Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 24
# Official Journal

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 30 January 1995

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 24

Volume 38

### of the European Communities

##### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 24 / 01 E-l 652 / 94 by Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject : Campaign on the consumption of full-cream milk 1

95 / C 24 / 02 E-l 653 / 94 by Brigitte Langenhangen to the Commission
Subject : Failure to promote research in the poultry sector 1

95 / C 24 / 03 E-l 655 / 94 by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez to the Commission
Subject : Absences of plans to protect certain special bird protection areas in Spain 2

95 / C 24 / 04 E-l 656 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : European Environment Agency 3

95 / C 24 / 05 E-l 657 / 94 by Alexander Langer to the Commission
Subject : Aid to democracy in former Yugoslavia 3

95 / C 24 / 06 E-l 65 8 / 94 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Situation in Cameroon 4

95 / C 24 / 07 E-l 660 / 94 by Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject : CFC 4

95 / C 24 / 08 E-l 661 / 94 by Kirsten Jensen to the Council
Subject : Sunken Russian nuclear submarine 5

95 / C 24 / 09 E-l 670 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Safety on building sites 5

95 / C 24 / 10 E-1673 / 94 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission
Subject : Establishment and role of the NETT research consultancy 6

2 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

95 / C 24 / 11

95 / C 24 / 12

95 / C 24 / 13

95 / C 24 / 14

95 / C 24 / 15

95 / C 24 / 16

95 / C 24 / 17

95 / C 24 / 18

95 / C 24 / 19

95 / C 24 / 20

95 / C 24 / 21

95 / C 24 / 22

95 / C 24 / 23

95 / C 24 / 24

95 / C 24 / 25

95 / C 24 / 26

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-1676 / 94 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of the laws governing the profession of taxidermy

E-1678 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Processing of complaint about implementation of the Sixth VAT Directive

E-l 679 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : ATR certificates issued by Turkey

E-l 68 1 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Guarantees on consumer goods and after-sales service

E-l 683 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination on grounds of age in applying European Structural Fund criteria

E-1685 / 94 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

E-l 686 / 94 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

E-1687 / 94 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1685 / 94, E-1686 / 94 and E-1687 / 94

E-l 701 / 94 by Carles - Alfred Gasòliba i Bohm to the Commission

Subject : AIR Programme

E-l 702 / 94 by Carles - Alfred Gasòliba i Bohm to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against regional channels and stations by the Media Programme

E-1712 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura ( Spain )

E-1713 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Valencia ( Spain )

E-1714 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Aragon ( Spain )

E-l 71 5 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country ( Spain )

E-l 71 6 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Murcia ( Spain )

E-1718 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Madrid ( Spain )

7

7

8

8

9

9

9

10

10

10

11

12

12

12

12

12

13

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

95 / C 24 / 27 E-l 722 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja ( Spain ) 13

95 / C 24 / 28 E-l 726 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias
( Spain ) 13

95 / C 24 / 29 E-l 727 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Navarre ( Spain ) 13

95 / C 24 / 30 E-l 732 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria ( Spain ) 13

95 / C 24 / 31 E-l 735 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia ( Spain ) 13

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1712 / 94, E-1713 / 94, E-1714 / 94, E-1715 / 94,

E-1716 / 94, E              - 171 8 / 94, E-1722 / 94, E-1726 / 94, E-1727 / 94, E-1732 / 94 and

E-1735 / 94 14

95 / C 24 / 32 E-1738 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive on the Agreement between
the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning direct insurance other than life
assurance 14

95 / C 24 / 33 E-1739 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive on veterinary medicinal
products 14

95 / C 24 / 34 E-l 740 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive on the classification,
packaging and labelling of dangerous substances 14

95 / C 24 / 35 E-l 741 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive on efficiency requirements
for new hot                    - water boilers 14

95 / C 24 / 36 E-l 742 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive laying down detailed rules
for surveys to be carried out for purposes of the recognition of protected zones in the
Community 14

95 / C 24 / 37 E-l 743 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive introducing measures
concerning swine vesicular disease 15

95 / C 24 / 38 E-1744 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement the Directive on air pollution caused by
emissions from motor vehicles 15

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1738 / 94, E-1739 / 94, E-1740 / 94, E-1741 / 94,

E             - 1 742 / 94, E             - 1 743 / 94 and E             - 1 744 / 94 15

95 / C 24 / 39 E-l 745 / 94 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Consumer protection under package travel Directive 15

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

95 / C 24 / 40 E-1751 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Ukraine 16

95 / C 24 / 41

95 / C 24 / 42

E-l 752 / 94 by Alari Donnelly to the Commission
Subject : The selective distribution of perfumes 17

E-1753 / 94 by Alan Donnelly to the Commission
Subject : The selective distribution of perfumes 17

95 / C 24 / 43 E-l 755 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission

Subject : European Seniors ' Pass 18

95 / C 24 / 44 E-l 756 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject : Ron Arad 18

95 / C 24 / 45

95 / C 24 / 46

95 / C 24 / 47

E-l 757 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject : Human rights violations in Tibet 18

E-l 762 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Imports from Poland of diseased ewes 18

E-l 764 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Areas still affected by Chernobyl disaster 19

95 / C 24 / 48 E-1766 / 94 by James Elles to the Council
Subject : EléOb Annatto . . . . / 19

95 / C 24 / 49 E-l 769 / 94 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Compensation schemes for industrial illnesses 20

95 / C 24 / 50 E-1771 / 94 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject : Value added tax on fuel 20

95 / C 24 / 51

95 / C 24 / 52

E-l 773 / 94 by David Martin to the Council
Subject : Status of Council Presidency and Council documents 21

E-l 774 / 94 by David Martin to the Commission
Subject : The use of chimpanzees in medical research in Europe 21

95 / C 24 / 53 E-l 777 / 94 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Council

Subject : Directive on zoos 22

95 / C 24 / 54

95 / C 24 / 55

95 / C 24 / 56

95 / C 24 / 57

E-l 778 / 94 by Gary Titley to the Commission
Subject : The harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation 22

E-l 780 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : International railway timetables 23

E-l 782 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Sorb ethnic minority 23

E-l 784 / 94 by Otto von Habsburg to the Commission
Subject : EU Directives on the protection of cormorants and herons : 24

95 / C 24 / 58 E-l 786 / 94 by Jannis Sakellanou to the Commission
Subject : Promotion of small loans and savings programmes as part of EU development policy 24

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 24 / 59

95 / C 24 / 60

95 / C 24 / 61

95 / C 24 / 62

95 / C 24 / 63

95 / C 24 / 64

95 / C 24 / 65

95 / C 24 / 66

E-1788 / 94 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Health inspectors and health officers 24

E-1789 / 94 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Misleading use of indications of origin on foodstuffs 25

E-l 790 / 94 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : IT ( International Testing ) study : ' Nitrates in vegetables, microbiological contamination of
instant meals and growth promoters in meat ' 26

E-l 79 8 / 94 by Anne van Lancker to the Council
Subject : Threats to women from religious fundamentalists in third countries 26

E-l 799 / 94 by Anne Van Lancker to the Commission
Subject : Commission preparations for the United Nations Conference on Women ( Peking
1995 ) 27

E-l 808 / 94 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Abolition of the international follow-up baggage service for travellers 27

E-l 812 / 94 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Form E101 and reciprocal arrangements 28

E-l 8 16 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Sale to a private individual of a historical and cultural monument ( Noudar, Barrancos,
Portugal ) which was restored with Community funding 29

95 / C 24 / 67 E-1817 / 94 by Luis Sá to the Council

Subject : Serious situation in East Timor 29

95 / C 24 / 68

95 / C 24 / 69

95 / C 24 / 70

95 / C 24 / 71

95 / C 24 / 72

95 / C 24 / 73

95 / C 24 / 74

E-l 8 18 / 94 by Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of Spanish Goods in France 30

E-l 8 19 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : The European Disabled People 's Parliament 31

E-l 820 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : The European Disabled People 's Parliament 31

E-l 822 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Unemployment and job creation in the EC 31

E-l 823 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Customs agents and Regulation ( EEC ) No 3904 / 92 32

E-l 826 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Medical examinations at work 32

E-l 827 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Medical examinations at work 33

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 826 / 94 and E-l 827 / 94 33

95 / C 24 / 75 E-l 828 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : The pharmaceutical product Metrodin HP 33

95 / C 24 / 76

E-l 829 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Dental health inequalities 34

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 24 / 77

95 / C 24 / 78

E-l 831 / 94 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Directive 79 / 7 / EEC on equal treatment of men and women — invalidity benefit .... 34

E-l 835 / 94 by Wilhelm Piecyk to the Commission
Subject : VAT arrangements within the internal market — new motor vehicles 35

95 / C 24 / 79 E-l 842 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject : Solar energy 35

95 / C 24 / 80 E-l 843 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Animal health 36

95 / C 24 / 81 E-l 844 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Pensioners 36

95 / C 24 / 82 E-l 845 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : People and development 37

95 / C 24 / 83 E-l 847 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Air quality 37

95 / C 24 / 84

95 / C 24 / 85

95 / C 24 / 86

95 / C 24 / 87

E-l 850 / 94 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Forwarding agents hit by fraud 38

E-l 85 1 / 94 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Threatened boycott of scrapping-scheme contribution by skipper 's organizations .... 39

E-l 852 / 94 by David Bowe to the Commission
Subject : Standards for sanitary protection 39

E-l 853 / 94 by Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject : Pension rights 40

95 / C 24 / 88 E-l 855 / 94 by Richard Balfe to the Council
Subject : Wines and spirits 40

95 / C 24 / 89

95 / C 24 / 90

E-l 856 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Isle of Man environmental clean-up 41

E-l 857 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Exclusion of Greece from the International Telecommunications Network 41

95 / C 24 / 91 E-l 858 / 94 by Enrico Ferri to the Commission

Subject : Free movement of vehicles 42

95 / C 24 / 92

95 / C 24 / 93

95 / C 24 / 94

E-l 860 / 94 by Lyndon Harrison to the Council
Subject : Biennial review of excise within the European Union 42

E-l 862 / 94 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten to the Commission
Subject : Right of option for members of frontier workers ' families 43

E-l 873 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Teaching of technology management : state of the art in America and Europe 43

95 / C 24 / 95 E-l 874 / 94 by Carmen Dfez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Pilot projects in the tourist industry 44

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

95 / C 24 / 96 E-l 876 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Studies and projects in the field of consumer protection 44

95 / C 24 / 97 E-l 8 78 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Aid to consumers ' organizations in Portugal 44

95 / C 24 / 98 E-l 879 / 94 by Rolf Linkohr to the Commission
Subject : Procedures for awarding blue flags for bathing waters 45

95 / C 24 / 99 E-l 883 / 94 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission
Subject : Fairness and objectivity in fixing EU standards 45

95 / C 24 / 100 E-1904 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Reciprocal recognition of visas and residence permits 46

95 / C 24 / 101 E-1905 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Pilot consumer information and advice centres 46

95 / C 24 / 102 E-1919 / 94 by Marianne Thyssen to the Commission
Subject : Erasmus Newsletter — use of languages 46

95 / C 24 / 103 E-1937 / 94 by Niels Sindal to the Commission
Subject : State-aid to shipyards in the former East Germany ; compliance with capacity
reduction 47

95 / C 24 / 104 E-l 941 / 94 by Luis Sá, Joaquim Miranda and Sérgio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Serious situation in East Timor 48

95 / C 24 / 105 E-l 956 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : European Preparatory Conference and NGO Forum 48

95 / C 24 / 106 E-1957 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Council
Subject : Medical aid in Iraq 49

95 / C 24 / 107 E-l 96 1 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : EU tax rates on Scotch whisky 49

95 / C 24 / 108 E-1963 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Women in decision-making 50

95 / C 24 / 109 E-1973 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Prosecutions for illegal import of nuclear materials 50

95 / C 24 / 110 E-1974 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Processing of plutonium for production of mixed-oxide plutonium-based fuels 50

95 / C 24 / 111 E-1979 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Assistance for Jamaica 51

95 / C 24 / 112 E-1983 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Northern extension to Ensheim airport — Development Plan No 4141.12.00 51

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 24 / 113 E-1986 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Pricing of domestic water supplies 51

95 / C 24 / 114 E-l 987 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : FIFA / UEFA limits on ' foreign ' players 52

95 / C 24 / 115 E-1993 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Airports and built-up areas : minimum height and distance 52

95 / C 24 / 116 E-1998 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Euro Info Centres 52

95 / C 24 / 117 E-2052 / 94 by Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission
Subject : Toxic cloud over Moers 53

95 / C 24 / 118 E-2062 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

        - Subject : Euratom credit facility for States in eastern Europe and the CIS 53

95 / C 24 / 119 E-2 124 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Redundancy stress 54

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652 / 94 extracted in the making of these products is sold in the form

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE ) of butter or incorporated in other products .

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 01

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1653 / 94

Subject : Campaign on the consumption of full-cream

milk

In connection with the recently launched campaign to
increase consumption of full-cream milk, has the
Commission considered whether it would not be better in

terms - of public health if instead such campaigns
recommended increased consumption of types of milk with
a lower fat content than full-cream milk, since nutritional
experts generally acknowledge that fat intake in a number of
European countries, including Denmark, is already too
high, which is highly detrimental to health ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1994 )

The aim of the campaign referred to by the Honourable
Member is to maintain the consumption of milk, a
production which nutritionists consider to be a healthy
element of any balanced diet .

It may well be that consumers with particular reasons for
reducing their fat intake to the strict minimum are obliged to
opt for skimmed or semi-skimmed milk . However, this is
not a nutrial requirement of the population as a whole .
Moreover, increasing the consumption of such products
would not necessarily mean that overall fat consumption
would be reduced, for the simple reason that the butterfat

by Brigitte Langenhangen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 02 )

Subject : Failure to promote research in the poultry

sector

Does the Commission share the view that the poultry sector
is seriously underrepresented where research is concerned ?
In the Camar, Eclair, AIR 1 and AIR 2 Programmes, only 2
of the 39 projects approved relate to poultry . If the reason
for this is an EC Directive dating back many years which
excludes poultry as a priority area for research, should a
revision of this Directive not be considered ?

More intensive research in the poultry sector is essential to
the competitiveness of the European poultry industry on
international markets as well as to the production of
high-quality poultry products .

There is also a need for problems and their solutions in the
fields of animal health and preventive veterinary medicine to
be coordinated at European level in order to avoid diseases
of the swine fever and mad-cow disease type in the poultry

sector .

For these reasons the extent of poultry research should be
rethought and adapted in the light of current
requirements .

No C 24 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 September 1994 )

There is no ' EC Directive ' which might serve to restrict the
funding of poultry research, and the fact that four proposals
were selected in the Camar, Eclair, Flair and AAIR
Programmes ( see below ) reflects solely the scientific and
technological standard of the proposals when judged in
competition, e.g. regarding aspects of quality, safety and
disease control in all the animal sectors .

One of the objectives of the Fourth Framework Programme
( 1994-1998 ) is to strengthen the competitiveness of
European industry . In the specific programme proposal for
agriculture and fisheries there are keywords like ' quality ',
' animal health ' and ' diseases ' which are in line with the

stated needs for research in the poultry sector .

Existing European projects in poultry research are :

Camar 0200 : Improvement of the welfare of poultry by
elimination or alleviation of painful skeletal disorders

Flair 0030 : Prevention and control of potentially pathogenic
micro-organisms in poultry and poultry meat processing

AAIR 833 : Production systems and meat consumption in
France, Italy and Spain : a comparative analysis, with special
references to problems of quality and environment .

AAIR 1577 : Dietary treatment and oxidative stability of
muscles and meat products : nutritive value, sensory quality
and safety .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1655 / 94

by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 03 )

Subject : Absences of plans to protect certain special bird

protection areas in Spain

In a number of official communication ^ the Spanish
Government has maintained that there is no obligation
under Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ( 1 ) on the conservation of wild

birds to draw up protection and planning arrangements for
designated special bird protection areas . The continuation
of this stance has been demonstrated very recently in an
answer to a parliamentary question in the Spanish Congress
of Deputies in spite of the fact that, in a judgment of
2 August 1993, the EC Court of Justice ruled that the
Kingdom of Spain had failed to comply with Directive
79 / 409 / EEC in the Las Marismas de Santona case

(1 February 1994 ).

What special bird protection areas have been designated in
Spain ? What legal protection do they have ? Which of them
are covered by protection and planning arrangements ?

Is the Commission prepared to accept the fact that many of
the areas included in the List of Important Areas for Birds in
Spain, which was drawn ug by the Spanish Ornithological
Society at the Commission 's own request, have still not been
designated special bird protection areas ?

How does the Commission propose to ensure that the
Kingdom of Spain complies with Directive 79 / 409 / EEC in
the light of the Las Marismas de Santona judgment ?

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 September 1994 )

Annex I to Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of
wild birds contains a list of threatened species . The first
subparagraph of Article 4 ( 1 ) of the Directive lays down that
' the species mentioned in Annex I shall be the subject on
special conservation measures concerning their habitat in
order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area
of distribution '. Article 4(1 ) and ( 2 ) lays down that Member
States must classify the most suitable territories as special
protection areas . Taken together, these areas must ' form a
coherent whole which meets the protection requirements of
these species ', and Member States must take appropriate
steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats in the
protection areas, or any disturbances affecting the birds, in
so far as these would be significant . Outside these protection
areas Member States must also strive to avoid pollution or
deterioration of habitats .

It therefore falls to Member States to decide on the detailed

arrangements for protecting the special protection areas so
as to meet the Directive 's requirements .

Spain has so far classified 146 special protection areas,
covering 2 498 883 ha . A list is being sent directly to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 3

The legal arrangements for protection vary from one area to
another and it is impossible to give any precise information
in this respect . Similarly, it is impossible to indicate the areas
for which there are protection and management plans,
especially since Spain is not required to send such
information to the Commission .

The Commission takes account of the inventory compiled
by the Spanish Ornithological Society as one of the most
important criteria for designating special protection areas
for birds . Although Spain has designated a considerable
number of special protection areas covering a considerable
surface area, the Commission believes that still more are
needed .

The Commission makes a serious examination of all the

complaints it receives in order to ensure that all the Member
States are complying with Directive 79 / 409 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1656 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 04 )

Subject : European Environment Agency

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1657 / 94

by Alexander Langer ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 05 )

Subject : Aid to democracy in former Yugoslavia

Budget item B7-5201 provides for measures to help
democracy and support the peace process in the Republics
formerly part of Yugoslavia . ECU 5 000 000 were allocated
for a ' pilot phase '. The Commission undertook to respect
the guidelines for the use of this amount adopted by the EP
at its May part-session . However, it appears that the
Commission, without even informing Parliament, has
decided to divert half of this amount to finance sanction

monitoring operations ( Samcom ). In view of the fact that
the democratic opposition, the free press and civil rights
movements in all the republics of former Y ugoslavia are in
desperate need of political, financial, technical and media
support, such an abuse seems particularly serious .

Can the Commission say whether these reports are true and
how it intends to ensure, without delay, that the whole
amount entered under item B7-5201 is actually used for the
purpose for which it was originally intended ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

Could the Commission say what stage of development or on behalf of the Commission
reached operation ? the European Environment Agency has ( 13 September 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 September 1994 )

Since the entry into force on 30 October 1993 of the
Regulation on the European Environment Agency, active
efforts have been under way to set the Agency up, at the
prompting of the management board and with technical
backup from the Commission .

The Director was appointed on 26 April 1994 . The
multiannual work programme was adopted on 26 July,
within the deadlines laid down in the Regulation, and
following delivery of the opinions of the Commission and
the Scientific Committee .

Meanwhile, a building has been rented and will be equipped
by November . Staff will be recruited gradually between the
last quarter of 1994 and the middle of 19 95 .

Regarding the implementation of budget heading B7-5201
concerning Community measures to help democracy and
support the peace process for the Republics formerly part of
Yugoslavia, the Commission wishes to stress that it is
respecting in full the guidelines adopted by the budget
authority at the May part-session . The Commission had
itself proposed these guidelines following careful reflection
on the action urgently called for, in order to secure the
transfer by the budget authority of these appropriations
from the reserve to heading B7-5701 . The Honourable
Member can ascertain for himself that these guidelines
clearly indicate that the action programme amounting to
ECU 4 million in commitment appropriations has three
main components : support for peace measures, in particular
as part of the control of sanctions ( about ECU 2 million ),
support for the independent media ( about ECU 1 million )
and other measures to promote democracy ( about ECU 1
million ).

