious repercussions for the countryside and will
also threaten an area which is deemed important in
respect of Directive 79/409/EEC ( [2] ) on the protection of
wild birds.

What urgent steps does the Commission intend to take to
ensure that Community environmental laws, in particular
Directives 85/337/EEC and 79/409/EEC, are applied
correctly in the case in point?

O OJNoL 175,5.7. 1985, p. 40.
O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

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

_(3_ _May 1991)_

The Commission has taken note of the Honourable

Member's observations. A request for information will be
sent to the Spanish authorities.

With regard to Directive 85/337/EEC, it would draw the
Honourable Member's attention to the fact that an

infringement procedure has been initiated against Spain
on the basis of Article 169 of the EEC Treaty. The fact
that Spanish law exempts almost all the types of project
listed in Annex II of the Directive from the obligation to
carry out an environmental impact assessment has been
regarded as a failure to comply with the Directive. In
practice, where projects of this kind are concerned, the
Commission has had great difficulty in ensuring that the
provisions of the Directive are fully applied. To date, in
all cases where it has been informed of a project covered
by Annex II of the Directive, the Spanish authorities have
allowed the project to go ahead without an environmental
impact assessment having been carried out.

Given that the articles of the Directive subjecting projects
of the classes listed in Annex II to an environmental

impact assessment have no direct effect, action on the
basis of Article 169 of the EEC Treaty against Member
States which refuse to apply the - provisions of the
Directive to specific cases is ruled out, as long as the
legislation of the Member State has not been amended.

The Commission is endeavouring to convince the
Member States of the urgent need to amend legislation
which does not comply with the Directive.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 73/91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C214/31)

_Subject:_ Alternatives to reprocessing spent nuclear fuel

What studies have been commissioned and published by
the European Community on alternative options to
reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 April 1991)_

General studies have been performed or commissioned on
options excluding the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel
within the framework of the Commission shared cost

action programme in the field of radioactive waste
management and disposal. They have been published as
EUR reports:

— W. Bechthold et al: 'Direct disposal of spent nuclear
fuel', EUR 11268, Graham & Trotman, London
(1987);

— P. Ashton et al: 'Analysis of scenarios for the direct
disposal of spent nuclear fuel — Disposal conditions
as expected in Germany', EUR 12953, Office for
Official Publication of the European Communities,
Luxembourg (1990).

The Karlsruhe Institute for Transuranium Elements of

the Joint Research Centre pursues within the frame of the
JRC Specific Research Programme on the Management
of Radioactive Waste studies on the characterization of

unprocessed spent nuclear fuel in view of its longterm
stability under conditions of storage in a temporary or
final repository.

For the time being, these studies deal with the effect of
water, normal or enriched in oxygen, on the chemistry
and the morphology of the surface of uranium dioxide
fuel samples irradiated to high burn-up.

The following detailed studies carried out by the Joint
Research Centre's Institute for Transuranium Elements

have been or will be published. They relate to the
characterization and behaviour of unprocessed spent
nuclear fuel and provide further scientific background
information:

— J. P. Glatz, G. De Caritat, M. Coquerelle & E.H.
Toscano: 'Leaching of well-characterized

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/19

highly-active waste glasses and spent fuel', ASME
Joint International Waste Management Conference,
21—26 October 1991, Seoul (Korea), to be published;

— M. Coquerelle: 'Characterization of MOX spent fuel
as waste form for direct disposal', Workshop,
Mannitoba Hecland — AECL — 3 — 5 September

1990.

Summaries of these various studies could also be found in

the periodic information leaflet 'Radioactive Waste EC
FOCUS', issues Nos 8 (December 1987) and 13
(November 1990).

All these studies have shown that disposal of spent fuel
may be done in a safe way to a degree comparable to the
disposal of vitrified high level waste from reprocessing.
The decision to reprocess or not is however a matter of
national policy concerning the nuclear fuel cycle as a
whole.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 183/91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/32)

_Subject:_ Failure to comply with Community
environmental directives on the island of

Saint-Martin (dependency of Guadeloupe —
French overseas department)

The French part of the island of Saint-Martin is subject to
Community law pursuant to Article 227 (2) of the Treaty.

The territory, however, does not observe Community
environmental directives, in particular on waste and
environmental impact assessment, and likewise disregards
the Berne Convention on protected species.

Solid waste on Saint-Martin is incinerated in the open,
and sewage is not treated. Protected species such as turtles
are served in restaurants, and the coast is gradually being
swallowed up by a rash of new property development.

1. Can the Commission therefore say what checks are
being conducted to ensure that Community
environmental legislation is enforced and observed?

2. What will the Commission do to prevent the
depredation of the island's natural environment, its
biggest asset from the tourism point of view?

3. Will it not carry out an on-the-spot investigation and,
where appropriate, institute infringement proceedings
for failure to comply with the various pieces of
environmental legislation?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 184/91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/33)

_Subject:_ Failure to respect the environment on the island
of Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles (Overseas
countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

The Dutch part of the island of Sint Maarten is bound to
the European Community under an association, and the
association agreement is about to break new ground by
introducing a title specifically related to respect for the
environment.

Sint Maarten is not required to comply with Community
environmental legislation, and its coast is in the process of
being swallowed up by a massive rash of new property
development.

1. Can the Commission therefore say what it will do to
prevent the depredation of the island's natural
environment, its biggest asset from the tourism point
of view?

2. Can it say whether and, if so, how it will ensure that,
under the next association agreement, observance of
Community environmental law is made a minimum
condition of eligibility for Community funding?

3. How does it ascertain that Community funding is not
leading to adverse environmental consequences on the
island of Sint Maarten?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 183/91 and 184/91
given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1991)_

The Commission was not aware of the infringement of
Community environmental law on the island of
Saint-Martin (Guadeloupe) referred to by the
Honourable Member.

