Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

### of the European Communities

Information and Notices
English edition

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 230

Volume 38

4 September 1995

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

' Written Questions with answer

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###### EN

E-2052 / 94 by Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission
Subject : Toxic cloud over Moers ( Supplementary answer ) 1

E-2181 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Possible misuse of ERDF funds for the construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South
Limburg ( Supplementary answer ) 2

E-2325 / 94 by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Bohm to the Council
Subject : The export of live animals 2

E-2498 / 94 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Council
Subject : Transport of live animals 2

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2325 / 94 and E-2498 / 94 2

E-45 / 95 by Arie Oostlander to the Council
Subject : The Council 's information policy 3

E-399 / 95 by Jens-Peter Bonde to the Council
Subject : Measures to promote transparency 4

Joint answer to Written Questions E-45 / 95 and E-399 / 95 4

E - 15 8 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Action plan for jobs 5

E-l 80 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Record on implementation of the social charter adopted in 1989 6

Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

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###### EN

E-229 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Community initiative

E-246 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Single European currency

E-250 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Road transport

E-258 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : French Presidency and regional policy

E-293 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Council
Subject : Transparency of Decisions of the Council

E-396 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Selection of eligible projects for the Urban Community initiative

E-430 / 95 by Michel Rocard to the Council
Subject : Length of working time

E-455 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Aid for the establishment of producer organizations in Portugal

E-5 16 / 95 by John McCartin to the Commission
Subject : Community initiatives in Ireland

E-566 / 95 by Joan Vallvé to the Commission
Subject : Menorca 's candidacy for the seat of the future European Tourism Agency

E-568 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Council

Subject : European Union representation vis-à-vis emerging regional blocs

E-578 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Council
Subject : Single currency for the visually impaired

E-600 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Council
Subject : Responsibility for the foreseeable escalation of conflict during the next bonito fishing

season

E-6 18 / 95 by Olli Rehn, Mirja Ryynänen, Karl-Erik Olsson, Timo Järvilahti, Karin
Starrin, Elisabeth Rehn and Hadar Cars to the Council

Subject : Proposal for a Council Directive laying down maximum authorized weights and
dimensions for road vehicles over 3,5 tonnes circulating within the Community

P-859 / 95 by Per Stenmarck to the Council
Subject : Length of Swedish HGVs

Joint answer to Written Questions E-618 / 95 and P-859 / 95

E-625 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Environmental education

E - 695 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Council
Subject : Council proposals in the field of financial control, 1994

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E-720 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Council
Subject : Council proposals in the field of budgetary affairs, 1994 13

Joint answer to Written Questions E - 695 / 95 and E-720 / 95 14

E-705 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Council
Subject : Council proposals in the field of relations with the European Parliament, 1994 14

E-713 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Council
Subject : Council proposals in the field of institutional questions and the Inter-Governmental
conference, 1994 14

Joint answer to Written Questions E-705 / 95 and E-713 / 95 14

E-763 / 95 by Christa Randzio-Plath to the Commission
Subject : EC aid for Hamburg ( Supplementary answer ) 14

E-772 / 95 by Mark Killilea to the Council
Subject : Discrimination against an EU national as the provider of a service on the grounds of his
nationality 15

E-871 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Cross-border environmental impact in Emlichheim-Schoonebeek 15

E-876 / 95 by Terence Wynn to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco fraud 16

E-883 / 95 by Per Gahrton to the Commission
Subject : Principle of public access to information 16

E-886 / 95 by Arie Oostlander to the Council
Subject : Use of the concept of ' safe third countries ' in asylum policy 17

E-935 / 95 by Allan Macartney to the Commission
Subject : NAFO TACs for Greenland halibut 17

E-945 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Community measures against seizure of fishing boats 18

E-955 / 95 by Mark Watts to the Council

Subject : Animal test restrictions 18

E-957 / 95 by Mark Watts to the Council
Subject : Animal testing for cosmetics 19

Joint answer to Written Questions E-955 / 95 and E-957 / 95 19

E-960 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : The Mediterranean fishing industry 19

E-969 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Council
Subject : The ecological quality of water 20

E-980 / 95 by Helena Torres Marques to the Council
Subject : Equal rights and opportunities for men and women 20

( Continued overleaf )

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###### EN

E-985 / 95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Council
Subject : Cancellation of an Open Competition

E-1009 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Naturalization laws in EU Member States

E-1012 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Structural support measures in the Algarve region under the Second CSF-Portugal

( 1994 — 1999 ) agricultural operational programme

E - 1042 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Criteria for tabulating unemployment

P-1056 / 95 by Joan Colom i Naval to the Commission
Subject : Intervention resulting in the withdrawal of glasshouse tomatoes

E-1057 / 95 by Rosemarie Wemheuer to the Commission
Subject : EU finance for a cure complex in Greece

E - 1072 / 95 by Michel Rocard to the Council
Subject : Reduction and re-organization of working time

P-1083 / 95 by Michl Ebner to the Council
Subject : Freedom of movement between Union Member States

E-1096 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Council

Subject : France 's administration of the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

E-l 106 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Council
Subject : Plan to re-organize the system of agricultural surveys in Spain

E-l 107 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Community statistics on research, development, and innovation

P-l 117 / 95 by Fernando Perez Royo to the Commission
Subject : ' Tax holidays ' in the Basque Country and Navarre

E-l 131 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Internet and public morals

E-l 136 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of TACs and distribution of quotas for anchovy

E-l 137 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : The Urban Community initiative : presentation of candidates

P-l 138 / 95 by Inga-Britt Johansson to the Commission
Subject : Environmental situation in Kattegatt and its implications for the situation of the fishermen
on the Swedish west coast

E-l 168 / 95 by Yannos Kranidiotis to the Council
Subject : Reorganization of the Greek textiles industry

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E - 1180 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Access to ' information highways ' for the peripheral regions 29

E-l 181 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Policy in favour of clubs and societies 30

E-l 191 / 95 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Establishing a Community policy on postal services 31

E-l 199 / 95 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission

Subject : An EU fisheries assembly 31

95 / C 230 / 63 E-1205 / 95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission
Subject : Thermie II 32

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E-1229 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Compensation to fishermen for the delay in the granting of licences 32

E-1255 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Jobs reserved for physically handicapped officials 33

E-1258 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Construction project in the Flisvos region of Athens 33

E-1270 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject : Migration and poverty 34

95 / C 230 / 68 E-1271 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Land-mines 35

95 / C 230 / 69 E-1277 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Abuse of overseas domestic workers 35

95 / C 230 / 70 E-1306 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission

Subject : Use of the Greek language 35

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E-l 3 1 1 / 95 by Honório Novo to the Commission
Subject : Community funds for vocational training in the fisheries sector 36

E-1348 / 95 by Graham Mather to the Commission
Subject : Training Commission officials in environmental literacy 37

95 / C 230 / 73 E-1351 / 95 by Friedrich Wolf to the Commission

Subject : Fees for Commissioners 37

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E-l 377 / 95 by Alexander Langer to the Commission
Subject : Oil drilling by AGIP in the Ticino national park in Italy — environmental risks 38

E-1381 / 95 by Bernie Malone to the Commission
Subject : Production of information on the EU in minority European languages 38

95 / C 230 / 76 E-13 99 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject : Application criteria 39

95 / C 230 / 77 E-1419 / 95 by Ingo Friedrich to the Commission
Subject : Shooting facilities at Berlaymont 39

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( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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###### EN

Contents ( continued ) p age

E-1440 / 95 by Klaus Render to the Commission
Subject : Payment of travel expenses for language courses 40

E - 1444 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Training in the audiovisual sector 40

E-1452 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Government rehabilitation centres in Guatemala 40

E-1458 / 95 by Nikitas Kaklamanis to the Commission
Subject : Drug trafficking in Skopje 41

E-1465 / 95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission
Subject : Carbon monoxide fatalities from solid-fuel-burning appliances 41

E-1469 / 95 by Christiane Taubira-Delannon to the Commission
Subject : Tree-felling carried out by multinational companies in Suriname ( an ACP / EEC
Convention country ) 42

E-14 95 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Tropical rainforest in Suriname 42

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1469 / 95 and E-1495 / 95 42

E-1476 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : The Nicaraguan external debt 43

E-1477 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Attacks on Spanish lorries in France 43

E-1493 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Unnecessary suffering to animals caused by the compulsory re-registration of products 44

P - 1503 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Measures against discriminatory arrests 44

E-l 504 / 95 by Edith Müller to the Commission
Subject : Implications of the introduction of nursing care insurance in Germany for frontier-zone
workers 45

E-1508 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Euratom authorization for imported lithium -6 in Munich 45

P - 151 5 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Fraud in the tobacco sector 46

E-151 9 / 95 by Nuala Ahern to the Commission
Subject : Dangerous nuclear experiments 46

E-1522 / 95 by Nuala Ahern to the Commission
Subject : Extending the scope and effectiveness of nuclear safeguards 47

P - 1526 / 95 by Eva Kjer Hansen to the Commission
Subject : Employees ' use of company cars owned and registered by firms located in Member States
other than employees ' Member States of residence 47

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###### EN

E-1529 / 95 by Patricia McKenna to the Commission
Subject : Protection of fossils 48

E-1532 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Protect monk seals 48

E-1535 / 95 by Gary Titley to the Commission
Subject : Cost to the European Union of Norway 's application to join 49

E-1541 / 95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission
Subject : Italian non-compliance with the Directive on the protection of animals used for
experimental and other scientific purposes 49

E-1548 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Investigation of formal complaints 50

E-1553 / 95 by Francesco Baldarelli to the Commission

Subject : Agreement between Sabena and Swissair 50

P-1556 / 95 by Edith Müller to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of budget line B6-7142 50

P-1557 / 95 by Catherine Lalumière to the Commission
Subject : Social welfare arrangements for workers in the merchant navy ( fisheries sector ) 51

P-1566 / 95 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna to the Commission

Subject : Fishery control measures planned by the Commission for the forthcoming bonito fishing
season 52

E-1586 / 95 by Jean-Claude Martinez to the Commission
Subject : Import of American wines in the European Union 52

E-1597 / 95 by Carlo Casini, Pierluigi Castagnetti, Gerardo Bianco, Giovanni Burtone,
Maria Colombo Svevo, Giampaolo D'Andrea, Michl Ebner, Livio Filippi, Antonio
Graziani, Danilo Poggiolini, Carlo Secchi and Mariotto Segni to the Commission
Subject : Restoration to their rightful owners of places of worship belonging to the Greek-Catholic
Church of Romania 53

P-1598 / 95 by John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries protection in Ireland 53

P-1606 / 95 by Nikitas Kaklamanis to the Commission
Subject : Damage in Greece caused by hailstorms 54

E-l 610 / 95 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission
Subject : Italian non-compliance 54

E-1631 / 95 by Markus Ferber to the Commission
Subject : EU support for research 55

E - 1636 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Sun creams 55

E-l 640 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo and Spalato Belleré to the Commission
Subject : Prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases 55

E-l 64 1 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo and Spalato Belleré to the Commission
Subject : Prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases 56

( Continued overleaf )

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95 / C 230 / 113 P-1651 / 95 by Alain Pompidou to the Commission
Subject : Internal electricity market 56

95 / C 230 / 114 E-1654 / 95 by Wolfgang Nußbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Negotiations on a multilateral investment agreement — observer status for China at the
WTO Secretariat 57

95 / C 230 / 115 E-l 655 / 95 by Wolfgang Nußbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Accession of China to the WTO 57

95 / C 230 / 116 E-1690 / 95 by Petrus Cornelissen, Frits Castricum, Florus Wijsenbeek, Nel van Dijk and
Leen van der Waal to the Commission

Subject : Exemptions for Chapter 2 aircraft 58

95 / C 230 / 117 E-1698 / 95 by Christiane Taubira-Delannon to the Commission
Subject : Assessment of the impact on the economy of the French Overseas Departments of the GSP
arrangements to encourage efforts to combat drugs 58

95 / C 230 / 118 E-l 709 / 95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Structural aids to Cantabria 58

95 / C 230 / 119 P - 1727 / 95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : The European Communities ' Staff Regulations 59

95 / C 230 / 120 P-l 741 / 95 by Frode Kristoffersen to the Commission
Subject : Commission support for the humanitarian effort in Bosnia-Herzegovina 59

95 / C 230 / 121 E-1750 / 95 by Richard Howitt to the Commission
Subject : Soviet Jewish prisoner — Seymon Vladilenovich Livshits 60

95 / C 230 / 122 E-1786 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Generalized system of preferences 60

95 / C 230 / 123 P-l 8 1 1 / 95 by Helena Torres Marques to the Commission
Subject : Granting of ESF funds in Portugal in 1995 61

95 / C 230 / 124 E-l 832 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission
Subject : Accession of new countries to the EEA 61

95 / C 230 / 125 P-1922 / 95 by Christof Tannert to the Commission
Subject : The right to refuse to perform military and alternative civilian service in France and the
cases of Alain Cazaux and Pierre Serres, conscientious objectors 61

95 / C 230 / 126 E-l 942 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Environmental projects financed in Spain under the Cohesion Financial Instrument and
the Cohesion Fund 62

95 / C 230 / 127 E-2026 / 95 by Klaus Rehder to the Commission
Subject : Civilian service in the European Union 62

###### EN

4 . 9 . 95 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2052 / 94

by Karl-Heinz Florenz ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 230 / 01 )

Subject : Toxic cloud over Moers

In the night of 24 to 25 March 1994, a fire broke out in a
Dutch factory in Roermond which manufactures insulating
materials . A dark, acrid cloud passed over the cities of
Krefeld, Viersen and Duisburg . The company only reported
the fire once it had been extinguished . As subsequently came
to light, a phenol compound was generated in the fire which
contained small amounts of the highly toxic substance
formaldehyde . It remains unclear whether this constituted a
hazard to public health .

1 . Why was the fire not reported ?

2 . Is it still possible to determine whether the substances
released in the fire were harmful ?

3 . Did the company in Roermond infringe any national or
Community legislation in not reporting the fire to the
authorities ?

4 . What preventive measures can be adopted to protect the

population in cases of cross-border environmental
pollution ?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

Further to its answer of 31 October 1994 the Commission is

now able to give more information . The Dutch authorities
confirm that the factory in Roermond which manufactures
insulating materials did not, at the time the fire took place

( 24 to 25 March 1994 ), fall under the provisions of Article 5
of Council Directive 82 / 501 / EEC ( 1 ). Furthermore, the fire
was not considered to be a major accident within the
meaning of Article 1 of the Directive . In this context :

1 . The fire was not reported by the manufacturer to the
Dutch authorities because it was not considered to be a

major accident .

2 . The Dutch authorities confirm that when the insulating
materials manufactured at the Roermond factory are
burnt then formaldehyde may be released . Since,
though, the accident was not major there was no mecha ­
nism set in motion to measure the composition of the
toxic cloud .

3 . Since the accident was not considered to be a major
accident, the company in Roermond has not infringed
Article 10 of Council Directive 82 / 501 / EEC on the

major accident hazards of certain industrial activities

( the ' Seveso ' Directive ) requiring manufacturers to
inform the authorities immediately as soon as a major
accident occurs .

4 . In the case of cross-border environmental pollution
arising from major accidents, Article 8 ( 2 ) of the ' Seveso '
Directive requires Member States to make available to
other Member States concerned, as a basis for all
necessary consultation within the framework of their
bilateral relations, the same information as that which is
disseminated to their own nationals . This information

has to be provided to those liable to be affected by a
major accident originating in a notified industrial
activity within the meaning of Article 5 of the ' Seveso '
Directive and concerns the safety measures and the
correct behaviour to be adopted in the case of an
accident . It would not however have been relevant to the

circumstances of this incident .

(') OJ No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982 .

No C 230 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2181 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 230 / 02 )

Subject : Possible misuse of ERDF funds for the
construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South
Limburg

In answer to my Written Question E - 1825 / 94 ('), the
Commission said it would verify whether the construction
of a golf course and hotel in Brunssum had been carried out
in conformity with the decision of 15 March 1989 to
provide assistance from the European Regional
Development Fund and whether Community Regulations
concerning public tendering procedures had been complied
with .

How long is this investigation expected to take ?

Will the Commission inform me of the findings of the
investigation and any measures it may take as a result ?

animals rather than meat ? Is the Council aware that, as a
result of this policy, animal for slaughter outside the
European Union are treated with extraordinary cruelty
during transport and that, on arrival — particularly at
destinations in the Middle-East — many have to be
unloaded by crane since they are no longer able to stand
up ?

Does the Council intend to take steps to improve this
situation by setting a limit on the distance travelled between
the farm and the slaughterhouse ? Would this not provide an
appropriate response to the need to protect the welfare of
animals and to the current economic difficulties in the

European slaughterhouse sector and the shortage of leather
and raw hide about which the European leather industry has
repeatedly complained ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498 / 94

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )

to the Council

( 31 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 04 )
(') OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 23 .

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies Subject : Transport of live animals

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 May 1995 ) When will a maximum eight-hour limit on the
transportation of live animals for slaughter be introduced
across the European Union ? Parliament has consequently

Further to its answer of 16 December 1994 the Commission

been asking for such a measure .

would like to inform the Honourable Member of the current

position .

Will the Council please state clearly why no agreement has

Following receipt of the final report on the Oostelijk
Zuid-Limburg programme, the Commission asked the
Member State for additional information . This was received

recently and is being examined . The Commission will ensure
that the credits from the European Regional Development
Fund are used in conformity with the Structural Funds
Regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325 / 94

by Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm ( ELDR )

to the Council

( 16 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 230 / 03 )

Subject : The export of live animals

Does the current system of Community subsidies under the
CAP make it economically more attractive to export live

been made on this subject to date .

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2325 / 94 and E-2498 / 94

( 20 July 1995 )

1 . Regarding the relationship between refunds for live
animals and for carcases, the situation is as follows : when
the Council adopted Regulation ( EEC ) No 805 / 68 on the
common organization of the market in beef and veal ( J ), as
last amended by Regulation ( EEC ) No 3290 / 94 ( 2 ),
provided for the possibility of granting a refund on exports
to third countries equal to the difference between prices
within the Community and on the world market . Those
provisions were adpted in order inter alia to safeguard
Community participation in international trade in meat and
to stabilize the Community market, in particular by
preventing price fluctuations on the world market from
affecting prices ruling within the Community .

4 . 9 . 95 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 3

However, with the exception of certain brief periods in 1 993
during which the refund for live bovine animals was
increased in order to deal with certain specific market
situations, the ratio between refunds for live male adult
bovine animals and those for carcases has hardly changed
over the last few years .

Furthermore, in view of the healthy situation on the beef and
veal market in the Community and the end of official
buying-in for intervention since autumn 1993, the
Commission reduced the refunds solely for live adult bovine
animals in April 1994 .

2 . As far as the transport of live animals is concerned, the
Council has always been concerned to have the conditions in
which they are transported improved and to see an end to
certain kinds of treatment to which the animals are

subjected during transport .

The Council must, however, on the one hand observe the
principles of free movement in the Treaty and, on the other
hand, base its discussions on scientific evidence . Account
should also be taken of the concerns linked to the supply of
live animals to the various slaughterhouses in the
Community .

The Council, during the German Presidency, actively
pursued its work on protecting animals during transport on
the basis of a Commission proposal ( 3 ), amended to take
into account Parliament 's opinion ( 4 ), which is designed to
improve the well-being of animals during transport .

The proposal advocates laying down certain provisions
intended to improve the well-being of animals during
transport, particularly as regards fixing resting periods,
watering and feeding intervals and permissible loading
densities as well as the introduction of certain measures to

improve monitoring procedures .

The Council is currently making every effort to reach a
decision on this subject as soon as possible, which would
enable progress to be made in relation to the present
situation as regards the protection of animals .

The proposal under discussion does not, however, include
provisions concerning the fixing of maximum journey times
for animals on their way to slaughter, as the Commission
considered that more scientific research was needed in the

field before legislating . The absence of a formal proposal
from the Commission in this field has not, however,
prevented in-depth discussion of the matter . The Council 's
discussions have shown that while a number of delegations
are prepared to include standards in the Directive fixing this
maximum journey time, several other delegations are
opposed to it, pointing out that this attitude is not dictated
by a lesser degree of sensitivity to the problem of the
well-being of animals during transport, but is due rather to
the negative economic effects which such a restriction would
have on the activities of slaughterhouses situated in those
regions of the European Community which are the furthest
from the places of supply .

3 . Lastly, concerning leather and hides, while a shortfall
in supply has been noted, this is due in particular to a
decrease in the Community 's bovine population, a recovery
on the international market and a problem concerning the
quality of raw materials owing to certain diseases affecting
hides .

It would appear that these elements have contributed more
towards reducing supply rather than has the export of live
animals, which in any event appears rather marginal (+/
460 000 head in 1994 ) in relation to Community
production, taking into account also imports (+/ 425 000
head ) of live animals into the Community .

(') OJ No L 148, 28 . 6 . 1968, p . 24 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 349, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 105 .
(') COMÍ93 ) 330 final .

( 4 ) COM(94 ) 252 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-45 / 95

by Arie Oostlander ( PPE )

to the Council

( 23 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 05 )

Subject : The Council 's information policy

In the conclusions of the Presidency on the Edinburgh
European Council of 11 and 12 December 1992, it was
proposed that the Council 's existing information group
should be activated and extended to the other institutions

with a view to developing coordinated information
strategies . Improved cooperation with the Commission and
the Member States was also proposed . In order to assess
these proposals, the following questions need to be
answered :

1 . Can the Council say whether the activation of the
information group has led to the development of a
coordinated strategy ? What is the nature, the scope and
the duration of this strategy ? Has it had any results ?

2 . What agreements have been made with the Member

States with regard to information which affect the
activities and policy of the European institutions ? Has
more data been received from the Member States ? If so,
has this data been analysed by the Information Group ?
What interesting facts have emerged ?

3 . In what concrete ways is the Council cooperating with
the other European institutions ? In this connection, can
an update be given regarding the implementation of the
provisions of the Interinstitutional Declaration on
Democracy, Transparency and Subsidiarity with
particular reference to ' transparency '?

No C 230 / 4 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-399 / 95

by Jens-Peter Bonde ( EDN )

to the Council

( 16 February 199 S )

( 95 / C 230 / 06 )

Subject : Measures to promote transparency

Can the Council give an account of the measures it has taken
with regard to transparency and interest groups, and the
financial cost of implementing these measures ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-45 / 95 and E-399 / 95

( 20 July 1995 )

1 . Since its meeting in Birmingham in October 1992 the
European Council has reaffirmed its desire to make the
Community more open and more transparent for its
citizens, to ensure a well-informed public debate on its
activities . The Edinburgh European Council in December

1993 entrusted the Council 's Working Party on Information
with the development of a coordinated information strategy
amongst the institutions and the introduction of a procedure
for the more rapid transmission of information . The
Working Party has since begun detailed discussion of its
role, notably through six-monthly seminars .

These seminars ( the fourth of which is to be held in May

1995 ) serve a dual purpose . First, they extend the activity of
the Working Party on Information by assembling all
Community institutions and bodies . National information
experts and information users may also be invited .

The second aspect of this extension of the Working Party 's

activities concerns contacts between the Community
institutions on the one hand and the Member States on the

other . It should be stressed in this regard that the Union 's
information policy does not replace that of the other
Member States . The Working Party does not therefore have
to make judgments on national experiences, but rather

looks at how greater synergy can be achieved at Union level .
There is also an audiovisual information magazine called
' Contact Magazine ' produced jointly by the Commission
and the Member States .

2 . As regards the situation to date regarding the
implementation of the Interinstitutional Declaration on
democracy, transparency and subsidiarity, with particular
reference to transparency, it will be recalled that :

( i ) as regards opening some of its debates to the public,
the Council 's Rules of Procedure ( Decision
93 / 662 / EEC (*), as last amended by Decision
95 / 2 4 / EC, Euratom, ECSC ) ( 2 ) provide that policy

debates on the six-monthly work programme
submitted by the Presidency and, if appropriate, on
the Commission 's annual work programme shall be
the subject of public re-transmission by audiovisual
means . Furthermore, the Council may decide
unanimously and on a case-by-case basis that some of
its other debates are to be the subject of public
re-transmission by the same means, in particular
where they concern an important issue affecting the

interests of the Union or an important new legislative
proposal . It is for the Presidency, any members of the
Council or the Commission to propose issues or
specific subjects for such debates . So far there have
been twenty-one ' open ' debates .