As regards the control of sanctions, the memo addressed by
the Commission to the budget authority (*) and approved
by that authority clearly indicated that ' the expenditure on
logistics needed for this control will come to around ECU 2
million in 1994 . . .'.

No C 24 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Consequently, as soon as these guidelines were approved by
the budget authority, the Commission started implementing
them by approving, on 30 June, an initial set of projects to
promote peace and democracy in the former Yugoslavia,
including the control of sanctions, for an amount of ECU 2
million .

The Commission is therefore surprised at the Honourable
Member 's question and confirms that it will continue to
commit appropriations under heading B7-5201 in
accordance with the guidelines adopted by the budget
authority in May 1994 .

(M SEC ( 94 ) 549, 25 . 3 . 1994 .

The Commission has taken note of certain positive
developments in the human rights field in Cameroon since
the end of 1992, such as the lifting of the state of emergency
and the release of several detainees . However it remains

concerned about continuing reports of human rights
violation, including torture and other abuses by the security
forces as well as supression of freedom of expression . The
European Union will continue to follow closely the human
rights situation in Cameroon and voice its concerns in an
appropriate way .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1660 / 94

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 07
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1658 / 94

by Maartje van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission Subject : CFC

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 06 ) The daily papers are carrying extracts from a secret list
connected with the Commission 's authorization for imports                    of 26 000 tonnes of ' re-cycled ' CFC . Will the Commission
please publish the list and explain how one can tell the
difference between new and re-cycled CFC ? How can
countries which do not have any re-cycling industry to speak
of ( Russia ) obtain export licences for huge amounts of

regularly drawn attention to the supposedly re-cycled CFC ? Will the Commission take the
in Cameroon . The European initiative with the help of Phare resources to have
Cameroon of 11 January 1993 noted production switched over at the five big CFC factories
had made an offer on which are at the moment producing ' re-cycled ' CFC for

an EC Enquiry Commission visit European industry ?

Subject : Situation in Cameroon

Amnesty International has regularly drawn attention to the
violation of human rights in Cameroon . The European
Council statement on Cameroon of 11 January 1993 noted
that the Cameroon Government had made an offer on

19 December 1992 to let an EC Enquiry Commission visit
Cameroon . What conclusions did this commission reach ?

Has the Cameroon Government taken action following the
call by the Community and its Member States to institute
inquiries into human rights violations in 1992 ? What steps
have been taken by the Community and its Member States in
response to subsequent events ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1994 )

Following the positive reaction in December 1992 of the
Government of Cameroon to the Parliament 's call for the

sending of a human rights inquiry commission, the
Presidency of the Council as well as the Commission, invited
the Parliament in early 1993 to take up the issue and give a
rapid and positive response to Cameroon 's offer to receive a
commission of inquiry . It seems that the Parliament has not
yet given a follow-up to this invitation .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1994 )

Earlier this year a number of press articles suggested that as
much as 26 000 ozone-depleting potential ( ODP ) tonnes of
CFCs would be allowed to be imported into the Community
this year . In actual fact the import statistics for the first six
months of this year show that CFC imports have been
extremely low . In this period less than 200 ODP tonnes of
CFC 's were imported of which only 58 ODP tonnes were
used or re-cycled CFCs . This is the lowest quantity of CFC
imports since the Commission started monitoring in

1986 .

The Commission has no knowledge of a ' secret list '
connected with the authorization for import of recycled
CFCs and in fact published its decision allocating import
quotas in the Official Journal shortly after its adoption of
Commission Decision No 94 / 84 / EEC ( J ). This Decision

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 5

contains all the quantities of controlled substances allowed
to be imported into the Community during 1994 . The
Commission has also published a list of the imports of
ozonedepleting substances licensed by the Commission
between 1 January 1994 and 30 June 1994 in a press release
of 11 August 1994 .

On an administrative level the Commission has, during the
course of 1994, adopted a number of measures to tighten the
control on imports of ozone-depleting substances . These
measures are, amongst others, that Member States are to
check that holders of quotas for used substances are capable
of undertaking re-cycling and that imports of re-cycled
substances will only be approved if the importer can provide
a declaration from the government of the source country
that the imports are re-cycled .

An additional licence request form has also been adopted for
the import of used and re-cycled substances and a certificate
of chemical analysis is required if there are any doubts about
the purity of the substance .

In addition to the above measures the Commission has

foreseen further tightening of the controls on imports in

1995 by issuing separate quotas for the imports of ' used
substances for re-cycling ' and for ' re-cycled ' substances and
where appropriate requiring a certificate of chemical
analysis .

The Phare Programme provides assistance for economic
restructuring in the central European countries and is a
demand driven programme in the framework of which
funds can be made available once a request for specific
assistance has been made by a partner country .

(M OJ No L 42, 15 . 2 . 1994 .

Answer

(4 November 1994 )

The Council of the European Union has to date not been
approached with the issue of the nuclear submarine
' Komsomolets ', neither by a member of the Council nor by
any third party . However, an application has been made, on
behalf of the Russian Government, under the LIFE-subsidy
programme of the European Commission in order to
finance an underwater operation aimed at reducing the risks
of plutonium pollution the maritime environment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1670 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 09 )

Subject : Safety on building sites

Council Directive 92 / 57 / EEC ( ) on safety requirements at
construction sites is based on information which requires
clarification . Would the Commission state :

1 . How it justifies the Directive 's recitals, particularly the

statement that 50% of occupational accidents on
construction sites are caused by poor planning ?

2 . What statistics were used and which jobs on building

sites carry the highest accident risks ?

3 . On what basis can it be claimed that the Directive will

not put up construction costs ? Why not restrict its
provisions to large or ' high-risk ' sites ( to be defined )?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1661 / 94 (!) OJ No L 245, 26 . 8 . 1992, p . 6 .

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 08 ) Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1994 )

Subject : Sunken Russian nuclear submarine

What does the Council know about the Russian nuclear

submarine ' Komsomolets ' which sank in the North Atlantic

in 1989 and which is now probably leaking plutonium into
the sea and doing damage to the marine environment and
fish resources ? Has the Council given any thought to how
the European Union could help the Russians clean up after
the submarine so as to prevent its causing pollution in
future ?

Council Directive 92 / 57 / EEC is based on Article 1 1 8a of the

EC Treaty and was adopted under the cooperation
procedure with Parliament . The Directive is an individual
Directive under Directive 89 / 391 / EEC (*), for which specific
provision was made in the Annex .

With regard to the questions raised by the Honourable
Member, the following should be noted :

No C 24 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

1 . Contrary to what is suggested in the first question,
nowhere in the recitals of Directive 92 / 57 / EEC is it

stated that 50% of occupational accidents on
construction sites are caused by design errors . ' Related
to ' is not the same thing as ' caused by ', and other factors
besides design, such as ' poor planning of the works ', are
also included in this figure . An examination of specific
cases and several model construction sites, including the
Channel Tunnel ( French side ), support this .

2 . As there is still little harmonization of occupational
accident statistics at Community level, an analysis must
be based primarily on the national statistics available .
The construction sector accounts for 20 % of all fatal

accidents, and for a slightly smaller percentage of all
accidents . For a more detailed examination, see the
study by the HSE ( Health and Safety Excecutive,
London ) entitled ' Blackspot Construction ' which
examines fatal accidents in the construction industry
and civil engineering over a period of five years and has
identified the main causes as :

— falls from a height ( 52% )

— falling objects ( 19% )

— transport and mobile machinery ( 18% )

— electrical hazards ( 5% ).

The study concludes that

' better management of sites through detailed pre-site
planning with all who are to be involved in the jobs is
needed to improve the general level of safety . This
requires discussion with architects, engineers and
other professional advisors, as well as main and
sub-contractors, safety representatives and safety
professionals . Coordination of the work, with
particular attention to high-risk activities, can reduce
the overall risks '.

3 . Experience acquired at model construction sites reveals
that application of the principles contained in Directive
92 / 57 / EEC not only leads to a substantial reduction in
the risk of accidents, but also reduces costs and even
shortens project completion time, probably as a result of
more rigorous planning .

The Commission therefore sees no need to limit the

beneficial effects of this Directive to large sites only . In
any case, ' high-risk ' sites are precisely those to which the
principles of the Directive are not applied .

However, the Commission would draw the Honourable
Member 's attention to Article 3 ( 2 ) which allows
Member States, subject to certain limits and after
consulting both management and the workforce, to

grant derogations from the requirement to draw up a
safety plan prior to opening the construction site .

(!) OJ No L 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1673 / 94

by Paul Lannoye ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 10

Subject : Establishment and role of the NETT research

consultancy

According to my information, the Commission initiated the
establishment of a non-profit-making research consultancy
called NETT, with its headquarters in southern Brabant

( Belgium ). This consultancy is apparently working on the
' Technopolis of the Environment ' project set up to use the
grants available under objective 1 of the ERDF .

Can the Commission confirm that this research consultancy
exists ? Can it provide information regarding its status ?
Which DG was responsible for setting it up ? What projects
and subjects have already been dealt with by the consultancy
in connection with Community policies ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission ­

( IS September 1994 )

In 1987, the European Year of the Environment, the
Commission decided to promote the use of clean
technologies by setting up a network of producers and users
of those technologies . So it was that the NETT ( Network for
Environment Technology Transfer ) company was set up
under Belgian law . NETT 's task was to run the network and
to act as secretariat . The company enjoyed the
Commission 's support, including funding, for four years .

In 1991 the Commission was forced to conclude that the

hopes it had placed in the network had failed to materialize
for various reasons, including a lack of commitment on the
part of the companies which produced clean technologies
and a lack of interest from local authorities .

This prompted the Commission to withdraw its support
from the initiative and to end its collaboration with

NETT .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 7

The Commission has no knowledge of NETT 's work or the
dossiers it has handled since 1991, these having been
decided by the company 's management board .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676 / 94

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 11

Subject : Harmonization of the laws governing the
profession of taxidermy

Under current laws, French taxidermists may not work on
protected animals which have been accidentally killed or
members of the Mustelidae family .

Does the Commission envisage taking measures to
harmonize laws in this area throughout the European
Community ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1994 )

Although there are no direct references in Community
legislation to the use of dead wild animals by professional
taxidermists, this field of activity is covered by Council
Directive 89 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds (*)
and Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora ( 2 ).

Article 6 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC prohibits the sale,
transport for sale, keeping for sale and the offering for sale
of live or dead birds and of any parts or derivatives of such
birds . This relates to all species of naturally occurring birds
in the wild state in the European territory of the Member
States, but special provisions apply to the species listed in
Annexes III / l and III / 2 ( lists of species which may be
marketed ).

Article 12 of Directive 92 / 43 / EEC provides for a system of
strict protection for all the animal species listed in Annex IV
thereof ( list of animal and plant species of Community
interest in need of strict protection ). The keeping, transport,
sale or exchange and offering for sale or exchange of live or
dead animals and of any parts or derivatives of such animals
are prohibited . Two species of Mustelidae are listed in
Annex IV to Directive 92 / 43 / EEC and these measures
therefore apply to them : Lutra lutra and Mustela
lutreola .

The Member States may take protective measures which are
stricter than those provided for in the two Directives or
apply derogations to these measures for specific reasons in
accordance with the procedures laid down for that

purpose .

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-I678 / 94

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 12

Subject : Processing of complaint about implementation of

the Sixth VAT Directive

On 12 March 1994 the entrepreneur R. Stoeltje lodged a
complaint with the Commission concerning the application
of the Sixth VAT Directive by France and Germany . He has
never received any acknowledgement of receipt, which is
contrary to procedure ( 1 ). As no file number has been
communicated, the complainant cannot submit
supplementary documents to the Commission .

Can the Commission take steps to comply with its own rules
and process Mr Stoeltje 's complaint with due care ?

(!) OJ No C 26, 1 . 2 . 1989, p . 7 .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member

that it is in contact with Mr Stoeltje regarding the problem
he raised in connection with the interpretation of the Sixth
VAT Directive .

A letter dated 13 June 1994 contained the Commission 's

initial comments and indicated the information that would

be needed to settle the matter . On 4 July Mr Stoeltje sent
further documents relating to his case . The Commission is
currently examining his file in the light of the new
information .

No C 24 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1679 / 94

by Giis de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 13 )

Subject : ATR certificates issued by Turkey

Dutch forwarding agencies have imported goods,
particularly TV sets, originating in Turkey into the
Netherlands . The Turkish authorities have issued ART

certificates pertaining to them, as a result of which 0 %
import duty is payable on them in the Netherlands .
However, the Commission takes the view that Turkey has
wrongly failed to impose a compensatory levy on
components of the goods which are not of Turkish origin . A
number of European forwarding agencies, including Dutch
ones, can therefore expect retrospective import duty

assessements .

1 . Is it not highly unsatisfactory that bona fide businesses
should be held liable for an error by the Turkish
authorities, when the Turkish Government has an
agreement with the European Union ?

2 . What steps has the Commission taken to persuade the

Turkish authorities to comply with the relevant
provisions of the association agreement ?

3 . Ought not the Turkish authorities to indemnify the
forwarding agencies concerned ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

The research carried out by the Commission in response to
the Honourable Member 's question has revealed the scope
and extreme complexity of the matter, which call for more
detailed investigations involving several of its departments .
The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of

the results of its research as soon as it is completed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1681 / 94

by Giis de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 14 )

Subject : Guarantees on consumer goods and after-sales

service

How many complaints did the Commission receive from
private individuals in 1992 and 1993 relating to
cross-border problems with regard to :

1 . statutory guarantees on consumer goods ?

2 . commercial guarantees ?

3 . after-sales service ?

Between which Member States were the transactions

performed to which the complaints related ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

The Commission has no powers to intervene directly in the
case of problems concerning guarantees and after-sales
services . Thus it rarely receives complaints directly from
consumers . However, the information the Commission
receives from consumer associations, and notably the
cross-border consumer information centres, shows that
complaints relating to cross-border shopping concern either
problems arising from particular selling techniques
( excursions, direct mail, etc .), or problems relating to
guarantees and after-sales services . This latter category of
problems accounts for a very large percentage of
cross-border disputes .

The Commission also commissioned a study based on a
sample of 800 complaints, relating to purchases of goods,
handled by national consumer organizations in eight
Member States . This study has given us a better
understanding of the problems most often encountered by
consumers . The study also demonstrates that problems
bound up with guarantees and after-sales services make up
the bulk of the complaints analyzed : 56,3 % of complaints
concern guarantees, 16,4% concern problems relating to
repairs not covered by the guarantee, 12,1 % concern
problems relating to technical services in general, 4,7%
concern afterrsales services, 5,6% concern delivery and
4,6 % the documents .

The complaints studied mainly concern the following
situations :

— the seller refuses to honour the warranty ( the argument

generally advanced by the seller is that the consumer has
allegedly used the product incorrectly );

— the warranty does not cover certain repairs or parts of

the product ;

— the seller refuses to replace the product or to reimburse

the buyer ;

— the warranty period is less than it should be or less than

the period initially promised ;

— the seller finds reasons for not repairing the product

before the warranty has expired ;

— the warranty is not honoured outside the distribution

network ;

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 9

— the consumer is shouldered with the costs of returning

the product to the store and getting the product
back ;

— on expiry of the warranty, repairs are no longer covered,

even if the product has already been repaired previously
and was by all accounts defective ;

— the seller argues that liability for the problem lies with

the manufacturer .

Consumers have also encountered enourmous problems on
completion of the warranty period, since sellers normally
refuse to recognise the legal rights of consumers under the
legal guarantee .

All these problems apply both to purely national situations
and to cross-border situations .

The newly revised ESF Regulation contains no minimum or
maximum age criteria and assistance under Objective 3 has
been broadened to cover those exposed to long-term
unemployment so that support can be made available as
soon as groups at risk of drifting into long-term
unemployment become unemployed . This greater flexibility
has been introduced partly in recognition of the need to be
able to respond quickly to prevent older workers who lose
their jobs from becoming long-term unemployed .

The Commission has also taken account of the increasing
need for continuing training for older workers, for life-long
learning and for timely intervention to prevent
unemployment through the creation of a new Objective 4
aimed at facilitating the adaptation of workers to industrial
change and changes in production systems .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1685 / 94

by Maartie van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1683 / 94
(1 September 1994 )

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 24 / 16 )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 15 ) Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in

Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

Subject : Discrimination on grounds of age in applying

European Structural Fund criteria

Can the Commission provide an overview of the
participation of elderly workers in funding from the
European Structural Funds, especially under Objectives 3
and 4 ?

Is it true that age is an impediment to participation in
projects funded with the aid of the Structural Funds ?

Does the Commission agree that, as the structure of the
working population is changing, more could justifiably be
invested in training and retraining of elderly workers ?

If so, does the Commission intend to make this one of the
main thrusts of its policy ?

In the project, ' Integrated Watershed Management in Doon
Valley, India ' ( ALA / 90 / 14 ), is the emphasis on irrigation,
improving seed quality and introducing artifical fertilizer
not typical of the classic green revolution approach ? Does
the Commission believe that this accords with the principle
that the green revolution approach can no longer be applied
in India ?

Was the local population, especially women ( referred to as a
special target group ), involved in identifying the problems
and formulating the approach ? Does the approach not
conflict with local methods of managing natural
resources ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1686 / 94

by Maartje van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 17 )
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( IS September 1994 ) Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in

Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

Community assistance under the former Objective 3 ( from
1990-1993 ) was directed at people who were over 25 and
who had been unemployed for more than 12 months . There
was no upper age limit on those eligible for help under this
Objective .

This project for environmental rehabilitation of Doon
Valley is criticized for its effect on rural ecosystems and
indigenous animal diversity through its cross-breeding
programme . Is the Commission aware of criticism that
instead of reducing the problem of fodder scarcity, the

No C 24 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

cross-breeding programme has increased the scarcity, since
cross-bred cattle need specially cultivated fodder and
intensive feeds ? Is the Commission aware that farmers

might have difficulty in meeting the feeding requirements of
the cross-breeds ? Is it true that cross-breeding is a
precondition for participation by farmers in the project ?

Is the Commission aware of the news that a people 's
campaign for environmental protection in Doon Valley has
rejected the livestock strategy of the project ? Does the
Commission feel that the project 's objective of ' involving ]
local population in all stages of planning, implementation
and management of project activities ' has been fulfilled ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1687 / 94

by Maartje van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 18 )

Subject : Project for Integrated Watershed Management in

Doon Valley ( ALA / 90 / 14 )

The European Union is the main source of funding for the
project ' Integrated Watershed Management in Doon Valley,
India ' ( ALA / 90 / 14 ). In the project description it is stated
that local communities will be fully involved in the planning,
implementation and management of the project . Is the
Commission aware of the criticism that too little account
was taken of the interests of local communities at the design
and planning stage ? How were local people involved at this
stage, according to the Commission ?

being addressed through watershed improvement
techniques, including reducing over-grazing by free-range
cattle . Milk production is being increased by using a
cross-breeding programme specially requested by the
government . The cross-breeding programme uses
acclimatised bulls, is linked to available fodder resources,
and produces higher yielding stock which are stall fed . Stall
feeding reduces the pressure on the ranges, enables much
improved feeding and therefore higher yields . It also
concentrates the source of manure, which was previously
scattered on the hillsides, and which is a precious source of
fertiliser and fuel . These actions contribute to the natural

recovery of the deeply degraded forest land and help to
relieve the heavy burden which firewood collection imposes

on women .

The project uses a totally voluntary participatory approach
and it is therefore not correct to state that the cross breeding
programme is a pre-condition for people participation in
project activities . Village micro-plans are discussed,
developed and implemented at local level with the total
participation of the involved community which is fully
responsible for changes taking place upon its territory . The
Commission believes that the objective to involve local
population in all stages of planning, implementation and
management of project activities is being fulfilled .

The Commission is not aware of criticism that the interests

of local communities were insufficiently taken into account,
but would welcome comprehensive details on the source
and extent of these statements .

Using a local NGO, the Commission plans to undertake a
study of the socio-economic consequences of the project in
the present financial year, and a mid-term review of the
project in 1996 .

Will the Commission at an early date carry out an
assessment study into the socio-economic impact of the
project on local communities ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-1701 / 94

by Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm ( ELDR )

to the Commission

Joint answer to Written Questions (1 September 1994 )
E-1685 / 94, E-1686 / 94 and E-1687 / 94 ( 95 / C 24 / 19

given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : AIR Programme
( 23 September 1994 )

This project is located in areas in which excessive population
and livestock pressure have deeply degraded the natural
range lands and woodlands . The project aims to arrest the
degradation, improve quality of life of the people and reduce
emigration . The implementation process relies on the
participation on beneficiaires and focuses particularly on
the role played by women, who have been directly
included .