However, in order that it may elicit accurate replies from
the French Government regarding the infringements and,
if necessary, initiate infringement procedures against
France, the Commission would be very grateful if the
Honourable Member would send it further details on the

facts constituting an infringement of the Community
environment Directives, in particular Directives
85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain

public and private projects on the environment (') and
75/442/EEC on waste ( [2] ), or other directives.

As regards the island of Sint-Maarten (Netherlands
Antilles), the provisions dealing with a new period of

No C 214/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

association for the overseas countries and territories

(OCT) are still under negotiation and Community
environmental law does not apply in the OCT.
Nevertheless, the Commission is ensuring that
environmental protection requirements will be taken into
account during the financing procedures, as required by
Article 130r (2) of the EEC Treaty. In the proposal
currently under discussion in the Council, the
Commission has put forward tougher environmental
requirements regarding the implementation of projects
financed under the EDF than apply under the current
association decision.

The Commission recently received a joint delegation of
elected representatives from Saint-Martin and
Sint-Maarten, who had come to present a household
waste treatment project covering both parts of the island.
If the respective ERDF (French overseas departments)
and EDF (OCT) procedures are followed by the
applicants, this regional project could receive partial
Community funding and would constitute a positive
response to the concern expressed by the Honourable
Member.

O OJNoL 175,5.7. 1985.
O OJNoL 194,25.7. 1975.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 208/91

by Mr Ben Fayot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/34)

_Subject:_ MEDIA programme for the theatre

Those who are professionally involved in the theatre are
very interested in exchanges and co-productions,
particularly since Eastern European countries have been
open to freer, less official forms of cultural cooperation
based on individual initiative.

Given the success of the Community's activities in the
MEDIA programme, would it not be possible either to
extend the programme to include theatre, or to set up a
pilot scheme of a similar type, intended in particular for
small and medium-sized companies, who find it more
difficult to arrange co-productions and exchanges of
plays?

Does the Commission not see this as a way of developing
Europe's cultural dimension?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1991)_

In 1990, the Commission requested the 'Informal
European Theatre Meeting' (European network of

professionals in the performing arts) to produce a study
of the possibility of adapting the MEDIA programme to
live performance or alternatively of devising a European
programme in the field of theatre and dance. The study
has just been completed and the Commission is now
deliberating on the conclusions to be drawn, particularly
in the light of the practical and legal difficulties involved.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 232/91

by Mr Jose Mendes Bota (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/35)

_Subject:_ The massacre and torture of people belonging to
the Tuareg ethnic group

What steps has the Commission taken to persuade the
governments involved to put an end to the conflict?

What role does the Commission have to play in the
conclusion of the agreement between the governments
concerned and the Tuaregs of Niger and Mali?

What guarantees do members of the Tuareg ethnic group
have that they may actually exercise their right of
self-determination?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1991)_

Since the autumn of 1989, thousand of Tuareg nomads
originally from Mali and Niger have returned from Libya
and Algeria, where they had emigrated in 1984 during the
great drought. This second wave of repatriations followed
a first — more orderly — wave which began in 1987.

The Tuaregs have accused the Niger and Mali
governments of failing to honour their promises to help
with resettlement, and serious armed clashes took place in
May 1990 in Niger and from June 1990 onwards in Mali.

Being aware of the historical problems dividing the
peoples of this area and of the fact that certain Tuareg
groups are in receipt of foreign aid, the Commission has
made an active contribution to the search for a solution to

these conflicts, making representations to the
governments concerned, in particular in September 1990.

An agreement was eventually concluded between a
Tuareg delegation and the Mali government. The Interior
Ministers of Algeria and Niger also signed an agreement
in January 1991.

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/21

As regards the material situation of the returnees, the
Community has already contributed over ECU 2 million
in Niger under Article 204, 'Aid to returnees'. This
operation will be stepped up with funds from Niger's
national indicative programme (seventh EDF) signed on
8 January 1991 in Niamey, with a view to improving the
living conditions of these nomadic and semi-nomadic
population groups by means of an integrated approach to
grazing development, by providing and running schools
and public health facilities and by constructing basic
supply roads.

At the request of the Mali government, Mali's national
indicative programme for Lome IV, signed on 13
February 1991, provides for the continuation of current
operations for the protection of the environment, the
securing of food supplies and the opening-up of the areas
in which the Tuareg returnees have settled.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 233/91

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (D)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 214/36)

_Subject:_ Imports of tropical wood from Malaysia

Can the Commission state whether the EC Member States

have complied with import restrictions in respect of
tropical wood from Sarawak (Malaysia)?

Has any study been carried out on the impact of forestry
development in Sarawak on local inhabitants? If so, what
are the findings of the study? If not, does the Commission
have data enabling it to ascertain that there have been no
adverse repercussions for the inhabitants of Sarawak?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 May 1991)_

There are no special arrangements for tropical timber
imports into the Community and no exception is made for
timber from Malaysia.

As regards the Sarawak region in particular, the
Commission explained to Parliament in October 1990
that it would be advisable to carry out an overall
evaluation of the impact of the strict measures taken by
the Malaysian authorities and the results of the
international mission sponsored by the International
Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) before taking any
specific action _(_ _[1]_ _)._

In the recent ITTO discussions on the report of this
international mission the Malaysian representatives

accepted the results and suggestions set out in it, which
means that they have undertaken to reduce and improve
forestry exploitation in the region. The report proposes
measures to conserve natural resources and promote
social and economic development that include a
considerable reduction in the annual rate of forestry
exploitation.

