Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986
# Official Journal C 89

### of the European Communities 9 Volume 1992 35

#### C 89

Volume 35

9 April 1992

##### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

Page

92 / C 89 / 01

No 2518 / 90 by Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the genetic diversity of plants and animals in Europe 1

92 / C 89 / 02 No 2603 / 90 by the following members : Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mrs Maria
Izquierdo Rojo, Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias, Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez, Mr
Mateo Sierra Bardají, Mr Javier Sanz Fernández and Mr José Vázquez Fouz to the
Commission

Subject : Community policy on tourism 2

92 / C 89 / 03

92 / C 89 / 04

92 / C 89 / 05

92 / C 89 / 06

92 / C 89 / 07

92 / C 89 / 08

92 / C 89 / 09

2

No 2673 / 90 by Mr Elmar Brok to the Commission
Subject : Administering of hormones in stockbreeding 3

No 209 / 91 by Mr Ben Fayot to the Commission
Subject : Temporary employees 4

No 214 / 91 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : National treasures 4

No 586 / 91 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission
Subject : Taxation of maintenance payments 5

No 942 / 91 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Safety in fairgrounds, amusement parks and playgrounds 5

No 994 / 91 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Famine in Africa ^

No 1023 / 91 by Mr Marc Galle to the Commission
Subject : New study courses on European integration £

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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No 1304 / 91 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject : Unfair competition for British mushroom-growers

No 1342 / 91 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Part-time work by European officials

No 1352 / 91 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Safety at sea

No 1492 / 91 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Council Directive 76 / 464 / EEC on water pollution

No 1510 / 91 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject : Biodegradable packaging

No 1522 / 91 by Mr Jose Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against Portuguese workers in the Community

No 1614 / 91 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Recycling of packaging used by the Commission

No 1619 / 91 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject : Danger to fauna and flora on the Akamas peninsular

No 1688 / 91 by Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission

Subject : Rio di Pusteria bypass ( Bolzano-Italy )

No 1728 / 91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Reports of milk superlevy

No 1 828 / 91 by Mr Michel Hervé to the Commission
Subject : Telecommunications consortium

No 1854 / 91 by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra to the Commission
Subject : European Forum of Migrants

No 1876 / 91 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Milk Marketing Boards UK

No 1899 / 91 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Slender-billed curlew ( Numenius tenuirostris )

No 1917 / 91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Final report on the European Poverty Programme 1985-1989 ( COM(91 ) 29 final )

No 1925 / 91 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject : Information for Members of Parliament

No 1953 / 91 by Mrs Astrid Lulling to the Commission
Subject : Comments by an official of the Directorate-General for Agriculture at the presentation
of the CAP reform proposals in Luxembourg

No 1979 / 91 by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Karl Partsch to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a dam in the Itoiz region of Spain

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   - Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

92 / C 89 / 28 No 1982 / 91 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Equal opportunities for men and women 18

92 / C 89 / 29 No 2058 / 91 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : European project concerning gypsies 19

92 / C 89 / 30 No 2099 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Need for equal treatment with regard to deductions from savings within the
Community J9

92 / C 89 / 31 No 2124 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Cabin crew working conditions 20

92 / C 89 / 32 No 2125 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Fight against AIDS 20

92 / C 89 / 33 No 2144 / 91 by Mr Michael Hindley to the Commission
Subject : Helios programme . 20

92 / C 89 / 34 No 2156 / 91 by Mrs Carmen Diez De Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Pleasure boats and quality of bathing water 21

92 / C 89 / 35 No 2195 / 91 by Mr Lyndon Harrison to the Commission
Subject : Horizon programme — mismanagement by UK Government 22

92 / C 89 / 36 No 2204 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Absurdities in the provision in health care for citizens living on the Community 's
internal borders 22

92 / C 89 / 37 No 2209 / 91 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission
Subject : Stability of cosmetic products 23

92 / C 89 / 38 No 2212 / 91 by Mr Reimer Boge to the Commission
Subject : Set-aside programme 23

92 / C 89 / 39 No 2217 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Number of third country nationals among EC staff 24

92 / C 89 / 40 No 2221 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : UN Convention on the elimination of race discrimination 24

92 / C 89 / 41 No 2238 / 91 to the Commission

Subject : Export of dangerous chemicals to third world countries 24

92 / C 89 / 42 No 2239 / 91 by Mr David Martin to the Commission
Subject : Vehicle harmonization 25

92 / C 89 / 43 No 2244 / 91 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission
Subject : Land reclamation consortia in Italy 25

92 / C 89 / 44 No 2245 / 91 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission
Subject : Abuse of negotiated procedures in the award of public works contracts in Italy 26

92 / C 89 / 45 No 2255 / 91 by Mr Didier Anger and Mrs Solange Fernex to the Commission
Subject : Workers exposed to radiation at Forbach ( France ) 26

( Continued overleaf )

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No 2260 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Recurrence of illegal fishing in Namibian territorial waters 27

No 2262 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Decision of the Court of Justice against the prohibition of night work by women ( Case
C-345 / 89 ) 28

No 2265 / 91 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject : Safe storage of butane, LPG etc 29

No 2272 / 91 by Mr Detlev Samland to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against German undertakings in connection with tenders for offshore
projects ^

No 2299 / 91 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Standardizing Community practice with regard to publication of details of Community
aid 30

No 2307 / 91 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Creation of a European sports forum 30

No 2347 / 91 by Mr Richards Simmonds to the Commission

Subject : Public procurement Directives 31

No 2348 / 91 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : Regulatory regimes for Commission supplementary pension schemes 31

No 2352 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Migrants ' forum - • - • 31

No 2355 / 91 by Mrs Johanna-Christina Grund to the Commission
Subject : Protected areas for marine fauna and flora in the coastal waters of the European
Community 32

No 2365 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Progress towards an international convention on safety in nuclear energy including
waste management 32

No 2379 / 91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Pollution caused by used tyres 33

No 2447 / 91 by Mr Georgios Romeos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the Community cast iron industry 33

No 2453 / 91 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Stagaireships 34

No 2466 / 9 1 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages 34

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2453 / 91 and 2466 / 91 34

92 / C 89 / 61 No 2462 / 91 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages 34

92 / C 89 / 62

No 2467 / 91 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2462 / 91 and 2467 / 91 35

92 / C 89 / 63 No 2463 / 91 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages 35

92 / C 89 / 64 No 2464 / 91 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages 35

92 / C 89 / 65 No 2465 / 9 1 by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Stages 35

92 / C 89 / 66 No 2488 / 91 by Mrs Eva-Maria Quistorp to the Commission
Subject : Incidents at the Fessenheim nuclear power station 35

92 / C 89 / 67 No 2491 / 91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Exchanges of information between the Community and the European Centre for
Disaster Medicine 36

92 / C 89 / 68 No 2508 / 91 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission
Subject : Continuation of the EHLASS Community system of information in 1992 36

92 / C 89 / 69 No 2545 / 91 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : European centre for the development of alternatives to animal testing 37

92 / C 89 / 70 No 2584 / 91 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against non-profit making tour operators from 1993 onwards 37

92 / C 89 / 7 1 No 2602 / 9 1 by Mr Christian de la Maldne to the Commission
Subject : Helios programme promoting economic and social integration of disabled people in the
European Community 37

92 / C 89 / 72 No 2605 / 91 by Mr Arthur Newens to the Commission
Subject : Interpol 38

92 / C 89 / 73 No 2606 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Aids prevention as regards women 39

92 / C 89 / 74 No 2663 / 91 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : European Social Fund 39

92 / C 89 / 75 No 2714 / 91 by Mr Henry McCubbin to the Commission
Subject : VAT on fuel oil 39

92 / C 89 / 76 No 2722 / 91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Homelessness in the Community 40

92 / C 89 / 77 No 2756 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Scope of EC regulations on social welfare 40

92 / C 89 / 78 No 2807 / 91 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject : Construction products directive 41

92 / C 89 / 79 No 2825 / 91 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : The single market in gambling 41

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Pa e e

92 / C 89 / 80 No 2924 / 91 by Mrs Karla Peijs to the Commission
Subject : Internal market in gambling 41

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2825 / 91 and 2924 / 91 .•••■ 41

92 / C 89 / 8 1 No 2945 / 9 1 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission
Subject : Fishery imports from ACP countries 42

92 / C 89 / 82 No 2959 / 9 1 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the Thermaic Gulf from mercury 42

92 / C 89 / 83 No 2966 / 91 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Aid to eastern Bavaria 42

9 - 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2518 / 90
by Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1990 )

( 92 / C 89 / 01 )

Subject : Protection of the genetic diversity of plants and

animals in Europe

What measures has the Commission taken since the
resolution adopted on 22 November 1985 by Parliament
( A2 - 154 / 85 ) to obtain analyses and data and forward
them to Parliament as requested in this resolution, in
particular :

1 . on the extent to which genetic erosion has affected

cultivated plant varieties as the result of the
rationalization of agricultural production within the
EC,

2 . the reasons for the drop in the number of species and

varieties in the Community in connection with
legislation on the protection of species,

3 . the possible effects of the increasing use of
biotechnology and genetic engineering for the
purposes of breeding in connection with the
maintenance of genetic diversity ?

Can the Commission make proposals as requested by the
resolution to prevent genetic erosion and promote genetic
diversity, in particular :

1 . measures to preserve local and regional species and

subspecies in the framework of present agricultural
production,

2 . measures to maintain wildlife and hardy rural species

which are being progressively displaced by high-yield
varieties,

3 . structural and financial measures to support existing

initiatives and organizations concerned with the

protection of genetic resources in situ ( in the
production process ) and ex situ ( for example, gene
banks ),

4 . measures for the registration and classification of

species and subspecies ?

Will the Commission forward the analyses and proposed
measures requested in 1985 as part of the current debate
on the conservation of species at European level and on
proposals for patenting living organisms ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 7 October 1 991 )

1 . Resolution A2-154 / 85 ('), to which the Honourable
Member refers, relates exclusively to the genetic diversity
of cultivated plants and trees . The following comments
can be made :

1.1 . So far the Commission has been unable to collect the
quantitative data referred to in point 10 ( a ) of the
abovementioned Resolution on the extent to which
genetic erosion has affected cultivated plant varieties
in the Community over the last three decades in each
of the Member States, and to submit them to
Parliament . However, with the third framework
programme, the safeguarding of genetic resources
has been adopted as a priority in Community
research into   - biotechnology . Commission proposal
COM(90 ) 160 for a Council Decision adopting a
specific research and technological development
programme in the field of biotechnology ( 1990 to

1994 ) ( J ) lists the ascertainment of the real
dimension of genetic erosion as one of the objectives
of this research ( } ).

No C 89 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

1 . 2 . As regards the reasons for the drop in the number of

plant species and varieties in the Community, the
Commission can summarize its position from several
answers given previously as follows :

— The decline in the diversity of wild plants is due

mainly to the increasing use made by man of
more and more areas for all purposes .

—
The genetic diversity of cultivated plants is being

extended as a result of the increasing breeding
activity promoted by the regulation on plant
variety ' best ' species rights and . However varieties, in tend actual to be cultivation used, which the
has led to the practical disappearance of other
species and varieties from cultivated areas .

— However, public and private gene banks and in

situ institutions which are being set up in
ever-increasing numbers, are ensuring more and
more effectively that the material receding in
Community cultivation is not in fact lost .

1.3 . In this field biotechnology and genetic engineering

can be considered to be simply more modern forms
of plant breeding and therefore will tend to increase
genetic diversity . However, they must be used only
within the limits laid down for the purposes of

environmental protection .

2 . The Commission is aware of the ecological and
economic significance of wildlife and hardy rural species .

Such species are expressly recognized in Community
regulations on trade in plant seeds and seedlings . This
applies in particular to fodder plants ( 4 ) and maize ( ).

They are also listed in the Community species catalogues .
A preservation long-term of programme so-called ' umbrella for the ' species cataloguing of vegetable and
varieties was adopted at the end of 1990 .

The proposals for amending and supplementing
Community rules on seeds and seedlings for the
completion of the single market will also have a positive
effect on the conservation of the species concerned . In
particular, provision will have to be made for facilities and
incentives for conservation breeding and the official
approval of such species .

Commission proposal COM(89 ) 552 on organic
production of agricultural products and indications
referring thereto on agricultural products and
foodstuffs O was adopted by the Council on 24 June

1991 ( 7 ) in the version resulting from Parliament 's reading
and consultation in the Council .

In addition, the Commission has submitted proposal
CC)M(90 ) 366 for a Council Regulation on the
introduction and the maintenance of agricultural
production methods compatible with the requirements of
the protection of the environment and the maintenance of

the countryside ( 8 ). The set - aside measures already
adopted will continue .

Furthermore, for years the Commission has contributed
towards practical measures for the protection of genetic
resources in situ and ex situ and in particular urged
Member States to join the FAO 's ' International
undertaking on plant genetic resources '.

The research activities promoted by the Commission have

contributed towards the production, from plants essential
for agriculture, of material resistant to diseases and pests,
and the setting up of material collections which can be
used for conservation and from which the required genes

( for the purposes of quality assurance, adaptability,
preservation or resistance to biotic and abiotic influences

. . .) can be taken at any time .

3 . The Commission will submit further proposals as
and when it considers this necessary and appropriate . As
matters stand at the moment, it does not consider there to
be any link with the discussion on its proposals COM(88 )
496 for a Council Directive on the legal protection of
biotechnological inventions ( 9 ) and COM(90 ) 347 for

a Council Regulation on Community plant variety
rights ( 10 ).

o OJ No C 68, 24 . 3 . 1986 .
( O J ) Cf. OJ No Annex C 174 I, Area, 16.7 3 . 1990 : ' Conservation . of genetic resources ' of

proposal COM(90 ) 160 .
( 4 ) Article 2 ( 1 ) ( B ) ( 2 ) of Directive 66 / 401 / EEC .
( s ) Article 2 ( 1 ) ( B ) ( a ) of Directive 66 / 402 / EEC .
(') OJ No C 4, 9 . 1.1990 .
O OJ No L 198,22.7 . 1991 .
(«) OJNoC 69, 18.3 . 1991 .
O OJ No C 10, 13 . 1 . 1989 .
O OJ No C 244, 28 . 9 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2603 / 90

3 y the following members : Mr Enrique Sapena Granell,

Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo, Mrs Ludivina Garcia Anas,
Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez, Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji,

Mr Javier Sanz Fernández and Mr José Vazquez Fouz ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 990 )

( 92 / C 89 / 02 )

Subject : Community policy on tourism

In view of the existence of three Directorates-General
concerned with tourism and dealing with activities
designed to unite efforts to unify the tourist sector, what
action is the Commission taking to coordinate DGs I, VII

and XXIII ?

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 3

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 991 )

The Community action plan to assist tourism ('), which
was adopted by the Commission in March 1991, is now
under discussion within the Council, Parliament and the
Economic and Social Committee . It provides, first of all,
for a number of horizontal measures, including in
particular a measure to ensure that greater account is
taken of tourism in other Community policies .

This will be achieved through closer consultations
between the administrative units responsible for matters
relating to tourism, notably via a specialized
interdepartmental group .

That group, which is managed by Directorate-General
XXIII ( Enterprise Policy, Distributive Trades, Tourism
and Cooperatives ), brings together the competent
departments in the Directorates-General dealing with
tourism .

Moreover, DG XXIII is, of course, consulted on
any tourism-related proposals put forward by other
departments .

(') COM(91 ) 97 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2673 / 90

by Mr Elmar Brok ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 December 1 990 )

( 92 / C 89 / 03 )

Subject : Administering of hormones in stockb reeding

1 . Has the Commission found that there have been
changes in the practice of administering hormones in .
stockbreeding since the entry into force of Directive
88 / 146 / EEC (')? If so, how far-reaching are such
changes ?

2 . Does the Commission realize that dangerous
hormone ' cocktails ' continue to be extensively
administered ? What information does the Commission

have on this ?

3 . What progress has been made in the negotiations
between the US administration and the Commission in
this regard with a view to lifting the trade restrictions
imposed in connection with Directive 88 / 146 / EEC ?