The aim of the project is to increase the productivity of crops

using improved seeds and more fertiliser, including artificial
and natural manures and compost . Land degradation is

The AIR Programme, which focuses on research and
technological development and demonstration projects in
the field of agriculture and agro-industry, lays down
implementing guidelines for a number of products of animal
origin .

Leather and hides from slaughtered animals are products of
animal origin processed through tanning and whereas the
AIR Programme takes the view that such processing can be
improved and made more competitive through projects or
measures in this field . Moreover, the leather industry
estimates that the low quality of untreated hides costs
the European economy approximately ECU 750 million
annually .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 11

How many initiatives have been developed in the field of
raw materials for the leather industry and what funds have
been earmarked for this purpose under the AIR Programme
since its inception ?

BREU-541 Restoring competitiveness of the
European leather industries
through novel manufacturing
procedures meeting safety,
health and environmental needs 1 583 200

BREU-276 Design study and realisation of
an automatic leather refining
system for the fur industry 910 000
To what extent can the Fourth EC Framework Programme
for research, technological development and demonstration

( 1994-1998 ) be used to subsidize measures to improve the
quality of leather and untreated hides ?

Answer by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

The new specific programmes of the Fourth Framework
Programme ( 1994-1998 ) will provide funding for research
projects with a view to improving the competitiveness of
European industry, including the leather industry .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1702 / 94

by Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 20 )

No research projects concerning raw materials for the
leather industry have been subsidized under the AIR
Programme . Subject : Discrimination against regional channels and

stations by the Media Programme

However, Brite-Euram is subsidizing seven research projects
which relate to the leather industry :

( in ECU )

BREU-63 Manufacturing processes for
flexible materials — instant

dyeing leather precuts 600 000

BREU-296 New colloidal silicas for white

stabilized skin intermediate

development leading to
improved ecological tanning 1 073 520

BREU-450 Development of an environ ­
mentally friendly process for the
manufacture of coated fabrics

( artificial leather processing for
environment safeguard ) —
ALPES 1 379 350

BREU-303 Topsys — Tool production
system for design and
manufacture of models for high
quality and properly fitting shoes
in the footwear industry 1 652 000

BREU-459 Automation of a leather piece
feed system for the manufacture
of shoe uppers 1 468 500

Is the Commission aware that the Media Programme
discriminates against regional channels and stations
broadcasting in minority languages spoken in the regions of
Europe which enjoy the authorization and support of the
Member States in which they are based ?

Under the Scale Programme, joint action by regional
channels broadcasting in languages other than the official
national language, such as S4C ( Welsh television ) and
Televisiô Catalunya ( Catalan television ) are not possible .
Can the Commission assure Parliament that it will eliminate

this discrimination, which contravenes the Treaty of
Maastricht, when it presents its proposal for Media II at the
end of this year ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( IS September 1994 )

In accordance with the rules of the European Union, the
Media Programme operates primarily in the official Union
languages .

No C 24 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

However, the special needs of certain regions, particularly
those speaking minority languages, are taken into account in
various Media initiatives such as :

— Babel, which supports multilingualism in television

( dubbing and subtitling );

— Scale, which encourages cooperation between small

countries, between small countries and large ones, and
between small countries and regions in large ones ;
and

— EAVE, which organizes training programmes for
producers in regions ' with smaller audiovisual
production capacities and / or with a limited geographical
and linguistic area '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1714 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 23 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Aragon ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

( Guarantee Section ) funding to the Autonomous
Community of Aragon ( Spain ) over the 1986-1993 period ?
Can the monitoring and final evaluation reports on the
matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1715 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 712 / 94 to the Commission

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) (1 September 1994 )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 24 / 24 )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 21 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of the Basque Country ( Spain )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Extremadura ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Extremadura
( Spain ) over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and
final evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

( Guarantee Section ) funding to the Autonomous
Community of the Basque Country ( Spain ) over the
1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final evaluation
reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 716 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1713 / 94 by José Valverde Lopez

José Valverde PPE to the Commission

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission (1 September 1994 )

(1 September 1994 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 25 )

( 95 / C 24 / 22 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous Community of Murcia ( Spain )
Community of Valencia ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Valencia ( Spain )
over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final
evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

( Guarantee Section ) funding to the Autonomous
Community of Murcia ( Spain ) over the 1986-1993 period ?
Can the monitoring and final evaluation reports on the
matter be made available ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1718 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1727 / 94

by José Valverde López ( PPE ) by José Valverde López ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(1 September 1994 ) (1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 26 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 29 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Madrid ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Madrid ( Spain )
over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final
evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 722 / 94

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Navarre ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Navarre ( Spain )
over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final
evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1732 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission
(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 27 ) (1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 30 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of La Rioia ( Spain ) Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Cantabria ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of La Rioja ( Spain )
over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final
evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 726 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Cantabria

( Spain ) over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the monitoring and
final evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1735 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

(1 September 1994 ) to the Commission

( 95 / C 24 / 28 ) (1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 31 )

Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of the Principality of Asturias
( Spain ) Subject : EAGGF investment in the Autonomous
Community of Catalonia ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of the Principality
of Asturias ( Spain ) over the 1986-1993 period ? Can the
monitoring and final evaluation reports on the matter be
made available ?

What has been the outcome of the allocation of EAGGF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Catalonia

( Spain ) over the 1986-1993period ? Can the monitoring and
final evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

No C 24 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Joint answer to Written Questions WRITTEN QUESTION E-1740
E-1712 / 94, E-1713 / 94, E-1714 / 94, E-1715 / 94, by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )
E-1716 / 94, E-1718 / 94, E-1722 / 94, E-1726 / 94,

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1740 / 94

E-1727 / 94, E-1732 / 94 and E-1735 / 94

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 24 / 34
( 26 October 1994 )

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament 's Secretariat .

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

the Directive on the classification, packaging and
labelling of dangerous substances

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the

Government of Spain to implement Directive 92 / 32 / EEC (*)
on the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions relating to the classification,
packaging and labelling of dangerous substances ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1738 / 94 (!) OJ No L 154, 5 . 6 . 1992, p . 1 .

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1741 / 94

95 / C 24 / 32 ) by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement ( 95 / C 24 / 35

the Directive on the Agreement between the
European Community and the Swiss
Confederation concerning direct insurance other
than life assurance

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

the Directive on efficiency requirements for new
hot-water boilers

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the
Government of Spain to implement Directive 92 / 42 / EEC (*)
on efficiency requirements for new hot-water boilers fired
with liquid or gaseous fuels ?

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the

Government of Spain to implement Directive
9 1 / 3 71 / EEC ( 1 ) on the implementation of the Agreement
between the European Economic Community and the Swiss
Confederation concerning direct insurance other than life
assurance ?

(!) OJ No L 167, 22 . 6 . 1992, p . 17 .
(!) OJ No L 205, 27 . 7 . 1991, p . 48 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1742 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 739 / 94 by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

to the Commission (1 September 1994 )

(1 September 1994 ) 95 / C 24 / 36

( 95 / C 24 / 33 )

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

the Directive on veterinary medicinal products

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the

Government of Spain to implement Directive
91 / 412 / EEC { l ) laying down the principles and guidelines of
good manufacturing practice for veterinary medicinal
products ?

the Directive laying down detailed rules for surveys
to be carried out for purposes of the recognition of
protected zones in the Community

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the
Government of Spain to implement Directive 92 / 70 / EEC (*)
laying down detailed rules for surveys to be carried out for
purposes of the recognition of protected zones in the
Community ?

(!) OJ No L 228, 17 . 8 . 1991, p . 70 . (!) OJ No L 250, 29 . 8 . 1992, p . 37 .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 15

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 743 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 745 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 37 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 39 )

Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

the Directive introducing measures concerning
swine vesicular disease

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the

Government of Spain to implement Directive
92 / 119 / EEC ( J ) introducing general Community measures
for the control of certain animal diseases and specific
measures relating to swine vesicular disease ?

(!) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993, p . 69 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 744 / 94

Subject : Consumer protection under package travel
Directive

Can the Commission confirm whether the Irish Government

has implemented the Directive on package travel
( 90 / 314 / EEC (*)) which was adopted on 13 June 1990 ?

Is the Commission aware of three recent fatalities at Parque
Santiago 3 Apartments, Playa de las Americas, Tenerife —
all of which were associated with carbon monoxide

poisoning ?

What protection does a consumer have if a Member State
has not implemented this Directive ?

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) (!) OJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990, p . 59 .

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 38 ) Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )
Subject : Failure of the Government of Spain to implement

the Directive on air pollution caused by emissions
from motor vehicles

What are the Commission 's views on the failure of the

Government of Spain to implement Directive 93 / 59 / EEC (*)
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by
emissions from motor vehicles ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 186, 28 . 7 . 1993, p . 21 .

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1738 / 94, E-1739 / 94, E-1740 / 94, E-1741 / 94,

E-1742 / 94, E-1743 / 94 and E-1744 / 94

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 ' September 1994 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

11th annual report to Parliament on monitoring the
application of Community Law - 1993 ( ! ) Annex ' Report of
the application of Directives '.

f 1 ) OJ No C 154, 6 . 6 . 1994 .

To date, the Irish Government has not yet communicated to
the Commission the implementing measures of Directive
90 / 314 / EEC .

It is up to individuals who have suffered any loss or damage
to pursue any remedies before their national courts . The
national jurisdictions in charge of the application of
Community law have to ensure, within their competence,
the total effect of these rules as well as to protect the rights
they confer upon individuals .

As the judgment of 19 November 1991 ( Case C-6 / 90 and
C-9 / 90 O ) states, where individual rights are infringed by a
breach of Community law due to the non transposition of a
directive, individuals may obtain reparation from the
Member State that failed to fulfil its obligations if the
directive clearly grants defined rights to individuals and if
the loss or damage suffered is caused by this non
transposition .

The Commission is aware of the fatalities the Honourable

Member cites at Parque Santiago, Playa de las Americas,
Tenerife ( Spain ).

Council Directive 90 / 396 / EEC of 29 June 1990 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
appliances burning gaseous fuels ( 2 ), does not cover services
linked to the installation or maintenance of these appliances .
The Commission has undertaken to study the different

No C 24 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

legislations of the Member States in order to fill this gap if it
appears that it is necessary 

( x ) Ree . 1991-9 1-5357 Francovich v. Italy .

( 2 ) OJ No L 196, 26 . 7 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1751 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 40 )

Subject : Ukraine

What assistance can the Commission give to the Ukrainian
Government to help fund repairs following the Chernobyl
disaster and to ensure that there will be no repeat of the
Chernobyl disaster, which potentially affects all Member
States ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

The Tacis and Phare assistance programmes in the field of
nuclear safety aim to improve the safety nuclear installations
in the countries operating Soviet designed reactors and to
avoid another catastrophic accident like the Chernobyl
disaster in 1986 .

The assistance provided within these programmes is
considerable and involves a large number of actors from the
Community as well as from the recipient countries . The
actions should :

— improve operational safety through assistance from

operators to their eastern counterparts ( on-site
assistance is provided at nine sites in Russia and
Ukraine );

— implement short term technical improvements including

through equipment delivery ;

— strengthen the regulatory authorities and their technical

support organizations .

Moreover, as regards the future operation of the Chernobyl
NPP, the Eufopean Council, at its Corfu meeting, has
approved a comprehensive action plan with the aim of
achieving the early and definitive closure of Chernobyl,
including the offer for important financial assistance to
Ukraine in this respect . This action plan was subsequently
discussed and endorsed by the G-7 summit in Naples which
has offered supplementary financial support to Ukraine .
The Commission, in close contact with G-7, is actively

pursuing the implementation of the action plan, in
particular its acceptance by the Ukrainian authorities .

With regard to the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster
the Commission provides some assistance .

Within the Tacis Programme the following projects are
relevant :

— A project deals with the treatment of the waste in the

600 — 800 dumps in the 30 km exclusion zone around
the plant ( ECU 1 million ). These dumps and storage sites
contain waste resulting from immediate action taken
after the 1986 accident and are already the source of
contamination of ground water in this area . The
objective of this project is to prepare on-site remedial
activities, to specify equipment needed and additional
facilities to be designed and constructed .

— Another project concerns the Unit 4 sarcophagus : it is a

feasibility study relating to the actions necessary to
stabilise the shelter and to the construction of a new

protective shield installation or encasement
( shelter 2 ).

— Moreover, a special regional interstate programme of

ECU 6 million is included in Tacis 1993 for the

assistance in the mitigation of social and economic
consequences of the accident . The objective of this
regional programme is to stimulate the economic
regeneration of the affected territories and to help
Ukraine, Russia and Belarus to cope with social and
health problems resulting from the accident and its effect
on the populations .

The topics selected within this regional programme for
Chernobyl include :

— Training of medical staff engaged in the diagnosis and

treatment of thyroid cancer . This programme
complements an ECHO initiative to provide medical
equipment .

— Optimization of the supply of hormone L-Thyroxine

necessary for the lifetime of people affected after surgical
treatment of cancer .

— Optimization of supply of iodised table salt necessary for

prevention of the other thyroid illnesses endemic in the
regions surrounding Chernobyl . The former Soviet
Union had to stop providing such salt two years before
the Chernobyl accident because of the lack of financial

support .

Other projects include economic regeneration such as the
development of business agencies in Gomel and Chernobyl
or the developing of physical infrastructure in the Smolensk
oblast ( the latter being prepared on the basis of a proposal
made by Unesco ).

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 752 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1753 / 94

by Alan Donnelly ( PSE )

Alan Donnelly ( PSE ) by Alan Donnelly ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 41 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 42 )

Subject : The selective distribution of perfumes

Subject : The selective distribution of perfumes

In November 1993 the UK Monopolies and Mergers
Commission ( MMC ) reported upon its investigation into
alleged anti-competitive practices by perfume
manufacturers . The MMC proposed the establishment of an
arbitration scheme to resolve disputes between perfume
manufacturers and those retailers who experience
difficulties in being admitted to the selective distribution
networks .

1 . In view of the Commission 's policy for selective
distribution of perfumes, as established in the Yves St
Laurent and Givenchy decisions, will the Commission
express its full support for the adoption of a UK
arbitration scheme ?

2 . As the Commission has yet to establish an effective
means of legal remedy for retailers, to ensure that the
systems operated by manufacturers are applied
objectively and in a non-discriminatory manner, would
the Commission support the adoption of the UK scheme
as a form of ' pilot study '?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission has established that the nature of a shop
name is a relevant criterion in a selective distribution

network .

In November 1993 the UK Monopolies and Mergers
Commission ( MMC ) reported upon the investigation into
alleged anti-competitive practices by the perfume
manufacturers . The MMC concluded that ' ultimately, the
decision ( on the appropriateness of shop names ) must be
one for the fragrance house itself '.

1 . Does the Commission agree that the MMC 's
interpretation of the shop name criterion is a subjective
test and as such an incorrect application of Commission
policy and Community law ?

2 . Will the Commission offer clear guidance on the correct

interpretation of the shop name criterion ?

( 14 September 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

Although the issue was not specifically addressed in its Yves
Saint Laurent and Givenchy decisions, the Commission has
noted with interest the proposal put forward by the
Monopolies and Mergers Commission concerning the
possible introduction of an arbitration scheme within the
existing procedures for admission of new retailers to the
selective distribution networks in the fine fragrances

sector .

The introduction of arbitration procedure represents an
interesting proposal in that it could enhance the operation of
the selective distribution systems in this sector by extending
the range of legal remedies at the retailers ' disposal . For this
reason, such an issue will be carefully examined by the
Commission, not only with regard to the UK market, but on
a Community-wide basis . In this regard, the appropriate
legal framework for the possible introduction of such an
arbitration mechanism at the Community level will be the
procedure for the renewal of the Yves Saint Laurent and
Givenchy decisions, which will expire in 1997 .
Furthermore, it should be observed that Member States can
already take the necessary steps in order to introduce such
an arbitration mechanism at the national level .

( 14 September 1994 )

The Commission does not consider that the Monopolies and
Mergers Commission ( MMC ), in its report on fine
fragrances of 1993, has given an incorrect interpretation of
the Commission Decision Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy
as regards, in particular, the ' shop name ' selection
criterion .

It should be observed that the Commission 's current

approach is to consider that when qualitative selection
criteria are applied in a discriminatory or subjective manner,
the distribution system no longer complies with the
conditions set out in the Commission 's Decisions, and the
retailer concerned can challenge the manufacturer 's practice
before, in particular, national courts or competition
authorities . Such an approach seems to be correctly reflected
in the reasoning of the MMC at paragraphs 8.152 to 8.156
of the aforesaid report .

No C 24 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1755 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 43 )

Subject : European Seniors ' Pass

Can the Commission provide details of the pilot project
which has been launched between France, Ireland and the
UK to allow reciprocal concessions for pensioners ?

prisoner Ron Arad, but the European Union will continue to
support every suitable effort to obtain information about
the fate of and to seek the release of Mr Arad and all those

detained under similar circumstances in the region outside
the due process of law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1757 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 95 / C 24 / 45
on behalf of the Commission

( IS September 1994 )

Subject : Human rights violations in Tibet

No pilot projects have been launched to allow reciprocal
concessions for pensioners . The Commission, however, has
had discussions with organizations representing the
interests of older people with a view to conducting a
feasibility study on a scheme for the mutual recognition in
Member States of concessions for older people .

Given the intolerable conditions under which the Tibetan

people are being forced to live under Chinese occupation for
the past 44 years will the Foreign Ministers please put this
issue at the top of its agenda for all future meetings with the
Chinese authorities in an effort to secure the right of the
Tibetan people to national self-determination ?

Answer

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 756 / 94 (4 November 1994 )

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 44 )

Subject : Ron Arad

Do the Foreign Ministers have any further indications that
the Israeli prisoner Ron Arad might be released from
captivity by the Hizbollah ? If not, could they please continue
their efforts to secure his release ?

Answer

The issue of human rights in Tibet has traditionally been
given priority attention in consultations between the
European Union and the Chinese authorities . The European
Union is continually monitoring the situation in Tibet . It
intends to pursue this policy both at bilateral level and
within an international framework, particularly that of the
United Nations . It also intends to make full use for this

purpose of the possibilities offered by the political dialogue
recently institutionalized between the European Union and
China .

(4 November 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 762 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

In answering this questions I would like to refer the
Honourable Member to the replies given to Written
Question No E-2795 / 93 by the Honourable Member and
Written Question No E-2261 / 93 by Mr Filippos Pierros on
the same matter .

The case of Mr Arad is being followed closely within the
framework of the CFSP .

Unfortunately the Council has no further indications about
the release from captivity of the whereabouts of the Israeli

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 46 )

Subject : Imports from Poland of diseased ewes

Is the Commission aware of lorry loads of old and diseased
ewes from Poland which were found in Muslim community
abattoirs in Birmingham ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 19

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

The Commission has no knowledge of the facts referred to
by the Honourable Member . It has asked the Member State
concerned for information and will inform the Honourable

Member of its findings .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 764 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 47 )

Subject : Areas still affected by Chernobyl disaster

In reply to my Written Question No 2465 / 92 ( J )
Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan made reference to the Tacis

Programme and that consideration was being given to the
financing of some projects dealing with the rehabilitation of
contaminated soils in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus .

Can the Commission now give further details of agreed
funding and assistance for those areas which were
contamined by the Chernobyl disaster ?

Will the Commission also put whatever pressure it can on
the Ukraine Parliament to reverse its decision to restart

Chernobyl ?

(!) OJ No C 327, 3 . 12 . 1993, p . 12 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 September 1994 )

The Tacis Programme is currently launching a ECU 6
million programme for the rehabilitation of the territories
affected by the Chernobyl disaster . The objective of the
Tacis Regional Programme is to stimulate the economic
regeneration of the affected territories and to help Ukraine,
Russia and Belarus to cope with social and health problems
resulting from the accident and its effect on the
population .

The topics selected for launch in the next months may be
summarized as follows :

— Training of medical staff engaged in the diagnosis and

treatment of thyroid cancer . This programme

complements an ECHO initiative to provide medical
equipment .

— Optimization of the supply in hormone L-Thyroxine

necessary for the lifetime of people affected after surgical
treatment of cancer .

— Optimization of supply of iodized table salt necessary

for prevention of the other thyroid illnesses endemic in
the regions surrounding Chernobyl . The former Soviet
Union had to stop providing such salt two years before
the Chernobyl accident because of lack of financial

support .

It should be noted that the Tacis Chernobyl Programme
favours concrete projects which are able to demonstrate
tangible results in the short to medium term .