The Commission will continue to follow attentively the
discussions concerning Sarawak in the ITTO, giving its
support and making a contribution where it can.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-394 (October
1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 268/91

by Mr Eugenio Melandri (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/37)

_Subject:_ Nuclear power station in Czechoslovakia

Since the Austrian Environment Minister asked

Commissioner Ripa di Meana to support him in his call
for the closure of the nuclear power station at Bohunice in
Czechoslovakia, what steps has the Commission taken to
deal with this case? How does this specific case fit into the
arrangements for energy cooperation laid down under the
cooperation protocol with Czechoslovakia initialled only
a few months ago by the EEC and Euratom? Does not the
Commission nevertheless consider that, in parallel with
this closure, measures should be promoted to make up for
the US$ 318 million which Prague would lose by simply
shutting down the power station?

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

_(16 April 1991)_

As regards steps taken by the Commission in relation to
the operation of the Bohunice nuclear power station, the
Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by
the Commission to the oral question H-0015/91 by Mr
Langer (').

As regards energy cooperation with Czechoslovakia
under the EEC and Euratom agreements, specific
arrangements covering cases referred to in the question
have not yet been established.

(') Debates of the European Parliament Nos 3-398, 399 (January
1991).

No C 214/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 272/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/38)

_Subject:_ Energy-saving

In view of the importance of energy-saving in the
Community today, will the Commission take action to
regulate consumption by introducing a system of
thermostatic valves which control maximum temperatures
and consumption in public buildings and offices?

In cases of failure to save energy (as in the manifest
example of the Commune of Lavagna, Imperia which
applies no limits on consumption), what measures does
the Commission intend to take?

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

_(11 April 1991)_

On 4 May 1976 the Commission addressed to the
Member States a recommendation on the rational use of

energy in the heating systems of existing buildings
(76/403/ECC), which specifically concerns the control of
temperatures in buildings and the use of temperature
regulation and control systems such as thermostatic
valves.

Community initiatives must reflect the division of
responsibilities according to the principle of subsidiarity.
This principle requires that powers be exercised at the
level able to provide the best solution to a given problem.
In the Commission's opinion, the Community level is not
best suited for the control of temperatures in public
buildings in Community regions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 353/91

by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/39)

_Subject:_ Monitoring of environmental acceptability in
border areas

1. Is the Commission aware that a glassworks is under
construction in Hombourg (Alsace), in the immediate
vicinity of the frontier, and is expected to discharge 1 600
tonnes of nitrogen annually?

2. Is it not true that, under the directive 'on
environmental acceptability, the authorities are required,
in the case of projects of such scale, to hold discussions
with neighbouring countries?

3. Is it the case that France did not adopt this provision
when transposing the directive into national law?

4. What does the Commission propose to do to ensure
that this provision on transfrontier consultation is
implemented?

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

_(2_ _May 1991)_

1. The Commission was unaware that a glassworks was
under construction in Hombourg, Alsace.

2. Projects for the manufacture of glass are listed in
Annex II to Directive 85/337/EEC ( [x] ), and are therefore
subject to an environmental assessment where Member
States consider that their characteristics so require.

If the project is likely to have a significant impact on the
environment of another Member State, Article 7 of the
Directive provides for all the information on the project
to be made available to the country concerned.

This information serves as a basis for consultation

between the two Member States.

3. French legislation on impact studies, in force long
before the adoption of Directive 85/337/EEC, does not
take account of certain aspects of the latter, in particular
the provisions relating to transfrontier impact.

4. The Commission has initiated the infringement
procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EEC Treaty
against France.

O OJNoL 175,5.7. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 394/91

by Mr John Bird (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/40)

_Subject:_ Fluoridation of water in the European
Community

Will the Commission provide me with details of the extent
of the practice of fluoridation of drinking water
throughout the European Community?

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

_(15 April 1991)_

The only relevant Community Directive is
80/778/EEC (') which concerns the quality of water

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/23

intended for human consumption. This sets maximum
admissible concentrations for fluoride in relation to water

temperature.

The Directive neither requires nor prohibits the addition
of fluoride. Member States are therefore free to

fluoridate water provided that the relevant maximum
admissible concentration is not exceeded.

There is no basis for the Commission to collect

information on the practice of fluoridation throughout
the Community, and the information needed to reply to
the Honourable Member's question is not available.

O OJNoL229, 30. 8. 1980.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 414/91

by Mr John Bird (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/41)

_Subject:_ Toy safety

Further to my Written Questions 1031/89 ('), and
2079/90 ( [2] ), concerning Council Directive
88/378/EEC O on toy safety (CE EN71) — now
incorporated into UK national law as SI No 1275 — The
Toy (Safety) Regulation 1989 — can the Commission
inform me:

1. if all Member States have now satisfactorily
implemented 88/378/EEC?

2. if all Member States have provided satisfactory details
of the testing and monitoring procedures that will be
pursued to ensure compliance with 88/378/EEC?

3. what steps were taken to heighten awareness of
88/378/EEC throughout the Community?

4. what steps the Commission has taken against any
Member State not implementing and/or monitoring
88/378/EEC?

(') OJNoC 171, 12.7. 1990, p. 18.
O OJNoC79,25.3. 1991, p. 31.
(') OJNoL 187, 16.7. 1990, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 April 1991)_

1. Eight Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain,
France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and the United

Kingdom, have now implemented Directive 88/378/EEC
into their national legislation. The Commission is aware
of some problems concerning the implementing measures
taken by Belgium, France, Greece and Portugal.

2. The Directive 88/378/EEC does not set up any
control before toys are placed on the market. The control
of toys placed on the market is carried out by the
competent authorities by sample checks in accordance
with national law, which provides the means foreseen in
Articles 12 and 7 of the Directive.

