Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

## C144

Volume 34

3 June 1991

«

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No

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Contents p a g e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

No 603/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Abolition of duty-free shops 1

No 780/90 by Mr Reimer Boge to the Commission

Subject: Duty-free and tax-free shopping 1

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 603/90 and 780/90 1

No 755/90 by Mr James Elles to the Commission

Subject: Coordination of European Community's aid to Poland and Hungary 2

No 933/90 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Eyesight testing in the context of driving licences 3

No 937/90 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission

Subject: Limit values for microwave radiation (Supplementary answer) 3

No 1168/90 by Mr Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject: The use of mainland Chinese crews by a cross-Channel ferry operator 3

No 1198/90 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject: Pollution in Tudela-Veguin 4

No 1452/90 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers and Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the
Commission

Subject: Environmental impact assessments in relation to the European Regional Development
Fund 5

No 1625/90 by Mr Nino Pisoni to the Commission
Subject: Exports of US corn gluten to the EEC Member States 6

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued) p ag e

9 1 / C 144/10 N o 1889/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Commission

Subject: Cultural cooperation with Latin America (inclusion of budget heading) 6

9 1 / C 144/11 N o 2075/90 by M r de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Environmental impact of structural fund aid 7

9 1 / C 144/12 N o 2368/90 by M r Siegbert Alber to the Commission

Subject: Conditions imposed by Japanese authorities for issuing work permits to EC citizens . . 7

91 / C 144/13 N o 2405/90 by M r Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination in favour of French wines 8

9 1 / C 144/14 N o 2524/90 by M r Juan Colino Salamanca and M r Mateo Sierra Bardaji to the

Commission

Subject: The rice market in Spain 8

9 1 / C 144/15 N o 2573/90 by M r Francesco Speroni to the Commission

Subject: Measures to assist the Community textile industry in response to unfair competition . . 9

91 / C 144/16 N o 2611 /90 by M r Bernard Antony to the Commission

Subject: Action programmes for South Africa 9

9 1 / C 144/17 N o 2628/90 by M r Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Obstacles posed by Belgium to the development of the road transport link between
Asturias (Spain) and Moscow 10

9 1 / C 144/18 N o 2668/90 by Mrs Claudia Roth to the Commission

Subject: Xenophobia in the Community and the consequences thereof for policy on the right of
asylum and emigration/immigration 10

9 1 / C 144/19 N o 2771/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Cultural cooperation between the European Community and Turkey 11

9 1 / C 144/20 N o 2773/90 by M r Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Refund of tax on motor vehicles upon export 12

9 1 / C 144/21 N o 2785/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Charges on Eurocheques levied by certain banks in Italy 12

9 1 / C 144/22 N o 2795/90 by M r Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Change in the Community policy on European architectural heritage 13

9 1 / C 144/23 N o 2812/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject: Transport of goods — shipment by rail and restrictions 13

9 1 / C 144/24 N o 2824/90 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Encouraging more use of rail 14

9 1 / C 144/25 N o 2834/90 by M r Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Community policy in respect of packaging 14

9 1 / C 144/26 N o 2837/90 by M r Francesco Speroni to the Commission

Subject: Customs duties on items stolen in Greece 15

9 1 / C 144/27 N o 2842/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Commission

Subject: Economic cooperation with Latin America 15

Notice No Contents (continued)

91/C144/28

91/C144/29

91/C144/30

91/C144/31

91/C144/32

91/C144/33

91/C144/34

91/C144/35

91/C144/36

91/C144/37

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91/C144/42

91/C144/43

91/C144/44

91/C144/45

No 2845/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: Policies on the integration of immigrants 16

No 2849/90 by Mr James Elles to the Commission

Subject: The Channel Tunnel 16

No 2869/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission

Subject: Children and the mentally handicapped in Romania 16

No No 2910/90 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Holdings by foreign companies in American airlines 17

No 2962/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission

Subject: Brown coal extraction in North Rhine-Westphalia 18

No 2993/90 by Mr Jose Barros Moura to the Commission

Subject: European Social Fund: Community measures in the field of long-term unemployment 18

No 2995/90 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject: Christmas and New Year aid for Third World children 19

No 3009/90 by Mr Anthony Simpson to the Commission

Subject: Camcorders 19

No 3025/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Community strategy for waste management 20

No 3050/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: The EEC and trade in duty-free goods 20

No 3069/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Discrimination against the disabled in Italy 21

No 3073/90 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject: Commission 'errors' in its estimates of Portuguese inflation 21

No 3/91 by Mr Amedee Turner to the Commission

Subject: Arrangements for the return of the remains of deceased Community citizens 22

No 36/91 by Mr Jose Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject: ESF payments to Portugal, 1986—1987 22

No 49/91 by Mrjaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: European Social Fund 22

No 99/91 by Mrs Claire Joanny and Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the
Commission

Subject: Railway link as an alternative to road link 23

No 102/91 by Mr Jacques Vernier and Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the
Commission

Subject: Number of deaths due to smoking in the EEC 23

No 119/91 by Mrs Pauline Green to the Commission
Subject: Tests on animals 24

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

91/C144/46

91/C144/47

91/C144/48

91/C144/49

91/C144/50

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91/C144/53

91/C144/54

91/C144/55

91/C144/56

91/C144/57

No 126/91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject: Withdrawal and replacement of old geo-political maps of the Community Member
States which are still in circulation 25

No 187/91 by Mr Roberto Formigoni to the Council
Subject: Fulfilment of contracts and free competition in the former GDR 25

No 201/91 by Mr Lyndon Harrison to the Commission

Subject: Young Workers' Exchange Programme 26

No 210/91 by Mrs Marie-Jose Denys to the Commission
Subject: Young workers programme 26

No 211/91 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: EC environmental protection programme for coastal zones (Norspa) 27

No 241/91 by Mr David Bowe to the Commission

Subject: Redundancy payments 27

No 266/91 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Council

Subject: Italy: projected Porto Torres — Sassari heavy-traffic route and Sassari — Alghero
expressway 27

No 280/91 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject: Destruction of nuclear facilities in Iraq 28

No 303/91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Safety standards in public swimming baths 28

No 378/91 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject: Labelling of cosmetics 28

No 418/91 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Minimum standards for zoos in the EC 29

No 430/91 by Mr Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou to the Council

Subject: Financial support for the European Youth Parliament 29

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/1

##### I

_(Information)_

#### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 603/90

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

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(91/C 144/01)

_Subject:_ Abolition of duty-free shops

The Commission recently heard Mrs Scrivener on tax
harmonization. On that occasion the possible abolition of
duty-free shops was raised.

What .reasons would be advanced if such a decision were

taken given that airline passengers seem to be fond on this
arrangement?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 780/90

by Mr Reimer Boge (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(91/C 144/02)

_Subject:_ Duty-free and tax-free shopping

Can the Commission confirm that the abolition of

duty-free and tax-free shopping by 1 January 1993
(Directive 69/169/EEC (')), will have the effects on jobs
and employment that the study published recently by the
International Duty-Free Confederation claims?

What form of support does the Commission envisage for
regions where there is a particularly high concentration of
duty-free and tax-free shopping connected with business
travel and tourism, e.g. on sea journeys, if the current
arrangements are abolished?

Does the Commission hold the view that special rules
should be implemented for the 'butter ships' if special
rules on duty-free and tax-free shopping are introduced
for air travel, for example?

O OJNoL133,4.6. 1969, p. 6.

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 603/90 and 780/90

given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 December 1990)_

The EEC Treaty provides for the harmonization of
legislation on VAT and excises, in so far as this is
necessary for the purposes of Article 8A of the Treaty.
Article 8A commits the Community to the creation of an
internal market which goes beyond just the removal of
controls at frontiers and which allows all traders in the

Community to compete on equal terms. This, in the view
of the Commission, implies that all sales for consumption
in the Community of similar or competing goods and
services should be treated in broadly the same way. This
would not be so if some were not taxed and some were,
depending simply on whether an internal frontier was or
was not crossed using one means of transport rather than
another.

To allow tax-free sales for intra-Community journeys
would not only imply the retention of some kind of
frontier controls but would continue do distort the

market in relation to the goods bought, to different
modes of transport and to different routes using the same
means of transport. This principle, that all sales for
consumption in the Community should be taxed, was
clearly set out in the sixth VAT Directive, adopted
unanimously by the Member States in 1977. Taken in
conjunction with the terms of the travellers' allowances
directive, which dates back as far as 1969, where no

No C 144/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6.91

tax-free allowances for intra-Community travel were
specified, it is clear that this has always been the intention.
For these reasons, the Commission feels that the ending
of tax-free shopping is now fully justified.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 755/90

by Mr James EUes (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(91/C 144/03)

_Subject:_ Coordination of European Community's aid to
Poland and Hungary

1. What are the steps which have been taken to
implement the decision by the Industrialist Summit
last July giving the Commission the responsibility
to coordinate aid to Poland and Hungary within the
framework of the G24?

2. What difficulties has the Commission found in

managing this decision? Has the implementation of the
1992 Programme been affected by these additional
responsibilities, for example, by a lack of qualified
personnel to develop projects in these countries?

3. Does the Commission believe that the role of private
business in the countries of Eastern Europe is important
to ensure that their economies become market oriented?

If so, does the Commission believe that the setting up of
an EC/East European Business Council would be a
project worth supporting?

4. What improvements does the Commission consider
will be necessary to put forward as proposals for the next
Industrialist Summit in Houston in early July to increase
the effectiveness and scope of aid being given to Central
and Eastern European countries ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1990)_

1. Immediately after the Summit of the heads of
state and government of the seven most advanced
industrialized countries in mid-July of last year the
Commission started to coordinate Western assistence to

Poland and Hungary. Senior Officials of the 24 — the
twelve Member States, the EFTA countries, the United
States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and
Turkey — met on 1 August. A network for coordinaton
on all levels — Ministerial, Senior Officials, working
groups in specific areas — has since been established.

For its part, the Commission has set up a Task Force
through redeployment of personnel and a network among
different directorates concerned with the areas of

agriculture, investment, environment, training and
services, identified for priority action in Poland and
Hungary.

2. Through the new structures in the Commission as
well as in the G-24 context, the coordination of the
Commission has proved to be increasingly effective and
has already led to a number of concrete results: The
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the
stabilization fund for Poland, the structural adjustment
loan for Hungary. In agriculture numerous credit
facilities for small farmers in Poland are being provided
and supply programmes for plant protection chemicals
and superconcentrates for the improvement of the animal
sector are under way. The G-24 are prepared to follow
these initiatives. A number of the most urgent
environmental projects for co-financing with the G-24
have been identified. There is currently a proposal for the
establishment of a European Training Foundation and a
programme called Tempus (Transmobility Scheme for
University Studies) (').

The personnel recruited for the Task Force have been
selected on the basis of their outstanding qualifications
and experience in the different areas. The redeployment
of officials has not affected the personnel concerned with
the implementation of the 1992 programme. However,
the number of personnel devoted to the new task is still
limited. That is why, for the Community's own
programme to these countries, the Commission, under
Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 ( [2] ), has called upon special
expertise from external consultants and detached national

servants.

3. It is obvious that economic reform needs the

creation and strengthening of private business. East-West
business cooperation is already under way and merits
support. The said Regulation stipulates that projects
should be aimed in particular at the private sector.
Strengthening of the private sector in agriculture is
already under way through credit financing with the
counterpart funds generated by the sales of the food
supplies provided by the Community. Privatisation
agencies are being set up to stimulate the industrial

sector.