( ii ) the record of the votes is made public in accordance
with Article 7 ( 5 ) of the Council 's Rules of Procedure,
viz .:

— when the Council is acting as legislator within the

meaning of the term given in the Annex to the
Council 's Rules of Procedure ( 3 ), unless the
Council decides otherwise . This rule shall apply
when the Council adopts a common position
pursuant to Article 189b or 189c of the EC
Treaty ;

— when they are cast by the members of the Council

or their representatives on the Conciliation
Committee set up by Article 189b of the EC
Treaty ;

— when the Council acts pursuant to Titles V and VI

of the Treaty on European Union by a unanimous
decision taken at the request of one of its
members ;

— in other cases, by Council Decision taken by

simple majority at the request of one of its
members .

( iii ) As regards improving general information on its role
and activities, the Council has kept up its effort to
ensure that the visits department satisfies visitors '
expectations . In 1994 there were 220 visits, with a
total of 7 619 visitors .

( iv ) Furthermore, Article 15 of the Council 's Rules of
Procedure stipulates that common positions adopted

by the Council in accordance with the procedures
referred to in Articles 189b and 189c of the EC Treaty,
and the reasons underlying those common positions,
shall be published in the Official Journal .

( v ) The Council has a press department which provides
the media with daily information on the Council 's
activities . Its basic task is to issue press releases
announcing the agendas for Council meetings and
summarizing the outcome of the various meetings and
of the other events organized by the Council . Press
releases are distributed by post ( on request ) and via
the Commission and European Parliament data bases

( Rapid and Ovide / Epistel ).

4 . 9 . 95 fcN I Official Journal or the European Communities No C 230 / 5

The press department also provides journalists with
information on the preparatory work for the Council
via briefings and background notes .

( vi ) Each year the Council prepares a review, which has
been divided into two parts since 1992 . The first,
which is synoptic, consists of a summary of activities,
and its summary form facilitates dissemination to the
public . The second, which is analytical, sets out
exhaustively all the texts and fields which have formed
the subject of a decision during the year in
question .

( vii ) As regards public access to Council documents, the
Council adopted Decision 93 / 73 1 / EC ( 4 ) which
reflects the provisions of the code of conduct ( 5 )
concerning public access to documents . This
procedure guarantees applicants a maximum period
for a reply from the Council, a reasoned examination
of their applications and a right of appeal in the event
of the preliminary reply being negative . This
procedure was invoked 70 times in 1994 ( See the
Council report on the functioning of the Treaty on
European Union ).

At its meeting on 29 May 19 95, the Council reaffirmed its
determination to work towards greater transparency of its
proceedings within the guidelines framed by the European
Council, while maintaining the effectiveness of the
decision-making process .

1 . The outcome of votes on legislative acts will now be
made public as a matter of course . The Council has
never used the possibility of an exception provided for in
its Rules of Procedure, nor does it intend doing so in the
future .

2 . The Council will hold more frequent debates broadcast
to the public (' open debates ') on important matters
affecting the interests of the Union or on major new
legislative proposals . The Presidency proposes that such
debates be held at the start of each half year . For June

1995 the Presidency will be proposing at least two
debates . The Presidency proposals for the second half of
the year will be announced in July .

3 . The Council will ensure that the press and the public are
regularly and fully briefed prior to each of its meetings .
To that end the General Secretariat of the Council will

circulate, where necessary in liaison with the Presidency,
all the relevant background information relating to the
texts under discussion .

4 . The Council instructs Coreper to consider the
conditions under which public access to minutes of
Council meetings could be facilitated .

For this purpose, the Council is instructing Coreper to look
into the establishment of a procedure which would make it
possible, when each set of minutes is adopted, to determine
whether the information contained in them, as described in

Article 9 ( 1 ) of the Council 's Rules of Procedure, can be
made accessible, to the public and under what conditions . It
also instructs Coreper to continue examining the practice of
statements in the minutes in order to work out how to make

better use of such statements and thereby to facilitate public
access to minutes . Coreper is to report back to the Council
by 1 October 1995 .

(') OJ No L 304, 10 . 12 . 1993, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 31, 10 . 2 . 1995 .

( 5 ) The said Annex provides that ' The Council acts as legislator

within the meaning of the first indent of Article 7 ( 5 ) when it
adopts rules which are legally binding in or for the Member

States whether by means of Regulations, Directives or
Decisions, on the basis of the relevant provisions of the T reaties,
in particular on the basis of Article 43 of the Treaty establishing
the European Community or in the framework of the
procedures in Article 189b and Article 1 89c of that T reaty, with
the exception of discussions leading to the adoption of internal
measures, administrative or budgetary acts, acts concerning
inter-institutional or international relations or non-binding acts
such as conclusions, recommendations or resolutions . Votes
shall not be made public in the case of discussions leading to
indicative votes or the adoption of preparatory acts .'

( 4 ) OJ No L 340, 31 . 12 . 1993, p . 43 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 340, 31 . 12 . 1993, p . 41 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 5 8 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 07 )

Subject : Action plan for jobs

What action does the Council intend to take on the action
plan for jobs submitted by the Commission and adopted by
the Member States of the European Union at the Essen
Submit ?

Answer

( 20 July 1995 )

1 . The Commission presented its communication on the
follow-up to the Essen European Council as regards
employment to the Ecofin and Labour and Social Affairs
Council meetings held on 20 and 27 March 1995
respectively .

2 . The Labour and Social Affairs Council on 27 March

instructed an ad hoc Working Party composed of

No C 230 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

representatives of the Ministers responsible for employment
to submit an interim report, essentially of a methodological
nature, in June 19 95 on the follow-up to the conclusions of
the Essen European Council regarding employment .

The Presidency, aware of the key role of both sides of
industry in combating unemployment, convened a
European Social Conference in Paris on 30 March 1995
which addressed the following issues in particular :

— cost of labour and employment ;

— flexibility and working hours ;

— development of new job-creating activities ;

— institutional considerations .

3 . The Ecofin Ministers instructed the Economic Policy
Committee to submit by the Cannes European Council a
study on the most successful national experiments to
combat unemployment, with a view to the report on
employment which the Ecofin Council will be submitting to
the European Council under the Spanish Presidency .

Ministers agreed that the theme of employment should also
feature in the Council recommendation on the broad

guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States
and the Community to be finalized in June and July this

year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 80 / 95

2 . The Commission 's 1989 action programme on
implementing the Charter gave rise to a large number of
initiatives, including 31 proposals submitted to the
Council .

The Council has to date adopted 24 of those proposals,
ranging over the various areas covered by the Charter,
including :

— the Directive on the organization of working time ;

— the Directive on the protection at work of pregnant

workers and workers who have recently given birth ;

— the Directive on European works councils ( adopted on

the basis of the agreement on social policy );

— the Directive on the protection of young people at

work ;

— the recommendation on access to continuing training

and the Decision setting up the Petra Programme ;

— several Directives on the protection of workers at work

in the shipping, building and extractive industries .

3 . The Council attaches great importance to the
transposition and implementation of Community social
legislation and would draw attention, in that context, to its
conclusions of 21 December 1992 f 1 ) and its resolution of
27 March 1995 ( 2 ).

(') OJ No C 49, 19 . 2 . 1993, p . 6 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 168, 4 . 7 . 1995, p . 1 .

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-229 / 95

to the Council
by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

( 22 February 199S ) to the Council

( 95 / C 230 / 08 )
( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 09 )

Subject : Record on implementation of the social charter

adopted in 1989

In view of the relaunch of social Europe, has the Council
taken stock of what has actually been achieved by the
' Community charter on the fundamental social rights of
workers ', adopted by the European Community in 1989
under the French presidency ?

Subject : Community initiative

At the vote on the 1995 budget, Parliament approved an
initiative in favour of regional planning in the
Community .

Can the Council state how it intends to bring this initiative
into effect ? What funds will be allocated to it, given that it
could be financed from the Community reserve ( B2-1049 )
Answer for past and future measures ?

( 20 July 1995 )

Answer

1 . The Community Charter on the fundamental social ( 26 July 1995 )
rights of workers, adopted at the Strasbourg European
Council on 9 December 1989 by the Heads of State and of
Government of 11 Member States, is and remains an As the Honourable Member States, the action to which he
important text in the development of Europe 's social refers would be covered by appropriations from the budget
policy . chapter relating to Community initiatives (B 2-14 ).

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 7

The principles and detailed arrangements governing
Community initiatives are those determined by the rules in
force . The Council does not attempt to influence their
implementation in any way .

Given that the North-South route is saturated, what
alternative solutions does the Council envisage, intermodal
transport or the construction of new transport routes ?

Answer

( 19 July 1995 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-246 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 10 )

Subject : Single European currency

Can the Council confirm to Parliament its interpretation of
the Maastricht Treaty whereby the 1996 Intergovernmental
Conference will have no powers to challenge the provision
laid down in the Maastricht Treaty for Monetary Union, i.e.
a single European currency, by 1999 at the latest ?

Answer

( 19 July 1995 )

The Council has no knowledge of the interpretation of the
Treaty to which the Honourable Member refers .

The Council is firmly resolved to comply scrupulously with
the provisions and procedures laid down in the Treaty as
regards economic and monetary policy .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-250 / 95

The Council is aware of the importance of the problem
raised by the Honourable Member concerning the
North-South transport routes across the Alps .

As far as Switzerland is concerned, the adoption of the ' alps
initiative ', following the referendum, means that almost all
trans-Alpine traffic will have to be transferred from road to
rail by the year 2005 . To take account of the implications of
Switzerland 's decision for the Community, the Council
adopted negotiating Directives on 14 March 1995 which
will enable a transport agreement to be concluded with
Switzerland in the context of overall bilateral relations

between the Community and Switzerland .

Regarding transit across the alpine routes in the Member
States, the European Council held in Essen on 9 and

10 December 1994 welcomed the priority list drawn up by
the ' Christophersen Group ' which features the Brenner rail
route ( Verona — Munich ) and the rail route beetween France
and Italy ( Lyon — Turin ), intended both for high-speed
trains and for the combined transport of goods .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-258 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

( 95 / C 230 / 12 )
to the Council

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 11 )

Subject : Road transport

The Commission 's White Paper published in December

1992 states that the proportion of goods transported by
road increased between 1970 and 1990 from 50% to

70% .

Road transport of goods is increasing considerably from the
countries of northern Europe towards the countries in
southern Europe, such transport necessarily transiting
Austria, France or Switzerland .

At the same time, rail and road facilities have not been
improved to the same extent .

Subject : French Presidency and regional policy

Has the Council discussed the document entitled ' French

Presidency of the European Union in 1995 ' published by ' La
lettre de Matignon ' ( supplement to Issue 459 ), from which
the Union 's regional policy is strangely absent ?

Answer

( 19 July 1995 )

The document referred to by the Honourable Member is a
document produced by the Presidency, not the Council . In
accordance with the usual rules, the Presidency has outlined

No C 230 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

its programme at the various Councils, but that programme
is the responsibility of the Presidency alone .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-293 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Council

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 13 )

Subject : Transparency of Decisions of the Council

Does the Council Presidency intend to make available to
Members of the European Parliament the reports of
meetings of the Special Agriculture Council ? If so, what
criteria will be used ?

Answer

( 26 July 1995 )

The Presidency of the Council always endeavours to keep
the European Parliament informed of the Council 's
activities when the President of the Council appears before
plenary sessions of Parliament or before meetings of the
various parliamentary committees .

Reports of meetings of the Special Committee on
Agriculture are internal Council working documents . As
such, they cannot be divulged due to Article 5 of the Rules of
Procedure of the Council of the European Union, which
provides that the Council 's deliberations are to be secret
unless the Council decides otherwise .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-396 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 fC 230 / 14 )

Subject : Selection of eligible projects for the Urban
Community initiative

According to information published in Portugal, the
projects submitted by the Portuguese Government for the
Urban Community programme included larger and smaller
municipalities without differentiation but excluded large
urban centres which, in principle, should benefit from this
initiative .

Can the Commission confirm if the municipalities of
Almada, Braga, Coimbra, Setubal, Vila Nova de Gaia,
Matosinhos and Funchal are included in the actions of the

Urban Community initiative and, if they are not, can it give
the reasons for their exclusion ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The Portuguese Government proposal in the context of the
Community Initiative Urban included four projects in the
metropolitan area of Lisbon : Lisbon, Oeiras, Loures and
Amadora and two projects in the metropolitan area of
Porto : Porto-Vale de Campanha and Gondomar . They
corresponded to the criteria laid down in the notice on the
initiative .

No projects were proposed by the Portuguese authorities in
the communes mentioned by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-430 / 95

by Michel Rocard ( PSE )

to the Council

( 20 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 15 )

Subject : Length of working time

What measures does the Council intend taking to encourage
the Member States to carry out studies on the impact of the
reduction in working time on job creation, and to
implement these studies ?

Does the Council plan to draw up specific Community
legislation on the length of working time to complement the
working time Directive adopted in November 1993 ?

Answer           

( 26 July 1995 )

1 . The report on combating unemployment from the
Labour and Social Affairs Council on 22 September 1994
for the European Council in Essen (9 and 10 December

1994 ) stressed the importance of greater flexibility in
working time .

The Essen European Council noted that improvement of the
employment situation required an increase in the
employment-intensiveness of growth, in particular through
more flexible organization of work .

It urged Member States to transpose the recommendations
in their individual policies into a multiannual programme
having regard to the specific features of their economic and
social situation .

It also requested the Labour and Social Affairs and the
Economic and Financial Affairs Councils and the

4 . 9 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 9

Commission to report to the European Council in Spain ( 15
and 16 December 1995 ) on further progress on the
employment market . These reports are being drawn up .

2 . The Labour and Social Affairs Council was unable to
reach agreement on 22 September 1994 on the two
proposals outstanding on non-standard employment . The
Commission has therefore decided to use the procedure laid
down in the Protocol and agreement on social policy ;
consultations with both sides of industry are due to take
place in the second half of 1995 .

The Council has not yet received proposals from the
Commission on those sectors ( transport, sea fishing ) and
activities ( offshore, trainee doctors ) excluded from the
scope of the Directive concerning certain aspects of the
organization of working time ( J ).

(') OJ No L 307, 13 . 12 . 1993, p . 18 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-455 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 16 / 95

by John McCartin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 17 )

Subject : Community initiatives in Ireland

What are the final figures for the Structural Fund 's
contribution to Community initiatives in Ireland for the
period 1994 — 1999 ? Can these figures be shown broken
down ( by initiative ) between the original amounts and the
new amounts after the ECU 80 million was added to

Ireland 's overall share ?

Can the Commission state how much is left in the reserve

fund after the contribution for the Special Support
Programme for Northern Ireland is subtracted and whether
any decisions have been taken on the use of this reserve ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

( 21 March 1995 )
( 95 / C 230 / 16 )

Subject : Aid for the establishment of producer
organizations in Portugal

In view of the role given to producer organizations in the
various COMs and the fact that they are more developed in
some Member States than in others, will the Commission
say how much aid has been granted to Portugal in this
connection since its accession to the Community ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

Thirty two producers ' organizations had been recognized by
January 1995 pursuant to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 on

the common organization of the market in fruit and
vegetables .

The Portuguese authorities have notified recognition of five
producers ' organizations pursuant to Regulation ( EEC )
No 404 / 93 on the common organization of the market in
bananas .

Aid paid for the establishment of organizations in the fruit
and vegetables sector amounts to ECU 185 244 to date . No
aid has so far been paid in the banana sector .

The Honourable Member will find below the initial

breakdown of the ECU 303,7 million allocated to Ireland
for Community initiatives for the 1994 — 1999 period . It
should be noted that the duration of the Konver and Retex

initiatives is limited to 1997 .

( in ECU million at 1994 prices )

Initiative Total

Interreg 133,5

Urban 15,5

SME 28,4

Retex 9,3

Employment 46,1

Adapt 21,2

Leader 46,0

Pesca 3,7

Total 303,7

The Commission has not yet reached an official decision on
how the ECU 80 million referred to by the Honourable
Member will be distributed .

In addition, Ireland will be benefiting from the initiative for
peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the
bordering countries, to which ECU 300 million have been
allocated .

No C 230 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

At this point the reserve comes to around ECU 1 650
million . So far the Commission has not adopted any
Decision concerning its use .

It should also be pointed out that as part of the additional
amounts for enlargement, the three new Member States will
benefit from approximately ECU 427 million for
Community initiatives affecting their territories alone .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-566 / 95

by Joan Vallvé ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

of 15 December 1994, the Commission would draw the
attention of the Honourable Member to the reply given to
question 361 / 95 from Mrs Di'ez de Rivera Icaza (').

The Commission is not therefore able to comment on

whether the headquarters of any future agency would be
sited in Menorca .

(') OJ No C 222, 28 . 8 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 68 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

( 95 / C 230 / 18 ) to the Council

( 10 March 1995 )

Subject : Menorca 's candidacy for the seat of the future

European Tourism Agency

On 15 December 1994, the European Parliament adopted a
resolution on the report from the Commission on
Community measures affecting tourism ( A4-80 / 94 ). The
resolution advocates the establishment of a European
Tourism Agency whose task it would be to coordinate
supranational policy with a view to improving quality and
comfort standards for tourists developing environmentally
responsible tourism .

The Balearic Islands are the region in Europe where tourism
plays the most significant role in the economy, accounting
for 40 % of the GDP, employing 35 % of the region 's
working population and providing 25 % of hotel
accommodation in Spain .

In addition, Unesco recently designated Menorca as a
' Biosphere reserve ', a fact which means that a greater
symbiosis must be sought between tourism and the
environment .

In the light of the above and given the unanimous support
this proposal enjoys in Menorca, from business interests,
environmental groups and political parties, as well as from
all the local authorities in Menorca, including the Menorca
Island Council, will the Commission consider the possibility
of siting the headquarters of a future European Tourism
Agency in Menorca ? In taking this decision, will the
Commission take account of the Balearics ' special role as a
centre for tourism and the popular support this proposal
enjoys in Menorca ?

( 95 / C 230 / 19 )

Subject : European Union representation vis-à-vis emerging

regional blocs

The recent establishment of the APEC in Jakarta, bringing
together countries of the Pacific region, is further evidence
of an increasingly prevalent geopolitical trend towards the
formation of regional economic blocs, which clearly also
have a political dimension .

The emergence of organizations such as the APEC, the
North American Free Trade Agreement between the USA,
Canda and Mexico, Mercosur and the Common Market to
be established in the Middle East, which would encompass
part of North Africa as well as Israel and Palestine, as well as
being a significant example of the abovementioned trend
towards global regionalization, also makes it necessary to
address the need for a form of representation that will
enable the Union to maintain direct relations with regional
bodies of this kind in the future .

Does the European Union have a specific strategy for
establishing representations vis-a-vis the regional groupings
which are emerging in the world and is it prepared to
cooperate with them, as it is already beginning to do in the
case of Mercosur, in order to ensure that its influence in the
world does not lag behind that of other powers such as the
United States, Japan and China ?

Answer

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis ( 26 July 1995 )

on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )'

Support for regional blocs and ongoing measures to
encourage their development and affirmation have always
With regard to the feasibility of setting up a European been a priority, first of the European Community and
Tourism Agency, as suggested in the Parliament resolution subsequently of the European Union .

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 11

It was in that spirit that cooperation agreements were Answer
concluded with various regional bodies or State groupings, ( 20 July 1995 )
such as the Lome Convention and the Agreements with the
Asean and the Andean Pact .

Those forms of cooperation, initially confined to trade and
development aid, progressively widened to encompass
economic cooperation and political dialogue .

By virtue of this type of measure the European Union has
inter alia been able to make an effective contribution to the

peace process in Central America and the consolidation of
democracy in Latin America, thus promoting economic and
social development in those regions .

The European Union is currently contemplating an even
more ambitious framework for its relations with those

regional blocs . With that in mind it has adopted its Asian
strategy, re-launched relations with Mercosur and taken
the initiative of the forthcoming Euro-Mediterranean
Conference, with the principal aim of establishing a major
free-trade area around the Mediterranean .

According to Article 105a of the Treaty, ' the European
Central Bank shall have the exclusive right to authorize the
issue of banknotes within the Community '.

The technical preparatory work concerning banknotes for
the single European currency is now being carried out by the
European Monetary Institute as it is assigned in the
Treaty .

There is no reason to believe that the Institute would not

take into account all relevant aspects in its preparatory
work .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-600 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Council

( 10 March 1995 )
The European Union is also following with great attention
and interest the measures taken by certain major partners ( 95 / C 230 / 21 )
such as the APEC and the NAFTA .

Subject : Responsibility for the foreseeable escalation of

Dialogue and cooperation with those blocs takes various
forms : through the operation of the joint bodies provided
for in existing agreements, on the occasion of ministerial
meetings within the framework of institutionalized dialogue
structures and through the Presidency of the Council and the
Commission on the basis of the responsibilities laid down
for them by the Treaties .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 78 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Council

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 20 )

Subject : Single currency for the visually impaired

In preparation for the single currency will the Council
incorporate one or more features designed to make the
denominations more distinguishable for the visually
impaired, along the lines of the report prepared by the
National Research Council in the United States ?

conflict during the next bonito fishing season

How does the Council intend to face up to its responsibility
for the foreseeable escalation of conflict during the next
bonito fishing season, resulting from its failure to ban the
use of drift nets as Parliament recommended ?

Answer

( 20 July 1995 )

The Council continues to condemn any acts of violence
between Community fishermen and confirms its attachment
to strict compliance with Community legislation on
measures to protect fishery resources in Community waters .
In particular, the Council condemns the utilization of
drift-nets whose length exceeds the limits laid down in
Community legislation .

The Council recalls that monitoring and enforcement of
Community fisheries legislation is carried out by Member
States, in close cooperation with the inspection services of
the Commission . It is therefore for Member States to adopt
the measures which they deem necessary to ensure
compliance with Community law in the tuna fishery
through the fishing season .

In this respect, the Council notes that France and Spain have
decided to set up a Franco-Spanish Fisheries Committee

No C 230 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

which will examine all topics of bilateral interest at
administrative level and, where necessary, in collaboration
with the trade, to avoid any repetition of incidents between
fishermen from the two countries .

The Council is at present examining a Commission proposal
on the prohibition of large-scale drift-nets . The Fisheries
Council on 6 April 1995 instructed the Permanent
Representatives Committee to continue its examination of
the Commission proposal on the basis of scientific advice
and to report to it at its next meeting . The Council asked
Member States to have checks stepped up on compliance
with the 2,5 km length in force for trawls used in driftnet
fishing .

The Council 's Decision on the Commission proposal
concerning the use of large-scale drift nets will take account
of this opinion, as presented by the Commission, as well as
the opinion of Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-6 18 / 95

by Olli Rehn ( ELDR ), Mirja Ryynänen ( ELDR ), Karl-Erik
Olsson ( ELDR ), Timo Järvilahti ( ELDR ), Karin Starrin

( ELDR ), Elisabeth Rehn ( ELDR ) and Hadar Cars

( ELDR )

to the Council

(1 0 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 22 )

Subject : Proposal for a Council Directive laying down

maximum authorized weights and dimensions for
road vehicles over 3,5 tonnes circulating within the
Community

The Council of Ministers is currently considering the
Commission proposal for a Directive on the harmonization
of the dimensions of heavy goods vehicles, up to a combined
weight of 40 tonnes and a combined length of 18,35 metres .
In Finland and Sweden, which are new Member States,
equipment up to a maximum combined weight of 60 tonnes
and a maximum combined length of 22—24 metres is
currently in use . Adoption of the Directive would lead, in
Finland alone, to additional costs of FIM 10 — 15 billion as a
result of equipment renewal . In addition, it would reduce
the competitiveness of Finnish and Swedish industry
considerably, as the current haulage equipment suitable for
large freight compensates at least a little for the significant
competitive disadvantages arising from the long
transportation distances . From an environmental point of
view there are no grounds for harmonizing maximum
dimensions, as smaller semi-trailers and the subsequent
increase in the number of vehicles needed would lead to

more, rather than less, environmental damage . Even the
EU 's own working party has confirmed this . In itself, the
harmonization of dimensions for international transport is

necessary, but this should not be carried out in a way that is
completely unjustifiable in terms of the environment and
economic cost .

In view of the above, how does the Council of Ministers
intend to amend the draft Directive on the harmonization of

the dimensions of heavy goods vehicles, so that economic
and environmental costs are avoided and so that European
integration does not lose support in the new Member States
as a result of unjustifiable Directives ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-859 / 95

by Per Stenmarck ( PPE )

to the Council

(8 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 23 )

Subject : Length of Swedish HGVs

During negotiations for Swedish membership of the EU it
proved difficult to resolve the question of the permissible
length of heavy goods vehicles . The permissible length in
Sweden is 24 metres, whereas in most other countries in
Europe the maximum permitted length is 18 metres . The
issue remained unresolved .