3. Two meetings have been organized by the
Consumer Policy Service on the subject of how to
implement, in practice, this Directive: the first one, in
October 1990 with the authorities from the different

Member States, the second one in November 1990 with
representatives from the business associations. The
Commission hopes that these meetings have given
incentives for a more harmonized application of the
Directive.

4. Formal procedures under Article 169 have been
started against Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands. A formal procedure has also been started
against Greece, and the same steps will be taken against
the other Member States, if necessary.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 429/91

by Mr Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/42)

_Subject:_ Financial support for the European Youth
Parliament

Under the terms of a decision on educational activities of

European interest and notably those devoted to studying
the European Community and its institutions, the
European Community has provided financial support
every year for the European Youth Parliament, a
non-profit making organization based in Fontainebleau
with regional councils in the twelve Member States,
whose aim is to propagate the European ideal among
secondary school pupils in the Community. In the 1990
budget this aid amounted to ECU 200 000. As a result of
the activities of the European Youth Parliament, a large
number of secondary school pupils have come into
contact with European culture and the European ideal
and have learnt about the functioning of the Community's
institutions and democratic dialogue as practised in the
European Parliament. The financial aid referred to above
has been omitted from the European Communities' 1991
budget and this very worthwhile institution may therefore
have to be dissolved since it cannot operate (organize
meetings, plenary sitting, visits, etc.) without financial
support from the Community.

No C 214/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

Will the Commission say which programmes approved for
Community budgetary aid could accommodate the
European Youth Parliament activities so that this
institution may continue its invaluable work for the
Community and the European ideal?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to the

reply given to oral question H-125/91 by Mr De
Rossa ('), and draws his attention to the fact that there is
no specific Community programme that covers such
actions as the European Youth Parliament.

However, the Commission is considering the possibilities
of providing some financial support to the European
Youth Parliament.

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 458/91

by Mr Sergio Ribeiro (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/43)

_Subject:_ Situation of the air transport sector

In view of the current proliferation of reports and
forecasts concerning the air transport sector, originating
in the most varied sources but all coinciding in a certain
degree of alarmism, can the Commission state whether it
is taking steps to deal with the situation, _vis-a-vis_ the
Member States and Community transport policy, and
whether emergency studies or other measures are under
way?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _June 1991)_

The Commission is well aware of the present situation of
the air transport industry and in particular of the negative
effects of the Gulf War on European civil aviation.
Therefore, in order to help EEC air carriers to overcome
the difficulties originating from the Gulf hostilities, the
Commission, following meetings between the
Commission and the airlines, issued on 20 February a
communication which expires at the end of May 1991 to
the Member States where it illustrates the line of action it

intends to follow and recommends to the Member States a

number of measures to be taken in favour of the airlines.

A copy of this communication is sent separately to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of

the European Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 485/91

by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/44)

_Subject:_ Problems with exports arising from exchange

rates

Many undertakings in the Member States ask their
governments for measures to encourage exports and thus
offset the loss of competitiveness arising from the
inflation differential with regard to other Community
countries.

The weakness or strength of a currency has a marked
effect on this. In the case of Spain, products have
increased in price by 55 % if quotet in US$, by 29 % if sold
in Japanese Yen and 20 % if quoted in German Marks.

In the light of these facts, what measures does the
Commission intend to take in order to deal with the

recession in such significant markets as the United States,
Canada, Japan, etc. and the uncertainties provoked by the
Gulf war?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

Strengthening the coordination of economic and
monetary policies is one of the main aims of stage one of
the moves towards economic and monetary union
currently in progress, which should improve the
performances of the Member States' economies and,
above all, lead to their convergence. This is all the more
necessary when the external economic environment is
weak, as has been the case since the end of 1990 in the
United States, Canada and other countries affected by the
Gulf War, even if economic activity has declined less in
the Community than elsewhere in the world.

The discussions which have recently taken place in the
context of multilateral supervision at Community level
have revealed a common concern, in particular in view of
the abovementioned external environment, to maintain

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/25

the goals of convergence and durable non-inflationary
growth. This approach should lead to resolutely
anti-inflationary monetary policies and economic policies
geared towards reducing the imbalances which exist in
some countries (in terms of public finances, foreign trade,
or an excessive rate of increase in wage costs and prices),
and also to the creation of a sound basis for medium-term

growth (structural reforms, incentives for saving,
competition, etc.).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 540/91

by Mr Helwin Peter (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/45)

_Subject:_ Arms conversion

Does the Commission consider that the funds and

commitment appropriations earmarked in the 1991
budget for measures to combat the impact of arms
conversion on regional and employment policy should be
used to finance restructuring measures in the arms
industry, if this would help to reduce or prevent job losses
in areas which were previously heavily dependent on arms
production?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _June 1991)_

On a proposal from the European Parliament, a new
action entitled 'Perifra' has been included in the 1991

Community budget. Under the heading 'Other regional
measures', it is intended to finance limited actions to help
peripheral regions and fragile activities of the Community
to overcome the negative consequences of exceptional
events which occurred in the year 1990.

Among the events with a negative impact on economic
activities, the disarmament agreements have been
included. In fact, regions where military installations are
located will need to make substantial adjustment efforts,
in order to overcome anticipated employment and income
effects.

Because of the limited amount of funds allocated (ECU
30 million) to this action, funding will be limited to
small-scale projects generally of a pilot nature and which
can possibly have a demonstration effect elsewhere in the
Community.

As far as European arms production is concerned, the
ongoing strategy review in Western Europe has resulted
in a planned reduction of national defence budgets which
might aggravate the degree of overcapacity in most

defence-related industries. Companies involved in arms
production have already started the necessary adjustment
process, as a result of which diversification into civil
markets will expand.