4. As the G-24 co-ordinator the Commission is

currently preparing the extension of the Phare
programme to other Central and Eastern European
countries. For each of the countries action programmes
have been drawn up for discussion in the G-24. The
results of this should be available well before the Houston

meeting in early July. The Task ahead will become more
intricate as the programmes become more widespread and
varied. It is therefore essential that coordination be

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/3

further strengthened in order to preserve the greatest
coherence in Western assistance to Central and Eastern

Europe.

(') COM(90) 16 final.
( [2] ) OJNoL375, 13. 12. 1989, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 933/90

by Mr Christopher Jacksop (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(91/C 144/04)

_Subject:_ Eyesight testing in the context of driving licences

Will the Commission kindly provide brief details of the
ways in which individual Member States test drivers'
eyesight and state which of them have compulsory
periodic eye tests?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 September 1990)_

Directive 80/1263/EEC (*) on the introduction of a
Community driving licence provides that all candidates
for a driving licence must undergo an examination of their
eyesight by suitably trained personnel. In doubtful cases
the applicant shall be referred to a competent medical
authority.

Drivers of vehicles in categories C, D and E have to have
their eyesight tested on application for a driving licence
and preferably periodically thereafter, while drivers of
vehicles in categories A and B have to take such a test not
later than the age of 70, preferably earlier, and thereafter
at appropriate intervals.

The Commission proposal for a Council Directive on the
driving licence ( [2] ) modifies this situation to the extent that
drivers of vehicles in categories A and B have to take such
a test not later than the age of 75.

However, Member States may adopt legislation which
introduces mandatory periodical tests for drivers of
vehicles in categories A and B starting at a younger age or
as general rule.

The Directive does not specify the means to be used for
examining eyesight.

In Greece, Spain and Luxembourg medical tests include
eye examination.

In Denmark a medical examination, including an eye
examination, is obligatory. The licence is issued up to the
age of 70 years.

In the Federal Republic of Germany eye examination in
authorized centres is compulsory, except for applicants

who are in possession of a certificate of fitness delivered
by a doctor.

In Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United
Kingdom, possible eyesight anomalies are checked before
the driving test.

(') OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1.
O OJ No C 648, 27. 2.1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 937/90

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(91/C 144/05)

_Subject:_ Limit values for microwave radiation

It is frequently pointed out that there are differences in
safety standards and limit values for microwave radiation
in the USSR and the DDR on the one hand and the USA

and the Federal Republic of Germany on the other.

1. What research programmes are taking place at
European level to investigate possible hazards
resulting from microwave radiation?

2. What information does the Commission have

concerning the dangers of microwave radiation?

3. Does the Commission consider it appropriate to draw
up safety standards or limit values for microwave
radiation at EC level?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 April 1991)_

Further to its answer to 10 August 1990 ('), the
Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member
and to the Secretariat General of European Parliament
the information requested.

O OJ No C 28, 4.2. 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1168/90

by Mr Kenneth Stewart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(91/C 144/06)

_Subject:_ The use of mainland Chinese crews by a
cross-Channel ferry operator

Is the Commission aware that the West German transport
union is mounting a legal action against the

No C 144/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

cross-Channel ferry operator Olau Lines for the use of
mainland Chinese crews on two of their ferries, and that
the union describes this as a form of apartheid?

In view of the recent tragedy of the Scandinavian Star,
and the difficulties described by survivors concerning
language problems, does the Commission consider that
such a policy is in the best interest of Community
shipping?

What hope does the Commission have for compliance
with its shipping policy, with owners and shipping
companies seeking the cheapest form of untrained labour
and the cheapest registration fees, in order to dodge taxes
and compete with highly subsidized third-world shipping
lines?

Does the Commission recognize that the maritime
transport worldwide is subsidized in various forms, and
that in order to compete on an even basis the Community
must offer incentives to its shipping companies to flag in
and employ highly trained Community seamen?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 September 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the problems arising from
the employment of third country seafarers on board
Community flagged ships.

In this respect it is appropriate to underline the
Commission proposals on crewing contained in its
Communication to the Council on the future of maritime
transport ( [x] ). The Commission has proposed that to
maintain a high quality Community fleet, a minimum
number of qualified Community seafarers should be
included in each crew.

Further, with a view to preparing appropriate proposals
on minimum training standards for Community seafarers,
the Commission has, in May 1990, examined with
government experts the existing national training
standards and requirements in relation to current
international conventions.

O OJNoC263, 16. 10. 1989, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1198/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(91/C 144/07)

_Subject:_ Pollution in Tudela-Veguin

The requirements of economic growth do not inevitably
have to mean damage to the environment and a constant
threat to public health.

The Tudela-Veguin area (Asturias, Spain) is severely
polluted, largely owing to the cement factory there which
emits dust, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.

The production process used in this factory puts in within
the field of application of Directive 84/360/EEC (') on
the combating of air pollution from industrial plants. This
kind of factory is covered by Article 13 of the Directive,
which calls on Member States to implement policies and
strategies for the adaptation of existing plants to the most
advanced technologies.

It should also be noted that Directive 80/779/EEC ( [2] ) on
air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur
dioxide calls on the Member States to inform the

Commission if such values are exceeded.

1. Does the Commission have information, pursuant to
Directive 84/360/EEC, on the limit values of the
factory in question?

2. Can the Commission ascertain whether

Directives 84/360/EEC and 80/779/EEC are being
correctly implemented in this case?

3. What measures will the Commission take to protect
the environment and public health in the
Tudela-Veguin area?

O OJN0LI88, 16.7.1984, p. 20.
O OJNoL229, 30. 8. 1980, p. 30.

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

(25 _July 1990)_

The Commission has the text of the Spanish legislation
applicable to cement works, which lays down emission
limit values for dust and sulphur dioxide.

The Commission has not yet received any specific
information on the application of Directive 84/360/EEC
in the Tudela-Veguin area. The Directive applies in
particular to new industrial plants and to certain
categories of existing plant, including cement works.

In pursuance of Article 7 of Directive 84/360/EEC, since
1989 the Commission and the Member States have been

exchanging information on the best available technology
for reducing air pollution not entailing excessive costs. As
part of this operation, technical notes have been drawn up
on cement works.

##### ^ D ^ t Official journal of the European Communities ^ocnt^

With regard toDirective^0B779BEEC^ the Commission
has received some information from the Spanish
authorities in pursuance of Article7^this does not directly
concern the region referred to hy the Honourable
^viemberbuttheC^viedoarea^

^ for the period L^D^87^limit values for particulates
were exceeded in five stations in Ciion and si^ stations

inLangreo^

^ for r ^ 7 D D ^ one instance of limit values being
exceeded in Langreo was reported^

^ for P ^ ^ ^ no instances reported for the area
concerned.

Itwouldappear^from this informations that the situation
in this area has has improved considerably.

The Commission intends to ask the Spanish authorities to
providefurther informations to ensure that thee^isting
provisions are correctly applied.

hy^rsA^nemarieC^oedmakers^nd
^ r ^ l e ^ i r ^ o ^ u n U n ^ h ^

to the Comr^ission of the European CorT^o^u^ities

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

^ B C t ^ B O ^

^ ^ c r . Environmental impact assessments in relation to
the European Regional Development Eund

An article in Der Spiegel of LDAprilt990 dealt with the
adverse environmental effects of a number of projects
being undertaken in the framework of the European
Regional Development Eund.The article implies that the
requirement to carry out an environmental impact
assessment is seldom complied with.

t. Isittrue^ as statedin the Articled thatCommission

officials were advised by the Spanish (Government
against makingaworking visit to the Inquiosa lindane
factory inAragonB

^. ElowdidtheCommissionobtaintheinformationit

required on the suspected illegal discharge oftOO 000
tonnes ofElCEf^

^. Eor which ^panishprojects whicharebeingcarried
out under the European Regional Development Eund
andwhich are covered b y D i r e c t i v e ^ B ^ 7 B E E C ^
have environmental impact assessments been made
since the Directive entered into forced

^. If such assessments have not been made^ is the

Commission wiihng to withhold funds from these
projects until the conditions with regard to
environmental impact assessments have been satisfied^

^, What action does it take if an environmental impact
assessment shows that the activity undertaken is
not in line with the requirements for nature and
environmental conservation laid down in Community
legislations

D. What other possibilities are open to the Commission
to ensure that the Spanish ^Government adheres to
Community legislations

7. Does it share our view that if investments are to be of

use in the medium and long-term it is extremely
unwise to disregard environmental effects^

C ^ ] ^ o L t 7 ^ 7 m ^ D ^ 0

Answer^ivenhy^lr Lilian
on behalf of the Commission

t. The Spanish Covernment opposed a visit by a
Commission officials which it considered could be

detrimental to public order.

^. The Commission was informed of the facts relating
to pollution problems at ^abinanigo^Eluesca^througha
complaint. This factory has received no ERDEassistance.

^. The Commission always requires an environmental
impact assessment forprojects under the ERDEwhich are
covered by Directive ^B^7BEEC. This requirement
appears asastandard clause in its decisions to grant aid
and is an essential condition. Examples include the major
projects relating to financing the highspeed rail link
between Madrid and Seville and the plan to build a
factoryto process uranium ores in CastileLeon.

^. Where the authorities concerned do not complywith
the requirements as regards impact assessments^ the
Commission is empowered^ not merely to suspend finance
for the projects in questions but to recover any advances
which may have been made.

^. It should be noted that the procedure to assess
environmental impact does not prejudge the finai decision
of the authority responsible. It is intended simply to
provide that authority with the information necessary to
take a fully informed decision, nevertheless^ if the

No C 144/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

assessment procedure revealed that legislation was being
infringed, the project would naturally have to be brought
into line with Community law before it could receive
Community asssistance.

6. Under the EEC Treaty, the Commission is
responsible for ensuring that Member States implement
Community provisions on the environment. If it considers
that the law on the environment has not been fully
respected, it institutes infringement proceedings under
Article 169 of the Treaty.

7. The Commission agrees with the Honourable
Members and has given greater importance to
environmental protection under the reform of the
structural Funds. In this connection, it should be noted
that the Community support framework for
Spain's Objective 1 regions constitutes a considerable
improvement on the previous situation:

it includes a total of ECU 959 million for the protection
and improvement of the environment. The ERDF will
constitute ECU 575 million, or 9,3% of its total
contribution to those regions.

Mention should also be made of the Community Envireg
initiative, which will benefit Spain's Objective 1 regions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1625/90

by Mr Nino Pisoni (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(91/C 144/09)

_Subject:_ Exports of US corn gluten to the EEC Member
States

Can the Commission state whether it is true that the USA

exported 5 million tonnes of corn gluten duty-free to the
European market in 1989 for the European bird-seed
industry?

Is it true that this by-product of corn, which is a cereal
substitute, is exported to Europe with the help of special
subsidies paid to producers by the US Government?

Does the Commission intend to bring an action against
the United States in respect of this practice and will it in
any case apply levies by amending the current regulations
governing this sector?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 January 1991)_

1. In 1989 the Community imported 4,7 million tonnes
of maize gluten (corn gluten feed), 95 % of which came
from the United States. The Commission has on several

occasions pointed to the growth in these imports which
only totalled 2 million tonnes in 1979. Since 1987,
however, the level of these imports has been stable
(4,7 million tonnes in 1987, 4,8 million tonnes in 1988 and
4,7 million tonnes in 1989).