For much of Swedish industry this is an issue of the utmost
importance . A switch to shorter vehicles will increase the
cost of transport considerably . From an environmental
point of view, more heavy goods vehicles will cause more
pollution .

What measures is the presidency prepared to take to resolve
this problem as soon as possible ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-618 / 95 and P-859 / 95

( 20 July 1995 )

1 . On 15 December 1993 the Commission submitted to

the Council a proposal for a Council Directive laying down
maximum authorized weights and dimensions for road
vehicles over 3,5 tonnes circulating within the
Community (').

The purpose of this proposal is to remove at Community
level the obstacles to circulation between Member States

which result from differences in the standards in force in the

Member States for the weights and dimensions of road
vehicles used for the transport of goods and persons .

The objectives of the proposal include extending to national
transport the provisions of Directive 85 / 3 / EEC ( Directive of

19 December 1984 on the weights, dimensions and certain
other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles ) ( 2 ),
as last amended by Directive 92 / 7 / EEC ( 3 ).

4 . 9 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 13

2 . The Council has started examining this proposal for a
Directive .

(M COM(93 ) 679 final SYN 486 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 2, 3 . 1 . 1985, p . 14 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992, p . 29 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-625 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 24 )

Subject : Environmental education

In resolution of the Council and Ministers of Education on
environmental education of 24 May 1988 ('), a number of
items were listed under the heading ' Action to be taken at
Community level ', i.e. exchange of information,
improvement of documentation for teachers and pupils,
incorporation of environmental education into current
activities . Will the Commission list what has been achieved

in this field and what further activities are planned ?

(') OJ No C 177, 6 . 7 . 1988, p . 8 .

— to improve information in several fields :

— by encouraging the creation of resources for teachers

and pupils ( brochures, manuals, fact sheets,
multimedia databases, audiovisual resources ) which
are transferable at European level ;

— by proposing in an ad hoc working group the

publication of a ' vademecum ' on environmental
education in the Member States ( 1995 ) for
decision-makers in the field of education and heads

of training institutions .

Furthermore, the importance of environmental education
has been confirmed by its inclusion in the European
dimension of the new Socrates programme .

Shortly, the Education Committee will present a new report

( 1995 ) to the Council of Ministers for Education on the
progress achieved in environmental education both in the
Member States and at Community level .

(') OJ No C 247, 24 . 9 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 296, 24 . 10 . 1994 .

(') OJ No C 81, 3 . 4 . 1995 .

( 4 ) OJ No C 151, 16 . 6 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-695 / 95

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

on behalf of the Commission to the Council

( 17 May 1995 ) (\3 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 25 )

Through the initiatives it has taken and the activities it has
supported since 1989 and with the help of the Member
States, the Commission has gradually been implementing
the principles and objectives set out in the resolution of
24 May 1988 . Progress in this field has already been
discussed in the answers to several Written Questions ( QE
767 / 92 by Mrs Quistorp ('), QE 2420 / 93 by Mr
Kostopoulos ( 2 ) and QE 1700 / 94 by Mrs Diez de
Rivera ( 3 )).

On 1 June 1992, following the presentation of a report by
the Education Committee, the Council and Ministers for
Education meeting within the Council adopted
conclusions ( 4 ) calling on the Commission to pursue and
intensify the lines of action set out in the resolution . Further
to these conclusions, the Commission has taken action

to :

Subject : Council proposals in the field of financial control,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of financial control were put forward by the Council in

1994 and which Member States brought forward the
proposals ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-720 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Council

( 13 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 26 )
— increase the exchange of information :

— by providing financial support for projects with a

European dimension : organization of networks of
environmental resource centres

— by organizing the first summer school at Community

level ( Toulouse, 10 to 17 September 1994 ) for
exchanging experience and identifying new areas to

be explored in the field of environmental
education .

Subject : Council proposals in the field of budgetary affairs,

1994

Regarding proposals for legislation and Regulations made
in 1994 in the field of budgetary affairs, can the Council tell
me how many proposals were brought forward by the
Council and which Member States brought forward the
proposals ?

No C 230 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-695 / 95 and E-720 / 95

( 26 July 1995 )

Neither the Council nor the Member States bring forward
proposals for legislative acts in this field .

During 1994, however, the Council, acting on proposals
from the Commission, adopted the following legislative acts
in the field referred to by the Honourable Member :

1 . Council Regulations ( ECSC, EC, Euratom )
Nos 1823 / 94 0 and 2730 / 94 ( 2 ) of 25 July and
31 October 1994 respectively amending the Financial
Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities : part of
the ' 1st series ' ( ESC / COR, Ombudsman ) and ' 2nd
series ' ( reserves for loans and borrowings and
emergency aid );

2 . Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3320 / 94 of 22 December

1994 on the consolidation of the existing Community
legislation on the definition of the ECU following the
entry into force of the Treaty on European Union ( ? ).

Furthermore, the following Commission proposals are
currently being examined in the relevant Council bodies :

1 . proposal for the amendment of the Financial Regulation
applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities (' 3rd series ': fines, role of the Financial
Controller ; ' 5th series ': JRC );

2 . proposal on the protection of the financial interests of
the Communities ;

3 . proposal amending Council Regulation ( EEC, Euratom )
No 1552 / 89 of 29 May 1989 implementing Decision
88 / 376 / EEC, Euratom on the system of the
Communities ' own resources and Council Regulation

( EEC, Euratom ) No 1553 / 89 of 29 May 1989 on the
definitive uniform arrangements for the collection of
VAT own resources .

brought forward by the Council in 1 994 and which Member
States put forward the proposals .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-713 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Council

( 13 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 28 )

Subject : Council proposals in the field of institutional

questions and the Inter-Governmental conference,

1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of institutional questions and the inter-governmental
conference were brought forward by the Council in 1994
and which Member States put forward the proposals ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-705 / 95 and E-713 / 95

( 26 July 1995 )

The Council reminds the Honourable Member that

inter-institutional relations are not matters covered by
secondary legislation but are laid down by the Treaties .

In the field of relations with the European Parliament, there
have been no proposals for legislation and Regulations as
referred to by the Honourable Member .

As regards proposals for the Inter-governmental
Conference, proposals for the revision of the Treaty may be
presented only by a Member State or the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-763 / 95

by Christa Randzio-Plath ( PSE )
(') OJ No L 198, 30 . 7 . 1994, p . 4 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 293, 12 . 11 . 1994, p . 7 .
o OJ No L 350, 31.12 . 1994, p . 27 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-705 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Council

( 13 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 27 )

Subject : Council proposals in the field of relations with the

European Parliament, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and Regulations in the
field of relations with the European Parliament were

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 29 )

Subject : EC aid for Hamburg

How much EC aid was granted in 1993 and 1994 — and
will be granted in 1995 on the basis of present figures —
from the following sources in respect and which individual
measures and projects have benefited or will benefit :

1 . the European Social Fund ( ESF ) and the Community
initiatives NOW, Urban, Adapt and Horizon,
including aid granted specifically for the promotion of

women ;

2 . the Helios programme ;

3 . the European Agricultural Fund ( EAGGF );

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 15

4 . the Community's research programmes ; The Preliminary Ruling of the European Court of Justice in
Case C-20 / 92, A. Hubbard v. P. Hamburger ( Equal

5 . the Community 's energy sector programmes ; Treatment — Freedom to provide services ), has deemed that

it is in fact discriminatory under Articles 59 and 60 of the

6 . the Community 's environmental sector programmes ; EEC Treaty to seek such securities from an EU national, and

that it is also discriminatory to prohibit, on the grounds of

7 . the programme for the promotion of the audiovisual domestic law, the provision of services or carrying out of
industry ( Media ); normal activity of such a national .

5 . the Community 's energy sector programmes ;

6 . the Community 's environmental sector programmes ;

7 . the programme for the promotion of the audiovisual
industry ( Media );

8 . the Community 's cultural sector programmes ;

9 . the Community 's programmes aimed at promoting
culture, training and youth exchanges in schools and
higher education and vocational training centres ;

10 . the Konver programme ;

Will the Council agree that the demand for a security
payment on the part of Foron GmbH, supported by the
German court, is in fact in breach of EU rules, and if so, how
it proposes this situation be redressed ?

Answer

1 1 . other Community programmes or budgetary headings

( for example the promotion of linguistic / cultural ( 26 July 1995 )
minorities, anti-racism etc .)?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Santer

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 July 1995 )

Further to its answer of 20 April 1995 ( ), the Commission
is sending the information requested direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat .

(>) OJ No C 179, 13 . 7 . 1995, p . 52 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-772 / 95

by Mark Killilea ( UPE )

to the Council

( 17 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 30 )

Subject : Discrimination against an EU national as the

provider of a service on the grounds of his
nationality

In a case now before the German court, an Irish-based
company, Convec Ltd, Galway, has brought action against a
German company, Foron Hausgeräte GmbH, for breach of

contract .

The first part of the case took place at the Landgericht
Chemnitz on 15 February 1995, and the court will present
its decision on 8 March 1995 .

The court decided to uphold the demand of Foron GmbH,
that Convec Ltd pay a deposit of DM 9 580 as ' security ', on
the grounds that it is a ' foreign ' company .

The Council would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the fact that it is the Commission 's

responsibility to ensure the application of the provisions of
the Treaties and acts adopted by the institutions pursuant
thereto .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-871 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

/ 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 31 )

Subject : Cross-border environmental impact in
Emlichheim-Schoonebeek

Recently Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim authorized the
' Eemsland-Starke ' potato starch plant in Emlichheim to
create a large sewage field to store potato water ( potato juice
and process water ) close to the Dutch-German border near
Schoonebeek .

The sewage field will naturally cause odour nuisance on
both sides of the border, in addition to which it poses a
threat to the Schoonebeeker Diep river, which runs along
the border .

This would appear to be yet another case of distortion of
competition, as the Dutch starch group AVEBC was
recently compelled by the regional authorities to invest a
substantial sum in facilities to treat its potato water at
source rather than storing it in reservoirs .

What can the Commission do to prevent the German potato
starch plant from carrying out this environmentally
damaging project ?

No C 230 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 1995 ) (2 May 1995 )

Industrial starch manufacturing installations and
installations for the disposal of industrial waste are subject
to environmental impact assessment in accordance with
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( l ) if their characteristics, in
particular their location and size, require this to be done .

The fact that the large sewage field at
Emlichheim-Schoonebeek for the storage of used potato
water is close to the Schoonebeeker Diep river, which runs
along the Dutch border, might justify carrying out such an

assessment .

This project also falls within the scope of Directive

91 / 271 / EEC concerning urban waste water treatment ( 2 ),
which stipulates that by 31 December 2000 biodegradable
industrial waste water from plants belonging to the
industrial sectors listed in Annex III, which include
potato-processing industries, shall before discharge respect
conditions established in prior Regulations or specific
official authorizations . The competent authority in each
Member State was required to set appropriate requirements
by 31 December 1993 .

The Commission has therefore contacted the German

authorities to obtain more detailed information about the

project and in particular what action they have taken in
order to ensure compliance with the abovementioned
Community legislation and to inform the Dutch authorities
about the potential impact of the project on the ecosystem of
the area concerned .

(') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

The Commission considers that the present composition of
the scientific and technical committee of the Community
fund for tobacco research and information is justified .

As the name of the committee implies, its role is of a
scientific and technical nature and is a valuable input into
the Commission 's management of the fund . The work of
this committee mainly consists of the provision of an
opinion on projects submitted for financial assistance under
the fund, these projects will have already been evaluated by a
group of independent experts .

The fact that members of the Commission representing
public health interests are in a minority is a reflection of two
elements :

— firstly, since the tobacco producers finance the fund as a

deduction from their income, it is considered reasonable
that they are significantly represented,

— secondly, the health risks of tobacco smoking are well

established and the scientific and technical advice

required is consequently less necessary than in the area
of research on production of less harmful varieties,
qualities and products of tobacco .

In addition to that, the Commission intends to share evently
the fund 's resources between the area of research on

production and public health .

( 2 ) OJ No L 135, 30 . 5 . 1991 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-883 / 95

by Per Gahrton ( V )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 33 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-876 / 95

by Terence Wynn ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

(" 95 / C 230 / 32 )

Subject : Tobacco fraud

Subject : Principle of public access to information

Does the Commission intend to introduce the principle of
public access to information and protection of the source
providing that information, in the same form that currently
applies in Sweden in regard to documents drawn up by the
Commission 's administration ?

In light of the reply to Question E-ll / 95 ( ), does the Answer given by Mr Oreja
Commission consider that it is appropriate that the majority on behalf of the Commission
of members of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the

( 22 June 1995 )

Community Fund for Tobacco Research and Information
should represent tobacco interests rather than health
interests ?

( 22 June 1995 )

The Commission adopted a Decision on public access to its
documents on 8 February 1994 ('). This Decision brought
(■) OJ No C 152, 19 . 6 . 1995, p . 27 . into effect a code of conduct for both the Commission and

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 17

the Council which states the principle that the public should the number of persons to whom the principles of the
have the widest possible access to documents held by the resolution have been applied .
institutions, with only the obvious proviso that public and
private interests be protected . There is specific provision to
guarantee citizens that their applications will be dealt with
as quickly as possible, and an appeal procedure is laid
down .

As the code of conduct specifies, the current policy will be WRITTEN QUESTION E-935 / 95
reviewed after a trial period of two years .

by Allan Macartney ( ARE )

to the Commission
(') OJ No L 46, 18 . 2 . 1994 .

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 35 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-886 / 95

by Arie Oostlander ( PPE )

to the Council

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 34 )

Subject : Use of the concept of ' safe third countries ' in

asylum policy

Can the Council say which Member States have already
introduced the principle of ' safe third countries ' into their
asylum policy by law and / or apply it on the basis of official
instructions ?

Can the Council say how many people have already been
denied admission into the European Union on the basis of
this principle ?

Where do asylum seekers who have been turned away then
go ?

Answer

( 26 July 1995 )

The resolution on a harmonized approach to questions
concerning host third countries was adopted in London on
30 November and 1 December 1992 . Point 4 stipulates that
the Member States will seek to ensure that their national

laws are adapted, if need be, and to incorporate the
principles of this resolution as soon as possible, at the latest
by the time of the entry into force of the Dublin
Convention .

The Honourable Member should note that the procedures
for ratifying the Dublin Convention have been completed by
most Member States but that the Convention has not yet
entered into force . However, most Member States have
already adapted their national laws in order to take account
of the resolution approved in London .

As implementation of the resolution is entirely a matter for
the Member States, the Council is not in a position to state

Subject : NAFO TACs for Greenland halibut

How can the Commission justify increasing the EU quota
for Greenland halibut from 12,59% to 69% ?

Can the Commission guarantee that the increase in the EU
quota will not result in an overall increase in the TAC for
Greenland halibut ?

Can the Commission confirm estimations that the EU

fishing fleet has already fished twice its quota ( 12,59% )
since January 1995 and can the Commission give a
breakdown of catches so far this year by Member States ?

Can the Commission confirm that stocks of Greenland

halibut have decreased significantly (a two-thirds decline
from the biomass surveyed in 1991 ), and that these stocks
are made up of an increased proportion of young immature
fish aged three to four years ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

The catch levels of Greenland halibut by Community fleets,
until 1994, were not determined by a total allowable catch

( TAC ). They were only the results of the unregulated fishing
activity in deep waters of the North-West Atlantic Fisheries
Organization ( NAFO ) regulatory area developed since
1990 . In this context the TAC of 27 000 tonnes adopted for
1995 by NAFO is a first conservation measure devised to
reverse the trend of increasing fishing effort on this
stock .

The Community has agreed to this TAC of 27 000, as have
all other contracting parties . However, since the
Community caught in previous years more than 40 000
tonnes of Greenland halibut and all other Contracting
Parties together less than 10 000 tonnes, the Community
considered the allocation of a quota of only 12,69 % of the

No C 230 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

TAC of 27 000 very unfair . Moreover, at the NAFO
meeting ( 30 January — 1 February 1995 ), Canada forced a
vote on these allocations thus breaching the principle of
seeking consensus . Therefore, the Community had to object
to this allocation in conformity with Article XI of the NAFO
Convention . Subsequently, the Community and Canada
agreed to propose a new allocation of the halibut quota for

1995, which is substantially higher than that decided by
NAFO at its meeting of 30 January — 1 February 1 995 . This
new allocation will be discussed at the special meeting of the
NAFO fisheries commission, scheduled for 7 — 9 June .

Member States are obliged to report their catches of
Greenland halibut every 48 hours . In the event that the
NAFO quota of 27 000 tonnes is close to exhaustion, the
Commission will adopt a Regulation closing the fishing even
if the Community quota has not been taken .

The Commission is aware of the report of the NAFO
scientific council to which the Honourable Member refers .

That report indicated an overall reduction of trawlable
biomass of about 60 % on the basis of two surveys made in
summer of 1991 and the winter of 1994 . However, the
Standing committee on fisheries science of NAFO ( Stacfis )
warned that the results of the two surveys should be treated
with caution as they were conducted at different times of the
year, by different vessels and using different sampling
techniques . On the basis of available information the
abundance of the 1 990 and 1991 year classes i.e. individuals
of three to four years at the time of the report, was found to
be better than average .

measures to safeguard the historic rights of Community
fishermen to fish in North-West Atlantic waters ?

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure

that our fishermen do not suffer similar incidents in

future ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

Both the Commission and the Council repeatedly
condemned the illegal detention of the ' Estai ' and requested
the Canadian authorities to release the vessel, catch, crew
and skipper and to repair the damage caused .

After release of the vessel, the Commission 's contacts with
representatives of the Canadian Government focused on the
repeal of Canadian legislation, a fair allocation of the
Greenland halibut quota within the North-West Atlantic
Fisheries Organization ( NAFO ) and reinforced measures to
strengthen control in the NAFO regulatory area .

years at the time of the report, was found to Following bilateral agreement on these topics between the
average . Community and Canada, the latter has in fact repealed the

provisions concerning the applicability to Community
vessels of the legislation . The bond posted for the release of
the vessel and the bail paid were returned to the master as
well as the catch which had been seized . Both sides agreed
that the different elements of their bilateral understanding,
concerning both reinforced control and enforcement
measures and the allocation key for Greenland halibut
WRITTEN QUESTION E-945 / 95 quotas, will have to be adopted by all Contracting Parties in
the framework of the NAFO convention .

by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 ) .

( 95 / C 230 / 36 )

Subject : Community measures against seizure of fishing

boats

The seizure of the Gallician freezer ship Estaia while fishing
for black halibut in the Atlantic, clearely constitutes an act
of piracy by Canada on the European Union fleet and a
breach of international agreements in Canada 's unilateral
assumption of control over fish stocks in waters which do
not belong to it .

In view of the fact that the violent reaction by the Canadian
is an act of aggression in response to the European Union 's
objection to the NAFO agreement, has the Commission
considered whether it would be appropriate to adopt
diplomatic measures, possibly at the level of trade sanctions
or official complaints against acts of piracy of this sort, and

WRITTEN QUESTION E-955 / 95

by Mark Watts ( PSE )

to the Council

(3 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 37 )

Subject : Animal test restrictions

What mechanisms are being established to ensure that any
animal test restrictions implemented in accordance with
Directive 93 / 35 / EEC (') can be adequately enforced ?

(') OJ No L 151, 23 . 6 . 1993, p . 32 .

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 19

WRITTEN QUESTION E-957 / 95

by Mark Watts ( PSE )

to the Council

(3 April 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-960 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 38 ) ( 95 / C 230 / 39 )

Subject : Animal testing for cosmetics

What types of animal testing for cosmetics does the Council
expect to be able to prohibit in accordance with the 1998
timetable — and what proportion of the total amount of
animal testing for cosmetics is this likely to represent ?

Subject : The Mediterranean fishing industry

The Italian fisheries organizations maintain that the
Community Regulations which entered into force at the
beginning of 1 995 stipulating a minimum size of 20 cm for
cod is unenforceable and would cause a serious crisis in the

Mediterranean fishing industry .

Can the Commission make representations to the Council to
Joint answer amend the current Regulation ?
to Written Questions E-955 / 95 and E-957 / 95

( 19 July 1995 )

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

1 . The Council does not receive the detailed information

which Member States are required to forward on the type
and number of animal experiments, whether relating to
cosmetics or generally . Its access to this information is
confined to the reports drawn up by the Commission,
notably on the development, validation and legal acceptance
of alternative methods to animal experiments .

The first report of this type pursuant to Directive 93 / 35 / EEC

( amending Directive 76 / 768 / EEC on cosmetic products )
was submitted to the Council and the Parliament at the

beginning of the year, so the Honourable Member may wish
to refer to it . In any event, the statistical data it contains
relate partly to 1991 and partly to 1993, and only certain
Member States are covered . It would thus be rather

dangerous, to say the least, to infer what the situation is
likely to be in 1988 on that basis . Furthermore, as clearly
stated in the last recital of Directive 93 / 35 / EEC, any ban on
animal testing after 1 January 1998 could not be imposed
unless alternative methods had been validated .

2 . As regards the Honourable Member 's Question on
enforcing restrictions, he may wish to make particular
reference to sections D 1.2 and 3, E and I of the above

report .

The Honourable Member 's attention is also drawn to the

fact that Council scrutiny of the amended proposal for a
Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Community, of
the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate
animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes
has been suspended, until such time as consultations with
the European Parliament are complete .

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

The adoption by the Council of Regulation ( EC )
No 1626 / 94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical
measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the
Mediterranean (') constitutes an important step towards
improving management of fishery resources exploited by the
Community fleets in the Mediterranean .

The Commission has been informed of the adjustment
problems encountered by a number of Italian fleets .
Nevertheless, the maintenance of rules and practices
allowing the taking and landing of very young fish can under
no circumstances be considered to safeguard the future of
profitable fishing activities in the Mediterranean .

The Commission must therefore insist on effective

implementation of the measures included in the Regulation
referred to above . However, it is ready to consider a gradual
implementation of some rules, with the aim of arriving as
quickly as possible at the proper application of the

minimum landing sizes fixed in the Regulation .

The Commission would also like to point out that it cannot

propose amendments to the Council Regulation without
reliable scientific, technical and economic data on which to

base them .

(') OJ No L 171, 6 . 7 . 1994 .

No C 230 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-969 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Council

(3 April 1995 )

{9 SIC 230 / 40 )

Subject : The ecological quality of water

' The ecological quality of water ' can be defined as the
quality which is suitable for the needs of the ecosystem,
taking into account such factors as dissolved oxygen, toxic
substances, sediments, fish, plankton, etc .

The proposal for a Directive on the ecological quality of
water ( 1 ) stipulates that monitoring systems shall be set up in
all the Member States to determine the ecological quality of
surface waters located on their territory within special
time-limits .

Can the Council state whether, with this in mind, a
cost-benefit study can be carried out ?

countries attending the Copenhagen Conference would
make a commitment to women 's rights and equal treatment
for women and men, and the Commission would likewise
lend its support .

Mr Flynn also stressed that the commitment should not
amount solely to a declaration of principles, but rather
provide a basis on which to ' lay down a number of concrete
measures to be taken — such as establishing structures,
policies, objectives and measurable goals to ensure gender
balance and equity in decision-making processes at all levels,
and broadening women 's political, economic, social and
cultural opportunities and independence '.

Does the Council therefore believe, in the light of the
decisions resulting from Copenhagen, that it should hold a
special meeting during the Spanish presidency to discuss the
' measurable commitments ' to be entered into by the
European Union with the aim of bringing about genuinely
equal rights and opportunities for men and women ?

Answer
(') COM(93 ) 680 — OJ No C 222, 10 . 8 . 1994, p . 6 .

( 26 July 1995 )

Answer

( 20 July 1995 )

The proposal for a Directive on the ecological quality of
water has been examined in detail since the beginning of the
year within the Council, which devoted a policy debate to it
at the Council 's meeting in March, and will pay very special
attention to it at its June meeting, at which an open debate
on the subject will be held .

As regards the monitoring systems for determining the
ecological quality of surface waters, as provided for by the
proposal for a Directive, a cost / benefit study could help to
evaluate the financial implications of their
implementation .

The Council attaches particular importance to the
achievement of equal rights and opportunities for men and
women and would, in that context, draw attention to its
resolution of 27 March 1995 on the balanced participation
of men and women in decision-making (') and to the work
undertaken with a view to the Fourth World Conference on

Women ( Peking, September 1995 ).