It is also expected that, as a result of declining demand
and of rationalization of defence production,
redundancies in the labour force will occur in certain

Community regions.

In the current framework of the Structural Funds Reform,
covering the period 1989—1993, no specific action is
foreseen to tackle directly the problem arising from the
reorganization of defence-related industries. However
for regions eligible to Objective No 1, No 2 and No 5b,
Community support for economic diversification can be
envisaged within the limits and priorities established in
the respective Community Support Frameworks.
Community support for vocational training can also be
envisaged to all regions of the Community within the
framework of Objectives Nos 3 and 4 of the Structural
Reform Funds.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 552/91

by Mr Antonio Marques Mendes (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/46)

_Subject:_ Trade programmes

General Report No XXIV (No 244) states that the
Commission had started to draw up an action programme
in accordance with a Council resolution of November

1989C).

Can the Commission say whether this programme has
already been completed or when it is expected to be
completed?

Can the Commission say whether, in accordance with the
resolution, it proposes to adopt any further
programme(s)?

(')'OJ No C 297, 25. 11.1989.

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

_(6 June 1991)_

In response to the Council Resolution of 14 November
1989, referred to by the Honourable Member, the
Commission in March 1991 adopted a communication
entitled 'Towards a single market in distribution —
internal trade in the Community, the commercial sector
and the completion of the internal market' (').

No C 214/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

In accordance with the Council's request, the
communication presents a programme of work designed
to identify and, so far as possible, remove obstacles to the
creation of a single market in trade in and the distribution
of goods and services in the Community.

The principal features of the programme of work are as
follows:

— improvement of systems of consultation and dialogue
through cooperation with the Member States,
consultation of the commercial professions and
dialogue between employers and employees;

— transparency and understanding of commercial
activity (action programme for statistics, studies, data
base covering national and Community legislation on
commerce);

— improvement of conditions of access to the European
market for commercial firms (encouragement of
self-regulation);

— improvement of the integration of commerce and
distribution into Community policies as a whole
(vocational training, assistance from the Community's
structural Funds, technological innovation,
competition, enterprise policy).

There are plans to put forward further proposals in due
course as the programme of work develops, particularly as
regards vocational training and technology.

(') COM(91) 41 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 567/91

by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 214/47)

_Subject:_ Authorization for the Belgian National Giro
Office to issue credit cards

With reference to my three Written Questions
(Nos 1867/90 O, 2453/90 ( [2] ) and 3048/90 ( [3] )) and the
last reply from the Commission (19 February 1991), can
the Commission state whether it is therefore possible for
an institution to avoid being subject to Community rules
in respect of banks simply by not applying for or not
receiving the status of a bank under national law?

In other words, can a Member State evade the restrictions
deriving from Community legislation by granting a public
institution the right to carry out banking transactions
without making it subject to supervision by the national
banking authorities?

Does the Commission consider that there is no distortion

of competition when an institution may issue credit to the
general public without being subject to the same legal

restraints (both national and Community) as its private
competitors ?

O OJNoC63, 11.3. 1991, p. 42.
O OJNoC85,28.3. 1991, p. 40.
( [3] ) OJ No C 168,27.6. 1991, p. 17.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _June 1991)_

The Commission can only reiterate what it stated in its
answers to the Written Questions referred to by the
Honourable Member, viz. that Community banking
regulations, and specifically Article 2 (2) of Directive
77/780/EEC ('), as amended by Article 1 of Directive
86/524/EEC ( [2] ), exclude post office giro institutions
from the scope of Community directives in the banking
field. If a Member State decides not" to apply the
constraints arising from those directives to the institutions
in question, that is its right and it is not for -the
Commission to limit that right, at least as regards matters
covered by banking regulations. It should, however, be
pointed out that post office giro institutions, in being
exempt from Community banking regulations, cannot
claim the benefits of the 'European passport'.

Post office giro institutions are, moreover, public
undertakings within the meaning of Article 90 (1) of the
EEC Treaty, in respect of which, therefore, Member
States may neither enact nor maintain in force any
measure contrary to the rules contained in the EEC
Treaty, in particular those on competition. Thus, any
measure which would lead to, or strengthen, an
agreement between undertakings or an abuse of a
dominant position within the meaning of Articles 85 and
86 of the EEC Treaty is prohibited. On the basis of the
information at the Commission's disposal, it would not
appear that such an effect could be attributed to the
application to post office giro institutions of national
supervisory rules which are less stringent than those
applied to other financial institutions.

O OJNoL322, 17. 12. 1977.
O OJNoL309,4. 11. 1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 597/91

by Sir James Scott Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/48)

_Subject:_ Gulf War and Community economic growth

What does the Commission estimate will be the effect of

the Gulf War, now happily terminated, on the likely level

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/27

of Community countries' economic growth in (a) 1991
and(b) 1992?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 May 1991)_

While it is accepted that the present outlook for the
Economy of the Community is less buoyant than that
envisaged in the Commission's November 1990 forecasts,
it would be wrong to attribute this deterioration solely to
the effects of the crisis in the Gulf. Some Community
countries were already beginning to experience a
slowdown well before the Iraqi invasion in August 1990,
investment growth in the Community was being adversely
affected by a slowdown in external demand and
macroeconomic imbalances in some Member States

necessitated corrective action which was dampening
internal demand. It is impossible to disentangle these
negative developments from those more directly
associated with the anticipation and outbreak of war i.e.
temporary increase in oil prices and the erosion of
business and consumer confidence.