As regards the decontamination issue, the Commission is
currently launching a feasibility study on the evaluation of
the different proposed decontamination strategies in order
to provide an exhaustive scientific and economic basis
before opting for any pilot actions .

The Tacis Chernobyl Regional Programme also includes a
land rehabilitation component, concerning the feasibility of
incineration of waste products generated from managed
forestry activities in Belarus . Another project concerns a cost
benefit study on alternative use of bio-diesel sources in
relation to soil decontamination in Belarus and Ukraine .

As regards the future operation of the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant, the European Council, at its Corfu meeting,
approved a comprehensive action plan seeking the early and
definitive closure of Chernobyl, including an offer for
important financial assistance to Ukraine in this respect .
This action plan was subsequently discussed and endorsed
by the G-7 summit in Naples which has offered
supplementary financial support to Ukraine . The
Commission, in close contact with G-7, is actively pursuing
the implementation of the action plan, in particular its
acceptance by the Ukrainian authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1766 / 94

by James Elles ( PPE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 48 )

Subject : El 60b Annatto

Is the Council aware that by removing the natural colour,
El 60b Annatto from the list of permitted colours to be used

No C 24 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

in sauces, seasonings, pickles, relishes, chutney and piccalilli
under the draft directive on colours for use in foodstuffs that

it is endangering an important industry and threatening
many jobs ?

Will the Council explain why it seeks to ban the use of
El 60b Annatto ?

Answer

(4 November 1 994 )

The Council believes that the prime consideration in any
rules on food additives and their conditions of use should be
the need to protect the consumer . The Council also takes the
view that a food additive may only be used when there is
evidence that it is technologically necessary .

As far as the food colour El 60b Annatto is concerned, since
the acceptable daily intake ( AD1 ) is very low ( 0,065 mg / kg
body weight / day, set by the Scientific Committee for Food ),
it is necessary to ensure that the conditions of use do not
incur the risk of exceeding the limit . Such a risk was also
recognized by the European Parliament which, in its opinion
of 10 March 1993, limited the use of Annatto in
amendments 25, 51 and 40 rev.

However, as with all additives with a relatively low AD1, it
will be necessary to continue to monitor the market and
consumer habits in order to review the estimates of

acceptable intake . The responsibility of the Member States
in this matter was clearly established in framework Directive
89 / 107 / EEC relating to additives .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

The Commission wishes first of all to point out to the
Honourable Member that compensation schemes in respect
of occupational diseases are the responsibility of the
Member States . It should be noted also that each
Community Member State has its own list of occupational
diseases and that workers suffering from these diseases are
entitled to the corresponding economic and social benefits,
including compensation .

No specific reference is made to chronic bronchitis and
emphysema .

On the other hand, a mixed system operates in most of the
Member States, whereby workers may receive
compensation if they can prove that there is a link between
the disease and occupational exposure .

The introduction of a mixed system for compensation
purposes had previously been advocated in the
Commission 's recommendation of 1962 concerning the
adoption of a European schedule of occupational diseases,
which was updated by the Commission on 22 May 1990

( 90 / 326 / EEC ) ( 1 ). These schedules do not include the
specific categories mentioned by the Honourable Member
either .

(!) OJ No L 160, 26 . 6 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 771 / 94

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 50

Subject : Value added tax on fuel
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 769 / 94

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

Following European Union agreements on value added tax

to the Commission levels, what is the lowest level a new Labour Government in

(1 September 1994 ) the United Kingdom could reduce VAT on fuel to ?

to the Commission

( 95 / C 24 / 49 )

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Compensation schemes for industrial illnesses
( 23 September 1994 )

Could the Commission indicate whether any compensation
schemes operating in Member States relate to chronic
bronchitis and emphysema of miners and ex-miners ? Has
the European Community contributed in any way to any of
these compensation schemes ?

The general position in Community legislation is that
Member States should apply a standard rate of VAT, which
may not be less than 15 %, to the supply of domestic fuel
and power . Article 12 ( 3 ) ( b ) of Directive 77 / 388 / EEC (*) as

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 21

amended also permits Member States, under certain
conditions, to apply a reduced rate of VAT, which may not
be less than 5%, to supplies of natural gas and
electricity .

Furthermore, on a transitional basis only, those Member
States which, at 1 January 1991 and in accordance with
Community law, exempted supplies of fuel and power from
VAT with a refund of the VAT paid at the previous stages

( i.e. zero-rated ) or applied reduced rates lower than 15 %,
are entitled to continue to apply those zero rates or to apply
a reduced rate, which may not be less than 5 % . However,
there is no provision in Community legislation for
introducing or re-introducing new zero-rated supplies .

(!) OJ No L 145, 13 . 6 . 1977 .

The Council — and its General Secretariat — always use one
of the following two expressions when referring to the
President :

— the President of the Council

— the President-in-office of the Council .

The work programmes of successive presidencies are drawn
up by the presidencies or under their responsibility,
although they use the technical document production
services of the Council General Secretariat . The Council

cannot therefore be held responsible for other titles that a
presidency might use in presenting its programme .

The Council would also draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the revised version of the document to which he

refers ( SN 5563 / 1 / 93 REV 1 ) which explicitly states that
' Greece is taking over the Presidency of the Council of the
European Union '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1773 / 94 (!) OJ No C 93, 11 . 4 . 1988, p . 71 .

by David Martin ( PSE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 51 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 774 / 94

Subject : Status of Council Presidency and Council
documents

Does it follow from the answer to Written Question
E-5 85 / 94 ( x ) that the programme of the Presidency of the
Council ( and in particular the last Presidency Programme —
document SN 5563 / 93 ) is not a Council document ?

If it is not a Council document, is there a separate
classification of ' Council Presidency documents ' which have
their own status and are not drawn up under Council 's
responsibility ?

If this is not the case, and documents SN 5563 / 93 is indeed a
Council document, why does it not conform to the titles
which Council 's written answer to my previous question
states that its documents ' always use '?

(!) OJ No C 147, 30 . 5 . 1994, p . 24 .

Answer

(4 November 1994 )

The Council confirms the content of its previous replies to
Written Questions Nos 1857 / 87 ( a ) and 585 / 94 .

by David Martin ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 52 )

Subject : The use of chimpanzees in medical research in

Europe

What has the EU contributed to the funding of TNO
Primate Centre at Rijkswik in the period 1990-1993 and
what expenditure is foreseen for 1994 ? What percentage of
funding made available has been used on housing, feeding,
caring for and research on chimpanzees ?

Is there a qualified scientific / medical panel examining the
accounts to ensure that the work on the chimpanzees is of
the highest scientific standard and is ethically acceptable ?

Does TNO-PC determine its own breeding and research
directions or are they determined by a regulating body from
the Commission ?

Given the financial contribution made by the Commission
what medical / scientific progress using chimpanzees has
been made at TNO-PC over the last three years and what
systems exist to monitor the value of the research carried
out ?

No C 24 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1777 / 94

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )
( 14 September 1994 ) to the Council

The TNO Primate Centre had within the Medical and
Health Research Programme 1987-1991 a contract of ECU
4 million for the period 1 January 1988 — 31 December

1991 and within the Biomedical and Health Research

Programme 1990-1994 a contract of ECU 3 million for the
period 1 January 1993 — 31 December 1995 . This means
that the 1994 budget is foreseen as ECU 1 million .

These contracts fit within the TNO framework contract .

Although there is no contractual separation made between
housing, feeding, caring and research, it was reported that
60 % of the costs are related to housing, care and veterinary
costs of the animals, while 40 % are related to research staff,
exchange and mobility, and external services, e.g. biological
testing . There was a financial audit in 1992 and the criteria
were fulfilled .

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 53

Subject : Directive on zoos

In November 1993 the Council accepted the Commission 's
report ( x ) in which it was proposed that the proposal for a
directive on zoos ( 2 ) be withdrawn and replaced by a
recommendation .

Can the Council explain why no further progress appears to
have been made on this issue in spite of the European
Parliament 's strong support for the principle of improving
standards for animals kept in zoos ?

(M COM(93 ) 545 final .

( 2 ) COM(91 ) 177 final . OJ No C 249, 24 . 9 . 1991, p . 14 .

The work was supervised by the Working Party on AIDS Answer
Research, in particular its ' Basic Research ' subgroup, in (4 November 1994 )
order to ensure the highest scientific standards, including
ethical aspects . Moreover, the TNO Scientific Board has a
member familiar with the animal welfare movements, in The European Council held in Brussels in 1993 took note of
order to have the highest possible transparency . the Commission 's report on the adaptation of existing
legislation overall to the principle of subsidiarity, without
stating a view in each indivdual case as to the relevance of

The TNO Primate Centre manages its own breeding based the withdrawals, simplification or recasts proposed by the
on European needs and demands . Research directions, Commission .

Answer

(4 November 1994 )

The TNO Primate Centre manages its own breeding based
on European needs and demands . Research directions,
which are the Centre 's own responsibility, are of course
influenced by Community projects as selected within the
biomedical and health, human capital and mobility, and life
sciences and technologies for developing countries research

programmes .

The TNO Primate Centre interacts closely with other

Community-sponsored projects in AIDS research, multiple
sclerosis, transplantation and arthritis and is regarded as a
unique European resource centre of strategic importance in
biomedical and biotechnology research . Medical progress in
the field of vaccines ( AIDS, malaria, hepatitis . . .) and
testing of biologicals for new therapeutic strategies has been
made . Reports ( e.g. on the AIDS vaccine development,
about 200 pages ) are available on request .

The evaluation and monitoring of the contractual yearly
activity reports in medical research is carried out by a
projects review board, advising the programme committee
and the Commission . In addition, a medically qualified
scientific panel of experts meets twice a year to examine
progress and to ensure that the work is of the highest
scientific and ethical standards .

As there is no longer a proposal on this subject before the
Council, it cannot proceed with any legislative action on this
specific question .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1778 / 94

by Gary Titley ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 54 )

Subject : The harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation

At its sitting of 5 May 1994 the European Parliament
adopted resolution A3-0238 / 94 on combating the harmful
effects of non-ionizing radiation .

Could the Commission say what progress has been made in
following up the requests made in the report, more
specifically those made in paragraph 3, which calls on the
Commission to survey and assess current research in the

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 23

Member States, and paragraph 10, which calls for a specific
research programme to be established on the effects of
non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on health ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 September 1994 )

Within the on-going Environment research programme
there are a number of projects addressing the effects on
non-ionizing radiation on humans . One recent project
( reference PL932131 ) specifically addresses low frequency
electromagnetic fields and whether they may affect the
incidence of cancer .

The Commission also conducts a continuing dialogue with
the leading European experts, notably the UK 's National
Radiation Protection Board on this issue .

The direction of future Commission proposals for research
will depend on the results of the current research projects
and on advice from expert bodies .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 780 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 55 )

Subject : International railway timetables

1 . In view of European cooperation in the rail sector,
why is it that complete information concerning train times is
not yet available ?

2 . Given that the Commission regards the rail sector as a
transport policy priority, what measures does it envisage to
remedy matters ?

3 . Is the Commission in favour of linking trans-European
rail and telecommunications networks to ensure the

necessary exchange of information for complete and
accurate timetables ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

The Commission has not been informed of any general

difficulties concerning the planning of the timetables of

trains in the Community . Without prejudice to any future
action, the Commission considers that the question of
timetable preparation lies within the competence of
autonomous railway management . However, contact has
been made with the Community of European Railways to
enquire whether there are general problems in this area and
whether there have been any special problems in the recent
past . The Honourable Member will be informed of the reply
from the railway authorities and in the light of the
information, the Commission will reflect on the possible
scope for any action at the Community level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 782 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 56 )

Subject : Sorb ethnic minority

The Brandenburg Land Government has decided to extend
open-cast lignite mining, thereby further destroying an area
inhabited by the Sorbs since the 16th century . Their
displacement will mean the death of their culture, which is
inextricably linked to the remaining Sorb settlements,
following centuries during which this ethnic minority has
been decimated .

Does the Commission consider this to be a violation of

human rights ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1994 )

The question does not fall within the competence of the
Commission . The protection of human rights including the
rights of people belonging to minorities within the European
Union is the duty of its Member States . Their citizens may,
after full recourse has been made to national laws, table a
complaint to the European Human Rights Commission of
the Council of Europe, if they believe that rights vested in
them by the European Convention of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms have been violated .

The Member States of the Council of Europe agreed at the
meeting of Heads of State and Government held in October

1993 in Vienna to lay down the rights of people belonging to
minorities in a special additional protocol to the Human
Rights Convention and to draft a framework Convention on
the protection of national minorities . This work
continues .

No C 24 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 784 / 94

by Otto von Habsburg ( PPE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 786 / 94

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 ) (1 September 1994 )

(9 SIC 24 / 57 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 58 )

Subject : Promotion of small loans and savings programmes

Subject : EU Directives on the protection of cormorants and

herons

Herons and cormorants have been declared a protected
species by EU . Although this was justified at the time, there
has since been an enormous increase in the numbers of both

species and there is no longer any case for their protection .
Fishermen in particular are complaining that fish stocks are
being depleted as a result .

Is it not time to relax the measures to protect herons and
cormorants in large scale fish-breeding areas and maintain

fish stocks by permitting these birds to be culled ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1994 )

Herons and cormorants are not listed in Annex II to Council
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds C ),
and therefore they cannot be hunted under national
legislation .

as part of EU development policy

Is the Commission taking steps to promote small loans and
savings programmes similar to Grameen Trust programmes
for Bangladesh as part of EU development policy ?

If so, to what extent ?

If not, why not ?

                 - Answer given by Mr Marin

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1994 )

In the context of the Lome Convention, the Commission
implements many projects on SME development in ACP
countries .

The experience of the ' Grameen Bank ' in Bangladesh is
taken into account in the preparation of projects concerning
small scale enterprise creation where social conditions are
favourable .

At the moment, a few project implemented in Sahelian
countries ( Senegal, Mali ) and other projects in preparation
in eastern Africa involve some hundreds of small businesses,
in an effort to encourage the mobilization of savings
through small credit disbursements .

However, Article 9 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC, which through small credit disbursements .
concerns derogations from the provisions of Articles 5, 6, 7
and 8, allows Member States to take steps to limit the impact
of these two fish-eating birds on fish stocks ( scaring away,
capture, etc .). The authority responsible must state that the
required conditions have been met and decide which means,
facilities or methods may be used, to what extent and by
whom . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1788 / 94

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

Several Member States have already had recourse to
Article 9 in similar circumstances . It is thus possible to deal (1 September 1994 )
with problems resulting from increases in bird populations ( 95 / C 24 / 59 )
which cause damage, without having to amend the
Directive .

Subject : Health inspectors and health officers

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 197 9 .

In certain German Lander the profession of ' health officer '
( Gesundheitsaufseher ) exists, in addition to that of ' health
inspector ' ( Gesundheitsinspektor ), for which it is necessary
to have a higher school leaving certificate .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 25

In which Member States do similar professions exist and is
training for these professions regulated ?

Is it necessary to introduce mutual recognition of the
relevant professional qualifications ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

There has been no harmonization at Community level of the
conditions regulating training for, access to and exercise
of the professions of ' Gesundheitsaufseher ' and
' Gesundheitsinspektor '. Member States may therefore enact
rules to be applied in their territory, provided however that
they are applied in a non-discriminatory fashion to their
own nationals and to other Community citizens .

Moreover, as there is no specific Directive governing the
recognition of diplomas in these professions, the diplomas
concerned are recognized in accordance with one of the
Directives setting out the general systems for recognition .

If, in the host Member State, the profession concerned is a
regulated one, i.e. access to the profession and its exercise
are subject to possession of certain qualifications, the
Directive applicable is either Directive 89 / 48 / EEC (*) on a
general system for the recognition of higher-education
diplomas ( where access to the profession is conditional on
holding a higher-education diploma awarded on completion
of professional education and training of at least three years ' .
duration ) or Directive 92 / 51 / EEC ( 2 ) on a second general
system for the recognition of professional education and
training to supplement Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( where the
diploma concerned is not covered by Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ).
Directive 89 / 48 / EEC entered into force on 4 January 1991,
Directive 92 / 51 / EEC on 18 June 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1789 / 94

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 60

Subject : Misleading use of indications of origin on
foodstuffs

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the
country of origin of products in general, non-packaged
goods in particular :

1 . Is the Commission aware of improper use of indications
of origin with the purpose of misleading consumers,
particularly in the case of fruit and vegetables and all
other non-packaged goods in the Member States ?

2 . Do uniform EU provisions exist on indications of origin
for non-packaged goods ?

3 . How can the use of rules on indications of origin to

discriminate against certain imports be consistent with
common market principles ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 September 1994 )

1 . Control of foodstuffs is the responsibility of the
authorities of the Member States . However, Article 14 ( 2 ) of
Council Directive 89 / 397 / EEC on the official control of
foodstuffs (*) lays down that Member States must send to
the Commission each year all the necessary information on
the implementation of their control programmes during the
previous year, including the types of infringement
established . On the basis of this information the

Commission sends the Member States a coordinated control

programme for the following year in the form of a
recommendation . To date, no particular problem involving
fraudulent indication of foodstuff origin has been raised .

The basic principle in both Directives is that the host
Member State may not refuse a migrant worker access in its
territory to a regulated profession on the ground that he
does not possess the necessary qualification if he holds a
diploma enabling him to exercise the same profession in his
Member State of origin . Only if the training received by the
migrant worker relates to matters that differ substantially
from those covered by the diploma required in the host
Member State may the competent authorities require the
worker either to complete an adaptation period or to take an
aptitude test, with the worker choosing between the two .

an or an 2&3 . Council Directive 79 / 112 / EEC on the labelling of
aptitude test, with the worker choosing between the two . foodstuffs ( 2 ), as last amended by Directive 93 / 102 / EEC ( 3 ),

applies to all prepackaged and non-prepackaged foodstuffs .

The professions heitsinspektor Commission of ' involve has ' Gesundheitsaufseher in no the information Member States ' about and or about what' Gesund how the ­ Article place only in of 3 cases origin ( 1 ) ( where 7 or ) of provenance the failure Directive to to give requires be such given particulars particulars on the labelling might of the
they are regulated . Any migrant worker wishing to obtain mislead the consumer as to the true origin or provenance of
information about these two professions in a particular the foodstuff . As for non-prepackaged foodstuffs, Article 12
Member State should contract the information centre of the Directive allows the Member States to decide whether
responsible for Directive 89 / 48 / EEC in the Member State in to require the provision of all of these particulars or not, and
which he wishes to work . to adopt the detailed rules concerning the manner in which

they are to be shown, provided that the consumer still
í 1 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 . receives sufficient information .

The Commission has no information about what the

professions of ' Gesundheitsaufseher ' and ' Gesund ­
heitsinspektor ' involve in the Member States or about how
they are regulated . Any migrant worker wishing to obtain
information about these two professions in a particular
Member State should contract the information centre

responsible for Directive 89 / 48 / EEC in the Member State in
which he wishes to work .

( 2 ) OJ No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992 .

However, Commission Regulations laying down quality

No C 24 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

standards for various fruits and vegetables also require the Finally, a proposal for a Council Regulation ( 5 ) concerning
product 's origin to be indicated on the labelling . the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain

substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of
(!) OJ No L 186, 30 . 6 . 1989 . beta-agonists ( 6 ) is currently being discussed by the Council
and the European Parliament .

standards for various fruits and vegetables also require the
product 's origin to be indicated on the labelling .

( 2 ) OJ No L 33, 8 . 2 . 1979 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 291, 25 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 790 / 94

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 61

(!) OJ No L 37, 13 . 2 . 1993 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 19 . 7 . 1993 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 26, 31 . 1 . 1977 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992 .

( 5 ) OJ No C 302, 9 . 11 . 1993 .

( 6 ) COM(93 ) 441 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1798 / 94

by Anne van Lancker ( PSE )

to the Council

Subject : IT ( International Testing ) study : ' Nitrates in (1 September 1994 )
vegetables, microbiological contamination of ( 95 / C 24 / 62 )
instant meals and growth promoters in meat '

Since this study is receiving Commission funding, what
consequences will it draw from the findings particularly
with regard to nitrate contamination of certain types of
vegetables and the need to maintain food safety standards of
instant meals throughout the entire production chain,
including distribution, given the large discrepancies which
obviously exist between the Member States concerning food
quality, food safety standards and relevant consumer
information ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

Subject : Threats to women from religious fundamentalists

in third countries

In several third countries with which the European Union
maintains relations, women are threatened and put in fear of
their lives by religious fundamentalists . This was recently
the case in Bangladesh and Algeria, among other countries .
Does the Council not think that these incidents are
violations of basic human rights and that the European
Union should institute the usual proceedings against these
countries ?

on behalf of the Commission Answer

( 23 September 1994 ) (4 November 1994 )

The study dealt with certain problems with regard to which
several of the Commission 's proposals have already led to
rules being adopted or drawn up .