It is for the Presidency of the Council to decide whether the
Council should meet as suggested by the Honourable
Member .

(') OJ No C 168, 4 . 7 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-985 / 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-980 / 95

by Helena Torres Marques ( PSE )

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Juan Colino Salamanca

( PSE )

to the Council

(7 April 1995 )

to the Council

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 41 ) ( 95 / C 230 / 42 )

Subject ; Equal rights and opportunities for men and

women

According to the ' Agence Europe ' bulletin of 8 March 1 995,
Mr Flynn, a Member of the Commission, stated that the

Subject : Cancellation of an Open Competition

The Official Journal of the European Communities ( l )
carried a Council announcement of the cancellation of the

4 . 9 . 95 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 21

holding of Open Competition Council / A / 338, intended to
create a reserve pool for administrators .

What serious reasons led the Council to make this

cancellation ?

Is the cancellation final, or has the competition merely been
temporarily postponed ?

(') OJ No C 39, 16 . 2 . 1995 .

Answer

( 26 July 1995 )

The Open Competition to which the Honourable
Parliamentarians refer was cancelled for the following

reasons :

— Its publication gave rise to 18 800 candidacies, a figure

more than three time higher than any for which the
Council 's services had hitherto to cater .

— The organization of the competition in the form in which

it was published would have implied total expenditure of
ECU 600 000 for this single competition, whereas the
recruitment budget for all competitions was ECU
500 000 .

— The ECO / FIN Council adopted in December 1994 a

declaration calling upon all institutions to accord
priority in their recruitment efforts in the next few years
to recruitment from the new Member States . This

objective would clearly not have been possible if the
entirety of the General Secretariat 's resources were being
devoted to A / 338, a competition designed exclusively for
the twelve pre-accession Member States . In the
meantime, competitions at the appropriate level have
been organized for nationals of the three new Member
States .

— Attempts to modify the terms of competition A / 338 in

order to reduce the cost proved not to be possible on the
grounds that the legal context of the competition had
been set by its publication in the Official Journal .

Given the arguments set out above, the AIPN decided, with
considerable regret, that it had no alternative but to cancel
Open Competition A / 338 . This cancellation should be
regarded as final .

The Council Secretariat is at present actively considering the
means by which it can organize or participate in, at
reasonable cost, an Open Competition for administrators
from all Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1009 / 95

by Johanna Maii-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 43 )

Subject : Naturalization laws in EU Member States

The Netherlands parliament is currently examining a draft

law on nationality .

The fact that any citizen holding a national passport of one
of the 15 Member States of the Union is also a European
citizen entitled to hold a European passport presupposes
that the naturalization laws in each of the EU Member States

should be brought into line .

Under what conditions can a national / European passport be
obtained in each of the Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1995 )

Questions relating to the possession of Member States '
nationality are governed by the national law of each
Member State . This is confirmed by declaration No 2 which
is annexed to the EC Treaty and according to which :

' The Conference declares that, wherever in the Treaty
establishing the European Community reference is made
to nationals of the Member States, the question whether
an individual possesses the nationality of a Member State
shall be settled solely by reference to the national law of
the Member State concerned .'

This is also in keeping with the judgment of the European

Court of Justice in Micheletti v. Delegacion de Gobierno en
Cantabria ( 1 ).

With regard to the resolutions concerning a passport of
uniform design of 23 June 1981, 30 June 1982 and 14 July

1986, the Commission recalls that these resolutions do not
prejudice the decision of a Member State to whom and
under what conditions a passport shall be issued . Therefore,
the Commission is not in a position to provide the
Honourable Member with the requested information .

(') Case C 369 / 90, 1990 ECR I 4239 .

No C 230 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1012 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1042 / 95

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 44 )

Subject : Structural support measures in the Algarve region

under the Second CSF-Portugal ( 1994 — 1999 )
agricultural operational programme

The structural report for agriculture available under the
second CSF for Portugal ( 1994 — 1999 ) includes, under
category 1, a set of eligible measures relating to
infrastructure support .

According to unconfirmed reports the Algarve region is to
receive, under category 1, Esc 11,485 billion for major
projects and only Esc 2 billion for small projects, country
roads and agricultural tracks, which are of considerable
social and economic significance .

Can the Commission confirm that such an inadequate
amount has been earmarked for small projects and rural and
agricultural infrastructure in the Algarve ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 June 1995 )

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Juan Colino Salamanca

( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 45 )

Subject : Criteria for tabulating unemployment

Has the Commission any plans for adopting an initiative for
tabulating unemployment rates or percentages in all the
Member States of the European Union in a similar or
identical manner ?

Is it possible to use homogeneous criteria in the Member
States for measuring unemployment rates ?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

Since 1989, Eurostat has published a monthly series of
unemployment rates, comparable between the Member
States and calculated

— on the basis of the results of household surveys ( labour

force surveys );

— in accordance with the concepts and definitions
recommended by the International Labour Office

( ILO ).

By agreement with the statistical offices of the Member
States and the OECD, the method for estimating these
unemployment rates has just been revised ( 1 ) to take account
of the results of the most recent labour force surveys and to
further enhance the comparability of the data between the
different Member States by applying the ILO definitions
more strictly .

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable '
C ) Eurostat — Monthly Bulletin ' Unemployment — 3 / 4 1995 .
Member that the programme on modernization of the
economic fabric, under which the agriculture
subprogramme comes, does not provide for a regional
allocation of the appropriations for the various schemes .
This allocation is entirely within the responsibility of the
national authorities . WRITTEN QUESTION P - 105 6 / 95

by Joan Colom i Naval ( PSE )

to the Commission

The Commission is not in the habit of commenting on the ( 28 March 1995 )
internal policy choices made by Member States, particularly

( 95 / C 230 / 46 )

not on the basis of unconfirmed reports .

The Commission is not competent to reply to the question of
the Honourable Member, which can only be answered by
the responsible national authorities .

Subject : Intervention resulting in the withdrawal of
glasshouse tomatoes

What percentage of the total quantity of tomatoes
withdrawn from the market over the last three budgetary
years has been produced through glasshouse cultivation ?
What has been the volume and cost of intervention in each

country concerned ?

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 23

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1995 ) ( 22 June 1995 )

The Commission does not have the information requested
by the Honourable Member .

1 . Under the relevant Community legislation, the correct
use of the resources of Structural Funds on the grounds falls

is sending directly to the Honourable within the responsibility of the Member States . The
well as to the Secretariat of Parliament the

Commission requires of the latter, in accordance with

intervention operations in the fruit and vegetable Article 23 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 ('), that they
the last three years . keep it informed of the existing national control systems as

well as of the checks carried out . The Commission also

carries out a series of controls on the ground in order to
ensure the conformity of the operations financed with the
Regulations and the programmes adopted . The
Commission can also require on the part of the national
WRITTEN QUESTION E - 105 7 / 95 authorities, if it proves necessary, that they improve their

Rosemarie Wemheuer PSE systems for managing Community funds .

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member as well as to the Secretariat of Parliament the

figures for intervention operations in the fruit and vegetable
market over the last three years .

by Rosemarie Wemheuer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

In the case of Greece, before any financing was given, a
( 95 / C 230 / 47 ) system for the technical appraisal of projects was set up to
cover the second Community support framework . This
system should make it possible in future to prevent inter alia

a cure complex in Greece the appearance of problems of the kind raised by the

Honourable Member .

Subject : EU finance for a cure complex in Greece

The Commission 's answer to Written Question
E-2681 / 94 (') on the granting of EU funding for what was
supposed to be the building of a cure complex at Arkoudi, a
village on the Peloponnese in Greece, raises a number of
other fundamental questions relating to financial control .

1 . Are no systematic on-site checks carried out to ascertain
whether monies from the EU 's Structural Funds are used

properly ?

2 . How can the Greek authorities even have proposed that
the project be completed under the new Community
support framework without a report having been
submitted on the use of the EU funding already
disbursed ?

3 . Whilst the Commission now wishes to examine whether

further investment in this project is in fact worthwhile,
having asked for relevant feasibility studies to be carried
out so that it could then ' consider the extent to which

support previously granted should be maintainted ', the
following questions must of course be asked :

( a ) How can the objectivity of the feasibility study be
guaranteed ? ( Who will it be awarded to and when
will it be ready ?)

( b ) What will become of the EU funding already

disbursed under the Integrated Mediterranean
Programme if the complex is so dilapidated that the
project cannot be continued ?

4 . Can the EU impose penalties in respect of the negligent
use, i.e. waste, of EU funds by the private or public
sectors . If so, what are they ?

(') OJ No C 103, 24 . 4 . 1995, p . 28 .

2 . The Greek authorities have the right to propose the
completion of this project . The Commission naturally
reserves the right to refuse Community part-financing if the
necessary criteria are not fulfilled . Among these criteria are
confirmation of the correct use of the funds already
allocated as well as verification of the economic viability of
the project .

3 . ( a ) The Commission can call on independent experts of
its choice if it feels the need to verify the conclusions
of any feasibility study .

( b ) The Commission reserves the right to recover

Community funds which, after a reasonable period,
are still not contributing to the achievement of the
development aims for which they were allocated .

4 . Article 24 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 provides for

the reduction, suspension or cancellation of assistance
when an investigation shows irregularities affecting the
operation or the scheme as well as the refunding to the
Commission of any sums unduly received which have to
be paid back .

(') OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

No C 230 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1072 / 95

by Michel Rocard ( PSE )

to the Council

( 11 April 199.5 )

( 95 / C 230 / 48 )

Subject : Reduction and re-organization of working time

Why has the Council taken no decision to date on the draft
recommendation on reduction and re-organization of
working time (') which the Commission presented to the
Council on 23 September 1983, supported by the European
Parliament resolution voted on 18 November 1983 ( 2 ), and
also supported by the Economic and Social Committee 's
opinion ( 84 / C 23 / 19 ) adopted on 23 and 24 November
1983 ( 3 )?

What are the Council 's intentions in this matter ?

(') COM(83 ) 543 final .

( 2 ) OJ No C 342, 19 . 12 . 1983, p . 147 .

(■') OJ No C 23, 30 . 1 . 1984 .

Answer

( 26 July 1995 )

The Council considers that the draft recommendation on

reduction and re-organization of working time submitted in

1983 has become obsolete as a result of the adoption of
Council Directive 93 / 104 / EC (') concerning certain aspects
of the organization of working time .

(') OJ No L 307, 13 . 12 . 1993, p . 18 .

What steps does the Council plan to take to establish
freedom of movement for persons between Member States
throughout the entire Union ?

Will it call on the signatory States to the Schengen
Agreement, which include Italy, Austria and Greece, to
enact the Agreement swiftly ? Will it call on other Member
States to join the Schengen Agreement ?

Will the Council investigate why Italy — a founder member
of the European Community — has not made the necessary
preparations and has not yet enacted the Schengen
Agreement ?

Answer

( 19 July 1995 )

It should be remembered that the Schengen Agreements
were adopted under an intergovernmental cooperation
procedure independent of the European Union, for which
the Council of the European Union is not competent . It is
not for the Council to examine the behaviour of any of its
Member States in this context .

In Community law, certain provisions of the Treaties
establishing the European Communities and the Treaty on
European Union and of the secondary legislation already
guarantee the free movement of persons within the
European Union . In addition, the Council is currently
examining, on the basis of a Commission proposal, a draft
Convention on checks on persons crossing the external
borders, which will entail certain consequences for the free
movement of persons within the European Union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1096 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Council

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 083 / 95 ( 13 April 1995 )

by Michl Ebner ( PPE ) ( 95 / C 230 / 50 )

to the Council

( 30 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 49 ) Subject : France 's administration of the Convention on the

Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Subject : Freedom of movement between Union Member

States

Since 26 March 1995 border controls have been lifted

between seven Member States of the European Union .

In cases such as that of David Hessner, of 17 Queensway,
Dukinfield in my constituency, has the Council considered
the problem of Member State nationals for whom the
Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons is

inoperative because of France 's levying a customs fine in
addition to imposing a prison sentence ?

4 . 9 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 25

Answer

( 19 July 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 107 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

In 1983 the Member States concluded, in the context of the
Council of Europe, the Convention on the Transfer of ( 95 / C 230 / 52 )
Sentenced Persons . In particular, France signed the
Convention on 27 April 1 983 and ratified it on 11 February

1985 .

In addition, the Member States of the European Union drew
up in 1987, at the time in the context of European Political
Cooperation, a Convention facilitating the transfer of
sentenced persons . Practically all the Member States,
including France, signed this Convention, and some of them
have already ratified it .

In any event, the Council has not been called upon to
examine the case referred to by the Honourable
Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 106 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Council

( 13 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 51 )

Subject : Plan to re-organize the system of agricultural

surveys in Spain

The plans to re-organize the system of agricultural surveys
will have a vital part to play in enabling the reform of the
CAP to be monitored effectively and pursued further in the
future . The Council has endorsed the final reports on the
implementation of the plan by various Member States
including Ireland and Italy . Could it give details of the
situation in Spain ?

Answer

( 26 July 1995 )

The Council has in the past passed plans to re-organize the
system of agricultural surveys in Italy, Greece and Ireland in
order to enable those Member States fully to meet
Community requirements in the spheres in question ; it has
been kept regularly informed by the Commission of the
implementation of those plans and the results obtained .

The Council has not received any similar proposal from the
Commission concerning the system of agricultural surveys
in Spain .

Subject : Community statistics on research, development,

and innovation

On 15 April 1992 the Commission adopted a proposal for a
Decision instituting a multi-annual programme to improve
Community statistics on research, development, and
innovation . Could it say what progress has been made to
date in implementing the programme ?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1995 )

Already before the official approval by the Council of a
multi-annual programme for the development of
Community statistics on research, development and
innovation, the Statistical Office of the European
Communities ( Eurostat ) started some preparatory actions
to fulfil the objectives of the programme up to the end of

1997 . The main achievements up to now can be summarised
as follows :

— Systematic collection of information on user needs on

Community statistics in the field of research and
experimental development ( R&D ) and innovation .

— Improvement of the existing methodological framework

in the following areas : regional dimension of R&D and
innovation indicators, measurement of human resources
in science and technology ( HRST ), nomenclature for the
analysis and comparison of scientific programmes and
budgets ( NABS ). Manuals have been finalised or are
close to completion .

— Broadening of the volume of collected and published

R&D indicators . Eurostat currently publishes data on
government R&D appropriations, R&D expenditure

( broken down by region and sector ), and R&D
personnel ( broken down by region and sector ).
Additional information on patents ( broken down by
region and sector as well ) is planned in the 1995
publication .

— First harmonized innovation survey in the Community .

Eurostat currently analyses some 42 000 individual
records .

— First actions to develop statistical indicators on the

measurement of input, output and impact of R&D and
innovation programmes funded by the Commission .

No C 230 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

All actions have been in close cooperation with international
partners, particularly the OECD secretariat . In addition,
Eurostat has already started to establish common activities
with the IPTS institute in Seville .

WRITTEN QUESTION P    - 111 7 / 95

by Fernando Pérez Royo ( PSE )

to the Commission

authorities to submit their comments so that it could verify
whether the complaints were justified under Article 92 ( 1 ) of
the EC Treaty .

The Spanish authorities have submitted their comments .
The Commission is now examining the facts . Once it has
completed this examination, it will, as is customary, inform
the complainant of the outcome .

(5 April 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1131 / 95

( 95 / C 230 / 53 ) by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

Subject : ' Tax holidays ' in the Basque Country and

Navarre

The Basque Country and Navarre are two Spanish
Autonomous Communities in which special fiscal
arrangements apply in respect of certain taxes, instead of the
Spanish State tax system .

In July 1993 the local governing bodies in Alava, Guipuzcoa
and Vizcaya took advantage of their special legal status in
order to pass various local laws intended to promote
economic recovery in the Basque Country by granting tax
concessions to companies in the region which differ
substantially from those allowed under the Spanish State tax
system . Likewise, in November 1993 the Parliament of
Navarre passed a local law of a similar nature .

In view of this Mr Santiago Munoz Machado, on behalf of
the La Rioja Autonomous Community 's Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and Businessmen's Federation and
also the companies Mecanicas Vicman S.A. and
Estampaciones Josan S.A., lodged two complaints against
the Spanish State for failure to comply with Articles 92 and
93 ( 3 ) of the EC Treaty . What stage has been reached in the
procedure for dealing with these two complaints, which
were lodged with the Commission on 26 and 28 April 1 994
respectively and in which it is requested that Spain be
instructed to suspend implementation of the aid scheme
provided for in the above laws and that the formal
procedure for verifying that the aid in question is compatible
with the EC Treaty be initiated ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1995 )

Following the lodging of two complaints, one regarding the
tax measures introduced by Ley Foral 12 / 1993 of Navarre
and the other regarding Norma Foral 18 / 1993 of Alava,
Norma Foral 5 / 1993 of Vizcaya and Norma Foral 1 1 / 1993
of Guipuzcoa, the Commission called upon the Spanish

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 54 )

Subject : Internet and public morals

Have there been talks between the Commission and

representatives of the US and Canadian Governments with
regard to the possibility of preventing messages which the
Commission considers to be in conflict with public morals
from being posted on the Internet ?

If so, on whose initiative did these talks take place ?

What possible measures concerning the Internet and / or
other on-line services have been discussed ? What proposals
have been put forward by the Commission ?

Did the US representatives react negatively to the
Commission proposal to act jointly against the posting of
indecent messages on the Internet ? Was the First
Amendment to the American Constitution brought up in
this connection ?

Will the announced Commission proposals for legislation to
protect public morals take account of the fact that it is
practically impossible for the organizations and
undertakings which offer third-party access to the Internet
to monitor all the text, video and audio messages
transmitted through cyberspace ?

Does the Commission agree that these organizations should
therefore not be held responsible for messages which are
published by such means ?

Does not the Commission agree that, given the technical
obstacles which exist and the global nature of the Internet,
European legislation aimed at controlling the contents of
messages on the Internet is counterproductive and that it
will damage the Internet without achieving its objective ?

Does the Commission not agree that censorship could have
a crippling effect on the development of the Internet and on
the increased possibilities open to ordinary citizens for

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 27

information, expression and communication embodied by
the Internet ?

opportunities that : ' Since a common TAC for anchovy has
been established in Zones VIII and IX, Portugal shall
transfer each year 80 % of its quota which shall be fished
exclusively in waters under the sovereignty and jurisdiction
of France '.

Can the Commission guarantee that it will not propose any of France '.
legislation compelling or requiring suppliers of Internet
access to carry out prior control of the information
transmitted by the users via the Internet ?
When Portugal joined the Community it was established, as
stated annually in the Official Journal, that only Portugal is
allocated a quota for anchovy in Zones IX, X, COPACE
34.1.1 and that the species may be fished only in waters
Answer given by Mr Bangemann under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of Portugal .

on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 1995 )

The Commission has not held any talks with the American
and Canadian authorities on the possibility of preventing
programmes considered to be in conflict with public morals
from being transmitted on the Internet .

Decisions as to what constitutes public morals and their
safeguarding are the exclusive responsibility of the Member
States . Consequently, the Commission is not preparing any
legislative proposals concerning the protection of public
morals on telematic networks .

The Commission feels that censorship would not be feasible

because the World Wide Web sites outside the Community
could not be controlled unless there were an international

agreement . As regards service providers within the
Community, the legislation in force in some Member States
makes it possible for the operators of telematic information
services to be held responsible for the content of the
information, images or programmes which they make
available to the public . It is appropriate in this context to
differentiate between services akin to publications ( on-line
information services, forums, anonymous message services,
electronic bulletin boards ) and those which involve private
correspondence ( electronic mail ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 136 / 95

by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 55 )

Subject : Establishment of TACs and distribution of quotas

for anchovy

At the Council of Fisheries Ministers in December 1994 it

was established under the bilateral agreements between
France and Portugal on the exchange of fishing

This feature of the anchovy quota forms part of the Union 's
principle of relative stability and, consequently,
independently of the fact that a common TAC has been
fixed for anchovy and notwithstanding the quantity
exchanged, the quota which Portugal cedes to France should
be fished only in waters under the sovereignty and
jurisdiction of Portugal .

Given that the agreement between France and Portugal
stipulates that the quota transferred shall be fished in waters
under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of France, if the
agreement is carried out under the above terms, how and
where may the French fleet fish this quota without violating
the principle of relative stability ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1 995 )

At the Council meeting of Fisheries Ministers on
20 December 1994 the Commission and the Council agreed
to amend the Regulation on TACs in order that the
exchanges of quotas between France and Portugal would be
confirmed .

The Commission then presented a proposal for an
amendment to the Regulation on the TACs and quotas for

1995 (') which included amendments to certain provisions
concerning the use of anchovy and hake quotas . The
proposal was adopted and published as Council Regulation

( EC ) No 746 / 95 ( 2 ) and provides, among other things, that a
maximum of 5 008 tonnes of the anchovy quota allocated to
Portugal in ICES Zones IX and X may be taken in French
waters in ICES Zone VIII .

Transfers of fishing quotas between different biological

units are not unusual under the common fisheries policy and
are intended to make better use of the fishing possibilities of
the Member States concerned . Furthermore, since the

No C 230 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

existing quotas are observed, relative stability remains WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 138 / 95
unchanged . The transfers between France and Portugal, by Inga-Britt Johansson ( PSE )
lastly, pose no threat to the future of the stocks to the Commission
involved .

(5 April 199 5 )

(') OJ No L 363, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 74, 1 . 4 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 137 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 56 )

Subject : The Urban Community initiative : presentation of

candidates

The Commission 's reply to my Written Question
E-396 / 95 ('), which I received on 17 March 1995, is both
clear and clarificatory as to who put forward the proposals
for funding under the Urban Community initiative .

However, I am aware of specific cases — e.g. Vila Nova de
Gaia ( Portugal ) — which do meet the criteria laid down in
the Commission notice on the initiative, but which were
excluded as candidates at national government level .

This being so, can the Commission tell me what procedure is
provided for in a case of a conflict of interests between local
and national authorities, or whether the Commission, on
the contrary, delegated the power of decision on projects to
be selected for funding under the Urban initiatives to the
national authorities ?

(') See page 8 of this Official Journal .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

The notice published in the Official Journal concerning the

Community initiative Urban (') states that it is for the
Member State to propose the operational programme .

The notice also states that local and other authorities and

the social partners should be involved in the preparation and
implementation of the programme in the manner
appropriate to each Member State .

(M OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 .

( 95 / C 230 / 57 )

Subject : Environmental situation in Kattegatt and its
implications for the situation of the fishermen on
the Swedish west coast

A 1 5 kilometer wide belt of waste water originating from the
floods in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium is on its
way towards the Swedish west coast . The belt contains large
amounts of nutrients, in particular nitrogen, which threaten
the reproduction of fish in the Kattegatt, and thereby the
living of the coastal fishermen in the area .

Measuremnts taken when the water belt rounded Skagen in
the north of Denmark showed that the nitrogen content was
seven times higher than normal .

Due to its higher concentration of salt, 25 % of the water
will sink in under the surface waters of the Kattegatt . This
will dramatically increase the nitrogen concentration of the
deep water of the sea . With time the nitrogen will rise to the
surface and add to the process of algal blooming .

It is well known that algal blooming increases the
occurrence of plankton . When it dies, the plankton will sink
and cause a lack of oxygen which will wipe out all the
organisms living on the bottom of the sea . Due to this, the
fish will disappear completely from large areas .

The Kattegatt is an extremely exposed and sensitive area,
and this invasion of waste waters will further deteriorate the

situation . By the autumn, large parts of the seabeds will have
died, and the same will be the case of all crayfish and lobster
in the area .

1 . Is the Commission ready to support the coastal
fishermen in this difficult situation ?

2 . What measures will the Commission take to reduce the

leakage of nutrition into this area ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

According to Article 14 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3699 / 93 laying down guidelines for the financial
instrument of fisheries guidance ( FIFG ) ( J ), Community
assistance through FIFG may be used only to finance
measures intended to offset partially the loss of income
suffered as a result of a temporary cessation of fishing
activities caused by unforeseen and non-repetitive events
resulting from biological phenomena in particular .

4 . 9 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 29

These measures may be financed as part of the Community
programme for the fisheries sector in Sweden ( Objective 5a
— fisheries ).

The programme will be adopted after partnership
discussions between Sweden and the Commission on the

basis of the Swedish sectoral plan for the fisheries sector
which the Swedish authorities intend to submit to the

Commission before 30 April 1995 .