2. The forms and particularly the levels of production
aid for maize gluten are difficult to determine. All that the
Commission can say at this stage is that certain US
Government aid programmes have stimulated maize
gluten production.

3. Commission maize producers have requested that an
enquiry be launched into the practices described above.

This request is being studied in the light of possible action
under Community law to counter unfair trade practices by
non-member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1889/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _August 1990)_

(91/C 144/10)

_Subject:_ Cultural cooperation with Latin America
(inclusion of budget heading)

In answer to Oral Question No H-138/90 (') of 14
February 1990 on cultural cooperation with Latin
America the Commission stated that it was thinking of
including in the 1991 budget an entry for certain cultural
activities.

However, the 1991 preliminary draft budget does not
contain any entry for this purpose.

How does the Commission intend to meet its

commitments in 1991 and participate in the Fifth
Centenary cultural events, including meetings,
conferences and various activities of a cultural nature?

O Debates of the European Parliament No 3-386 (February
1990).

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/7

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1991)_

In 1990 the Commission continued to develop the basic
pattern of future cooperation with the Latin American
countries. It took an active part in preparations for the
Rome conference, held on 20 December last year with the
purpose of setting up an institutional political dialogue
with Mexico and the Latin American countries (the Rio
Group).

The outcome of this was (a) the approval by the Council
of guidelines for future policy on cooperation with the
Latin American and Asian countries in the 1990s and

(b) the Rome Declaration, produced with the Rio Group
countries, in which priority fields for cooperation
between the Community and those countries were jointly
established.

Paragraph 46 of the Declaration mentions education as
one of the priority areas, and it has an undoubted cultural
resonance with regard to the common heritage uniting the
Community and Latin America and the forthcoming
quincentenary celebration. The Declaration also
emphasizes the aim of promoting artistic and cultural
exchanges, and cooperation to protect cultural property.

In keeping with the commitments assumed in the
Declaration, and as part of the new policy guidelines and
the revision of the Financial Forecasts, the Commission
intends to increase the resources allocated to cooperation
with Latin America in the educational field. In the same

context it is looking into the possibility of suggesting that
a heading be introduced into the Community budget to
finance activities in connection with the quincentenary
celebration.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2075/90

by Mr de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 September 1990)_

(91/C 144/11)

_Subject:_ Environmental impact of structural fund aid

A July 1990 report by the Worldwide Fund for Nature
(WWF) and the Institute for European Environmental
Policy (IEEP) notes the harmful effect on the
environment of aid granted as part of the structural funds.

1. Is the Commission aware of this study and, if so, what
actions does it intend to take?

2. More particularly, does the Commission envisage
steps to ensure that respect for the environment

figures more prominently as a criterion for granting
aid from the structural funds?

3. Is the Commission considering revising Directive
85/337/EEC (') on the assessment of the
environment?

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

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 January 1991)_

1. The WWF/IEEP report in question was widely
distributed throughout the Commission by the WWF.

2. See the comprehensive joint reply given by the
Commission to Written Questions Nos 1962/90 by
Mr Monnier-Besombes _et al_ and 2013/90 by Mr
Papayannakis _etalC)._

3. Yes. The Commission is drafting a proposed
amendment to Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment

of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment.

(') OJNoC70, 18.3. 1991, p. 27.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2368/90

by Mr Siegbert Alber (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 144/12)

_Subject:_ Conditions imposed by Japanese authorities for
issuing work permits to EC citizens

Inquiries have shown that the Japanese authorities require
an excessive amount of information from European
companies wishing to send employees to Japan before
issuing work permits.

1. Does the Commission have more precise details
concerning the information about EC employees and
undertakings required by the Japanese authorities
in cases where these undertakings wish to send
employees to subsidiaries in Tokyo?

2. Does the Commission have more precise details
concerning the conditions imposed by the EC
Member State authorities for issuing work permits to
Japanese employees in European subsidiaries of
Japanese undertakings?

No C 144/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the fact that the information

required by Japanese authorities from citizens from
Member States of the Community who want to work for
European investments in Japan is extensive. On the other
hand, as the issuance of work permits to Japanese citizens
is beyond the competence of the Commission and is
normally within the sole authority of Member States, it is
difficult for the Commission to fully appreciate the
necessity for these Japanese requirements and put them in
the perspective of the situation in Europe.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2405/90

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 144/13)

_Subject:_ Discrimination in favour of French wines

Article 17 (1) of the new bill tabled by the French
Government and adopted by the National Assembly
(No 1650, 26 June 1990) states that the provisions of this
article shall not apply to local and wines with designation
of origin or to traditional wine festivals. Article 19 (4)
states that advertisements for national festivals or fairs

devoted to local alcoholic beverages or connected with
them may be authorized by a decree issued by the
Ministry of Health. The conditions under which such
advertising may take place shall be determined by decree.

However, the French Health Minister, Claude Evin,
explicitly acknowledged during parliamentary debate that
it was not possible to discriminate between products
without incurring the censure of the European Court of
Justice.

Given that the Commission is a firm proponent of
measures to combat alcoholism, does it not consider that
these exemptions constitute a flagrant violation of the
principle of non-discrimination embodied in the Treaties
establishing the European Communities and upheld by
the Court of Justice in the famous 'Cassis de Dijon'
judgment?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

According to information obtained by the Commission,
the draft law in question is still being discussed by the
French Parliament.

The Commission therefore has insufficient information

to enable it to decide whether certain of its provisions
might infringe Community law.

The Commission will make a detailed study of the law
when the text has been finally adopted.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2524/90

by Mr Juan Colino Salamanca and
Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 144/14)

_Subject:_ The rice market in Spain

Last year, following the disastrous weather on Spain's
east coast, the Spanish rice industry imported large
quantities of rice, building up considerable stocks in the
process. As a result, the industry is offering farmers prices
for this marketing year that are substantially lower than
the intervention price, obliging the farmers concerned to
fall back on the EAGGF buying-in arrangements. The
situation is made worse by the fact .that the intervention
period does not begin until 1 January, which means that,
from September until January, these farmers will have no
income, given the lack of agricultural reforms at
Community level and delays in receiving the earnings in
question.

Is the Commission proposing to take any action during
this period?

Would the protective clause laid down for this COM
apply?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

The present difficulties on the Community rice market are
due to a record harvest which has lowered prices. The
increase in trade between Spain and the other Member
States because of low production in Spain in 1989 simply
results form the application of the principle of free trade,
fundamental for the European Community, and it is
possible that a build-up of stocks has led to a greater fall
in prices in Spain.

A change in the intervention period for rice requires a
Council Decision and the opinion of Parliament. In view
of the present situation with regard to the common
agricultural policy, the Commission is not prepared

^ D ^ t Official journal of the European Communities ^ o c n t ^

to propose an amendment to the existing schemed
particularly sincesuch an amendment mightencourage
other member states to make similarrequestsforthis and
other agricultural products.

The rice market must he supported at this stage of the
marketing year using the instruments available. The
Commissionhas therefore adoptedseveralmeasures to
encourage exports and so achieveabetter balance on the
rice market in the Community asawhole.These measures
have been in force since October and should cut surpluses
and improve prices.

The protective clauses on the other hand^ can only be
applied where anomalies are observed in trade with
nonmember countries.

W^lTTE^^E^T^CO^^o^^^^B^O

by^rErancesco^perom^A^C^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ I B C t ^ B t ^

^ ^ c r . measures to assist the Community textile
industry in response to unfair competition

The Community^ domestic textile market is being
increasingly affected by considerably cheaper imports
from third countries, ^uch products are frequently
imported indirectly^for example in payment for goods or
services provided by Community companies to third
countries unable or unwilling to pay in cash. Textile
products imported in this way reach the consumer
through operators known as ^convertors^ who^ despite
their lack of machinery and manpower^are able rapidly to
corner large sections of the market simply because of the
considerable price differential.

This distorts competition and disrupts the market^with
serious consequences for Community textile companies^
since it thwarts their recent efforts to modernize plant and
their considerableinvestments^ andthreatenstheirvery
existence.

P Is the Commission aware of these disturbing
developments^

2. Are such practices consonant with Community
policies and standards^

^. What measures will the Commission take in response
to this disturbing development in order to prevent
further losses to Community textile undertakings^

Answer^ivenhy^rAndriessen
on hehaif of the Commission

P The Commission is aware that textiles originating in
non-member countries are being imported in paymentfor
goods and services supplied by Community operators.

The scale of this practice is difficult to evaluate since we
are dealing with one-off operations that are not
organized onaregular basis.

The practice has been more common in relations with the
Central and Eastern European countries and so there is
reason to hope that it may slowly die out asaresult of the
recentpolitical and economic changes in these countries.

2. Community legislation concerning trade in textile
products regulates imports of textiles and their release for
free circulation in the CommunityMn the case of bilateral
textile agreementsconcluded withsomeof theCentral
and Eastern European countries^a^priceclause^enables
the Community to call for consultations if import prices
disrupt the Community market, ^uch action has been
taken twice.

^. Lastly^ there is the Community antidumping
legislations which can be invoked by firms that suffer
injury asaresult of dumped imports.

W ^ T T E ^ ^ E ^ T ^ c ^ ^ o ^ D t t B ^ O

b y l ^ r B e m a r d A n t o n y ^ ^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ t B C l ^ B t ^

^ ^ c r . Action programmes for ^outh Africa

What programmes of action for ^outh Africa have been
launched and what are the selection criteria for these

programmes^

What nongovernmental organizations are eligible for
Community appropriationsunderbudget item B^-^OB^O
and what is the exactamount earmarked for each^CC^

Answer^ivenby^r^arrn
on behaifofthe Commission

The latest position on the implementation of the special
programme covering all the ^outh African channels is as
follows^

No C 144/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

Up to the end of November 1990, it has been possible to
approve 352 projects for a total of ECU 101,3 million
since the programme began in 1986, exhausting virtually
all budgetary allocations up to the end of 1989 (ECU
78,5 million) and commiting some 76% of the 1990
budget allocation of ECU 30 million.

This figure of ECU 101,3 million is broken down as
follows:

_(in millions of ECU)_

Training/
Education

12,56

30,63

1,85

45,04

Legal
assistance

3,02

4,32

3,76

11,10

Total

39,63

54,16

7,53

101,32

Churches

Kagiso Trust

Trade Unions

Totals

Humanita
rian social

24,05

19,21

1,92

45,18

All these projects are situated in South Africa, except for
23 in Namibia for ECU 4,5 million.

As regards the details of the criteria governing the
eligibility of projects under the special programme, the
Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 584/87 by Mrs
Lehideux ( [1] ).

O OJNoC42, 15.2.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2628/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 144/17)

_Subject:_ Obstacles posed by Belgium to the development
of the road transport link between Asturias
(Spain) and Moscow

Following the granting of approval by the Soviet
authorities for the creation of a regular road passenger
transport link between the Asturias region in Spain and
Moscow, the project has been blocked by the refusal of
the Belgian authorities to grant an operating lincence for
an essential section of the link (Brussels—Warsaw), on
the grounds that exclusive rights of operation on this
route had already been granted to another bus company.