Thus, under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 315 / 93 laying
down Community procedures for contaminants in food ( 1 ),
it will be possible to use the results of the study with a view
to fixing the maximum tolerances for certain contaminants,
in particular nitrates in vegetables .

With regard to the microbiological quality of pre-cooked
meals, attention is drawn to the fact that the preparation of
such meals is subject to the general rules laid down in
Council Directive 93 / 43 / EEC on the hygiene of
foodstuffs ( 2 ) and, in the case of meat-based pre-cooked
meals, the special rules established in Council Directive
77 / 99 / EEC on health problems affecting intra - Community
trade in meat products ( 3 ), as last amended by Directive
92 / 5 / EEC ( 4 ).

The European Union is committed to the protection of
human rights, as laid down in the universal declaration of
human rights and international human rights instruments .
The European Council of Luxembourg affirmed that the
promotion and protection of human rights constitutes one
of the cornerstone both of European cooperation and of
relations with third countries .

The European Union aims at the full respect and
implementation of the Vienna Declaration and programme
of action adopted by the World Conference of Human
Rights on June 25 1993 . In this context, it is worth recalling
that paragraph 1 of the declaration stresses that ' the
universal nature of human rights and fundamental freedoms
is beyond question ' and paragraph 9 states that the human
rights of women are an inalienable, integral and indivisible
part of universal human rights . Paragraph 5 of the same
declaration stresses the responsibility of governments to
protect and promote human rights : ' While the significance
of national and regional particularities and various

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 27

historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne
in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political,
economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all
human rights and fundamental freedoms .'

The European Union in multilateral and other fora has
repeatedly stressed its concern to ensure the full enjoyment
by women of all human rights and is participating fully in
preparations for the 1995 world conference on women . The
Council shares the concerns of the Honourable Member at

instances such as those he has cited .

The European Union favours an open, constructive
dialogue, critical where necessary, with the authorities of all
countries as well as with sections of civil society ( NGOs,
influential social and professional groups, including
women, youth, moral personalities, academics . . .). The
subject of human rights and the need to respect the dignity of
both man and woman is raised where appropriate at
political dialogue meetings with third countries . As in the
past, the EU is prepared to undertake demarches to
governments of States where and when circumstances
warrant, in order to ensure the full respect of all human
rights .

— women in the economy

— women in public life

— women in decision-making

— women and the media

— women and solidarity

— within European Society

— within other societies .

Issues of employment, education, health and violence are
covered in the paper, with special emphasis placed on the
last three in those parts dealing with solidarity with other
societies .

National coordinators participated in an informal
consultation process and their comments have been taken
into account .

(!) SEC(94 ) 1373 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1808 / 94

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 799 / 94 to the Commission

by Anne Van Lancker ( PSE )

(1 September 1994 )
to the Commission

( 95 / C 24 / 64 )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 63 )

Subject : Commission preparations for the United Nations

Conference on Women ( Peking 1995 )

What is the situation with regard to the Commission 's
preparations for the UN Conference on Women ( Peking

1995 ), specifically with regard to women 's employment,
education and health and in connection with measures to

combat violence against women ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 September 1994 )

A working paper of the Commission services regarding the
participation by the European Union in the Fourth World
Conference on Women ( J ) aims to produce an overall
conceptual framework on which to base the Union 's
contribution to the Economic Commission for Europe 's
conference in Vienna in October .

The document sets out strategic objectives for a number of

' critical areas of concern ':

Subject : Abolition of the international follow-up baggage

service for travellers

Italian Railways abolished the international follow-up
baggage service for travellers on 1 May 19 92 and replaced it
with a commercial freight service involving additional
charges which are quite heavy, particularly if one takes
account of the fact that it is the poorest people who mostly
use these services .

Italian Railways have misunderstood the Cotif Convention,
which was ratified and signed by the Italian Government .
The Convention defines the rail passenger and baggage
service ( CIV ) and distinguishes it clearly from the goods
service ( CIM ). Moreover, the cost of a part-load is now
mind-boggingly expensive and the service also takes a very
long time . A 30 kg package, for example, sent from
Luxembourg to Genoa costs Lfrs 5 310 ( Lit 260 000 ). No
precise date is given for when it will leave while it can take
between 8 and 15 days to arrive with the additional
disadvantage that, despite the ten-fold increase in cost,
travellers ' luggage will be conveyed on the same basis as a
bag of manure since no account is taken of the fact that such
goods might be suitcases belonging to passengers .

Will the Commission take action by adopting a Regulation
that will re-introduce the international follow-up baggage
service for travellers ?

No C 24 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Will it also adopt a series of measures to ensure that charges Answer given by Mr Flynn
appropriate for business or industry are not applied to on behalf of the Commission
private citizens ? ( 23 September 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 September 1994 )

The attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the
Commission reply to Written Question No 2996 / 92 ( J )
which treated a similar issue .

Although the Commission regrets that the general public
may experience some inconvenience from the withdrawal by
the Italian railways of the non-accompanied baggage
service, the matter is one for the railways to decide in the
light of their commercial interests . However, the attention
of the Honourable Member is drawn to the fact that the

Member States may intervene if it is considered justified to
provide a public service and compensate the railways for any
losses that they suffer . Provisions for the Member States to
ensure social services are found in Council Regulation
( EEC ) No 1893 / 91 ( 2 ) ( further information is provided in
the reply noted above ).

H OJ No C 106, 16 . 4 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 169, 29 . 6 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1812 / 94

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 65 )

Subject : Form El 01 and reciprocal arrangements

Form E101 issued by the British Department of Social
Security calls for recognition that the bearer pays British
social security charges and that therefore any local employer
does not have to deduct local social security from income
received . Between March — April 1993 and March — April

1994, a constituent worked for the Vlaamse Opera in
Antwerp and suffered deduction of Belgian social security
from a salary payment .

Would the Commission advise whether form El 01, issued

by the British Department of Social Security is recognized
for the purpose for which it was issued throughout the
European Union and are similar certificates reciprocally
recognized in all Member States ?

According to Article 13 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 on
the coordination of national social security schemes, an
employed or self-employed person is subject to the social
security legislation of only one Member State . As a general
rule this is the Member State of employment ( Article 13 of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 ).

Article 14 provides an exception to this in the case of a
worker sent by the undertaking which employs him to work
for it in another Member State provided the anticipated
duration of the work does not exceed one year and provided
he is not sent to replace another posted worker . In this case
he continues to be subject to the social security legislation of
the Member State where he normally works, and to pay
social security contributions to that Member State .

This exception to the general rule may be extended to two
years if the work lasts longer than expected and the Member
State in which the person is working agrees .

Similar rules apply to self-employed people who perform
work in the territory of another Member State

( Article 14 a ).

The procedure under Article 14 is that the social security
institution of the Member State where the person is
normally employed issues a certificate, a Form E 101, stating
that he will remain subject to the legislation it
administers .

The Commission has been informed that in recent years
problems have arisen in the application of these provisions .
The social security institutions of some Member States of
employment have refused to recognise the E 101 form
delivered by another Member State . In their view there was
no true posting because the worker did not have or maintain
a direct relationship with the company by which he was
employed . Similar problems have been raised in the case of
self-employed people . Some Member States have not
accepted the forms E 101 delivered to self-employed people
arguing that the person concerned could not be considered
as self-employed .

The Commission is discussing the problem with the
Member States in order to clarify the application of the
abovementioned provisions of Community law . A study of
the factual situation could establish a more objective basis
for this discussion and facilitate the adoption of concrete
solutions .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 29

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1816 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 66 )

Subject : Sale to a private individual of a historical and

cultural monument ( Noudar, Barrancos, Portugal )
which was restored with Community funding

The castle or fortress of Noudar, which comes under the
local authority of Barrancos, is an important historical and
cultural monument, parts of which can be dated to the
twelfth century ( the Islamic period ) and others to the
seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with
fragments from the Roman and late Roman periods . It was
listed as a national monument by a decree of 16 Tune

1910 .

Before the revolution of 25 April 1974, the fortress was
abandoned and the area inside the walls used by local
landowners to graze cattle and grow crops . At the initiative
of the local authorities, a major project, on which these same
authorities spent nearly 100 million escudos, was carried
out to restore the site . Funding was also provided by the
Operational Plan for the Mira-Gadiana Region and the
ERDF ; a huge further investment was made by the
Department for National Historical Sites . The castle, which
is of great interest to scholars, was thus restored and an area
for leisure, excursions and pilgrimages created, to the
benefit of both Portugal and Spain .

The recent news that the castle is to be sold as part of a
property deal to a private individual, for his exclusive use,
has aroused great indignation in the area as well as
considerable concern in cultural circles . In view of the

Government 's indifference — or indeed its support for this
arrangement — can the Commission do anything to prevent
Community funds which were provided for social and
communal purposes from being used for the commercial
interests and benefit of private individuals ?

monuments and was intended to develop a recreational area
to encourage local tourism .

The Commission has asked the Portuguese authorities for
further information about any real estate transactions
affecting Noudar castle so that it can check whether they
comply with Community rules . If it found that the changes
planned would render the project ineligible, the aid granted
would be recovered .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1817 / 94

by Luis Sa ( GUE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 67 )

Subject : Serious situation in East Timor

Violence has once again exploded in East Timor . Starting
with a series of incidents arising from the intolerance and
aggression of the Indonesian occupiers towards the deeply
rooted religious sentiments of the Timorese people, the
situation has deteriorated and developed into repressive
violence on a scale not seen since November 1991, when the
events in the cemetery of Santa Cruz led to a firm response
from the European Parliament which has been followed by
repeated demands that UN decisions be respected and the
people be given an opportunity to exercise the right of
self-determination .

Given that the current phase of installing the new European
Parliament makes it difficult to adopt urgent resolutions,
can the Council say, as a matter of urgency, whether it is
monitoring the situation and what steps it has taken or will
take to prevent the Timorese people from continuing to be
the victims of genocide, which the Indonesian occupying
power is perpetrating with impunity ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission Answer

( 23 September 1994 ) (4 November 1994 )

The municipality of Barrancos submitted the ' Castelo de
Noudar / area envolvente ' for Community finance under
measure 3 of sub-programme 2 in the Mira Guadiana
operational programme of the 1989-1993 Community
support framework .

The project was selected because the castle was considered a
national monument . It enjoyed the support of the institute
responsible for the protection and management of national

The European Union is continually monitoring the human
rights situation in East Timor, about which it remains deeply
concerned . As the Honourable Member of Parliament

knows, there was a statement released by the European
Union on 18 July 1994 in which ministers voiced their
concern on incidents in Dili which had heightened the
tension in the territory . In this statement, the European
Union reaffirmed the need for observance of human rights,
particularly freedom of worship and free access to the
territory for international organizations . The European

No C 24 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Union also recalled the efforts undertaken under the

auspices of the United Nations Secretary General with a
view to a just, lasting and internationally acceptable
solution to the East Timor question, with full respect for the
legitimate interests and aspirations of the East Timorese
people, in conformity with the principles embodied in the
UN Charter .

Following the publication of the statement, the European
Union had contacts with the Indonesian Government on this

matter .

The European Union continues its support for a dialogue
without preconditions between Portugal and Indonesia
under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General .
The respect for human rights being a vital prerequisite for a
lasting solution, the European Union calls upon the
Indonesian authorities to fully comply with all the relevant
decisions adopted by the Commission of Human Rights .

products from Spain and other Member States constitute a
serious problem about which the Commission has already
been seriously concerned for a number of years, particularly
since these occurences have ceased to be scattered impulsive
actions and given way to the present integrated and
structured plans for controlling supply from other Member
States .

The Commission wholeheartedly condemns these illegal
acts and has been monitoring very closely this year the
marketing of fruit and vegetables, and strawberries in
particular, so as to be able to take rapid action in response to
any incident .

2 . The Commission considers, as is has already stated on
several occasions, that under Community law it is
incumbent on the public authorities of the Member States to
take the measures necessary to prevent actions such as those
referred to above, which are an attack on the effective
operation of the internal market and the free movement of
goods .

QUESTION E-1818 / 94 A lapse in this duty constitutes failure to meet one of the

obligations of Member States under Article 30 of the EC

Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) Treaty and the legislation on the common organization of

to the Commission markets in conjunction with Article 5 of the EC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1818 / 94

by Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 68

Subject : Free movement of Spanish Goods in France

In recent months, groups of French farmers have attacked
lorries carrying Spanish farm produce, in particular
strawberries .

The French authorities do not appear to have reacted as
firmly as the attacks merited .

Resolutions on this topic by the European Parliament and
initiatives by various MEPs have failed to achieve the desired
effect .

What measures has the Commission taken to ensure that

Spanish produce can move freely and not be attacked with
impunity by citizens of Member States ?

Undoubtedly, the enforced stops and delays and the
pillaging and destruction of goods, which the forces of law
and order have failed to prevent, have resulted in direct
hindrances to trade in agricultural products from other
Member States in France . Furthermore, the climate of
uncertainty and insecurity resulting from the threats made
by certain organizations constitutes, directly, indirectly and
potentially, an obstacle to intra-Community trade .

3 . Given that the forces of law and order of the French

Republic on the one hand either failed to be present or failed
to take active measures to prevent such destruction, and on
the other hand did not take advantage of information
available to them to forestall such incidents, the
Commission has been forced to conclude that the preventive
and punitive measures which the French authorities assures
us it has taken are not adequate or appropriate to act as a
deterrent and put an end to these unacceptable practices and
behaviour, which are putting at risk the normal operation of
the internal market .

The Commission has therefore decided v to initiate the

Answer on behalf given of the by Commission Mr Steichen procedure for infringement of Article 169 of the EC Treaty

and has sent formal notice of complaint to the French
(4 October 1994 ) authorities .

1 . The acts of violence commited by certain French
producer groups and organizations against agricultural

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 31

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1819 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 69 )

Subject : The European Disabled People 's Parliament

On 3 December 1993 the ' European Disabled People 's
Parliament ' was held in Brussels . At this meeting a
resolution was adopted which is seen as being of great
importance for the consideration of the situation of disabled
Community citizens and, above all, in order to ensure that
the situation is considered with the active participation of
such citizens .

Can the Commission whether or not another ' European
Disabled People 's Parliament ' will be held on 3 December

1994 ( paragraph 2.4 of the resolution ) and if not, why
not ?

Can the Commission say to what extent the United Nations
framework rules for equality of opportunities for disabled
people are being implemented and whether it has published
or intends to publish a Green Paper on this subject

( paragraph 2.3 of the resolution )?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

Paragraph 23 of the White Paper ' European social policy —
A way forward for the Union ' (*) which was adopted by the
Commission on 27 July 1994 includes a commitment to
prepare an appropriate instrument endorsing the United
Nations ' standard rules on equalization of opportunities for
persons with disabilities .

The Commission is pursuing this within the context of its
action following the White Paper .

(M COM(94 ) 333 .
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 September 1994 )

The working group which was mandated by the European
disability forum to organize the European day of disabled
people in 1994 has decided that there will be no plans to
hold a ' European disabled people 's Parliament ' this year .

Instead, the focus in 1994 will be on the launching of a
comprehensive report covering the following four
fundamental issues : a definition of ' disabled people ',
bioethics, independent living and sexuality . This will be
presented on 1 December 1994 to MEPs and Commission
officials by disabled representatives in Brussels and to
national governments in all the Member States by leading
national organizations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 820 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 70 )

Subject : The European Disabled People 's Parliament

On 3 December 1993 the ' European Disabled People 's
Parliament ' was held in Brussels . At this meeting a
resolution was adopted which is seen as being of great
importance for the consideration of the situation of disabled
Community citizens and, above all, in order to ensure that
the situation is considered with the active participation of
such citizens .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1822 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 71 )

Subject : Unemployment and job creation in the EC

Following an employment growth initiative taken by the
European Council in December 1992, the White Paper
which focused on the issue of unemployment and the part of
it which was adopted at the European Council in December

1993, the Corfu European Council considered the
employment situation ' extremely worrying '.

Despite the signs of economic recovery which are being seen
as a clear intention to revive a feeling of confidence, none of
the various sources producing forecasts has gone so far as to
forecast an improvement in the employment situation .

In this context, the Portuguese Government, during the
election campaign, announced an initiative for employment
which it subsequently said had been accepted at Corfu .
Irrespective of other measures which we intend to take in
Parliament, can the Commission say whether this ' initiative '
has new features which make it different from the

Community initiatives which were proving problematic and
unsuccessful and whether these new elements may lead to a
' review ' of the White Paper, making it more effective in
actually creating jobs ?

No C 24 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1994 )

The European Council at Corfu had an in-depth discussion
on the different elements of the follow-up to the White
Paper decided at the Brussels European Council . At the end
of the discussion it asked the Social Affairs Council, the
Ecofin Council and the Commission to keep progress in this
area under constant review . The European Council at E&en
will examine a detailed report on all aspects of the follow-up
to the White Paper .

The European Council noted the initiative of the Portuguese
Prime Minister on the local dimension of the internal

market . It considered that local development initiatives offer
considerable potential for reinforcing the economic and
social fabric of the European Union and for creating jobs .
They are an essential element of the new model of
development mentioned in the White Paper . Between now
and the meeting at Essen, the Commission will draw up an
inventory of the various actions at Community level to
foster local development and local employment initiatives,
accompanied by the necessary proposals to enhance the
consistency and effectiveness of those actions .

These activities do not alter the nature or the strategy of the
White Paper, but are part of the procedure for following up
the action plan agreed at the Brussels European Council
with detailed practical policy proposals for implementing
that strategy .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 823 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 72

Subject : Customs agents and Regulation ( EEC ) No
3904 / 92

At the meeting of the European Parliament 's Committee on
Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy held
at the end of April, Commissioner Scrivener made an
important statement on Regulation ( EEC ) No 3904 / 92 (*)
which was adopted to help customs and forwarding agents
to cope with the impact of the internal market on their
profession .

The Commissioner said that monitoring committees
consisting of representatives of the Member States and the
Commission would meet in May this year and she would
suggest that representatives of those working in the sector
might attend the meetings as observers .

At a meeting with the Portuguese Chamber of official
forwarding agents on 10 May, the representatives said that
they were extremely concerned about the situation and did
not know to what extent Regulation ( EEC ) No 3904 / 92 was
being applied and whether these meetings were being
held .

Can the Commission say whether the monitoring
committees are meeting in Portugal, what is preventing
representatives of the sector from taking part in such
meetings as observers, as Commissioner Scrivener
proposed, and what results the meetings are producing ?

(!) OJ No L 394, 31 . 12 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1994 )

The Commission can confirm to the Honourable Member

that the monitoring committee on the implementation in
Portugal of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3904 / 92 was inaugurated
and held its first meeting in Lisbon on 29 July 1994 .

Four representative bodies — Clecat ( the European Liaison
Committee of Common Market Forwarders ), two trade
unions and an association of small businesses — attended

the meeting as observers .

The monitoring committee meeting enabled the interested
parties to be fully briefed . A national assistance scheme for
the sector has been introduced in Portugal 's case . Essentially
it extends to the whole country the existing assistance
scheme for small investment initiatives set up under the
Interreg Programme and designed to promote redeployment
after the abolition of tax and customs border controls .

Under the system adopted by Portugal the assistance
granted directly by the Community ( ECU 2 757 899 ) will be
reserved for the co-financing of projects put forward by
firms of customs and forwarding agents . 105 such projects
have been set up .

The Commission will forward details of these projects to the
Honourable Member without delay as soon as they have
been finalized .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 826 / 94

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 73 )

Subject : Medical examinations at work

What requirements exist in the various Member States
concerning medical examinations for employees ? Are there
any common rules in this area, and should not the rules on

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 33

medical examinations generally be coordinated to avoid
arbitrary discrepancies in treatment ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 828 / 94

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 827 / 94 ( 95 /C 24 / 75 )

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 74 )

Subject : Medical examinations at work

In the light of a specific case in this connection which
resulted in dismissal, does not the Commission think that
there should be common rules on health requirements for
employees, which could be applied in negotiations with
third countries so as to prevent discrimination against
workers employed in a Member State ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-l 826 / 94 and E-1827 / 94

given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

Council Directive 89 / 391 / EEC (*) on the introduction of
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and
health of workers at work provides ( Article 14 ) that in order
to ensure that workers receive health surveillance

appropriate to the health and safety risks they incur at work,
measures shall be introduced in accordance with national

law and practices . The measures shall be such that each
worker, if he so wishes, may receive health surveillance at
regular intervals . Health surveillance may be provided as
part of a national health system .

