Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 75
# Official Journal

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 27 March 1995

#### C 75

Volume 38

27 March 1995

###### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

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##### EN

E         - 16 82 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Anti-smoking campaigns in the European Union 1

E-1710 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Valencia ( Spain ) 1

E-1711 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country ( Spain ) ... 2

E         - 171 7 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura ( Spain ) 2

E-l 720 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Aragon ( Spain ) 2

E-1721 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja ( Spain ) 2

E-l 724 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias

( Spain ) 2

E-1728 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Navarre ( Spain ) 2

Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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##### EN

E - 173 1 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Murcia ( Spain )

E-1734 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria ( Spain )

E-1736 / 94 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia ( Spain )

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1710 / 94, E-1711 / 94, E-1717 / 94, E-1720 / 94,

E-1721 / 94, E-l 724 / 94, E-1728 / 94, E-1731 / 94, E-1734 / 94 and E-1736 / 94

E-1747 / 94 by David Bowe to the Commission
Subject : EU animal health policy

E-l 770 / 94 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Factory farming methods in the production of pregnant mare urine ( P.M.U. )

E-1781 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Konver funds for Rhineland-Palatinate

E-l 800 / 94 by Anne Van Lancker to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring the impact on women of Community initiative programmes and the Structural
Funds

E-l 8 77 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Promotion of the consumption of grape juice

E-1886 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 892 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the reports on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 893 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 896 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-1906 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Integrated administration and control system for cereals in the context of CAP reform

E-1907 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Agricultural policy and GATT

E-l 9 10 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Cereals

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95 / C 75 / 24 E-1912 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject :. Cereals 10

95 / C 75 / 25 E-1913 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Environment 10

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E-1927 / 94 by Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject : Trade barriers affecting imports of chicks from Germany into France 11

E-l 952 / 94 by Lucio Manisco to the Commission
Subject : TV cartel in Italy 11

95 / C 75 / 28 E-l 9 67 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject : EU development aid 12

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E-1989 / 94 by Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Enforcement Convention and abuse and improper use of social security 13

E-2046 / 94 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Copying of sound recordings for private use 13

E-2047 / 94 by Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : Advertising of recruitment notices 14

E-2054 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : The destruction of the mastic trees on Chios 14

E-2057 / 94 by Francesco Baldarelli to the Commission
Subject : Discontinuation of international Brussels-Rome train < 15

E-2083 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : European forests 16

E-2086 / 94 by Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Portugal, Italy and Luxembourg — VAT discrimination 17

E-2088 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Damage to the Greek economy due to the crisis in the Former Yugoslavia 17

E-2093 / 94 by Brigitte Langenhagen to the Commission
Subject : Inequality of access to professions in tourism 18

E-2098 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission

Subject : Via Egnatia 19

95 / C 75 / 39 E-2104 / 94 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Data base on the economy 19

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##### EN

E-2125 / 94 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : Promotion of eucalyptus growing in Portugal 20

E-2136 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Access to 112 emergency number for the deaf 20

E-2137 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Artist 's resale right 21

E-2 140 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez and Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Rice import prices 21

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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##### EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-2141 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of people 22

E-2155 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Civil status of women and discrimination against women in Europe 22

E-21 62 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Hill farming 23

E-2 169 / 94 by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn to the Commission
Subject : Compulsory registration of ' foreign ' EU citizens when booking in a hotel 23

E-21 72 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Cod fishing-quotas 24

E-2181 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Possible misuse of ERDF funds for the construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South
Limburg 24

E-21 86 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : GRT : EU-Morocco fisheries agreement 25

E-2200 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures
in agriculture 25

E-22 11 / 94 by Giovanni Burtone to the Commission
Subject : Aid to citrus-fruit growers in southern Italy 26

E-2214 / 94 by Graham Mather to the Commission

Subject : Age discrimination in Commission employment policy 27

E-2231 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Diesel cars 27

E-2239 / 94 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Commission
Subject : Details of the extent of EC funding which has reached Upper Bavaria since 1989 ... 28

E-2246 / 94 by Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Joint research centres 28

E-2269 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : C0 2 29

E-2287 / 94 by Shaun Spiers to the Commission
Subject : Nitrate levels in lettuces 29

E-22 8 8 / 94 by Ingo Friedrich to the Commission
Subject : Polish railway 's non-compliance with UIC obligations 30

E-23 00 / 94 by Spalato Belleré to the Commission
Subject : A funicular railway for Vesuvius 30

E-2301 / 94 by Spalato Belleré to the Commission
Subject : Inventions developed as part of an employment relationship 31

E-23 07 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : The hum 31

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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###### EN

E-23 11 / 94 by Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : Valid identity card under Directives 73 / 148 / EEC and 68 / 360 / EEC 31

E-2324 / 94 by Brigitte Langenhagen to the Commission
Subject : Recognition of diplomas in the European Union 32

E-2330 / 94 by Magda Aelvoet to the Commission
Subject : European eco-label for environmentally safe computers 33

E-23 35 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Suspension of infringement proceedings against the Federal Republic of Germany ... 33

E-2336 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Inspection of EU nuclear power stations 34

E-2340 / 94 by Carlos Pimenta to the Commission
Subject : Animal protection and the WTO 34

E-2341 / 94 by Robert Sturdy to the Commission
Subject : Controlling the international trade in endangered species 35

E-2346 / 94 by Jean Baggioni to the Commission
Subject : European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction ( EMCDDA ) 35

E-2351 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Upgrading of Dutch river dykes without an environmental impact assessment 36

E-2371 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : VAT inspectors in the UK 36

E-23 72 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Excessive night noise 37

E-23 74 / 94 by Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact assessments and the Structural Funds 37

E-2376 / 94 by Nel-van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : New Maastricht Airport runway in the vicinity of a refuse tip 38

E-23 84 / 94 by Gerardo Fernandez - Albor to the Commission
Subject : Current state of incorporation into national law of the Community Regulation concerning
single-member limited liability companies 39

E-23 87 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : ILO Convention on the minimum working age for children 39

E-2391 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Attacks by neo-Nazi groups on Portuguese workers in Germany 40

E-23 93 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Community measures in favour of regions affected by environmental disasters ...... 40

E-23 94 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Replacement of catalytic converters in motor vehicles 41

E-2403 / 94 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Non-trade implications of GATT 41

E-2405 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission

Subject : 1989 / 1990 report 42

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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E-2407 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Facility attachments at BNFL Sellafield 42

E-2408 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Infringements under Article 83 of the Euratom Treaty 43

E-2409 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Imports of nuclear materials 43

E-24 10 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Inspection of BNFL at Sellafield 43

E-2411 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Operation of nuclear safeguards 1991 / 1992 44

E-2420 / 94 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Conditions for use of the European display stand 44

E-2421 / 94 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou to the Commission
Subject : Use of appropriations under Article A-304 45

E-2428 / 94 by Jacques Donnay to the Commission

Subject : Seine-Nord link 45

E-2429 / 94 by Honório Novo to the Commission
Subject : Projects submitted for inclusion in the second Community Support Framework for
Portugal 46

E-2432 / 94 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Tomlinson Report on the management of Parliament 's building projects in Brussels . . 46

95 / C 75 / 93 E-2437 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission

Subject : Equal pay 46

95 / C 75 / 94 E-2450 / 94 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Use of exclusion orders by the UK Government 47

95 / C 75 / 95 E-2461 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : Consumer protection 47

95 / C 75 / 96 E-2466 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of goods 48

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##### EN

E-2471 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Distortion of competition by the cooperation agreement between the Dutch public
broadcasting companies, a commercial television station and a television production company 49

E-2473 / 94 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Insurance of former EU Commissioners under the JSIS 50

E-2479 / 94 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission
Subject : Fatal accidents at work, better known as ' undeclared manslaughter ' 50

E-2494 / 94 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Thirteenth amendment to the Directive on creosote 50

E-2507 / 94 by Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission
Subject : Constitution of local authorities 51

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 75 / 102 E-25 11 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Community initiative Pesca in Spain 51

95 / C 75 / 103

E-25 17 / 94 by Doeke Eisma and Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission
Subject : Failure to honour the promise of ECU 300 million for nature and environmental

protection in the ' Black Triangle ' 52

95 / C 75 / 104 E-2524 / 94 by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Bohm to the Commission
Subject : Selection of the ' Executive Director ' of the new European Business Information Centre in
Kuala Lumpur ( Malaysia ) 52

95 / C 75 / 105

E-2526 / 94 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : Auxiliary fund for the payment of unemployment benefit in Belgium 53

95 / C 75 / 106 E-25 35 / 94 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission

Subject : The Consultative Forum, Implementation Network and Review Group on environmental
policy ! 53

95 / C 75 / 107

95 / C 75 / 108

95 / C 75 / 109

95 / C 75 / 110

E-25 3 8 / 94 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission
Subject : Illegal trade in Rm-2020, known as red mercury 54

E-2539 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Data on the activities of Greek NGOs in the development field 54

E-2540 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Data on the activities of NGOs in the field of emergency aid 55

E-2557 / 94 by Danielle Darras to the Commission

Subject : Postal services 56

95 / C 75 / 111 E-2567 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Guatemala street children 56

95 / C 75 / 112 E-2572 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Council
Subject : Arms trade with Indonesia 57

95 / C 75 / 113

95 / C 75 / 114

E-25 74 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Freedom of expression in Sri Lanka and protection of journalists 57

E-25 77 / 94 by Christine Oddy, Glenys Kinnock, David Morris and Tony Cunningham to
the Commission

Subject : UN preventative action 58

95 / C 75 / 115 E-25 78 / 94 by Christine Oddy, Glenys Kinnock, David Morris and Tony Cunningham to
the Commission

Subject : Rwanda and arms embargo 58

95 / C 75 / 116 E-2579 / 94 by Christine Oddy, Glenys Kinnock, David Morris and Tony Cunningham to
the Commission

Subject : Assistance to Rwanda 59

95 / C 75 / 117

95 / C 75 / 118

95 / C 75 / 119

##### EN

E-25 8 8 / 94 by Gerardo Fernandez - Albor to the Commission
Subject : European Union participation in Ibero-American educational television 59

E-2605 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Suicide amongst farm-workers and farmers 60

E-2615 / 94 by James Janssen van Raay to the Commission
Subject : Cost-benefit analysis of trade restrictions 61

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 75 / 120 E-2620 / 94 by John McCartin to the Commission
Subject : Regulations on bonded travel companies and cross-border claims for compensation 61

95 / C 75 / 121 E-2630 / 94 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Legal framework for fraud prevention 62

95 / C 75 / 122 E-2673 / 94 by Leonie van Bladel to the Council
Subject : Lifting of arms embargo on Syria 62

95 / C 75 / 123 E-2677 / 94 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission
Subject : Infant formulae ban ( baby milk ) 63

95 / C 75 / 124 E-2689 / 94 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission
Subject : Improvement of coffee trading structures 63

95 / C 75 / 125 E-2701 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Upper age limits 64

95 / C 75 / 126 E-2720 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Grameen Bank, Bangladesh 64

95 / C 75 / 127 E-2744 / 94 by Wayne David to the Commission
Subject : ESF funding 64

95 / C 75 / 128 E-2760 / 94 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Report by the Court of Auditors of the European Union — European Parliament property
projects in Brussels 65

95 / C 75 / 129 E-28 19 / 94 by Frank Vanhecke to the Commission
Subject : Equal treatment of the official working languages of the European Union by the
Commission 's departments 65

95 / C 75 / 130 E-2885 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : The vegetable trade and fair competition in the region of Attica 66

95 / C 75 / 131 E-2899 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Commission report on the arrangements applicable to tuna for the canning industry 66

##### EN

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1682 / 94

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 01 )

Subject : Anti-smoking campaigns in the European Union

Can the Commission confirm whether :

1 . it is true that the European Union is spending some NLG
3 million per annum on a campaign against cancer,
which in many cases is caused by smoking ?

2 . it is also true that the European Union is simultaneously
providing more than NLG 7 million, not per annum but
per day, in subsidies to European tobacco-growers ?

If not, can the Commission supply the correct figures ?

If so, does the Commission agree that it is time to adopt a
European agricultural policy which takes account of
overproduction, especially where the health of Europe 's
citizens is at stake ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

The Commission confirms that in the general budget for

1994, ECU 1 066 million are allocated to the tobacco
premium . It wishes to point out that the premiums granted
are so in order to guarantee an income for a significant
number of small producers .

The Commission wishes to record that tobacco imports
currently cover 70 % of Community consumption and that
as a result of the recent reform of the common organization
of the market ( COM ) in this sector it is possible to reduce
Community production by fixing annual quotas ( 350 000
tonnes in 1994 ). Whilst fully aware of the harmful effect of
tobacco, the Commission does not think that stopping
domestic production means stopping consumption . The
demand for tobacco would continue and would be met

through imports .

Lastly, the new COM includes a Community research and
information fund, financed by amounts withheld from the
premium, the purpose of which is to finance, among other
things, research and information projects on the harmful
effects of smoking .

on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-1710 / 94

( 20 October 1994 ) by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

The Council and the representatives of the Governments of (1 September
the decision Member on 17 States May meeting 1990 within concerning the Council the 1990 adopted — 1994 a ( 95 / C 75 / 02
action plan as part of the ' Europe against Cancer '
programme ( 90 / 23 8 / Euratom, ECSC, EEC ). Expenditure
incurred for the purposes of that programme amounted, by Subject : ERDF investment in the
way of example, to ECU 10,8 million in 1994 . Such sums are of Valencia ( Spain )
allocated to the various priority measures proposed under
the plan which include those dealing with smoking What has been the outcome of
prevention . funding to the Autonomous

(1 September 1994 )

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of Valencia ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Valencia over

No C 75 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

the 1986 — 1993 period ? Can the monitoring and final
evaluation reports on the matter be made available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1721 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 06 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1711 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 ) Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

( 95 / C 75 / 03 ) of La Rioja ( Spain )

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of the Basque Country ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

funding to the Autonomous Community of the Basque
Country over the 1986 — 1993 period ? Can the monitoring
and final evaluation reports on the matter be made
available ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1717 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 724 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 07 )

( 95 / C 75 / 04 ) Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of the Principality of Asturias ( Spain )

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of Extremadura ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 720 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 05 )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1728 / 94

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 08 )

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

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

of Aragon ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 ?

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF
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 ?

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1731 / 94 ( Spain ) over the 1986 — 1993 period ? Can the monitoring
bv lose Valverde Looez ( PPE ) an < ^ evaluation reports on the matter be made
to the, Commission _ . . available ?

(1 September 1994 )

(9 SIC 75 / 09 )

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of Murcia ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 ?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1710 / 94, E-1711 / 94, E-1717 / 94, E-1720 / 94,
E-1721 / 94, E-1724 / 94, E-1728 / 94, E-1731 / 94,

E-l 734 / 94 and E-1736 / 94

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1734 / 94

1 . The appropriations granted by the European Regional

Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) Development Fund ( ERDF ) to the regions concerned during

to the Commission the period 1986 — 1988 are shown in the table below .

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 10 ) 2 . Information on the period 1989 — 1993 has been
published in the following documents :

Subject : ERDF investment in the Autonomous Community

of Cantabria ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

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 ?

— Info background ' Assistance by Member State : Spain '

— the collection on the Spanish regions of the European

Union ( one document for each region ), which details all
Community assistance during the period concerned .

The first document is being forwarded directly to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat ­

General . The abovementioned collection was sent to the

Members of Parliament in the context of the elections in
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 736 / 94 Jttne 1994 .

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 11 )

Subject : ERDF investmentin the Autonomous Community

of Catalonia ( Spain )

What has been the outcome of the allocation of ERDF

funding to the Autonomous Community of Catalonia

3 . The reports of the Monitoring Committees are
internal working papers drawn up by the competent Spanish
authorities which chair these Committees ; the Commission
is therefore not in a position to send them .

4 . No final assessment will be possible until after the end
of the implementation period for the programmes which, in
the case of the regions concerned, runs until 31 December

1995 .

No C 75 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Appropriations committeed by the ERDF for programmes, projects and studies during 1986-1988

( broken down by region )

( in ECU million )

Programmes Projects

Region

Development

of local
potential

Studies Total

Community N. P.C. I. Total

Industry,
services and

crafts

Infra ­

structures

Total

Asturias — 23,24 23,24 — 98,66 — 98,66 — 121,90

Cantabria —
T

— — — —
32,35 32,35 32,35

Basque

country

— — ^ — ' — — —
23,37 23,37 23,37

Navarre — — — — 2,47 — 2,47 — 2,47

— — — — — —
Aragon 23,65 23,65 23,65

Extremadura — — — 0,62 130,02 — 130,64 — 130,64

Catalonia — — — — 38,43 — 38,43 0,03 38,46

Community
of Valencia — — 77,61 — 77,61 77,61

Murcia — — — — 68,04 — 68,04 — 68,04

— — — — — — — — —
Rioja

QUESTION E-1747 / 94 force . The Commission can take further safeguard measures

David Bowe ( PSE ) to prevent the spread and assist control and eradication of

to the Commission such diseases when necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1747 / 94

by David Bowe ( PSE )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 12 Programmes for the control of classical swine fever in wild
boar have been agreed for those Member States concerned
and research on vaccination of this species continues . The
Subject : EU animal health policy control of the disease in wild boar will reduce the risk of
spread to domestic pigs .