The Commission recognises that the present level of nutrient
flow into the North Sea causes environmental problems and
that these may be exacerbated at times of peak flow . A
number of measures have been taken to reduce the impact of
anthropogenic nutrients upon the aquatic environment . In
particular, the nitrates Directive ( 91 / 676 / EEC ( 2 )) and the
urban waste-water treatment Directive ( 91 / 271 / EEC ( 3 )) are
currently being implemented and will reduce the nutrient
input from, respectively, agriculture and urban waste water .
The Commission proposals for an integrated pollution
prevention and control Directive ( 4 ) and an ecological
quality of water Directive (*) will also have a positive
impact . The Commission also takes part in the Rhine
Convention, the Oslo and Paris Convention and the North
Sea Conferences all of which provide a framework for the
coordinated reduction of inter alia the nutrient pollution of
the North Sea .

international competition and social dumping from
countries with low labour costs and the outlook for the

industry is bleak . This traditional sector of Greek industry is
having enormous difficulty coping with the new
recession .

The European Union has recognized the importance of the
textiles and clothing sector in Greece . When the agreements
were signed with the countries of eastern and central
Europe, in fact, the European Union gave a commitment to
examine the reports on Greek requests and to put forward
proposals . The same commitments were given during the
GATT negotiations and on other occasions .

I would like to remind the European Union of these
commitments and its new obligation under the customs
Union Agreement with Turkey . The Greek Government
submitted a memorandum in this connection in 1994 .

When will the Council submit proposals to deal with the
decline in the textiles and clothing sector in Greece and will
these proposals include additional funding for such an
important sector of Greek industry ?

Answer

( ) OJ No L 346, 31 . 12 . 1993 . ( 19 July 1995 )

( 2 ) OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

(■') OJ No L 135, 30 . 5 . 1991 .

( ( 5 4 ) ) COM(93 COM(93 ) ) 423 680 final final . . The Honourable Member should bear in mind that, so far,

the Council has not received any proposals for remedying
the situation facing the Greek textiles and clothing
industry .

It is for the Commission to submit the proposals it considers
appropriate, having regard to the situation described by the
Honourable Member, and the Council will certainly give
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 168 / 95 such proposal the attention they deserve .

by Yannos Kranidiotis ( PSE )

to the Council

( 21 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 58 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 1 80 / 95

Subject : Reorganization of the Greek textiles industry

The new terms of international competition arising from the
GATT agreement, the agreements with the countries of
central and eastern Europe, the customs union with Turkey,
the Generalized System of Preferences, the Lome
Convention, the economic outward-processing
arrangements and Mediterranean policy are creating severe
problems for the European textiles and clothing industry .

In the last 15 years, the European textiles industry has shed

1 400 000 jobs . The situation is deteriorating as a result of

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 59 )

Subject : Access to ' information highways ' for the
peripheral regions

How does the Commission intend to promote access to and
development of ' information highways ' in the peripheral
regions of the European Union ?

No C 230 / 30 | EN I Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Answer given by Mr Bangemann WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 181 / 95
on behalf of the Commission b j ean . Pierre R a ff arin (P PE )
( 20 June 1995 ) to t ^ e Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 60 )

The deployment of the information society is a priority for
the European Union . The Commission is determined to
implement its action plan ' Europe 's way to the information
society ( 1 )' which includes a series of policies concerning the
access to and the development of telecommunication
infrastructures, services and applications, which will
contribute to a greater integration of peripheral regions in
the global economy . The completion of the regulatory and
legal framework will result in a complete liberalization of
the telecommunication sector, allowing for an increased
supply of services in a competitive market, while
guaranteeing universal service . Development of common
interest projects in the area of trans-European networks will
foster the inter-connection and inter-operability of national
networks and the access to islands, landlocked and
peripheral regions and will enable regional and local
communities to derive full benefit from the internal

market .

Within the context of the Structural Funds, the Commission
welcomes the emphasis given to the information society in
the Community support framework single programming
documents agreed for the Objective 1 regions for the period

1994 — 1999 . The Commission will seek to ensure through
the monitoring committees that account is taken of the
needs of the information society when selecting projects to
be financed . These needs are also being addressed in the
negotiations of the Objective 2 and 5b plans .

In additions, the Commission is preparing an action in the
context of the European Regional Development Fund
aiming at stimulating, experimenting, evaluating and
diffusing best practice in the development of information
society services and applications which contribute to
regional development, in particular for the less-favoured
regions . The approach will include developing partnerships
among key regional actors for the elaboration of a regional
information society strategy and action plan as well as
preparing and launching pilot applications for
demonstrating best practice in the regional deployment of
the information society . It can be expected that a call for
proposals will be launched in the coming months .

(') COM(94 ) 347 final, 19 . 7 . 1994 .

Subject : Policy in favour of clubs and societies

What evaluation and guidance can the Commission give
regarding the position and the development of clubs and
societies as a vehicle for initiative and democracy at local
level ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

The Commission believes that the associative sector has an

important part to play in the development of local
democracy, and in the development of active citizenship . It is
for this reason that the Commission has proposed a work
programme specifically aimed at working with associations
in order to help them develop their transnational work . The
work programme has recently been agreed by the
Parliament and will be the basis of much of the

Commission 's policies towards the sector in the next few
years . Key issues include the promotion, coordination and
strengthening of measures for associations, the creation of a
favourable environment and evaluating the impact of
Community policies on associations, training and
consultation arrangements .

The Commission has had a growing dialogue with
associations in the past decade and will be discussing issues
with the sector through the newly constituted consultative
committee for associations, foundations, cooperatives and
mutuals . Associations are involved in many of the
programmes developed by the Commission as it is
recognised that they work closely with many of the people

( the socially excluded, etc .) that programmes such asa the
European Social Fund aim to help . This recognition of the
role of associations was highlighted in the white paper on
social policy .

In addition, the Commission is currently producing a white
paper on associations and foundations based on research it
has carried out on the sector . The research showed that there

has been a massive increase in the number of associations in

Europe in the past 20 years, and that associations are taking
on many of the services and roles that were hitherto
provided by public authorities . More research is needed on
this growing sector, and public authorities should be made
more aware of the role of associations in society, and
develop coherent policies towards them .

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 31

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 191 / 95

by Concepcio Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 61 )

Subject : Establishing a Community policy on postal
services

At the meeting of the Council of Ministers for Posts and
Telecommunications in December 1993, it was agreed that
the Commission would be asked to develop a Community
policy on postal services before 1 July 1994 and, in
particular, to take measures to define the concept of
universal service and the obligations of those providing the
universal service, as well services provided on request .

from inadequate marine resources and the subjective
interpretations of governments and fisheries
organizations .

It follows that action is required to enable the fisheries
organizations to have a forum or permanent meeting-place
in which to debate and examine all matters relating to their
professional activities . This would permit the prior
discussion of problems, thus preventing conflicts which
would otherwise occur thanks to a failure to negotiate .

Does the Commission believe it should promote the creation
of an associative framework for the fisheries organizations
in the Member States, with a view to facilitating dialogue,
negotiation and compromise where necessary ? Does it agree
that this body should have its seat in the Spanish region of
Galicia, which, with its more than 10 000 registered vessels
and catch level of 500 000 tonnes is the Union 's leading
fishing region and accounts for half the fisheries production
of Spain ?

Could the Commission state whether it has already
submitted a draft Community policy on postal services to
the delay Council ?, or if it has not, state the reasons for the Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( IS June 1995 )

After the Council resolution of 7 February 1994, an
extensive consultation with all interested parties was
undertaken, and then the Commission began the
preparation of concrete proposals . However, the
complexity of the problem requires a thorough assessment
of a large range of legal, competition and economic aspects
which did not allow the conclusion of the Commission 's

work in 1994 .

For this reason the establishment of a regulatory framework
for postal services is to be found in the Commission 's work
programme for 1995 (').

(') COM(95 ) 26 final, 8 . 2 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 199 / 95

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 62 )

Subject : An EU fisheries assembly

( 24 May 1995 )

In its reply to Written Question E-2159 / 94 by the
Honourable Member ('), the Commission pointed out that
a forum already exists where the Commission meets
representatives of the fisheries industries to learn their views
on aspects of the common fisheries policy . This is the
Advisory committee on fisheries, which was set up in 1971
specifically for the purpose . The committee consists of
representatives of all the fishing industries ( fishermen, and
processors and traders of fisheries products ), the fisheries
workers, finance institutions and consumers . It has played
an active role in advising the Commission on all major
proposals for legislation for the fisheries sector made
recently .

It is within this proven structure that the Commission
prefers to continue to conduct its discussions with the
representatives of the fishing industries on all the problems
posed by the operation of the common fisheries policy,
including those raised by the Honourable Member .

In addition the fishermen have themselves an organization
at the European level, the Association of national
organizations of fishing enterprises in the EEC — known as
Europeche, in which they meet to coordinate and prepare
the views of their national organizations before presenting
them to the Commission .

Because of this, the Commission feels that it would be
superfluous to create yet another body . The Commission
nevertheless remains open to consider all appropriate means
to maintain and improve its contacts, through participation
in meetings organized by professional bodies in the fisheries
industries .

(') OJ No C 55, 6 . 3 . 1995 .
The fisheries sector is still a major source of conflict in the
Union, and is characterized at all times by problems arising

No C 230 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1205 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1229 /

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL ) by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1229 / 95

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL )

Subject : Thermie II

to the Commission to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 ) ( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 63 ) ( 95 / C 230 / 64 )

Subject : Compensation to fishermen for the delay in the

granting of licences

The European Union 's policy of reducing global pollution

( in particular emissions ) entails the large-scale application
of the best available technology throughout the world . The
activities which have been initiated under the Thermie

programme in developing regions — in particular in central
and eastern Europe — have helped to make this a more
realistic objective . Will these programmes be continued, and
will they receive greater support in the future ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The Thermie programme has been very successful in
implementing the use of energy efficient and emission
reducing technologies in central and eastern Europe .
Fourteen energy centres have been established to improve
the relations between East and West and to help in the
setting up of joint-ventures between manufacturers and
producers . A large number of workshops and seminars on
both environmental technology and energy saving
possibilities have been carried out which have emphasised
the use of best available technologies . These activities have
contributed to an improved acceptance of these
technologies and also to reductions in the pollution
loads .

In the future these activities should continue, not only in
central and eastern Europe, but also throughout the rest of
the world . Now that Thermie has been joined with the Joule
programme ( research and development ) under the fourth
framework programme one of the priorities is to enhance
the connections for energy and environmentally sustainable
technologies from the research phase to the dissemination
phase also in the countries outside the Community .

However, some uncertainties remain for the continuation of
Thermie II, which is the more suitable instrument for the
promotion and transfer of European energy technologies .
The proposal tabled by the Commission last year is still

blocked by a minority of Member States . The Commission
hopes that the Thermie II programme can be adopted as
soon as possible, and will continue its efforts in this
direction .

In the third quarter of 1994, certain vessels from the
Community fishing fleet paid a fee for a fishing licence under
the EU-Kingdom of Morocco fisheries agreement .

As the Commission acknowledged to Parliament 's
Committee on fisheries, the Kingdom of Morocco
arbitrarily delayed the granting of certain licences which had
been paid for by fishing companies as a means of exerting
pressure on the European Union to renegotiate the

agreement .

As a result, certain vessels which had paid the fee for a
licence covering the three-month period did not receive it
until September, for which reason they suffered severe
economic hardship as a result of their imposed inactivity .

What action has the Commission taken in respect of the
payment of the licence fee by vessels which suffered on
account of the delay in the granting thereof ?

Is the Commission considering any extra compensation for
the losses suffered by such vessels in terms of social
expenditure, travel, etc .?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

As the Honourable Member says, some licences for the third
quarter of 1994 were indeed issued late, causing the
inactivity of a part of the Community fleet which had
applied for licences and paid the corresponding fees for this
period .

It ought to be pointed out that the Commission has already
answered two questions concerning inter alia the suspension
by the Moroccan authorities of licences for Community
fishing vessels in the third quarter of 1994 ; the Commission
considers the suspensions unjustified and the timing of the
issue of some licences as too late ( oral question H-444 / 94
from Mr Medina Ortega and Written Question 2185 / 94
from Mr Apolinario ).

Since then, the Delegation of the Commission in Rabat has
sent a note to the Moroccan authorities asking them for
refunds in proportion to the fees paid by the shipowners of
the 39 vessels concerned .

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 33

With regard to supplementary aid to shipowners and

fishermen affected by the suspension of licences, the
Commission has authorized the Member State concerned to

grant them compensation under Article 4 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 2080 / 93 (') and Article 14 of Regulation ( EC )
No 3699 / 93 ( 2 ).

(') OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 346, 31 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1255 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 65 )

Subject : Jobs reserved for physically handicapped
officials

Physically handicapped people seeking employment as
European Union officials face great difficulties, in view of
the very selective nature of the existing competition

system .

They would like to see a law providing for a quota of
handicapped people to be employed in each of the European
institutions, by means of reserved jobs in all categories, A, B,
C and D.

In practice it is not uncommon for physically handicapped
people to be offered short-term contracts with no job
security, even though they hold the university qualifications
required for permanent posts .

What is the Commission 's opinion on this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

The Commission takes into consideration the difficulties

faced by disabled candidates taking part in its competitions
and for this reason it does all that it can to facilitate their

participation . Normal age limits are raised for candidates
with an officially recognised physical disability and
application forms request disabled candidates to give details
of any special facilities that they require to enable them to
participate in the tests .

The aim is at all times to ensure that disabled people can
compete on equal terms with other candidates for a post in
the Commission .

The provisions of the staff regulations of recruitment do not
specify the use of quotas .

An inter-service working group has been established within
the Commission with the object of producing a code of
practice for the employment of people with disabilities . The
group has to consider all aspects of this important
question .

Many people are recruited by the Commission on short term
contracts . It is not part of the Commission 's personnel
policy to restrict the disabled to employment of this
kind .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1258 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 66 )

Subject : Construction project in the Flisvos region of

Athens

The Greek Government has adopted a raft of legislative acts
and administrative rules which, as a derogation from
existing legislation, will enable a vast construction project
comprising a casino, a hotel, office space etc ., to be built in
the Flisvos area of Athens . This is a vast project covering

100 000 square metres along the coastal strip in a
prominent site on the natural outlet from central Athens to
the sea . Apart from the particularly dubious development
quality of this project and its doubtful legality, ( an appeal
has already been lodged with the Council of State ) this
matter raises serious questions concerning Community law
and policy . Given the scale of the project, it will obviously
have a significant impact on the environment, and
particularly the local environment, and it is therefore very
surprising that no satisfactory environmental impact study
has been drawn up so far . Moreover, a project on this scale is
difficult to reconcile with the general guidelines laid down
by the Green Paper on the urban environment and the recent
demands made by the Commission in response to criticism
from the Court of Auditors drawing attention to the lack of
coordination of Community programmes in respect of the
urban environment .

In view of this, will the Commission say :

1 . Whether it is aware of the situation described above and

how it considers that this project can be reconciled with
efforts to ease pressure on the urban environment of
Athens which, incidentally, it is financing, and

No C 230 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

2 . How it intends to request the Greek Government to
review this project so as to ensure that the overall
programme aimed at improving the environment of
Athens is coordinated in an effective manner ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 1995 )

According to the information available to the Commission,
the building project referred to by the Honourable Member
has not yet been authorized ; all decisions to date concern
land use .

The Commission cannot therefore claim any infringement
of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment .

The Greek authorities may still consider that the size and
location of the project warrant environmental assessment in
accordance with Article 4 ( 2 ) of the Directive .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1270 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 67 )

Subject : Migration and poverty

Will the Commission recognize that migration is driven by
poverty in developing countries and that consequently the
European Union should develop effective strategies and
commit sufficient resources for poverty eradication ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 lune 1995 )

There is wide agreement on the link beween poverty in the
developing countries — or, more generally, depressed living
conditions in certain parts of the world — and the
phenomenon of international migration . The Commission
drew attention to it in its recent communication to the

Council and Parliament on immigration and asylum

policies ( ), in which the Commission, while acknowledging
the importance of demographic and environmental factors
and the human rights and political situation in the country
of origin, pointed out that economic disparities are generally
behind the strongest migratory pressures .

There is far from unanimous agreement on how to deal with
the causes of migratory pressures, particularly the economic
causes . The Commission considers that the European Union
must deploy the full range of its external policy instruments

( trade policy, development cooperation and assistance, and
policy on human rights ) if it is to influence migratory
flows .

Eliminating poverty in the developing countries is one of the
four primary aims of Community cooperation policy . In
December 1993 the Council adopted a resolution on the
subject based on Commission proposals ( 2 ). The guidelines
it lays down are concerned with achieving a better focus on
the aim of poverty reduction in the context of cooperation
policies and also with making the relevant Union policies
more effective by means of better coordination .

Furthermore, the Commission played an active part in the
prepartion of the World Summit on social development in
Copenhagen, as well as at the conference itself, and will be
examining means of providing a follow-up to the meeting,
notably by implementing the recommendations of the
action programme on eliminating poverty .

Lastly, on the particular issue of the links between
development cooperation and migration, the Commission
recently brought together a number of experts from the
Member States to discuss the matter . Their various

contributions served to highlight the complexity of
migration as a phenomenon within the broader context of
development, and some scepticism was expressed regarding
the role that development might play, whereas the
importance of trade liberalization was widely supported .

As for the need to combat poverty within the Community,
the Commission has been implementing action programmes
with this objective since 1978 . The fourth programme

( Medium-term action programme to combat exclusion and
promote solidarity — A new programme to support and
stimulate innovation ( 1994 — 1999 )) ( 3 ) ( planned to run
from 1994 to 1999 ) was submitted to the Council in
September 1993, but has not yet been adopted . Meanwhile,
the need to combat social exclusion and promote solidarity
is reiterated in the Commission 's medium-term social action
programme ( 4 ) ( 1995—1997 ) of 12 April 1995 .

(') COM(94 ) 23 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 518 .
f >) COM(93 ) 435 final .

( 4 ) COM(95 ) 134 final .

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 35

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1271 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION

by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1277 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(5 May 1995 ) (5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 68 ) ( 95 / C 230 / 69 )

Subject : Abuse of overseas domestic workers

Subject : Land-mines

It is estimated that there are 110 million anti-personal
land-mines in former war zones, that land-mines kill 800 +
people per month, and in three out of four cases injury is so
great that it results in an amputation .

Given the above, will the Commission agree to a total ban on
the production, sale, stockpiling and use of all
anti-personnel mines ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

Is the Commission aware that, according to documented
cases by Kalayaan ' Justice for overseas domestic workers '

and the Commission for Filipino migrant workers, of 666
domestic workers interviewed between May 1990 and
January 1993, 33,6% suffered physical abuse by their

employers, 41,8% were not paid regularly, 69,0% were
paid less than in their contract, 55,5 % were not given a

bedroom ( i.e. made to sleep in the kitchen, hallway etc .)?

What steps has the Commission taken to follow up the
recommendations in the Newman report of the Civil
Liberties Committee and the Sten Newens resolution of

March 1993 signed by over 40 MEPs .

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

on behalf of the Commission
(2 1 June 1 995 )

( 27 une 1995 )

The Commission is very conscious of the suffering caused in
many parts of the world by the indiscriminate and
irresponsible use of anti-personnel land-mines ( APM ), and
has responded directly by sponsorship of mine-clearance
actions in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, Mozambique, and
Somalia, as part of its humanitarian aid and development
cooperation programmes . In the last three years over ECU
21 million have been expended by the Community on such
actions .

The Commission is not acquainted with the reports
mentioned by the Honourable Member .

Parliament rejected the motion for a resolution in the report
prepared by Mr Newman on 18 May . The substance of the
demands made in it, as in the resolution of 11 March 1993

. ( Mr de Gucht 's report ) was addressed to the Member States .
21 million have been expended by the Community on such Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
actions . Member States is widely ensured by effective control

systems, both internally by internal channels for appeals and
complaints and externally by the machinery put in place by
Further to this, the Commission has been working closely the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council
with the Council in developing the joint action on APM, of Europe .
which was agreed in principle by the Council on 10 April

1995, and which includes a common moratorium on
exports of certain categories of APM, active preparation for
the 1980 Convention review conference and specific
contributions by the Community to international
mine-clearance efforts . The Commission meanwhile will be

pursuing both its mine-clearance operations and its research
activity related to mine-clearance .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 306 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

The Commission supports further measures for the (5 May 1995 )
curtailment of the availability and use of APM, through ( 95 / C 230 / 70 )
multilateral action, with an effective control regime and
verification and with the ultimate goal of eliminating such
weapons . Subject : Use of the Greek language

On 10 January 1995 a meeting of the National Server P.P.
Management Committee took place at the Centre

No C 230 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Borschette at which interpretation was provided into all the
working languages of the Union ( including Swedish ) with
the exception of Greek . Similar situations arise frequently at
working party meetings etc . What measures will the
Commission take to ensure that interpretation is provided
into Greek, in particular in view of the official commitment
of all institutions of the Union to the use of all the working
languages, without exception, in the day-to-day business of
the Union ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

It is not true that at the meeting in question interpreting was
provided for all languages except Greek . Interpreting was
provided from nine languages into three : from Danish,
Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian,
Portuguese and Swedish into English, French, and

German .

Greek was not included because of the particular shortage of
interpreters for this language . The Greek Permanent
Representation is asked each week to inform the Joint
Interpreting and Conference Service ( JICS ) for which
meetings interpreting into Greek is most needed, and it did
not give this meeting priority .

Because of this shortage, the JICS has been asking the Greek
authorities since 1977 to establish an undergraduate or
postgraduate course in Greece for conference
interpreters .

In the absence of any such course, the Commission itself has
undertaken a variety of measures . Before accession, from

1977 to 1981, the JICS subsidized training courses at the
University of Geneva . Since accession, in addition to the
on-going trainee programme in Brussels, the JICS, in
collaboration with the Greek authorities, has organized six
courses at the Panteios University and one at the Ionian
University . The JICS is currently organizing a course in
Athens together with the Foreign Ministry .

These efforts should be kept up without fail, because many

Greek-speaking interpreters leave their jobs after a few
years, mainly to return to Greece . However, it is clear that
the Commission cannot stand in for the Member States

indefinitely in ' training conference interpreters .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311 / 95

by Honorio Novo ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 12 May 199 5 )

( 95 / C 230 / 71 )

Subject : Community funds for vocational training in the

fisheries sector

Under the first Community Support Framework, funds were
allocated to Portugal for vocational training in the fisheries
sector . Sums are expected to be allocated under the second
Community Support Framework to the same sector and for
the same purpose .

Can the Commission state the total amount granted to
Portugal for vocational training in the sector while the first
Community Support Framework was in force, and of the
amount expected to be allocated for the same purpose under
the second Community Support Framework ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 June 1995 )

The 1989 — 1993 Community support framework did not
provide for any specific programme or measure for
vocational training in the fisheries sector . Training of this
kind has become available under various operational
programmes ( regional programmes, initial training,
continuing vocational training, etc .).

The organization that has done most to promote training in
the sector is Forpescas ( Centre for vocational training in the
fisheries sector ), which is associated with the IEFP ( Institute
for employment and vocational training ). The Centre has
received co-financing of approximately ECU 26 million

( ESC 5 billion ) from the European Social Fund .

The Honourable Member will be notified of the total aid

provided in the sector during the term of the first
Community support framework ( CSF ) as soon as the
Commission receives information already requested from
the national authorities . As regards the CSF for

1 994 — 1 999, the Commission gave its approval on 4 March
1994 to the operational programme for ' modernization of
the economic fabric ', with a contribution of ECU 414
million from the ESF, of which ECU 14 million is intended
for the ' fisheries ' sub-programme .

In addition, training measures in the fisheries sector are also
provided for in the operational programmes in the
autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, and also as
part of the operational programme on ' vocational training
and employment ' in which Forpescas will be involved .
Given that the measures under these programmes are not
sector-specific, the Commission has asked the Portuguese
authorities what sums have already been allocated in 1994
and 1995 for the fisheries sector and the processing of fish
products .

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 37

Furthermore, a sum of ECU 2,14 million has been
earmarked for measures relating to ' professional training ' in
the framework of the Community 's ' Pesca ' initiative .

The Commission will provide the Honourable Member
with additional information as quickly as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1348 / 95

by Graham Mather ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 72 )

Subject : Training Commission officials in environmental

literacy

The Fifth Action Programme on the Environment, ' Towards
Sustainability ', highlights ' the need for new or additional
skills or training in administrations and in manufacturing
and service industries ' (').

Although many educational courses are now available in
respect of the theory of environmental studies, a hands-on,
but rigorous, training in environmental science and related

'
issues — ' environmental literacy — is still absent among
most of the actors cited in ' Towards Sustainability '.