In the light of the above and with a view to deciding
whether continuation of the project is viable and to
instituting the above road link between Spain and the
USSR, does the Commission consider the decision of the

Belgian authorities to grant one bus company exclusive
operating rights on the Brussels—Warsaw section to be
compatible with the relevant Community legislation? Or,
on the contrary, does the Commission view this decision
as contravening Community rules, and does it therefore
endorse the possibility of the link between Spain and the
USSR being routed via Brussels and Warsaw, thus
enhancing its viability in view of the likely passenger levels
on this route?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1991)_

From the information given by the Honourable Member
concerning a proposed coach service between Spain and
Moscow, it is not possible to judge whether the situation
is in conformity with Community legislation.

If the Honourable Member or the coach operators
concerned will supply the Commission with more details
of the case, he may be assured that it will be investigated
in depth.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2668/90

by Mrs Claudia Roth (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/18)

_Subject:_ Xenophobia in the Community and the
consequences thereof for policy on the right of
asylum and emigration/immigration

1. Does the Commission share the view that a Council

resolution must amount to more than the solemn

declaration by the three Community institutions against
racism and xenophobia in the Community, if refugees and
migrant workers are to be protected from attacks?

2. Does the Commission still intend to adopt a positive
action programme on behalf of migrant workers and take
account of Parliament's recommendations?

3. Is it true that the Ad Hoc Working Party on
Immigration wishes to adopt the main points of the
Schengen Agreement?

4. Does the Commission agree that the supplementary
Schengen Agreement, .agreed upon by five Member
States, constitutes an obstacle to a positive, democratic
action programme?

5. Does the Commission agree that the Schengen
Agreement and the 'international agreements' of the
twelve Member States on the right of asylum tend to
undermine any data protection policy by the Community?

3. 6. 91 ' Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/11

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 February 1991)_

1 and 2. With regard to the situation of immigrants
lawfully residing in Member States, and their integration,
harmonization of immigration policies has not been ruled
out in the long term. Indeed, the objectives of the
consultation procedure on migration policies in relation
to non-member countries, set up by the Commission,
include '(facilitating) the adoption of a common policy by
the Member States' and 'achieving progress towards the
harmonization of national legislation and foreigners'.

The Court of Justice has already affirmed that migration
policy in relation to non-member countries is an integral
part of the social field within the meaning of Article 118
of the Treaty on the grounds that the employment
situation and, more generally, the improvement of living
and working conditions in the Community are liable to be
affected by Member States' policies on workers from
non-member countries.

More immediately, the Strasbourg European Council
called for an inventory to be prepared of national
positions on immigration, to be use as a basis for
discussion by the Council (general affairs). The
Commission's contribution to the inventory, relating in
particular to the social integration of immigrants, was to
appoint a group of highly qualified experts to carry out a
detailed study into the matter. On 4 December 1990 the
Council held a preliminary discussion on this study and
also on a report by the Coordinators' Group, drawn up in
conjunction with the _ad hoc_ Group on Immigration,
providing information on immigration patterns. The
Council and the Member States, meeting within the
Council, called upon the Commission to undertake a
study aimed at establishing a means of collating and
harmonizing information on migratory flows. They also
asked the Coordinators' Group, in conjunction with the
Commission to examine possible ways of implementing
the suggestions contained in the reports by both the
Coordinators and the experts appointed by the
Commission, and to report back.

3. From the very outset, the Commission welcomed the
Schengen Group's initiative as something that would
encourage and guide the Community in its drive to
complete the internal market by 1992, the purpose of the
five members of the Group being to achieve, ahead of the
Twelve, the objectives set out for the Community in
Article 8a of the Treaty as amended by the Single Act.

The solutions arrived at by the Schengen Group are an
inspiration to Community bodies such as the _ad hoc_
Group on Immigration.

This is not to say, however, that the Schengen Group's
solutions can simply should be adopted by the Twelve.

4. No. The Schengen project does not cover the
harmonization of policies on immigration and the
integration of immigrants.

5. The Commission has just put forward a package of
measures on the protection of personal data.

Where the exchange of information provided for in the
agreements referred to by the Honourable Member
comes within the scope of the general directive proposed
by the Commission, the provisions for protection in the
directive will, in accordance with the principle of the
primary of Community law, prevail over those in the

agreements.

For cases where the exchange of information does
not come within the scope of Community law, the
Commission has proposed a resolution by the
Representatives of the Member States which would
extend the principles in the directive to cover them. If this
resolution is adopted, the Member States will then
undertake to bring in legislation to this effect.

So the agreements in question will in no way undermine
the introduction of a common data-protection policy.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2771/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/19)

_Subject:_ Cultural cooperation between the European
Community and Turkey

In its statements on reviving the Association between the
European Community and Turkey, the Commission
advocates raising awareness of each other's cultural
heritage.

With regard, in particular, to the architectural heritage,
does the Commission not consider that:

1. a detailed inventory should be taken of the
architectural heritage in Turkey which has European
origins (in particular Byzantine and Armenian) and
which should, moreover, be protected in accordance
with the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne?

2. steps should be taken without delay, under the
supervision of a committee of Community and
Turkish experts, to protect all these monuments,
which provide the only proof of the presence of
peoples who, as a result of history, now form small
minorities in Turkey — for example, the Greeks and
the Armenians —, and which have been shown by
independent experts to be steadily declining?

No C 144/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

3. measures should be taken, using financial aid from the
European Community (Article B3-200 of the budget)
and its Member States, to restore some of these
monuments which are part of Europe's architectural
heritage and man's common heritage, on the basis of a
list drawn up by mutual agreement between the
abovementioned Community and Turkish experts?

4. these measures to protect an architectural heritage
which is part of the culture and traditions of Europe
could begin — in order to demonstrate the partners'
goodwill — with the restoration of the site of Ani, the
former capital of the Armenian kingdom of the
Bagratids?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 March 1991)_

The Commission had never envisaged in its proposals for
strengthening EC relations with Turkey, actions in the
field of preserving historic and cultural monuments.

Section 20 of the communication, which the Commission
published on 14 June 1990, indeed refers to cultural
cooperation and envisages encouraging increased
knowledge of the cultural heritage of both partners.
However, it suggested that cooperation centering on the
audio visual media would be useful in this regard and that
such cooperation could take the form of _technical_
_assistance_ from the Community and its Member States for
Turkey's radio and TV networks, of picture libraries and
of the rebroadcasting of educational and information

programmes.

In any event, because of the rich cultural heritage of many
different civilizations which have existed in Turkey, the
Commission doubts whether the Turkish authorities

would look favourably on the imposition of outside
priorities to concentrate efforts on a census and
subsequent restoration of just Greek and Armenian

monuments.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2773/90

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/20)

_Subject:_ Refund of tax on motor vehicles upon export

At a supplementary to my Written Question No
1337/90 ('), does the Commission regard a (partial)

refund by the Netherlands Government of the special
motor vehicle tax (BVB) upon export of second-hand cars
as directly or indirectly incompatible with European law?

O OJ No C 85, 28. 3.1991, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 February 1991)_

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's

attention to the fact that Article 96 of the Treaty states
that 'where products are exported to the territory of any
Member State, repayment of internal taxation shall not
exceed the internal taxation imposed on them where
directly or indirect'.

The (even partial) repayment by the Netherlands
authorities of the special consumption tax levied on
second-hand cars when they are exported cannot be
considered contrary to Community law provided it does
not exceed the excise duty levied on vehicles when they
are delivered to the Netherlands.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2785/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/21)

_Subject:_ Charges on Eurocheques levied by certain banks
in Italy

Certain banks (such as the Banca Antoniana of Padua)
charge stamp duty of Lit 500 when changing an
Eurocheque (like all other Italian banks) plus a charge of
Lit 3 500 for which no justification is given.

This charge is clearly all the more unjustifiable because,
according to the banking rules of which Eurocheque
account holders are made aware, the fee for cashing a
Eurocheque is paid by the person concerned to his own
bank.

Is the charging of fees of this kind authorized by
Eurocheque agreements? If not, what sanctions (for
example exclusion from the Eurocheque system) may be
applied to the banks concerned?

Can the Commission of the European Communities
prevail upon the competent authorities to monitor the
Eurocheque agreement?

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/13

1

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

_(1 March 1991)_ _(21 March 1991)_

Stamp duty of Lit 500, previously Lit 300, is charged on all
cheques cashed in Italy, whether Italian or foreign. The
Commission regrets that, as a result, the Eurocheque
system cannot operate in Italy as it does in the other
Member States, that is to say with payment in full of the
amount stated on local currency. But, as no discrimination
is involved, there is no infringement of Community law.

The extra charge of Lit 3 500 to which the Honourable
Member refers is not a tax but a banker's commission.

The Eurocheque agreement provides that all charges are
to be paid by the issuer of the cheque (charges include the
accepting bank's commission, which the agreement
restricts to no more than 1,6%, and the issuing bank's
commission, on which no restriction is placed and which
is, therefore, arrived at freely) but the rule applies only if
the conditions of the system are met. In particular, the
cheque must be for an amount no greater than the
guaranteed maximum, currently Bfrs 7 000 or Lit 300 000,
and must be made out in local currency. Otherwise, the
accepting and issuing banks are free to charge
commissions in accordance with their own general
conditions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2795/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/22)

_Subject:_ Change in the Community policy on European
architectural heritage

The enormous importance of the programme for the
conservation of the Community's architectural heritage is
well known. Up to now, however, the vast majority of the
works chosen have been located in the capital cities of the
Member States, or at least have been works already
considered of major importance for the Member States. It
is essential, however, to select and allocate funds to
regional and local works which often are not given the'
necessary resources by national and regional authorities.
Such a policy would also help towards greater European
awareness on the part of the citizens of the Community.

What are the Commission's views on this and does it

propose to take any positive steps in this direction?

Community policy and activity to preserve the
architectural heritage is always pursued in conjunction
and consultation with appropriate local authorities.

The annual decisions selecting projects for financial
support are in the hands of a committee of experts of
international repute; the socio-economic impact of the
pilot scheme for the protection of a monument or site and
its environment is always considered.

The general aim is to make Community citizens aware
how necessary and important it is to conserve and
safeguard Europe's architectural heritage. For example,
the Varossi district of the town of Edessa and the

Tsikaliotis mansion in Leonidios were given financial
support in 1990.

The Community's ability to provide assistance is, of
course, dependent on the resources at its disposal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2812/90

by Mrs Hilt'rud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/23)

_Subject:_ Transport of goods — shipment by rail and
restrictions

In view of the environmental consequences, what market
economy measures is the Commission planning to prevent
excessive transport of goods by road and to encourage the
shipment of remaining goods by rail.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 March 1991)_

The Commission has proposed or is considering several
market instruments in the fields of both rail and road

transport to cope with environmental problems caused by
road transport. In its 'Communication on a Community
railway policy' ('), the Commission has proposed a
Council Directive on the development of Community
railways. Key elements of this proposal are the separation

No C 144/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

between infrastructure and transport operation, the
establishment of international groupings, access and
transit rights of railway undertakings. These measures
should help to render railway transport services efficient
and competitive with respect to other modes of transport.

Another Commission proposal contained in the same
communication concerns combined transport. The
general objective is the promotion of this mode of
transport since the incentive given by present Community
legislation on combined transport has faded due to the
ongoing liberalization of conventional road haulage. In
general, combined transport is considered to have a less
harmful impact on the environment.