1 . What is the current situation regarding the recently
announced German ban on British beef imports ?

2 . What steps will the Commission take to prevent and
control the spread of animal health diseases ( e.g. classical
swine fever ), originating from both within and outside the
EU ?

A rabies vaccination programme directed at the fox
population has been extended to include parts of Poland, the
Czech Republic and Slovenia .

Under the Phare Programme training and laboratory
equipment will be provided for countries in eastern Europe
to improve their ability to diagnose and control these
important diseases . This will help to prevent the spread of
Answer given by Mr Steichen such diseases to the Community .

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1994 )

In addition the measures applied to the import of animals
and animal products are designed to prevent the entry of
1 . Commission Decision 94 / 474 / EC of 27 July 1994 (*) serious animal diseases into the Community .
was agreed unanimously at the Standing Veterinary
Committee meeting held on 18 July 1994 . It lays down new
rules the German on trade authorities in beef from . the UK which have the support of H OJ No L 194, 29 . 7 . 1994 .

2 . Council Directives laying down measures to be taken
when there is a suspicion of an exotic disease are already in

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1770 / 94

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 13 )

Subject : Factory farming methods in the production of

pregnant mare urine ( P.M.U. )

In 1993 approximately 75 000 pregnant mares were
confined in stalls measuring just 8 feet long and three and a
half to five feet wide . These mares are being used to produce
pregnant mare urine ( P.M.U. ) from which an oestrogen
substitute, Premarin, is extracted . Although other
substitutes are available, doctors are still prescribing this
drug to women needing hormone replacement therapy .

I would be grateful if the Commission could inform me as to
whether there are companies within the European Union
engaging in cruelty to mares by confining them to such small
quarters to produce this hormone replacement .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1994 )

The Commission does not have any information to confirm
there are farms within the Community where urine is
collected from pregnant mares to produce hormones .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1781 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 14 )

Subject : Konver funds for Rhineland-Palatinate

1 . The German Land of Rhineland-Palatinate has

redefined the development areas eligible for regional aid, for
which the Hahn conversion project ( former military airfield )
now qualifies . What prompted the Community to carry out
a major inspection of the project ?

2 . Is the Commission in favour of airport extensions in
Hahn and Zweibrücken ? If not, will it oppose the use of
funds for this purpose ?

3 . What are the conditions for granting Community
Konver funds for projects relating to former military
airfields ?

4 . Are Konver funds being used to increase the registered
capital of the operating company in Zweibrücken ?

5 . What was the reason for the release of initially frozen
Konver funds earmarked for the ' aeroville ' project in
Zweibrücken ?

6 . When it comes to authorizing Konver funds for 1994
and subsequent years, will the Commission carry out an
inspection of the ' aeroville ' project in Zweibrücken and
establish what progress has been made in the extensions ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1994 )

1 . The Commission examined the proposed new eligible
areas of the Common Task ( German regional aid scheme )
' Improvement of the regional economic structure ' for the
period 1994 — 1996 notified under Article 93(3 ) EC Treaty,
in accordance with the provisions of Articles 92 and 93 EC
Treaty and approved them during the first quarter of 1994
on the basis of the provisions of Article 92(3 ) ( a ) and ( c ),
without opening a procedure of examination under
Article 93(2 ) EC Treaty .

2 . The Commission accepted the project in Zweibrücken
within the Community Initiative Konver 1993 given the
characteristics of the measure as a pilot project .

3 . - Projects funded under Konver need to relate to the
eligible measures . Among the measures eligible under
Konver 1993 was the rehabilitation of military sites and the
encouragement of new activities there . Konver 1994 — 1997
provides that help may be given to inter alia environmental
improvements and regeneration of military sites and areas
seriously damaged by military activity, the cleaning-up and
conversion of disused military buildings and their
surroundings, the modernisation of such premises for small
and medium sized enterprises, landscaping, minor works for
improving the appearance of buildings, and roads giving
access to new activities .

4 . By letter of 12 November 1993 to the Federal Minister
of Economics, the Land Rheinland-Pfalz gave assurances
that in implementing Konver projects no Community
support would be used to provide equity capital to
companies .

5 . There was no suspension of payments . The
Community adopted the Konver Programme for
Rheinland-Pfalz on 22 December 1993 . In accordance with

this decision the measures regarding the conversion of the
military air base in Zweibrücken were agreed .

6 . Draft programmes under Konver for the 1994 — 1997
period have to be submitted by the Member States

No C 75 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

to the Commission by the end of October . Once the
programmes are agreed they will be subjected to evaluation,
during and at the end of the planning period, by the
Commission in partnership with the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877 / 94

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 16 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 800 / 94 Subject : Promotion of the consumption of grape juice

by Anne Van Lancker ( PSE )

to the Commission

Regulation ( EEC ) No 1817 / 94 ( x ) of 25 July allocates a total
(1 September 1994 ) sum of ECU 7 200 000 for a campaign in the 1993 / 94

( 95 / C 75 / 15 ) marketing year to promote the consumption of grape juice

in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands .

Subject : Monitoring the impact on women of Community

initiative programmes and the Structural Funds

Which Commission service is responsible for monitoring the
impact on women of Community initiative programmes and
of the Structural Funds ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

The Structural Fund Regulations require measures financed
by those Funds to be consistent with the principle of equal
opportunities for men and women . The preamble to the
Social Fund Regulation ( EEC ) No 2084 / 93 ( J ) states that
Member States and the Commission should ensure that the

principle of equal opportunities for men and women is
respected in the implementation of the actions financed by
the ESF in the context of all the objectives .

Directorate-General V is responsible for implementing the
policy of equal opportunities . Appropriate coordination is
ensured at DG level . More specifically, Unit DG V / B / 4 's
tasks, in the context of the ' Employment Initiative ', include
the coordination and management of NOW, which is
concerned with promoting equal opportunities for

women .

The impact of the Structural Funds in general is monitored
by the specialised units within the Directorates-General
which manage the various Funds . Unit V / B / 3 is responsible
for monitoring the impact of the ESF, including its impact

on women .

Unit V / A / 3 monitors questions of equal opportunities for
men and women at a more general level .

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

Can the Commission say whether the Member States
benefiting from these campaigns have remained the same
since 1985 ( Regulation No 3461 / 85 ( 2 )) and why Portugal
has not been included ?

(!) OJ No L 190, 26 . 7 . 1994, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 332, 10 . 12 . 1985, p . 22 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1994 )

Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 3461 / 85 lays down the
conditions for organizing campaigns to promote grape juice
in the Member States . The following must also be in
place :

— good prospects for an increase in consumption,

— the capacity for rapidly adjusting supply to demand .

The Management Committee for Wine decides each year the
overall amount (a 35 % deduction from the production aid
for grape juice ) and the Member States in which the
promotional campaigns will take place .

Portugal has never sought inclusion in this initiative . - If the
above conditions are met, Portugal can ask to participate
and the Management Committee will study the request .

27 . 3 . 95 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 7

QUESTION E-1886 / 94 The Commission takes the view that information

Falconer ( PSE ) concerning radioactive waste in the Community does not

to the Commission require any further steps .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1886 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

(6 September 1994 )

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .
( 95 / C 75 / 17

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 66 .

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has the Commission taken to establish a

complete database of all categories of radioactive waste, by
location, in the Community and to make this publicly
available to all citizens within the Community and all
interested parties outside, as called for in recommendation

1 7 of the amended report on the environmental and public
health aspects of the storage, transport and re-processing of
nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), as
supported by Parliament on 16 July 1993 ? When will this
database be completed and what steps is the Commission
planning to publicize and distribute the database ?

(') OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 3 ) COM(93 ) 88 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 892 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 18 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the reports on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to fulfil
recommendation 11 on the redeployment of skilled nuclear
re-processing workforces at EC nuclear re-processing plants
of the amended report on the environmental and public
health aspects of the storage, transport and processing of
nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith i 1 ), as
supported by Parliament on 16 July 1993 ? When does the
Commission expect to present the report to Parliament ?

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission (») OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

In March 1994 the Commission published a
communication to the Council, Parliament and the
Economic and Social Committee on a Community strategy
for the management of radioactive waste ( 2 ).

For their part, Member States with significant nuclear
programmes publish detailed annual reports on their stocks
of radioactive waste .

Furthermore, the Commission 's plan of action on
radioactive waste, which has been operative since 1980 and
was extended in 1992 through to 1999, provides for a
report every three years on the situation with radioactive
waste in the Community .

In April 1993 the Commission published a communication
on the ' Present situation and prospects for radioactive waste
management in the European Community ( 3 )'.

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( 2 ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

At the moment the Commission feels that no useful purpose
will be served by carrying out the study requested on worker
retraining or re-deployment ( see also the answer to the
Honourable Member 's Written Question No 1895 / 94 ).

(») OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

No C 75 / 8 f EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1893 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

(9 SIC 75 / 19 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to
implement recommendation 10 on the proliferation
problems posed by re-processing plutonium of the amended
report on the environmental and public health aspects of the
storage, transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels,
A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith (*), as supported by
Parliament on 16 July 1993 ? When does the Commission
intend to fulfil the request that it report to Parliament on this
matter ? Can it explain why this request has not been met to
date ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 896 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 20 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to
implement recommendation 7 on the presentation to the
Council of proposals for new legislation to ensure that the
agreements made at the 1992 Review Conference on the
Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials are implemented
across the Community, of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), as supported by Parliament on

16 July 1993 ?

(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 . 0 ) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 ) ( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

Physical protection is essentially the responsibility of the
Member States, the Commission only being responsible for
the physical protection of nuclear materials in its Joint
Research Centre .

The problems of nuclear proliferation posed by plutonium Physical protection is essentially the responsibility of the
have attracted the attention of the world community . A Member States, the Commission only being responsible for
number of initiatives have been proposed to establish an the physical protection of nuclear materials in its Joint
international management mechanism for plutonium stocks Research Centre .
and make policy in this area more transparent, possibly by
storing stocks of plutonium in international stores and
submitting them to agreed international criteria . This idea is Where it is called upon to authorize the export of nuclear
currently being discussed in the international fora . materials the Commission demands assurance from the
Member States in question that transfers of nuclear
materials are undertaken in compliance with the

The management of plutonium of military origin, which will Convention on Physical Protection . Under the
be made available following disarmament, is also being circumstances the Commission does not feel the need to
examined at international level . submit legal provisions to the Council .

The management of plutonium of military origin, which will
be made available following disarmament, is also being
examined at international level .

(M OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 . (!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 9

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1906 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 21 )

Subject : Integrated administration and control system for

cereals in the context of CAP reform

Regulations ( EEC ) Nos 3887 / 92 (*) and 3508 / 92 ( 2 ) provide
for the right to aid linked to the taking out of production of
certain arable lands .

The areas affected by the regulations amount to 15 % of the
surface area of an arable farm .

For how many years will this percentage remain in

force ?

On what equivalent area of annual production must it be
based ?

(') OJ No L 391, 31 . 12 . 1992, p . 36 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 355, 5 . 12 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

future years will therefore be assessed according to
production and market developments .

(') OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1907 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 22 )

Subject : Agricultural policy and GATT

The protection mechanisms concerning access to the single
market have been fundamentally altered .

What use is to be made of the export subsidies saved as a
result of the reduction in exports by 21 % ( in volume terms )
and 36 % ( in tariff equivalents ) as a result of the GATT
agreement ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission
( 14 November 1994 )
( 14 November 1994 )

The set-aside of land under the arable support system is a
market management measure intended to reduce the volume
of arable output whilst market conditions so require . The
set-aside requirement for each producer applying for
compensatory payments under the general scheme is fixed as
a proportion of his area down to arable crops and set-aside,
and for which a claim is made . The current rates are fixed at

15% for rotational set-aside and 18% and 20% for the

other forms of set-aside .

Under Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (*), the set-aside
percentage can be revised upwards or downwards
depending on the evolution of the market . The results of the
reform of the CAP are currently very encouraging . The
cereals market has achieved a better balance as a result of a

reduction in production and an increase in Community
consumption . This together with favourable world markets
has resulted in a reduction in intervention stocks and also a

rise in prices for cereals on the Community market . The
Commission has therefore recently proposed to the Council
that the rate of rotational set-aside be reduced temporarily
to 13% . Changes to the percentages of the other forms of
set-aside follow automatically . This reduction, if agreed,
will only apply for the 1995 / 96 marketing year . The rate of
set-aside will automatically revert back to 15% from the

1996 / 97 marketing year .

It would be unacceptable to maintain a level of set-aside
which was higher than necessary . The level of set-aside for

The Commission has submitted to the Council proposals for
implementing the results of the Uruguay Round .

The aims of these proposals are to ensure that the necessary
measures can be taken to ensure that the commitments on

export subsidies can be respected and, at the same time, the
Community within the committed limits can react with the
largest possible flexibility and ensure that no unnecessary
restrictions on exports will be applied .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1910 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 23 )

Subject : Cereals

Cereals prices have dropped by 32% .

Taking account of the taxes and production margins, can
the Commission put a figure on the fall in intervention prices
which is reflected in a drop in the prices paid to
producers ?

No C 75 / 10 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Steichen

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1913 / 94

on behalf of the Commission

by José Happart ( PSE )
( 16 November 1994 ) to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

Intervention prices for cereals are fixed for a product at the
wholesale stage, delivered at warehouse before
unloading .

The charges applicable at the marketing stage are not
standardized for cereals across the Community . Marketing
margins also vary, depending on local structures .

Under the circumstances, the Commission cannot assess the
impact of taxes and margins on the cereal price paid to
producers .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1912 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 75 / 25 )

Subject : Environment

What environmental measures have to be applied to
set-aside land ?

How will the implementation of agro-environmental
measures be defined ?

Will an overall plan be drawn up for the aid for each

farm ?

Will an overall approach for plans recorded during the
set-aside period be adopted for this aid ?

Will the Member States be responsible for
implementation ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 1994 ) ( 18 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 24 )

Subject : Cereals

The surface area quota eligible for aid resulting from the

CAP reform continues to be defined on a historic basis .

Is the Commission aware that by limiting the support to
field crop areas, the system penalizes farmers who have
converted in recent years to other types of production which
do not contribute to the imbalance on the cereals

markets ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 November 1994 )

The Commission does not agree with the Honourable
Member that the compensatory payment scheme for arable
crops penalizes producers of crops other than cereals,
oilseeds and protein crops .

The set-aside scheme under Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1765 / 92 (*) provides that the land set aside should be
properly maintained, ensuring the continuation of good
farming conditions and environmental protection . The
specific terms of environmental protection are laid down by
the Member States . Similarly, for land set aside under
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 on agricultural
production methods compatible with the requirements of
the protection of the environment ( 2 ), the conditions to be
complied with are drawn up by the Member States within
their programmes .

To implement the agro-environmental measures, the
Member States are to prepare their programmes by defining
the areas to be covered, the operations they intend to
implement and the specific constraints to be observed by the
farmers .

An overall plan for each farm is not required for all
beneficiaries . It may be required in certain cases depending
on the nature of the constraints specific to each
operation .

An overall approach during the set-aside period is provided
by means of the procedure whereby the Commission
approves programmes in the light of the opinion of the
Management Committee on Agricultural Structures and
Rural Development .

Under the regional base area scheme, which is the only such
scheme being applied in the Community, any producer may The Member States must
choose to cultivate cereals, oilseeds and protein crops during scheme throughout their
a given marketing year, thereby benefiting from the
corresponding compensatory payments . (!) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .
(!) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

The Member States must ensure the implementation of the
scheme throughout their territories .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 11

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1927 / 94 enquiries of the Member State concerned and will not fail to

by Karl von Wogau ( PPE ) inform the Honourable Member of its findings .

to the Commission

f 1 ) OJ No L 303, 31 . 10 . 1990 .

( 12 September 1994 ) ( 2 ) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993 .

SIC 75 / 26 ( 3 ) OJ No L 224, 18 . 8 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993 .

(9 SIC 75 / 26 )

Subject : Trade barriers affecting imports of chicks from

Germany into France

The French authorities pay compensation if the standard
examination of chickens at the age of 16 weeks shows them
to be infected with salmonella . This compensation is not
paid where the chicks concerned were imported from
Germany into France at one day old, despite having been
examined for salmonella infection by the purchaser and
vendor .

This constitutes an import barrier, since these rules mean
that buyers in France are not protected against this risk .

Does the Commission share the view that these rules

contravene Article 30 et seq . of the EC Treaty ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

The Commission understands from the Honourable

Member 's question that he is referring to a regular check
said to be carried out by the French authorities with a view
to preventing salmonella in poultry for breeding and
production of eggs for consumption . These checks are said
to be made on birds more than 16-weeks ' old . Such checks

would be covered, on the one hand, by Council Directive
90 / 539 / EEC of 15 October 1990 on animal health

conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and
imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching
eggs f 1 ) and, on the other hand, by Council Directive

92 / 1 17 / EEC of 17 December 1992 concerning measures for
protection against specified zoonoses and specified zoonotic
agents in animals and products of animal origin in order to
prevent outbreaks of food-borne infections and
intoxications ( 2 ). The first of these two Directives concerns
the protection of animal health, while the second concerns
the protection of public health . Checks on day-old chicks
are covered by the above Directives .