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that
Commission officials, many of whom administer large
programmes relating to the environment, have rigorous and
practical experience of field science leading to their personal
development in ' environmental literacy '?

Is the Commission aware of the working bodies like
Earthwatch Europe for developing programmes to train the
corporate sector, members of the public and government
officials in environmental literacy through participation in
field programmes ?

( 1 ) COM(92 ) 23 final — Vol . II .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 June 1995 )

As the Honourable Member emphasizes, the environment is
among those fields where an active training policy is
essential to ensure that Commission staff responsible for
managing Community programmes are always kept abreast
of the latest scientific developments and the most modern
techniques .

Under the Commission 's training policy, which is
extensively decentralized, the Directorate-General for the
Environment adopted a training plan which includes, in

particular, training courses on management methods and
tools, integration of the environment into the other
Community policies, environmental impact studies and
assessments and analysis of the cost and benefits of
environmental action . These training courses are designed
specifically to meet the requirements of the
Directorate-General for Environment . Instructors are

selected in accordance with the Commission 's usual

tendering procedures .

At the same time, training courses in more specialized areas
can be organized outside the Commission for the staff of the
Directorate-General for the Environment depending on the
programmes offered by universities, other organizations or
bodies, such as the one referred to by the Honourable
Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1351 / 95

by Friedrich Wolf ( V )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 73 )

Subject : Fees for Commissioners

Could the Commission confirm that one of its Members has

received DM 40 000 for his active participation in a meeting
of employers in Bandelin ( Mecklenburg Vorpommern )? Did
or did not the Commission in one way or the other subsidize
this meeting and / or the organization involved ?

To which charity did the Commissioner send the sum
involved ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

No, the Commission cannot confirm that one of its
members received DM 40 000 to participate in a meeting of
employers in Bandelin .

The operational programme agreed by the Commission and
Germany for the period 1991 — 1993 allocated European
regional development fund ( ERDF ) support for technical
assistance . The purpose of this technical assistance was to
ensure satisfactory awareness, implementation and
follow-up of the ERDF programme . The Economics
ministry of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, responsible for the
implementation of the operational programme, decided in
November 1 993 to grant aid in the amount of DM 1 00 000

( Community contribution of DM 75 000, national
co-finance of DM 25 000 ) to the association of employers of
Vorpommern for the organization of the meeting mentioned

No C 230 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

by the Honourable Member . The decision provided for later
examination by the Economics ministry of the
appropriateness of the project cost .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1377 / 95

by Alexander Langer ( V )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1 995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 74 )

Subject : Oil drilling by AGIP in the Ticino national park in

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 1995 )

The whole area of the Ticino Park is to be considered as

important because of the numerous bird species listed in
Annex I of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ( '). Part of the area of the
park will be included in the list of candidate sites as future
special conservation areas according to Directive
92 / 43 / EEC ( 2 ), which list should be submitted to the
Commission by June 1995 .

The project falls under Annex II of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 3 )
so that an assessment with regard to its effects is foreseen if
the project is likely to have significant effects on the
environment by virtue inter alia of its nature, size or
location . Therefore, the Commission, considering the
potential risks connected to the drilling activities mentioned,
has asked the Italian authorities for more details concerning
this project and whether it will be subject to an
environmental impact assessment .

Italy — environmental risks (') OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .
C ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

Since 1988, the Italian oil company, AGIP, has been
exploiting an oilfield which straddles the Piedmont and the
Lombardy sides of the Ticino national park . According to
AGIP, this oilfield, the ' Villa Fortuna-Trecate ' field, should
yield 45 per cent of Italy 's oil production ( although this
amounts to no more than one to two per cent of Italy 's entire
consumption ), thereby justifying a high level of investment,
even if it has never really been quantified, as well as very
considerable environmental risks, since the drilling
operations are some of the deepest in the world (6 200
metres ), and are, furthermore, being carried out in a
protected national park area . These risks were seen to be real
on 28 February 1994 when a borehole between Romentino
and Trecate erupted uncontrollably, spraying the rice fields
in the area and the town of Trecate with a black rain of oil

and water for three days . ( Despite this, children were sent to
school so as not to cause ' undue alarm '.) After two days, a
landslip miraculously blocked the borehole and prevented a
major disaster . Superficial measures were taken to clean up
the land, largely by simply covering the oil on it, and the
drilling is now to be resumed . The first drilling operation, at
the ' Villa Fortuna 14 ' field, is to be carried out on the
Lombardy side of the park, at Castelleto di Cuggione, just
200 metres from the River Ticino . The local residents have

mobilized to stop it : the Cuggione local council opposed it
on 7 January, and opposition was voiced at a crowded
public meeting on 16 February, and by the Ticino Park
Assembly, which represents 46 communes and three
provinces in Lombardy, on 11 March .

1 . Is the Commission aware of these facts, and does it
consider the local opposition to the oil drilling to be
justified ?

2 . Has an environmental impact assessment been carried
out in accordance with European law and, if not, what
action does the Commission intend to take ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 381 / 95

by Bernie Malone ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 75 )

Subject : Production of information on the EU in minority

European languages

In view of the recent increase in the number of official

languages in the European Union due to the recent
enlargement and the revival that many minority languages
are experiencing throughout Europe, such as the dramatic
increase in the number of schools using Irish throughout
Ireland, is the Commission intending to produce an updated
version of the Treaties in Irish and is it intending to produce
information booklets on the EU in Irish aimed specifically at
young people ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

Successive versions of the Treaties are routinely published in
all the official languages of the European Union, including
Irish .

A new edition of the Treaties in force will appear
shortly .

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 39

In addition to information documents published in the 1 1
official languages, the Commission produces brochures and
leaflets in some other languages of Union States . These are
generally published by the Commission Offices in the
Member States . The brochure on Ireland published in
English and Irish in 1994 is an example . The Commission is
sending a copy direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament 's Secretariat .

A diploma stating that a candidate has skills in a second
language does not therefore exempt a candidate from the
need to pass a written and oral exam . Only a candidate 's
second language is tested at the written stage . A jury may test
a candidate 's knowledge of other foreign languages at the
oral exam, where this is provided in the notice of
competition .

Knowledge of a candidate 's principal language, normally
the mother tongue, is tested through the written and oral
tests . Knowledge of the principal language is only tested
specifically, however, in certain types of competition, for
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1399 / 95 example, for typists, where competitions are organized by
language .

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 76 )

Subject : Application criteria

Will the Commission state whether and, if so, what
differences exist between the application procedures which
it and the Court of Justice use ?

Will it state whether and, if so, how it makes initial checks,
on the basis of the documents submitted, to ascertain
whether an applicant satisfies the relevant language
requirements ?

Is a certificate awarded in respect of training, the curriculum
for which develops a knowledge of a second language,
accepted during a preliminary check as written evidence of
such knowledge ?

What written evidence should an applicant submit to
demonstrate his knowledge of a language ? Should he submit
such evidence for each language required ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 199 5 )

The recruitment procedures of the Court of Justice and the
Commission are as a general rule broadly similar .

The Commission does not verify a candidate 's language
skills at the time of the introduction of the application form .
In this form the candidate is simply asked to list his
knowledge of languages in the order of the candidate 's main,
second and other languages . The staff regulations stipulate
that the candidate produce ' evidence of a thorough
knowledge of one of the languages of the Communities and
of a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the
Communities to the extent necessary for the performance of
his duties '. Knowledge of a second language is normally
tested both through written and oral tests . This ensures that
all candidates meet a common standard .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-14 19 / 95

by Ingo Friedrich ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 77 )

Subject : Shooting facilities at Berlaymont

1 . Will the Commission protect the Berlaymount 's
shooting and hunting club facilities from unauthorized
access and damage during renovation work ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to ensure that during the
renovation work, there can be no access to material and
equipment which cannot be stowed away ?

3 . After completion of the renovation work, will the
Commission ensure the continued existence of the club

facilities and arrange for appropriate compensation to users
for any losses sustained ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

The Belgian State, which owns the Berlaymont, has planned
that work to remove asbestos will commence in August

1995 . Given the nature of this substance, the building will be
inaccessible during the work, and all basement areas still
occupied at present by the Commission ( store-rooms,
garages, etc .) must be evacuated . The shooting range must

No C 230 / 40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

be dismantled by its users and the equipment stored by them
outside the building .

The renovation plan makes no provision for a shooting
range in the future .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1440 / 95

by Klaus Rehder ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 78 )

Under these measures, about 4 000 European professionals
have been trained in techniques relating to the production,
marketing and distribution of audiovisual works and in new
image technologies .

On 8 February 1995, the Commission adopted a proposal
for a Decision on the implementation of a training
programme for professionals in the European audiovisual
programme industry ('), which will form part of the future
Media II Programme . This proposal is being studied at
present by Parliament, the Council and the Economic and
Social Committee . It covers mainly training, both initial and
continuing, in the economic, commercial and technical
fields to enable European professionals to exploit to the full
the potential of the European and international markets .

Subject : Payment of travel expenses for language courses (') COM(94 ) 523 final .

The children of EU citizens in Germany must be given the
opportunity of following a course in their mother tongue .
City and local authorities pay the cost of travel to the place
where the course is held, which is often some distance away .
How is this problem dealt with in other Member States of
the European Union ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 1995 )

Under the terms of Article 126 of the EC Treaty, the content
of teaching and the organization of education systems are
the responsibility of the Member States . The Commission
therefore regrets that it does not have the information
requested .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1444 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 79 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1452 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1 995 )

(9 SIC 230 / 80 )

Subject : Government rehabilitation centres in Guatemala

In response to my Question E-2568 / 94 ('), Commissioner
Marin states that government rehabilitation centres in
Guatemala do not receive financial support from the
Commission .

Is the Commission aware that a contract for funding has
been signed with the Guatemalan Government 's Secretaria
de Bienestar Social for juvenile centres with the Tratamento
y Orientacion para Menores ( TOM ) system ? Las Gaviotas,
where the solitary confinement cells are used on boys
between 12 and 18 years, operates the TOM system .

Will the Commission take steps to ensure this practice is
halted in establishments receiving EU funding ?

Subject : Training in the audiovisual sector (') OJ No C 81, 3 . 4 . 1995, p . 44 .

Will the Commission take steps to train young European
professionals in audiovisual skills as part of the Media
programme ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 June 1995 )

As part of the Media programme ( 1990 — 1995 ), several
projects are aimed directly at the continuing training of
audiovisual professionals, and more particularly two
measures under the EAVE Programme ( European
Audiovisual Entrepreneurs ) and the MBS ( the Media
Business School ).

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 June 1995 )

From 1992 to the current year the Commission financed in
Guatemala the ' Escuela juvenil ', a rehabilitation centre
under the supervision of the Secretaria de Bienestar Social .
The Commission would confirm that during the period of
Community technical assistance no detention of young
people has taken place at the centre .

The Las Gaviotas centre, for which the Tratamiento y
Orientacion de Menores ( Treatment and guidance of

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 41

juveniles ) department — one of three departments making
up the Secretaria de Bienestar Social — is responsible, is an
observation centre where young people spend some time
before being allocated to rehabilitation centres . It is true that
at one time conditions at this centre were deplorable . The
staff lacked proper training and ill-treatment of young
people was routine .

From 1993 Remar, a Spanish-based Christian
non-governmental organization ( NGO ), was asked by the
government to find ways of putting a stop to the serious
situation at the centre . Following the signing of an
agreement between the NGO ( which does not receive
funding from the Commission ) and the government,
whereby Remar was given the job of direct supervision of
the young people ( through a body of teachers living on the
premises ), the Commission 's information is that the running
of the centre has improved considerably . Among other
things, practices such as the solitary confinement in bare
cells ( the so-called ' bartochas ') of young people exhibiting
violent behaviour ceased in October 1994 .

The Commission is aware that not all the problems
associated with the rehabilitation centres have been

properly resolved, but it can only welcome the progress
made, thanks in particular to the excellent work of a few
European NGOs working actively with the national
authorities .

As part of its continuing efforts to secure substantial
improvements in the methods of dealing with problems
involving young people, whether living on the margins of
society or already in detention, the Commission is currently
implementing its programme for Guatemala City street
children, which is aimed at providing a response closely
geared to the various aspects of the problem, namely the
upgrading of centres, training for staff at all levels and
institutional back-up for the government departments most
directly concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1458 / 95

by Nikitas Kaklamanis ( UPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 81 )

Subject : Drug trafficking in Skopje

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The Commission is well aware of the difficult situation

concerning drug trafficking in the southern Balkans . This
situation is aggravated by the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina
and by the economic difficulties faced by the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia .- Nevertheless, according
to the United Nations international drug control
programme the authorities of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia have repeatedly emphasized their
understanding of the gravity of the regional drug situation,
as well as their wish to participate more effectively in the
regional drug control effort . Also according to the United
Nations, drug related criminality is listed by the Ministry of
Interior of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
among main problem areas of internal security, together
with organized and violent crime, money counterfeiting and
illegal immigration . This United Nations source also
recognizes that the government of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia is displaying political will and
commitment to combat organized crime and drugs
trafficking in particular .

The Commission regrets that since the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia is not eligible for regular Phare
funding, it has not benefited from the Phare regional
programme for the fight against drugs in central and eastern
European countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 465 / 95

by James Moorhouse ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1 995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 82 )

Subject : Carbon monoxide fatalities from solid-fuel ­
burning appliances

Is the Commission aware that many deaths from carbon
monoxide occur every year, not only from gas but also from
appliances powered by solid fuels ?

What plans, if any, does the Commission have to deal with
this ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )
The reliable periodical ' Espresso ' has brought to light
shocking evidence that drugs are being trafficked and The Commission is aware of the problem of incidents
processed in Skopje . involving carbon monoxide poisoning .

Bearing in mind the EU 's sensitivity on this matter, will the
Commission investigate and tackle this problem ?

Based on Article 100 A of the EC Treaty, relating to the
internal market, the Council adopted Directive

No C 230 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

90 / 396 / EEC ( ) on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to appliances burning gaseous fuels .
This specifies safety related technical requirements and
certification procedures for all appliances but does not cover
the Member States installation regulations . No Directive
concerning solid fuelled appliances has been adopted on the
basis of Article 100 A of the EC Treaty .

On 17 November 1994 the Commission wrote to the

Member States requesting them to forward any information
they had on carbon monoxide accidents . To date nine
Member States have responded to the request . The answers
received stress that there is a general problem with carbon
monoxide poisoning . It is apparent from the information
received that there can be many different factors which may
come into play in determining the exact cause of the

intoxication, including the dimension of the room,
ventilation, size, type and specification of device, amount
and type of fuel, atmospheric pressure, weather conditions,
type of chimney and fuel . In most cases the answers do not
allow the exact cause of intoxication to be pinpointed . In
some answers only information in relation to carbon
monoxide accidents caused by gas has been given . Where
information on accidents caused by other factors has been
given, in the main, the information does not distinguish

between the different factors . It is not possible therefore to
ascertain from the information received to date exactly
where the main problem may lie .

The Commission is continuing to pursue its investigations in
order to obtain further and more precise information . From
the results it receives the Commission will draw its

conclusions and consider whether, and if so, what action at

Community level may be necessary .

(') OJ No L 196, 26 . 7 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1469 / 95

by Christiane Taubira-Delannon ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 83 )

Subject : Tree-felling carried out by multinational
companies in Suriname ( an ACP / EEC Convention
country )

The Union should be aware that the Government of

Suriname is likely to grant logging concessions to several
multinational companies from Indonesia, Canada, China
and Malaysia .

Five million hectares will probably be leased out and subject
to intensive felling . The operators envisage that, to meet the
needs of the industry, 20 000 people will be settled in an
area which, to date, has preserved its ecosystem intact .

Moreover, a significant part of the land in question is in the
far east of Suriname, which is inhabited by many indigenous
black, brown and American Indian peoples .

In view of the Union 's links with the ACP States and of its

environmental policy, does it plan to take any action with
the aim of ensuring that the logging is carried out in line with
the requirements of sustainable and permanent
management and of preventing damage to the
environment ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 495 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 199 5 )

( 95 / C 230 / 84 )

Subject : Tropical rainforest in Suriname

1 . Can the Commission confirm that, in Suriname, an
ACP State, plans exist to cut down large areas of tropical
rainforest without the necessary measures to assure
sustainability .

2 . Is the Commission prepared to discuss alternative
solutions with Suriname in order to ensure that no

permanent environmental damage results ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1469 / 95 and
E-1495 / 95

given by Mr Pinheiro
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1995 )

The Commission has been informed that the Surinamese

Government has negotiated draft contracts for logging
concessions covering over one million hectares each with
three South-East Asian companies, namely Berjaya Timber
Industries, MUSA and Suri-Atlantic .

At this stage only the contract with Berjaya seems ready to
be presented to the Surinamese Parliament for ratification .
The investment proposed by Berjaya would amount to
about $US 100 million and would include the building of a
sawmill and a particle board and plywood factory . It is
expected to generate some 7 000 jobs, and it has been agreed
that 90 % of these should be taken up by people of
Surinamese nationality .

US experts have helped in the preparation of the contracts,
which include conditions concerning the planning of the
forestry activities, felling and extraction operations and
forest regeneration . It would seem that under these
contracts the forest will be managed on a long-term basis
which will not endanger its viability and account will be
taken of the indigenous population 's economic
requirements ; the Government is holding discussions with

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official lournal of the European Communities No C 230 / 43

the inhabitants of the areas concerned in order to ensure that

a fair balance of interests is achieved .

At the Surinamese Government 's request, the Commission
financed a study with view to setting up a body for
monitoring and supervising these operations .

If the Government so requests, the Commission will
examine the conditions under which it could assist the

country in effectively supervising the planned forestry
activities, so that they are carried out in accordance with the
principles of lasting, sustainable forest management and in
such a way as to avoid causing damage to the
environment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1476 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

In March the Nicaraguan Government obtained
cancellation of 67 % of its external debt with the creditor

countries of the Paris Club, and also special debt servicing
relief ; as a result the flows of payment over the next two and
a half years will go down by 80 % compared with the
original amounts . Debt was also recently cancelled by
Austria and Denmark .

As part of its own efforts to correct the remaining external
imbalances, the Nicaraguan Government is still conducting
negotiations with the main creditors in order to obtain a
reduction in debt servicing or a cancellation . In 1994 some
meetings were held on re-negotiating the external debt with
the former Soviet Union, which accounts for the largest
proportion . A policy of not getting into arrears with
international organizations has also been followed, and will
be maintained this year .

Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1477 / 95

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission
( 95 / C 230 / 85 )

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 86 )
Subject : The Nicaraguan external debt

What action has the Commission taken in support of the
endeavours to reduce the amount of the Nicaraguan debt
and the corresponding payment obligations, given that these
factors are severely limiting the capacities for recovery of
Nicaragua 's vulnerable economy ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 hme 1995 )

As the Honourable Member knows, the Commission has
no powers whatsoever regarding external debt . The
Commission has nevertheless always supported moves by
Member States to reduce the debt owed to them by
Nicaragua to levels reflecting more closely the country 's
actual ability to pay .

At meetings of the World Bank Consultative Group and in
all the forums at which it has had an opportunity to express
its views on the subject, the Commission has maintained a
firm position .

Although the main creditors ( Russia and Mexico ) are not at
present in a position to cancel debt, the Member States have
generally responded favourably to the need to reduce their
pressure on Nicaragua 's sparse financial resources .

Subject : Attacks on Spanish lorries in France

On the night of 20 April 1995, groups of French citizens
violently attacked and wrecked six Spanish lorries
originating in Huelva, destroying 200 tonnes of
strawberries .

How has the Commission reacted to this grave attack on the
free movement of goods within the Union ?

What action has the Commission taken in the face of these

violent and gangster-like attacks, which appear to have been
repeated with impunity ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1 995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

answer to Written Question E-1344 / 95 by Mrs Maria Rojo
Izquierdo (').

(') OJ No C 222, 28 . 8 . 1995 .

No C 230 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1493 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 87 )

Subject : Unnecessary suffering to animals caused by the

compulsory re-registration of products

All products which are marketed are required to have
undergone tests proving that they are safe and effective .
Directive 92 / 18 / EEC (') also requires all products to be
re-registered . In addition, all EU Member States must, in
future, comply with the binding rules of the European
Pharmacopoeia ( EP ) monographs .

1 . Is the Commission aware that these new rules, in
particular the re-registration procedures, means that
unnecessary animal experiments are being carried out
and causing a great deal of suffering to animals, since the
pharmaceutical industry is being obliged to redevelop
existing vaccines which have already been proved
effective ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that as a direct consequnce of
requirements in the EP monographs, for example the
fact that all means of administering vaccines must be
tested on chickens, means that twice as many
experimental animals as necessary are being used ?

3 . Since European policy is concerned to reduce animal
experiments, will the Commission amend its own policy
since, as a result of the new rules, more animal
experiments need to be carried out involving the use of
twice as many test animals, and when will it submit a
corresponding proposal to the European Parliament ?

(') OJ No L 97, 10 . 4 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June / 995 )

1 . The implementation of harmonized quality, safety and
efficacy criteria for veterinary vaccines, introduced by
Directive 92 / 18 / EEC, aims both at the free circulation of
veterinary vaccines and the improvement of the protection
of public health . On 31 March 1998, all existing veterinary
vaccines on the market in the Community will have to
comply with these criteria . To this end, manufacturers may
have to carry out new safety and efficacy trials according to
up-to-date requirements, in order to ensure that their
products match up to the claims which are made . In
particular, manufacturers may only recommend those
routes of administration which they have tested and which

have been shown to be efficacious, as results obtained
through one route of administration cannot be extrapolated
to another . This is necessary to ensure that proper
protection against disease is offered to animals and their

owners .

2 . The European Pharmacopoeia has been setting official
standards for veterinary vaccines for over 20 years .
Directive 92 / 18 / EEC ensures that they are now applied
uniformly . Although the requirement to test the various
recommended routes of administration was implicit, the
monographs have been further clarified with regard to this
requirement in line with Directive 92 / 18 / EEC . Where more
than one route of administration is to be recommended, the
use of a greater number of test animals during the
development of the product is offset by the guarantee that
correctly assessed routes are applied and by the resulting
benefit to animal health .

3 . The Commission is committed to the reduction of

animal use . In the medicines sector, a programme set up in
collaboration with the European Pharmacopoeia has as one
of its objectives the development of alternative methods for
routine tests on medicinal products .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 503 / 95

by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 88 )

Subject : Measures against discriminatory arrests

In recent years, and more acutely in recent weeks, ships from
the Northern Spanish fishing fleet have suffered repeated
harassment while fishing in waters under Irish
jurisdiction .

A review of the data on sanctions, fines and arrests ( Cork
Circuit Court, 1985 — 1991 ) shows that the Spanish fishing
fleet operating in Irish waters seems to infringe the relevant
fishing regulations more than the Irish fleet, or those of
other Member States, despite the fact that it was relatively
reduced in size under the terms of the Treaty of Accession .
This indicates that the Spanish fleet is suffering
discrimination in the application of fishing regulations :

— For similar infringements, more severe economic
sanctions are imposed on the Spanish than on the
Irish .

— Guarantee requirements for releasing ships are more

severe for the Spanish than the Irish .

— Nets and fishing tackle are systematically confiscated

from the Spanish, but not always from the Irish .

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 45

— The average time allowed for payment of a fine is longer

for the Irish than for the Spanish .

The explanations given for ships being treated differently
acccording to nationality do not contradict this view, but
corroborate and extend it, if it is taken into account that
British or Irish ships run by Spanish operators also suffer
discrimination .

The Member States ' competence with regard to control and
sanctions in the fisheries sector is limited to the principle of
non-discrimination on grounds of nationality, under
Article 6 of the EU Treaty . In view of this, what measures
does the Commission intend to take against the
discrimination suffered in Irish waters by Spanish fishing
boats, as well as British or Irish boats with Spanish interests,
in contravention of Article 6 of the EU Treaty ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

On the basis of the information at its disposal, the
Commission is not led to conclude that discrimination exists

in the application of fisheries legislation as between, on the
one hand, vessels flying the Spanish flag or controlled by
Spanish shipowners, and vessels flying the Irish flag on the
other .

In any event, the Commission will be contacting the Irish
authorities to invite them to provide more information with
a view to clarifying the matters raised in the question from
the Honourable Member .

Is the Commission prepared to correct this unfair situation ?
Does it consider that German nursing care insurance is a
matter covered by Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 (*)? If not,
is there any other EU legislation which is applicable to this
kind of social service ?