Overall however, the temporary nature of the negative,
war-related, consequences would suggest that the
macroeconomic implications of the Gulf War for the
Economy of the Community over the two years, 1991 and
1992, should not be very large. While the conflict
probably led to a worse than expected slowdown in
activity in the first quarter of 1991, this temporary setback
could be more than compensated by the favourable
impact of reduced oil prices and improved confidence on
economic activity for the remainder of 1991 and 1992 as a
whole.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 699/91

by Ms Christine Oddy (S)

to European Political Cooperation

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/49)

_Subject:_ Guyana

When did the Foreign Ministers meeting in Political
Cooperation last discuss Guyana?

When do the Foreign Ministers intend to discuss Guyana
again?

Answer

_(18 July 1991)_

Guyana has not been discussed recently within the EPC
framework. The Community and its Member States will

nevertheless continue to follow closely the situation in
that country with a view, in particular, to the elections
announced by President Hoyte which should take place
before the end of the year. In this connection, they have
welcomed the measures recently taken by the Government
of Guyana to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 716/91

by Mr Brian Simpson (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/50)

_Subject:_ Cabin baggage in civil aircraft

Is the Commission aware that an increasing amount of
baggage is being carried in aircraft cabins by passengers
using Member State airlines, thus compromising safety?

Will the Commission undertake a study of this problem
with a view to producing a directive to control these
excesses, particularly by businessmen and on holiday
charter flights?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 June 1991)_

The Commission is aware that a significant amount of
hand baggage is carried aboard civil aircraft by passengers
and that, in the event of an accident, such baggage can
cause a hazard either directly to the passenger or by
interfering with the subsequent evacuation, as evidenced
in the British Midland 737-400 accident at Kegworth in
1989.

Rules already exist which limit the amount of passenger
hand baggage to one piece of baggage in addition to
coats, handbags, cameras etc. The maximum dimensions
and weight of this piece of baggage are fixed.

However, it is evident to any air traveller that both the
number of pieces of baggage, their dimension and weight
are frequently exceeded.

The solution to this problem is not further Community
legislation but more effective enforcement of existing
rules by the competent authorities in the Member States.
For this reason, the Commission considers that a study
with a view to the elaboration of a directive on this subject
is not appropriate.

No C 214/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 719/91

by Mr Brian Simpson (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C214/51)

_Subject:_ European leather industry

What effect have the restrictive practices of Japan had on
the European leather industry in the following areas:

(a) clothing

(b) footwear

(c) furniture?

Is the Commission still pushing Japan to give European
leather manufacturers a chance of access to their markets

based on fair competition?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 June 1991)_

Japan does not currently apply restrictive practices to
either leather clothes or leather furniture and the customs

duties imposed on them are comparable to those imposed
by most industrialized countries.

With regard to footwear, it is true that, whilst access to
the Japanese market has been made easier in recent years,
the Community's share of that market is still relatively
small. On the basis of its performance on markets in other
major third countries, the Community does have
substantial export potential, but is being held back mainly
by prohibitive customs duties.

However, it must be remembered that, if the Japanese
market were opened up, Community producers would
face competition from other world producers. This makes
it impossible to forecast with any certainty how successful
they would be in penetrating the Japanese market.

The Commission has taken every available opportunity to
urge Japan to open its markets further. At bilateral level
the Commission is, in particular, engaged in negotiations
aimed at improving the arrangements established in 1986
with a view to ensuring that Community interests are
better looked after. Although progress has been made
thanks to the Commission's efforts, no satisfactory
solution has been reached as yet. At multilateral level, the
Commission has raised the problems referred to by the
Honourable Member and has stressed, within the
framework of the Uruguay Round negotiations on access
to markets, that solutions must be found which effectively
address the concerns of the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 772/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/52)

_Subject:_ Radio transmissions in international waters

One Member State of the Community (the United
Kingdom) has adopted legislation authorizing it to
intercept ships broadcasting radio programmes from
international waters.

Radio Caroline which transmits from the North Sea is

specifically affected by this legislation.

Is the Commission aware of this situation and will it

intervene to ensure the survival of this media venture,
given that an off-shore radio station is a source of
adventure, enthusiasm and above all of freedom?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 June 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the situation described by
the Honourable Member.

Apart from the question of whether the relevant
Community legislation is applicable in international
waters, it should be noted that the United Kingdom
measures concern programmes broadcast from a ship not
flying the flag of an EC Member State using a transmitter
which has not been authorized in any Member State.

In such circumstances, Community law cannot be invoked
against the measures in question, which are the sole
responsibility of the United Kingdom authorities.

Accordingly, the Commission is not in a position to take
any action in the case in point.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 780/91

by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/53)

_Subject:_ Use of vegetable oil for the cleaning of offset
printing machinery

The December 1990 edition of the German-language
periodical _Entsorgungs-Technik_ (Waste Disposal) reports

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/29

that it has been possible to replace solvents with vegetable
oil-based cleaning fluids for the removal of ink residues
on offset printing machinery.

1. Is the Commission aware of this experiment?

2. If so, how does it assess the result?

3. If not, is the Commission aware of any other
experiments to replace cleaning fluids harmful to
health by those which are not for the purpose of
removing ink residues from offset printing
machinery? If so, will it describe them?

4. What measures does the Commission intend to take

to protect workers from harmful substances
(chlorohydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons,
n-hexane, toluole, xylene and terpenes) contained in
commonly used cleaning fluids for offset printing
machinery?

5. Vegetable oil-based cleaning fluids could also be used
in other sectors, wherever the removal of oil and fat
residues is necessary. Is the Commission aware of any
experiments in other industrial sectors (for example
on oil rigs) ? If so, will it describe them ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

1. The Commission is aware that in Denmark trials on

the substitution of solvent-containing cleaners by plant
oils have been undertaken.