Responsibility for arrangements to compensate rearers if
salmonella is found falls on the national authorities in the

first instance, although a financial contribution from the
Community is possible under Council Decision 90 / 424 / EEC
of 26 June 1990 in expenditure in the veterinary field ( 3 ). In
this connection, the Commission is currently making

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1952 / 94

by Lucio Manisco ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 27 )

Subject : TV cartel in Italy

On 29 July 1994, at a meeting organized by the European
Group of the International Federation of Journalists ( IFJ ) on
the future of public broadcasting, Mr Murialdi, a former
director of the RAI, said he had received a cartel proposal
from Mr Silvio Berlusconi .

The arrangement, according to Mr Murialdi, involved
reducing RAI advertising from Lit 1 300 billion to Lit 1 000
billion so as to compel state television to cut back its
programmes and make some journalists redundant,
although the RAI would retain its three channels .

1 . What steps does the Commission intend to take, as a

matter of urgency, to prevent the creation of cartels
which would control the Italian television market with

inevitable repercussions at European level ?

2 . Does the Commission not believe that a proposal for a
directive on combinations should be drawn up urgently
so as to define their limits as regards the proper use of
advertising ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

1 . As regards the provisions governing the control of
restrictive practices and dominant positions, the
Commission has no plans to take urgent measures since the
allegations do not fall within the scope of Community
competition law . At any event, irrespective of the national
provisions applicable in this field, any change in size ( e.g.
reduction in the number of channels to two or even three ) or
in resources ( e.g. a lowering of the ceiling for advertising
revenue ) affecting the public broadcasting service is a matter
exclusively for domestic law .

2 . The Commission does not intend to present a proposal
for a Directive on concentration in the advertising market as

No C 75 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

such . However, on the basis of the Green Paper on pluralism
and media concentration in the internal market ( 1 ), it is
looking into the need for an initiative at Community level in
the field of media ownership . In this connection, a
communication to the Council and Parliament on the
follow-up to the Green Paper ( 2 ) has now been adopted by
the Commission . This interim report states that a
Community initiative on media ownership might prove
necessary and that the consultation process should therefore
be continued and certain issues looked into more closely so
that the Commission can decide on the matter .

(*) Pluralism and media concentration in the internal market : An

assessment of the need for Community action, COM(92 ) 480
final .

( 2 ) Follow-up to the consultation process relating to the Green

Paper on pluralism and media concentration in the internal
market, COM(94 ) 353 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1967 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 28 )

Subject : EU development aid

Is the Commission aware of the recent Court of Auditors '

report on the EU aid programme which states that the EU
structural adjustment funding had :

— used only 1 % of the funds from a £ 700 million SAP

programme to do that from 1987 —92,

— used eight times as much money for oil imports as for

health and education,

— wasted millions of ECUs in advances to oil

companies,

— allowed the World Bank to block spending of EU

funds ?

What measures will the Commission take to react to the

Court of Auditors ' report and ensure that the SAP
programme is properly regulated ?

Auditors ' report on the Structural Adjustment Support
Programme .

— It is totally inaccurate to say that only 1 % of the £ 700

million SAP funds were used from 1987 — 1992 .

Between 1990 and December 1992 alone, 133 MECU
were disbursed from the SAF . Altogether, with NIP
funds total Structural Adjustment Support amounted to
approximately 200 MECU .

Plans for December 1994 foresee decisions amounting to
a total of 966 MECU from the Structural Adjustment
Fund .

— Expenditures on oil imports and expenditures on

education and health sectors cannot be compared . Petrol
Sectoral Import Programmes account for Balance of
Payments Support while social sectors are funded from
Counterpart Funds ( CPF ) generated by this same
Balance of Payments Support . In any case oil imports
represent only a minor percentage of total Structural
Adjustment Funding, the majority of the programmes
taking the form of General Import Programmes, while
education and health represent to date more than 70 %
of Counterpart funds financed expenditures .

— Advances to oil companies did not represent any waste

of funds but were part of normal procurement and
financial procedures .

— Structural Adj ustment Support takes place in the context

of a unique adjustment programme agreed upon and
coordinated with the main bilateral and multilateral

donors ( notably the IMF and the World Bank ).

Despite that, the Commission has always kept its own
conditionality ( general, specific and administrative )
concerning the continuation of Structural Adjustment
Support to ACP States . Decisions related to continuation
of programmes have always derived from the analysis of
the accomplishment of this conditionality .

— The Commission has already replied to the comments

raised by the financial audit concerning Structural
Adjustment Support . Based on its own analysis, the
Commission has anticipated most of the appreciations
indicated in the Court of Auditors report and
incorporated them in present and future implementation
of the structural adjustment programmes .

Answer given by Mr Marin While the Commission must obviously admit there is room
on behalf of the Commission for improvement it rejects any suggestion that the Structural

(9 January 1995 ) Adjustment Support is improperly regulated .

The questions raised by the Honourable Member seem to
result from a mis-interpretation of the recent Court of

27 . 3 . 95 lEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1989 / 94

by Bartho Pronk ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

(9 SIC 75 / 29 )

Subject : Enforcement Convention and abuse and improper

use of social security

Paragraph 5.5 of a letter of 20 July 1994 from the
Netherlands Minister of Justice to the Lower House of the
States-General ( parliamenary document 17050, No . 188 )
states that the EEC Convention on jurisdiction and the
enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters
does not appear to cover social security .

1 . Does the Commission agree with the Netherlands
Minister of Justice that the EEC Enforcement
Convention does not appear to provide in any way for
the sequestration of debts arising from wrongful social
security payments ?

2 . If not, will the Commission inform the Netherlands
Government of its views ?

3 . If so, does the Commission view this as a serious
shortcoming which stands in the way of efforts to
combat the abuse and improper use of social
security ?

4 . Mr Delors ' White Paper advocates, inter alia, a
reduction in social security contributions as a
proportion of wage costs . Is turning a blind eye to the
crossborder misuse of social security compatible with
this view ?

5 . Is the Commission prepared to take measures to bring
social security within the scope of the Enforcement
Convention and to take other appropriate measures to
avert the crossborder abuse and improper use of social
security ?

The Commission does not disagree with the views expressed
by the Dutch Minister of Justice on the basis of the
information given in the question .

The Commission is aware that the exclusion of social

security from the Brussels Convention leads to some
difficulties . For this reason, it is examining the possibility of
introducing into Regulation 1408 / 71 / EEC ( 2 ) of the Council
of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security
schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and
to members of their families moving within the Community .

( The consolidated version is published in the Official
Journal ) a mechanism for dealing with many of the
problems which arise in this area . The Commission is
currently discussing possible solutions with the Member
States in the administrative commission on social security
for migrant workers .

(M See General Report 1979 — OJ No C 59, 5 . 3 . 1979 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 325, 10 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046 / 94

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 30

Subject : Copying of sound recordings for private use

Is it true that the Commission intends to re-examine the

question of copying sound recordings for private use with a
view to possible harmonization of legislation in the Member
States in this area ?

If so, what factors have prompted this action by the
Commission ? Does it intend to introduce a compulsory fee
system in all Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi Answer given by Mr Vanni

on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1994 ) (4 November 1994 )

Social security was excluded from the scope of the Brussels
Convention because in some Member States it is a matter of

public law whilst in others it falls on the borderline between
private and public law . Likewise in some Member States
litigation on social security falls within the jurisdiction of
ordinary courts whilst in others it falls to administrative
courts or both (*). However, the litigation excluded on
social security is that confined to disputes arising from the
relationship between the administrative authorities and
employers or employees . Disputes between administrative
authorities and third parties which operate on the basis of
ordinary legal rules do fall within the Convention . This
would not appear to be the case in relation to recovery of
benefits wrongly paid .

The Commission is currently looking into the question of
harmonizing certain rules of the law of copyright and related
rights applicable to private copying : it gave notice in its
communication ' Follow-up to the Green Paper — Working
programme of the Commission in the field of copyright and
neighbouring rights ' ( J ) of its intention to present a proposal
for a directive on the home copying of sound and
audiovisual works .

The reasons why the Commission is looking into the matter
have to do with the completion of the internal market and
the need to guarantee rightholders a high level of protection,
an objective recognized and approved by both Parliament
and the Council ( Directive 93 / 98 / EEC of 29 October 1993

No C 75 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain
related rights ) ( 2 ).

As far as operation of the internal market is concerned, the
existence of levies applied on a purely national basis to blank
recording media and recording apparatus is creating
barriers to trade and distortions of competition .

The Commission has not yet decided on any measures to be
taken .

(!) COM(90 ) 584 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 290, 24 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2047 / 94

by Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 31 )

Subject : Advertising of recruitment notices

On looking at a recruitment notice for conference
interpreters it seemed that it was only published in one UK
newspaper — the Guardian . On what criteria was the
Guardian newspaper selected rather than the Daily
Telegraph or the Times ?

What is the comparative AB reader profile of these three UK
newspapers ? How many readers in the AB category ?

What is the cost per thousand readers to advertise in each
newspaper for 1 . AB readers, 2 . university graduates ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

It is the case that the advertisement for trainee conference

interpreters appeared in only one British newspaper . It also
appeared in only one newspaper in Belgium, Spain, France
and Ireland in relation to the other mother-tongue
interpreters sought .

In selecting the newspapers to carry recruitment
advertisements, the Commission asks a number of agencies
to quote for placing the notices and to give the benefit of
their knowledge of the market in selecting the most
appropriate publications for the posts concerned . There are,
of course, independent readership statistics such as the
National Readership Survey which can help confirm the
choice of newspapers suggested by the agencies . It is not

only the total readership, social class and education level
which are taken into account, but the attractiveness of the
special job advertising days .

As resources are not unlimited, the costs of placing the
advertisements in differing newspapers are taken into
account . In value for money terms, however, what is
important is to reach the targetted audience, rather than the
absolute cost . Advertisements are placed in other
newspapers when they are considered to be appropriate .

Newspaper advertisements are not the only means of
announcing competitions . Notices are also sent, as
appropriate, to the state employment agencies, universities,
colleges and professional organisations . The Eures system is
also now used and the use of TV and radio vacancy
announcements is being explored to ensure that the widest
audience is reached .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2054 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 32 )

Subject : The destruction of the mastic trees on Chios

As a result of the fire on the island of Chios from 4 to

6 August 1994, around 100 000 mastic trees (a type of
lentisk which grows and produces mastic only in southern
Chios ) were destroyed together with 15 tonnes of mastic,
about 14 000 olive trees, machinery, installations, etc .
Hundreds of farmers saw their crops destroyed and are now
desperate and face economic hardship .

Bearing in mind that mastic is found nowhere else in the
world and that for centuries its has been of vital importance
to agricultural life on the island, as well as the social and
cultural identity of Chios :

1 . what steps will the Commission take to implement

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 (*) to ensure that
lentisks are replanted, fire lanes are created and
water-pumping stations are set up, and to implement
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2081 / 92 ( 2 ) and
2082 / 92 ( 3 ) to secure recognition for the protected
designation of origin of Chios ' mastic ;

2 . will the Commission impose new measures to prevent
and fight the very frequent fires in the European Union,
which have catastrophic environmental consequences,
especially for the ecosystems of small islands such as
Chios ( climate, water basins, etc .), and

27 . 3 . 95 L EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 15

3 . will it propose emergency financial assistance for the
affected farmers in southern Chios ?

I 1 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 96 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 208, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 1 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 208, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 9 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

In a Decision of 27 April 1994 the Commission approved
the Greek national programme under Regulation ( EEC )
No 2080 / 92 . This programme provides inter alia for
measures to improve the protection of forests against the
risks of fire, such as the installation of water supply
points .

With a view to achieving a lasting improvement in the
protection of forests against fire, the Commission makes
available to the Member States consistent and appropriate
means which must be maintained and, where necessary,
strengthened in the case of large areas burned . Regulation

( EEC ) No 2158 / 92 ( J ) provides for the Member States to
forward to the Commission their forest-fire protection
plans .

The national authorities are responsible for determining
which protection measures will be given priority under these
plans and for forwarding projects concerning them . This
option is also available with regard to the use of Structural
Fund resources under the Greek CSF for 1994 — 1999 .

Many people are disappointed and angered by this decision,
for the following reasons :

— there are some 300 000 Italian immigrants living in

Belgium who travel to Italy regularly for holidays or to
visit their families . The decision by the FFSS, which
follows another recent decision to discontinue one of the

two trains running between Brussels and Milan, creates
considerable inconvenience for passengers from
central-southern Italy . Italian nationals living in
Luxembourg and eastern France are naturally also
affected ;

— the train in question was also used by many tourists from

northern Europe visiting Italy, particularly young
people, thus contributing to the promotion of tourism
within the Community, as urged by the Commission

( European Year of Tourism, Action Programme in
favour of Tourism, etc .);

— the train, as the Commission states in its White Paper on

the future development of the common transport policy,
is the alternative to road transport, and should be
encouraged as a mode of transport capable of
guaranteeing ' sustainable mobility '. There is no need to
point out that the cost of air travel is often prohibitive,
especially for family travel .

In view of the ' implementation of the White Paper, does the
Commission not consider that measures should be taken to

ensure that the Italian State railways revise their decisions
and continue to carry out the public service they are required
to provide in the transport sector of the European
Union ?

With regard to the protection of designations of origin, the
Greek authorities have forwarded applications which are
currently being examined . No designations of origin have
yet been registered .

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission
(!) OJ No L 217, 31 . 7 . 1992 .

( 16 January 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2057 / 94

by Francesco Baldarelli ( PSE )

to the Commission

The White Paper on the ' future development of the common
transport policy ' (*) notes that the majority of the increase in
the carriage of passengers within the Community is due to
the use of private cars .

(3 October 1994 )

In order to upgrade rail transport the Commission
( 95 / C 75 / 33 ) recommends inter alia that priority be given to high-speed
rail links . A development of this type is currently in progress
in Italy, where the Rome-Florence line is already in use .
Subject : Discontinuation of international Brussels-Rome

train

On 4 September 1994, by decision of the FFSS ( Italian state
railways ), the train which ran daily from Brussels to Rom,
and which had served large numbers of passengers for many
years, was discontinued .

One can say with regard to the cancellation of the direct
service between Brussels and Rome that Directive

91 / 440 / EEC on the development of the Community 's
railways ( 2 ), and in particular Article 5(1 ) and ( 2 ) thereof,
stipulates that railway companies must be managed

No C 75 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

according to the principles which apply to commercial
companies . Their activity schedules must be designed in
order to achieve financial stability . The decision of the
Ferrovie dello Stato to axe the service referred to above

would seem to coincide with Community policy, which
grants the railway companies freedom, within the general
policy guidelines of each Member State, to offer their
services on the basis of commercial-return criteria .

It would still seem useful to draw attention to the alternative

form of transport offered by the Brussels-Rome air service,
which, following the third package on the liberalization of
air services, is served daily by four companies . The fact that
there are more than two carriers means that competition is
ensured, including special offers made in order to attract

customers .

Consumers often prefer air to rail travel over such distances .
The choice made is probably the underlying cause of the
discontinuation of the direct railway service between
Brussels and Rome .

Í 1 ) COM(92 ) 494 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 237, 24 . 8 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 34 )

Subject : European forests

Does the Commission agree about the seriousness of the
conclusion of the latest report on ' The Forest Condition in
Europe ', in particular about the escalating effects of
pollution on European forests, and will it propose an urgent
action plan ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

The Commission agrees with the conclusion of the report
' Forest Condition in Europe 1994 ' which was published by
the Commission in close cooperation with the International
Cooperative Programme for the evaluation of air pollution
effects on forests ( ICP Forests — UN / ECE, Geneva ). The
information given in this report is based on the
transnational forest health survey set up by Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3528 / 86 ( J ), as amended by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2157 / 92 ( 2 ). The conclusions of the

report have been agreed upon by the Task force of experts of
the ECP Forests and the Working group ' atmospheric
pollution ' of the Standing Forestry Committee .

The role of atmospheric pollution is indeed well described in
the conclusions of this report :

' According to the opinion of the countries participating
in the survey, the most frequent causes of the symptoms
observed are adverse weather condition, insects, fungi,
air pollution and forest fires . Particularly in some of the
main damage areas, but also in several other regions, air
pollution is considered as of major concern, because the
atmospheric concentrations and the deposition of
several air pollutants are thought to exceed the critical
levels and loads for forest ecosystems .'

Although the Commission believes that with 22,2 % of trees
damaged ( 1993 survey ) the overall condition of forests in
Europe still must be considered as problematic, it does not,
however, interpret the conclusion of the report as indicating
' escalating effects of pollution in European forests '.

Nevertheless, atmospheric pollution still must be considered
as a major threat to forest ecosystems in Europe and efforts
must be continued at Community level to reduce emissions
into the air . Furthermore the Community 's actions for the
protection of forests against atmospheric pollution
including notably the intensive monitoring of forest
ecosystems as well as pilot projects to improve
understanding of atmospheric pollution effects on forests
and the development of methods to maintain or restore
damaged forest will be continued as foreseen by Regulations
( EEC ) No 3528 / 86 and ( EEC ) No 2157 / 92 .

So far, more than 300 projects, including intensive
ecosystem monitoring and large scale forest health surveys
have been co-financed under this programme .

The Commission is also continuing to work towards the
reduction of emissions from vehicles, fuels, the solvent
industry, the chemical industry and large fuel-burning
installations ( power stations, etc .). It is stepping up air
quality monitoring ( framework directive establishing new
standards for air pollution with a view to informing citizens
and adopting reduction measures when the thresholds are
exceeded ).