(M OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971, p . 2 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1995 )

The Honourable Member is referring to the new legislation
in Germany concerning insurance contributions for
long-term nursing care ( Pflegeversicherung ). As the
Commission already indicated in its answer to Written
Question E-762 / 95 from Mr Peter ('), it is aware of the
problems being faced by frontier workers following the
introduction of this legislation .

The Administrative Commission on Social Security for
Migrant Workers plans shortly to discuss all the problems
that have arisen following the introduction of this
legislation in order to find appropriate solutions for those
affected . Under these circumstances, the Commission
stresses that frontier workers residing in the Netherlands or
Austria already have access to long-term nursing care in
these Member States .

(') OJ No C 145, 12 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1508 / 95

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1504 / 95 ( 95 / C 230 / 90 )

by Edith Miiller ( V )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 89 )

Subject : Implications of the introduction of nursing care

insurance in Germany for frontier-zone workers

The introduction of nursing care insurance

( Pflegeversicherung ) in Germany on 1 January 1995
extended the German social-security system to include a
new service which does not exist in most other Member

States . Frontier-zone workers who reside in another

Member State and work in Germany are requied to pay
nursing care insurance contributions out of their earned
income, although they cannot benefit so long as they do not
live in Germany .

Subject : Euratom authorization for imported lithium-6 in

Munich

1 . When ( on what date ) did Euratom authorize the
import of the consignment of lithium-6 from Russia, which
arrived in Munich on 10 August 1994 ?

2 . What was the reason ( intended use ) indicated on the
application for the licence to import lithium-6 into Germany
and who submitted it ?

3 . Who were the designated recipients and what
handling instructions and authorizations were they stated to
have received ?

4 . Who was designated as the owner of the lithium-6
during, before and after transport ?

No C 230 / 46 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answer to her Written Question No 1489 / 95 ('). As stated
there, the incident of 10 August 1994 in Munich is a case of
nuclear smuggling, as far as the Commission is aware . In
cases of smuggling, including smuggling of nuclear material,
experience shows that no import or utilization licences are
requested . This is also true in the case to which the
Honourable Member refers .

(') OJ No C 213, 17 . 8 . 1995, p . 61 .

undertaken by Greece which was requested of that Member
State under Article 6 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 595 / 91 ( 3 ).

The investigations carried out into companies are
confidential . Under Article 8 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 729 / 70 and Article 10 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 595 / 91,
professional secrecy is a principle of national law that has
been transposed into Community law .

As regards the results of the investigation and the
consequences arising therefrom, the Commission will carry
out the duties assigned to it by the Council pursuant to
Regulation ( EEC ) No 729 / 70 . The case will accordingly be
dealt with on a bilateral basis between the Commission and

the Member State .

Any financial consequences will be dealt with under the
clearance of accounts procedure .

(') OJ No L 94, 28 . 4 . 1970 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 185, 15 . 7 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-15 15 / 95 ( 3 ) OJ No L 67, 14 . 3 . 1991 .

by Alexandres Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 91 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519 / 95

Subject : Fraud in the tobacco sector by Nuala Ahern ( V )

to the Commission

As announced in the Greek press, the Commission has the
results of an investigation carried out in July 1994 by
Community officials into fraud in the tobacco sector in
Greece . Do the results of the investigation reveal :

1 . cases of exports which are bogus or less than the amount
declared ? Which companies were involved ? What was
the extent of the damage to the Community budget ?

2 . any irregularities or frauds attributable to processing
companies ? Which companies ? What is the extent of the
damage to the Community budget ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 92 )

Subject : Dangerous nuclear experiments

Can the Commission list each of the referrals made under

Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty, covering particularly
dangerous nuclear experiments within the territory or
dependent territories of a Member State, by each Member
State for each year since they have been a member of the
European Atomic Energy Community ( Euratom )? Will it
also indicate each of the occasions where the Commission or

Euratom expressed a reservation about any such referral,
indicating the reason for the reservation expressed ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )
As the Honourable Member states in his question, the
Commission carried out a check on the tobacco sector in

Greece, most notably in July 1994 . This consisted of an
investigation carried out by the European Agricultural To date only one referral by a Member
Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF ) pursuant to of Article 34 Euratom Treaty has
Article 9 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 729 / 70 ('), as amended by Commission . This refers to a
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2048 / 88 ( 2 ), and an inquiry 1959 as regards nuclear tests in the

To date only one referral by a Member State under the terms
of Article 34 Euratom Treaty has been received by the
Commission . This refers to a communication by France in

1959 as regards nuclear tests in the Sahara .

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 47

In its subsequent opinion the Commission noted that, while
the territories of other Member States were not liable to be

affected by the tests, additional steps should be taken to
ensure the application of the basic safety standards in
respect of population close to the test site region .

The French government subsequently confirmed that the
Commission 's recommendations would be taken into

account .

The NPT Conference backed the decisions of the IAEA

Board of Governors on making the nuclear safeguards more
effective . The Commission is liaising directly with the IAEA
on these proposals and activities .

(') COMI95 ) 127 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 526 / 95

by Eva Kjer Hansen ( ELDR )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1522 / 95
to the Commission

by Nuala Ahern ( V )

( 22 May 1995 )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 230 / 94 )

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 93 )

Subject : Extending the scope and effectiveness of nuclear

safeguards

Can the Commission list each of the new proposals it has
prepared on extending the scope and effectiveness of nuclear
safeguards, which were put to the Non-Proliferation Treaty
Conference held in New York 17 April — 12 May 1995 ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 1995 )

The Commission did not put forward any new proposals on
the scope and effectiveness of nuclear safeguards at the
Conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT ) held in
New York from 17 April to 12 May 1995 . It did forward a
document (') to the Conference informing it of the
European Atomic Energy Community 's contribution to the
objectives of Articles III ( including nuclear safeguards ) and
IV of the NPT .

The Commission has taken careful note of the nuclear
safeguards section of the decision which the Conference
adopted on 11 May 1995 on the principles and objectives of
nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament . It has also
taken note of the draft Main Committee II report, which
was not finalized, however, owing to lack of consensus .

The International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) is the
international organization responsible for checking that
States are meeting their obligations under the safeguards
agreements in accordance with Article III ( 1 ) of the NPT .

Subject : Employees ' use of company cars owned and

registered by firms located in Member States other
than employees ' Member States of residence

1 . Is the Commission aware that, in Section 106 of
Ministry of Justice Notice No 18 of 10 January 1992, the
Danish authorities laid down rules prohibiting residents of
Denmark who are employed as salesmen by German firms
from using company cars in any form for business journeys
in Denmark ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that, in the abovementioned
notice, the Danish authorities prohibit employees from
using company cars for everyday travel between their home
addresses in Denmark and the firms ' premises in
Germany ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that, in the abovementioned
notice, the Danish authorities prohibit employees ( and their
families ) from making incidental, private use of company
cars, regardless of whether or not incidental, private use of a
car is part of an employee 's remuneration package ?

4 . Does the Commission agree that the Danish rules
described above and the Danish authorities ' practice are
contrary to the principles, under Articles 48 to 66 of the EC
Treaty, of free movement for workers, the right of
establishment and freedom to provide services ?

5 . Does the Commission agree that the Danish rules set
out above and the Danish authorities ' practice are contrary
to the European Court of Justice judgment in the Ledoux
case ( Case 127 / 86, Court judgment of 6 June 1988 (')) and
the Commission communication of 28 July 1989 to the
European Parliament and the Council concerning the

No C 230 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

temporary importation of a private vehicle for business or
private use ( 2 ) as amended on 16 October 1989 ( 3 )?

6 . What action does the Commission propose to take in
this connection, including whether it proposes to bring a
proceeding against Denmark for infringement of the Treaty,
pursuant to Article 169 of the EC Treaty, unless the Danish
authorities voluntarily amend the rules, and the related
administrative practice, as soon as possible ?

(') OJ No C 211, 6 . 6 . 1988, p . 6 .

( 2 ) COM(89 ) 359 final .

( 3 ) COM(89 ) 573 final .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 June 1995 )

1 . to 3 . The Commission notes that the Honourable

Member is referring to the difficulties encountered by a
particular employee with regard to the use of a company car
registered in Germany on Danish territory .

The Commission is aware that the Danish authorities do not
permit the use of a car licensed in another Member State for
personal or professional purposes if the ' normal residence '
of the user ( as specified in Article 7 of Directive
83 / 182 / EEC ( 1 )) is in the Member State concerned .

However, the Commission would draw the Honourable
Member 's attention to the fact that it is also aware of several

actual cases in which the Danish authorities have

nevertheless authorized employees to return from their
place of work in Germany to their place of residence in
Denmark by the shortest route between the latter and the
German border .

4 . to 6 . The Commission attaches great importance to
this matter, and feels that the best solution to the problem in
terms of the single market would be to introduce new

legislation . The Court of Justice ruling cited by the
Honourable Member was for a case concerned only with
VAT, whereas here the issue is the registration tax . The
Commission would therefore confirm its answer to Written
Question No 382 / 95 from Ms Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( 2 ), in
which it announced that it would present the Council with a
proposal for a Directive before the end of the year .

With regard to the particular case brought to its attention by
the Honourable Member, the Commission will be happy to
consider any information submitted to it .

(') OJ No L 105, 23 . 4 . 1983 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 152, 19 . 6 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1529 / 95

by Patricia McKenna ( V )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 95 )

Subject : Protection of fossils

What measures are being undertaken by the Commission to
protect the EU 's fossil heritage and have any legal
instruments been introduced for this purpose ?

Has an inventory been compiled by the Commission of fossil
stocks throughout the EU ?

What steps, if any, does the Commission propose to take to
restrict the sales of rare fossil types on the open market, as
takes place widely throughout the EU ?

Will the Commission be engaging in any public information
campaigns about the threat to fossils from coastal erosion,
non-sustainable tourism etc .?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 June 1995 )

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that,
according to Article 128 EC Treaty and the principle of
subsidiarity, there is no Community competence in this field
at present and that this matter is dealt with exclusively by
the national authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1532 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 96 )

Subject : Protect monk seals

I share the Commission 's scruples with regard to odious
comparisons between the poor and vanishing species,
although I would, as would the Commission no doubt, like
to see the former becoming extinct within and outwith the
European Union .

In view, therefore, of its reply No 567 / 95 ( l ) of 25 April

1995, would the Commission be so good as to inform me
which persons and institutions have benefitted from the
ECU 2,7 million allocated under the Acnat problem and the

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 49

LIFE Regulation since 1991, and how these funds have been
administered by those who received them ? Can it also
provide analogous information as to the use made by the
' Greek Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk
Seal ' of its funding from the Commission ( circa . ECU
250 000 )?

The costs of the Commission and the Parliament were borne

by those institutions under their respective budgetary
allocations .

. There are no plans to request the repayment of these costs
250 000 )? from Norway as a result of failure to ratify the draft act of

accession .

(!) OJ No C 175, 10 . 7 . 1995, p . 49 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 July 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1541 / 95

by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

The Commission is sending the information requested direct (1 June 1995 )
to the Honourable Member and to Parliament 's
95 / C 230 / 98
Secretariat .

Subject : Italian non-compliance with the Directive on the

protection of animals used for experimental and
other scientific purposes

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1535 / 95

by Gary Titley ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 97 )

Subject : Cost to the European Union of Norway 's
application to join

Can the Commission estimate the total cost to the European
Union of dealing with the application by Norway to become
a member of the EU ( cost of ministerial meetings, travel,
staff, translation of documents, parliamentary time,
information activities, paper, training of interpreters,
etc .)?

Are there any plans to recoup the cost from Norway, in
particular in view of the fact that it is not the first time this
country has caused such expenditure to no avail ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

Having regard to the Commission 's replies to Questions
Nos 2455 / 92 f 1 ) and 1747 / 93 ( 2 ) by Mr Gianfranco
Amendola,

— wheras in the second of these replies the Commission

states that Italian   - Legislative Decree 116, by which
Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ( 3 ) was transposed into national
law, ' fails to comply with Article 17 of [ the ] Directive '
and that it will ' communicate this to the Italian

authorities ',

— whereas following this communication the Italian

Health Minister was preparing a ministerial decree,
dated 2 December 1993, to remedy this failure and to
implement certain measures passed by the Italian
Parliament on the basis of Article 24 of Directive

86 / 609 / EEC,

— whereas this decree never came into force,

Does the Commission therefore intend to initiate

infringement proceedings against Italy under Article 169 of
the Treaty ?

on behalf of the Commission (') OJ No C 141, 19 . 5 . 1993, p . 32 .

( 27 June 1995 ) ( 2 ) OJ No C 46, 14 . 2 . 1994, p . 34 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986, p . 1 .

The general framework for the negotiations with Norway
agreed by the Council on 2 December 1992, paragraph 4(b )
laid down the principles for the payment of the costs of the
conference . It was agreed that each party to the negotiations
should bear their own travel and accommodation costs as

well as staff salaries of those assigned to the secretariat . The
costs of organizing the meetings of the conference ( rent,
office supplies, telecommunications charges, interpretation,
translation, auxiliary staff etc .) were paid out of the
Council 's budget under a special budget line . The primary
costs of the conference were therefore mainly taken up by
the Council .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 1995 )

Using the information provided by the Honourable Member
the Commission immediately contacted the Italian
authorities in order to learn their position in this matter .

No C 230 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1548 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 99 )

Subject : Investigation of formal complaints

Could the Commission outline the steps it took in relation to
Complaint Number P94 / 43 1 4 concerning the A1 Gateshead
Bypass ?

Has the Commission received proof from the UK authorities
that they have properly transposed Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ( 1 ) ( Environmental Impact Assessment )?

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

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The complaint mentioned by the Honourable Member
alleged that the procedures concerning the A1 Gateshead
Western Bypass did not comply with the environmental

impact assessment Directive 85 / 337 / EEC . The complaint
did not indicate the precise nature of the lack of compliance
with the Directive . The Commission therefore asked the

complainant for further details . Since no such details were
received the complaint file was closed in late 1994 .

It appears from a recent letter from the complainant that the
project is going ahead . However, details are still lacking of
the alleged non-compliance .

Due to the lack of elements to show a possible breach of
Community law, the Commission has not contacted the
United Kingdom in this matter .

As regards the transposition of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC by the
United Kingdom, the Commission confirms that it has
received national implementing measures .

Not only does the stake amount to 49 %, but Swissair has
also secured de facto control of the Belgian airline .

Could the Commission say whether, given the new
ownership arrangements, Sabena can be considered a
Community airline to all intents and purposes ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 June 1995 )

The Council Regulation on the licensing of air carriers ( )
provides that a Community carrier shall be majority owned
and effectively controlled by Member States or nationals of
Member States . The Commission is of the opinion that the
conditions of majority ownership and effective control must
be considered separately and that, therefore, a capital
participation of 49 % does not necessarily imply effective
control over the carrier, nor a violation of the regulation .
The Commission is examining whether the transaction
mentioned by the Honourable Member complies with this
and other requirements of Community law .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1556 / 95

by Edith Miiller ( V )

to the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 101 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1553 / 95

Subject : Implementation of budget line B6-7142
by Francesco Baldarelli ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 100 )

Subject : Agreement between Sabena and Swissair

The recent agreement between Swissair and Sabena has
enabled Swissair to acquire a substantial holding in the
Belgian flag carrier .

Is it true that the Commission does not intend to implement
budget line B6-7142 Item 9 in the 19 95 budget of the Union
concerning complementary medicine, because
complementary medicine is not mentioned in the working
programme for biomedicine ? If so, is the Commission
taking into account the fact that the budget was approved
after the working programme was agreed, and that it is
under a legal duty to implement the entirety of the budget in
accordance with Article 205 EC ?

4 . 9 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 51

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1995 )

The Commission implements the budget under Article 205
EC Treaty . It has regard to the principles of sound financial
management, including, where appropriate, the need to
respect legislative obligations .

Article 130i EC Treaty provides that all research and
technological development activities shall be covered by the
framework programme . However, ' complementary
medicine ' is not mentioned either in the fourth framework

programme, co-decided by the Parliament and the Council
on 26 April 1994 ( Decision 1 1 10 / 94 / EC ), or in the technical
annex of Biomed 2, a specific RTD ( research and
technological development ) programme, adopted by
Council Decision 94 / 913 / EC on 15 December 1994 .

Therefore there is no clear legal basis to implement the
budget in this respect .

The budget for 1995 was adopted on the same date as
Biomed 2 . The work programme of Biomed 2 ( based on the
Council decision ) was approved by the Commission,
following the favourable opinion of the programme
committee, after the budget was adopted .

The Commission has already implemented exploratory
activities on homeopathy and an evaluation will be
performed before considering further implementation of
credits through pilot actions .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1557 / 95

by Catherine Lalumière ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 102 )

Subject : Social welfare arrangements for workers in the

merchant navy ( fisheries sector )

The financial circumstances of seamen 's widows in France

are a matter of serious concern . They are entitled to only
50% of their husbands ' pensions . It would be useful to
know the pension arrangements in other countries of the
European Union .

1 . Could the Commission provide a comparative table of
the pension systems in the various Member States,
indicating the level of payments and the conditions
governing the award of pensions ?

2 . Does the Commission plan to introduce in the short or
medium term a Community social system for the

fisheries sector similar to that introduced for other

sectors undergoing conversion ( e . g . coal and steel ), so as
to provide the fishing industry with a supplementary
social protection system to enable it to cope with the
problems it faces ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 June 1 995 )

The matter raised by the Honourable Member falls within
the jurisdiction of the Member States ' authorities ; the
conditions governing the award of retirement and survivors '
pensions and the calculation of the levels of payment are not
matters for which the Community is competent .

However, the Commission is monitoring developments in
national legislation closely particularly as regards the
convergence of social protection objectives and policies

( Council recommendation 442 / 92 (')).

To this end the Commission regularly produces comparative
tables on the Member States ' social protection systems

( Missoc system ) and a report on social protection in Europe .
A copy of the publication ' Social Protection in the Member
States of the Community ', produced under the aegis of
Missoc, has been sent directly to the Honourable Member
and to the Parliament 's General Secretariat . This

publication contains the most detailed information
available to the Commission in this field . The attention of

the Honourable Member is drawn to Table VIII, which
deals specifically with survivors ' benefits .

The Commission has no plans at present to introduce a
Community social system for the fisheries sector similar to
that introduced for other sectors undergoing conversion in
accordance with the ECSC Treaty ( e.g. coal and steel ).

However, various social and economic measures for
fishermen were included in the Structural Funds legislation
in 1993 : coastal areas dependent on fishing are now eligible
for assistance under the regional Objectives, which means
that fishermen have access to the full range of measures
under the European Social Fund ( ESF ) and the European
Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) and the Pesca
Community Initiative allows very specific measures to be
taken in regions affected by the crisis in the fishing industry .
The Commission has also recently proposed that
supplementary measures, in particular early retirement, be
included in Community legislation ( 2 ). This proposal is still
pending before Council and the Parliament .

(') OJ No L 245, 26 . 8 . 1992 .

( 2 ) COM(95 ) 55 final .

No C 230 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

QUESTION P-l 566 / 95 deployed on board the vessel and will conduct inspections at
Suanzes-Carpegna ( PPE ) sea . In addition, the Commission will monitor the control

the Commission and inspection carried out by Member States in port prior

departure of tuna vessels and on their return during the
( 23 May 1995 ) season .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 566 / 95

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 230 / 103 )

Subject : Fishery control measures planned by the
Commission for the forthcoming bonito fishing

season

As the bonito fishing season is about to begin, and last year
saw problems and incidents as well as a call from the
European Parliament for the complete prohibition of drift
nets, can the Commission tell me :

1 . whether, since drift nets of up to 2,5 km are still legally

permitted despite the EP 's requests, what measures it has
in hand for amending this legislation, and what
measures it plans to take to ensure that, in the
meanwhile, existing legislation is complied with ?

2 . whether, since although I am informed that it intends to
charter a vessel to try to control this season 's bonito
fishing, this positive step is nonetheless inadequate by
any standards, the Commission should not be drawing
up broader, more effective control mechanisms which
would include the inspection of vessels leaving and
entering harbour and the presence on board of
inspectors or independent observers ? If the Commission
does not intend to adopt such measures, why not ?

(') OJ No L 42, 18 . 2 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1586 / 95

by Jean-Claude Martinez ( NI )

to the Commission

(7 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 104 )

Subject : Import of American wines in the European
Union

Can the Commission confirm that the United States is

demanding 226 million dollars in customs compensation,
under the pretext of compensating for damages that the
accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European
Union would cause ?

Can the Commission also certify that the Unites States is
demanding an immediate decrease in customs duties, from
ECU 12 per hectolitre to ECU 4,5, on Californian wine
imported into Europe ?

If this is the case, what is the Commission 's response to such
an excessive demand from the United States ?
Answer given by Mrs Bonmo

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

The ban on the use of driftnets in excess of 2,5 kilometres (5 July 1995 )
contained in Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 ( ] ) is still
in force . The Commission presented proposals to phase out
the use of driftnets to the Council in 1994 and these are still

The Commission confirms that the United States has set a
under consideration . figure of US $ 226 million for the compensation which it
deems necessary as a result of Community enlargement to

As in previous years, the Commission has convened a include Austria, Finland and Sweden . To the Community,
meeting with control experts from Spain, France, Ireland, however, compensation must also take account of gains,

namely, cases where rates of customs duties have fallen .

As in previous years, the Commission has convened a
meeting with control experts from Spain, France, Ireland,
Portugal and United Kingdom, to discuss the national
control strategies for 1995 . Participants from these Member
States gave explicit undertakings that rigorous control, both
in port and at sea, would be conducted throughout the
fishing season .

The Commission has chartered a vessel to act as an

inspection platform from 1 June 1995 for a period of four
months . Both Community and national inspectors will be

The United States has also made a number of specific
demands, including some relating to agriculture, and one for
a reduction of duties on wines . These will be covered by the
GATT Article XXIV . 6 negotiations now in progress
between the Community and the United States .

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 53

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1597 / 95

by Carlo Casini ( PPE ), Pierluigi Castagnetti ( PPE ), Gerardo
Bianco ( PPE ), Giovanni Burtone ( PPE ), Maria Colombo
Svevo ( PPE ), Giampaolo D'Andrea ( PPE ), Michl Ebner

( PPE ), Livio Filippi ( PPE ), Antonio Graziani ( PPE ), Danilo
Poggiolini ( PPE ), Carlo Secchi ( PPE ) and Mariotto Segni

( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 105 )

Subject : Restoration to their rightful owners of places of

worship belonging to the Greek-Catholic Church
of Romania

In 1948, when the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania had
more than two million members, its places of worship were
confiscated by the dictatorial communist regime .

Since the fall of the Ceausescu regime the Romanian State
has decreed that church buildings belonging de jure or de
facto to the Greek-Catholic Church of Romania should be
given to the Greek-Catholic Church or the Orthodox
Church depending on the desires of the majority of the
faithful as established by an inter-confessional joint
committee set up for the purpose . This provision is legally
unacceptable since it is a general legal principle that
property unlawfully taken away should be returned to its
legitimate owners along with appropriate damages . In the
case of a government which succeeds a government that has
acted unlawfully that obligation is governed by UN
Declaration 40 / 34 of 29 November 1985 . Substantial

impediment to the legitimate practising of one 's religious
faith is thus contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights .

1 . Is the Commission aware of these violations of human

rights in Romania ?

2 . Does the Commission not consider it necessary to
intervene vis-a-vis the Romanian authorities to obtain

the return of places of worship to the Greek-Catholic
Church ?

3 . Does the Commission not consider that Community
programmes of aid for Romania should be conditional
on total respect for human rights ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 1995 )

The Commission is well aware of the problems experienced
by the Greek-Catholic in Romania, namely following the
church banning and expropriation decrees imposed by the
Romanian authorities in 1948 .

The Community keeps a close watch on the progress
towards greater democracy and improved human rights in
Romania . One of its concerns, accordingly, is to encourage
the application of lawful measures in Romania .

The Association Agreement between the Community and
Romania sets out clearly the general principle that respect
for democratic procedures and human rights, as defined in
the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris for a New

Europe, constitutes the basis of the internal and the foreign
policies of the two parties and represents an essential part of
their association .

Respect for human rights includes the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion, as set out in Article 9 of the
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms which Romania ratified in 1994 .

Romania is accordingly subject to the rules and provisions in
force under the Convention and, in the event of
non-compliance therewith, may incur sanctions under the
safeguard terms laid down .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1598 / 95

by John Cushnahan ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 106 )

Subject : Fisheries protection in Ireland

Further to my previous parliamentary questions and
representations on this issue, has the Commission studied
the requirements of the Irish Naval Service in respect of its
fisheries surveillance and protection role, especially in the
light of the forthcoming changes in access to the ' Irish
Box '?