4 . What steps does the Commission propose to take
to make a distinction between hormones that have
been found to be harmless and hormones with a proven
health risk ?

0 ) OJ No L 70, 16 . 3 . 1988, p. 16 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 October 1991 )

1 and 2 . The entry into force of Council Directive
88 / 146 / EEC prohibiting the use in livestock farming of
substances having a hormonal action has radically
changed farming practices in the Community . Previously,
the use of hormones for fattening was governed by a
variety of legislation, which created distortions of
competition and substantial barriers to intra-Community
trade . The Council 's position of banning administration
of such substances for fattening purposes led the
Community to adopt the measures required to implement
that ban . This was done through two major pieces of
legislation : Council Directive 85 / 358 / EEC ( 1 ), which
introduced Community checks on farm animals, both on
the farm and in slaughterhouses, and on meat from such
animals, and Council Directive 86 / 469 / EEC concerning
the examination of animals and fresh meat for the
presence of residues ( 2 ). This Directive requires the
Member States to draw up national plans and involves a
considerable amount of work on checks, samples,
on-the-spot investigations and so on .

In the case of non-member countries, the adoption of
harmonized rules within the Community has led to
import arrangements offering equivalent guarantees . The
countries concerned have had to make considerable
efforts to satisfy the Community 's requirements in this
regard .

This means that the Community system has only really
been functioning since 1988 so the Commission is not yet
able to make the objective comparison between the two
periods which the Honourable Member desires . Such as
assessment should be possible on the basis of visits to
non-member countries and the inquiry currently being
carried out in the Member States .

The Commission is aware that application of this
legislation has encountered certain obstacles . It also views
with concern the reports and rumours concerning a black
market in certain hormonal products . The inquiry
referred to above, which is being carried out in all the
Member States, should provide the Commission with
more reliable information .

3 . While respecting the legal instruments in force, the
Commission has demonstrated considerable cooperation
and a great deal of good will in attempting to resolve the
problems arising from the refusal by the US authorities to
guarantee that meat exported from the United States to
the Community satisfies these rules . The Commission has
been forced to restrict imports . By way of reprisal, the US

No C 89 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

authorities have imposed compensatory duties on certain
products imported from the Community and caused
losses estimated at US$ 100 million . Nevertheless, the
Community 's efforts have resulted in interim measures
under which American producers have undertaken not to
administer hormones to cattle intended for export to the
Community . The meat must come from establishments
approved by Community officials and be checked
by American veterinarians . Despite the Commission 's
efforts, the negotiations under way have made little

progress .

4 . The Commission attaches great importance to the
Community directives seeking to ensure that all veterinary
medicinal products on the market, including those
derived from biotechnology, offer no risk to human or
animal health or the environment . A system similar to the
one in force has applied to animal feedingstuffs for a
number of years . The Commission does not intend to
make the distinction advocated by the Honourable
Member but is in fact currently working on the
consolidation and extension of the existing rules .

O OJ No L 191,23.7 . 1985 .
O OJ No L 275, 26 . 9 . 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 209 / 91

by Mr Ben Fayot ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 February 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 04 )

Subject : Temporary employees

At a time when the European Community is attempting to
regulate non-standard work, I should like to ask :

1 . Does the Commission employ workers on temporary
contracts ? If so, how many ?

2 . What is the minimum duration of these contracts ?

3 . How are these employees recruited ( directly or
through specialized agencies )?

4 . How much is paid to specialized agencies ?

5 . How is the market split between Brussels and

Luxembourg ?

6 . What regulations on employment are observed for

temporary employees ( written or verbal contract ;
social security, particularly retirement pensions, etc .)?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1991 )

1 and 2 . The Honourable Member 's question
presumably refers to temporary staff supplied to the
Commission by agencies rather than to temporary staff
recruited and employed under the Conditions of
Employment of Other Servants of the Communities .

The Commission regularly uses temporary employment

agencies to obtain staff reinforcements for limited
periods . There are generally around 450 such staff in the
Commission .

3 . Contracts are made with the companies and not with
the staff concerned . There is no minimum duration ; the
maximum duration is generally six months .

4 . Companies are selected after a tendering procedure
has established which are the least expensive ; they must,
however, comply with the Commission 's specifications .
The terms of the invitation to tender are such that only

firms with a solid market presence, offering adequate
assurances as to soundness and respectability and duly
approved by national authorities, are eligible .

5 . The Commission uses the companies selected as and
when it needs back-up staff with specific vocational
profiles ( knowledge of languages, familiarity with
modern office techniques and equipment, etc .). The
financial benefit to the agencies depends on the number of
staff supplied and the duration, as well as on the terms of
business commonly applied in the trade .

6 . The use of agency staff is regulated by local
legislation ; the Commission complies scrupulously with
it .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 214 / 91

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 February 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 05 )

Subject : National treasures

Does the Commission have any proposals to facilitate the
return of ' national treasures ' to their countries of origin ?

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 5

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1 991 )

In its Communication entitled ' the protection of national
treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological
value : needs arising from the abolition of frontiers in

1992 ' ( l ), the Commission launched a dialogue on the
question whether the completion of the internal market
necessitated measures in this field .

On 19 November 1990 the Council and the Ministers for
Cultural Affairs meeting within the Council agreed :

— ' to collaborate more intensively with each other and

with the Commission on the protection of national
treasures so that, without any heavy extra
administrative burden, information arid experience
can be exchanged ';

— that ' the idea of a system of restitution of cultural

objects illicitly exported to other Member States
should be further examined ', as should ' measures at
the external frontiers for the protection of cultural
objects '. They invited the Commission to work with
experts from the Member States on possible measures
here .

A constructive, open dialogue thus began between the
Commission and national experts, notably at seminars
held in Magalia, Maiori, Sintra and Marly-le-Roy .

The Commission presented its initial thoughts at a

hearing held on 22 July 1991 and then put two preliminary
draft legislative proposals to the national experts, one for
a Council Regulation on the export of cultural goods and
one for a Directive on the harmonization of the laws of
the Member States on the return of cultural goods illicitly
removed from the territory of a Member State .

On the basis of its studies and of the experts ' reactions,
the Commission will shortly be presenting its proposals .

payments to an ex-wife in pursuit of an English court
order, but not when the order is made in another Member

State ?

Does the Commission consider that such discrimination is
compatible with the single market and what action does it
propose to take ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1 991 )

Under UK income tax law, maximum relief of £ 1 720 is
available to a taxpayer for maintenance payments to a
separated or divorced spouse .

As the Honourable Member stated in his Written
Question, the relief is dependent upon such payments
being made in pursuit of a United Kingdom court order
or under any other obligation imposed by a United
Kingdom court .

The Commission considers that the law of a Member
State which links the relief in question to an obligation
imposed by a national court, thereby excluding
maintenance payments made under the decision of a
court of another Member State could constitute an
infringement of the provisions of the EEC Treaty and it
will take up the matter with the UK authorities . The
Commission will take appropriate measures, should this

prove necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 942 / 91

by Mr Kenneth Collins ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 May 1991 )

(') COM(89 ) 594 final . ( 92 / C 89 / 07 )

Subject : Safety in fairgrounds, amusement parks and

playgrounds

What action is the Commission proposing to take to
deal with the problems of safety in fairgrounds and
WRITTEN QUESTION No 586 / 91 amusement parks and also in the area of the safety of
playgrounds ?

by Mr Michael Welsh ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 March 1991 )

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
( 92 / C 89 / 06 )

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Taxation of maintenance payments

Is the Commission aware that the UK tax authorities

allow a husband to claim tax relief on maintenance

( 3 December 1 991 )

The Commission is presently preparing a draft proposal
for a Council Directive concerning equipment which is
specific to fairgrounds and amusement parks . In addition

9 . 4 . 92
No C 89 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities

to certain essential requirements based on Council
Directive 89 / 392 / EEC of 14 June 1989 O concerning the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating
to machinery and to its modification, further essential
requirements have to be added to take account of the
particular risks presented by this type of equipment,
especially having regard to the usual presence of large
numbers of people and to the general circumstances under
which such equipment is often used .

Equipment used in children 's playgrounds shall be the
subject of specific Directives . The first one will contain
provisions dealing with the safety of the equipment itself .
The second will deal with the rules relating to usage

thereof as well as the general conditions of layout, rules
for use by children, etc . The essential safety requirements
of these Directives have to take account of improper use
due to the behaviour of children, and not be inspired by
the sole criterion of ' use in accordance with intended

purpose '.

These Directives will seek to ensure a high level of

protection for users and others, in conformity with
Article 100 A of the EEC Treaty as well as facilitating free
circulation in this area . They will be based on the Council
resolution of 7 May 1985 on a new approach to technical
harmonization and standards, and will lay down essential
safety requirements which must be met by the equipment
placed on the market . These safety requirements will be
completed by harmonized standards which are currently
being prepared by Technical Committees 152 and 136 of
the CEN ( European Committee for Standardization )
concerning respectively fairgrounds and amusement
parks, and children 's playgrounds .

As regards the safety and health protection of workers in
fairgrounds and amusement parks, the attention of the
Honourable Member is drawn to the provisions of
Council Directives based on Article 1 1 8 A, in particular
Directives 89 / 391 / EEC ('), 89 / 654 / EEC ( 2 ) and 89 / 655 /
EEC ( 2 ), which will have to be implemented as of 31
December 1992 .

O OJ No L 183,29.6 . 1989 .
O OJNoL393, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 994 / 91

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 08 )

Subject : Famine in Africa

Following the resolution passed by the European
Parliament on 18 April 1991 what steps has the
Commission taken to implement the recommendations
made in that resolution ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1992 )

On the basis of the supplementary appropriation for
budget item B7-7070, which was adopted at the May 1991
plenary session of Parliament, the Commission conducted
a special programme of food aid for sub-Saharan Africa,
involving 400 000 tonnes of cereal equivalent and a total
of ECU 140 million (').

The special programme was given immediate operational
priority and at 1 July 92% of the aid was being
implemented either via purchases on the Community
market or triangular transactions .

Distribution was put in the hands of NGOs, the ICRC,
WFP, UNHCR and LICROSS, thus ensuring that it was

undertaken promptly and fairly . With the aid of the
Member States special attention was also given to
logistical aspects .

Aircraft were chartered as and when necessary . Food aid
experts were also sent to the countries most badly affected

— in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan —
to monitor and facilitate operations .

(') Debates of the European Parliament, 21 May 1991 : Annex to

OJ 3-403 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1023 / 91

by Mr Marc Galle ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 09 )

Subject : New study courses on European integration

The Commission is supporting proposals from
universities for the introduction of new courses on
European integration, starting at the beginning of the

1991—92 academic year .

This support is being provided in the context of the Jean

Monnet II project for 1991 and is primarily financial .

Can the Commission say :

1 . How many of these proposals are being supported ?

2 . How they are distributed among the Member States ?

3 . How much financial support, in rough terms, is being

given to each proposal ?

4 . How many new teaching commitments are actually

being created by these proposals ?

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 7

5 . How many permanent teaching posts are being

created per subject area in the Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 6 September 1 991 )

1 . Under the Jean Monnet II Scheme for the 1991 — 92
academic year, 242 new grants have been awarded . This is
in addition to the 219 grants under the Jean Monnet I
Scheme .

2 . The 242 grants have been awarded as follows :

35 in Germany

13 in Belgium

5 in Denmark

16 in Spain
43 in France

1 7 in Greece

6 in Ireland

39 in Italy
14 in the Netherlands

12 in Portugal
42 in the United Kingdom

3 . The budget for the Jean Monnet II Scheme is ECU
2 200 000, divided between different types of schemes as
follows :

Community

law

European
economic

integration

European
political studies

— ECU 1 339 066 for departments of European studies ;

— ECU 591 726 for ongoing courses in European

integration and European modules ;

— ECU 66 000 for research .

These sums relate only to the 1991—92 academic year,
though under the terms of the Guide to the Jean Monnet
II Scheme, of course, Community cofinancing for
departments of European studies and ongoing courses
covers three years .

4 . Under the Jean Monnet Scheme 461 new teaching
commitments have been set up, including 91 departments
of European studies offering on average four to six
courses in basic subjects and two to four seminars :

1990 1991

91 departments of European

studies 46 45

224 ongoing courses 96 128

112 European modules 52 60

35 grants of aid for research 26 9

5 . The breakdown of departments of European studies
by subject and country is as follows :

History of

European
integration

Total

Germany 6 3 2 4 15

Belgium 1 1 — 1 3

Denmark 1 1 3 — 5

Spain 4 4 — 2 10

France 8 5 1 1 15

Greece — 3 — 3

Ireland 1 — 2 1 4

Italy 3 2 — 1 6

Netherlands 3 1 — 1 5

Portugal 2 1 1 — 4

United Kingdom 4 4 11 2 21

Total 33 25 20              - 13 91

No C 89 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1304 / 91

by Mr Madron Seligman ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

have notified a number of schemes to the Commission
involving growing and processing of mushrooms .

The relevant departments of the Commission are at

( 24 June 1991 ) present reviewing these schemes in the context of

( 92 / C 89 / 10 ) Articles 92, 93 and 94 of the EEC Treaty .

( 24 June 1991 )

Subject : Unfair competition for British mushroom ­

growers

Notwithstanding the fact that it is the Commission 's
avowed intention to eliminate unfair competition and to
create a single market on the basis of what the British term
'a level playing field ', it has been brought to my attention
that the EC is subsidizing mushroom-growers in Ireland,
who are then able to undercut British producers .

Some of my own constituents have complained to me, not
only about loss of what was profitable business, but also
about the need to make staff redundant at a time when
alternative employment is not available .

The Commission 's left hand should, I feel, be aware of
what its right hand is accomplishing . The action of the

Commission would appear to give rise to a ' dumping '
situation to the extreme detriment of British
mushroom-growers . What does the Commission propose
to do to remedy this unacceptable situation ?

o See Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 797 / 85 on improving the

efficiency of agricultural structures ( OJ No L 93, 30 . 3 . 1985 ),
since replaced by Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 91 ( OJ No
L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991 ), and Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90
on improving the processing and marketing conditions for
agricultural products ( OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1342 / 91

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 June 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 11 )

Subject : Part-time work by European officials

Could the Commission state its position with regard to
the increase in part-time working by European officials ?

Could it also provide statistics on trends in part-time
working by the different categories of Community
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry officials over the last five years ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 991 )

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

The Commission currently part-finances horizontal
structural measures across the Community as part of the
common agricultural policy, with the aim of helping to
improve the competitiveness of production, processing
and marketing enterprises (').

A number of products, however, are excluded from

Community part-financing because of structural
surpluses within the Community .

Mushrooms are not one of the excluded sectors and have
already received part-financing from the Community .

In addition, as part of the Community 's activities to
promote development and restructuring, regions lagging
behind in their development such as Ireland can qualify
for Community part-financing of schemes to improve
mushroom-growing systems .

The Commission has in fact, on the basis of information
received, asked the Irish Government whether it has any

aid schemes for mushroom-growing . The Irish authorities

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1991 )

The provisions on half-time work laid down in Article 55a

of the Staff Regulations have been applied by the
Commission since the beginning of 1973 .

In 1986, to widen the scope for part-time work and
make it available to more people, the Commission
supplemented these provisions by introducing new
arrangements whereby staff authorized to work half-time
for one or two months per year may use days in hand as
half-days or full days spread over the period concerned .

At the same time the Commission adopted a broader
interpretation of the criteria for authorizing half-time
work .

During the first few years of the scheme, some difficulties
were encountered in keeping the departments where

staff were working half-time up to strength . But the
Commission has since taken counter measures .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 9

As can be seen from the statistics below, the total number
of officials authorized to work part-time has been
increasing by 15 % per year on average since 1987 .