Lastly, it is planned to increase cooperation between forest
and air quality monitoring networks so as to improve
understanding of the relationships between atmospheric
pollution and forest health .

(!) OJ No L 326, 21 . 11 . 1986 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 217, 31 . 7 . 1992 .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2088 /

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE ) by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2088 / 94

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

(6 October 1994 ) (6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 35 ) ( 95 / C 75 / 36 )

Subject : Portugal, Italy and Luxembourg — VAT
discrimination

Given the current ' reduced ' VAT rates on wines compared
with other alcoholic drinks ( e.g. spirits and beer ) in Italy,
Luxembourg and Portugal, maintenance of which is linked
to the VAT ' Destination '/' origin ' system review by the end
of 1996, will the Commission take steps to ensure that .

1 . Portugal forthwith increases its 5% rate to the 12%
minimum which has been required since 1 January

1993, and

Subject : Damage to the Greek economy due to the crisis in

the Former Yugoslavia

The General Directorate of Foreign Trade and Foreign
Trade Relations within the Greek Ministry of the National
Economy has submitted a report to the Commission
assessing the damage so far suffered by the Greek economy,
including the tourist industry, as a result of the crisis in the
former Yugoslavia . Although two years have passed since
this report was issued, no financial aid has been granted
either to the tourist industry, which is facing serious
problems of survival, or to small businesses in Thessalonika
and the region of Macedonia, many of which are facing
bankruptcy .

2 . Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal will equalize their VAT
rates on all alcoholic drinks from 1 January 1997 ?

alcoholic drinks from 1 January 1997 ? Has the Commission examined the report in question, and

what conclusions has it reached concerning the level of
compensation and the timetable for payment in order to
help the effected area of northern Greece and to ensure the
survival of production, tourism and other forms of
industry which contribute to the country 's economic
Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
development ?

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1994 )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

Under Community VAT legislation ( ), alcoholic drinks are, on behalf of the Commission
in principle, taxable at the standard rate of VAT and as such (9 December 1994 )
are subject to a minimum of 15% throughout the
Community .

However, those Member States which at 1 January 1991
applied a reduced VAT rate to supplies of goods and services
not now eligible for a reduced VAT rate ( which includes
alcoholic drinks ) may apply a reduced rate to such supplies
on a transitional basis provided that the rate is not lower
than 12% . The transitional period permitting this is
scheduled to end on 31 December 1996 with the

introduction of the definitive VAT regime .

The situation with regard to the application in Portugal of a
rate of 5 % to supplies of wine has been brought to the
attention of the Commission, which is currently examining
the question with a view to taking the appropriate
decision .

( : ) Articles 12 ( 3 ) and 28(2 ) of the Sixth Council VAT Directive ( as

amended by Directive 92 / 77 / EEC ).

As the Honourable Member has pointed out, the Greek
authorities have to date sent two memoranda prepared by
the Ministry of the National Economy on the damage which
the Greek economy has suffered as a result of the events in
the former Yugoslavia .

The information contained in the documents referred to on

the losses suffered by the sector which deals with the
carriage of goods, as well as other sectors of the economy

( e.g. tourism ). The documents also contain a list of 1 500
companies which claim to have been adversely affected by
the events .

The information contained in these documents has been

carefully studied by the Commission . However, it was
considered that the data provided by the Greek authorities
were not sufficient to justify possible aid from the
Commission . The conclusions of these studies were passed
on to the Greek authorities by the Commission .

No C 75 / 18 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2093 / 94

by Brigitte Langenhagen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 37 )

Subject : Inequality of access to professions in tourism

Does the Commission agree that the existence of different
kinds of training courses and diplomas in tourism in the
different Member State of the European Union must not
become an obstacle to citizens of the Union working in this
sector ?

In Spain at present, citizens from other Member States can
work in the tourism sector only after completing the normal
Spanish three-year diploma course in tourism, leading to a
qualification which is valid across the whole tourism sector

( e.g. holders can work in hotel management, or as employed
or self-employed tour guides ).

Is the current practice in Spain of restricting access to the
profession in this way in line with European law, if applied
to citizens of the EU who hold the qualifications in tourism
which are standard in their country of origin ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1994 )

Under Community law, a European citizen wishing to
pursue an occupational activity in another Member State is
subject to the rules applicable in the host Member State
provided that they do not discriminate against other
Community citizens and comply with the principles of
Community law . As regards tourism in particular, there is
no definition of any of the occupations in this industry at
Community level .

However, with the assistance of Cedefop, the Commission
has, pursuant to Council Decision 85 / 368 / EEC of 16 July

1985 (*), compared vocational training qualifications for 15
occupations in tourism .

Its on-going work in this field, published regularly in the
Official Journal, helps to make the qualifications awarded in
each Member State more transparent . It also encourages the
free movement of workers, providing them with another
tool with which they are able to make better use of their
qualifications in the host Member State ( Commission
communications 89 / C 166 and 92 / C 320 ) ( 2 ).

Although some measures have already been taken at
Community level concerning the mutual recognition of
diplomas by them, Member States remain free to decide on
training and on the conditions governing access to and
pursuit of an occupation, as well as the right to use a title .
Nevertheless, pursuant to Council Directives based on
Article 57 of the EC Treaty, they recognize each other 's
vocational diplomas .

For some occupations ( hotels and catering : Directive
68 / 368 / EEC ( 3 ); tour guides and interpreters : Directive
75 / 368 / EEC ( 4 ); travel agencies : Directive 82 / 470 / EEC ( 5 )),
there are ad hoc arrangements for the recognition of
qualifications based on vocational experience acquired in
the home Member State .

Depending on the level of study leading to the diploma or
other certificate ( e.g. vocational proficiency certificate ),
regulated occupations not dealt with in a specific Directive

( e.g. tourist guides ) are covered either by Directive
89 / 48 / EEC on a general system for the recognition of
higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of
professional education and training of at least three years '
duration ( 6 ) or by Directive No 92 / 51 / EEC on a second
general system for the recognition of professional education
and training, which supplements Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( 7 )
and entered into force on 18 June 1994 . Recognition is
based on the similarity between the occupation for which
the migrant was trained in his home Member State and that
which he wishes to pursue in the host Member State, and
hence on some degree of comparability between the training
acquired and that required in the host Member State .

These Directives do not require the Member States to lay
down rules governing the pursuit of an occupation which
may be covered by a Directive, nor do they themselves
coordinate post-secondary and university education . They
simply set a reference standard comprising the necessary
minimum conditions which training must satisfy in order to
be recognized in the Member States . Member States remain
free to define the minimum level of qualifications necessary
in order to take up and pursue an occupation, but only
training courses which comply with the Directive are
recognized . Provision has been made for compensatory
measures to remedy any major inequalities between the
different vocational training courses .

Lastly, in cases where there is no relevant Directive,
migrants may apply for recognition by virtue of the case-law
of the Court of Justice ( see Case 222 / 86 Heylens and Case
C 340 / 89 Vlassopoulou ), which requires Member States,
even if no directive is applicable, to take account of the
diplomas of other Member States awarded to Community
nationals .

As regards regulation of the occupations in question in
Spain, the Commission has already instituted proceedings
concerning the occupation of tourist guide . In its judgment
of 22 March 1994 in Case C-3 75 / 92 Commission v. Spain,

27 . 3 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 19

the Court of Justice found that Spain had failed to fulfil its
obligations under Article 59, on the one hand, by making
the provision of services by tourist guides travelling with a
group of tourists from another Member State, where those
services consisted in guiding such tourists in places other
than museums or historical monuments which may be
visited only with a specialized professional guide, subject to
possession of a licence which required specific training
evidenced by a diploma and, on the other hand, by making
access to the profession of tourist guide subject to the
possession of Spanish nationality .

As far as the Commission is aware, Spain has not yet
complied with the Court ruling . Contacts with the Spanish
authorities are continuing in order to determine what type
of intervention by the Community authorities would be
most effective in the present case .

(M OJ No L 199, 31 . 7 . 1985 .

3 . there is a risk of pollution from smog and that the
antiquities will be corroded by the acid rain produced by
the heavy traffic ( cars, lorries );

4 . the acoustics of the ancient theatre will be affected by the
passing vehicles and thus one of the preconditions for
the performance of a theatrical work ( particularly an
ancient one ), namely absolute silence, will not be

met ;

5 . a monitoring committee has been set up to carry out
regular checks on the progress of the project and to
propose necessary adjustments where appropriate ;

has the monitoring committee informed the Commission
about the impact of the present planned route of the Via
Egnatia and will the Commission take steps to promote
alternative solutions which have already been proposed ?

( 2 ) OJ No C 166, 3 . 7 . 1989 ; OJ No C 320, 7 . 12 . 1992 . (!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .
(>) OJ No L 260, 22 . 10 . 1968 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 213, 21 . 7 . 1982 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 . Answer given by Mr Oreja

( 7 ) OJ No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992 . on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2098 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 38 )

Subject : Via Egnatia

The Via Egnatia is a major road running from the Turkish
border and linking Epirus and Macedonia to the rest of the
Community through Italy . It is considered to be a transport
infrastructure project and as such is part of the
trans-European road network and is being funded by the
Community .

However, the planned route of one section of the road skirts
the archaeological site at Dodoni, at a distance of about one
thousand metres from the theatre, and would have adverse

effects .

Bearing in mind that :

1 . the planned route of the section of road in question runs

100 — 150 metres from the boundary of the designated
' total protection area ' of the archaeological site and
threatens the site 's archaeological unity and future finds

( the city of ancient Dodoni );

The Commission has not received any information from any
monitoring committee for his project .

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, in requiring the results of
consultation to be taken into account in the development
consent procedure, imposes obligations on the competent
authority and not on the Commission . As there is no
information to suggest that the provisions of the Directive
have not been respected, the Commission has no intention
to intervene in this matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2104 / 94

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 39 )

Subject : Data base on the economy

The Commission is preparing a new data base, CIS, to
provide access to economic data of potentially decisive
importance for growth, competitiveness and
unemployment .

When did ( or will ) this data base come on stream ?

2 . the environmental impact study was carried out after the
project study and not before, thus infringing Directive What data does it hold, and where does this data proceed

85 / 337 / EEC H ; from ?

No C 75 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Who will have access to CIS, and what requirements must be
met in order to have access ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

The database to which the Honourable Member refers was

created several years ago by the Commission 's
Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs

with a view to meeting a practical need felt by its analysts,
i.e. to have access, via a single system, to particular statistical
information from a number of different sources . The

database essentially contains time series which are already
available in one form or another from the sources which

compiled them ( Eurostat, IMF, OECD, national statistical
offices ). These time series are used in connection with
computer applications designed strictly to meet specific,
temporary needs of the Directorate-General . Since the
database is used for internal analyses, there are no plans to
broaden access to it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2125 / 94

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Commission

with the environment ( see answers to questions 2 and 4 ).
Portugal has not submitted any specific aid applications
under this Regulation for eucalyptus plantations .

The Commission does not part-finance this type of
plantation of fast-growing species under the Portuguese
operational programme for the Structural Funds
( Objective 1 ).

2 . The Commission is aware of the problems referred to
by the Honourable Member which can be caused by
planting eucalyptus .

However, the nature and local effect of this type of
plantation should not be forgotten . Account must be taken
at local level of conditions such as the previous use of the
land, the state of the soil, the gradient, climate, cultivation
methods and other factors .

The local scope of the eucalyptus problem means that it
must be studied at all levels, from the local authorities up to
the Community .

3 . The Commission has no knowledge of this .

4 . The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's
concern about the potential ecological dangers of this type
of plantation . It takes account of environmental policy and
other Community policies before granting any aid for
eucalyptus plantations .

( 13 October 1994 ) (!) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

( 95 / C 75 / 40 )

Subject : Promotion of eucalyptus growing in Portugal

1 . Is it true that, in the framework of the CAP, the
European Union is promoting eucalyptus growing in
Portugal ?

2 . If so, is it true that eucalyptus growing is associated
with considerable damage to soil and animal life ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that the eucalyptus
processing industry is forcing farmers to grow eucalyptus, in
some cases using threats of violence ?

4 . If the answers to the above questions are in
affirmative, does the Commission intend to check on
eucalyptus growing in Portugal and, if necessary, call a halt
to it ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2136 / 94

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 41

Subject : Access to 112 emergency number for the deaf

What measures have been taken to ensure that Member

States provide full access to the 112 emergency number, as
adopted by Directive 91 / 396 / EEC (*), for all citizens,
including those who are hearing-impaired ?

(!) OJ No L 217, 6 . 8 . 1991, p . 31 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission
( 18 November 1994 )

( 15 December 1994 )

1 . Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 of 30 June
1992 (*) provides inter alia for aid to cover the cost of
planting agricultural land with fast-growing tree species for
short-term exploitation . Farmers are eligible for such aid
only if they practise farming as their main occupation and
the species are suited to local conditions and compatible

Recognizing the importance of ease of access to emergency
services for the health and security of those travelling within
the Community, the Council adopted, on 29 July 1991,
Decision 91 / 396 / EEC on the introduction of a single
European emergency call number .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 21

Member States had to ensure that the number 112 was

introduced as the single European emergency call number by
31 December 1992 . However, since some Member States
may have problems with the technical, financial,
geographical, operational and commercial implications, the
Decision allowed for a derogation period to 31 December
1996 .

The Decision is already implemented and the number 112 is
already operational in Belgium, Denmark and the United
Kingdom . In Germany and Luxembourg it appers that it is
already operational, but the Commission has not yet
received any notification . France, Ireland, Italy and the
Netherlands have notified the Commission that they will
take the measures in order to implement 112 by 1996 at the
latest . The Commission has not received any information
concerning the implementation of the Decision in Greece,
Spain and Portugal .

The Commission recognises the difficulties in standardizing
telephone selection codes in the Community, but this
initiative is a direct response to the needs of the common
market, particularly in relation to the movement of people .
The Commission is therefore continuing actively to pursue
full implementation of the Decision .

The Commission is working in consultation with the
non-governmental organizations represented in the
European Disability Forum to prepare a proposal modifying
the Decision so as to ensure access to the 112 emergency
number for people with hearing impairment .

Literary and Artistic Works . Under the Convention, which
is binding on the Member States, the introduction, for the
benefit of certain categories of artists, of the right ' to an
interest in any sale of the work subsequent to the first
transfer by the author of the work ' ( i.e. resale right ) is
optional and subject to the reciprocity rule .

Nine Member States have so far introduced resale right in
principle, while seven of them apply it in practice and appear
to have widely differing arrangements for collecting
remuneration in respect of resale right .

In 1991 and 1994 the Commission consulted interested

parties on the basis of questionnaires concerning the general
principles of resale right . The more recent consultation
exercise was prompted by a number of changes in the legal
environment . On 20 October 1993 the Court of Justice
rules ( x ) that reciprocity requirements can no longer be
maintained in the Community context .

On 14 February 1994 the Council adopted Directive
94 / 5 / EC ( 2 ), which is aimed, among other things, at phasing
in a Community taxation system for works of art and
eliminating distortions of competition between taxable

persons .

As announced in its Strategic Programme on ' Making the
most of the internal market ( 3 )' the Commission intends to
decide, in the light of the outcome of consultations with
interested parties, on whether it would be appropriate or
necessary to harmonize national legislation on resale
right .

( x ) Joined Cases C-92 / 92 and C-326 / 92 Phil Collins .

( 2 ) OJ No L 60, 3 . 3 . 1994, p . 16 .

( 3 ) COM / 93 ) 632 final .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2137 / 94

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 42 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 140 / 94

Subject : Artist 's resale right by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) and
Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

Will the Commission take the necessary steps for the issue of
a Directive requiring all Member States to introduce an
artist 's resale right ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 43 )

Subject : Rice import prices

In view of the recent GATT agreements as regards rice

(6 December 1994 )

imports into the European Union from third countries,
which have resulted in the elimination of the guide prices
hitherto applied, will different import prices be taken into
At international level, resale right is governed by account according to the state of the grain, i.e. whether it is
Article 14ter of the Berne Convention for the Protection of paddy, cargo, white or parboiled rice ?

No C 75 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2155 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

( 10 November 1994 ) to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

The disappearance of the levy on rice imports does not mean ( 95 / C 75 / 45 )
that all categories of rice will be subject to the same
duty .

From the entry into force of the GATT agreements the
variable levy will be replaced by a tariff whose amount will
vary depending on whether it applies to paddy, cargo, white
or broken rice .

The price, which comprises the price of the goods at the
border or port of entry plus the tariff for its category, will
therefore vary for each category of rice .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141 / 94

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

Subject : Civil status of women and discrimination against

women in Europe

Is the Commission aware that married British women, who
have adopted their husband 's names as their new legal
names, are experiencing difficulty in some Member States
where their names are investigated ? Does the Commission
not agree that individuals moving around Europe should be
able to use their chosen legal name and not be required to
chop and change ? Would the Commission comment on
indications that women 's names are investigated on many
more occasions than men 's in some Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi
( 13 October 1994 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 75 / 44 ) (9 December 1994 )

Subject : Free movement of people

On 22 September 1994 I took flight HV 602 from London
Gatwick to Amsterdam .

Having been asked to show my passport both at the check-in
counter and at customs, an airline official required me to
show my passport once more at the gate, stating that he was
required to do so by regulations stemming from the
Department for Trade and Industry .