2 and 3. The principle of the substitution of the
dangerous by the non-dangerous or less dangerous is
explicitely mentioned in the Council Directive
89/391/EEC (') as one of the general principles of
prevention on which the employer should base the
measures to be taken necessary for the safety and health
protection of workers.

4. In addition to the abovementioned requirement for
substitution, the Commission is presently evaluating
particular organic solvents in order to establish limit
values for occupational exposure, as required by the
Council Directive 80/1107/EEC ( [2] ) as modified by
Council Directive 88/642/EEC ( [3] ).

5. The Commission is not aware of other particular
branches of industry where cleaners on the basis of plant
oils are used.

(') OJNoL 183,29.6. 1989.
( [2] ) OJNoL 327, 3. 12. 1980.
O OJNoL 356, 24. 12. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 789/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 214/54)

_Subject:_ Community supervision of marriage bureaus

The freedom to provide services undoubtedly opens
up opportunities _inter alia_ to marriage bureaus. Will
adequate regulations be enacted at European level to
supervise this 'Single Market' in marriages?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 June 1991)_

In principle, responsibility for protecting people who use
the services of marriage bureaus lies with the Member
States.

At Community level, Commission action is aimed at
facilitating the free movement of services, in this and
other areas, without however weakening the protective
measures taken at national level. The Commission

considers that Council Directive 75/368/EEC of 16 June

1975 (') on measures to facilitate the effective exercise of
freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services
in respect of various activities (ex. ISIC division 01 to 85)
and, in particular, transitional measures in respect of
those activities — which cover among other things
personal services provided by marriage bureaus meets this
twin objective.

O OJNoL 167,30.6. 1975.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 810/91

by Mr Jose Barros Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _May 1991)_

(91/C 214/55)

_Subject:_ Industrial accidents in Portugal

In view of the following statistical evidence:

1. from the legal records, showing that in 1989 there
were 865 cases of death by industrial accident,
including 70 cases where the victims were aged under
20;

2. from the Ministry of Employment and Social Security,
showing that, in 1988, 1 087 019 working days were
lost due to industrial accidents; and

No C 214/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

3. from the CGTP-IN trade union, showing that no less
than 484 000 workers (15,7% of the employed
population) have no insurance cover,

and given the incomplete nature of the Social Charter, can
the Commission state whether it intends to take any
initiative — in addition to preventive action — to ensure
the existence at Community level of minimum rules in
respect of compensation for industrial accident or illness
and insurance cover for such risks?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

The Community Charter of the Fundamental Social
Rights of Workers stipulates that every worker of the
European Community shall have a right to adequate
social protection; this includes compensation for
industrial accidents.

However, the charter also states that this social protection
should be provided in accordance with the arrangements
applying in each country. There are consequently no plans
to propose guaranteed social protection at Community
level against the effects of industrial accidents.

The strategy proposed by the Commission is to promote
the convergence of social protection objectives and
policies throughout the Community on the basis of a
recommendation which will lay down broad objectives
and principles.

It will then be up to the Member States to implement these
objectives within the context of their national system.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 844/91

by Mr Francesco Speroni and Mr Luigi Moretti (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _May 1991)_

(91/C 214/56)

_Subject:_ Names used by married women

Naming practices for married women seem to vary
considerably in the Community; in some countries the
wife adds her husband's name to her own, in others she
substitutes his name for hers, which can even lead to
situations, including the signing of documents, where she
may be required to adopt not only her husband's surname
but also his Christian name, thus obliterating her own
identity and creating a potential source of
misunderstanding.

Is any action being considered for the orderly
harmonization of naming practices in the Community?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the fact that Member States

employ different naming practices for married women
and that this may cause problems, especially as regards
equality of the sexes and the position of the family. It also
acknowledges that these differences reflect the cultural
diversity of the Community.

The matter raised by the Honourable Members does not,
however, fall within the Community's jurisdiction. The
Commission would refer the Honourable Members to

its answers to Written Questions Nos 1161/79 ('),
1365/79 ( [2] ), 2909/86 ( [3] ) and 1264/87 ( [4] ).

The most appropriate body to take an initiative would be
the International Commission on Civil Status (CIEC).
Since, however, only nine Member States currently take
part in the CIEC's deliberations as full members, the
effectiveness of cooperation within that forum would be
limited.

Two conventions have been drawn up by the CIEC in this
field, namely the Convention relating to Changes of
Surname and First Name of 4 September 1958 and the
Convention on the Law applicable to Surnames and First
Names of 5 September 1980.

O OJNoC 19,24.1. 1980.
O OJNoC 126,27.5.1980.
O OJNoC 270, 8. 10. 1987.
O OJNoC 93, 11.4. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 859/91

by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mrs Nel van Dijk (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 May 1991)_

(91/C 214/57)

_Subject:_ Harmful fibrous substances

1. Is the Commission aware that the Department of
Safety Studies of the Technical University of Delft has
conducted research which shows that, under certain
conditions, fibrous substances such as glass wool, rock
wool and ceramic wool can be as harmful to health as

asbestos and can lead to diseases such as cancer of the

lungs and the peritoneum?

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/31

2. Does the Commission consider that these research

findings constitute sufficient reason to impose legal
restrictions on the use of such substances or, in the short
term, at least to protect workers from the risks involved in
working with them?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 235/91 by Mr
Amendola (').

O OJNoC 177, 8.7. 1991, p. 32.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1332/91

by Mr Henri Saby (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(24 June 1991)_

(91/C 214/58)

_Subject:_ Famine in Africa

1. Given the recent alarming reports by the UN Food
and Agriculture Organization on the food aid
requirements of countries of the Horn of Africa which
indicate that famine may exceed the 1984/85 proportions,
and given the additional requirements for food aid and
medical supplies by other countries in Africa (notably
Mozambique, Angola and Liberia) what measures has the
Council agreed in order to demonstrate the solidarity
of the European Community for the peoples of these
countries in need?