In addition to the initiatives in the railway sector, there
are measures in the road sector itself. One of these is the

proposed increase in road taxes for goods transport by
road by which in the long run the real cost of this mode of
transport should be covered. Furthermore, technical
requirements imposed on road vehicles should reduce
their harmful impact on the environment.

O OJ No C 34,14. 2.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2824/90

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/24)

_Subject:_ Encouraging more use of rail

What proposals does the Commission intend to bring
forward to encourage

1. passenger traffic, and

2. freight to transfer from road to rail ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 February 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the comprehensive memorandum on Community railway
policy (') which includes a number of proposals which the
Commission considers would assist the railways to
compete more efficiently with other modes of transport.

O OJNoC34,14.2. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2834/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/25)

_Subject:_ Community policy in respect of packaging

In its resolution of 7 May 1990 on waste policy, the
Council of Ministers reaffirmed the need to give priority
to preventive measures to reduce the volume of waste.

Given the volume of waste produced by packaging,
particularly food packaging, does not the Commission
consider that priority should also be given to its re-use or
even before recycling?

In this context, should not a distinction be made between
re-use and recycling, particularly in connection with the
proposed modifications to Directive 85/339/EEC ( [x] ) and
specific information given to consumers?

If so, how does the Commission intend to achieve this?

O OJNoL176,6.7.1985, p. 18.

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

_(19 February 1991)_

The Commission is conducting a detailed examination of
all aspects of packaging, with a view to establishing
priorities for action.

Its approach is based on prevention, reuse and recycling.
Quantified objectives and certain basic principles, such as
the liability of economic operators, should eventually be
laid down in legislation.

Is has not so far been possible to establish an order of
priority among the various measures (refilling, recycling,
energy recovery, etc.), but this is on the agenda and is
closely tied up with the setting of objectives, the problem
of definitions and the provision of consumer information.
The Commission intends to spell out its future policy in
this connection, including the provision of consumer
information, shortly.

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2837/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/26)

_Subject:_ Customs duties on items stolen in Greece

Community citizens entering Greece are required to
declare any goods they are carrying with them in order
to prevent illegal importation. They are subsequently
required to declare them on leaving the country.

In the case of stolen goods, even if the theft has been duly
reported, the customs authorities impose duties totally
disregarding documentary evidence to the effect that they
are stolen property which effectively amounts to a
customs duty on theft.

Are such actions by the Greek authorities in compliance
with Community law, and does the Commission intend to
take measures to remedy this unacceptable situation?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 February 1991)_

The movement of persons accompanied by their personal
effects within the Community is governed, from the
viewpoint of taxation, by the provisions of the 17th
VAT Directive (»), by Directive 69/169/EEC ( [2] ) and by
provisions adopted within the OECD ( [3] ).

It transpires that the personal effects of persons travelling
from on Member State to another qualify on temporary
importation for total exemption from import duties and
charges. There is no authorization or declaration
requirement — unless, exceptionally, the customs
authorities make an express request — and no security
needs to be furnished. The personal effects must have
originated in a Member State or have been released for
free circulation after being acquired subject to the rules
governing the application of VAT in the Member State of
exportation and must not have benefited there, by virtue
of their exportation, from any exemption from VAT.

Accordingly, if the personal effects are not re-exported
after being used in the manner authorized, importation
becomes definitive, with VAT and any other charges due
on importation normally becoming chargeable.

Nevertheless, the Greek administration must, in the event
of theft, ensure that Community citizens are afforded the
same tax treatment as within the territory of the country.
Greece considers that, in cases of theft duly proven, no
liability to tax arises ( [4] ). This should, therefore, apply all
the more so to travellers' personal effects given the small

amounts of tax involved and the need to preserve
the maximum degree of freedom of movement for
individuals.

The Commission will examine the facts brought to its
attention by the Honourable Member in order to ensure
compliance with Community legislation.

(') Council Directive 85/362/EEC of 16 July 1985 (OJ No

L 192, 24. 7. 1985).
O OJNoL133,4.6. 1969.
( [3] ) See in particular Decision-Recommendation No C(85) 165
(final) of the OECD Council, approved by the Community
and the Member States (cf. Commission answer to Written
Question No 890/87 - OJ No C 207, 8. 8. 1988).
( [4] ) Article 26 of Law 1642/86 (Greek Official Gazette No 125 A
of 21. 8. 1986).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2842/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/27)

_Subject:_ Economic cooperation with Latin America

Can the Commission state

1. The extent of the economic cooperation it has
proposed with Latin America?

2. Whether it intends to submit a proposal to the Council
for a Regulation governing this new system of
cooperation with the countries of Latin America?

3. What criteria such a Regulation will contain?

Can the Commission draw up a table showing the
major cooperation projects currently under way with
Latin American, country by country?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 February 1991)_

The strengthening of economic cooperation with Latin
America remains an essential Community objective.

The considerations governing this type of cooperation are
set out in the Commission communication on guidelines
for cooperation with the developing countries of Asia and
Latin America (*), which was adopted by the Council in
December 1990. This communication contains general

No C 144/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

provisions and also financial provisions which, both by
their nature and because of the amount involved,
represent an advance on the previous system of
cooperation; the communication embodies key features
which will govern cooperation between the Community
and the developing countries concerned in the
forthcoming years.

Legislation will be required in order to give effect to the
new cooperation policy, including in particular new
implementing rules. The relevant proposal for a Council
Decision is at present with Parliament for consultation,
pursuant to Article 9 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 442/81.

The Commission will forward separately to the
Honourable Member a list, incorporating a breakdown by
country, of the specific projects affecting each Latin
American country.

O COM(90) 176 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2845/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/28)

_Subject:_ Policies on the integration of immigrants

Is the Commission considering some specific legislative
proposal concerning the convergence of national policies
on integration in the areas of education, culture and
housing? What are the obstacles to such convergence?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1991)_

As mandated by the European Council of December
1989, the Commission is in the process of studying
the various issues associated with the integration of
immigrants in the Community.

It has commissioned a group of experts to draw up a
report reviewing the present situation and indicating the
measures to be taken to promote the integration of
immigrants.

The report has just been forwarded to Parliament and
was discussed in the Council when Italy was in the chair.
The Commission is now studying the initiatives the
Community should take in this area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2849/90

by Mr James Elles (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 December 1990)_

(91/C 144/29)

_Subject:_ The Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel project is nearing the completion of
the service tunnel, and is still on target to reach its
opening date of )une 1993. Is the Commission aware of
what customs arrangements will be put into place on both
sides of the Channel to check the movement of people,
animals and goods? Does the Commission consider
that the current plans of both the French and British
Governments are in line with the commitment to complete
a single European market by 1 January 1993 ?

Answer by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

The Commission has been informed of the tax

arrangements which have been in force since the tunnels
being bored from opposite sides of the Channel met and
which are to apply during the construction stage, but it
has received no official information concerning the
arrangements which the French and United Kingdom
authorities propose to introduce once the tunnel is
opened to the public, this being scheduled for June 1993.
It would point out, however, that the Single European Act
rules out controls at internal Community frontiers as
from 1 January 1993; no agreement between Member
States can depart from this principle.

The Commission has already had occasion to make it
clear that, in this respect, the Channel Tunnel will rank as
any other land-based frontier crossing in the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2869/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 144/30)

_Subject:_ Children and the mentally handicapped in
Romania

1. What foodstuffs are being sent specifically for
children and adults with mental handicaps?

2. What medicines are being sent specifically for
children and adults with mental handicaps?

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/17

3. What educational supplies are being sent specifically
for children and adults with mental handicaps?

4. What paint or building materials to refurbish the
institutions where people with mental handicaps are
confined are being sent?

5. If 'none' to questions (a) to (d), when will relief
start?

Answer by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 March 1991)_

Since October the Commission has launched the

following integrated series of actions to benefit children
in Romania, focusing on children in institutions:

1. Integrated projects involving foodstuffs, medicines,
educational support and refurbishment in orphanages
in six districts. These projects, being carried out by
four NGOs, received ECU 2,7 million in grant aid in
1990 and will be completed with the support of a
further grant in 1991.

2. Complete refurbishment of 17 centres for
handicapped children, known as 'camin spital',
together with complementary food aid, blankets,
medicines and staff support, for these and 70 other
institutions at a cost of ECU 2,2 million in 1990 and

1991.

3. Baby food supplies for the general population
(including handicapped children not in institutions)
financed at a cost of ECU 6 million (1990/91).

4. Targeted emergency medical supplies for children in
institutions financed at a cost of ECU 0,3 million.

5. Crash heating programme to benefit children in all
institutions including the handicapped, with foreign
currency costs of ECU 1,5 million in 1990 and ECU
2,3 million in 1991. Local costs are financed from an
allocation of counterpart funds accruing from food
aid supplied earlier in 1990 and valued initially at ECU
15 million.

6. Medical supplies programme costing ECU 10 million
to cover the immediate needs of the whole population
for three months from which children and the

handicapped will benefit as well.

A further phase of action is currently being planned which
will focus on medium term issues, particularly the training
of staff in institutions and the development of alternatives
to institutional care.

These actions are financed from Community budget
credits 1990 and 1991 concerning humanitarian and

emergency aid as well as the Phare programme and
counterpart funds.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2910/90

by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 144/31)

_Subject:_ Holdings by foreign companies in American
airlines

Is the Commission aware that the European airlines SAS
and Swissair have a substantial financial stake in the

American airline Delta Air? How does this holding accord
with the US Government's refusal at the time to allow

KLM a stake in North West Airlines?

Can the Commission state whether this is a case of

discrimination? Can the Commission also state whether,
in view of the GATT negotiations, this in any way
changes the point of departure for the talks in the
Uruguay Round due to be concluded shortly?

Can the Commission state whether, in the light of the
answer to my earlier question on the matter (see Question
646/89 (')), it can seek an opinion from the European
Parliament on further multilateral liberalization of air

transport?

(') OJNoC259,15.10. 1990, p. 1.

Answer by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1991)_

The Commission is aware that Swissair has taken a

shareholding in Delta and SAS a holding in Continental
Airlines. The Commission is also aware of the

circumstances concerning the proposed financial holding
of KLM in North West Airlines. In fact, in many ways the
KLM participation is the most important of the three. It is
therefore not entirely correct to suggest that KLM has
been given unlike treatment.

The Commission nonetheless very much regrets that the
United States' Government has, up to now, generally
insisted on maintaining very limited possibilities for
foreign participation in US airlines. The Commission has
discussed the matter bilaterally with the United States'
government and has underlined that the Community has,
in the Uruguay Round, formally proposed further
liberalisation of foreign participation in air carriers. As a

No C 144/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 3.6. 91

consequence the United States' Government has recently
indicated that it will administer existing rules in a more
flexible way. It appears that KLM has already benefited
from this modification of US policy; it is to be hoped that
this modification can be guaranteed on a binding
multilateral basis.

In any case the Community is actively seeking some
degree of multilateral liberalization of the air transport
sector during the Uruguay round and has made formal
proposals to that effect. There can be no question of
accepting the effective exclusion of this sector from the
agreement, as proposed by the United States. The
Commission will pursue those objectives over the coming
months, as the negotiations resume. As in the past the
Parliament will be kept fully informed of developments in
the negotiations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2962/90

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/32)

_Subject:_ Brown coal extraction in North RhineWestphalia

The Government of North Rhine-Westphalia is planning
to open a second brown coal mine in Garzweiler near the
Dutch border. This will have major consequences, not
only involving the disappearance of a number of German
villages but also affecting groundwater over the border in
Limburg. The mining activities are projected to run from
2004 to 2045. The German authorities have, in the
meantime, agreed to have an environmental impact
assessment carried out in accordance with Community
rules.