Beyond the provisions laid down in the framework Directive
89 / 391 / EEC, individual Directives on the protection of
health and safety at work include rules on health
surveillance as well, viz 90 / 270 / EEC ( 2 ) on work with
display screen equipment, 90 / 394 / EEC ( 3 ) on carcinogens,
90 / 679 / EEC ( 4 ) on biological agents, 92 / 91 / EEC ( 5 ) on
mineral-extracting industries through drilling and
92 / 104 / EEC ( 6 ) on surface and underground
mineral-extracting industries .

Member States have to bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with
these acts within a fixed deadline .

(!) OJ No L 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 156, 21 . 6 . 1990 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 196, 26 . 7 . 1990 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 348, 28 . 11 . 1992 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 404, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

Subject : The pharmaceutical product Metrodin HP

The pharmaceutical product Metrodin HP, a
follicle-stimulating hormone ( FSH ), received the favourable
opinion of the CPMP on 9 February 1993 .

After over 16 months from the CPMP opinion the product is
not yet on the market in 6 of 12 Member States, namely
Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and the
Netherlands .

As stated by Directive 65 / 65 / EEC (*) Article 7, the Member
State should grant the market authorization within 120
days, or, in special cases, in 210 days from the date of
submission of the dossier .

Would the Commission explain the reasons for such a
delay ?

Has the Commission yet taken any initiative for the respect
by the Member States of the abovementioned EEC
Directive ?

If not, is it the Commission 's intention to take any action in
order to guarantee the right of European citizens to have at
their disposal a medicinal speciality which has already been
approved at European level ?

(!) OJ No L 22, 9 . 2 . 1965, p . 369 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

Metrodin HP ( human follicle stimulating hormone ) which is
used for the stimulation of follicular development, is a
medicinal product produced by one of the biotechnological
processes mentioned in List A of the Annex to Directive

87 / 22 / EEC, and was therefore referred to the Committee for
proprietary medicinal products for opinion . Italy and the
United Kingdom acted as rapporteurs and a favourable
opinion of this Committee was issued on 10 February

1993 .

In accordance with Article 4.4 of Directive 87 / 22 / EEC,
Member States inform the Committee on the action they
have taken following the Committee 's opinion . In addition
to the Member States listed by the Honourable Member ( i.e.
Belgium, Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands and
Portugal ), the Committee has been informed that Denmark

No C 24 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

( 10 March 1993 ), Spain (2 April 1993 ), Luxembourg

( 22 April 1993 ), and the United Kingdom ( 22 September
1993 ) have also authorized the medicinal product . Final
decisions are still awaited from Germany and Ireland .

Further to the opinion in February 1993, the Commission
has closely followed the progress of all Member States, and
has repeatedly invited Member States to update the position
(a written report is prepared eight times a year and
outstanding national actions are highlighted ). The most
recent request was in July 1994 .

The opinion of the Committee for proprietary medicinal
products is a scientific opinion addressed to Member States .
Authorization of medicinal products is a competence of
each Member State and the administrative measures

necessary to implement an opinion as an authorization
remain national .

The Commission has already taken initiatives to ensure that
European citizens have access to important new medicinal
products and as a consequence of the proposal of the
Commission, a European Agency for the evaluation of
medicinal products is being set up, and will commence
operations on the 1 January 1995 . Thus for medicinal
products such as Metrodin HP which are derived from
biotechnology processes, an authorization valid for the
Community market will be possible, and will guarantee the
right of all patients to have available medicinal products
which have been approved at European level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 829 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 76

Subject : Dental health inequalities

Would the Commission explain the current approach it is
taking in the context of WHO Year of Oral Health, to health
education strategies employed to address the dental health
inequalities amongst ethnic communities and host
populations and further what, if any, measures are in place
to improve the situation in the long term ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 September 1994 )

Pursuant to Article 129 ( Public Health ) of the EC Treaty, the
Commission has adopted a communication on the
framework for action in the field of public health (*). In view

of the priorities mentioned in that communication, the
Commission has not taken specific action in relation to the
Year of Oral Health promoted by the World Health
Organization .

Together with the WHO and the Council of Europe, the
Commission is currently setting up the European Network
of Health Promoting Schools . The aim is to promote health
education in schools and the adoption of healthy lifestyles .
This covers in particular personal and oral hygiene .

On 11 August 1994 the Commission transmitted to the
Council a communication and proposal for a decision on a
programme of Community action ( 1995-1999 ) on health
promotion ( information, education and vocational
training ) ( 2 ). In this context it is planned to encourage
healthy lifestyles, including oral hygiene, with special
reference to certain population groups particularly at
risk .

(!) COM(93 ) 559 .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 202 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1831 / 94

by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 77

Subject : Directive 79 / 7 / EEC on equal treatment of men and

women — invalidity benefit

The Commission will be aware of the decision by the UK

Secretary of State and the Adjudication Officer ( jointly ) to
appeal against a decision of the Security Commissioner, that
the different treatment of men and women in the matter of

invalidity benefit is not permitted under Directive
79 / 7 / EEC ( J ).

The Commission will be further aware that the Court of

Appeal has referred the matter to the European Court of
Justice for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of the

Directive, and has suspended payments of this benefit until a
decision has been made by the ECJ .

Is the Commission aware that this suspension is causing
great hardship to many women in the United Kingdom and
will continue to do so until the matter is resolved ?

Does the Commission view the action adopted by the British
Government to be in line with the spirit and intention of the
directive, or another typical attitude of the Tory
government, ensuring further hardship of this class of
vulnerable people ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 35

Will the Commission seek to facilitate an early resolution of
this matter .

(!) OJ No L 6, 10 . 1 . 1979, p . 24 .

If it is considered that these forms of discrimination do in

fact contravene Directive 79 / 7 / EEC because they are not
covered by Article 7(l)(a ), the persons concerned may
invoke Article 4(1 ) before national courts, as the Court of
Justice has affirmed on several occasions .

At this Stage, the Commission prefers to await the Court 's
ruling in case C-92 / 94 before taking any further action
Answer given by Mr Flynn against the British authorities .
on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1994 )

The Commission has already contacted the British
authorities concerning the matter mentioned by the
Honourable Member following the Court of Justice
judgment of 30 March 1993 in case C-328 / 91 ( Thomas and
others ) concerning the awarding of certain invalidity
benefits in the United Kingdom without discrimination on
grounds of sex .

However, as the Honourable Member points out, a new
case is currently before the Court of Justice, seeking
clarification of the Thomas judgment and the application of
Directive 79 / 7 / EEC in public invalidity insurance schemes in
the United Kingdom .

More specifically, in case C-92 / 94 ( Secretary of State v.
Graham and others ), the British Court of Appeal is seeking
clarification from the Court of Justice on the real scope of
the derogation from the principle of equal treatment for men
and women laid down in Article 7(1 ) ( a ) of Directive
79 / 7 / EEC on equal treatment for men and women in matters
of social security .

According to this Article, Member States are entitled to
exclude from the Directive 's scope the determination of
pensionable age for the purpose of granting old-age and
retirement pensions and the possible consequences thereof
for other benefits .

In the United Kingdom the retirement ages for men and
women are different ( 60 for women, 65 for men ), and UK
invalidity insurance legislation therefore contains certain
differences of treatment between men and women linked to

this difference in retirement age . In particular :

1 . The entitlement to invalidity pension is different for men
and women between the ages of 60 and 65, as is
calculation of the pension amount .

2 . Women who become disabled between the ages of 55

and 60 are not entitled to claim invalidity benefit .

The Court is therefore asked to rule on the compatibility of
these forms of discrimination with Directive 79 / 7 / EEC, and
more particularly with Article 4(1 ) which prohibits any
direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of sex, in
combination with Article 7(1 )( a ) which authorises certain
forms of discrimination .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1835 / 94

by Wilhelm Piecyk ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 78 )

Subject : VAT arrangements within the internal market —

new motor vehicles

Are there special arrangements for Portugal and Greece
which entitle these two countries to withhold registration
taxes on new vehicles when these are re-imported into
Germany ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

It is a matter for each individual Member State to decide

whether to provide for a refund of registration tax which has
been charged on vehicles which are subsequently moved to
another Member State .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 842 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 79 )

Subject : Solar energy

Has the Commission undertaken any research into mass
production of solar cells, following the technical
breakthrough in solar cell technology at the University of
New South Wales, Australia, announced in May this
year ?

If not, are there any plans to undertake such photovoltaic
research ?

No C 24 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

Research into mass production of photovoltaic cells is one
of the main topics in the renewable energies part of the
specific programme ' Clean and efficient energy
technologies ', which will form part of the Fourth
Framework Programme of Community activities in the field
of research, technological development and demonstration
( 1994-1998 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 843 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 80

The removal from the market of certain products which do
not meet the above criteria is considered by the Member
States on a case-by-case basis in consultation with all groups
concerned, in particular the representatives of industry and
animal health . Any risk is evaluated in terms of the benefit of
having safer, more efficient medicinal products available .

The Honourable Member also refers to the question of
registration fees for veterinary medicinal products, which
she considers to be exorbitant . As far as the European
Agency is concerned, Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2309 / 93 stipulates that the revenues of the Agency
consist of a contribution from the Community and the fees
paid by undertakings for obtaining and maintaining a
Community marketing authorization . In accordance with
Article 58 of the above Regulation, the Commission sent the
Council on 27 May 1994 ( 3 ) a proposal for a Regulation
establishing the structure and amount of these fees . This
proposal takes due account of the specific nature of the
veterinary sector and suggests that the rates should be much
higher than for the evaluation of medicinal products for
human use .

(!) OJ No L 317, 6 . 11 . 1981 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 .

Subject : Animal health ( 3 ) COM(94 ) 167 final .

Is the Commission aware of the concern that due to EU

provisions there is a danger of reduced availability of animal
medicines for use by veterinarians ? The problems being
cited amongst others include exorbitant registration fees,
continual change in regulations and lack of harmonization .
What plans does the Commission have to address the
problem ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 844 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

The first Directives on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the registration of veterinary
medicinal products were adopted by the Council in 1981

( Directives 81 / 851 / EEC and 81 / 852 / EEC of 28 September
1981 ( : )). Since then, the Commission has made further
efforts towards harmonization in this field in close

cooperation with the Member States . To this end, the
abovementioned Directives have each been amended three

times in order to render the definitions of the criteria of

quality, safety and effectiveness, which are the basis on
which the authorities grant authorization for the placing of
veterinary medicinal products on the market, more and
more precise and unequivocal . The most recent amendment
in 1993 ( Directive 93 / 40 / EEC ( 2 )) was made in the context
of the setting up of the European Agency for the Evaluation
of Medicinal Products and constitutes a decisive step
towards the harmonization of the individual decisions
granting authorization for the placing of medicinal products
on the market . The protection of human and animal health
and the environment are essential factors and are taken into

account in the drafting of harmonized Community
provisions .

( 95 / C 24 / 81 )

Subject : Pensioners

Will the Commission set up a second European Action
Programme for older people to run from 1995 to 1999 ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 September 1994 )

In line with the undertaking given in the White Paper
' '
European social policy — a way forward for the Union ( 1 ),
the Commission is in the process of formulating a proposal
for a Council Decision for further actions to help meet the
challenges of an ageing population .

(M COM(94 ) 333 .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 845 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 82 )

Subject : People and development

What is the Commission 's response to the call by the EU
Non-governmental Organization Forum for 25 per cent of
EU spending on development to be devoted to ' human
development ' projects, such as basic education and health
care, sanitation and rural water supplies ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commisision

( 26 September 1994 )

Forum is right to call for 25 % of Community spending on
development to be devoted to human development projects
such as basic education, health, and water supplies,
inasmuch as that kind of investment is vital for many
developing countries, especially the poorest .

However, we know that the needs of developing countries
vary from one region to another around the world . In some
of the more advanced countries a substantial proportion of
such projects is already under way, though they are still far
from meeting all their needs . The great variety in the
development cooperation projects undertaken by the
Community in different regions of the world reflects this
fact . In some countries, priority is given to economic,
industrial, and technological cooperation . In others, ' human
development ' projects are much more important .

In Latin America, for example, half of all annual aid ( some
ECU 380 million, all budget headings combined ) is devoted
directly to combating poverty through humanitarian
projects aimed at improving living standards for the very
poorest . In addition, almost half of all spending under
budget heading B7-3010 ( financial and technical
cooperation with the devloping countries of Latin America ),
which accounts for almost 50 % of total commitments, is
devoted either to human development as such, or to
financing specific anti-poverty elements of larger projects,
e.g. integrated rural development programmes .

On the other hand, since the aid budgets of the Community,
and the Member States are finite, they must maintain an
appropriate balance between basic investment
( infrastructure spending ) and human development
projects .

Forum 's target of 25 % of aid therefore means little as it
stands . Community aid should not be considered in

isolation from that of the Member States and other major
donors . In fact, any measure of aid devoted to human
development in developing countries ought to cover
Community aid and Member States ' aid taken together,
assuming that the two could be better aligned .

It is nonetheless true that the Member States should accord

far more importance to human development — especially
health and basic education — than they do at present . That
is why the Community and the Member States are in the
process of adopting common principles, covering these and
other fields, with a view to both increasing the amount of aid
given and targeting it better on certain key needs of
developing countries and, in particular, on the poorest .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 847 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 83 )

Subject : Air quality

Given the increase in air pollution in urban areas,
particularly from increased motor traffic, and its effects on
public health, in particular, the incidence of asthma amongst
children, will the Commission bring forward a Directive on
air quality ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1994 )

Current Directives concerning air quality are
80 / 779 / EEC (*) amended by 89 / 427 / EEC ( 2 ) on sulphur
dioxide and suspended particulates, 82 / 884 / EC ( 3 ) on lead,
85 / 203 / EEC ( 4 ) on nitrogen dioxide and 92 / 72 / EEC ( 5 ) on
ozone . The Commission is preparing a communication on
the implementation of these Directives, with exception of
that on ozone which only came into force in March 1994,
for presentation to the Council and the Parliament later this

year .

A proposal for a new Directive on ambient air quality
assessment and management ( 6 ) was adopted by the
Commission on 4 July 1994 . The aim is to define the basic
principles of a common strategy to establish objectives for
air quality, to prevent or limit harmful effects on human
health and the environment as a whole, to assess air quality
in Member States in a uniform manner, to make available

No C 24 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

public information on air quality and to maintain good air
quality and improve poor air quality .

0 ) OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 201, 14 . 7 . 1989 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 378, 31 . 12 . 1982 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 87, 27 . 3 . 1985 .
( 5 ) OJ No L 297, 13 . 10 . 1992 .
( 6 ) COM(94 ) 109 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 850 / 94

by Floras Wiisenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

{9 SIC 24 / 84 )

Subject : Forwarding agents hit by fraud

1 . Is the Commission aware that the checking of customs
documents has become more difficult and that fraud has

become more common since the disappearance of Europe 's
internal frontiers ?

2 . Is it true that increasing numbers of forwarding
agents, in particular firms established in the Port of
Rotterdam, are often instructed by criminal organizations
to make out documents for the importation of goods which,
the latter claim, are to leave the EU but in fact do not do

so ?

3 . Is it true that, as a result, the tax service is losing an
estimated total of Fl 1,5 billion in revenue, which it then tries
to recover from the forwarding agents ?

4 . Does the Commission intend to take action to prevent
forwarding agents bearing the full brunt of the alarming
increase in this type of fraud ?

— If so, what action and when ?

— If not, why not ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1994 )

1 . The increase in frauds and irregularities in the transit
area that has been noted in recent years does not seem to be
linked specifically with the completion of the internal
market . These phenomena are largely the result of the
emergence of new trade flows with the countries of eastern
and central Europe . The customs administrations, which

remain responsible for customs controls within their
respective territories, have implemented administrative
cooperation actions, under the coordination of the
Commission, in order to combat fraud at Community level .
In addition, the Community has strengthened its legal
provisions by concluding mutual administrative assistance
agreements with the other European partners concerned
( PECO, EEA, . . .). A number of successes have been
registered in this area, in particular following Community
administrative cooperation missions in certain European
countries or as a result of coordinated surveillance

operations .

2 . The Commission is indeed informed, in particular
under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1468 / 81 on mutual
assistance in the customs area (*), of irregularities
concerning the withdrawal from transit of products covered
by transit documents issued by customs agents in
Rotterdam, the destination of which was declared as being a
customs office at the external frontier of the Community,
their final destination being supposedly a third country . The
transit documents were left undischarged or were
discharged irregularly, for example using a false stamp of
the office of destination . The organisers of these frauds,
judging from most of the fraud lines that have been
dismantled, are most often well-organized criminal
networks, the organizers of which are in certain cases based
outside the Community 's territory .

3 . The Commission is not in a position at this stage to
confirm the amount of the customs debts established in the

Netherlands specifically in this connection . The
Community 's Customs Code ( Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2913 / 92 ( 2 )) does indeed provide that, in the event of
irregularities, the principal, as the person to whom the
external Community transit document is issued, is
responsible for the payment of any customs debt or other
charges that may be incurred in respect of the goods .

4 . Community traders who accept, in exchange for
payment, to act as principals for transit operations on behalf
of other traders, are well aware of their responsibilities and
of the risks involved in these operations . As has been stated
on many occasions to the representatives of their trade
federations, they must exercise the greatest caution with
regard to the operations for which they accept to act as
' principal '. In this way, moreover, they can contribute to
combating these illicit practices by making them more
difficult to carry out . Any reduction of their responsibilities
as regards recovery of duties would be to the detriment of
the safeguard of the Community 's financial interests, and
the protection of legitimate trade, which the Commission

cannot countenance .

5 . Given the increase in irregularities established in the
area of Community transit, the Commission has included
the improvement and computerization of this regime as
priority matters in its anti-fraud work programme for

1994 .

Together with the efforts of the authorities of the Member
States, this should lead to the strengthening of the regime in

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 39

order to avoid such frauds and thus limit the financial

consequences for the principals .

(!) OJ No L 144, 2 . 6 . 1981 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 302, 19 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1851 / 94

by Floras Wiisenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 85 )

Subject : Threatened boycott of scrapping-scheme
contribution by skipper 's organizations

1 . Is it true that, in April 1994, the Council of Ministers
took a last-minute decision to extend the restrictive

old-for-new arrangements for a further five years ?

2 . Is it true that the European skippers ' organizations,
ESO and IUIN, have repeatedly urged the Commission to
again tighten up the old-for-new arrangements for the
scrapping of vessels in order to adapt the scheme to the state
of the inland waterways market ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that these two

organizations, which represent the whole of the western
European inland waterways sector, have even threatened to
boycott the scrapping-scheme contribution if the changes
they want are postponed ?

4 . Does the Commission appreciate that modernization
and the opening of markets, notably by abolishing the
old-fashioned and archaic system of chartering by rotation,
are the only way of helping inland waterway skippers to
keep their heads above water and that increased scrapping
premiums are certainly not the answer ?

5 . Does the Commission intend to take action to open up
markets and liberalize the sector in order to reduce surplus
capacity ?

2 . It is correct that the organizations of inland waterway
operators as mentioned by the Honourable Member, have
jointly requested the Commission to revise the ratio between
old and new tonnage currently set at 1 : 1 and to introduce a
ratio of 1,5 : 1 having for effect that for each tonne of
carrying capacity newly brought into service 1,5 tonnes of
old capacity would have to be scrapped .

3 . The Community 's fleet size control policy in inland
navigation has the general support of UINF ( Union
Internationale de la Navigation Fluviale ) and ESO

( Organization europeenne de bateliers ). The Commission is
not aware of any threats of a boycott by these organizations,
as mentioned by the Honourable Member .

4 . The Commission 's general views on scrapping policy,
market organization and tour-de-role have been set out
recently in the Commission 's report on the organization of
the inland waterways transport market ( 2 ). From this report
it follows that the Commission is in favour of progressive
liberalization, resulting in the gradual abolition of the
tour-de-rdle systems, accompanied by measures taken at
Community level to counteract the structural
overcapacity .

5 . It is the Commission 's intention to present legislative
proposals along the lines as indicated in the report referred
to above, after having heard the views of the Member States
and other parties concerned .

(!) OJ No L 98, 16 . 4 . 1994 .

( 2 ) SEC(94 ) 921 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1852 / 94

by David Bowe ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 86

Subject : Standards for sanitary protection

— If so, what action and when ? Will the Commission consider introducing European

standards for female sanitary protection, which would
— If not, why not ? include :

1 . An indication of their absorbency, based on a standard

test ;

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1994 )

1 . On 12 April 1994 the Council decided to extend the
old-for-new rule in inland navigation for another period of
five years ( see Regulation ( EEC ) No 844 / 94 (*)).