Officials working part-time at 1 January 1987

Category Taking half-days Taking full-days Total

A 7 7

LA 67 l 67

B 27 1 28

C 150 150

D 2 2

Total 253 1 254

Officials working part-time at 1 January 1988

Category Taking half-days Taking full-days Total
###### A 6 l l 6

LA 81 4 1 86

B 32 3 1 36

C 167 22 2 191

D 1 1

Total 287 29 4 320

Officials working part-time at 1 January 1989

Category Taking half-days Taking full-days Total

A 6 1 1 ' 8

LA 88 5 3 96

B 34 11 1 46

C 182 46 7 235

D

Total 310 63 12 385

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1352 / 9 1

by Mr Ben Visser ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 June 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 12 )

Subject : Safety at sea

A number of very serious maritime disasters have
occurred in recent years, including those involving the

Moby Prince, Scandinavian Star and Herald of Free
Enterprise, which occurred in European waters, in
addition to a large number of other incidents and near
misses . For years now the European Parliament has been
calling for more action in the field of ship inspection, for
example in the Lagakos report and a large number of
resolutions .

1 . Does the Commission agree that the port inspection

measures agreed on in the memorandum of
understanding do not go far enough ?

2 . If so, what moves in this direction can be expected

from the Commission ?

3 . Flow does the Commission view criticisms of the
memorandum of understanding to the effect that
inspection of 25 % of all vessels entering port is an
unrealistic objective, since many countries do not have
the means or the will to do so ?

4 . What percentage of vessels entering port are currently

inspected in the Member States ?

5 . What view does the Commission take of moves by

Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway to
introduce more stringent measures than those agreed
in the memorandum ? These countries have requested
IMO authority to :

— allow fire and emergency drills to be supervised by

inspectors,

— establish the extent to which the language barrier

in multinational crews could hinder rapid
communication,

— test the familiarity of the crew with equipment

used on board,

— give inspectors the power to detain a vessel in port .

6 . What steps has the Commission taken in response

to Parliament 's request for the introduction of a
European system of coastal state inspection ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1 991 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's
concern for maritime safety .

As regards tougher action by port States, the Committee
on the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State
Control decided at its last meeting from 5 to 7 June
to amend the memorandum to include controls on
operational standards and on-board procedures . This

No C 89 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

could also cover checks on the competence of the vessel 's
crew . Particular attention would also be given to the
inspection of passenger ships, tankers and vessels carrying
dangerous packed goods .

As a member of the Memorandum Committee, the

Commission welcomes the strengthening and extension
of controls and hopes to continue acting within the
Committee to improve the memorandum 's effectiveness .

The move by Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and
Norway to introduce the operational controls referred to
by the Honourable Member is a result of the Committee 's
decision and is designed to provide a legal basis for future
operational controls . The port States are pushing for the
establishment of a legal basis by means of international
instruments including any which may be formulated
within the International Maritime Organization .

If no international agreement is reached, the Commission
will take the necessary steps to establish such a basis
within the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1492 / 91

by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 13 )

Subject : Implementation of Council Directive 76 / 464 /

EEC on water pollution

On 7 February 1983 the Council adopted a resolution
concerning measures to prevent water pollution O
containing measures to speed up the implementation of
Council Directive 76 / 464 / EEC ( 2 ) and in particular
provide the Commission with specific information .

1 . Which Member States have provided the Commission

with the information referred to in this resolution ?

2 . Why has the Commission not yet forwarded to the

Council proposals for discharge values and quality
objectives in respect of any of the priority substances
listed in the annex to the resolution ?

3 . Why is it that, with one exception, none of the

substances are included on the new list of priority
substances in Article 2 of the proposal for a Council
directive amending Directive 76 / 464 / EEC ( 3 )?

(') OJNoC 46, 17.2 . 1983, p . 17 .
O OJ No L 129, 18.5 . 1976, p . 23 .
O OJ No C 55, 7 . 3 . 1990, p . 7 .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 January 1992 )

1 . Five Member States ( Germany, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom ) have
provided some of the information referred to in the
resolution adopted by the Council on 7 February 1983 on
the 129 substances covered by the communication of 2
June 1982 (').

2 and 3 . Initially 129 substances were selected and
three substances were subsequently added . When the
substances listed in the annex to the resolution were
examined by the national experts who are helping the
Commission with the implementation of Directive
76 / 464 / EEC and the Council resolution, none of them
were found to have absolute priority, with the exception

of parathion .

The substances to be included in the proposals for

Directives depend on the selection made in the meetings
with the national experts where the priorities are set .

Moreover, in order to establish limit values and quality
objectives, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the
ecotoxicological properties of the chosen substances .
Basing itself on the advice given by the national experts as
regards the substances which should be considered as
having absolute priority, the Commission has examined
those questions which should enable it to continue its
legislative task for the substances under consideration, as
laid down in Directive 86 / 280 / EEC ( 2 ). The proposal for
Directive of 8 January 1990 ( 3 ) took as priority substances
those ( including parathion ) on which there was a
consensus among the national experts .

O OJNoC 176, 14.7 . 1982 .
O OJ No L 181,4.7 . 1986 .
O COM(9Q ) 9 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1510 / 91

by Mr Gérard Monnier-Besombes ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 14 )

Subject : Biodegradable packaging

At a time when the Commission is currently concerned by
problems caused by the increasing quantity of packaging
which is frequently composed of nondegradable materials
which cannot be recycled, the French Ministry of Postal

Services and Telecommunications has amended its
regulations which have until now made the use of wooden
boxes compulsory for certain parcels .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 11

What view does the Commission take of this ? Is such an Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
amendment compatible with Commission policy as on behalf of the Commission
enwsaged in the future directive on packaging ? ( 27 September 1991 )

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 991 )

The Commission Departments responsible for waste
management are at present putting into effect the
Community waste management strategy . They are careful
to take account of the order of priorities established for
this management : prevention, recycling, suitable final
disposal .

It is true that the French standard permits the use of postal
packagings made of materials other than wood, and such
packagings may not be biodegradable .

Biodegradability, however, is relevant only to the last of
the priorities in waste management, i.e., final disposal .

On the other hand, dispensing with this obligation to use
wood also opens the market to other recyclable materials .
If this regulation is to be fully in conformity with the
principles of the Community strategy and with the future
Directive on packagings, its terms should be such that it
does not prevent the use of recycled materials .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1522 / 91

by Mr José Barros Moura ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

The Commission has given careful consideration to the
question put to it on the situation of the Portuguese
workers involved in the construction of a Disneyland
complex near Paris .

The facts described by the Honourable Member are all
the more interesting as the Commission recently adopted
a proposal for a directive concerning the posting of
workers in the framework of the provision of services ( 1 ).

Assuming that there is a legal link between Chelding —
Sociedade Internacional de Montagens Industriais and
the Portuguese workers employed on the Disneyland site,
which seems to be the case, the proposed directive could
apply to industrial relations between them .

The the Member proposed States directive to establish would a coordinate minimum ' legislation hard core ' in of
mandatory protective rules governing industrial relations .
Employers posting workers to carry out temporary work
on the territory of a Member State would be obliged to
comply with these rules in the host country . The ' hard
core ' of provisions covers such matters as working hours,
health and safety conditions, minimum wages, the
protection of young people and pregnant women, the
principle of equal treatment and paid leave .

The Commission will be attentive to abuses of this kind as
regards the working conditions and wages of workers
posted abroad in the procedure for the adoption of the
directive .

For the moment, the working conditions and pay of the
Portuguese workers employed on the Disneyland site are
outside Community jurisdiction .

( 23 July 1991 )
0 ) COM(91 ) 230 final .
( 92 / C 89 / 15 )

Subject : Discrimination against Portuguese workers in

the Community

According to press reports, Portuguese workers are
being recruited by an agency (' Chelding-Sociedade
Internacional de Montagens Industriais ') on behalf of an
Italian company, ' Grasseto ', for the construction of a
Disneyland complex near Paris . Apparently, they earn Esc

140 000 per month, whereas their French and Italian
counterparts earn Esc 750 000, in addition to which the
Portuguese workers work longer hours ( 15 to 16 hours
per day ) and are virtually the prisoners of their employers
who hold their return tickets and exploit their precarious
situation . What measures will the Commission take under
the Social Charter and Social Action Programme to put an
end to this degrading treatment which takes place in
various Community Member States ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1614 / 91

by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 16 )

Subject : Recycling of packaging used by the Commission

The most recent issue of Economie europeene ( No 41 of
March 1991 ) was contained in a polythene wrapping

No C 89 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

described as fit for recycling and was labelled ' for the sake
of our environment please dispose of this wrapper
correctly '.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1688 / 91

by Mr Alexander Langer ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Can the Commission specify ' the correct way ' of (6 August 1991 )
disposing of this wrapping ? ( 92 / C 89 / 18 )

Subject : Rio di Pusteria bypass ( Bolzano-Italy )

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1 991 )

The purpose of the wording on the polythene film used by

the Office for Official Publications for mailing certain of
its publications is to alert recipients to the fact that the
wrapping can be recycled if appropriate techniques are
used and to prompt them to follow the instructions given
by the bodies responsible for collecting and recycling
waste in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1619 / 91

by Mr Gérard Monnier-Besombes ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 17 )

Subject : Danger to fauna and flora on the Akamas

peninsular

In the light of the Commission 's avowed concern for
protecting the Mediterranean environment, is it aware of
tourist projects which constitute a threat to the Akamas
peninsular and to numerous endangered species of
indigenous fauna and flora ?

If so, will the Commission take prompt measures to
protect this extremely precious ecosystem ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 991 )

The Commission is not aware of any recent tourism
projects posing a threat to the Akamas peninsula .

It has already taken action to protect this habitat, having
been involved, under the MEDSPA programme, in
subsidizing an ecological development and management
project which ended this year .

Work is currently being carried out in Alto Adige ( South
Tirol ) in Italy to widen and improve the trunk road

through the Pusteria Valley, involving the construction of
a number of bypasses, despite the fact that, following
protests by local residents and many of the municipal
authorities concerned, an application has already been
made for the road to be classified as a regional rather than
European route . A similar request has also been made
by the autonomous provincial authority to the Italian

Minister of Transport .

However, the German company Philipp Holzmann AG
has been commissioned to construct a bypass in the
commune of Rio di Pusteria ( Bolzano ), involving
major works costing Lit 45 billion, without considering
alternatives with a lesser environmental impact and taking
up less farmland . The member of the provincial council
responsible for the environment is now publicly stating his
view that the project is a ' complete mistake '.

Is the Commission aware of this situation and can it say
whether the necessary environmental impact studies were
carried out in accordance with Community requirements
and whether they were completed before the project was
launched ? What possibilities does it see of suspending the
project, which may prove to be mistaken, environmentally
harmful and no longer in line with current transport
policy ?

The author requests a written reply .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

                     - (9 January 1992 )

Pursuant to Article 4 ( 2 ) of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC O
projects of the classes listed in Annex II to the Directive,
including projects for roads other than motorways and
express roads, must be submitted for environmental
assessment where their nature, size or location is likely to
have a significant impact on the environment .

In this particular case, it would be useful to have more
precise data on the size and scope of the project and
works .

Since the Italian law transposing this Directive has been
judged unsatisfactory, the Commission has sent the

Italian authorities a formal letter of complaint .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 13

If the Honourable Member is willing to send the
Commission the additional information referred to
above, it will then be able to draw the Italian authorities '
attention to this new project and ask them to make known
their opinion .

O OJNoL 175,5.7 . 1985 .

Member State 's reporting . In this regard, the delivery
figures reported and any consequent additional levy
amounts due are subject to the annual clearance of
accounts procedure which involves a detailed examination
of all aspects of the reporting and collection systems
operated by the Member States . Arising from this
examination, the Commission services can approve or
adjust the figures declared and accordingly make
appropriate financial corrections if required .

Investigations by the Commission have proved that in
so far considerable deficiencies have occurred in a
large number of Member States . The Commission is
determined to pursue these cases in the aforementioned
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1728 / 91 way .

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 August 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 19 )

Subject : Reports of milk superlevy

What proposals does the Commission have to ensure that

all EC Member States report regularly, and within the
prescribed time period, on the amounts of milk superlevy
collected under EC rules for controlling milk production ?
Is it not intolerable that, at present, only Denmark and the
UK are fulfilling their obligations in this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1 991 )

In the view of the Commission, the question raised
concerns in fact two different problems .

Firstly, as far as regular reporting by the Member States is
concerned, Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 1546 / 88
obliges them to communicate information concerning
milk deliveries for any given quota year ( l ). It is true that
some Member States are not always prompt in such
reporting ; by the end of June 1991, only six Member
States had communicated the required information to the
Commission for the milk year just ended . However, the
Commission must recognize that lateness can be due not
only to increasingly complex operational structures in
certain Member State, but also to transitional problems of
implementation following court judgments and
amendments to the relevant Regulations . Where the
Commission would have to consider that intolerable
delays in reporting do occur systematically and without
valid reason, the matter would be referred to the Court of
Justice and, where appropriate, financial action be taken

through the system of advances and in the last resort at
the time of the clearance of accounts .

Secondly, the question raised involves also the still more
important problem concerning the reliability of the

O OJNoL 139,4.6 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1828 / 91

by Mr Michel Herve ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 20 )

Subject : Telecommunications consortium

How does the Commission intend to apply the
competition rules set out in the Treaty to the Pathfinder
consortium formed by NTT, the largest telecommu ­
nications operator in the world, with two of the main
European operators, Deutsche Bundespost Telekom and
British Telecom, which has, according to the press, been
set up to launch and operate the IBM world network
which alone accounts for more than 60 % of the
data-processing market and whose private network is the
largest in the world ?

Does not the Commission consider that the creation of

this consortium constitutes a serious risk of abuse of a
dominant position and, if these projects were launched,
what measures would it take to ensure free access for all
users and equal conditions of competition between
suppliers of private network services ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1992 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission 's
communication of 26 July 1991 setting out guidelines on
the application of EEC competition rules in the
telecommunications sector . Section IV .B of the guidelines
states that agreements between public operators can

No C 89 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

restrict competition, but may also bring economic benefits
that outweigh the restrictions and thus render them
compatible with competition rules . These benefits have to
do, in particular, with the introduction of ' one-stop
shopping ', the improvement of public infrastructure and
the dissemination of technologies, to the advantage of
consumers . Nevertheless, these agreements should not
restrict market access for third parties or strengthen
dominant positions, on either domestic markets or the
Community market .

The Commission follows the abovementioned principles
when applying the competition rules laid down in the

EEC Treaty in its examination of specific cases as
provided for by Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962 ( 1 ).
In the case to which the Honourable Member refers, the
Commission notes that British Telecom ( BT ) announced
on 19 September 1991 that it had formed a new company
based at Atlanta, Georgia ( United States ) with the aim of
offering multinational firms an international network for
integrated management and customer service systems .
While still at the planning stage, this service was dubbed
' Pathfinder ', but the name finally adopted for the new
company set up by BT is ' Syncordia '. In a press release
announcing the creation of Syncordia, BT stated that it
had been holding talks with Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone and Deutsche Bundespost concerning the
possibility of their taking a stake in Syncordia . According
to the press release, however, only BT is involved in
formation of the new company at this stage . The
Commission will keep a close watch on the development
of this new service .

O OJNo 13,21.2 . 1962 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1854 / 91
by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 21 )

Subject : European Forum of Migrants

The European Parliament decided to create a European

Forum of Migrants to confer with the Commission on
Community policies concerning immigration .

The Commission was given the task of setting up the
Forum . Contrary to the image of ' neutrality ', declared in
the letter of invitation addressed to those taking part in
the inaugural meeting, it became clear that the
Commission had engineered the debate on the draft
statutes of the Forum, so as to give absolute priority, within the governing bodies of the organism, to migrants
from third countries .

This step was apparently justified by the fact that the
financial resources under the relevant budget heading
were intended primarily for migrants from third
countries .

Can the Commission prove this assertion on the basis of
the Community budget ?

Is the Commission able to explain this attitude, which
threatens to cause an irreparable split in the immigration
movement ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1 991 )

It is the Commission 's understanding that the Migrants '
Forum was to be set up for the Migrant Community to be
a dialogue partner with all Community institutions, not
just with the Commission .

Concerning the question of participation of Community
migrants in the Forum, this was debated at length by
the Forum constituents, who adopted the following
principles :

( a ) Community migrants have already access to political
fora where they may make their voice heard, the,
national parliaments, the Economic and Social
Committee, the European Parliament, as well as
appeal to the Commission where it appears
Community law may have been infringed, as with
freedom of movement, etc . since Community
migrants enjoy civic rights enforceable by law .