Are such requirements compatible with both the letter and
the spirit of EU law ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1994 )

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the

Commission 's contribution to the debate, during
Parliament 's plenary part-session of March 1994 (*), on the
own-initiative report on the incompatibility of passport
checks carried out by certain airlines with Article 7a of the
EC Treaty .

(*) Debates of the European Parliament, Annex 3-445 .

The Commission is aware that current rules and practices
regarding whether the identity of a female national should
be established on the basis of her maiden or her husband 's

name vary between Member States .

Since entry of a person 's identity in national documents is a
matter of civil law falling within the competence of each
Member State, it is not for the Commission to state which
name should be used in the case of a married woman .

Clearly, under the terms of the Treaty, the Commission
would be justified in taking action only if application of
these rules affected the free movement of persons within the
territory of the Member States and the countries that have
signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area .

The Commission does not, however, feel that the checks
which are likely to be carried out in respect of the civil status
of the Community citizens referred to by the Honourable
Member constitute a barrier to the free movement of

persons under Article 7a of the Treaty .

The Commission does not have sufficient information to
enable it to offer any comment on the last question .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 23

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2162 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 46 )

Subject : Hill farming

Traditional hill farming is facing difficulties in all parts of
the Union, especially in Lombardy region, where numerous
producers are based, including, for example, the Association
for the Defence of ' Form de Mut '.

In addition to being hit by the current economic crisis, hill
farming is severely penalized by the milk quotas and related
measures imposed by the Commission .

1 . Will the Union therefore take steps to share out the
quotas more fairly, bearing in mind that the existing
system favours lowland farming ?

2 . Will it also revise the rules in force so as to allow for the

difficulties affecting hill farming ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

The Commission cannot agree with the Honourable
Member that hill farming is penalized by the milk quota
system . The trend of milk collections in hill farming areas
indicates the contrary .

Individual reference quantities were determined under the
consolidated scheme in 1992 on the basis of the quantity
available on holdings on 31 March 1993 . The present
situation cannot therefore be dissociated from the

application of the earlier system under which Member States
were given the instruments needed to implement
satisfactorily a policy favouring milk production in hill
farming areas, mainly through a number of programmes for
the buy-back and redistribution of reference quantities .

Under the new milk quota system too Member States can
apply a policy to maintain dairy production in hill farming
areas . They can give priority to producers in hill farming
areas when allocating supplementary reference quantities .
They have ways of raising the quantity available for hill
farming areas by regulating the transfer of quotas not tied to
the transfer of land .

The maintenance of dairy production in hill farming areas
has been a constant Community aim . The Council, when
adopting the agricultural prices and related measures for

1993 / 94, increased the overall guaranteed quantity for

several Member States, principally to meet the specific needs
of producers in those areas .

A number of measures have been taken, lastly, to give a
favourable bias to these areas in Community rules . Since

1989 hill farmers have not had to pay the co-responsibility
levy . At the same time, the Community has amplified and
strengthened structural operations, particularly in hill
farming areas . The grant of the compensatory allowance in
these areas, which is set in relation to natural disadvantages,
is made against the background of this intention to allow for
natural production conditions and to guarantee farmers in
those areas a reasonable level of income .

In addition, steps to favour hill farming areas have been
introduced, as regards rates of assistance in improvement
plans for holdings, which have been raised, and as regards
the type of investments ^. which may include tourism and
craft industry as well as skills training and training centres .
As a way of promoting quality dairy products for which
there are no marketing problems — hill farm cheeses being a
good example — the Commission has proposed and secured
the adoption of a consistent policy for the protection and
promotion of geographical indications and designations of
origin . In this way it is extending its operations to assist hill
farming areas so as to maintain quality milk production .

A review of the scheme does not seem necessary, therefore,
given that it already allows Member States to favour milk
production in hill farming areas .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2169 / 94

by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 47 )

Subject : Compulsory registration of ' foreign ' EU citizens

when booking in a hotel

Is the Commission aware of the practice of EU citizens
booking into a hotel being asked to fill in a special section in
the registration form headed ' for foreigners only ' or risk a
fine from the local administration, as happened in the
specific case in question to some German nationals in
Seguret, Departement Vaucluse ?

Is this in agreement with the provisions of the Treaty of
Maastricht or the Schengen Agreement ?

If not, what measures does the Commission believe could be
adopted against this practice ?

No C 75 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

by Mr Vanni d'Archiran Can the Commission say what the chance is of this

of the Commission happening and what steps must be taken to bring it

about ?
( 23 November 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archiran

on behalf of the Commission

Hoteliers in the Member States are commonly required to
have guests fill out a registration form ; the guests need not
necessarily be foreign nationals .

The Community rules in force expressly provide that a
Member State may require a person ' to report his presence
in the territory ', even for short periods of less than three
months ( Article 8(2 ) of Directive 68 / 360 / EEC on movement
and residence for workers ( J ) and Article 4(2 ) of Directive
73 / 148 / EEC on movement and residence with regard to
establishment and the provision of services ( 2 )).

However, it may be that practice with respect to hotel
registration forms goes beyond what is necessary to ensure
that the authorities are informed of a person 's presence in
the territory, for example where the person already holds a
residence permit .

The Commission will make inquiries of the Member States
in order to satisfy itself that their practice here is in line with
the principle of equal treatment of domestic and other EU
nationals and the right of all citizens to move and reside
freely within the territory of the Member States, which is
enshrined in Article 8a of the EC Treaty .

The Schengen agreements do not deal with the question in
relation to nationals of Member States ; they do make
provision for an obligation to report to the national
authorities, but for third-country nationals only .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

The fishing quotas for Community vessels, both in
Community waters and in international waters where there
are multilateral management measures, such as those
established by NAFO, are allocated to Member States
according to the principle of ' relative stability ', which is to
be understood as a fixed distribution key among Member
States for a given resource in a given area .

However, Regulation ( EEC ) No 3760 / 92 establishing a
common Community system for fisheries and
aquaculture (*), establishes, in Article 9.1, that ' Member
States may, after notifying the Commission, exchange all or
part of the fishing availabilities allocated to them '. The
Portuguese authorities are free to contact the authorities of
other Member States which may not have fully utilized
quotas, to arrange some transfer of these to Portugal .

(!) OJ No L 389, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2181 / 94

(!) OJ No L 257, 19 . 10 . 1968 . by Nel van Dijk ( V )

( 2 ) OJ No L 172, 28 . 6 . 1973 . to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 49

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2172 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 48 )

Subject : Cod fishing-quotas

The inadequacy of the quotas allocated to the Portuguese
fleet in the NAFO zone ( little more than 2 000 tonnes ) is
making the fleet unviable .

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

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

How long is this investigation expected to take ?

In view of the great concern and discontent of the Will the Commission inform me of the findings of the
shipowners, their association is calling for re-negotiation of investigation and any measures it may take as a result ?
the quotas and the allocation to Portugal of quotas
distributed to countries which are not using them . (!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 23 .

27 . 3 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 25

Answer given by Mr Millan WRITTEN QUESTION E-2200 / 94
on ' behalf of the Commission
by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

( 16 December 1994 ) Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

The Commission will shortly write to the Dutch authorities ( 95 / C 75 / 51 )
concerning the preliminary conclusions of the
Commission 's examination of the final report for the
' Europese Stimuleringsprogramma voor Oostelijk Zuid ­ Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 instituting a
Limburg '. The time needed to finalize the examination will Community aid scheme for forestry measures in
depend on the timing and content of the Member State 's

agriculture

reply .

The Commission will keep the Honourable Member
informed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2186 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 ( J ) provides for a
Community aid scheme in order to accompany the changes
to be introduced under the market organization rules,
contribute towards an eventual improvement in forest
resources, contribute towards forms of countryside
management more compatible with environmental balance
and combat the greenhouse effect and absorb carbon
dioxide .

How many projects have been approved by the Commission
and what is the cost per Member State and, in the case of
Spain, per autonomous region, of the various types of aid
provided for in the Regulation ?

( 21 October 1994 ) (!) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 96 .
( 95 / C 75 / 50 )

Subject : GRT : EU-Morocco fisheries agreement

I have been contacted by certain Portuguese fishing boat
builders requesting that licences granted under the
EU-Morocco fisheries agreement should be for vessels
upwards of 24 / 25 GRT, and not merely 35 GRT . Can the
Commission provide information on the technical reasons
for the 35 GRT option, and its viability ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1994 )

The agreement on sea fisheries relations between the
Community and Morocco offers Community vessels the
opportunity of obtaining licences to fish in Moroccan
waters within the limits fixed for each category of fisheries
as laid down in the agreement . These limits are expressed in
numbers of vessels and total tonnage ( GRT ). There are no
restrictions on the size of individual vessels wanting a licence
for any category of fisheries except for small-scale ' artisanal '
fishing, where vessels of 100 GRT or more are not
authorized .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

The Commission does not approve individual projects
under the Community aid scheme for forestry measures in
agriculture governed by Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2080 / 92 .

The Member States implemented the scheme through
multi-annual national or regional programmes . These
programmes, as well as any relevant existing or draft laws,
regulations or administrative provisions must be notified to
the Commission, which examines them in order to
determine :

— whether they comply with the Regulation,

— which measures are eligible for part-financing,

— the total amount of expenditure eligible for
part-financing .

The programmes are approved in Commission decisions
notified to the Member States .

In the case of Spain, a national programme covering
all the Autonomous Communities and two regional
sub-programmes ( Basque Country and Navarre ) were
approved in 1994 .

No C 75 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

The competent authorities of the Member State are
responsible for implementing the adopted programmes and
directly process the aid applications submitted to them .

Pursuant to Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 1054 / 94 ( 1 ),
which governs the financial monitoring of the scheme, the
Member State periodically informs the Commission of the
state of implementation of the scheme, programme by
programme, specifying, in particular, the total number of
applications, the applications accepted and the number of
hectares concerned .

To date Spain has not yet communicated any information in
this context .

The only hard data currently available to the Commission is
the accounting figure for the payments made by the EAGGF
from the beginning of the scheme up to the end of August
1994, namely ECU 6,779 million for all of the Spanish
territory .

(M OJ No L 115, 6 . 5 . 1994

WRITTEN QUESTION E-22 11 / 94

by Giovanni Burtone ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 52 )

Subject : Aid to citrus-fruit growers in southern Italy

The citrus-fruit sector in the regions of southern Italy is
currently facing serious difficulties because of imports into
the Community, under extremely favourable customs
arrangements and at very low prices, of products, in
particular from Mediterranean countries where production
costs are much lower than in Italy .

The imported citrus fruits are not covered by the same
health and quality guarantees as those grown in the
Community .

Will the Commission state

— what trade agreements allow imports of products under

special customs arrangements ;

— whether it agrees that the principle of Community

preference, as enshrined in the Treaty, should be applied
to this sector facing serious difficulties ;

— whether it would not be appropriate to carry out

on-going checks on the quality and health standards of
imported products ;

— whether it agrees that, within this sector, special support

should be granted to producers, who are more
vulnerable and more exposed to market fluctuations ;

— whether, in view of the high quality and nutritional value

of Community citrus fruits, in particular those from
Italy, it would not be appropriate, pending the reform of
the COM, to organize a publicity campaign both inside
and outside the Union ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 November 1994 )

Customs concessions on imports of citrus fruits are granted
to many non-Community countries, in particular to
Mediterranean third countries including Morocco, Tunisia,
Egypt, Israel and Turkey, under the Community
Mediterranean policy . The concessions take the form of low
duty or zero-rated tariff quotas or reduced tariffs without
quantitative restrictions . However, if the import price of
these products is lower than the Community reference price,
a countervailing charge is levied on imports . This protection
will be replaced by a different mechanism when the 1994
GATT agreement on agriculture is implemented, which,
nevertheless, permits similar protection to the existing

one .

Community quality and plant health standards apply
equally to fruit and vegetables produced within the
Community and to those imported from non-Community
countries . With regard to imported produce, compliance
with the standards is monitored by the Member States on
entry into Community territory . The Commission
underlined the need to step up controls in its communication
to the Council and Parliament on the development and
future of Community policy on fruit and vegetables .

The common organization on the market in fruit and
vegetables provides for various systems of help for
Community citrus producers . A withdrawal system for
surplus produce is provided for and a minimum price is
guaranteed for citrus-fruit intended for processing . The cost
to the Community budget of these measures is at least ECU
200 m per year .

Campaigns promoting citrus fruit have been organized for
several years with Community financial support . In view of
their Community-wide orientation, the campaigns may not,
however, mention a specific region of the Community .

In this context, the Community has also made provision for
promotional measures to be supplemented by applied
research in areas not yet exploited or measures to
disseminate the research findings in agriculture, nutrition
and marketing to operators .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 27

Such measures would stimulate Italian citrus-fruit

production, in particular, by replacing some varieties by
others which better satisfy the needs of the Community
market . To date, no Italian proposal for citrus fruit has been
forwarded to the Commission . The Honourable Member

will find the practical details of these measures in
Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 2282 / 90 (*).

As regards the reform of the common organization of the
market in fruit and vegetables, the Commission does not
consider that open discussion with all the operators affected
in the sector would cause delay . A debate on this reform is
tabled in Parliament in December .

(') OJ No L 205, 3 . 8 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2214 / 94

by Graham Mather ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 53 )

Subject : Age discrimination in Commission employment

policy

In July of this year, I wrote to the Commission based on an
inquiry by a constituent . He had wondered why the
Commission discriminates on age to fill vacancies .

I was sent copies of responses to two similar questions by
Madron Seligman ( Question No 394 / 92 (*)) and John Bird

( Question No 3611 / 93 ( 2 )). In response to the current
employment practice situation, I ask :

In the light of the new need for labour market flexibility as
promoted by Commissioner Padraig Flynn and Commission
President Jacques Delors in several White Papers and
remarks, would it not be appropriate to revisit what are
essentially age discrimination practices utilized by the
Commission ? In the light of the Commission 's recent efforts
to stamp out discrimination, racism and xenophobia, it
would be highly irregular to support age discrimination in
Commission policies . Also, such efforts seem to disqualify
potential employees whose experience may merit
qualification .

Will the Commission, especially the European DG
responsible for employment policy, consider drafting a
proposal which eliminates such irrational policy in hiring

practices ?

(M OJ No C 296, 24 . 10 . 1994, p . 3 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 6, 9 . 1 . 1995, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1994 )

The Commission recalls that age limits have shown
themselves to be effective in reducing discrimination on the
grounds of nationality . Current policy has also increased the
proportion of women candidates and recruits .

The Commission does not apply age limits for their own
effect, but only when they have — indirectly — beneficial
effects on national balance and male / female balance . That is

why, as stated in the replies to Written Questions 394 / 92 by
Mr Seligman and 3611 / 93 by Mr Bird, the Commission
keeps this policy under review, so as to remove age limits
whenever this is possible without negative effects for its
other obligations under the staff regulations and positive
action programme .

National balance within the Commission 's staff remains a

preoccupation for many — including members and the
national governments — and for general competitions, age
limits help improve this balance . No satisfactory alternative
has been advanced which would not also undermine the

principle of recruiting according to merit .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2231 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 54 )

Subject : Diesel cars

In view of the rise in popularity of diesel cars, which is
expected to continue along with the increase in car numbers
as a whole, does the Commission have any plan to reduce
the emissions of soot particulates after the limit levels which
are to be introduced in 1996 ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1995 )

In order further to reduce pollutant emissions from private
motor vehicles following the next limit reduction stage
decided for 1996, the Commission intends to follow the
approach described in Article 4 of Directive 94 / 1 2 / EC of the
European Parliament and the Council of 23 March 1994 (*),
which provides for further measures to the proposed to meet
the requirements of the Community 's air quality criteria and
related objectives . The proposals will be aimed at a
substantial reduction of pollutant emissions .

No C 75 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

It follows that the drafting of future standards must take ( million ECU )
account of the increase in particulate emissions resulting
from the increase in the number of diesel vehicles, in ESF 41,202
particular by defining overall emissions reduction EAGGF-Guidance 146,94
objectives .

ESF 41,202

The Commission is also continuing its work aimed at
reducing particulate emissions from diesel engines used for
other purposes .

EAGGF-Guidance 146,94

ERDF 59,2

Interreg 11

R & D ( DG XII und DG XIII ) 499,71

Thermie 1,8

(!) OJ No L 100, 19 . 4 . 1994 .
Transport 10,3

Enterprise policy :

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2239 / 94

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 55 )

Subject : Details of the extent of EC funding which has

reached Upper Bavaria since 1989

For which measures under the following headings has
Community funding been allocated to Upper Bavaria during
the period from 1989 to 1993, and what are the sums
involved :

1 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ),

2 . The fund to promote employment and combat
long-term unemployment,

4 members BC-NET

2 members Euro-Info Centre

In 1993, as part of its cultural action, the Commission made
a grant of ECU 40 000 under the Kaleidoscope Programme
to ' Dance Network Europe ' and to ' Internationaler
Geigenbauwettbewerb Mittenwald '.

In the field of education, training and youth, funding
provided since 1989 for projects submitted by applicants in
Upper Bavaria totalled ECU 1,2 million for Comett,
ECU 250 000 for Erasmus, ECU 347 000 for Lingua,
ECU 1,7 million for Petra and ECU 72 000 for priority
measures for young people ( and over ECU 620 000 for the
whole of Bavaria under the Youth for Europe
Programme ).