1. If Member States use different environmental impact
assessment standards to those of the Community,
which standards must be respected? Can the
Commission endeavour to ensure that the strictest

standards are applied? How can the Commission
ensure that the environmental impact assessment takes
account of modifications to the standards over such a

long period?

2. Is the Commission prepared to ensure that the
possible impact on the environment is assessed over a
period of time, which corresponds to that during
which the mine will be operational? How does the
Commission consider it possible to assess the impact
on the environment over such a long period?

3. Does not the Commission consider that account

should also be taken of major long-term threats to
the environment in connection with runoff from

fertilizers into the groundwater?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 March 1990)_

1. Where national law is more stringent than
Community standards that will apply in the Member State
concerned, since Directive 85/337/EEC offers Member
States scope for laying down rules that are more stringent
than their Community counterparts.

As regards the content of the impact studies, the
Commission would recall to mind that under Article 5 and

Annex III to the Directive they must take account, among
other things, of the long-term effects of the project.

However, this does not mean that those studies must also
take account of subsequent changes to the ecological
standards used in carrying them out since that Directive
requires an environmental assessment of the project
before this is authorized and not during its operating
period. Compliance with subsequent standards depends
upon national law and above all on the nature of the
authorization granted.

2. Likewise, monitoring of the projects does not enter
into the procedure instituted by the Community
Directive, but the Commission reserves the right to
introduce this if a five-yearly report on implementation of
the directive were to demonstrate the usefullness of such

an approach.

3. It is clear that any environmental assessment of the
effects of the draft will have to take account of the risks

referred to by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2993/90

by Mr Jose Barros Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/33)

_Subject:_ European Social Fund: Community measures in
the field of long-term unemployment

In its report on the 1989 financial year the Court of
Auditors states that only a reduced percentage of the
long-term unemployed benefited from ESF aid. 'In the
case of most Member States, the ESF financial
contributions to vocational training for the long-term
unemployed may be estimated to be less than 10 % of the
corresponding national expenditure . . . in the field of
vocational training. Fund aid has therefore been mainly of
incentive value for the promoting bodies; it has been
much less instrumental in promoting the development of a
policy for the professional training of the long-term
unemployed.'

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/19

Can the Commission explain how vocational training is
being transformed into a business attracting substantive
amounts of Community funds without the unemployed
benefiting from this process?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 March 1991)_

In its reply to the Court of Auditors' comments, the
Commission pointed out that the ESF budget represented
only a small percentage of overall Community
expenditure on employment. However, under
Community rules the ESF is expected to intervene in a
whole range of ways to assist all categories of persons
who are unemployed or threatened with unemployment,
so that there is an imbalance between the amounts

requested and the ESF's own financial resources.

That is why ESF contributions toward fighting long-term
unemployment amount to only 10% on average of
national expenditure by Member States.

Nonetheless, the Honourable Member is reminded that
the purpose of granting funds to bodies engaged in
combating long-term unemployment is to help the
unemployed in the long run.

Member States must see to it that projects are actually put
into effect and that those financed by the Community are
carried out properly.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2995/90

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/34)

_Subject:_ Christmas and New Year aid for Third World
children

In Africa, Asia and Latin America 40 000 children under
the age of five die every day, 150 million children of
school age receive no education and approximately 30
million have no permanent home, live mostly on the
streets and are refugees from war, poverty and disease in
their home countries.

Does the Commission intend to send some rudimentary
aid as a gesture of goodwill over Christmas and the New
Year to these Third World countries to help reduce
mortality among children, and, if so, what form of aid
does it have in mind?

Answer by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 March 1991)_

The Commission implements medium-term and
long-term development policies aimed at improving living
conditions for all the people of the developing countries.
The results achieved by this development policy are also,
therefore, of direct or indirect benefit to the children.

Measures of the kind proposed by the Honourable
Member are usually spontaneous, token operations,
carried out as a rule by humanitarian organizations.

The Commission is particularly concerned, however,
about the position of children, as one of the most
vulnerable of the target population groups, and
endeavours to help either by means of food aid and
emergency aid operations, which meet the most pressing
needs of the poorest sections of the population, or under
specific programmes such as its health programmes aimed
at cutting child mortality rates.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3009/90

by Mr Anthony Simpson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/35)

_Subject:_ Camcorders

It is noted with regret that the answer given by the
Commission to my Written Question No 2258/90 (') does
not rule out any increase in customs tariffs on
camcorders. Instead, it concentrates on the technical
point that the Customs Cooperation Council does not
have the authority to settle tariff questions, and
consequently that the Commission with its proposals is
merely concerned in keeping the nomenclature abreast
with 'changes in technology or patterns in international
trade'. In doing so the tariff heading is the basis for
determining the tariff rate applicable.

Can the Commission confirm that it is not seeking an
increase in customs tariffs with what it calls 'technical

improvement' of the nomenclature — especially since this
appeared to be the reason for the previous attempt to
reclassify the products?

More specifically, if it were not for the purpose of
preparing a tariff increase, why would the Commission
be seeking as a 'technical improvement' to classify
camcorders under a different heading, currently
attracting a customs duty as high as 14%, which is, by
coincidence, the tariff advocated by the European
producers of consumer electronic products as a uniform
tariff rate applicable to imports,of all consumer

No C 144/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

electronics? This appears to be particularly so as a similar
proposal made by the Commission has already been
rejected by the EC's own specialized committee.

O OJ No C 85, 28. 3. 1991, p. 33.

Answer by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1991)_

In the reply given to the Honourable Member's initial
Written Question on this point it was made clear that the
changes under discussion in the Customs Cooperation
Council were changes aimed at improving the
Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature. The camcorder
discussions, which were not initiated by the Community,
have arisen because of a need to ensure that camcorders

are classified in a uniform manner by contracting parties
totheHS.

In the Community, camcorders are classified in different
positions and are liable to different rates of duty
according to their characteristics. Even if changes to the
HS lead to both types of camcorder being classified in
one heading, it will be necessary, because of GATT
commitments, to retain the present different rates of duty
for the particular types of camcorder. Any increase in
these rates could only be made following negotiations in
the GATT.

Apart from the abovementioned HS discussions the
Commission does not, at present, have the intention of
seeking to reclassify these products.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3025/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/36)

_Subject:_ Community strategy for waste management

On 14 September 1989 the Commission forwarded to the
Council and to Parliament a document (SEC(89) 934
final) concerning a Community strategy for waste

management.

More than a year has since elapsed. What response has the
Council given to this communication?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1991)_

On 7 May 1990 the Council adopted a resolution on waste
policy (') in response to the Commission document

(SEC(89) 934 final) concerning a Community strategy for

waste management.

O OJNoCl22,18.5.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3050/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 144/37)

_Subject:_ The EEC and trade in duty-free goods

On the request of the European Parliament, the
Commission is currently carrying out a study to assess the
economic and social impact of ending the trade in
duty-free goods within the Community. From this study it
is emerging that the consequences of ending such trade,
which provides a considerable outlet for certain sectors,
would be far from negligible.

Since trade in duty-free goods at airports and on board
aircraft and ships does not constitute an obstacle to
freedom of movement for persons and goods and since
duty-free sales do not arise from differing rates of VAT
or excise duties but from the existence of sovereign tax
legislation, can the Commission explain how trade in
duty-free goods is incompatible with single market
objectives?

Answer by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 February 1991)_

The Commission considers that the answer it gave to the
Honourable Member's Written Question No 603/90 (*)
explains why the Commission feels tax-free shopping to
be incompatible with the aims of the internal market. In
particular it should be recalled that the continuation after
1 January 1993 of tax-free sales for intra-Community
travel would not only imply the retention of some
kind of frontier controls but would continue to distort

the internal Community market as explained in the
Commission's answer to the above question.

(') See page 1 of this Official Journal.

^ D ^ t Official journal of the European communities ^oC^P^B21

by^^sC^risUa^a^uscarduii^^

to the C^or^mission of the European C^ommur^ties

t^tBcBm^B^

^^cr.lOiscriminationagainstthe disabled in Italy

lOoes the commission intend to investigate infringements
of the rights of the disabled in Italy whose aspirations to
play an active part in the productive process and the
national economy are the subiect of discrimination by
public administrations and private companies in favour of
those who^ while not genuinely disabled^ enioy the
judicious patronages of individuals in a position top
dispense favours for party political purposes^ C^an the
commission indicatethecriteriaapplied in the^arious
member states in this respect and call on those member
states in whichthese criteria are too restrictive to adopt
more liberal legislation and establish stricter rules for
their implementation and enforcements

A^swerbylvlrsPapa^dreou
on behalf of the C^om^iission

Access to employment for handicapped people isamatter
forthe legislation of the member states.

It should nonetheless be borne in mind that council

recommendation ^ D B ^ ^ B L L ^ o f ^ ] u l y t ^ D ^ a n d the
council conclusions of P2 ]une P ^ ^ set out to
promoteequaltreatmentforthehandicappedandurge
the member states to introduce positive actions to assist
handicapped workers.

In this context and in connection with the implementation
of the f^elios programmed the aim of which is precisely to
promote the economic and social integration of the
handicapped^ the commission has set up a European
network of 2B^ model local activities in the field of

vocational training and employment as well asanetwork
of ^0 vocational training and retraining centres.

These measures are essential for the exchange of
experiencebetween therele^antbodiesof the member

states.

Lastly^ the commission has drawn up a report on the
application of the aforesaid Council recommendations
which served as the basis for the conclusions of the

abo^ementioned Council. A copy of the reports which
comments on the employment conditions of the
handicapped inthe^viember states will be sent direct to

the honourable member as well as to Parliaments

secretariat.

^ ^ T ^ E ^ ^ E ^ T ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^ O

bylvlr^e^o^beiro^^

to the C^omr^issionofthe European C^o^ununities

^ l B ( G t ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . commission ^errors^ in its estimates of

Portuguese inflation

Although the Portuguese C^o^ernment has not requested
C^ommissiondocumentsputtingPortugueseinflation in
P^^ at t^D^oinstead of thetl^t^orless^ estimated by
the (Government be corrected^ the Portuguese finance
minister has attributed this divergence to three errors by
the commissions

t. It assuredamore substantial fall in the exchange rate
of the Portuguese Escudo than will in fact occurs

2. It estimated that indirect taxation would increase by
1 ^ compared with the Portuguese (Governments
figures of ^ ^ ^ a t most.

^. It failed to take into account the economic and social

agreement signed by almost all ^but not alb the social
partners.

Moes the commission accept that these aremnfact^ errors
andmfso^ how can it explain them^

A^swerby^rC^hristophersen
on behalf of the C^or^n^ission

The Commission forecastsfor inflation in Rortugalare
notaffectedby^errors5 In any e^entmhey represent only
the viewpoint of the Commission. Mifferences with
national forecasts are easyto explains

t. The depreciation of the escudo is estimated atarate of
2 ^ ^ i n l ^ P in line with the announced intention of

the go^ernmentto allow an annual average rateof
depreciation of ^ ^ o f the effective exchange rate of
theescudo.