( b ) Migrants of non-Community origin enjoy only some

or none of such rights, and it was to allow the clear
voice of the unenfranchised and underprivileged
third country migrants to be heard at political level
that the Forum should be set up .

( c ) The Forum constituents, wishing to make this clear

voice heard, but also wishing to show solidarity with,
and to benefit from, the superior and longer
organizational experience of the Community
migrants, therefore allocated up to 10% membership
to the latter, and allocated quite expressly one seat on
the Management Board to them .

The Commission, for its part, took the view that the
Forum was indeed intended for third country migrants,
but could agree that Community migrants should be
allowed to make their contribution in the Forum also .

The Commission in no way engineered either the debate
or the draft Statutes of the Forum . The meeting was
chaired by the elected President of the Preparatory

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 15

Committee and the draft statutes have not yet been finally
adopted by the Forum .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1876 / 91

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 22 )

Subject : Milk Marketing Boards UK

Has the Commission specific proposals for the future of
Milk Marketing Boards in the UK ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 4 November 1 991 )

The Commission 's current policy towards the United
Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards is primarily directed to
ensuring that they adhere to the Community rules
governing their continued existence .

In this connection the Commission has recently taken
decisions to open three infringement proceedings
under Article 169 EEC against the United Kingdom
Government for alleged failure of the authorities of that
Member State to assure compliance by the Boards with
their Community obligations . A number of other
complaints involving the Milk Marketing Boards are
currently under investigation .

In view of the increasing number of complaints which the
Commission has received concerning these Boards the
Commission is also examining its general policy towards
these organizations . No definitive conclusions, however,
have yet been reached .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1899 / 91

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 23 )

Subject : Slender-billed curlew ( Numenius tenuirostris )

The slender-billed curlew ( Numenius tenuirostris ) is
the Community 's most threatened bird species, with a
population of only 100-400 in the world . A paper to be
discussed at the meeting of the parties to the Bonn

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Animals
identifies the following threats, among others :

— continued hunting of large waders in Italy,

— damage to wetlands, notably the Evros and
Axios-Aliakmon-Loudias Deltas in Greece, certain
wetlands in Italy and the Danube Delta,

— lack of knowledge about the species, especially in its

USSR breeding grounds .

Given that the Community is a party to this Convention
and is obliged to ' endeavour to provide immediate
protection ' for this species,

1 . Has the Commission considered amending Annex II

of the Birds Directive to ban hunting of large waders
in Italy, and when will it bring forward such a
proposal ?

2 . Has the Commission decided not to provide
Structural Fund support for the Aliakmon river
diversion and the DEPA gas pipeline, or any other
development likely to have a negative effect on the
wetlands of the Thermaic Gulf or the Evros Delta ?

3 . Is the Commission willing to cooperate with non-EC
countries, notably the USSR, Romania and the
Maghreb countries, in improving knowledge and
conservation of this species ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 991 )

1 . Italy has banned hunting on its territory of waders
which could be confused with slender-billed curlews . As a
result, there is no longer such an urgent need to amend
Annex II .

2 . As regards financial support from the Commission
for certain projects affecting the Aliakmon River and
wetlands in Greece, the current procedure imposes an
obligation on the Member States to conduct an impact
assessment of all projects which will have a significant
effect on the environment at vulnerable sites .

In the case of the DEPA project dated 7 October 1991,
Greece has already submitted a prior impact assessment
which the Commission is now examining .

3 . At the conference of the parties to the Bonn
Convention in Geneva on 9-13 September 1991, the
Commission proposed participation in the action plan
proposed for this species by the IWRB, which is targeted
principally on the Maghreb region and the relevant
nesting grounds .

No C 89 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1917 / 91

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 24 )

Subject : Final report on the European Poverty Pro ­

gramme 1985-1989 ( COM(91 ) 29 final )

The number of single-parent families in the EC is

increasing yearly . The majority of single parents are
women, who, aside from widows, depend on their own

ability to make a living .

Because of their children, these women tend to take
normally rather badly paid, part-time jobs, since adequate
childminding facilities are lacking in most Member States .
These women form a new poverty risk group with many
of them already depending on social assistance .

— Does the Commission not consider it necessary to

deploy special measures to improve the chances of this
group of women on the labour market ?

— Does the Commission not agree that any such

measures will fail as long as childminding facilities are
lacking ?

— Is the Commission therefore prepared to come

forward with a framework directive on childcare, as
requested by the EP in its resolution of 19 April 1991
( A3-0072 / 91 )? O

— Does the Commission moreover agree that because of

the rather dismal situation of women on the labour
market ( difficult access, lower wages, atypical work,
etc .) the credits earmarked for the NOW programme
should be raised and the running time of the
programme coordinated with the running time of the
Third Action Programme on equal opportunities

for women ( COM(90 ) 49 final ) which means an
extension of the NOW initiative from 1993 to 1995, in
line with EP 's resolution of 21 November 1990

( A3-0280 / 90 )? O

(') Minutes of the sitting of 19 April 1991, p. 98 — OJ No C 129,

20.5 . 1991, p . 224 .
O OJ No C 324, 24 . 12 . 1990, p. 94 .

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

1 . One of the lessons of the second Community
programme for the fight against poverty concerns the
effectiveness of integrated strategies which address all

the key disadvantaged groups, rather than the
implementation of special, separate strategies for the
different categories of such persons .

Integrated action for economic and social incentive have
been retained among the key principles of Poverty 3, the
new Community programme .

Nevertheless, the Commission considers that for certain
very marginalized groups, specific action on policies may

still be necessary to encourage equality of opportunity
regarding access to certain fundamental rights or services,
with a view to ensuring real integration into society .

One of the innovative actions of Poverty 3, in the United
Kingdom, is specifically dedicated to single-parent
families .

In addition, the Commission finances a ' European
Network ' of single-parent families, resulting from
Poverty 2 .

The objectives of the Commission in supporting the

Network are to capitalize on the results of the second
programme via an exchange of information and
experience . In fact, the analysis of the effectiveness of
existing policies aimed at preventing the economic and
social exclusion of single-parent families will facilitate the
incorporation of this group into integrated strategies .

2 . The Commission agrees that the question of
childcare is an essential one .

This is why, following a proposition of the European

Parliament 's Committee on Women 's Rights, all
Community Support Frameworks of the Structural Funds
include an equality clause which gives social attention to
the applications concerning infrastructure and training
actions aimed at facilitating the reinsertion of women
with children in the labour market .

Moreover, one of the eligible measures in the NOW
Community initiative aims specifically at the vocational
training for the childcare workers to raise their skills and
therefore the quality of those services . In this context,
priority will be given to measures combining
infrastructure creation as well as vocational training .

In order to facilitate information on the possibilities
offered by NOW in this area, the Commission has also
published, in collaboration with the ' Childcare' network,
a guide that gives specific information on the childcare
measures in NOW, as well as guidance on the quality
criteria for these services, particularly in the field of
training for childcare workers . It has also organized
information seminars in all Member States, at which
experts in the childcare field have participated .

Furthermore, the development of childcare facilities is an
important area for action under the Third Action
Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and
Men ( 1991-1995 ), within the framework of women 's
integration into the labour market . The Commission will
continue to support the Childcare Network enabling it

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 17

inter alia to monitor developments, evaluate policy
options, collect and disseminate information and establish
criteria for the definition of quality in childcare .

Additionally, the Commission will finance innovative

action projects, notably in rural areas, as a complement to
the NOW initiative . In this context, particular attention
will be given to the situation of families with additional
needs, including single parent families .

3 . The Commission has approved a proposal for a
Council recommendation on childcare under the action
programme for the implementation of the Community
Charter of basic social rights for workers . Further
initiatives within the Third Action Programme on Equal
Opportunities will be taken in light of the implementation
of the Recommendation by Member States, following a
report on their actions, to be made within three years of
the date of adoption of the recommendation by the
Council .

4 . Concerning the budgetary allocation in favour of
NOW, the Commission is presently examining in an
overall-context all possibilities of how to make use of
credits which might become available .

The Council should re-examine the Structural Funds

Regulation before 31 December 1993 . It is at present not
possible to plan operations beyond this date .

Thus the following were recently sent to Parliament :

— the report on the implementation of Directive
87 / 219 / EEC on the approximation of laws on the
sulphur content of gas oil (');

— the communication on the results of the Corine

programme ( 2 ).

The publication ( 3 ) entitled ' Information on the
implementation of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ' prepared
by the Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Sciences
in cooperation with the Commission to which the
Honourable Member refers and which covers the period

1981-86 has not been officially sent to Parliament .
Indeed, the Commission 's departments are currently
working on a summary reporj on 10 years of
implementation of the birds directive which will be widely
distributed . This publication will nevertheless be passed
on for the more particular attention of the environment
commission .

o SEC(91 ) 756 final .
O SEC(91 ) 958 final .
( 3 ) Published within the series ' Environment and the quality of

life ', ref . EUR 12835 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1953 / 91

by Mrs Astrid Lulling ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1925 / 91

Mr Gérard Monnier-Besombes V ( 15 September 1 991 )

by Mr Gérard Monnier-Besombes ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 92 / C 89 / 26 )

( 2 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 25 )

Subject : Information for Members of Parliament

What means could the Commission use to inform
Parliament of its reports on the environment, such as
the recent one on the implementation of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC ('), since they are not forwarded to
Members of Parliament ?

C ) OJ No L 103,25.4 . 1979, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 December 1 991 )

Certain directives or other acts concerning the
environment provide for the drawing up by the
Commission of routine implementation reports . In most
cases it is specifically intended that Parliament should
receive those reports .

Subject : Comments by an official of the
Directorate-General for Agriculture at the
presentation of the CAP reform proposals in
Luxembourg

On 10 July 1991 the Commission 's information office in
Luxembourg organized a press briefing at which a
representative of Directorate-General VI ( Agriculture )
presented the Commission 's proposals for reform of the
CAP . It was reported in the press that the justification he
gave for the proposals to make drastic price-cuts,
particularly for cereals, was that farmers ' work for two or
three months a year then retire to Cannes and Monte
Carlo with the proceeds '.

1 . Can the Commission confirm that this is what its
representative in Luxembourg said on 10 July ?

2 . If so, is this justification for the proposed cuts in farm

prices one of the underlying motives for the
Commission 's reform plans ?

3 . What was the source of the information about farmers
spending nine or ten months in fashionable resorts on
the Cote d'Azur such as Cannes and Monte Carlo ?

No C 89 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

How many farmers are involved, and from which
Member States ?

subject to an impact study, the Commission supposes that
the requirements under the assessment procedure will be

met .

However, should the Honourable Member ascertain any
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry shortcomings in the application of that procedure, the
Commission would wish to be informed of them .

on behalf of the Commission

( 7 October 1 991 )

In no way does the press report referred to by the
Honourable Member reflect the Commission 's opinion .
The Commission official was neither authorized, nor was

it his intention, to justify the Commission s reform
proposals in this way .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1979 / 91
by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Karl Partsch ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 September 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 27 )

Subject : Construction of a dam in the Itoiz region of

Spain

1 . Is the Commission aware of plans in the Itoiz region
of the Spanish province of Navarro despite strong
opposition from the local population to construct a
vast dam in a 14 km-long valley, flooding fertile
agricultural land, an area of outstanding natural beauty
and nine villages ?

2 . Does the Commission not consider that this project
should be the subject of an environmental impact
assessment as laid down in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ) and,
if so, what will the Commission do to ensure that such an
assessment is carried out before work starts on the

project ?

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

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1 991 )

The Commission had no knowledge of the project for a

dam referred to by the Honourable Member .

The projects for dams included in Annex II to Directive

85 / 337 / EEC are subject to an assessment procedure
insofar as they are considered likely to have significant
effects on the environment .

Since Spain deemed the projects for dams to be significant
enough for inclusion in the list of projects that must be

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1982 / 91

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 5 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 28 )

Subject : Equal opportunities for men and women

Can the Commission give an initial assessment, as at 30
June 1991, of implementation of the third medium-term

Community action programmes on equal opportunities
for men and women ( 1991-1995 ), adopted on 17 October

1990 ?

Ans wer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1991 )

The Commission is not yet in a position to give a formal

evaluation of the Third Community Action Programme
on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, which will
run for a five-year period ( 1991-95 ) and is therefore still

at an early phase of implementation . The Commission
can, however, state that it has already undertaken a
number of important, concrete activities to implement the
Programme during the first six months .

Such activities inter alia have resulted in the adoption of a
proposal for a Council recommendation on childcare, a
draft Commission recommendation on the protection of
the dignity of women and men at work and a draft code of
practice . These initiatives have received significant press
coverage in the Member States and will therefore already
have raised the level of awareness of the issues
throughout the Community .

The Community 's NOW initiative, one of the main

components of the third equal opportunities action
programme, was adopted by the Commission on 29
December 1990 (').

The first half of 1991 was spent preparing the operational
programmes for the 1991-93 period ; these were submitted
to the Commission by the Member States at the end of
June 1991 .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 19

To help the Member States to prepare their programmes

more effectively, the Commission took the following

measures :

— it produced a handbook on Community human
resources initiatives ( Euroform, NOW, Horizon )
aimed specially at networks and promoters wishing to
put schemes forward for consideration under the new
initiatives in question ;

— it produced, particularly for NOW, a supplement

to the human resources handbook covering
child-minding measures and a special information
booklet, both of which were widely disseminated ;

— it organized several briefing seminars attended in

particular by women 's associations, in the Member
States, and held a launching seminar in Brussels for
NOW for representatives of vocational training
bodies, equal opportunities bodies, the two sides of
industry, the Community networks ; etc . in the 12
Member States .

Furthermore, to help the Member States develop more
effective transnational partnerships, the Commission
asked them to designate support structures at national
level ( national coordinators ), to be responsible for
keeping an eye on the initiative throughout its
implementation . The entire cost of these structures is
borne by the Commission in the 12 Member States .

In addition, the Commission has participated in a number
of meetings and conferences, and given interviews to the
press, specifically on the subject of the Third Action
Programme, so as to increase Member States '
understanding of the objectives of the Programme and
the need for action . A special edition of the ' Women in
Europe ' bulletin has been devoted to the Programme .

As regards implementation of the Programme at Member

State level, the Council resolution of 21 May 1991 on the
Third Programme ( 2 ) invites the Member States to adopt,

as required, within the framework of this programme,
national, regional or local equality plans or other relevant
policy measures establishing objectives that match
national circumstances and to draw up assessment
reports, given that collaboration and complementarity
of measures between the Member States and the

Commission are essential in order to achieve the
objectives of this programme .

The Commission will carry out a formal mid-term

evaluation of action taken to implement the programme at
the level of both the Member States and the Commission
in 1993 . A final evaluation will similarly be made at the
end of the Programme .

(') OJ No C 327, 29 . 12 . 1990 .
O OJ No C 142,31.5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2058 / 91

by Mr José Happart ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 29 )

Subject : European project concerning gypsies

Gypsies belong to an ethnic minority group and are
part of the immigrant population living within the
Community 's borders .

They have the same educational, cultural and social needs

as EEC nationals .

Does the Commission have a unit responsible for
defending the interests and well-being of gypsies as an
ethnic minority ?

If so, to which Directorate-General does it belong, and
how does it operate ?

f

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

The Commission does indeed regard gypsies as being an
ethnic minority living within Community borders and is
accordingly concerned at their specific cultural and social
needs, as with those of other Community nationals .

Educational questions in this context are handled by the
Task Force for Human Resources, Education, Training
and Youth, which finances a series of measures under
budget item B3-1003 ; it seeks inspiration in the work of a
group of Member States ' educational experts and of the
Gypsy Research Unit of the Rene Descartes ( Paris V )
University .

As regards other Community activities, the Commission
would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to

Written Question No 407 / 89 by Mr Patterson (').

O OJ No C 303,3 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2099 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 30 )

Subject : Need for equal treatment with regard to
deductions from savings within the Community

Given that the Community is based on the principle of
freedom of competition, it is time to put a stop to the fact
that certain citizens are penalized more heavily than

No C 89 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

others with regard to tax deductions on savings, and that
within one and the same Member State, these citizens are
treated differently for tax purposes according to whether
or not they are residents .