In particular, will the Commission consider allocating
funding to the Irish authorities for the provision of
additional fisheries protection vessels ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

The Honourable Member is referring to the changes in the
rules governing access to the ' Irish Box ' as a result of the
comprehensive agreement on the full integration of the
Spanish and Portuguese fleets in the common fisheries
policy from 1 January 1996 .

Under the agreement Ireland is to receive additional
Community funding, for stepping up checks, in line with

No C 230 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

authorized Community practice and in keeping with the
financial guidelines .

Each Member State is responsible for adopting appropriate
measures for policing the common fisheries policy and for
providing its inspection and control service with the
resources necessary for it to comply fully with its duties .
Ireland must therefore first determine the resources that will

need to be made available to its service .

The Irish authorities may apply then to the Commission for
a Community contribution towards the eligible expenditure
envisaged for providing those resources .

In order to ensure compliance with all measures under the
common fisheries policy and in the light of the changes in the
abovementioned rules of access, the Commission will
examine all applications from the Irish authorities for a
Community contribution towards the additional
expenditure .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1606 / 95

by Nikitas Kaklamanis ( UPE )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 107 )

Subject : Damage in Greece caused by hailstorms

Following the resolution adopted in plenary sitting on

15 — 19 May 1995 ( B4-07 95 / 95 ), the Commission of the
European Communities will be aware of the damage caused
in the prefecture of Ilia by hailstorms . Can the Commission

say :

— whether it intends to send a committee of experts to

assess the damage ;

— whether it intends to allocate any emergency aid — and

if so how much — pending the outcome of the experts '
investigations .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 June 1995 )

The Commission would also state that it has no powers to
establish a committee of experts to assess the damage caused
by natural disasters in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1610 / 95

by Roberta Angelilli ( NI )

to the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 108 )

Subject : Italian non-compliance

Italy holds a kind of record for non-compliance with
Community rules, especially in the spheres of tourism,
agriculture, and justice .

With regard to these failures ( whether to act in time or to
provide for enforcement in the proper manner ), could the
Commission furnish a report on the approximate amount of
fines imposed on Italy by the EU in the above areas of
Community policy, with particular reference to the
legislation adopted in the last two years ?

Could it also produce a comparative table showing the
individual non-compliance rates ( percentage of legistlation
not enforced ) recorded by each Member State ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 June 1995 )

The payment of a lump sum or penalty is imposed on a
Member State only in the event of failure to comply with a
judgment of the Court of Justice finding that the Member
State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaty

( Article 1 7 1 ) . To date no such lump sum or penalty payment
has been imposed on any Member State, since no cases of
this type have been brought before the Court .

As regards the second part of the question, the Commission
would refer the Honourable Member to its twelfth annual

report on monitoring the implementation of Community
law (').

(') COM(95 ) 500 .
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply it gave to Parliament resolution No B4-07 95 / 95 at
the plenary session of 18 May 1995 on this issue .

4 . 9 . 95 t-N Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 55

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1631 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION

by Markus Ferber ( PPE ) by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1636 / 95

by Markus Ferber ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 12 June 1995 ) ( 12 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 109 ) ( 95 / C 230 / 110 )

Subject : Sun creams

Subject : EU support for research
The arrival of summer has placed the problem of sun creams
and cosmetic products back on the agenda . Recent research
has shown that cosmetic products containing more than one

Can the Commission provide the following information on part per thousand of psoralen may be carcinogenic .

Can the Commission provide the following information on
EU funding for research and development ( R&D ) in the
period 1992 — 1994 :

1 . What funds were granted to the individual Member

States of the Community for R&D in 1992, 1993 and

1994 ?

2 . What level of R&D funding, and for what projects, was

granted to Germany in this period ?

3 . In the same period, what R&D funds, broken down by
type of contractor ( universities, research institutes,
SMEs and large industry etc .), werde granted to the
individual German Länder ?

4 . How many applications were there for R&D funding in

1995, broken down by type of programme and EU
Member State ?

5 . What proportion of applicants for R&D funds in 1995
in the Community and in Germany are SMEs ?

Would the Commission agree that such products should not
be available for sale, and that it should therefore draw up a
directive banning the sale of cosmetic products containing
more than one part per thousand of psoralen and introduce
stringent regulations in this sector ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 July 1995 )

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that

it has prepared a draft 18th Commission Directive adapting
the annexes of the basic Directive on cosmetic products ( J )
to technical progress . The text includes a ban on
furocoumarine levels of more than 1 mg / kg in sun
protection and bronzing products .

Before preparing this draft the Commission consulted the
Scientific Committee on Cosmetology, which declared itself
unanimously in favour of a ban . on furocoumarines as per
the draft .

The representatives of the Member States, meeting under
the umbrella of the Committee on Adaptation to Technical
Progress ( CATP ) on 28 April 1995, voted along the same
Answer given by Mrs Cresson lines . It is now up to the Commission to deliver an opinion

on behalf of the Commission on the draft 18th Directive .

( 30 June 1995 )

(•) OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976 .

Some of the information requested is not yet available .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1640 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and Spalato Belleré ( NI )

The Commission is gathering the information it needs in by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and
order to answer the question and will not fail to to the Commission
communicate the results of its research as soon as
possible . ( 15 June 1995 )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 230 / 111 )

It is starting by sending the report on indicators directly to
the Honourable Member and Parliament 's Secretariat . Subject : Prevention of AIDS and certain other
communicable diseases

With regard to the ' proposal for a European Parliament and

Council Decision adopting a programme of Community

No C 230 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

action on the prevention of AIDS and other communicable
diseases within the framework for action in the field of

public health ' ( C4-0215 / 94 ), specific attention should be
paid to ' new infections ' and ad hoc epidemic investigations,
given the international nature of many infections already
recognized and of others that could arise .

At present there is already informal cooperation between
Member States in the event of emergencies involving health
problems ( e.g. cholera in Apulia in October 1994 ).

Can the Commission say whether it does not consider that a
European rapid intervention unit should be set up as part of
the programme to tackle this aspect more effectively ?

Europe against Aids programmes, the Commission supports
specific projects concerning the analysis at Community level
and in cooperation with Member States of discriminatory
situations in the Member States, in the fields of employment,
insurance, housing, and education and the health care

system .

The Commission encourages the study of the
implementation in Member States of the provisions against
discrimination contained in the resolution of the Council

and the ministers for health of the Member States meeting
within the Council of 22 December 1989 ( 2 ) and the
measures taken in the Member States to avoid

discrimination .

(') COM(94 ) 413 final — OJ No C 333, 29 . 11 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 10, 16 . 1 . 1990 .
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 July 1995 )

The Commission will transmit to the Council in the near

future a communication on the epidemiological surveillance
of communicable diseases, which will give consideration to
the establishment of a network to carry out such
surveillance .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1641 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and Spalato Bellere ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 112 )

Subject : Prevention of AIDS and certain other
communicable diseases

With regard to the ' proposal for a European Parliament and
Council Decision adopting a programme of Community
action on the prevention of AIDS and other communicable
diseases within the framework for action in the field of

public health ' ( C4-215 / 94 ), can the Commission say
whether it does not consider that specific measures at places
of work focusing on the provision of information,
prevention and attempts to combat discrimination should
be included, with appropriate funding, in the
programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1651 / 95

by Alain Pompidou ( UPE )

to the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 113 )

Subject : Internal electricity market

In its working document of 22 March 1995 on the internal
electricity market the Commission recognizes the right of
each Member State to plan its electricity production
capacity in accordance with its resources and needs, i . e . to
conduct an energy policy consistent with its own
characteristics and interests, for example by requiring that
energy industry operators fulfil tasks of general economic
interest . However, the Commission also makes acceptance
of the single purchaser system subject to virtually impossible
conditions which are incompatible with the freedom of
choice it has previously acknowledged .

In the light of the above, can the Commission explain its
thinking ? Could it employ Article 90(3 ) of the Treaty and
adopt unilaterally common rules to govern the internal
electricity market, which would make the discussions which
the European Parliament 's Committee on Research,
Technological Development and Energy has conducted over
many months entirely redundant ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission
on behalf of the Commission ( 23 June 1995 )
(7 July 1995 )

In the framework of the proposal for a Decision of the
Parliament and the Council (M on the extension of the

The working paper of 22 March is the Commission 's reply
to a Council request concerning the coexistence of third
party access and the single buyer approach in a way to

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 57

ensure reciprocity . The Commission has indicated how the
criterion of reciprocity, agreed by the Council, can be

met .

The modalities put forward by the Commission will not
change the nature of the single buyer, since long-term
planning as an instrument for security of supply will
continue to be available . The single buyer will also be in a
position to respect all other public service obligations,
including the protection of the environment . However, the
achievement of public service obligations will have to be
done within the limits of the Treaty .

The accomplishment of the internal energy market is an
obligation imposed by the Treaty . The Commission has
decided to fulfil this obligation and to accomplish the
internal energy market by means of a negotiated approach
on the basis of Article 100A EC Treaty . The working paper
indicates its strong will to support all the contributions to
the search for compromises and in this respect the
Parliament 's opinion was very helpful . However, the
Commission has also to fulfil the Treaty provisions and in
particular Articles 30, 85, 86, and 90 . This negotiation
cannot allow it to escape these obligations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1654 / 95

by Wolfgang Nufibaumer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 114 )

Subject : Negotiations on a multilateral investment
agreement — observer status for China at the
WTO Secretariat

At the meeting of trade representatives of the EU, the United
States, Canada and Japan in Whistler, Canada, six months
after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round and the
establishment of the WTO, a collective commitment to
implement the agreement in full, consolidate the new
institution and conclude current negotiations was
reaffirmed . At the meeting, the Canadian trade minister
MacLaren welcomed the consensus that ambitious

negotiations should be embarked upon in the OECD for a
multilateral agreement on investment and announced that
the EU, Canada, the United States and Japan would ask the
OECD to consult non-member States during the
negotiations and grant them observer status at the WTO
Secretariat .

Does the Commission support this plan to grant China
observer status at the WTO Secretariat as part of the
negotiations on a multilateral investment agreement ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 July 1995 )

China played a full part in the Uruguay Round and was a
signatory to the Final Act but does not have official observer
status with the World Trade Organization ( WTO ). The
Commission, however, is encouraging it to apply for such
status and attend discussions of the WTO General Council

and of bodies which report to the General Council in
particular with regard to potential new fields such as
investment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1655 / 95

by Wolfgang NuSbaumer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 115 )

Subject : Accession of China to the WTO

During his trip to China, Sir Leon Brittan, Commission
Vice-President, held talks with the Chinese authorities and
representatives of the People 's Congress and also met a
number of European industrialists and investors . Sir Leon
stated that the EU fully supported China 's accession to the
WTO and that the dispute over whether China should be
classified as an industrial or a developing country must be
settled . He also said that China should submit precise,
practical proposals on the open questions which had caused
the negotiations to fail in December last year — following
which the talks would automatically be resumed .

Does the Commission envisage accepting China as a
Member State of the WTO with developing country
status ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 July 1995 )

The Community has on many occasions spoken in favour of
China 's joining the World Trade Organization without
delay . As regards the status to be accorded to that country,
the Community is of the opinion that in view of the
complexity of the Chinese economy, and the diversity of
situation characteristic of it, there can be no outright answer
on grounds of principle to this question, which should
rather be considered case by case in respect of each section of
the negotiations .

No C 230 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1698 / 95

Cornelissen ( PPE ), Frits Castricum ( PSE ), by Christiane Taubira-Delannon ( ARE )

by Petrus Cornelissen ( PPE ), Frits Castricum ( PSE ), by Christiane

Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR ), Nel van Dijk ( V ) and to the Commission

Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR ), Nel van Dijk ( V ) and

Leen van der Waal ( EDN )

( 15 June 1995 )
to the Commission

( 95 / C 230 / 117 )
( 15 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 116 )

Subject : Exemptions for Chapter 2 aircraft

1 . Will the Commission provide details of the
exemptions hitherto granted for the use of Chapter 2
aircraft in European airspace ?

2 . Does it agree that it is desirable for the use of Chapter 2
aircraft to be restricted as far as possible ?

3 . Does it see any prospects for limiting or discouraging
the use of Chapter 2 aircraft further than is provided for in
Directive 92 / 14 / EEC ( 1 ) of 2 March 1 992, given the growing
concern about the environment and in view of technological
developments and the anticipated rapid growth in air
traffic ?

(') OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992, p . 21 .

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1995 )

The main objective of Directive 92 / 1 4 / EC has been to ensure
that noise emissions from aircraft are contained if not

reduced . The Directive entered into force on 1 April 1995 .
The phasing-out of chapter II aircraft is to be completed by
2002 .

The annex to the Directive contains a list of aircraft which

qualify for an exemption from the non-operation rule
according to Article 3 of the Directive . These exemptions
were granted in particular for developing countries facing
major economic difficulties if required to phase-out part or
all of their fleet .

Subject : Assessment of the impact on the economy of the

French Overseas Departments of the GSP
arrangements to encourage efforts to combat
drugs

The customs concessions granted by the Community in

1991 to the Andean Pact countries, including Venezuela, to
support them in their efforts to combat drug trafficking have
had a serious effect on similar and competing activities in the
fisheries and agricultural sectors of the French Overseas
Departments .

Will the Commission act without delay in ensuring that an
investigation is carried out into the impact of this measure
on the fragile economy of these ultra-peripheral regions,
which are situated in the same latitudes as the recipient
countries ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 July 1995 )

The special arrangements for Andean Pact countries under
the Community 's general scheme of tariff preferences ( GSP )
were made after detailed consideration of the possible
repercussion on other beneficiary countries and overseas
departments . When it came to light in Council discussion on
the scheme that certain products such as prawns would
prove problematic for a particular department, the
Commission was alerted by the national and local
authorities . The Council has duly taken account of such
concerns and in this year 's GSP scheme, preferential tariffs
have been withdrawn from the Andean countries for the

products in question .

The Commission now believes it has sufficient information

and does not feel that a special study on the French overseas
departments is necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 709 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 118 )
The Commission objective is to limit the use of such aircraft
as much as possible .
Subject : Structural aids to Cantabria

On 12 May 1995, the regional press in Cantabria ( Spain )
printed statements by Commissioner Oreja to the effect that

4 . 9 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 59

he would personally ask the Council of Ministers to
reconsider the ' extraordinary and abnormal situation which
Cantabria is going through, which has obliged it to return
Objective 2 funds, in order, on this basis, to re-open the
question of funding under Objective 1 '.

In view of the Regulations governing the Structural Funds
and of normal practice in these matters :

1 . On what basis can a Commissioner commit himself to

stating that there will be a review of aid forfeited by a
region for not having invested European Union
co-funding in time ?

2 . On what legal basis will Commissioner Oreja be arguing
in favour of the proposal which he is claimed to have
made ?

There is, therefore, a degree of uncertainty about the
Commission 's position . There is great determination to
ensure that Union citizens enjoy equal treatment and
freedom of movement, except in the case of the
Commission 's own staff .

In the light of the above, will the Commission say when it
intends to accord its staff living in registered partnerships
the same status as its married staff, bearing in mind that
there are no objective grounds for such discrimination ?

(') OJ No C 190, 24 . 7 . 1995, p . 31 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 382, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 3 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 196, 31 . 7 . 1995, p . 55 .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 1995 )

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 July 1995 )

It is Commission policy not to comment on articles
appearing in the press .

The Commission regrets that the Honourable Member
should have felt that there was a lack of clarity in the
answers it gave on the question of registered
partnerships .

The Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of
Employment of Other Servants of the Communities quite
clearly only accord rights to the spouses of married officials .
However, the Commission is aware that this is a difficult,
evolving issue which warrants particular attention . It has
therefore decided to review the whole situation before

stating its views on the matter .
WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 727 / 95

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 119 )

Subject : The European Communities ' Staff Regulations

In his answer to my Written Question E-896 / 95 ('),
Commissioner Erkki Liikanen states that ' registered
partnerships ' are not recognized as equivalent to marriages
by the Communities ' Staff Regulations .

In his anwer to my contribution to Parliament 's debate on
COM(94 ) 601 ( 2 ) on 18 May 1995, Commissioner Christos
Papoutsis said he would propose that Commissioner Erkki
Liikanen should take the matter up to see whether a solution
could be found .

In his answer to my Written Question E-897 / 95 ( 3 ),
Commissioner Padraig Flynn stated that the question of
registered partnerships would be referred to the high level
panel whose task is to submit proposals for removing the
last obstacles to freedom of movement of individuals in the

Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 74 1 / 95

by Frode Kristoffersen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 120 )

Subject : Commission support for the humanitarian effort

in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Denmark 's Minister for Foreign Affairs recently emphasized
that it was important for the EU to continue large-scale
convoys of emergency humanitarian aid to the victims of the
hostilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, particularly in the wake
of the recent dramatic deterioration in the situation

there .

The Danish Refugee Council is being to stop convoying food
and medicine by lorry to victims of the war in
Bosnia-Herzegovina because of cuts in financial assistance
from ECHO, the Commission 's humanitarian office .

No C 230 / 60 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

Will the Commission explain why such assistance has been
cut and what can be done so that Danish emergency aid
convoys can be resumed in full as quickly as possible ?

Soviet Jewish prisoner, Major Seymon Livshits . Major
Livshits was imprisoned in 1992, for 10 years on a charge of
armed robbery and rape .

Could the Commission comment on its understanding of the
situation in which Major Livshits was imprisoned, his
current state of health, and what representations have and
Answer given by Mrs Bonino would be ' made to the Russian Government in this

on behalf of the Commission

respect ?

(5 July 1995 )

The Honourable Member cites a cut in Community
financial assistance for the transport by lorry of food and
medical supplies for war victims in Bosnia-Herzegovina .
The reason for this cut was twofold : first, a logistical
oversupply of transport and, second, costs varying between
ECU 54 / tonne and ECU 304 / tonne . This put the total cost of
aid convoys at around ECU 30 million per year .

In view of budget restrictions, the Commission has had to
reach agreement with the Member States on priorities . It
accordingly decided to focus its effort on hygiene, health
and nutrition programmes, given the oversupply situation
with regard to aid convoying . The financial rules applicable
also require the Commission to take up the lowest-cost
options offered by the market . The transport logistical
expenditure which has been cut was excessive in terms of
available competition .

According to its information, the Office of the High
Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR ) has ample transport
capacity to cover existing needs, and this continues to be
financed by the Community via the UNHCR .

The Commission does not currently envisage any
further financing of humanitarian aid transport in
Bosnia-Herzegovina . It will nevertheless continue to provide
humanitarian aid in the region, as far as budget resources
allow .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1750 / 95

by Richard Howitt ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 121 )

Subject : Soviet Jewish prisoner — Seymon Vladilenovich

Livshits

The Southend Branch of the Association of Jewish

Ex-Service Men and Women has raised with me the case of

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 July 1995 )

The Commission has not been aware of the case at issue, and
has no information about the conditions of Mr Livshits

imprisonment nor of his condition at this time .

However, through its Moscow delegation the Commission
will continue to investigate the details of this case, and will
be in contact with the Honourable Member once further

information becomes available .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 786 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 122 )

Subject : Generalized system of preferences

Owing to classification errors in the list of products
published in January under the new generalized system of
preferences ( GSP ), importers of plastic materials will have to
pay customs duties of 11,9% in Milan and 0% in
Livorno .

Some products have been wrongly classified or not included
in the list of non-sensitive products ( which are exempt from
duties under the GSP ) — for example, plastics, powders and
explosives, photographic and cinematographic goods and
various chemical products .

The Commission has said that it will publish a
corrigendum .

1 . Can the Commission take immediate steps to harmonize
the situation, which is having serious repercussions for
importers who are having to pay duties unduly and are
unable to plan their contracts properly ?

2 . Can the Commission guarantee that customs duties
unduly levied by the national authorities will be
reimbursed ?

4 . 9 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 230 / 61

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 July 1995 )

The text of Council Regulation ( EC ) No 328 1 / 94 applying a
four-year scheme of generalized tariff preferences ( 1995 to

1998 ) in respect of certain industrial products originating in
developing countries contained a number of errors when
initially published in the Official Journal (*). These errors
were corrected by corrigendum ( 2 ).

The provisions of Articles 235 to 242 of Council Regulation

( EEC ) No 2913 / 92 establishing the Community customs
code ( 3 ) apply to cases where the abovementioned
corrigendum leads to the determination of a lower customs
debt or no customs debt, and may therefore lead to a
repayment of customs duty .

H OJ No L 348, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 82, 12 . 4 . 1995 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 302, 19 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1811 / 95

by Helena Torres Marques ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 123 )

Subject : Granting of ESF funds in Portugal in 1995

The Portuguese Government has announced that, by March
of this year, it had already committed all the ESF funds for

1995 .

It appears that the policy being conducted is based on the
fact that the government is concentrating the funds granted
on major projects instead of supporting SMEs and local or
regional development associations .

Could the Commission provide a list of the beneficiaries and
amounts of ESF funds granted in Portugal in 1995 ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

ESF in 1994 and 1995, and will be sure to pass this on to the
Honourable Member as soon as it is received .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 832 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 124 )

Subject : Accession of new countries to the EEA

When is the Commission going to propose that the new
countries requesting EU membership join the existing
European Economic Area ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 July 1995 )

Pursuant to Article 128 of the European economic area

( EEA ) agreement, any European State, which is or becomes
a member of the European Free Trade Association ( EFTA )
may apply to become a party to the EEA agreement . Any
interested State would therefore, first of all, need to accede
to EFTA . The terms and conditions of its participation in the
EEA would then have to be negotiated between the
Contracting Parties and the applicant State and ratified or
approved by all concerned in accordance with their
constitutional requirements . The initiative for such course
of action rests with the interested State .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1922 / 95

by Christof Tannert ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 June 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 125 )

Subject : The right to refuse to perform military and
( 30 June 1995 ) alternative civilian service in France and the cases

Following the reform of the Structural Funds in 1988 and

1993, responsibility for approving and managing individual
projects co-financed by the European Social Fund ( ESF ) was
transferred to national authorities .

Since then, the Commission negotiates and approves forms
of assistance which basically take the shape of operational
programmes setting out broad lines of approach and the
measures to be implemented .

The Commission has already asked the national authorities
for a list of all beneficiaries of measures co-financed by the

Although the French State recognizes the right fo refuse to
perform military service, French courts are still handing out
prison sentences to some 700 conscientious objectors every

year .

Alain Cazaux and Pierre Serres have to appear in court on
21 June 1995 because they are refusing to perform
alternative civilian service, which in France is twice the
length of military service ( 20 months instead of ten ). This
goes directly against European Parliament resolutions on

alternative civilian service in France and the cases

of Alain Cazaux and Pierre Serres, conscientious
objectors

No C 230 / 62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4 . 9 . 95

conscientious objection, including the 1994 Bandres / Bindi
resolution which called for the length of civilian service to be
the same as that of military service .

The fact that, in France, objection must be notified at least

15 days before the call-up date is also incompatible with
Parliament 's resolutions of 1983 ( Macchiocchi ) and 1989

( Schmidbauer ).

For these reasons, Amnesty International has adopted the
aforementioned two conscientious objectors as prisoners of
conscience .

Is the Commission aware of the above cases ? What is its

view of the way they have been dealt with ? What steps will it
take to ensure that France, as a Member State of the
European Union, respects Parliament 's resolutions and
introduces civilian service which is not of a punitive

nature ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

Financial Instrument and the Cohesion Fund on that

country 's various rivers, in particular the Douro, the Tagus
and the Guadiana ( with an indication of the Community 's
financial share, the total value of the project and the date of
the Commission decision )?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 July 1995 )

The Commission is sending the information requested direct
to the Honourable Member and to Parliament 's

Secretariat .

on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-2026 / 95

( 14 July 1995 ) by Klaus Rehder ( PSE )

to the Commission

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
( 12 July 1995 )
answer to Written Question No 2262 / 94 by Mr
Papayannakis ( J ). 95 / C 230 / 127 )

(') OJ No C 55, 6 . 3 . 1995 .

Subject : Civilian service in the European Union

What provisions apply in the various Member States of the
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 942 / 95 European Union to civilian service as an alternative to
military service ?

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 July 1995 )

( 95 / C 230 / 126 ) Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Environmental projects financed in Spain under ( 28 July 1995 )

the Cohesion Financial Instrument and the

Cohesion Fund

Could the Commission provide a list of the environmental
projects undertaken in Spain and supported by the Cohesion

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction
of the Commission ( which is unfortunately unable to supply
the information requested ).