2 . an indication of their environment friendliness, with
regard to their bio-degradability, chlorine content and
content of natural fibres ;

3 . a warning concerning the dangers of Toxic Shock
Syndrome printed clearly on the outside of the
packaging ?

No C 24 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1994 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission 's

answers to Written Questions Nos 3286 / 92 ( l ) from Mr Ian
White and 851 / 93 from Mr Kostopoulos ( 2 ).

(!) OJ No C 145, 25 . 5 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 350, 29 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1853 / 94

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 87 )

In calculating the autonomous amount, the competent
institution of a Member State is not obliged to take into
consideration periods of insurance completed under the
legislations of other Member States .

In calculating the pension under Articles 45 and 46 of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71, the competent institution
first calculates the theoretical amount, in other words the
amount of benefit that the person concerned could claim if
all the periods of insurance completed under the legislations
of the Member States to which the person concerned has
been subject had been completed in the Member State in
question .

It follows that, for the purposes of calculating the theoretical
amount, the competent institution must consider as
insurance periods the periods completed by the person
concerned and recognized as such by the legislation of
another Member State, even if there was no obligation to
take these periods into account in the Member State of the
competent institution ( 3 ).

Subject : Pension rights On the basis of this theoretical amount the competent
institution then established the actual amount of the

Can citizens ' service in the army of a Member State other pension, in the ratio which the length of the periods of
than their own be included in the calculation of pension insurance completed under the legislation administered by
rights in their own Member State ? that institution bears to the total length of the periods of

insurance completed under the legislations of all the
Member States concerned .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

As the Court of Justice has stressed on various occasions ( ! )
the Community social security regulations, based on
Article 51 of the EC Treaty, are not aimed at harmonizing
the various social security systems operating within the
Community but simply at coordinating them .

It is therefore up to each Member State to define, in its
legislation, the conditions entitling or obliging people to join
a social security scheme or a particular branch of a similar
scheme, although it must not discriminate between its own
citizens and nationals from other Member States ( 2 ).

When a person covered by Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71
has been subject to the legislation of two or more Member
States, the competent institution of each Member State
concerned must calculate the pension which would be
due :

— on the one hand, under the legislation applied by that

institution ( autonomous pension );

— on the other hand, under Articles 45 and 46 of

Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 ( Community pension ).

The person concerned is entitled to the highest theoretical
amount from the competent institution of each Member
State in question .

I 1 ) Judgments of 5 July 1967 ( Case 2 / 67, DeMoor, Rec . 1967,243

and Case 9 / 67, Colditz, Rec . 1967, 285 ), 10 November 1971

( Case 27 / 71 ), Keller, Rec . 1971, 885 ), 6 December 1973 ( Case
140 / 73, Mancuso, Rec . 1973, 1449 ), 25 November 1975 ( Case
50 / 75, Massonet, Rec . 1975, 1473 ), 6 March 1979 ( Case
100 / 78, Rossi, Rec . 1979, 831 ), 12 June 1980 ( Case 733 / 79,
Laterza, Rec . 1980, 1915 ), 9 July 1980 ( Case 807 / 79, Gravina,
Rec . 1980, 2205 ), and 15 January 1986 ( Case 41 / 84, Pinna I,
Rec . 1986, 1 ).

( 2 ) Judgments of 12 July 1979 ( Case 266 / 78, Brunori, Rec . 1979,

2705 ) and 24 April 1980 ( Case 110 / 79, Coonan, Rec . 1980,

1445 ).
( 3 ) Judgment of 15 December 1993 ( Joined Cases C-l 13 / 92,
C-l 14 / 92, and C / 156 / 92, Rec . 1993, 6707 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1855 / 94

by Richard Balfe ( PSE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 88 )

Subject : Wines and spirits

Wine and spirit importers and wholesalers in the United
Kingdom have — since the inception of the Single Market —

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 41

suffered unfair competition . This is because the removal of
boundaries has led to a vast increase in the volume of goods
bought duty-paid in France and elsewhere within the Union
where duty rates are nil or negligible . These goods are
brought in legally and illegally by Britons returning
home .

What steps can the European Council take to remove this
blatant distortion of trade ?

Answer

( 18 October 1994 )

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that,
pursuant to Article 8 of Directive 92 / 84 / EEC on the
approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and
alcoholic beverages, the rates fixed by the Directive will be
subject to regular examination on the basis of a report from
the Commission, taking into account inter alia the proper
functioning of the internal market and the wider objectives
of the Treaty . The first examination by the Council must
take place before 1 January 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1857 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 90 )

Subject : Exclusion of Greece from the International
Telecommunications Network

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is
reported to have agreed to finance an International
Telecommunications Network linking Italy, Turkey, the
Ukraine and Russia . It would have been natural for the

network to pass through Greece and this could have had
significant benefits as regards the modernization and
improvement of Greek telecommunications . However,
current plans indicate that Greece will be by-passed since a
submarine cable is to be laid south of Crete, linking up Italy
with Turkey ( Istanbul ) and then branching out to the other
countries concerned .

Will the Commission say whether it is aware of these plans
and whether it intends to make representations to the above
Bank to ensure that Greece is included in this International

Telecommunications Network ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 September 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 856 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 89

Subject : Isle of Man environmental clean-up

Will the Commission consider whether in principle monies
could be available to help the Isle of Man sharply reduce
polluting discharge to the Irish Sea ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

The Commission is not in a position to grant financial
assistance to help reduce polluting discharges since the Isle
of Man is not eligible under the Structural Funds . Moreover,
it should be noted that in the field of the environment, the
only funds available are those allocated to LIFE, a financial
instrument which is aimed at other types of projects .

It is correct that in 1994 the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development signed an agreement with
the Ukrainian national telecommunications operator
concerning a loan to finance the linking of Ukraine to the
ITUR ( Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia ) network of
optical-fibre submarine telecommunications cables in the
Mediterranean and the Black Sea .

According to the Commission 's information, the Greek
telecommunications operator, OTE, had all necessary
information on the ITUR project at its disposal in good time ;
after a 1993 plan to link a Franco-Greek submarine cable to
the ITUR network came to nothing, OTE decided to
withdraw from the project . The promoters of the ITUR
network decided on the route for their cables by reference to
the minimum-cost option and, in doing so, they took into
account the firm orders they had received .

However, it is the Commission 's understanding that the
ITUR cables will by no means be saturated by the predicted
volume of telecommunications traffic . A subsequent link to
Greece would therefore be technically possible and in the
economic interests of the promoters of the project if OTE
were to express a wish for that link to be established .

It is therefore clear that Greece has by no means been
deliberately excluded from the project financed by the
Bank .

No C 24 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1858 / 94

by Enrico Ferri ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 91 )

Subject : Free movement of vehicles

In spite of assertions regarding the principle of freedom of
movement and the status of European citizen, both of which
are guaranteed under the Maastricht Treaty, appropriate
rules relating to freedom of movement and the freedom to
purchase motor vehicles have not been adopted in a number
of European Union Member States .

1 . In the Commission 's view, can a citizen of the Union
purchase a motor vehicle in a country other than the
country of residence, and has such a purchase the same
legal status as a purchase made by a citizen of the
country in which the vehicle was purchased ?

2 . In the Commission 's view, is a citizen ( an Italian one, for
example ) free to drive a motor-car bearing the number
plate of another Member State ?

3 . In the Commission 's view, should the customs plate not
be abolished as a matter of urgency in view of the fact
that customs barriers were removed on 1 January

1993 ?

normal residence . The temporary, tax-free use of vehicles in
Member States other than that in which they are registered is
governed by Council Directive 83 / 182 / EEC . Under that
Directive, such use is permitted on two conditions : firstly,
the user must have his normal residence in a Member State

other than that in which the vehicle is being temporarily
used ; and secondly, the vehicle must be intended either for
private use or for certain types of business use . The most
obvious example is that of a tourist . Moreover, the vehicle
may not be disposed of or hired out in the Member State of
temporary use, or lent to a resident of that Member State . As
a result, a person who has his normal residence in a Member
State may not, in principle, use in that Member State a
vehicle registered in another Member State .

The Directive does, however, allow Member States to apply
more liberal arrangements if they so wish .

3 . Temporary number plates are still used in some
Member States to identify vehicles purchased there but
intended for export after a short period . This makes it
possible to avoid paying registration or road tax in the
Member State of purchase on vehicles which are not
remaining there .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1860 / 94

by Lyndon Harrison ( PSE )

to the Council
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission (1 September 1994 )

( 20 September 1994 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 92 )

1 . Union citizens may purchase vehicles in Member
States other than that in which they are resident . As regards
the procedures for the inspection and registration of vehicles
previously registered in another Member State, the
Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to its communication 88 / C 281 / 08 . This

communication, an updated version of which will shortly be
published, is intended to facilitate the transfer and
registration of private vehicles within the Community .

2 . First of all, it should be noted that the taxation of
motor vehicles has not been significantly harmonized at
Community level . The Member States have different tax
policies . Thus, on the basis of their continuing fiscal
sovereignty in this area, some Member States impose
registration taxes, the rates of which vary considerably,
while others do not .

On the question of registration, a vehicle has as a rule to be
registered in the Member State in which the owner has his

Subject : Biennial review of excise within the European

Union

To help implement the first of the biennial reviews called for
by Article 8 of Directive 92 / 84 / EEC ( l ), the European
Commission has called for two pieces of research to be
conducted by Groupe Bossard and Price Waterhouse . One
consultancy is dealing with cross-border shopping by
individuals and the other with determining whether
competition between drinks categories exists and, if it does,
examining whether excise in any way influences that
competition .

Both reports will contribute directly to the on-going public
debate about the excisability of alcoholic beverages .

Is the Council able to confirm that the reports of both
consultancies will be in the public domain and, if so, to

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 43

indicate when the publication of both texts can be
expected ?

(!) OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 29 .

Answer

(4 November 1994 )

The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not fall
within the Council 's jurisdiction .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 862 / 94

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 93 )

Subject : Right of option for members of frontier workers '

families

Under Regulations ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 i 1 ) and ( EEC ) No
574 / 72 ( 2 ), frontier workers have a right of option as regards
medical care, though members of their families do not . This
means that, in certain situations, the spouse of a frontier
worker or former frontier worker is not jointly insured . As a
result of the adoption of an amendment by Mrs
Oomen-Ruijten, Parliament 's resolution on living and .
working conditions in frontier regions (9 February 1993 ) ( 3 )
called on the Commission to propose amendments to the
Regulations to enable dependent family members of a
frontier worker, like the latter, to opt for medical care either
in the Member State of residence or in the Member State

where the frontier worker is employed and to enable retired
frontier workers and their dependent family members
similarly to opt freely for care either in the Member State of
residence or in the Member State authorized to pay the
pension .

Has the Commission taken steps to amend Regulations

( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 and ( EEC ) No 574 / 72 in this
respect ?

(!) OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971, p . 2 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 74, 27 . 3 . 1972, p . 1 .
( 3 ) OJ No C 72, 15 . 3 . 1993, p . 43,

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1994 )

With regard to the members of the family of a frontier
worker, the Commission would inform the Honourable

Member that, at the informal meeting of the Ministers for
Labour and Social Affairs held in Charleroi on 9 and 10

November 1993, the Member States undertook to
guarantee, by means of bilateral agreements, care for the
dependents of frontier workers under the same conditions as
those granted to the workers themselves . In due course, the
Commission will assess the extent to which Member States

have fulfilled this undertaking .

With regard to retired frontier workers, the Commission
would point out that Article 31 of Regulation ( EEC ) No

1408 / 71 lays down that such pensioners and members of
their family shall receive benefits provided by the institution
of the place of stay in accordance with the legislation which
it administers and chargeable to the institution of the
pensioner 's place of residence . Thus, retired frontier
workers are entitled to such benefits while staying
temporarily in a Member State other than the one in which
they reside . However, this provision does not apply where
the said persons journey to another Member State with a
view to receiving care there . On this subject, the
Commission suggested at a meeting of the Administrative
Commission on social security for migrant workers
( CASSTM ) that the freedom of choice already laid down for
frontier workers themselves be extended to cover pensioners
who are former frontier workers . This suggestion has not
received the unanimous agreement by Member . States
required in order to amend Regulation ( EEC ) No
1408 / 71 .

In its White Paper of 27 July 1994 on European social
policy, the Commission expressed its opinion that the
current provisions relating to cross-border access to health
care are too restrictive and no longer meet current
requirements ( see item IV under B12 ). For this reason the
Commission intends to reopen the debate with the Member
States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1873 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 94 )

Subject : Teaching of technology management : state of the

art in America and Europe

In an interview given to an influential Japanese publication
in his capacity as President of the American Assembly of
Collegiate Schools of Business ( AACSB ), Professor Allan
Bailey spoke of the principles which condition a new
paradigm in the organization of curricula at American
business schools . He was above all referring to the acronym
MOT ( management of technology ) as one of the most

No C 24 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

important aspects of such curricula . Talking about future
new industries he said :

' In some cases they wo n't survive because of a lack of
understanding of management in the early years of the
organization, because founders are primarily driven by
the science ; but there needs to be a realization that it
takes more than just science for a company to be
successful .'

Does the Commission have any current information on the
influence of concepts similar to the abovementioned MOT
on the curricula of European business administration
schools ? If so, can it pass on this information to the
Parliament ? If not, does the Commission consider it might
be useful to carry out some kind of survey on this
matter ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1994 )

In 1992 and 1993, the Commission provided subsidies for a
large number of projects relating to cultural tourism, the
environment and cross-border actions .

A list of these projects is being sent direct to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1876 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Ruberti (6 September 1994 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 24 / 96
( 19 September 1994 )

The Commission does not at present have the results of
specific surveys carried out by the Member States on the
' management of technology ' ( MOT ). However, we can
inform you that the concept of MOT is now being taken into
account and studied by national education and training
systems, although to varying degrees and at different
levels .

A number of MOT projects are also being carried out under
various Community programmes : Research and
Development ( Framework Programme ), higher education
( Erasmus ) and technological training ( Comett ). From 1995,
these will be integrated into the new Socrates ( ! ) and
Leonardo ( 2 ) Programmes, now before Parliament for a
second reading .

(M COM(93 ) 708 final .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 686 final .

Subject : Studies and projects in the field of consumer

protection

Can the Commission supply detailed information on any
contracts it has awarded for the carrying out of studies and
the development of projects in the area of consumer
protection in 1992, 1993 and 1994, and name the
organizations involved ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1994 )

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 878 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 874 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )
to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 95 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 97 )

Subject : Pilot projects in the tourist industry

Can the Commission supply any information on the pilot
projects in the tourist industry which received subsidies
from the Community budget in 1992 and 1993 ?

Subject : Aid to consumers ' organizations in Portugal

Can the Commission supply detailed information on the aid
granted to Portuguese consumers ' organizations and
associations in 1992, 1993 and 1994 ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 45

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener Education ( EFEE ) to check the facts and, if necessary, take
on behalf of the Commission immediate action .

( 30 September 1994 )

(!) OJ No C 312, 12 . 12 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 133, 23 . 5 . 1992 .

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat a computer

( 3 ) OJ No C 102, 22 . 4 . 1992 .

( 4 ) OJ No C 235, 14 . 9 . 1992 .

( 5 ) OJ No C 106, 16 . 4 . 1993 .

print-out containing the information requested . ( 6 ) OJ No L 377,, 31 . . 12 . . 1991 . .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1879 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 883 / 94

by Rolf Linkohr ( PSE )

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 ) (1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 98 ) ( 95 / C 24 / 99

Subject : Procedures for awarding blue flags for bathing

waters

Can the Commission guarantee that, when a blue flag is
awarded, the water quality on the whole of the beach in
question is adequately tested ?

Can the Commission guarantee that the water quality is also
tested over longer periods of time in order to avoid possible
fluke results caused by seasonal factors or weather
conditions ?

Why was the beach at San Augustm ( in the municipality of
San Bartolome on Gran Canaria ) awarded a blue flag in
1994, even though, on one section of the beach, sewage
from the Nueva Europa estate is discharged untreated into
the sea ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1994 )

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to its replies to the following Written Questions :
No 1752 / 90 by Mrs Diezde Rivera Icaza O J N O 1577 / 91 by
Mr Amendola ( 2 ), No 1578 / 91 and No 1579 / 91 by Mr
Amendola ( 3 ), No 2521 / 91 by Mrs Garcia Arias ( 4 ) and No
2479 / 92 by Mr Seligman ( 5 ) on the same subject .

The Commission would emphasize that for the purpose of
awarding blue flags the water quality data supplied by the
Member States in accordance with the provisions of
Article 3 of Directive 91 / 692 / EEC ( 6 ) is systematically
controlled for each individual beach .

As regards the beach at San Agustfn, the Commission has
asked the European Foundation for Environmental

Subject : Fairness and objectivity in fixing EU standards

1 . Given the importance of the quality and accuracy of
standards for safety and for free and fair trade in the
Community, and also for the Community 's competitiveness
in world trade, will the Commission confirm that standards
should take into account the general interest in the widest
possible sense, and that standards committees should not be
dominated by one or other vested interest group ?

2 . In view of the damage that could be done to the single
market by European standards bodies which do not meet
these requirements, will the Commission ensure :

— that the principles of openness, transparency and

accountability apply to the standard-making process ;

— that details of committee members ' names, the
companies and other bodies they represent, and any
conflicts of interest, should be made public in order to
ensure that distortions do not take place, and

— that national and European standards-making bodies

which do allow distortion to occur can be held

accountable under Articles 85 and 90 of the Treaty and
Regulation 37 ?

3 . Does the Commission believe that Cenelec and its

members, the national standards bodies, meet the above
criteria ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( IS September 1994 )

1 . Standardization is a process by which interested
parties agree on a voluntary basis, in an open and

No C 24 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

transparent procedure, on common specifications, which
are adopted after a public enquiry, on the basis of consensus .
All those who have an interest have the possibility to
participate in the consensus building if they wish so .
However, it cannot be ensured, because of the voluntary
nature of the process, that all interested parties will in fact
take part in all technical committees, nor that the interest of
individual companies is fully reflected in the standards
adopted .

2 . The Commission would certainly intervene with the
European standards organizations if the basic principles of
standardization were not observed .

The fact that not all parties participate does not in itself
create a distortion . Minutes of technical committee

meetings, containing the list of participants and the
countries they represent, are in the public domain and can be
obtained from the national standards institutes or the

organizations at European level representing European
interests, such as the consumers or workers, participating in
the committee . The Commission would draw attention to

the fact that each national institute designates its own
delegates and that therefore participation in technical
committees at European level can vary from one meeting to
another .

The articles of the EC Treaty and Regulation 17 / 62 / EEC are
applicable to standards organizations .

3 . The Commission has no evidence indicating that
national standards institutes participating in Cenelec
technical committees do not meet the above conditions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1904 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 100 )

Subject ; Reciprocal recognition of visas and residence

permits

Is the Commission aware of the obstacle posed to the
mobility of persons and therefore to tourism by the absence
of legal initiative and legal harmonization for the joint,
global and final recognition of the principle of equivalence
of residence permits and visas

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1994 )

Parliament on immigration and asylum policies

( COM(94)23 final ), and in particular point 127, to the
proposal for a Council Decision establishing the
Convention on the crossing of the external frontiers of the
Member States and to the proposal for a Council Regulation
determining the third countries whose nationals must be in
possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of
the Member States ( M.

(!) COM(94 ) 23 final .

( 2 ) OJ No C 11, 15 . 1 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1905 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 101 )

Subject : Pilot consumer information and advice centres

Can the Commission list all such centres and give an initial
assessment of their work in 1992, 1993 and 1994 up to and
including this month ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1994 ),

The Commission is forwarding direct to the Honourable
Member and the General Secretariat of the European
Parliament the full list of cross-border consumer

information centres together with their addresses .

As far as the assessment of the activities of these centres is

concerned, the Commission has undertaken to draw up a
report in 1995 under its second three-year action plan for
consumer policy .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1919 / 94

by Marianne Thyssen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 102 )

Subject : Erasmus Newsletter — use of languages

From some time, Dutch-speaking subscribers in Belgium to
the Commission 's Erasmus Newsletter have been sent the

English version ; they used to receive the Newsletter in
Dutch .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its 1 . Can the Commission say who took this decision, and
communication of 23 February 1994 to the Council and to when and why ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 47

2 . Does the Commission regard this as responsible in the
light of the programme 's general and specific objectives
of, respectively, encouraging student and teacher
exchanges and of providing for measures to facilitate the
dissemination of information on Erasmus ?