2. What exceptional measures does it consider are
necessary in order to help many African countries
overcome problems of food security?

3. To what extent have Community efforts to assist the
developing countries been undermined by the competing
demands placed on the Community by the countries of
Eastern and Central Europe on the one hand, and by the
Gulf States on the other hand?

Answer

_(17 July 1991)_

1. The Council has examined the situation of the

countries in the Horn of Africa in the light of information
supplied by the Commission.

The Council showed great concern that the consequences
of the drought combined with the political situation,
which remained difficult, could result in a famine of
catastrophic proportions.

The Council considered that large-scale emergency aid
was essential and that it was vital for all donors to

coordinate their action.

The Commission has been instructed to coordinate the

aid given by the Community and its Member States.

The Governments of the countries concerned have been

called upon to take all necessary measures to cooperate
with-the'donors so as to enable the aid to be directed and

distributed efficiently and to prevent the loss of human
life and the suffering of the peoples concerned.

Since then, the various Community institutions have
continued to follow with particular attention the
developments in the worst-affected regions, especially in
the Horn of Africa, the Sahel countries and southern

Africa.

In a spirit of solidarity and cooperation with those areas,
the Community bodies have, since the beginning of the
year, decided to send food aid and emergency aid worth
around ECU 185 million to Ethiopia and the Sudan,
Liberia, Angola and Mozambique. The amounts required
for these measures were allocated either from the 1991

budget or under Articles 203 and 204 of the third Lome
Convention.

2. The Honourable Member is no doubt aware that

food security is one of the priority aims of our
development cooperation with the ACP States.
Minimizing the uncertainty of food supplies, which is
linked with intensified crop and livestock production,
depends on the quality and efficiency with which
agricultural and rural development policies are
implemented.

The progress of programming under Lome IV and the
urgency of the efforts at adjustment being made in the
majority of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa together
with the work currently under way on the Special
Programme (SPA II), could well make a significant
contribution to improving the food situation in the
region.

With regard to the precise scale of urgent food
requirements in Africa the Community is continuing its
work with increased intensity.

3. The Council is aware of the fact that, for some time
now, fears have been expressed that the European
Community would ultimately devote less attention to the
problems of developing countries because it was involved
in building a new European structure and was, at the same
time, faced with the economic consequences of the Gulf
crisis.

No C 214/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 91

It should be remembered that the Community bodies have
confirmed on many occasions the Community's desire not
to undermine aid programmes for developing countries
and to act in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation with
regions which, because of their inadequate level of
development, require increased coordinated intervention
in many forms from the Community and its Member
States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1336/91

by Mr Otto Habsburg and Mr Joachim Dalsass (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(24 June 1991)_

(91/C 214/59)

_Subject:_ Decisions of the Council of Europe on
minorities

Has the Council noted recommendation 1154 (1990) and
Directive 456 (1990) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe and what is its view on their content?

Would the Council not consider it useful to provide for
permanent contacts with the Council of Europe on this
subject so as to ensure joint action and the practical
involvement of the Community in the organization of the
Conference on minorities proposed by the Council of
Europe?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1340/91

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(24 June 1991)_

(91/C 214/60)

_Subject:_ Decisions of the Council of Europe on
minorities

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
very recently adopted recommendation 1134 (1990) and
Order No 456 (1990) on the rights of minorities. The
Council of Europe also announced the organization of a
Conference on Matters affecting Minorities.

I should like to ask the Council:

— whether it has taken note of the abovementioned

recommendation and Order,

— whether it considers it useful to consult and maintain

ongoing contact with the Council of Europe on this

matter,

— whether it intends to be actively involved in the
organization of the Conference or to attend it?

Joint answer

to Written Question Nos 1336/91 and 1340/91

_(17 July 1991)_

Neither of the two acts of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe referred to by the Honourable
Members has been referred to the Council, nor has it been
suggested that the Community should become involved
in organizing the Conference on Matters affecting
Minorities proposed by the Council of Europe.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1337/91

by Mr Pierre Ceyrac (DR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(24 June 1991)_

(91/C 214/61)

_Subject:_ Economic and monetary union

The Intergovernmental Conference held its second
meeting on 28 January 1991. Already, as well as the
Commission proposal and the Major 'Hard ECU' plan,
three other schemes have been put forward by France,
Spain and Germany, the least that can be said about which
is that they fail to agree on a number of major problems.
In addition, Great Britain has not yet given its support to
the project, and it would seem that the FRG would prefer
EMU to take place initially among the six Community
Member States which have a comparable level of
economic development.

1. In the case of serious differences, can the Council
envisage the possibility of forming a monetary union
which would not include all 12 Member States or

which would take place according to a number of
different timetables (different derogations and
transition periods)?

2. What would be the consequences of a delay in revising
the treaties, or postponement of the second stage of
EMU?

3. What impact would EMU have on the creation of the
European economic area and, particularly, on the
enlargement of the Community? Does the Council not
think that taking integration so far would inevitably
mean preventing the Eastern European countries from
joining the EEC for a long time to come?

16. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/33

Answer

_(17 July 1991)_

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that

at its meeting on 27 and 28 October 1990, the European
Council decided that interinstitutional meetings should be
held in addition to the regular contacts between the

Chairman of the Conference, the President of the
Commission and the President of the Parliament, the
latter also being free to address the Conference before the
start of some of its meetings.

The Council considers that the questions raised by the
Honourable Member, together with any other matter
concerning the current revision of the Treaties, could be
discussed at such contacts.

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