What action does the Commission envisage to regulate
the situation in accordance with the principles underlying
the EEC Treaties ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1992 )

The Commission would point out that, as regards the

liberalization of capital movements, it put to the Council
in February 1989 a proposal for a Directive on a common
system of withholding tax on interest income (*). This
provides for a minimum rate of withholding tax of 1 5 %
for all Community residents . At all events, differentiation
in the tax treatment of residents and non-residents
is compatible with the Treaty, which prohibits only
discrimination against nationals of other Member States .

The Commission considers that this proposal, on which
the Council has not yet managed to reach agreement,
represents a valid basis for future discussion, especially if
it can be brought within an international framework
involving the Community 's principal financial partners .

(') COM(89 ) 60 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2124 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 31 )

Subject : Cabin crew working conditions

At what stage are discussions with regard to the possible
introduction of statutory minimum working conditions
for cabin crew employed by European airlines ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 2 December 1 991 )

The Commission is examining the issue of flight time,

flight duty, duty time and rest periods for cabin personnel
with the social partners of the Joint Committee for Civil
Aviation .

A working group has been established to study the subject
and their report is expected by the end of this year .

The Commission, as an observer, is also closely following

the work carried out by the JAA Working Group on Flight
Time Limitation . This group also intends to submit its
report by the end of this year .

The Commission is hopeful that concrete proposals can
be made early in 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2125 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 32 )

Subject : Fight against AIDS

Since clearly existing measures aimed at halting the spread
of AIDS in the Community is not proving to be
sufficiently effective, has the Commission any further
proposals under consideration ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

The Commission is fully aware of the importance of

combating the spread of AIDS .

It has already carried out a number of pilot projects on
prevention . In addition, the ' Europe against AIDS '
programme, adopted by the Council on 4 June 1991 ('),
lays considerable stress on actions aimed at preventing
transmission of the infection .

With regard to AIDS research at Community level, over

600 research teams are participating within 30 concerted
action networks and six centralized facilities .

During the last quarter of this year a call for proposals
will be launched inviting researchers to come up with new
ideas for establishing networks and centralized services .

(') Decision 91 / 317 / EEC, OJ No L 175, 4 . 7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2 1 44 / 9 1

by Mr Michael Hindley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 33 )

Subject : Helios programme

Would the Commission please inform

1 . What percentage of the Helios funds have been taken

up so far ?

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 21

2 . Does the Commission anticipate any shortfall in the

uptake of funds ?

3 . What percentage of funds so far has gone on ' study

trips '?

4 . What has been the participation of disabled people

in these study trips in relation to able-bodied
participants ?

5 . How many disabled people are, on the panels of

experts of the Helios programme and how many of
the administrators and monitors of the programme are
disabled in relation to the number of able-bodied
people ?

6 . What plans does the Commission have to increase the

participation of disabled people in all phases and
aspects of Helios II ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 991 )

1 . By mid-October, the appropriations for
commitment earmarked in the 1991 budget for the Helios
programme ( B3-4102 ) had been utilized at a rate of 90%
( 94% for appropriations for payment ); 93% of
the appropriations of the corresponding mini-budget
( B8-3502 ) had likewise been used .

2 . The Commission foresees no shortfall and it has
been suggested that the payment credits are reinforced in
the framework of the ' Notenboom ' procedure .

3 . The annual budget allocated to study visits
represents 9,29 % of the total annual budget for the Helios
network activities and 8% of the total Helios budget
which also includes study visits organized by voluntary
bodies .

4 . The participants in the study visits normally belong
either to the Helios networks or to voluntary bodies . The
participants of the networks are nominated by the
Member States and the Commission does not interfere
either in its selection of their staff or members, or with the
participants appointed by the voluntary bodies .

However, from the beginning, the Commission insisted
on the participation of persons with disabilities in the
delegations of the study visits and an important
improvement has been noticed . Subsidies for study visits
organized by voluntary bodies will be accorded with
priority when disabled people participate . Their
participation must be indicated in the application forms .

5 . In sessions and conferences from the Helios
programme, persons with disabilities are taking part as
speakers or delegates as much as anyone else, taking into
account the expertise of each person in the matter that will
be discussed .

Delegates participating in the Helios Advisory Committee
are nominated by the national governments and those
participating in the Liaison Group are nominated by the
European voluntary bodies . If they are disabled, the
Commission takes charge of the expense of the
accompanying person . The Commission also provides for
sign language interpretation .

The Helios activities, spread all over the Member
States, very often involve persons with disabilities either
in management positions, its staff or coordination
committees .

As far as concerns the Helios networks, as referred to in

( 4 ) the Commission does not interfere in the selection of
activities or their staff members . Therefore, it is up to the
Member States ( national decision-makers ) to determine
when and where they want a more active participation of
disabled persons and if the effective participation of
disabled persons should be a condition to be determined
in order to participate in the Helios networks .

Concerning the cooperation with voluntary bodies, the
Commission insists that disabled persons are involved in
the management in order to be eligible for membership of
the Liaison Group as well as for financial support .

6 . To select the activities that will participate in the
Helios II networks, the Commission intends including, as
a fundamental issue, the participation of persons with
disabilities in the concerned activities .

With regard to its cooperation with voluntary bodies,
the Commission intends to take the representation of
disabled people in the management as an absolute
condition for any representation in the Helios advisory
bodies or for any financial support .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2156 / 91
by Mrs Carmen Diez De Rivera Icaza ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 34 )

Subject : Pleasure boats and quality of bathing water

Can the Commission say whether it has any information
on additional pollution caused by yachts and pleasure
cruisers in the summer season ?

Have any Community rules been introduced in response
to the constant increase in such boats, which appear to
ignore all regulations on waste, noise, etc .?

Does the Commission intend to take concrete action in

this connection ?

No C 89 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 November 1 991 )

The Commission has no information on any additional
pollution caused by pleasure craft over the summer
period . However, it recently started looking into the
matter and set up a number of studies on the problem
of pollution possibly deriving from pleasure and
water-sports vessels .

Once it has examined the findings of these studies the
Commission will decide on the expediency of putting
draft measures of a legally binding nature before the
Council .

The Commission is aware, notably through the Directive

83 / 189 / EEC provision of information procedure ('), of
draft measures in the Member States to limit certain

emissions . In addition, Directive 89 / 677 / EEC ( 2 ) places
limits on pollution from anti-fouling paints, which are
used inter alia on pleasure craft .

(') OJ No L 109,26.4 . 1983 .
O OJ No L 398, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2195 / 91

by Mr Lyndon Harrison ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

concerned . Nevertheless, in ' the relatively short period
since January 1991 all the essential mechanisms for the
management of Horizon were set in place, the Guide
was published in all Community languages, national
coordinators were appointed and now the Operational
Programmes have been received and are being discussed
with the Member States .

With regard to the selection of projects for funding under
Horizon, unfortunately, because of the very great
demand on relatively limited resources, there has to be a
selection process . However, the nature of the selection
process used and how it operates is of course primarily a
matter for the Member States .

In the case of the United Kingdom, the deadline for the
submission of projects has been extended to the 15
November so this should help to alleviate the problems
some organizations were experiencing in preparing their
applications . Moreover, the voluntary organizations will
be represented on the United Kingdom project selection
committee, so this too should help to ensure that all
applications are treated fairly . The Commission therefore
believes that everything possible is being done to ensure
the success of this initiative and to reassure the

organizations concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2204 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )

( 4 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 35 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 36 )
Subject : Horizon programme — mismanagement by UK

Government

Will the Commission state what action it proposes to take
in view of the report, in the July / August Info-Bulletin of
the European Community Regional Secretariat of the
World Federation of the Deaf ( supported by the
Commission DG V ), that ' there is widespread anger about
the way the Horizon programme has been managed '?

Many good projects were proposed but when eligible
organizations applied to the UK Department of
Employment they found there were no guidelines and
impossibly short deadlines .

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 November 1 991 )

Subject : Absurdities in the provision in health, care for

citizens living on the Community 's internal
borders

It is easier to send a Dutch citizen suffering from
psoriasis, a skin disease, who lives in Holland near the
German border for treatment to the Dead Sea in Israel
than on a thermal cure to Bad Bentheim, which is 5 km
from the Dutch border ! This case which has been
recorded by Parliament 's Committee on Social Affairs,
Employment and the Working Environment ( x ) shows
how much progress remains to be made in harmonizing
health policy and sickness insurance in the Member States
and highlights the indifference and even contempt shown
by certain authorities towards citizens living on the
Community 's internal frontiers .

What is the Commission 's view on this matter ? What

solution does it propose ?

The Horizon Initiative represents something quite new as
far as both the Commission and the Member States are O Doc . PE 151.242,9.7 . 1991 .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 23

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

The Honourable Member 's question presumably relates
to the grant of sickness benefits to residents of frontier
regions . A distinction has to be made here between
employed or self-employed frontier workers and other
residents .

The Community regulations give the former access to
benefits not available to other migrant workers or migrant
non-workers . Frontier workers may obtain sickness
benefits in kind either in their country of residence or in
their country of employment ( Article 19 of Regulation
( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 (')).

Non-frontier migrant workers and their families are not
eligible for health services in countries where they do not
meet one of the requirements of Article 22 of that
Regulation :

their state of health must require immediate attention
during a stay in another Member State ;

— they visit a Member State to receive health care they

need, with the authorization of the competent State .
Prior authorization by the insurance instituation may
be withheld only in specified circumstances .

Residents in frontier regions who are not in the category
of workers and their families are not covered by
Community regulations for the moment . The difference
in treatment flows from the fact that the Community rules
on social security aim to coordinate national schemes in
respect of workers, not of citizens generally .

Detailed consideration is being given to the problems
arising here with a view to extending the rules to all
insured persons .

(') OJNoL 149, 5.7 . 1971 .

under normal conditions of utilization together with the
conditions of conservation, where necessary . However,
products with a stability period of more than 30 months
may be exempt from this requirement .

1 . Could the Commission state whether : Article 6 1 ( c )

has been translated into the legislation of all Member
States ? It is effectively respected in these Member
States ( has it received complaints concerning a failure
to provide this information as required ?)

2 . Does it not consider that, in view of the threat posed

by the use of cosmetic products whose stability period
has expired, and the fact that certain consumers use
only very limited amounts of these products, the
exemption provided in respect of products with a
stability period of more than 30 months should be
abrogated ? If so, could it submit a proposal to this
end ?

(') OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976, p. 169 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1 991 )

1 . Article 6 ( 1 ) ( c ) of Directive 76 / 768 / EEC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating
to cosmetic products has been transposed into the
national law of all the Member States .

It is for the Member States to ensure that economic agents
fulfil their obligations under this provision of the
Directive and hence that cosmetics placed on their
domestic markets bear the compulsory stability
information .

The Commission has received no complaints on this

matter .

2 . The Commission will give proper consideration to
any data it receives on threats posed by the use of
cosmetics whose stability period has expired .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2209 / 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2212 / 91
by Mr Jacques Vernier ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October ' 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 37 )

Subject : Stability of cosmetic products

Article 6 1 ( c ) of Directive 76 / 768 / EEC (') on cosmetic
products provides that information must be given
regarding the minimum stability period, i.e. the period
during which they do not constitute a human health threat

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 38 )

Subject : Set-aside programme

In order to avoid damaging the landscape, nature and
the environment, farmers involved in the set-aside
programme are required to take a number of maintenance
measures . One such measure which is often practised is to

by Mr Reimer Boge ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

No C 89 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

let the land revert to its natural state, but this leads to an
increase in the number of weeds such as thistles, Loose
Silky-bent grass and dock, whose seeds are carried on to
neighbouring land . This in turn leads to higher costs for
farmers, often forcing them to use more chemicals .

Is the Commission prepared to oblige farmers who sow
their land with a grass mix or let it revert to its natural
state as part of the set-aside programme, to mow the
plants before the principal species seed ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1991 )

Participants in the set-aside scheme are required by
Article 4 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1272 / 88 to establish or
maintain appropriate plant cover, for the purpose of
preventing erosion and nitrate leaching ( 1 ). They are also
required to undertake sufficient mechanical cultivation of
the soil, especially for the purpose of conserving water
reserves and combating weeds . Furthermore, the same
article enables Member States to make it an obligation for
the beneficiary to maintain the set-aside land in order to
protect the environment and natural resources . The

Commission considers that these provisions are adequate
to deal with the problem mentioned by the Honourable
Member and does not intend to make any new proposals
in this regard .

(') OJNoL 121, 11.5 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2221 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 40 )

Subject : UN Convention on the elimination of race

discrimination

Will the Commission state its view on the failure of the

Irish Government to sign the UN Convention on the
elimination of all forms of race discrimination, the only
Member State to fail to do so, and whether the issue has
been raised with the Irish Government ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 1992 )

According to information in the Commission 's
possession, Ireland is among the original signatories of
the International Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Racial Discrimination and it is intended that
Ireland will ratify the Convention as soon as possible after
the process of accession to this Convention, as Ireland did
recently to a number of other important human rights
instruments . In December 1989, Ireland ratified both the
International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and
the International Convenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights and in 1990 signed the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child .

However, the Commission would point out that the
situation referred to by the Honourable Member does not
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2217 / 91 fall within Community jurisdiction .

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 39 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2238 / 91

Subject : Number of third country nationals among EC

staff

Will the Commission state the number of third country
nationals with permanent resident status who held
employment as established Community officials on 31
December 1985 and 31 December 1990 ?

Answer given by Mr Cardosa e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1 991 )

The number of Commission officials from non-member

countries was :

— 47 on 31 December 1985,

— 51 on 31 December 1990 .

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 41 )

Subject : Export of dangerous chemicals to third world

countries

What progress has been made by the Commission in

moving towards a ban on exporting dangerous chemicals
to third world countries ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 991 )

In 1988, the Council passed Regulation ( EEC )
No 1734 / 88 on the import and export of certain

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 25

dangerous chemicals (')i Among other things, this
required that special export notification forms be sent to
importing countries wishing to obtain chemicals which
are banned or severely restricted in the European
Community . This notification scheme is now working
well and, to date, about 40 export notification forms have
been sent out to countries with differing levels of
development, e . g . Chile, Egypt, Poland, New Zealand
and the United States of America .

In December 1990, the Commission put forward a
proposal ( ) to the Council for the amendment of the
above Regulation so as to incorporate a ' Prior Informed
Consent ' ( PIC ) scheme compatible with that set up jointly
by the UNEP and FAO . The Parliament gave its opinion
on this proposal at its Plenary Session of 24 October 1991 .
The basic principle of the PIC scheme is that trade in
banned or severely restricted chemicals should be allowed
to take place only following the informed consent of the
importing country, that consent being provided prior to
the shipment of the chemical .

Under the PIG scheme, information on chemicals which
are banned or severely restricted chemicals in various
countries is sent to the Designated National Authorities
of the countries participating in the scheme — more than

100 countries to date . This information is provided in
Decision Guidance Documents ( DGDs ) which give
details of the potential hazards of the chemicals and state
why they are banned or severely restricted ." The DGDs are
intended to help the importing country decide whether or
not they wish to permit future imports of the chemicals
and to decide whether such imports should be subject to
any particular conditions .

The proposed amendment to Regulation ( EEC )
No 1734 / 88 would make it mandatory for exporters in all
Member States to comply with the PIC decisions of
importing countries .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 5 December 1 991 )

In view of the creation of the single market, the
Commission has submitted a draft proposal to the EEC
institutions ('). This proposal amending Directive
70 / 156 / EEC lays down the EEC type-approval system
for motor vehicles and their trailers, of which the
technical requirements are specified in 44 separate
directives .

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with
this Directive on or before 31 December 1992 .
Subsequently, the type-approval system will take effect
from 1 January 1 993 for.new vehicle types .

In order to allow for a smooth transition from the present
regime based on optional compliance with EEC
requirements to the proposed mandatory EEC
type-approval system, it is proposed that this Directive be
applied until 31 December 1995 on a non-mandatory
basis . After that date all vehicle types put on the EEC
market will have to comply with the above Directive .

O COM(91 ) 279 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2244 / 91

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 43 )
O OJ No L 155,22.6 . 1988 .
O OJ No L 17,25 . 1 . 1991 .