3 . Is the Commission aware of the discriminatory effect of
such a measure on Dutch-speaking students and
teachers ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

The Erasmus Bulletin was published up until the end of

1993 . As of 1 January 1994, it was replaced by the
' Magazine ', which is the new quarterly review of all
Community programmes in the fields of education and
training run by the Task Force for Human Resources,
Education, Training and Youth . The purpose of the
publication is to offer a single source of information on
Community programmes . This rationalization measure has
a double aim : firstly, it allows greater overall coherence of
Community activities in these areas and provides a basis for
the launch of three new programmes, namely Socrates,
Leonardo and Youth for Europe, and secondly it enables
considerable savings to be made and enables funds
earmarked for information services to be allocated more

effectively .

As regards the number of languages in which the ' Magazine '
is published, the Commission decided that it would initially
only be published in French, English and German for
administrative reasons and in view of the given financial
constraints . The Commission is in the process of looking at
how, from the point of view of financing, administrative
efficiency and practicability, the magazine might in the
future be published in the other Community languages .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937 / 94

by Niels Sindal ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 103 )

Subject : State-aid to shipyards in the former East Germany ;

compliance with capacity reduction

Under Council Directive 92 / 68 / EEC of 20 July 1992 ( x ), the
former East German shipyards are required to reduce their
capacity by 40 % from 545 000 cgt . Will the Commission
give its figures for such capacity, compared with actual

production ? Will the Commission also produce the
calculations of capacity that formed the basis for approval
of State-aid to the shipyards in question, in order to
determine whether the calculations were made on the same

basis as in 1992'and whether there will actually be a
reduction .

Obviously, actual construction must not exceed the
maximum capacity of 327 000 cgt in any one year, and the
yards in the GDR have never in fact produced their stated
capacity of 545 000 cgt . If the yards can, in fact, exceed
327 000 cgt, then the yards in question must have received
State-aid on false premises and the aid should be paid back .
As the requirement to cut back capacity applies to the whole
of the former East Germany, will the Commission also say
what the implications are for the validity of aid to other
shipyards ?

The press has reported that production in former East
German shipyards is restricted by artificial bottlenecks, not
by means of an integrated plan which keeps capacity within
the maximum . How will the Commission ensure that these

bottlenecks are not eliminated ? The bottlenecks mean that

some production facilities remain unused . Financing of such
surplus capacity is not allowed under the Directive . How
will the Commission, therefore, ensure that state funds are
not used for prior investment in a future expansion of
capacity ?

How will the Commission ensure that there is a genuine and
definitive reduction of shipbuilding capacity in the former
East Germany ? How will the Commission respond if it is
established that the ceiling on capacity has been
exceeded ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 219, 4 . 8 . 1992, p . 54 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

The Commission will ensure that the genuine and
irreversible capacity reduction of 40 % of the shipbuilding
capacity in the former GDR, as required by the derogation
under the Seventh Directive, will be realised by limiting each
yard to the maximum capacity that was agreed with the
German authorities . The figures of future capacity per yard
were previously provided in answer to questions H-0994 / 92
and 2790 / 92 . These capacity limits are monitored for the
Commission by an independent consultant who analyses
thoroughly the investment plans and their implementation
in the period 1993-1995 / 6 for each yard . This monitoring is
an on-going process whereby real — not artificial —
bottlenecks are identified in a facility that is in reasonable
balance with these bottlenecks . New tranches of

( investment ) aid are only approved by the Commission after
each step of the monitoring has shown satisfactory results,

No C 24 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

that is that capacity will not be exceeded . However, when
the capacity of a yard would be exceeded the Commission
will be obliged first to stop further aid payments and
secondly to recover previously paid aid .

It will be clear from the above that the monitoring of
capacity is not a matter of simple calculations that can be
presented here . The same holds true for the detailed study
for the Commission by an independent consultant on the
ex-GDR shipbuilding industry in which the available 1990
shipbuilding capacity for all yards was estimated to be
545 000 compensated gross tons . Production figures of the
yards before 1990 indicate the accuracy of this estimate .

The derogation requires the capacity reduction to be carried
out before 31 December 1995 . Within that deadline the

implementation of the capacity reduction depends for each
yard on the progress of the respective investment plan . It is
only after these capacity reductions have taken place that a
comparison with actual ship production figures seems
relevant .

Since the bottlenecks are real and not artificial, and the
facilities are in reasonable balance with them, the
bottlenecks will not be easily eliminated nor will production
facilities remain unused .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1941 / 94

by Luis Sá ( GUE ), Joaquim Miranda ( GUE )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1994 )

The Community has raised the human rights situation in
East Timor on various occasions in international fora and in

contacts with Indonesia . The Community played a major
role in the discussion on this troubled territory at the 50th
session of the United Nations Commission on Human

Rights and was at the origin of a statement of the chairman
on the human rights situation in East Timor . Following the
recent incidents in Dili, the Community issued a statement
reaffirming the need to observe human rights .

Within the general framework of the external policy of the

Community the Commission supports the UN
Secretary-General 's efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive
and internationally acceptable settlement of the East Timor
question with full respect for the legitimate interests and
aspirations of the East Timorese, in conformity with the
principles embodied in the UN charter .

The Commission follows closely the relevant developments
in the field of human rights and democratization and will,
within its competences, endeavour to contribute to a
solution which will do justice to the people of East
Timor .

and Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1956 / 94

to the Commission by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

( 12 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 104

Subject : Serious situation in East Timor

Violence has once again exploded in East Timor . Starting
with a series of incidents arising from the intolerance and
aggression of the Indonesian occupiers towards the deeply
rooted religious sentiments of the Timorese people, the
situation has deteriorated and developed into repressive
violence on a scale not seen since November 1991, when the
events in the cemetery of Santa Cruz led to a firm response
from the European Parliament which has been followed by
repeated demands that UN decisions be respected and the
people be given an opportunity to exercise the right of
self-determination .

Given that the current phase of installing the new European
Parliament makes it difficult to adopt urgent resolutions,
can the Commission say, as a matter of urgency, whether it is
monitoring the situation and what steps it has taken or will
take to prevent the Timorese people from continuing to be
the victims of genocide, which the Indonesian occupying
power is perpetrating with impunity ?

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 105 )

Subject : European Preparatory Conference and NGO

Forum

What plans has the Commission to be represented at the
European Preparatory Conference and NGO Forum for the
UN World Conference on Women ( Beijing, September
1995 ) to be held in Vienna, Austria, in October 1994 ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 September 1994 )

A Commission delegation will attend the European regional
preparatory conference in Vienna with observer status and
will work in close preparation with the Presidency on the
European Union 's position at the conference . The

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 49

Commission has no official position in the NGO forum . The
European Women 's Lobby, which is supported by the
Commission, will be actively involved in the forum .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1961 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 107 )

Subject : EU tax rates on Scotch whisky
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1957 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Council Is the Commission aware that the Scotch whisky industry is
( 12 September 1994 ) of particular significance to the EU economy, being one of

( 95 / C 24 / 106 ) its ten top export earners ?

Subject : Medical aid in Iraq

Is the Council aware that the mass of people in Iraq are
suffering from an inadequate diet, insufficient medical care
and sanitation as a result of sanctions against Iraq ?

What measures will the Council take to ensure that the

sanctions are altered to make them more just and effective
and that they do not adversely affect the ordinary people of
Iraq ?

However, EU tax rates discriminate heavily against spirits .
What measures will the Commission take to reduce the level

of tax on spirits compared to wine and beer ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the importance of the Scotch
Answer whisky industry as an export earner for the Community

economy .

(4 November 1994 )

The European Union is conscious of the suffering of the
Iraqi people . But the cause of their suffering does not lie with
the United Nations Security Council or the international
community . The importation of medical supplies and basic
foodstuffs into Iraq is not prohibited by UN sanctions and
the Iraqi Government could improve the conditions in
which its people are living . The European Union deplores
the Iraqi 's Government decision in October 1993 to reject
the UN 's offer — under UN Security Council Resolutions
706 and 712 — to allow the limited export of oil in return
for humanitarian supplies . The UN Secretary-General
estimated that over US Dollars 930 million could be

available for aid programmes if Iraq agreed to implement
706 and 712 . That they have chosen not to do so is a clear
indication of the disregard for their own people . The
European Union is also concerned by Iraq 's failure to reach
an agreement with the Government of Turkey over the
flushing of the oil pipeline between the two countries .
Concluding a deal that meets with the approval of the
United Nations would release considerable funds for aid

projects throughout Iraq .

However, the Commission does not accept that existing
duty rates ' discriminate heavily ' against spirits . First,
exports of whisky from the Community are free of duty, and
thus largely unaffected by decisions on the Community 's
internal tax policies . Second, it is for Member States, and not
for the Commission, to set the rates of what are national
taxes, provided they comply with the rules laid down in
Community law, and in particular the minimum rates of
duty prescribed by Council Directives . In setting rates,
Member States take account of a range of factors, including
market structures and fiscal and other policies, all of which
tend to vary from one Member State to another .

The Commission is responsible for proposing to the Council
any changes that it considers necessary in the structures and
minimum levels of excise duty rates, taking account, among
other things, of the needs of the Community internal market

( including the nature of competition between products
subject to duty ). A report on these issues will be submitted to
the Council shortly .

No C 24 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1963 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission (6 October 1994 )

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 108

The Commission does not keep statistics on criminal
prosecutions which are the sovereign competence of

Subject : Women in decision-making individual Member States . Scientific expertise is provided by

the Commission to Member States and at relevant court
proceedings on request .
51,3 % of European Union women out of its 327 million
population are women . Despite equality being one of the
founding principles of the European Union, women are still
under-represented in decision-making . Is the Commission
aware of the data compiled by the European Network of
Experts ' Women in Decision-Making '? If so, what plans
does it have to improve the position of women in
decision-making in the European Union ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1974 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 110 )
(6 October 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the fact that women are
under-represented in decision making in both the public and
private sectors . A specific reference is made to this issue in
Chapter V of the White Paper on Social Policy 'A way
forward for the Union ' adopted by the Commission in July
last . In its Third Action Programme for equal opportunities
beween women and men ( 1991-1995 ) the Commission set
up an expert network on ' women in decision making ' in
order to analyse the barriers women face in the decision
making process, and to propose policy options . The ­
Commission intends to use the information compiled by this
network to set up specific policies and actions related to
decision making in the framework of the Third Action
Programme as well as the preparatory work for the Fourth
Action Programme .

Subject : Processing of plutonium for production of
mixed-oxide plutonium-based fuels

What information has been provided to the Commission by
the German Government, under the provisions of the
Euratom Treaty, following the decision of the German
Administrative Court in Berlin on 9 August 1994 to permit
Siemens AG to process plutonium for the production of
mixed-oxide plutonium-based fuels ? What resource
commitment to the safeguarding of the plant has been made
by Euratom, and how many person / day inspections have
been made in each year since 1990 at the German nuclear
fuel re-cycle centre ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1973 / 94 (5 October 1994 )

by Alfex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 109 )

Subject : Prosecutions for illegal import of nuclear
materials

How many EU Member State citizens have been prosecuted,
since 1990, for illegal import of nuclear materials into the
EU ? Will the Commission indicate whether any
prosecutions were assisted by information provided by
Euratom ?

The German Government is not obliged under the Euratom
Treaty to provide information to the Commission following
the decision of the Administrative Court at Berlin . However,
pursuant to relevant provisions of the Euratom Treaty and
of the Verification Agreement with the IAEA the safeguards
measures are being progressively put in place at the Siemens
MOX plant so that effective safeguards are ensured once the
plant commences operation . For that purpose the
Commission has so far invested DM 1 749 600 for

safeguards equipment to be integrated in this installation .

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 51

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 979 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 111 )

Subject : Assistance for Jamaica

Can the Commission confirm reports that EU assistance was
made available to Jamaica to provide hockey facilities ? If
this is the case, under which scheme was this possible, and
upon what terms ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1994 )

Under Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of

the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment an environmental impact assessment must be
carried out before consent is given for the construction of an
airport with a basic runway length of 2 100 meters or more .
The extension of such an airport or the construction of a
smaller airport also requires an environmental assessment if
it is likely to have a significant effect on the
environment .

It is not clear from the information provided in the question
whether the extension to Ensheim Airport requires an
assessment as a matter of Community law . The Commission
will write to the German authorities requesting further
information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1986 / 94

The Commission has not made any decision for the
provision of hockey facilities in Jamaica . by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 113

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1983 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) Subject : Pricing of domestic water supplies

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 24 / 112

Subject : Northern extension to Ensheim airport —
Development Plan No 4141.12.00

Does the Commission have any information on the
extension to Ensheim Airport in Saarbriicken ?

Is the Commission aware that there has been no

environmental impact assessment of the planned extension
to Saarbriicken airport, on which work has already begun,
although this is laid down in Article 2.5 of the EC Directive
on environmental impact assessments, is required by
German law, and has been called for in thousands of letters
from the public ?

What will the Commission do to ensure that the

environmental impact assessment is carried out before the
building work causes damage ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 September 1994 )

The Commission does not have any information on the
extension to Ensheim Airport in Saarbriicken .

Does the Commission have figures for each Member State of
comparative prices of water supplies ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 October 1994 )

Eurostat has price level indices for drinking water consumed
in the Member States . The indices are for 1992 . They are
obtained by taking prices and converting them using the
exchange rate . No prices are available for Ireland .

Price level indices ( Germany = 100 )

Belgium 58,
Denmark 101,
Germany 100,
Greece 15,
Spain 33,
France 54,
Italy 21,
Luxembourg 80,
Netherlands 55,
Portugal 45,
United Kingdom 76 .

No C 24 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1987 / 94

QUESTION E-1987 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1993 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE ) by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 114 )

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 115 )

Subject : Airports and built-up areas : minimum height and

distance

Subject : FIFA / UEFA limits on ' foreign ' players

Can the Commission state whether, in view of the constant
increase in air traffic, especially in holiday periods, there
exists a Community Decision applying uniformly
establishing a minimum distance between Community
What is the Commission 's opinion of the FIFA / UEFA ruling airports and built-up areas, as well as d minimum authorized
which ' categorizes ' footballers from EU Member States as height for aircraft overflying such areas ?

' foreigners ' along with those from non-member States, for
the purposes of limiting ' foreign ' players in each side to a
maximum number of three ? Is this against the
Commission 's policy of promoting free internal movement Answer given by Mr Oreja
of European workers ? on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 October 1994 )

According to a past ruling by the Court of Justice ( ), sports
activities engaged in as a paid profession are within the
scope of Article 48 of the EC Treaty, but the composition of
sports teams, particularly national teams, is not subject to
the non-discrimination requirement laid down in this
Article, as team selection is a matter solely concerning the
sport and, as such, has no bearing on economic activity .

The question of limiting the number of ' foreign ' players who
can be included in a team in football competitions has
recently been the subject of another case which is currently
before the Court [ Bosman case ]. It is likely that the Court
will expand on its earlier decisions . The Commission would
therefore prefer to wait for the Court 's ruling before issuing
a definitive opinion on the UEFA and FIFA rules .

( 30 September 1994 )

There is no Community legislation in the two fields to which
reference is made (a minimum distance between airports and
built-up areas and a minimum authorized height for aircraft
overflying such areas ).

The harmonization of aviation standards and procedures
concerning the overflying of built-up areas is the
responsibility of the Member States as it is necessary to take
account of local conditions which affect the safety of
residents . No Community action is planned in this field in
the short term .

The Commission is, however, continuing its efforts to limit
the detrimental effects of air transport on the environment .
Community legislation provides for the operation of the
noisiest aircraft to cease by the year 2002 . Progress is also
being made on the introduction of noise zoning plans for
areas around airports and the use of aircraft noise and flight ­
path measuring equipment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1998 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 116 )
(!) Cases Dona [ 1976 ] ECR-1333 and Walrave [ 1974 ]
ECR-1405 .

Subject : Euro Info Centres

In connection with which sectors have the centres in the

Euro Info Centre network been most frequently consulted
by European citizens over the last two years ?

30 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 24 / 53

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

4 . What preventive measures can be adopted to protect the

on behalf of the Commission population in cases of cross-border environmental

( 19 October 1994 ) pollution ?

The Commission is forwarding direct to the Honourable
Member, and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament, an
annex with statistics for the years 1991 to 1993 on the main
sectors ( by Celex code ) on which European SMEs have
consulted the Euro Info Centre network .

The figures show a steady fall in the number of general
questions and questions relating to the internal market
( after a marked rise at the start of the 1990s ), with a
concomitant increase in more technical questions ( right of
establishment and free movement of services, transport,
competition law etc .). This change reflects the network 's
greater specializations and its increasing ability to focus on
the specific concerns of SMEs ( participation in Community
programmes, finance, problems relating to the practical
implementation of the internal market, VAT etc .). One can
see, for example, a rise in the number of questions relating to
environmental protection ( 5,7 % of the total in 1991, 6,6 %
in 1993 ).

The remaining questions are very varied and cover all
matters dealt with by the Community . This is to be expected
and reflects the sectoral and geographical distribution of
small and medium-sized businesses .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2052 / 94

by Karl-Heinz Florenz ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 117 )

Subject : Toxic cloud over Moers

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

1 . Why was the fire not reported ?

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

5 . Does the Commission plan to finance the closure of
nuclear power stations or the reparation of damage
caused by nuclear accidents ( for instance, in Chernobyl )
through the Euratom credit facility ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 October 1994 )

The Commission has no knowledge of the facts referred to

by the Honourable Member . It has asked the Member State
concerned for information and will inform the Honourable

Member of its findings .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2062 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( Y )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 118 )

Subject : Euratom credit facility for States in eastern Europe

and the CIS

In March 1994 the Council decided to amend Decision
77 / 270 / Euratom (') and to extend the circle of potential
beneficiaries of the Euratom credit facility to include certain
third countries ( Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania,
Slovenia, the ' Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, the
Russian Federation, Armenia and the Ukraine )-.

1 . Have Euratom loans so far been granted to finance
studies on, and the retrofitting of, nuclear power plants
in eastern Europe since the Council Decision to extend
the Euratom credit facility to cover third States in
eastern Europe and the CIS ?

2 . If so, what amounts have been allocated to which
projects ?

3 . Does the Commission have a list of priorities indicating
which nuclear projects in eastern Europe and the CIS
should be the first to receive aid from the new Euratom

credit facility ?

4 . Can the Euratom credit facility also be used to promote
non-nuclear energy projects ?

3 . Did the company in Roermond infringe any national or
Community legislation in not reporting the fire to the
authorities ? (!) OJ No L 88, 6 . 4 . 1977, p . 9 .

No C 24 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 30 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2124 / 94

on behalf of the Commission

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )
( 31 October 1994 ) to the Commission

1 . and 2 . Decision 94 / 1 79 / Eura torn H was approved by
the Council on 21 March 1994 . It empowers the
Commission to contract, within the limits fixed by the
Council, borrowings, the proceeds of which will be
allocated in the form of loans to finance projects to increase
the safety and efficiency of the nuclear power stations of
certain countries in central and eastern Europe and in the
former Soviet Union, according to the conditions indicated
in the Decision and the corresponding guidelines . No loans
have yet been granted under this new facility, but
discussions regarding several projects are under way .

3 . According to the guidelines, the Commission will use
technical and economic studies to decide which projects are
to receive priority treatment .

4 . The Euratom loan facility is available to finance
investment projects relating to the industrial production of
electricity in the nuclear fuel cycle . However, in the third
countries mentioned in the question, the use of the facility is
restricted to nuclear power stations or installations in the
nuclear fuel cycle which are either in service or presently
under construction, or to the dismantling of installations
where modification cannot be justified in technical or
economic terms .

5 . Provided the necessary conditions are met, the facility
could finance the dismantling of nuclear installations . There
are no provisions in Decision 94 / 179 / Euratom to finance the
repair of damage caused by nuclear accidents .

(!) OJ No L 84, 29 . 3 . 1994 .

(4 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 24 / 119 )

Subject : Redundancy stress

Has the Commission investigated the impact of stress
resulting from redundancy, and what measures are or will be
proposed to combat this issue ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1994 )

The Commission has not undertaken any work on the
impact of stress resulting from redundancy .

However, as part of the action to be undertaken in health
and safety (*), issues connected with well-being at work are
to be studied, focusing on the control of stress in the
workplace and including such topics as the psycho-social
effects of job insecurity .

(') COM(94 ) 333, 27 . 7 . 1994, European social policy 'a way

forward for the Union ' paragraphs 17-19 .