2 members BRE

3 . Programmes in the environment and energy sectors,

The Honourable Member is referred to the regional
4 . Programmes for development in border regions authorities for the breakdown of funds within the Land .
( Interreg ),

5 . Programmes for young people,

6 . Education programmes,

7 . Tourism programmes,

8 . Women's projects,

9 . Cultural projects,

10 . Other Community programmes ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2246 / 94

by Luigi Moretti ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 56 )

Subject : Joint research centres
Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

Given the existence of scientific establishments of the
( 12 December 1994 )
European Union, better known as joint research centres,

The data relating to Bavaria up to 1992 being somewhat
voluminous, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat .

For 1993, the breakdown of the funds allocated to Bavaria
was as follows :

1 . How many joint research centres and European
institutes are there on Italian territory and in the
European Union ?

2 . What is the detailed cost of these centres to the European

Union ?

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 29

3 . How many staff are there at each centre and what are
their nationalities ?

4 . How are staff recruited ?

5 . How are the sites for the centres selected ?

6 . If an institute is transferred to a different Union country
what happens to the ' abandoned ' site and what
authority is responsible for its management ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

1 . The Joint Research Centre ( JRC ) was established in
1957 by the Euratom Treaty ( Article 8 ). The JRC comprises
a Directorate-General located in Brussels and 8 institutes at

five different geographical sites :

— Ispra ( Italy ): Institute for Systems Engineering and
Information Technology, Institute for the Environment,
Institute for Remote-Sensing Applications, Institute for
Safety Technology, Institute for Advanced Materials

( part of )

— Karlsruhe ( Germany ): Institute for Transuranium
Elements

— Petten ( Netherlands ): Institute for Advanced
Materials

— Geel ( Belgium ): Institute for Reference Materials and

Measurements

— Seville ( Spain ): Institute for Prospective Technological

Studies

2 . In 1994 the financial amount allocated to JRC
acitvities in the Community budget is ECU 258 million .

3 . The staff data have been sent directly to the
Honourable Member and to the General Secretariat of

Parliament .

4 . JRC staff, like all Commission staff, are governed by
the staff regulations, which lay down the conditions of
employment of officials and other servants of the
Communities .

5 . As stated in Article 8 of the Euratom Treaty, the
activities of the JRC may, for geographical or functional
reasons, be carried out in separate establishments ( sites ).
The present sites were chosen by common consent with the
Board of Governors of the JRC, on which the Member
States are represented .

6 . For each site the Community has signed with the host
Member State an agreement containing all the provisions
relating to establishment at the site . Any changes involving
the transfer or ' abandonment ' of sites have to be negotiated
with the host Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 57 )

Subject : C0 2

In the communication from the Commission to the Council

and Parliament on the European automobile industry

( COM(94 ) 49 final ) the Commission said it will be putting
forward proposals to reduce C0 2 emissions for motor
vehicles in 1994 as part of a strategy to reduce emissions
from the transport sector as a whole . When can we expect to
see these proposals ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1994 )

The Commission still intends to submit a communication

putting forward specific measures to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions from motor vehicles, including economic and
technical measures .

The Commission is continuing its work with the aim of
keeping, as far as possible, to the time limit of the end of

1994 for the submission of proposals, as indicated in its
communication of 23 February on the automobile
industry .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2287 / 94

by Shaun Spiers ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 58

- Subject : Nitrate levels in lettuces

The Commission draft Regulation, known as ' working
document VI / 3080 / 93 ' proposes a maximum limit for
nitrates of 1 500 milligrams per kilogram for lettuces
harvested in summer .

Food and medical experts in the United Kingdom have
stated that there is no medical evidence to suggest that
current levels of nitrates in lettuce pose any threat to
health .

Can the Commission, therefore, state what scientific
evidence it has to support its proposal to limit the level of
nitrates in lettuce ?

No C 75 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 November 1994 ) ( 22 December 1994 )

As the Commission already indicated in its reply to Mr
Sturdy 's Oral Question H-510 / 94 ( a ) on this same subject, it
has asked the Scientific Committee for Food to assess

nitrates from a public health standpoint . The Committee
has begun the assessment in question .

The Commission recently sent the Committee the opinions
of the United Kingdom experts referred to in the
Honourable Member 's question . It asked the Committee to
include these opinions in its assessment .

The Commission will thus have all the relevant information

to hand at the appropriate time .

f 1 ) Part-session 24 — 28 . 10 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2288 / 94

by Ingo Friedrich ( PPE )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

95 / C 75 / 59 )

Subject : Polish railway 's non-compliance with UIC
obligations

1 . Is the Commission aware that the Republic of Poland 's
railway company ( PKP ), co-signatory of a European railway
agreement known as UIC, is not fulfilling its obligation to
monitor the construction of pallets by Polish manufacturers,
and has shown no inclination to discuss ways of solving the
problem ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that Polish-manufactured

pallets, which are of poor quality construction and do not
reach the required technical standard, are increasingly
responsible for distorsions of competition with European
competitors who observe standards of quality and
safety ?

3 . Is the Commission prepared, in the interest of fair
competition on the basis of equal production and transport
safety conditions on all European routes, to open
negotiations with the Government of Poland with a view to
ensuring that Polish manufacturers of wooden pallets
conform to normal international standards and join the
European Pallet Association ( EPA ), as another step towards
speedy convergence of markets, including those in the
transport and cross-border transport packaging sector ?

1 . According to information received from the
International Railways Union — UIC, the Polish Railways
have taken further measures to ensure the necessary quality
of the pallets used by them for international circulation .

2 . The International Railway Union ( Union
Internationale des'Chemins de fer — UIC ) is a private
association grouping railway companies from all over the
world and the commitments by its members have a
voluntary character . As no European norms exist
concerning pallets, the European Center for Normalization
— CEN — has been requested to establish such norms .

3 . The European Community-Poland Europe Agreement
provides for cooperation in the field of industrial standards
aiming at reducing differences in standardization, and
Poland has committed itself to make particular efforts
towards approximating its legislation to that applicable in
the Community in particular concerning technical rules and
standards . This process is monitored in the EC-Poland
Association Committee .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2300 / 94

by Spalato Belleré ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 60 )

Subject : A funicular railway for Vesuvius

A funicular railway linking the lower slopes of Vesuvius and
the mouth of the volcano would have a major
socio-economic impact .

Sites of major archaeological finds in the area, such as
Pompeii, Torre del Greco and Herculaneum, have
considerable cultural value .

Will the Commission include the construction of the

funicular railway on Vesuvius on the list of the projects of
Community cultural and tourist interest, carry out a
feasibility study and intervene with the Italian authorities so
that the work already begun, but suspended by magistrates
on the grounds that it breaches environmental regulations,
may be resumed ?

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 31

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

Development of cultural and natural resources of interest to
tourists is one of the priorities adopted in the Community
support sub-framework for Campania for 1994 — 1999 . A
sum of ECU 160 million is to be provided for funding
measures in this area .

The regional authorities are engaged in finalizing the
operational programme which will give concrete form to the
priorities in the Community support framework .

It is for these authorities to implement the procedures for
selecting the projects which will form part of the
programme, which must comply with the whole range of
Community policies ( including environmental standards ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2301 / 94

by Spalato Belleré ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 61 )

Subject : Inventions developed as part of an employment

relationship

The lack of incentives offered by Italian industry for
innovations and industrial inventions is one of the causes of

the handicaps under which it labours with regard to
technological and cultural development, to the benefit of
European, American and Asian competitors .

Will the Commission indicate how it intends to protect
inventions developed as part of an employment
relationship ?

Will the Commission draw up a Directive to encourage
industrial inventions developed under employment
contracts and protect the pursuit of inventions ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1994 )

Inventions developed as part of an employment relationship
fulfil the same conditions regarding patentability, novelty,
inventiveness and industrial applicability as other
inventions . The fact remains, however, that the way in
which national rules deal specifically with the rights of
employed inventors may or may not act as an incentive to
innovation . The Commission has studied the impact of this
problem on innovation and the desirability of putting
forward proposals for appropriate legislative measures at
Community level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2307 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 62

Subject : The hum

Is the Commission aware that there are some indications

that the high pressure transmission of gas in large quanitities
causes low frequency sound vibrations ? Is the Commission
aware that this appears to be causing sleeplessness and
subsequent stress to significant numbers of people ? Is the
Commission prepared to research this phenomenon ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

The transmission of natural gas through high pressure
pipeline systems is generally considered benign, especially
compared to the transport of some other forms of

energy .

The matter of low frequency sound vibrations in pipelines
has not until now been brought to the attention of the
Commission and at the present time there are no plans to
investigate the matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 11 / 94

by Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 63 )
Italy is party to the European Patent Convention, signed in
Munich in 1973, which provides the legal framework in
which European businesses can operate . The European Subject : Valid identity card under
patent system is highly efficient and probably one of the and 68 / 360 / EEC
most advanced in the world : it therefore cannot be regarded
as a handicap that places European firms at disadvantage in Is the ' special Identity Card '
comparison with their American or Asian competitors . officials and other agents a valid

Subject : Valid identity card under Directives 73 / 148 / EEC

and 68 / 360 / EEC

Is the ' special Identity Card ' issued by Belgium to EC
officials and other agents a valid identity card within the

No C 75 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

meaning of Directives 73 / 148 / EEC (*) and 68 / 360 / EEC ( 2 )
on the right to enter and leave a Member State ?

(!) OJ No L 172, 28 . 6 . 1973, p . 14 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 257, 19 . 10 . 1968, p . 13 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1994 )

The special identity card referred to by the Honourable
Member is, in accordance with the Royal Decree of
30 October 1991 on residence documents for certain

foreigners in Belgium, a special document issued by the
Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs to certain categories of
foreigners working in diplomatic or consular missions in
Belgium or employed there by international organizations
under public law .

It is issued subject to compliance with certain requirements
applicable under Belgian national law and is akin to a
residence permit authorizing the holder to remain in Belgian
territory for as long as those requirements continue to be
satisfied .

Like residence permits issued to Community citizens
pursuant to Community law, in particular Directive
68 / 360 / EEC and Directive 73 / 148 / EEC, the special identity
card does not rank as a travel document and the holder must

therefore also carry a national identity card or passport in
order to move freely in the territory of the Member States
and the countries that have signed the Agreement on the
European Economic Area .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2324 / 94

by Brigitte Langenhagen ( PPE )

to the Commission

What rules govern the division of responsibilities between
the individual Member States and the Commission in this

potential area of conflict ? What action does the
Commission intend to take where one Member State refuses

to recognize the diplomas or school-leaving certificates of
another Member State ? Have any measures been taken so
far to harmonize legal and administrative provisions in this
area ? Has the European Court of Justice handed down any
judgements in this area and are there any precedents ?

Does the Commission consider that it is compatible with
European law that the German authorities should reject a
Danish school-leaving certificate ( languages specialization )
as a qualification for studying oceanography in Germany on
the grounds that a mathematics specialization is an essential
precondition for studying subjects of this kind ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

Article 126 EC Treaty calls for Community action to
encourage the academic recognition of diplomas and
periods of study . Member States have this competence as
part of their overall responsibility for the organisation of
their education systems . Due to the autonomy of universities
the Member States have delegated this competence to the
universities which decide independently on questions of
academic recognition .

The Community has already undertaken a series of actions
to encourage academic recognition, notably in the
' framework of the Erasmus Programme, such as the

European Community course credit transfer system ( ECTS )
which enhances transparency and contributes to a climate of
mutual trust and confidence between the academic staff and

the institutions involved .

Support and coordination is also provided to Community
networks of national information centres, notably Eurydice
( education in general ) and Naric ( information and advice of
academic recognition ).

( 15 November 1994 )

Recognition of diplomas or school leaving certificates falls
( 95 / C 75 / 64 ) under the academic recognition procedures which are of the
competence of the Member States and notably of the host
institutions . In case of non-recognition the Commission
intervenes only in case of discriminatory treatment on

diplomas in the European Union nationality grounds . On this specific aspect there is a series

of Court decisions ( e.g. Gravier 293 / 83, Blaizot 24 / 86 and
Erasmus 242 / 87 ).

Subject : Recognition of diplomas in the European Union

How does the Commission view the second indent of

Article 126(2 ) of the Treaty on European Union which
refers to '. . . encouraging the academic recognition of
diplomas and periods of study '?

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 33

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330 / 94

by Magda Aelvoet ( V )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 65

Subject : European eco-label for environmentally safe

computers

The United States Government has commissioned the EPA
to draw up standards for ecologically safer computers .

The United States Administration is now only authorized to
purchase computers with the national eco-label .

About 70 companies now offer such computers, which cost
no more than other computers and perform just as well

( source : De Standaard, 13 . 9 . 1994 ).

Do eco-labels for computers exist in Europe ? If so, since
when and what ecological benefits will result ? If not, when
will it be possible to apply for such a label ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

At present there are two programmes concerning the
introduction of voluntary Community lables with
environmental implications .

— The energy efficiency label, which identifies the most

energy-efficient products

— The European ecological label, which covers all
environmental aspects and identifies the most
environment-friendly products ( multi-criteria approach
which considers all environmental effects throughout all
the phases of the life cycle ).

The EPA ( United States Environmental Protection Agency )
has indeed introduced an eco-label for computers, but it
concerns energy efficiency only . The Commission is
currently working with the USA ( EPA ) and Japan ( MITI )
with a view to introducing an international energy efficiency
label based on the same standards . This will take some time,
but the label will probably be ready for use in Europe a year
from now . The environmental benefit in terms of reduced
energy consumption will be very significant ( J ).

As regards the European ecological labelling scheme, the
criteria for computers will not only cover energy efficiency

but also other important considerations such as air and
water pollution connected with their production and the
recycling of electronic waste . This label will have a wider
environmental impact than the energy efficiency label and
will therefore complement it . However, there are no plans to
start working on a label for computers within the
framework of this scheme before 1996 .

(*) Electronic office equipment consumes around 50 TW / h each

year . Increased energy efficiency could easily reduce this by
30% ( 15 TW / h ) which is 1% of the Community 's total
electricity consumption .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2335 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 66 )

Subject : Suspension of infringement proceedings against

the Federal Republic of Germany

1 . Why has the Commission suspended the infringement
proceedings against the Federal Republic of Germany for
failing to transpose Directives 90 / 220 / EEC ( ! ) and
90 / 21 9 / EEC ( 2 ) into German law on genetic engineering ?

2 . How does the Commission react to the obvious

conclusion that Germany 's opposition to both directives is
in line with the Commission 's own interests and that is has

therefore suspended the infringement procedure as a form of
' recompense ' for this deregulation drive ?

3 . How does the Commission evaluate the future risk of

Member States using deregulation drives as a justification
for non-implementation of Directives ?

4 . Does the Commission agree that such move
undermine its position as the guardian of European law and
send out the wrong signal, actually ' encouraging ' Member
States not to implement Directives ?

t 1 ) OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990, p . 15 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1994 )

1 . The Commission has not decided to suspend the
infringement proceedings for only part compliancy of
German law with Directives 90 / 219 / EEC and 90 / 220 / EEC .

Given the amendment to this German law, the Commission
had decided on suspension in December 1993 . The next

No C 75 / 34 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Commission Decision on this matter is planned for
December 1994 .

2 . The Commission does not intend to give such an
impression . It should be noted that the proceedings are still
pending . Furthermore, the German Government has not
made proposals to amend the Directives on several aspects
of non-compliance raised by the Commission .

3 . and 4 . The Commission shares the view of the

Honourable Member that the role of the Commission as the

guardian of the Treaty is paramount in order to guarantee
implementation of Community directives . For this reason it
attaches great importance to the complete transposition of
Community legislation . However, for the reasons set out
under points 1 and 2, it does not believe that it has neglected
its duty in the case in point .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

95 / C 75 / 67 )

Subject : Inspection of EU nuclear power stations

1 . How many inspections, expressed in inspectors '
working days and broken down by locality, are carried out
in nuclear power stations in EU Member States ?

2 . What is the annual number of inspection days devoted
to re-processing plants ?

3 . What information was supplied by the German
Government to the Commission concerning the decision of
the German Administrative Court to authorize Siemens AG

to use plutonium for the manufacture of mixed oxide fuel
elements ?

4 . How many inspection days to date have been devoted
to the Siemens AG plant in Hanau ?

5 . When were these inspections carried out ?

Euratom-inspection effort in commercial power plants

of the Community

Year 1990 1991 1992

mdi 921 984 929

2 . The most recent figures published for the
re-processing facilities in the Community are :

Euratom inspection effort in re-processing plant

of the Community

Year 1990 1991 1992

mdi 2 275 2 067 2 130

3 . The Commission is not involved under the T reaty with
decision taking by the German Bundesverwaltungsgericht .
However, the Euratom safeguards directorate has
developed in collaboration with the IAEA and the operator

( Siemens AG ) complete safeguards measures for Siemens
MOX-II . Basic technical characteristics verification has

been performed . The implementation of these safeguards
measures is dependent on the operational status and
programme of the plant .

4 . Between 1979 and 30 September 1994, the Euratom
safeguards directorate performed a total of 11,117 mdi at
Siemens AG in Hanau . During the same period, the IAEA
performed 9,319 mdi at these plants .

5 . The Euratom inspections were performed at Siemens
AG Hanau in such a way that at least two Euratom
inspectors were present continually . Following the
shutdown of plants at Siemens AG Hanau, resulting in the
placing under seal of practically the total quantity of nuclear
material in the plant, the presente of Euratom inspectors
could be reduced to about 60 % of the operation time .