Subject : Land reclamation consortia in Italy

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2239 / 91

by Mr David Martin ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 42 )

Subject : Vehicle harmonization

Could the Commission outline what is being planned in
terms of common requirements for vehicles in the 12
Member States of the EC in terms of the creation
of the single market and outline the timetable for
implementation of these common requirements ?

Italian land reclamation consortia manage thousands of
billions of lire by awarding public works contracts
exclusively through negotiated procedures ( concession
contracts ), inter alia by carrying out absurd projects
involving the cementing-over of water courses . In view of
the above, does the Commission not intend to take
steps to investigate and prevent such projects which
have disastrous consequences for public finance, the
environment and the transparency of public works
contracts ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 4 December 1 991 )

With the resources at its disposal, the Commission
permanently monitors enforcement of the Community

9 . 4 . 92
No C 89 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities

rules on public works contracts and the environment .
As soon a case of non-compliance with the existing
procedures comes to its notice it raises the matter with the
relevant national authorities and, if necessary, initiates the
procedure provided for by Article 169 of the EEC Treaty .

The Commission is always prepared to examine any

specific case which the Honourable Member wishes to

report .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2245 / 91

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 44 )

Subject : Abuse of negotiated procedures in the award of

public works contracts in Italy

99% of public works contracts in Italy are awarded
through negotiated procedures, despite the fact that,
under Community law, such procedures should be
considered to be exceptional .

1 . Does the Commission not intend to draw up a report
based on the findings of its inspectors on the extent of
the phenomenon, particularly in southern Italy ?

2 . Does the Commission not consider that it should take
immediate steps to suspend public works contracts
awarded through negotiated procedures ( known as
concession contracts ) on which work has not yet
begun ?

Commission may apply to the Court of Justice and ask it
to order interim measures solely where a Member State
does not comply with the reasoned opinion delivered by
the Commission after enabling that Member State to
submit its observation . The time required for this
procedure does not always allow the Commission to bring
the matter before the Court before work on the contract
commences, as the Honourable Member wishes .

In order to overcome these problems the Commission
had proposed, in its first proposal for a directive on
procedures for the award of public contracts ('), a special
procedure allowing it to take precautionary measures at
the earliest opportunity .

Under this procedure it would have been possible for the
Commission temporarily to suspend the award procedure
in the case of clear irregularity and urgency . However,
this proposal was not retained in the final text adopted by
the Council ( 2 ). This possibility therefore exists only at
national level and is designed to cancel or suspend an
award of contract procedure or to indemnify the injured

contractors .

The Member States have until 21 December 1991 at the

latest to bring into force the measure necessary to comply
with this directive .

O OJ No L 230, 28 . 8 . 1987 .
O Directive 89 / 665 / EEC, OJ No L 395, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2255 / 91
by Mr Didier Anger and Mrs Solange Fernex ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

^ ( 18 October 1991 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann ( 92 / C 89 / 45 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1 991 )

1 . The Commission does not intend at present to draw
up a report on the use of negotiated procedures in public
works contracts in southern Italy . The Commission
would, however, inform the Honourable Member that as

soon as it has knowledge of any practice of this kind,
which is not justified by Community law, it will contact
the respective national authorities and, if necessary,
initiate the proceeding provided for in Article 169 of the
EEC Treaty . The Commission is willing to examine any
concrete case the Honourable Member wishes to submit .

2 . Under Community law it is not for the Commission
to adopt interim measures designed to suspend contracts
awarded through negotiated procedures .

From a combination of Article 169 and 186 of the EEC
Treaty it is solely for the Court of Justice to lay down

interim measures in the cases brought before it . The

Subject : Workers exposed to radiation at Forbach
( France )

Three workers employed by Messrs Electron Beam
Service, a company in Forbach ( France ), specializing in
the processing of Teflon by ionization, were severely
irradiated as a result of lack of knowledge of the
equipment they were working with and the failure of the
company to observe safety rules .

Has the Commission taken the action required in respect
of the serious problems arising from the proliferation of
radioactive sources in the health field, the irradiation of
foodstuffs, and the construction industry ( the latter
particularly involving flooring, concrete and the
inspection of welds ), and the use of sub-contractors to
carry out this kind of work employing unqualified and
unskilled personnel ? These two factors in combination
multiply the risks and the Forbach accident is a blatant
example .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 27

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1991 )

Pursuant to Chapter III ' Health and safety ' of the
Euratom Treaty, there is a radiation protection system at
Community level . The framework of this system is set out
in the Council Directive laying down the basic safety
standards for the health protection of the general public
and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation
( 80 / 836 / Euratom of 15 July 1980 ) (').

Article 24 of that Directive stresses the need to provide
workers with training and information ; it requests that
exposed workers be informed of the health risks involved
in their work and be given appropriate training in the field
of radiation protection .

In order to ensure that all exposed workers benefit from
the same high level of protection in the day-to-day
application of radiation protection measures, the
Commission prepared a Directive on ' outside workers '.

That Council Directive ( 90 / 641 / Euratom of 4 December

1990 ) O supplements the basic standards Directive,
particularly with regard to highly mobile or temporary
workers . It stipulates the obligations of the competent
authorities in the Member States, of the outside
undertaking, of the operator and of the worker himself .

In a more general context, the Council adopted a
Directive concerning improvements in the safety and
health at work of workers with a fixed-duration
employment relationship or a temporary employment
relationship ( 91 / 383 / EEC of 25 June 1991 ) ( 3 ),
stipulating that the Member States shall have the option
of prohibiting temporary workers from being used for
certain particularly dangerous work . Where Member
States do not avail themselves of that opinion, the
temporary workers must be provided with appropriate
special medical surveillance identical to that provided for
all the other workers in the undertaking .

In the field of health and safety, the basic standards
Directive was supplemented by the ' patients ' Directive '
( Council Directive 84 / 466 / Euratom of 3 September

1984 ) ( 4 ). That Directive requires Member States to take
appropriate steps to discourage the unnecessary
proliferation of equipment using ionizing radiation .

O OJ No L 246, 17.9 . 1980 .
O OJ No L 349, 13 . 12 . 1990 .
O OJNoL206, 29 . 7 . 1991 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2260 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 46 )

Subject : Recurrence of illegal fishing in Namibian
territorial waters

On 25 July 1991 two Spanish vessels — the Hermanuel
Carrido and the Egunsentia — were detected by the
Namibian authorities while fishing illegally in Namibian
territorial waters some 20 km south of the Angolan
frontier . These vessels had already been identified in
October while engaged in similar activities which casts
doubt on the nature and effectiveness of the measures
taken and announced since then by the Spanish
authorities to put an end to such practices . It is also very
probable that this action was in violation of the fisheries
agreement concluded between Angola and the European
Community, as vessels holding the appropriate licences
should report daily .

Feelings are apparently, and justifiably, running high in
Namibia, and repeated incursions into that country 's
territorial waters are jeopardizing the EEC-Namibian
talks on a long-term fisheries agreement . Thus Mr
Gurirab, the Namibian Minister for External Relations,
summoned the Ambassadors of Member States of the
Community and other of its representatives on 1 August
to express the Namibian Government 's very grave
concern at the continuing pillage of its waters . This was a
provocation, and the Namibian authorities could not be
held responsible for any further action which might even
put human life at risk .

Mr Luis Moreno, the Commission delegate in Windhoek,
apparently undertook to use his good offices to ensure
that measures relating specifically to fish are included in
the future Community / Namibia fisheries agreement and
that protective measures be organized immediately .

What is the Commission 's reaction to the worsening
problem of the violation of Namibian territorial waters
and the arrangements announced on the spot by
Mr Ganns, the German Ambassador, regarding
co-responsibility by the governments of all Member
States of the Community ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 991 )

The Commission fully shares the concern expressed over
the allegations of illegal fishing in Namibian waters and

No C 89 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

has not hesitated to exert pressure on the Member State
involved insisting that appropriate measures be taken to
eliminate these activities .

It is most regrettable that these illegal fishing operations
are jeopardizing the progress of the discussions between
Namibia and the Community on a possible fisheries
agreement . Furthermore, the Commission is particularly
concerned that any illegal fishing activity may provoke
action by the Namibian authorities which might put
human life at risk .

With regard to control, it is foreseen in the draft fisheries
agreement proposed by the Commission to Namibia that
certain inspection and surveillance measures would be
adopted in respect of fishing vessels included in the
Agreement . The Commission further envisages to
propose, at the suggestion of the Namibian authorities, an
amplification of those control measures .

In the meantime, however, in the absence of a fisheries
agreement between Namibia and the Community all
control and surveillance of fishing activities remain the
exclusive responsibility of the Namibian authorities . Not
withstanding this fact, the Commission is presently
cooperating with Namibia in drawing up a programme for
training inspectors and other surveillance staff which will
be financed from funds provisionally earmarked for
marine resources assessment .

With regard to the remarks made by the German

ambassador in Windhoek concerning the co ­
responsibility of all the governments of Member States in
this matter, the Commission takes the view that if they so
wish, Member States could make a very important

contribution to the improvement of control and
surveillance in the Namibian EEZ by providing assistance
in the form of aerial and vessel support .

principle of night work by women, stating that such a
prohibition contravenes the directive on the equality of
men and women . The Court thus found in favour of Mr
Stoeckel, head of a French undertaking, who had been
prosecuted by the Ilkirch ( Bas-Rhin ) police court for
having decided in 1988, with the agreement of his female
staff and the trade unions, to employ 77 female workers at
night in his cassette factory . The French and Italian
Government had claimed to the Court that women could
not work at night because of their family obligations and
the risks of attack .

It is a matter of public knowledge that the ban on night
work by women is subject to many derogations which rob
the principle of its validity . What is the actual difference
between a ban accompanied by exceptions and
authorization flanked by measures to protect women who
are pregnant or have recently given birth as laid down in
the Commission 's proposal for a directive ('), by
providing for paid maternity leave ( 14 weeks, two before
the predicted term and two after it ) ?

1 . The Government of one Member State opposed the

adoption of the Commission proposal in Council
because it would involve an increase in production
costs . How can this ' argument ' be sustained ? Did it
come before or after the Court 's ruling of 25 July ?
What is to become of the proposal which was thus
blocked ? Is a new proposal for a directive taking into
account the Court 's decision now required ?

2 . On 4 July 1991 the Belgian Government passed a

Royal Decree ( see Moniteur Beige of 28 August 1991 ),
making compulsory collective labour agreement
No 49 of 21 May 1991, concluded within the National
Labour Council guaranteeing a specific financial
allowance for workers of either sex employed on shift
work involving duties at night ( between 1 1 p.m . and 6

a.m .) or other forms of work involving duties at night .
Does the granting of an allowance, apparently on an
asexual basis, of 30 or 36 francs, and linked to the
price index, mean that Belgium is abandoning the
prohibition on night work by women ?

3 . Which Member States ban and which allow night

work by women at present ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2262 / 91

o COM(9Q ) 406 final                 - SYN 303, 17 . 10 . 1990 .
by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 47 )

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

Subject : Decision of the Court of Justice against the

prohibition of night work by women ( Case
C-345 / 89 )

On 25 July 1991 the Luxembourg Court ruled that there
would no longer appear to be grounds for the concern for
protection which originally inspired the prohibition of the

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

On 25 July 1991 the Court of Justice held, in Case
C-345 / 89, that Article 5 of Directive 76 / 207 / EEC (') is
sufficiently precise to impose on the Member States an

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 29

obligation to refrain from placing women under a general
ban on night work, subject to possible exceptions, where
there was no ban on night work by men . The Court
specified that, whatever the disadvantages of having to
work nights, women were not exposed to greater risks
than men, except in the event of pregnancy and maternity .
The Commission is currently looking into the
implications of the judgment .

The Commission has proposed a Directive on working
time, on the basis of Article 118a of the EEC Treaty,
which aims to establish minimum Community standards
for the protection of the health and safety of workers . Its
provisions on night work, especially Articles 7 to 10, aim
to protect the health and safety of all employed persons
working at night, be they men or women .

A table setting out the situation regarding night work by
women in the Member States is being sent direct
to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of
Parliament .

(') OJ No L 39, 14.2 . 1976 .

( 21 November 1 991 )

Under Directive 76 / 767 / EEC (') the Council has adopted
three Directives concerning different types of gas
cylinders ( 2 ).

The Directives in question apply solely to the marketing
of empty cylinders, but they contain technical
specifications concerning construction which naturally
take into account the specific risks arising from the
handling of such items .

The new ' pressure vessels ' Directive scheduled to be
proposed by the Commission at the beginning of 1992 will
repeal the abovementioned Directives . In addition to
construction requirements, the current version of the
draft proposal contains provisions relating to the use of
gas cylinders, and in particular filling and periodic
inspection .

Where safety at work is concerned, the Commission is
examining possible minimum requirements in the context
of Community rules with a view to improving the
protection of health and safety for workers in explosive
atmospheres . As these rules, which would come under
Article 118a of the EEC Treaty, would not cover the
general safety of such items, the Commission will be
examining the possibility of drawing up specific rules to
cover this area .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( ) Directive 84 / 525 / EEC, 84 / 526 / EEC and 84 / 527 / EEC ( OJ

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2265 / 91 No L 300, 19 . 11 . 1984 ).,
0 OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976 .

by Mr Madron Seligman ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 48 )

Subject : Safe storage of butane, LPG etc .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2272 / 91

by Mr Djetlev Samland ( S )
to the Commission of the European Co mm unities

A the constituent careless way of in mine which has ' reported bottled ' gas his may grave be concern stored in at ( 18 ( 92 October / C 89 / 49 )
places open to the public in Member States . He cites in
particular a campsite in France ( Camping le Ruisseau near
Biarritz ), but I suspect that a failure to respect elementary Subject : Discrimination against
safety precautions may be quite widespread . connection with tenders for

( 18 October 1991 )

Subject : Discrimination against German undertakings in

connection with tenders for offshore projects

Liquified petroleum gas, butane and proprietary brands
of gas for domestic use should, of course, be protected
from sources of heat ( including hot sunshine ), from
potential vandalism and even accidental damage if
explosions causing injury and damage are to be averted .
Similar considerations apply to such gas during transit .

' Has bottled the ' EC gas introduced and portable regulations domestic for gas safe ? If not handling, has the of
Commission any plans to do so ?

Is the Commission aware of the existence of a British
body, known as the Offshore Supplies Office ( OSO ),
which ensures that up to 70% of offshore contracts are
awarded to British undertakings thereby distorting
competition ?

Is the Commission also aware that the OSO achieves this
by revealing to domestic undertakings details of rival
offers, enabling them to make better offers ?

Is the Commission also aware that the OSO brings
pressure to bear when invitations to tender are issued to

No C 89 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

ensure that contracts are awarded to tenderers in the

United Kingdom, even if their tender prices are higher ?

What steps does the Commission intend to take against
this distortion of competition by the British Offshore
Supplies Office ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 December 1 991 )

The Offshore Supplies Office ( OSO ) is responsible to the

Secretary of State for Energy in the United Kingdom . The
Commission is aware that the OSO has dealings with
manufacturers, consultants, contractors and service
companies ( including those from the United Kingdom )
who provide supplies and services for the offshore
hydrocarbon industry .

Questions, such as those referred to by the Honourable
Member, are to be addressed in the context of the
Community 's policy on the opening-up of procurement in
the presently excluded sectors of water energy, transport
and telecommunciations .

In particular, the implementation of the ' Utilities
Directive ' 90 / 531 / EEC (') from 1 January 1993 onwards
will ensure open, transparent and fair procurement
procedures .

Complaints concerning possible infringements of the
Treaty, or of the abovementioned Directive, will continue

to be scrutinized by the Commission .

Does the Commission believe that a standard practice
should be laid down for the private publications in
question in the interests of the reader, who would thus be
assured of the accuracy of Community aid information
contained therein ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 January 1992 )

The Commission can confirm that there are a number
of publications produced and published by private
organizations or publishers dealing with the various
European Community funds . As a rule these publications
also contain information on the criteria for granting
financial assistance .

The Commission is not in a position to impose a standard
practice for these publications, which come from private
sources . Neither the authors nor the publishers submit
their manuscript for approval and the Commission cannot
insist on vetting them .