2. Indirect taxes were first estimated before the draft

budget f o r t ^ t was released.^fhe final version of the
Commission forecasts takes into account the fact that

the budget for this year does not reflect the intention
of the government to increase indirect taxation in

No C 144/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

conformity with the Commission proposals. The
figure also differs from the national estimate as a
result of the higher inflation forecast.

3. The economic and social agreement has been taken
into account in the Commission forecast as far as it

affects basic wages. But the forecast estimates total
earnings effectively paid and these are increasing at a
faster rate under the pressure of employment growth.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3/91 .

by Mr Amedee Turner (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/40)

_Subject:_ Arrangements for the return of the remains of
deceased Community citizens

1. Are there agreed Community standards for the
preparation of the remains of deceased Community
citizens who die in one Member State but whose relatives

require the repatriation of the remains ?

2. Which Member States stipulate national standards
for the preparation of human remains for repatriation?

3. Is there a Community standardised procedure for
raising documentation for the repatriation of human
remains and for expedition of customs clearance?

4. Is there a specific internationally accepted customs
code or nomenclature for the customs classification of

human remains? What is it?

5. Is there a Community standard for pathological
examination and certification of human remains?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 March 1991)_

There are no agreed Community standards on this matter.
However, the Commission is in the process of carrying
out an examination of this matter to determine what, if
any, proposals should be made.

There is neither a specific internationally accepted
customs code for human remains nor an international

decision on their classification in the Harmonized System
(which forms the basis for the majority of the world's
customs nomenclatures).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 36/91

by Mr Jose Barros Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/41)

_Subject:_ ESF payments to Portugal, 1986—7

Can the Commission state how much money is still due
from the ESF for 1986 and 1987? The Portuguese
Government gives ESC 2 500 million as the sum in
question, though this figure is challenged by certain
businesses, which claim to have suffered financially. What
is the actual reason for the delay in payment, a delay
which is allegedly related to 'numerous cases of fraud'?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 March 1991)_

The applications for the payment of the balance of ESF
aid still outstanding in respect of dossiers for 1986 and
1987 amount to ESC 2,8 thousand million, 0,8 thousand

million of which relate to 1986 and 2 thousand million to

1987.

Most of the delays are due to presumptions of
irregularities communicated by the Member State under
Article 7 of Commission Decision 83/673/EEC of 22

December 1983.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 49/91

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/42)

_Subject:_ European Social Fund

1. I should be grateful if the Commission could supply
a list of projects supported by the ESF in Belgium for the
years 1989—1990, with, if possible, projects broken down
by region and an indication in each case of the amount per
project, and the name and address of the applicant.

Since 1 January 1989, information has applied to Belgium
as a whole, which is why I am interested in a breakdown.

2. To what extent can the Commission demonstrate

that, in the various European Community Member States,
all the approved projects received genuinely 'additional'
support, in other words can the Commission, on the basis
of its information, assure me that, for each European
'franc' paid out for the projects and in the years in
question, a Belgian 'franc' was also paid, in accordance
with the 50/50 rule? Can the Commission also assure me

that each was a new project and not an existing one from
other years which, as modifications were made to the
guidelines, were submitted for European support in some

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/23

years but not others? To put it another way: can the
Commission be sure that ESF support has been used for
genuinely new initiatives which would otherwise not be
supported, and that the ESF therefore represents more
than a saving for the national or regional budget?

How many additional jobs have been created in the
Belgian regions through the agency of the ESF?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 March 1991)_

1. The Commission is sending the Honourable
Member and Parliament's Secretariat a list of projects in
Belgium to which ESF grants were made in 1989.

2. The requirement for additionality was most clearly
expressed in connection with reform of the Fund.

Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 deals with
additionality as part of the reform. It calls on the
Commission and the Member States to ensure that the

increase in appropriations for the Funds has a genuine
additional economic impact in the regions concerned and
results in at least an equivalent increase in the total
volume of official or similar structural aid. The place for
this additional aspect is in connection with the
Community support frameworks, which were adopted for
each Member State with different aims in mind. To check

whether the Member States have complied with the
principle of additionality, the Commission has requested
them to supply data enabling an assessment of
additionality to be made.

With the old Fund, the Commission's monitoring in this
field was limited to checking the amount of official aid
given. Each year a number of new projects were
submitted. A large number of these projects had already
been submitted previously. Existing projects, however,
were often adapted in the course of time, on the basis of
previous experience, in terms of target group, method
employed, programme and size.

On the number of additional jobs, it is not possible to give
a precise answer as regards the old Fund. Such jobs may
be created as a result of a recruitment subsidy measure or
a vocational training scheme. There are points in the
guidelines which allow for both these forms of aid to be
given. The object of the recruitment subsidy measures
co-financed by the Commission is to create additional
jobs of a stable type. As regards training measures,
experience shows that results vary widely depending on
whether they are assessed immediately after the operation
or some time later. It is also worth considering to what
extent a particular job matches the type of training
received.

The arrangements for assessment laid down in respect of
the new Funds should supply answers to these extremely
important questions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 99/91

by Mrs Claire Joanny and
Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/43)

_Subject:_ Railway link as an alternative to road link

On 13 November 1990, the President of the Republic of
France and the President of the Spanish Government held
useful discussions on the project for reopening of the
Pau-Canfranc railway link as part of an international
railway link between Pau and Saragossa.

This project which would benefit the population of the
Pyrenees who are concerned to save energy and preserve
their unique natural heritage provides a useful alternative
to the project of a road and motorway link between Pau
and Saragossa. It is also in keeping with the European
policy to relaunch railways as a far preferable means of
transporting goods and persons from the point of view of
the environment and energy savings.

In view of the above, does the Commission consider it
reasonable to support the Pau-Saragossa road and
motorway project? Would it not be better to redirect the
appropriations allocated to this project to the railway
project?

Answer by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 April 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to the reply to oral question H-70/91 by Mr Simeoni,
which it gave during question time at Parliament's
February 1991 part-session (*).

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3/400/401
(February 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 102/91

by Mr Jacques Vernier (RDE) and
Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/44)

_Subject:_ Number of deaths due to smoking in the EEC

Can the Commission estimate the number of deaths

currently attributable to smoking in the Member States of
the European Community?

No C 144/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

Taking into account current tobacco consumption levels
among various age groups and likely demographic trends,
can it give an overall estimate for the Community as a
whole of the number of people who will die from
smoking-related diseases — all other factors being equal
— in the year 2020, i.e. in 30 years time, when today's
young smokers of 10 to 15 years of age will be 40 to 45
years old?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 March 1991)_

According to WHO statistics ('), it is estimated that
tobacco is responsible every year for the deaths of 431 000
people in the Member States of the Community. Tobacco
probably now accounts for at least 25 % of all EC deaths
in middle age (35—69) and for at least 10% of all EC
deaths in old age. Those who are killed by tobacco in
middle age lose on average about 20 years each of life

expectancy.

The predicted annual death toll from tobacco in the major
European region, which serves as a basis for WHO's
estimate among those aged under 25 in 1990, is about 2
million for the year 2025.

Moreover, if current demographic and smoking patterns
remain unchanged, 200 to 300 million of those born in the
period from 1970 to 1990 will be eventually killed by
tobacco. That means that at some stage towards 2050, the
average annual number of deaths from tobacco world
wide is expected to be about 10 to 15 million.

(') _References_ Dr Richard Peto, University of Oxford, Clinical
Trial Service Unit & ICRF Cancer Studies Unit; Chairman of
the WHO Consultative Group on statistical aspects of
tobacco-related disease. Consultation on the Statistical
Aspects of Tobacco-Related Mortality. Convened by the
World Health Organization in Geneva in October 1989.
Epidemiology: Tobacco-attributable mortality: global
estimates and projections. Tobacco Alert — World Health
Organization, January 1991. 'It can be done'. A World Health
Organization report on the first European Conference on
Tobacco Policy in Madrid, 7—11 November 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 119/91

by Mrs Pauline Green (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/45)

_Subject:_ Tests on animals

Is the Commission aware of the possible implications
for animal testing arising from proposals for a Council

Regulation on the evaluation and control of the
environmental risks of existing substances (COM(90) 227
final)?

Can the Commission give an assurance that Article 3 will
only require existing data to be submitted and that where
such data is not in existence, animal tests will not be
required, at least until the prioritization process has been
completed?

With regard to the Commission's acceptance of an
alternative to the LD50 test, can it guarantee that the
Regulation will not require or result in further use of the
LD50 test?

Does the Commission agree that maximum emphasis
should be placed upon actual experience of use and the
known human effects of chemicals, as animal testing is
potentially misleading, particularly when predicting the
effects of a substance over a long period of time. In the
circumstances, should not the development and validation
of alternatives to the use of animals to assess

environmental risks of chemicals be considered a priority
for the new European Centre for Alternatives to Animal
Experimentation ?

Answer by Mr Ripa die Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1991)_

The Commission is obviously aware of the consequences
of the proposed Council Regulation on the evaluation and
control of the environmental risks of existing substances.

Article 3, as drafted and explained in the explanatory
memorandum, makes it quite clear that the obligation is
to provide existing data; if the data do not exist,
manufacturers/importers are not required, at this stage,
to carry out additional tests. At a later stage, as foreseen in
Article 6, if a substance is identified as a priority substance
further testing may be required but every effort will be
made to avoid animal testing.

With regard to the LD50 test — if data concerning acute
oral toxicity by oral route either LD50 or fixed dose
procedure are available and provided according to Article
3 and 4, both will obviously be acceptable. If it is ever
considered necessary to require information on acute oral
toxicity being produced/generated, for example for a
priority chemical under Article 6, then it is unlikely that
the Management Committee would require that a test be
carried out according to the classical LD50 procedure.
The Commission will certainly endeavor to avoid the
further use of this test.

In identifying priority chemicals and subsequently
evaluating them, the Commission and 'rapporteur'
Member States will make use of all available data, eg.

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/25

epidemiological information and feedback from poison
centres. Unfortunately, in the absence of such
information it is frequently the case that the only data
available will be that generated from experiments on
animals.

The Commission will continue to strive for the

development and validation of alternative test methods in
order to reduce animal usage and suffering. This
commitment applies in the context of product safety
testing in general and not only in relation to the proposed
Regulation on existing chemicals.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 126/91

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/46)

_Subject:_ Withdrawal and replacement of old geo-political
maps of the Community Member States which
are still in circulation

The Office for Official Publications of the European
Community, which operates under the auspices of the
Commission, published large- and small-scale geopolitical maps of the Community Member States in the
first quarter of 1990. In these maps:

(a) the island of Kastelorizo, which has national and
political importance for Greece, is not shown clearly,
at least in the small-scale map, is not depicted in the
colour used to denote Greece and does not appear in
the appropriate subdivision of the administrative
region of the Aegean;

(b) Germany is still depicted as being divided into west
and east.

When does the Commission intend to withdraw these

maps, which are widely distributed, and publish new maps
depicting the new political and geographical situation
which has replaced the traditional cold-war boundaries?

Answer by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ _April 1991)_

1. The Commission is well aware of the importance of
Castellorizo as an integral part of Greece. This is why it
figures on the map to which the Honourable Member

refers and on all other Community maps. Thick black
dashes between the island and mainland Turkey separate
it form Turkey and indicate clearly that it is part of
Greece. The Island, which measures less than 1 millimetre
on the map, is in the colour given to Greece and the
Community.