0 ) Doc COM(94 ) 282 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2340 / 94

by Carlos Pimenta ( ELDR )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Oreja ( IS November 1994 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 68 )

Subject : Animal protection and the WTO
1 . The number of mandays of inspection effort ( mdi )
performed by the Euratom safeguards directorate are
displayed in the biennial report on the operation of Euratom Will the Commission give an assurance that matters relating
safeguards ( 1 ). to animal protection can be adequately considered within

27 . 3 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 35

the terms of reference of the Trade and Environment

Committee of the WTO and that the Commission does

intend to raise such matters ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1994 )

Animal protection, including animals welfare and
protection of wild fauna and endangered species, is a matter
which might be addressed by several bodies to be established
under the WTO .

For instance, this issue might be addressed by the WTO
committee on trade and environment ( CTE ) under item 1 of
its work programme . Item 1 deals with ' the relationship
between the provisions of the multilateral trading system
and trade measures for environmental purposes, including
those pursuant to multilateral environmental
agreements '.

The sub-committee on trade and environment within the

WTO preparatory committee has already started its work,
pending the formal establishment of the WTO .

Under item 1 the most important issue is to examine the way
of allowing a sort of environmental window for trade
measures taken pursuant to multilateral environmental
agreements ( MEAs ) which would be otherwise in breach of
GATT rules .

One of these MEAs is the convention on international trade

in endangered species of wild flora and fauna ( CITES ). The
Community is one of the most active participants in the
discussion and there seems to be a growing consensus in
favour of the Community proposal of giving trade measures
pursuant to MEAs an ex-ante exemption from GATT
scrutiny .

Moreover the wording of item 1 of the CTE work
programme is broad enough to encompass also other issues
related to animal protection which are not considered by
CITES, to the extent that they have an effect on trade .

countries is only as strong as the weakest point among all the
Community 's external ports of entry .

Could the Commission outline its plans to improve the
enforcement of the Convention on the International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ),
incorporated into EC law under Regulation ( EEC )
No 3626 / 82 0 )?

(!) OJ No L 384, 31 . 12 . 1982, p . 1 .

J
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

Article 6 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3626 / 82 contains
provisions on intra-Community trade in species covered by
the convention on international trade in endangered species
of wild fauna and flora, and so controls are not limited to the
Community 's external borders .

Ways to improve enforcement of the Regulation are being
discussed in the committee on the convention, established
under Article 19 . A Commission proposal to establish a
working group on enforcement under that committee has
meanwhile been agreed by Member States and will be
further discussed at the committee 's next meeting in early
February 1995 .

The Commission would further draw the attention of the

Honourable Member to its amended proposal for a
Parliament and Council regulation laying down provisions
with regard to possession of and trade in specimens of wild
fauna and flora C ).

(!) OJ No C 131, 12 . 5 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2346 / 94

by Jean Baggioni ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 70 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341 / 94

by Robert Sturdy ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 69 )

Subject : Controlling the international trade in endangered

species

Now that the Single Market is in force, control of trade in
endangered species between all EC Member States and third

Subject : European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug

Addiction ( EMCDDA )

The EMCDDA has a seat, a budget and a director

1 . Can the Commission state when the Centre will become

operational ?

2 . Which problems involving the Centre have still to be

resolved ?

No C 75 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1994 )

Since the entry into force on 1 November 1993 of Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 302 / 93 of 8 February 1993 setting up
the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug
addiction ( 1 ), the management board which is composed of
the twelve Member States, the Commission and two
representatives designated by the Parliament have met three
times . At their second meeting in July 1994 they nominated
the director of the Centre who took up office with effect
from 1 November 1994 and, at a meeting of the Centre on
22 / 23 November, submitted a draft three year work
programme for the Centre . This draft will now be sent to the
scientific and technical committee of the Centre for its

opinion . After the next meeting of the board, in February

1995, the draft will be forwarded to the Commission and
the Council for their opinion prior to adoption by the
board .

The main challenges for 1995 will be the adoption of the
three year work programme by the management board, its
initial implementation, the organization of the Centre 's
headquarters infrastructure in Lisbon and the recruitment
of a core staff to help carry out the three-year

programme .

(!) OJ No L 36, 12 . 2 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2351 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( IS November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 71 )

Subject : Upgrading of Dutch river dykes without an

environmental impact assessment

On 17 October 1994, the President of Arnhem District
Court handed down a provisional ruling that the Province of
Gelderland and the Tieler - en Culemborgerwaarden Polder
District must not for the time being start work on upgrading
the Tiel / Bellevue-Zennewijnen river dykes . The court held
that there was strong possibility that the plan to upgrade the
dykes without carrying out an environmental impact
assessment ( EIA ) might constitute a violation of European
law . This would have to be determined by separate
proceedings .

In a letter dated 18 March 1994, the Commission informed
the Netherlands Government that in 1993, when
introducing the EIA requirement for upgrading of dykes, the
Government had been wrong to make an exception for
dyke-upgrading projects which had already reached the
decision-making or implementation stage . On 1 June, the
then Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water
Management said that she did not agree with this statement

and that she would continue the correspondence with the
Commission .

Will the Commission reply at an early date to the objections
voiced by the Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public
Works and Water Management to the Commission 's letter
of 18 March 1994 ? Will the Commission ask the new
Minister to ensure that work is also suspended on the other
dyke-upgrading projects on the Maas, Waal and Ijssel rivers
which her predecessor excluded from the EIA
requirement ?

Will the Commission suggest to the new Minister of
Transport, Public Works and Water Management that, in
view of the Commission 's opinion and the ruling by Arnhem
District Court, and considering how long proceedings to
determine the issue would take, it would be better to initiate
the EIA procedure for the dyke-upgrading projects in
question as soon as possible in order to avoid further
delays ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1995 )

The Commission has been informed of the provisional ban
by the Arnhem District Court to which the Honourable
Member refers .

The Commission has sent a formal letter of notice to the
Netherlands concerning the upgrading of river dykes
without the environmental impact assesssment required
under Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of

the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment ( 1 ). This applies to all upgrading work on river
dykes in the Netherlands . It must be emphasized that the
question as to whether work must be banned in the
meantime is a matter for Dutch national law .

Since September 1994, following an amendment to Dutch
legislation, the construction of river dykes is subject to an
environmental impact assessment . However, there is a
derogation for projects on which a decision has already been
taken under Article 33 of the Waterstaatswet .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2371 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 72 )

Subject : VAT inspectors in the UK

Is the Commission aware that the UK Government has cut

300 VAT inspector posts along with an additional 400 VAT

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 37

inspector posts that had been agreed as necessary to deal
with the implications of VAT in the Single Market ?

Would the Commission use its influence on the UK

Government to ensure that the necessary staffing resources
are made available ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

The administration of VAT in the Member States, including
the number of officials and other resources devoted to these

tasks, is a matter for the authorities in the Member States . In
the particular question referred to by the Honourable
Member, it is not for the Commission to intervene .

However, in accordance with its responsibilities under
Community legislation, the Commission monitors, together
with the Member States, the procedures which they apply in
VAT collection and control, with a view to identifying
possible improvements to these procedures and to their
effectiveness . Early in 1995 the Commission will produce a
report under Article 12 of Council Regulation ( EEC,
Euratom ) No 1553 / 89 on VAT collection and control
procedures applied in the Member States, which will address
the question of possible improvements in the efficiency of
VAT collection and control in the Community .

As clearly stated in the Commission white paper on ' the
future development of the common transport policy . A
global approach to the construction of a Community
framework for sustainable mobility ' ( 1 ), the Commission
considers the areas surrounding airports should be
adequately protected against an increase in noise volume
due to the growth in air transport and that no new
noise-sensitive activities should be allowed near airports .
Community action in this field will focus on the
establishment of a harmonized noise calculation and

measurement method, the introduction of noise monitoring,
land-use rules and noise zoning around airports . These
measures should also help contain ' night noise ' from
aircraft .

However, with regard to restrictions on aircraft operations
at night, due consideration should be given to the
characteristics and location of individual airports and the
competence of the regional and local authorities .

Finally, Council Directive 92 / 14 / EEC ( 2 ) will start to
remove the noisiest aircraft from use at Community airports
on 1 April 1995 . This Community legislation will certainly
contribute significantly to the reduction of ' night noise '
from aircraft .

i 1 ) COM(92 ) 494 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2374 / 94

by Edward McMillan-Scott ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 72 / 94 to the Commission

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

( 22 November 1994 )
to the Commission

( 95 / C 75 / 74 )

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 73 )

Subject : Excessive night noise

Is the Commission aware of the problem of ' night noise ' for
residents living near airports ?

Subject : Environmental impact assessments and the
Structural Funds

Will the Commission comment on the following
proposal :

' Given the large amount of money from the EU budget now

What measures is the Commission proposing to protect the being committed to infrastructure projects, especially in
environment from excessive noise from aircraft, both on the regions classified as eligible under Objective 1 of the
ground and during take-off, between the hours of midnight Structural Funds, some degree of damage to the
and 7 a.m .? environment is unavoidable . In order to limit such damage

to a strict minimum, 0,5 % of all grants from the ERDF or
from the Cohesion Fund allocated to infrastructure projects
should be specifically allocated to
Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission — environmental impact analysis ( EIA )
( 16 January 1995 )

— publication and dissemination of such analyses

The Commission is certainly aware of the problem of — rescue excavations where important archaeological sites
aircraft ' night noise ' for people living near airports . are discovered

No C 75 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

— other measures designed to palliate the impact of

infrastructure projects, including — for example —
reconstruction of footpaths damaged by new roads .

The legal requirements for EIA should be strengthened and
broadened to include, for example, the impact on
archaeological sites and historic monuments .'

The Commission would also like to point out that, at the
beginning of this year, it sent the Council a proposal to
amend the EI A Directive ( 2 ) designed to make changes that
seem advisable in the light of experience so far . Among other
things, the Commission proposes including the impact of
projects on the natural and historical heritage as one of the
criteria to be applied by the Member States during the
project-selection phase when verifying whether projects
covered by Annex II to the Directive require an
environmental impact assessment to be made or not .

If the Commission agrees that this proposal is both desirable
and feasible, will it promise to introduce any necessary
(!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .
legislative proposals as soon as possible ?

( 2 ) COMÍ93 ) 575 .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376 / 94

by Nel-van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

When implementing assistance from the Structural Funds ( 22 November
and the Cohesion Fund, the Member States and regions ( 95 / C 75 / 75
involved are required to comply with all Community
legislation in the field of the environment, including
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment ( J ) Subject : New Maastricht Airport

( 22 November 1994 )

Subject : New Maastricht Airport runway in the vicinity of a

( the ' EIA ' Directive ).

The Member States and regions can apply to the Structural
Funds and the Cohesion Fund to part-finance any studies
and expert advice they need to ensure compliance with
Community environmental legislation in the process of
implementing the Community 's structural policies . This
includes publishing and disseminating the results of
environmental impact studies where these are mandatory
under the Directive .

The Structural Funds are also able to finance measures to

remedy damage caused by infrastructure projects . The
safeguarding of archaeological sites discovered during
construction work, however, is not generally eligible for
Structural Funds support unless this would contribute
directly to the tourism potential of the region in
question .

Minimizing the impact of infrastructure works on
archaeological sites may form part of remedial measures
paid for out of the Cohesion Fund when it is financing
transport projects . The upgrading of archaeological sites
and protection of the cultural heritage can be funded by the
Cohesion Fund under its environmental objectives .

In consequence of the rules governing the assistance
provided by the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund,
the volume of these schemes in the overall financing of
infrastructure works by the Community is determined by
the applications received from the Member States and is not
the result of quotas of any kind .

refuse tip

There are plans to build a new east-west runway at
Maastricht Airport ( near Beek in the Netherlands province
of Limburg ). Just 1,5 km from where the runway is to begin
lies the Schinnen-Spaubeek refuse tip . The large numbers of
seagulls that scavenge for food there pose a threat to air
traffic safety .

Under a recommendation of the International Civil Aviation

Organization ( ICAO ), the distance between airfields and
refuse tips must be at least 13 km . According to Mr B.
MacKinnon, an expert at the Canadian Civil Aviation
Authority, most countries that belong to the ICAO observe
a minimum distance of 8 km ( Volkskrant of 15 October

1994 ).

Are there European rules laying down a minimum distance
between airports and refuse tips and rules to prevent
collisions between birds and aircraft ?

If not, does the Commission intend to propose such rules ?
Or is it simply waiting for accidents to happen ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The existing Community legislation on waste disposal

( Council Directive 75 / 442 / EEC of 15 July 1975 as amended

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 39

by Council Directive 91 / 156 / EEC of March 1991 ) does not
contain specific provisions on the minimum distance
between airports and waste disposal dumps . There is no
specific Community legislation on the prevention of
collisions between aircraft and birds . Bird hazard control

programmes are put in place by national and regional
authorities .

At international level the matter is dealt with in part 3 ' bird
control and reduction ' of the ICAO airport services
manual (*), the purpose of which is ' to provide assistance to
states in ensuring that measures are taken to overcome
potential bird hazards '. In chapter 6 it is stated that,
although a distance of 13 km between an airport and a waste
disposal dump is recommended, this general rule must be
carefully examined since a number of measures may
overcome the bird hazard problem even if the waste disposal
dump is located nearer to the airport .

(M ICAO Doc . 9137-AN / 898 / 2 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

Directive 89 / 667 / EEC on single-member private limited ­
liability (*) has been transposed into national lawby all
Member States, with the exception of Belgium and Spain .
Infringement proceedings have been initiated against those
two Member States for failing to communicate national
implementing measures .

The Commission does not yet have the information
necessary to assess what use enterprises have made of this
form of company .

t 1 ) OJ No L 395, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2387 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 77 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 84 / 94

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 76 )

Subject : Current state of incorporation into national

law of the Community Regulation concerning
single-member limited liability companies

The Community regulation concerning single-member
limited liability companies, which has been in force for
several years now, has been seen as one of the measures with
the greatest potential for reducing unemployment .

The implicit enterprise model was conceived as having a
number of effects, including making it easier for the
unemployed to set up busineses .

However, it appears that only a small number of Member
States have incorporated the relevant Community
provisions into national law .

Can the Commission state how many Member States have
incorporated the Community Regulation concerning
single-member limited liability companies into national
law ? How does it evaluate the results obtained in those

countries where this enterprise model has been actually
applied, in the context of the Community-wide interest
aroused by the hopes linked with this Regulation ?

Subject : ILO Convention on the minimum working age for

children

What steps will the Commission take to induce the United
Kingdom, Denmark, and Portugal to sign the ILO
Convention on the minimum working age for children

( Convention 138 ), which entered into force in 1976 ? Does
not the Commission consider that an EU common policy on
ILO social rules is long overdue ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The Commission confirms that ILO Convention No 138 of

19 June 1976 on the minimum working age for children has
indeed been ratified be nine Member States only .

On 22 June 1994 the Council adopted Directive 94 / 33 / EC
on the protection of young people at work (*), which is
based on Article 118a of the EC Treaty and contains
minimum standards of protection .

The provisions of this Directive take specific account of ILO
Convention No 138 and are applicable in the 12 Member
States .

( x ) OJ No L 216, 20 . 8 . 1994 .

No C 75 / 40 | EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2391 / 94 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2393 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE ) by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 ) ( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 78 ) ( 95 / C 75 / 79 )

Subject : Attacks by neo-Nazi groups on Portuguese
workers in Germany

In March 1994 I tabled a question on attacks by neo-Nazi
groups on Portuguese workers in Germany ( E-1450 / 94 ), to
which I have not yet received a reply but which has now
become even more urgent .

Last week, dozens of Portuguese immigrants resident in
Germany were the victims of such attacks and some of them
had to receive hospital treatment .

I would therefore ask the Commission once more what it is

doing to ensure that all the Member States implement the
European Parliament resolutions condemning
demonstrations of hostility and violence inspired by racism
and xenophobia and the groups that foment these
attitudes ?

Subject : Community measures in favour of regions affected

by environmental disasters

In its resolution B3-1426 / 93 on the floods and damage
caused by the bad autumn weather in Europe the European
Parliament called for a Directive to be drawn up on the
environmental crisis areas affected by hydro-geological
instability in Europe during the last 25 years, with particular
reference to large conurbations .

What progress has been made in drawing up this Directive
and what timetable has the Commission established for

completing the adoption thereof ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission
on behalf of the Commission
( 13 January 1995 )
( 16 January 1995 )

The Honourable Member will be aware that responsibility
for combatting hostility and violence inspired by racism and
xenophobia lies with the Member States rather than the
Community .

Nevertheless, the Commission shares his abhorrence for
manifestations of the above evils and is engaged in many
actions in the education, study, monitoring, and
awareness-raising fields to combat them .

The consultative commission against racism which was
established as a direct response to the Franco-German
initiative at the Corfu European Council has been given a
wide mandate and will be making recommendations for an
overall strategy against racism .

The Honourable Member 's earlier question ( E-1450 / 94 )
was received by the Commission on 25 April 1994 and
under Parliament 's rules of procedure became void on
6 May 1994 .

The protection of environmental crisis areas, particularly
conurbations, affected by floods is a matter for the Member
States rather than the Commission, the principle of
subsidiarity applying in this instance .

However, prevention is a new area covered by the Council
resolution of 31 October 1994 on the strengthening of
Community cooperation on civil protection . With regard to
floods in particular, the Commission is supporting a pilot
project analysing floods in the winter of 1993 .