The Commission itself has already published material on

all the Community 's structural Funds, including a Guide

to the Structural Funds .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2307 / 91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

C ) OJ No L 297, 29 . 10 . 1990 .
( 21 October 1991 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2299 / 91

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez     - Albor ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 50 )

Subject : Standardizing Community practice with regard

to publication of details of Community aid

Numerous private publications attempt to give details
of Community aid granted under the Commission 's
different policies .

Frequently, however, this information is incorrect and
misleads interested parties into deciding to take action
only to discover their sources were wrong .

( 92 / C 89 / 51 )

Subject : Creation of a European sports forum

On the initiative of Commissioner Jean Dondelinger, the
Commission has recently decided to set up a European
sports forum . This is a major step forward, not only for
sports activities but also for the promotion of European
awareness . How will regional bodies be involved with this
Commission initiative .

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1 991 )

The European Sports Forum seeks to ensure the
widest possible representation for sports authorities and
federations throughout the Community . Hence, the
Commission decision that two representatives per country
should participate in the Forum 's activities . However, it is

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 31

for the authorities and federations in the Member States What investment services or other regulatory regimes are
to designate representatives in such a way as to reflect the UGPFE, J. van Breda and VITA subject to relative responsibilities within each country .

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2347 / 91

by Mr Richards Simmonds ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 52 )

Subject : Public procurement Directives

Can the Commission :

1 . state what steps it is taking to ensure that Member

States observe and enforce legislation relating to
public procurement contracts, and

2 . give a comparative list by Member State of
prosecutions for lack of observation of laws relating
to public procurement contracts ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 November 1 991 )

1 . The Commission would refer the Honourable
Member to its answer to Written Question No
2976 / 90 0 ).

2 . The Commission would also refer the Honourable
Member to Parliament 's eighth annual report on the
application of Community law ( 2 ).

( 10 December 1 991 )

The supplementary pension scheme to which the
Honourable Member refers, available to staff of the
Community institutions who are UGPFE members, is an
optional scheme under a general contract between :

UGPFE, which is a Belgian cooperative society ( based
in Brussels ) now numbering over 7 000 members ;

J   - Van Breda et Cie International, an insurance and

reinsurance broker with headquarters in Antwerp ; and

the Dutch branch of the life assurance company Vita,
in The Hague .

All three are subject to the statutory provisions and
regulations applying under the company law of the
countries in which they are located and to the provisions
of the contract itself .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2352 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 54 )

O OJ No C 177,8.7 . 1991 . '
O COM(91 ) 321 final . Subject : Migrants forum

Will the Commission outline the current position with
regard to the proposal to establish a migrants ' forum with
the object of facilitating a dialogue between migrant
circles and Community institutions ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2348 / 91

by Mr Bryan Cassidy ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 53 )

Subject : Regulatory regimes for Commission
supplementary pension schemes

In March 1989, the Union of European Officials '
Provident Societies ( UGPFE ) put forward a collective
insurance agreement for an optional supplementary
pension scheme . This agreement was concluded through
the firm J. van Breda with the firm VITA .

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

The Migrants ' Forum held its constitutive Assembly on
migrants 30 / 31 May ' 1991 associations, being made drawn up of some from 100 all delegates over the of
Community .

Efforts had been made to ensure that the numbers and
country of residence of delegates should reflect as nearly
as possible the origins and residence of the migrant

No C 89 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

communities in the EC . This kind of balance is also
reflected in the Management Board and the Executive
Committee .

The Forum is in the process of finally adopting its statute,

and its Management Board has recently adopted its
objectives and work programme for ratification by all
Forum members at the end of this year .

The activity level of the Forum will be dependent on the
financial support awarded by the budget of the European
Communities, section Commission, in 1992 .

A start has been made in dialogue with the institutions,
Forum members having attended some Parliamentary and
Economic and Social Committee seminars and hearings .

The Honourable Member is reminded, in conclusion, that
the Forum is funded and assisted — but by no means
directed — by the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2355 / 91
by Mrs Johanna-Christina Grand ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 September 1 991 )

ACNAT Regulation ( Council Regulation on action by
the Community relating to nature conservations ).

2 . The conservation of marine habitats and species is also

covered by the proposed Directive on the conservation
of natural and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna
and flora, which provides for :

— the creation, within Community maritime areas, of

special protection areas for the types of habitat
and the marine species listed in the Annexes to the
proposed Directive ;

— the management of populations of marine species,

either by according them strict protection or by
controlling the numbers captured or exploited so
as to ensure that the species are kept at a
satisfactory conservation status .

3 . Under the Community system for the conservation

and management of fishery resources, established by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 170 / 83 ('), the Community
ensures the protection of fishing grounds and the
conservation of the biological resources of the sea
under Community jurisdiction . In fulfilment of its
international obligations, the Community is also
working to conserve fish stocks in international

waters .

Furthermore, as part of the structural policy on
fisheries ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 4028 / 86 ) ( 2 ), the
Commission grants financial support for the provision
of protected marine areas .

( 92 / C 89 / 55 ) O OJNoL24,27 . 1 . 1983 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

Subject : Protected areas for marine fauna and flora in the

coastal waters of the European Community

What progress has been made by the Commission, in
cooperation with the 12 Member States, in designating
areas for the protection of marine fauna and flora to
replenish stocks of species threatened with extinction
( crustaceans and saltwater fish ) and provide protection
for marine flora, . following the example of the marine
parks created in the USA ?

Has the Commission already consulted EC fisheries
organizations on the value of such protected areas
( sanctuaries ) as a basis for the constant renewal of stocks
of marine flora and fauna depleted by overfishing ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 January 1992 )

The conservation of marine species and habitats is
covered by a number of Community instruments :

1 . Measures to protect certain marine habitats and

species are eligible for financial support under the

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2365 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 56 )

Subject : Progress towards an international convention

on safety in nuclear energy including waste

management

The International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA )
Conference which ended in Vienna a few days ago not
only endorsed the reinforcement of international safety
services such as the ASSET and OSART missions but also
sought to establish an approach leading to the signature
of an international convention on safety in the nuclear
energy sector, including waste management .

Can the Commission give details of the contribution by
European experts to this significant conference and of the
methods currently being proposed for increasing the
effectiveness of such an international instrument ?

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 33

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 December 1 991 )

Strategy On ' International an initiative for the Conference future of the ' was on European held the safety from Community of 2—6 nuclear September power, the :

1991 in Vienna . The Commission and the Member States
played a key role in the financing, preparation,
development and conclusions of this successful
Conference .

In the key-note addresses at the opening session the
speakers insisted on the urgency of bolstering the
international nuclear safety regime .

The Conference expressed support for intensifying
international safety services, promoting adequate national
regulatory oversight, and improving public informations
on nuclear matters .

The conclusions of the Conference were presented by the
German Minister for the Environment who underlined
the role that the Commission could play in the future at
international level . These conclusions opened the way to a
framework international convention on nuclear safety
including waste management, an objective actively
pursued by Community delegations . They were endorsed
by a formal resolution of the General Conference of the
IAEA on 20 September 1991 . This resolution, in its fourth
paragraph invites the Director General of the IAEA to
prepare for February 1992 an outline of the possible
elements of a nuclear safety convention drawing inter alia
on the advice of competent international organizations .

The Commission will continue its active support to the
IAEA in the follow-up of the Conference, in particular in
the preparation of the possible elements of a nuclear
safety convention, and looks forward to a positive
conclusion of this work . Should formal international
negotiations start, then the Commission will propose to
Council that the Community become a party to
the Convention in accordance with the provisions of
Article 101 of the Euratom Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2379 / 91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 57 )

Subject : Pollution caused by used tyres

As the number of motor vehicles in Europe has increased,
so too has the number of used tyres . Silos are

mushrooming all over the countryside, whose coverings
are weighted down by old tyres . This trend, which is not
particularly pleasant from the aesthetic point of view,
cannot go on forever . The recycling opportunities offered
by remoulding are extremely limited . Destruction by fire
causes pollution and, to my knowledge, there is no clean
method of disposing of this particular type of waste . Is the
Commission aware of the problem and of possible
remedies ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1991 ) «■

In the context of implementation of the Community
strategy for waste management, reaffirmed by the
Council resolution of 7 May 1990 on waste policy ( 1 ), the
Commission 's departments are currently examining a
number of ' priority waste streams '.

This is a new approach which consists in working out
environmentally sound solutions, as far as possible
upstream of the waste stage, with the sections of society
directly concerned by the production and consumption of
the products which give rise to the waste . Used tyres are
among the priority areas identified under this approach .

This analysis of waste streams could be completed in two
or three years and may culminate in a proposal for the
Community instrument or other appropriate measures .

O OJNoC 122, 18.5 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2447 / 91

by Mr Georgios Romeos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 58 )

Subject : Protection of the Community cast iron industry

The Soviet Union and Turkey are exporting refined cast
iron to the Community at prices between 25 % and 40 %
producers lower than ' association domestic prices, complains . Eurofontes that this, the has European led to a
reduction in Community cast iron production,
particularly in the United Kingdom and Italy . What
measures will the Commission take to combat this
distortion of competition and protect the Community cast
iron industry ?

No C 89 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 991 )

Eurofonte made a request to the Commission on behalf of
European producers for anti-dumping proceedings to be
initiated concerning imports of certain types of pig-iron
originating in the Soviet Union andTurkey .

The Commission has already published the notice of
initiation of anti-dumping proceedings concerning the
products allegedly being dumped (*), in accordance with
the provisions of Article 7 of Decision 2424 / 88 / ECSC ( 2 ).

If the information and arguments are found to have
substance, the Community authorities may make
preliminary or final findings in accordance with Decision
2424 / 88 / ECSC .

The decisions taken on this dossier will be published in
the Official Journal .

O OJNoC 246,21.9 . 1991 .
O OJNoL209,2 . 8 . 1988 .

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 2453 / 91 and 2466 / 91

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 5 December 1 991 )

In 1991 the Commission received 6 382 applications for
in-service training, 5 339 of which were from nationals of
Member States and 1 043 from outside the Community .

In the same year, 992 traineeships were awarded, 698
( 76 % ) of them funded and 224 ( 24 % ) unfunded .

The budget available made it impossible to give every

trainee a grant . Such a situation can obviously give rise to
problems . But it cannot be improved until the budgetary
authority agrees to provide more funds .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2462 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2453 / 91 ( 92 / C 89 / 61 )

by Mr Kenneth Collins ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 59 )

Subject : Stagaireships

Will the Commission say how many applications for

' stagaireships ' there have been in the last twelve months ?

Will they further say if it is true that many of these posts,
once they are allocated, are unfunded and will they say
whether or not there are any proposals to ensure that
' stagaireships ' in the future will be fully funded ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2466 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1991 )

Subject : Stages

Will the Commission undertake to consider providing
funding for a higher number of stagiares to ensure that as
many young people as possible have an opportunity to
experience at first hand the workings of the European
Institution ? The provision of funding for an increased
number of stagiares would help to ensure that in each
Member State there was a continuing commitment to the
Community amongst businesses, professions etc . and
would facilitate a greater understanding in Member States
of the workings of the European Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2467 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )
( 92 / C 89 / 62 )
( 92 / C 89 / 60 )

Subject : Stages

How many applications for stages received are successful
each year ?

Subject : Stages

How many applications for stages are received by the
institutions each year ?

9 . 4 . 92
Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 35

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 2462 / 91 and 2467 / 91

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 5 December 1 991 )

Like the Honourable Members, the Commission believes
that in-service training is an effective way to foster a
deeper understanding of European integration and thus
develop a commitment to Europe in the younger
generation .

Interest in this kind of training is keener than ever before :
the number of applications, steadly increasing, is now
over 6 000 a year .

In order to maintain standards, the number of trainees has
to be limited to what the Commission can effectively
handle .

The number currently being taken on, around 900 a year,
is already causing logistic problems .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2463 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 991 )

The number of trainees ( both paid and unpaid ) currently
with the Commission for the traineeship period which
began on 1 October 1991 is 409, broken down by Member

States as follows :

Belgium 35,
Denmark 27,
Germany 54,
Greece 26,
Spain 39,
France 53,
Ireland 20,
Italy 62,
Luxembourg 10,
Netherlands 21,
Portugal 8,
United Kingdom 54 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2465 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 65 )

( 4 November 1 991 )

Subject : Stages
( 92 / C 89 / 63 )

Subject : Stages

What proportion of young people undertaking stages
receive funding to complete the stage ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 5 December 1 991 )

An average of 900 in-service trainees are taken on each
year . Owing to budgetary constraints only 76% of them
receive grants ; the amount of the grant is ECU 525 a
month .

What proportion of the budget is spent each year on
funding stagiares ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 5 December 1 991 )

The budget appropriation traineeships ( Article 320 )
was ECU 2 010 000 in 1991 . The entire general budget
of the Communities for the year totalled ECU
55 556 138 640 C ).

This was raised to ECU 56 017 250 131 by amending and
supplementary budget No 1 ( 2 ). So 0,035% of the general
budget is spent on in-service trainees .

o OJ No L 30, 4 . 2 . 1991 .
O OJ No L 179, 8 . 7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2488 / 91

by Mrs Eva-Maria Quistorp ( V )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2464 / 91
by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities
( 4 November 1 991 )

( 4 November 1 991 )
( 92 / C 89 / 64 )

( 92 / C 89 / 66 )

Subject : Stages

Can the Commission give an indication of the number
of stagiares from each Member State working in the
institutions at the present time ?

Subject : Incidents at the Fessenheim nuclear power

station

In the light of a newspaper report in the Frankfurter
Rundschau of 27 September 1991 on an incident at the

No C 89 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

Fessenheim nuclear power station on the upper Rhine in
France, what provisions have been made in the event of a
major incident at the Fessenheim nuclear power station
during an EP part-session week in Strasbourg ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 991 )

The Fessenheim nuclear power station, located
approximately 75 km from Strasbourg, is, like all French
nuclear power stations, covered by a special emergency
action plan which stipulates all the countermeasures to be
taken in the event of an accident to protect the population
in the vicinity ; however, there are no special measures for
the European Parliament in plenary part-session .

It should be pointed out, moreover, that there are two
nuclear installations in Germany at similar distances from
Strasbourg : the Karlsruhe nuclear power station 70 km
away and the Philippsburg nuclear power station at a
distance of approximately 90 km .

In the case of both these installations, the Federal
Government has also made provision for emergency
action plans and for systems for rapidly informing the
neighbouring countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2491 / 91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 67 )

working with the World Health Organization since last

year .

The Commission is kept regularly informed of the
Centre 's activities, either direct or through the World
Health Organization, and is invited to take part .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2508 / 91

by Mr Jacques Vernier ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 8 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 68 )

Subject : Continuation of the EHLASS Community
system of information in 1992

In 1992, the Commission is to submit a report assessing
for 1990 — 1991 the EHLASS Community system of
information on accidents involving consumer products
( Decision 86 / 138 / EEC (') as amended by Decision
90 / 534 / EEC O ).

Pending this report, the Commission has not submitted a
proposal for a Council decision for the continuation of
EHLASS in 1992 and has not entered any appropriations
against the EHLASS heading in the preliminary draft
budget for 1992 .

However, the suspension of EHLASS would strike a fatal
blow at the system in certain Member States, despite the
importance they attach to it .

What legal and budgetary measures will the Commission
take to ensure the effective continuation of EHLASS in

1992 ?

O OJ No L 109,26.4 . 1986, p . 23 .
Subject : Exchanges of information between the O OJ No L 296, 27 . 10 . 1990, p . 64 .
Community and the European Centre for
Disaster Medicine

What arrangements exist for the exchange of information
between the Community and the European Centre for
Disaster Medicine, which was set up under the auspices of
the Council of Europe and has its seat in the Republic of
San Marino, and international bodies ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1992 )

The European Centre for Disaster Medicine ( CEMEC ) in

San Marino was set up in 1986 under the auspices of the
Council of Europe to promote the prevention and
mitigation of the effects of natural and technological
disasters through research, training programmes
and international and interregional collaboration, in
particular between the countries of Europe . It has been

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1 991 )

The EHLASS demonstration project on the introduction
of a Community system for the provision of information
on accidents involving consumer products ends in
December 1991 .