As the Honourable Member is aware, there are some
2 000 Greek islands, and on a scale of 1 : 8 000 000 it is
not possible to show every one of these islands nor to give
as much detail as one would like of the smaller islands that

are shown, such as Castellorizo.

2. A new edition of the Political Map of the European
Community was published on 1 October 1990. It shows
the former German Democratic Republic as an integral
part of Germany and of the European Community.

A new edition of the small map of the European
Community without internal frontiers — the map to
which the Honourable Member's question refers — was
published in November 1990. This also shows the former
East Germany as part of Germany and of the European
Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 187/91

by Mr Roberto Formigoni (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/47)

_Subject:_ Fulfilment of contracts and free competition in
the former GDR

Following the fall of the Communist regime, the demise
of the GDR, and unification of the two Germanys, several
Italian undertakings, in particular machine tool
manufacturers which had concluded bona fide supply
contracts with GDR state-owned import and export
houses have been complaining that the clients are refusing
to accept and pay for the goods awaiting delivery. In
justification for their decision, many of the GDR firms
claim to have 'transferred' the orders to German

undertakings.

What will the Council do to ensure that the welcome

event of German reunification proves to be without
prejudice to the established rights of industry in the other
Member States and, as regards the future, to the principle
of free competition? What provision has been made in the
unification agreements for the commitments entered into
by old GDR state-owned enterprises still in existence?

No C 144/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

Answer

_(2 May 1991)_

Contracts concluded between undertakings in the former
GDR and undertakings in other Community countries —
whether before or after German unification — are

governed by the private law applicable in each case and,
where appropriate, by the provisions of the Treaty of 31
August 1990 between the Federal Republic of Germany
and the German Democratic Republic on the
establishment of German unity. These areas are outside
Community jurisdiction and the Council cannot therefore
make a pronouncement on the questions raised by the
Honourable Member. It should, however, be noted that
since German unification Community competition
legislation applies also in the territory of the former GDR
and it is for the Commission to ensure that Community
rules in this area are complied with.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 201/91

by Mr Lyndon Harrison (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/48)

_Subject:_ Young Workers' Exchange Programme

Is the Commission aware that its proposal to incorporate
the Young Workers' Exchange Programme into the new
Petra programme will mean eliminating the only youth
exchange programme in Europe which provides for a
working experience (as opposed to a training experience)
in another European country?

How does the Commission justify incorporating the
Young Workers' Exchange programme into Petra, the
aims of which are by no means identical?

How would the Commission propose that Member States
fulfil their obligation under Article 50 of the EEC Treaty
regarding the exchange of young workers (the only
article which provides specifically for exchanges) if this
programme is to be scrapped?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1991)_

In its memorandum on the rationalization and

coordination of vocational training programmes at
Community level (') the Commission sets out on the

context of the proposal to amalgamate the Petra and
Young Workers' Exchange Programme. The aim of the
Commission is to optimize the training and exchange
experiences for both young people in initial vocational
training and young workers. The current Young Workers'
Exchange Programme caters for about 4 000 exchanges
per year. The Commission's proposal in regard to the
enlarged Petra programme foresees 20 000 exchanges of
young workers over the three years 1992—94. It is not
therefore a question of eliminating the Young Workers'
Exchange Programme but instead of building on the
current experience and substantially expanding the
number of exchanges of young workers in a new enlarged
framework.

In addition, it is proposed that there be a qualitative
improvement of exchanges. The structure of the
exchanges will be turned to more concrete objectives. The
minimum period should, in normal circumstances, be not
less than three months in order to offer extensive practical
experience to the participants. This intention to promote
long-term exchanges corresponds completely with the
results of the 1988 Evaluation of the Young Workers'
Exchange Programme which showed that those taking
part in long-term exchanges consider that their
aspirations were 'completely satisfied' to a much higher
degree than those participating in short-term exchanges
(Second report on the Third Joint Programme for the
Exchange of Young Workers 1988 — 89).

The valuable experience acquired in the Member States
thus far in the Young Workers' Exchange Programme
should be put to good use in the new framework offering
much wider possibilities.

O COM(90) 334 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 210/91

by Mrs Marie-Jose Denys (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/49)

_Subject:_ Young workers programme

There are many exchange programmes for young
students in Europe, but exchange opportunities for young
workers are rare. The Community's Young Workers'
Exchange Programme, based on Article 50 of the EEC
Treaty, deserves to be maintained and even extended.
How can the Commission justify its proposal to
discontinue this programme, which links Europe's social
dimension with the idea of a People's Europe?

3. 6.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/27

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1991)_

The Commission does not intend to discontinue but to

safeguard and develop exchanges of young workers. It
aims to do this by means of the enlarged Petra programme
which, for reasons of rationalization (see Commission
memorandum to the Council of 21 August 1990 ('), brings
together in a coherent whole all the programmes and
schemes relating to basic vocational training for young
people. This new framework offers additional
opportunities for young people to engage in productive
exchanges with the aim of improving their training. The
Commission is therefore proposing to raise the number of
exchanges of young people from 4 000 a year at present to
20 000 oyer the three years of the enlarged programme
(1992—1994). This increase should ensure the
continuation and development of Commission support in
this important field.

O COM(90) 334 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 211/91

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/50)

_Subject:_ EC environmental protection programme for
coastal zones (Norspa)

As Norspa is specifically for northern countries would the
Commission be prepared to set aside part of the budget of
this programme to deal with emergency coastal pollution
problems such as oil spills?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 February 1991)_

The Commission has not provided for any specific
breakdown of the appropriations under budget heading
B4-303.

It takes the view that equal attention should be given to all
the problems relating to the deterioration of the coastal
and marine ecosystem in the north of the Community,
as identified in the Paris and Oslo Conventions and in

the explanatory memorandum to the proposal for a
Regulation referred to by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 241/91

by Mr David Bowe (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 144/51)

_Subject:_ Redundancy payments

Does the Commission have any proposals for the
harmonization of redundancy payments throughout the
Community?

Is the Commission intending to produce any minimum
levels of redundancy payments for future consideration?

Answer by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1991)_

The Commission Action Programme relating to" the
implementation of the Community Charter of Basic
Social Rights for Workers does not expressly envisage the
adoption of any proposal for the harmonization of
minimum levels of redundancy payments throughout the
Community. The Commission does not intend at this
stage to adopt proposals in this field.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 266/91

by Mr Virginio Bettini (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 144/52)

_Subject:_ Italy: projected Porto Torres — Sassari
heavy-traffic route and Sassari — Alghero

expressway

As part of the above project, an intersection (the point at
which the two roads cross) is to be constructed in' the
heart of an olive-growing area. About 10 000 olive trees
would consequently have to be cut down, and 100 houses
demolished, entailing proportionate economic and social
costs as well as serious ecological damage.

The authorities in the Autonomous Region of Sardinia
have expressed a favourable opinion on the alternative
route proposed by 'Codacons' (Coordinating Committee
of Environmental Protection and User and Consumers'

Rights Associations), believing the committee's
arguments to be sound and well founded.

The project, which also affects Alghero-Fertilia
international airport, is an ambitious one and may
be relevant from the point of view of Directive
85/337/EEC (') (Annex I, point 7).

The decisions in question date back to 1982 in the case of
the first road and to 1986 in the case of the second.

No C 144/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 6. 91

Given that the first component of the project was
proposed as long ago as 1975 and the second, in 1985,
there have inevitably been profound changes in the
intervening period to the face of the area and in
settlement patterns, and the evident impact has to be
assessed and mitigated. Furthermore, work has not even
been started, let alone completed. Does the Council not
therefore feel, in the light of the foregoing, that it should
enjoin the appropriate authorities to comply with the
abovementioned Directive on environmental impact
assessment?

(') OJ No L 175, 5. 7.1985, p. 40.

Answer

_(2 May 1991)_

1. Mindful of the need for environmental effects to be

taken into account at the earliest possible stage in all
technical planning and decision-making processes, on 27
June 1985 the Council adopted a Directive on the
assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment.

The Directive provides for the introduction of procedures
for impact studies, including consultation of the public.

2. Under Article 2 of the Directive, Member States
must take all measures necessary to ensure that, before
consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects
on the environment by virtue _inter alia_ of their nature, size
or location are made subject to an assessment with regard
to their effects.

3. The Honourable Member is reminded that it is for

the Commission to see that Community legislation is
properly implemented.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 280/91

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 144/53)

_Subject:_ Destruction of nuclear facilities in Iraq

Despite the difficulty of obtaining precise information
relating to the Gulf conflict, there is every indication that
nuclear facilities have been damaged or destroyed on
Iraqi territory.

Would the Commission state what information it has on

this matter, and in particular what conclusions can be
drawn as to the nature and quantity of radioactive matter
that might have been released, and the possible
consequences for persons living in the vicinity and for the
environment?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(H April 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to oral questions H-98/91 by Mr Bettini and
H-109/91 by Mr Lannoy, which it gave during question
time at Parliament's February 1991 part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3/400/401
(February 1991)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 303/91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4_ _March 1991)_

(91/C 144/54)

_Subject:_ Safety standards in public swimming baths

What is the Commission doing to promote the
introduction of minimum standards of safety in respect of
swimming pools open to the public throughout the
Community?

Answer by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 April 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its reply to his oral question H-866/90 given during
question time at Parliament's October 1 1990 partsession (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3/394 (October 1
1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 378/91

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 144/55)

_Subject:_ Labelling of cosmetics

Does the Commission intend to propose a Directive
obliging Member States to introduce laws forcing
cosmetic companies to provide comprehensive ingredient
labelling on their products?

3. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 144/29

Answer by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 April 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to the oral question H-177/91 By Mr Ford,
which it gave during question time at Parliament's March
1991 part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3/402 (March
1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 418/91

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 144/56)

_Subject:_ Minimum standards for zoos in the EC

Despite repeated assurances to Parliament over the past
two years that both proposals would be submitted 'in the
very near future', why has the Commission not included
either the proposed Directive laying down minimum
standards for zoos or the proposal to set up a European
Centre for Alternative Testing Methods in its 1991 work
programme?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 April 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to the oral question H-100/91 by Mrs Pollack,
which it gave during question time at Parliament's
February 1991 part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3/400/401
(February 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 430/91

by Mr Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 144/57)

_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.

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

_(2 May 1991)_

The Council notes with interest this Written Question put
by the Honourable Member regarding the propagation of
the European ideal among young Europeans.

At the instigation of the European Parliament, the
remarks on Item 6 300 of the 1990 budget — 'General
education and youth policy measures' — specified that an
amount of ECU 200 000 was intended to cover 'aid for

the European Youth Parliament', whereas the 1991
budget omits any reference to this in Item B 3—100,
which replaced the former Item 6 300, no such stipulation
having been proposed by the budgetary authority or by
the Commission.

It is for the Commission, which has sole responsibility for
the implementation of the budget, to say which
programmes approved for 1991 Community budgetary
aid could accommodate the European Youth Parliament
activities.

The Council therefore suggests that the Honourable
Member ask the Commission whether expenditure could
nevertheless be charged to the budget of the European
Communities for 1991.

The Commission will be able to state whether and to what

extent the activities of the European Youth Parliament
aimed particularly at European secondary school pupils
and coming within the aforementioned context can
indeed be covered by the various programmes
administered by it.