At the Council meeting on consumer affairs on 15
October 1991 the majority of the Member States agreed
on the need to conduct a full appraisal of the
demonstration project by summer 1992 and, in the
mean time, to ensure that data collection continues
uninterrupted at the hospitals and centres involved . These
Member States have instructed their competent
authorities to send the Commission the national reports
for 1990 and 1991 without delay, i.e. by the end of March

1992 at the latest .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 37

The Commission shares the concern to maintain the data
collection facilities set up at the hospitals or community
centres concerned . It plans to make appropriate proposals
it necessary in the light of the appraisal .

The Honourable Member 's attention is drawn to the fact
that the Commission is working on ways to ensure the
survival of the abovementioned facilities, provided the
appropriation necessary are made available either under
the budget heading specifically for EHLASS or under
another more general heading .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2545 / 91

by Mr Peter Crampton ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 8 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 69 )

Subject : European centre for the development of
alternatives to animal testing

Earlier this year, the Commission stated that it had been
considering several options as regards setting up the

uropean Centre for the Development of Alternatives to
Animal Testing .

Can the Commission tell me what progress has been made
on finding a location for the centre and has the work of
the centre already commenced ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 991 )

The Commission recently set up the European Centre for
the Validation of Alternative Methods ( CEVMA ).

This involved the creation of a new administrative unit
within the Joint Research Centre 's Institute for the
Environment in Ispra, reporting direct to the Director of
the Institute, and due to become fully operational at the
beginning of next year .

However, using the funds already at its disposal ( and in
particular the sum of ECU 1 million allocated in 1991
by the budgetary authority under item B4-3081 ), the
Commission has launched a number of programmes to
evaluate alternative methods in a variety of fields such as

     photo toxicity, testing the safety of batches of vaccines,
irritation of the eyes, etc . All these projects will of course
be taken up and continued by CEVMA in the coming
months .

Further details may be found in the Commission 's
communication to the Council and the European
Parliament on the subject (').

(') SEC(91 ) 1794 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2584 / 91

by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 70 )

Subject : Discrimination against non-profit making tour

operators from 1 993 onwards

Can the Commission say whether tour operators which
currently organize holidays for young people on a
non-profit making basis will receive less favourable
treatment in the internal market from 1993 onwards in
respect of tax exemptions and other benefits than they do
at present, bearing in mind that, in certain countries, they
enjoy certain concessions because of the nature of their
tours and those who take part in them ?

Answer given Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1992 )

As regards VAT, the sixth Council Directive of 17 May

1977 ( ) provides for a number of exemptions for the
supply of services and goods of a charitable nature
to young persons by bodies governed by public law
or by organizations with comparable objectives . The
arrangements that come into force on 1 January 1993 will
not alter those rules .

Of course, these exemptions aside, persons organizing
trips, such as travel agents, are currently subject to VAT
and will remain so .

( ) Directive 77 / 388 / EEC ; OJNoL 145, 13.6 . 1977 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2602 / 91

by Mr Christian de la Malène ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 71 )

Subject : Helios programme promoting economic and

social integration of disabled people in the
European Community

According to the interim report by the Commission on the
first Helios programme to promote economic and social
integration of disabled people in the European
Community, Community-level cooperation has extended
to areas such as new technologies, integration of the

No C 89 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

disabled into the ordinary education system, the
promotion of independent living for the disabled,
training, the holding of conferences, the organization of
study visits, creativity and sport, information and
documentation .

1 . When is the Commission to submit the necessary

proposal for the implementation of Helios II ?

2 . In its definitive report on Helios I, will the
Commission be giving precise details of all the aid
granted to the Member States for projects such as
measures to promote independent living for the
disabled by improving coordination at local level ?

3 . In view of the conclusions of the conference in
Rotterdam on disability and education, what measures
does the Commission consider should be taken
immediately in order to establish the best policies with
regard to education and to introduce a greater degree
of flexibility in teaching methods and systems to meet
individual needs ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

In October 1991 the Commission adopted a proposal for
a Council decision establishing a third Community action
programme to assist disabled people — Helios II
( 1992 — 96 ) ('), which is currently under discussion in the
competent institutions .

In its final report on the first Helios programme the
Commission will set out a list, with amounts, of the
subsidies granted to Member States for projects and
measures to help handicapped people lead more
independent lives .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2605 / 91

by Mr Arthur Newens ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 72 )

Subject : Interpol

Given the widespread concern that has been expressed in
the Council of Europe and elsewhere concerning the
absence of any form of democratic accountability of the
International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, and
concerning the unregulated and unverifiable collection
and transmission of personal data by Interpol, will the
Commission consider taking steps :

1 . to bring forward recommendations for effective ways

to render Interpol democratically accountable for its
actions on the territory of Community Member States
and concerning citizens of those states ;

2 . to bring forward recommendations for bringing

the activities of Interpol on the territory of the
Community Member States and concerning citizens of
those states, within the framework of the Data
Protection Directive ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1 992 )

The constitution of Interpol was enacted by the general

assembly of its members, which in practice are the police
authorities in 150 countries and five continents .

As a result, Interpol is entirely under the control of the
countries which belong to it . Its headquarters in France
are covered by an agreement with the French Government
which deals, among other things, with the protection of
personal data handled by the organization ('). It is outside
the Community 's jurisdiction .

As things stand in the Community, police matters fall
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Member States
who cooperate through the mechanism of the Trevi
Group . For this reason, more detailed questions should be
put to the Council Presidency .

On the basis of the conclusions of the European
Conference on disability and education held in
Rotterdam in October 1989, the Council adopted a
resolution on 31 May 1990 concerning the integration of
children and young people with disabilities into ordinary
systems of education ( 2 ).

young The Community rules on data protection which are
systems of education ( 2 ). currently being drafted would apply to data held by police

forces only in so far as they were within the scope of the

This resolution brings together the guidelines the Community 's powers . And so, when it adopted its

proposal for a Directive on the subject, the Commission

Commission, with due respect for the principle of
subsidiarity, is planning to promote in Europe, proposed alongside that the Directive a parallel which resolution would ensure should that be adopted the same
particularly through Helios II .

principles applied in areas outside the Community 's

competence .
(') COM(91 ) 350 final ; OJNo C 293, 12 . 1 1 . 1991 .
O OJNoC 162,3.7 . 1990 . (') Cf . Journal Officiel de la République Française, 3 December

This resolution brings together the guidelines the
Commission, with due respect for the principle of
subsidiarity, is planning to promote in Europe,
particularly through Helios II .

1983, p . 3491, and 13 March 1984, p . 830 .

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 39

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2606 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 73 )

Subject : Aids prevention as regards women

The 1991 — 1993 action plan under the Europe against
Aids programme was adopted in June 1991 . Among its
specific recommendations were the promotion of pilot
projects to raise awareness among certain target groups
such as poorly educated young people about the need to
take precautions against the Aids virus .

Does the Commission not consider that against this
background women should be educated about the
benefits of using intravaginal contraceptives based on
monixinal 9 or benzalkonium chloride, which not only act
as spermicides but also inhibit some of the pathogenes
responsible for sexually transmitted diseases, including
Aids ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

(1 6 December 1 991 )

The prevention of HIV infection amongst women is of
extreme importance and will be pursued further within
the framework of the ' Europe Against AIDS ' programme .
The role of non-oxynol 9 and other spermicide / virucide
products in such prevention is still under debate and
subject to a great deal of research . Since research is still
underway, it would be inappropriate for the Commission
to comment on their use at this time .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2663 / 91

structural problems in the regions and countries
concerned .

Community support frameworks and related operational
programmes and global grants are drawn up and agreed
with the Member States on the basis of national and
regional plans . These plans set out the existing structural
problems, including those of the labour market, and stress
the needs and priorities for vocational training and wage
subsidies .

The Community support frameworks and programmes

are monitored regularly and are evaluated to see that they
reflect those needs and the agreed priorities . They can be
modified to meet main changing circumstances following
recommendations by the relevant monitoring committees,
at which regional, national and Community interests are
represented . These changes must, of course, be of a
structural nature to be considered as a pertinent reason to
modify initial commitments . The committees also take
into consideration the results of evaluation studies carried

out by the Commission and Member States .

These mechanisms operate effectively in the United
Kingdom, and the Commission considers that the actions
financed by the ESF so far broadly respond to the current
needs resulting from the structural problems of the labour
market .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2714 / 91

by Mr Henry McCubbin ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 75 )

Subject : VAT on fuel oil

by Mr Hugh McMahon ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities Does the Commission have any proposals for the

introduction of VAT on fuel oil for marine use which

( 19 November 1 991 )

would be different from the zero rating which exists at

( 92 / C 89 / 74 ) present ? Is the Commission aware that such a change

would mean that the late recovery of the VAT would
Subject : European Social Fund cause cash flow problems for the fishing fleet which is
financially stressed at the moment ?

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 74 )

Can the Commission prove that the actions financed by
the ESF are responsive to the needs of the labour market,
particularly in the UK ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1 991 )

Community intervention under the five objectives of the
reform of the Structural Funds is aimed at resolving

Answer given by Mr Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1 992 )

The Commission has not yet presented to the Council a
proposal on tax arrangements for stores of vessels,
aircraft and trains, but intends to dp so by 1 March 1992 .

No C 89 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

The planned proposal, which will cover both excise duties

and VAT, will also deal with fuel supplies to fishing boats .

The Commission considers that Community legislation
on stores must not create distortions of competition
between operators in the different Member States, or
between Community and third country operators, and
that it must also be practicable .

The drafting of such legislation is fraught with problems,
including the prefinancing of VAT, particularly where
stores are supplied in another Member State .

The Commission is fully aware of the difficulties involved

and will take account of them in drawing up its final
proposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2722 / 91

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 76 )

Subject : Homelessness in the Community

Is the Commission aware that it is estimated that there
may be up to three million people in the Community
who are either homeless or living in substandard
accommodation ? If so, how does the Commission justify
the decision to discontinue funding for the ' FEANTSA '
network of national organizations working with the
homeless throughout the Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1 991 )

The Commission is aware of the important work
implemented by the FEANTSA network of national
organizations working with the homeless for a wider
structuring of the European network by reinforcing
national coordination and sensitizing national and
Community policy-makers, in cooperation with other
European networks, particularly in the field of housing
policy .

The Commission awaits with much interest the first
report by FEANTSA on data collection on the subject of

homelessness . This information will be of great help in the
integration of this very marginalized group of people .

Subject to available budgets and the evaluation of the
final report of the network 's activities, it is the
Commission 's intention to continue to support
FEANTSA financially in 1992 under conditions similar to
those of 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2756 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 77 )

Subject : Scope of EC regulations on social welfare

There are major differences of opinion with regard to
which Irish social welfare schemes come within the scope
of EC regulations relevant to migrants . The Irish
Department of Social Welfare takes the view that only
social insurance payments and child benefit are included .
Other reputable authorities disagree .

Has the Commission ever been asked for its position on
the matter, and what is its view now ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1991 )

The EC regulations which coordinate Member States '
social security systems relate to social security benefits not
to social assistance benefits . The terms are not defined
and it is only the European Court of Justice which can
determine which category a benefit falls into . In its case
law ( l ) the Court has fixed criteria for distinguishing
between social security and social assistance . It has
extended the Community rules on coordination to
benefits on the borderline between social security and
social assistance, that is, non-contributory benefits of a
mixed type which have characteristics of both social
security and social assistance .

This case law led the Commission to submit to the

Council, in 1985, a proposal which is intended to gather
together non-contributory benefits of a mixed type and to
insert into the Regulation specific measures relating to the
coordination of such benefits, thus providing for equality
of treatment and aggregation of periods of insurance or
residence for the purposes of satisfying conditions of

9 . 4 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 89 / 41

entitlement to benefit . Benefits listed in an Annex to the

Regulation would not be exportable .

( ) For example : Case No 1 / 72 Frilli, Case No 39 / 74 Costa and

joined cases 379—381 / 85 and 93 / 86 Giletti .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2807 / 91

by Mr James Ford ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 78 )

annual turnover in the data-processing and office
equipment sector in the Community .

In addition, the rules governing gambling differ from one
Member States to another, frequently resulting in
consumers being misled or confused about their rights .
This danger arises from the fact that cross-border
gambling is facilitated and encouraged by modern
electronics and telecommunications . In view of this
situation there is a clear need to harmonize legislation in
the Member States so as to . ensure the necessary
transparency and provide adequate protection for
consumers . What is the Commission 's opinion of this and
what measures does it propose to take ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2924 / 91
Subject : Construction products directive

Regarding Directive 89 / 106 / EEC ('), is the Commission
aware that certain groups of Christians would find it
against their conscience to have to affix the EC mark to
the products they are engaged in manufacturing ? As a
failure to affix such a mark can only be to the
disadvantage of those concerned, is the Commission
prepared to consider the possibility of granting
exemptions in appropriate circumstances involving
manufacturers who, while abiding by the requirements in
full, do not wish to fix the appropriate mark ?

O OJNoL40, 11.2 . 1989, p. 12 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 January 1 992 )

The Commission is not aware that, for religious reasons,

any Community manufacturers would have problems
affixing to their products the EC mark referred to in
Directive 89 / 106 / EEC on construction products .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2825 / 91

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 79 )

Subject : The single market in gambling

Gambling is on the increase in the Community, as
evidenced by the fact that, in 1989, in a Community of 340
million inhabitants, a total of over ECU 46 billion was
spent on such activities as betting on horses, lotteries,
bingo, football pools, casinos, slot machines, etc . Figures
reveal that annual turnover in this sector exceeded the

( 9 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 89 / 80 )

Subject : Internal market in gambling

With a view to the completion of the internal market, does
the Commission consider it necessary to take measures in
respect of gambling and, if so, why ?

What initiatives has the Commission taken and on what
legal basis will any measures be taken ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 2825 / 91 and 2924 / 91

given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1 992 )

On the basis of the report on ' Gambling in the single
market ' and the other information at its disposal, the
Commission is presently examining the place of gambling
in the context of the single market . This examination
includes consultation with interested parties, including
hearings with operators in December 1991 . It is presently
too early to say what action, if any, will result . The exact
timetable and content of the following stages in the work
of the Commission depends on the results of this phase of
examination and consultation .

The Commission is examining the gambling sector
because of the economic and commercial importance of
the activities involved ; the stimulus of intra-Community
trade created by general progress towards the completion
of the single market, the impact of current developments
in technology and questions put by Honourable Members
of the European Parliament .

Any action eventually decided upon could be founded on

a number of legal bases in the EEC Treaty, including

by Mrs Karla Peiis ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

No C 89 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 9 . 4 . 92

those dealing with the freedom to provide services, the
right of establishment, the free movement of goods, the
grant of special or exclusive rights, state aids and
conditions of competition .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2945 / 91

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 9 December 1 991 )

waters of the Thermaic Gulf are at least 10 times higher
than permissible limits . Will the Commission advise to the
responsible Greek authorities on protecting the Thermaic
Gulf from mercury which, experts stress, is a grave threat
to public health ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 February 1992 )

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
answer the Honourable Member 's question .

( 92 / C 89 / 81 )
It will inform him of its findings as soon as possible .

Subject : Fishery imports from ACP countries

In 1990 and the first half of 1991, what were the weight
and value of the total imports of fresh and frozen fish
from ACP countries for each Member State ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2966 / 91

by Mr Gerhard Schmid ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1 992 )

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2959 / 91

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1 992 )

( 92 / C 89 / 82 )

Subject : Protection of the Thermaic Gulf from mercury

Experts claim that the Thermaic Gulf is the most polluted
by mercury in the Mediterranean . Greenpeace have
also announced that, according to recent data, the
concentration of this extremely toxic heavy metal in the

( 13 January 1 992 )

( 92 / C 89 / 83 )

Subject : Aid to eastern Bavaria

1 . What appropriations from the three EC Structural
Funds have been earmarked for eastern Bavaria ( lower
Bavaria and upper Palatinate ) under Objective 5(b )?

2 . What specific projects are being funded in this way ?

3 . What funds is eastern Bavaria receiving under the
Interreg programme ?

4 . What projects in eastern Bavaria are receiving
Interreg funding ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1992 )

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