Furthermore, a Community self-help workshop for the
prevention of natural disasters will be held in the spring of

1 995 and could result in a project being organized jointly by
several Member States, with the aim of improving early
warning methods and systems, especially through the
improved use of meteorological and geographical data .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 41

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 80 )

Subject : Replacement of catalytic converters in motor

vehicles

It transpires from its answer to my Question E-330 / 94 (*) of

12 April 1994 that the Commission considers that the
problem of disused catalytic converters is linked to the
replacement of the vehicles in which they are fitted, whereas
in fact catalytic converters are only a replaceable part .
Furthermore the Commission has so far failed to take any
measures to ensure a uniform approach to this Community
pollution problem . With the implementation of the
compulsory charter on monitoring exhaust fumes in respect
of all vehicles in Greece, there will shortly be a large number
of disused catalytic converters ; if these are dumped they will
constitute a further source of chemical pollution by heavy
metals and other hazardous substances .

I would reiterate my question to the Commission :

1 . Does it subscribe to the view that there is immediate

need for Community rules to ensure that disused
catalytic converters are collected instead of being
dumped and, if so, what does it intend to do ?

2 . Which European Union programmes could be used to
fund an integrated programme for the gathering and / or
recycling of disused converters ?

3 . Given the geographical fragmentation of Greece and the
problem that is about to arise concerning the dumping
of used converters, can a national system for gathering
them be established, making it compulsory for the
purchaser of a new catalytic converter to return the old
one ?

(') O J No C 367, 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 28 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 January 1995 )

1 . As stated in the answer to Written Question
No 330 / 94 of 12 April 1994, the Commission plans to
propose measures to harmonize the disposal and recovery of
disused vehicles . Waste management of this kind implies
that an integrated system of collection, recycling, recovery
or final waste dumping has been set up .

With regard to catalytic converters, in particular, the

Commission does not have any information to show that the
cost / efficiency ratio might warrant measures at Community
level .

2 . An integrated programme for collecting or re-cycling
used converters could be partially financed by the LIFE
Programme or by the Cohesion Fund provided that the
project is eligible for these funds .

3 . Used converters in vehicles are more likely to be
replaced by professional operators than by individuals . This
will help to recover old converters, just as the trade changes
other used parts ( tyres, batteries etc .).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2403 / 94

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 81 )

Subject : Non-trade implications of GATT

Under present practice, what consideration is given to the
non-trade implications of initiating the GATT disputes
resolution process e.g. with regard to the environmental,
animal or consumer protection objectives of the measure to
be challenged ? To what extent does this process involve
inter-directorate discussion and in what circumstances

would the Commission consider it appropriate to consult
Parliament and the Council prior to initiating the GATT
disputes proceedings ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

The Commission subscribes to the objective of high
environmental, animal and consumer protection . What can
sometimes be in dispute with other GATT contracting
parties are the means of pursuing this legitimate objective,
when the means are unnecessarily trade restricting and
nullify or impair the rights of a contracting party . The
Community 's exporters can frequently suffer from this sort
of trade barrier .

When a trade dispute arises, which might require the
initiation of a GATT dispute settlement procedure, all the
relevant Commission services are involved in the definition

of the Commission 's position, in order to ensure that all
non-trade implications are taken into consideration . For
instance, when the non-trade implications at issue are, as
mentioned in the question of the Honourable Member,

No C 75 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

related to environmental, animal or consumer protection,
DG XI and the Consumer Policy Service are directly
involved in the process .

All implications of initiating a dispute settlement procedure
are taken into account . The Member States are directly
involved through the Council in any decision to initiate
dispute settlement .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2405 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

safeguards agreement between Euratom and the
US-DOE ( paras 154 and 154b );

The paras 40 to 41 in document SEC ( 92 ) 80 final, dedicated
to the extension of Euratom safeguards responsibility due to
the German unification, were not repeated in the 1991 / 1992

report .

The reason for differences between subsequent issues of the
report is the continuous concern of the Commission to
enhance the transparency of its nuclear safeguards
operation .

( 23 November 1994 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2407 / 94

( 95 / C 75 / 82 ) by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

Subject : 1989 / 1990 report ( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 83 ) .

What categories of information included in the 1989 / 1990
report ( J ) have not been included in the 1991 / 1992 Subject : Facility attachments at BNFL
Safeguards report ? What new categories have been
case included ?, and what is the reason for the difference in each How many individual facility

Subject : Facility attachments at BNFL Sellafield

(M SEC(92 ) 80 .

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The following new categories of information have been
included in the 1991 / 1992 safeguards report ( paragraphs
mentioned refer to COM(94 ) 282 final ):

— The results from a study on inspection reports available

from the period 1990 — 1992 about non-quantifiable
verification aspects ( paras 35 to 41 and tables II.4 and
H.5 );

— Figures of the annual radiation dose uptake for Euratom

safeguards inspectors and technical staff ( para . 97 );

— Conclusions from a study of the 1991 — 1995 IAEA

safeguards criteria and briefing on the
negotiations / implementation of a new partnership
approach with the IAEA ( paras 125 to 129 );

— A complete new chapter ( Chapter VI ) on ' illicit trade and

'
transfer of nuclear material ( paras 130 — 138 );

— A complete new chapter ( Chapter VII ) on ' cooperation

with the CIS and eastern European countries on the
safeguards field ' ( paras 139 to 150 );

— The challenges put forward by the envisaged accession

of new Member States and by the expected new

How many individual facility attachments have now been
completed for the nuclear re-processing activities
undertaken at the BNFL Sellafield plant ? On what dates
were details of each facility attachment respectively
transmitted to Euratom ? Is Euratom now in possession of
the full Basic Technical Characteristics of each of the

installations at Sellafield ? What review has the Commission

made under Article 78 of the Euratom Treaty of the
characteristics forwarded for Sellafield 's installations in

regard to their meeting the approval of the Commission ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

It is the IAEA, under the terms of the voluntary offer
agreement INFIRC / 263, which designates facilities or parts
thereof for safeguards . The facility attachments for two
facilities so designated at Sellafield have been agreed .

For the existing plants at Sellafield, all basic technical
characteristics have been received except for the waste
treatment plant . Basic technical characteristics for the latter
will be prepared once the discussion on safeguards measures
for nuclear material in waste have been concluded .

With respect to Article 78 of the Euratom Treaty, for the
Thorp plant the Commission has given a preliminary
approval following provision of an extensive set of technical
information . Formal basic technical characteristics were

received in due time for the areas which already contain
nuclear material .

27 . 3 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 43

QUESTION E-2408 / 94 These swaps are based on criteria which assure strict

Alex Smith ( PSE ) equivalence in quantity and quality of the materials before

to the Commission and after the swaps .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

( 23 November 1994 )

(!) SEC(92 ) 80 final and COM(94 ) 282 final .
( 95 / C 75 / 84 )

Subject : Infringements under Article 83 of the Euratom

Treaty

How many sanctions have been imposed on nuclear facility
operators, in each year since 1988, following any
infringement under Article 83 of the Euratom Treaty ? What
facilities, in which EU Member State or countries, were
involved ? Can the nature of the infringement in each case be
given ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

Since 1988, three sanctions have been imposed on
installations operated by Exxon, AEA and CEA . The
reasons for these sanctions were anomalies found in the

accountancy and control procedures .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2409 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2410 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 86 )

Subject : Inspection of BNFL at Sellafield

How many inspection days were devoted in each year since

1986 to the material balance areas at the BNFL facility at
Sellafield ? How many inspection visits have taken place in
each year since 1986 ? On what date was the first visit made
in 1986 ? What is the total quantity of plutonium designated
for inspection under a peaceful-use declaration at Sellafield
for the most recent date at which information is available to

the Commission ?

by Alex Smith ( PSE ) Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission
to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 ) ( 17 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 75 / 85 )

Regular inspection activities in the material balance areas

Subject : Imports of nuclear materials

Have any swapping of the ' flag ' attachment to consignment
of nuclear materials, imported into the EU under nuclear
agreements between the EU and the USA, Canada and
Australia, taken place since 1988 ? If so, will the
Commission publish details of such swaps ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the reports on
the operation of Euratom safeguards which show the swaps
approved for the consecutive periods 1989 — 1990 and

1991 — 1992 ( M.

( MBAs ), of Thorp started in 1990 . Between 1 April 1990
and 31 October 1994, a total of 1 411 inspection days were
performed for the Thorp MBAs .

Inspection performed for the other MBAs of the Sellafield
site ( non-Thorp ) between 1 January 1986 and 31 October

1994 required a total of 5 425 inspection days .

When the Sellafield site is in operation, between 1 and 10
inspectors are present continuously at one or more
MBAs .

The Commission is not at liberty to disclose details of the
stocks of individual installations under safeguards .

No C 75 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-24 11 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2420 / 94

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 87 )

Subject : Operation of nuclear safeguards 1991 / 1992

On 7 July 1994 the Commission forwarded to the President
of the Council of the European Union its report on the
operation of nuclear safeguards 1991 / 1992 ( 1 ).

Why has the Biennial Report been produced so late ? Do the
Commission and Euratom hold computerized details on the
implementation of nuclear safeguards in the EU for a time
period, after 1992 ? If so, why is this information, and an
assessment of it, not included in the report ?

What steps have been taken to make the Euratom
safeguards report available to the public, as called for in
Parliament 's resolution of 6 July 1998 ( 2 ). How many copies
of the report have been published in each working language
of the EU ?

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 88 )

Subject : Conditions for use of the European display

stand

At the XXIInd Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral
Maritime Regions of the EC ( CPMR ) in Cagliari, Sardinia,
the Commission set up a particularly effective and attractive
European display stand . Comprehensive documentation
was provided and was much appreciated by the participants,
who included a number of MEPs .

Under what conditions is the Commission willing to make
the stand available to regions wishing to use it when
organizing their European exhibitions and events ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

What feedback has the Commission, Euratom or the Joint ( IS December 1994 )
Research Centre 's Nuclear Directorate received on the

1991 / 1992 Safeguards report ?

(!) COM(94 ) 282 final .

( 2 ) OJ No C 235, 12 . 9 . 1988, p . 70 .

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his

favourable comments on its display stand at the XXIInd
Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime
Regions .

As a general rule, the Commission tries to be present at
events with Community relevance which are organized in
Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission the regions, in collaboration wherever possible with existing
bodies .

( 16 January 1995 )

A report on the operation of Euratom safeguards is prepared
every two years . The report for 1991 / 1992, mentioned by
the Honourable Member, was delayed due to the need to
perform a number of high priority tasks .

The report is prepared in all nine Community languages . It
can be acquired under ISBN 92-77-71309-7 .

Apart from written questions received from the Parliament,
the Council 's atomic questions group is studying the report
having discussed it on 6 — 7 December 1994 .

For this purpose and in order to ensure a good
cost-effectiveness ratio, it has laid down the following
criteria :

— the event must not be of a purely local or national nature

but must really have a Community dimension ;

— it must not be organized by only one region, unless it is of

special Community interest and several regions are
invited .

The minimum notice which the Commission must receive

when it is invited to set up a stand is two months .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 45

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421 / 94

by Jean-Yves Le Gallou ( NI )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 89 )

Subject : Use of appropriations under Article A-304

The early completion of the Seine-Nord wide inland
waterway would make it possible to cope with increased
goods traffic between the Paris Basin and northern
Europe .

The Seine-Nord link has also been deemed to be a priority
European project .

Can the Commission provide details about the involvement
of the European Union and the timetable ( if established ) for
construction of the link ?

Can the Commission provide a list of existing European construction of the link ?
organizations of the judiciary and European non-profit
making associations of a cross-sectoral nature which have
received subsidies under Article A-304 in respect of
payments for 1993 and 1994 ? Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1995 )

Every year, the Member of the Commission responsible for
the Budget sends a full list of subsidies granted under
Article A-304 to the Secretary of Parliament in connection
with the management accounts .

The Commission Secretary-General has supplied the
Secretary-General of Parliament with fuller information
concerning these subsidies in 1993 in the context of an
annual report . Information on subsidies given in 1994 will
be covered by a report scheduled to appear in May 1995 in
accordance with the parliamentary resolution
accompanying the discharge in respect of administrative
expenditure and subsidies for the 1991 financial year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2428 / 94

by Jacques Donnay ( RDE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 90 )

Subject : Seine-Nord link

The development of inland waterways is increasingly
recognized as one of the best solutions to the saturation of
transport routes, particularly roads .

(9 January 1995 )

Planning decisions for transport routes depend primarily on
national authorities . For its part, the Community is called
upon to lay down guidelines and to coordinate and
encourage the inter-connection and inter-operability of
national networks .

To this end, on 29 October 1993 the Council adopted
Decision 93 / 630 / EEC i 1 ) on the creation of a
trans-European inland waterway network in which it is
stipulated that priority projects of Community interest
should, wherever possible and taking account in particular
of the financial constraints on Member States, be initiated
within ten years .

The Seine-Escaut link in France is among these priority
projects .

According to the implementation timetable and the
information available to the Commission, the first phase of
the public debate, the procedure prior to the declaration of
public interest, is under way . The second part of this phase,
which will deal with the planning of the route and the
declaration of public interest, will then follow . It is possible
that work may begin in 1999 .

Community financial aid can be granted to projects of
common interest financed by the Member States,
particularly in the form of feasibility studies, loan
guarantees or interest-rate subsidies . Loans from the EIB
and European Investment Fund guarantees can also be
envisaged .

Therefore, a proposal for a Regulation determining the
general rules for granting Community financial aid in the
area of trans-European networks ( 2 ) is being discussed at
present in the Parliament and the Council .

The Seine Basin, Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais form a
major river and maritime region connected to the Belgian,
Dutch and German networks . ( x ) OJ No L 305, 10 . 12 . 1993 .

( 2 ) COMÍ94 ) 62 final — OJ No C 89, 26 . 3 . 1994 .

Bottlenecks still exist, however, owing to the inadequacy of
some inland waterways .

No C 75 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2429 / 94

by Honorio Novo ( GUE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 91 )

Subject : Projects submitted for inclusion in the second

Community Support Framework for Portugal

At the end of the week of 24 to 28 October 1994 the

Portuguese media gave extensive coverage to the meeting
which had taken place in Brussels between Minister Valente
de Oliveira and Commissioner Bruce Millan during which
the Portuguese Government had submitted a series of
projects for inclusion in the various programmes of the
second Community Support Framework for Portugal ;
however no details about these projects were
forthcoming .

In the meantime, representatives of various sectors, and
notably local government authorities and intermunicipal
organizations, have been talking to the Portuguese media,
both before and after the aforementioned meeting,
discussing projects which might be eligible for inclusion in
the second Community Support Framework and its
programmes, although it was not certain that they would be
accepted by the Commission or even whether they had been
actually submitted .

It is therefore difficult to determine the precise list of
projects which the Member State Portugal has in fact
submitted and this has naturally puzzled public opinion and
may trigger speculation which is wholly undesirable in a
process in which all the parties concerned attach great
importance to transparency .

In order to avoid any distortion of information in the media,
I would therefore ask the Commission to provide a complete
list of all the projects that have so far been submitted to it by
the Portuguese Government for inclusion in the second CSF
in Portugal, stating the programmes in respect of which they
have been submitted, the budgetary resources set aside for
this purpose and the period of time scheduled for the
implementation thereof .

different Community Initiatives . These Initiatives will be
implemented between 1994 and 1999 . The total amount of
Community aid allocated to Portugal in this context
amounts to ECU 1 402 million .

The Commission is currently analysing these proposals,
particularly to ensure that they are compatible with the
guidelines and priorities defined for each Initiative . It will
take a decision as soon as possible .

(!) OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432 / 94

by Yves Verwaerde ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 92 )

Subject : Tomlinson Report on the management of
Parliament 's building projects in Brussels

Will the Commission give its views on the revelations
contained in the Tomlinson report on the management of
Parliament 's building projects in Brussels ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1994 )

It is not for the Commission to comment on a report
prepared by Parliament itself on its own activities and
internal procedures . Parliament acted autonomously in this
matter, and the Commission was given no specific
information about the operations in question as they were
carried out . It received only an indication of the
approximate overall financial impact during discussions on
the 1993— 1999 financial perspective .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-2437 / 94

(5 December 1994 ) by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

On 28 October 1994 the Portuguese authorities submitted
to the Commission their programme proposals not for the
Community support framework ( for which the Commission
had already adopted almost all the operational
programmes ), but the Community Initiatives Interreg,
Regis, Urban, Rechar, Resider, SMEs, Emploi, Adapt,
Leader and Pesca . The proposal for the Portuguese textiles
programme was submitted on 11 October 1994 .

This operation follows the Commission 's communication to
the Member States (*) inviting them to present applications
for financing in the form of operational programmes for the

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 93 )

Subject : Equal pay

In the light of the arbitrator 's judgment in the case brought
by the Handels - og Kontorfunktionasrernes Forbund
( Federation of Office Workers ) in Denmark against the sales
and service department of Bilka Lavprisvarehus A / S
( concerning Bilka 's central warehouse in Skejby ), will the
Commission say :

27 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 47

1 . whether it is in accordance with Community
Regulations on equal treatment, including the right to
equal pay, that physically demanding work be used as
grounds for discriminatory treatment, including
discrimination in terms of pay ?

2 . If it is not, what action does the Commission intend to
take ?

3 . If it is, what is to stop this argument being used in cases
where the natural division of labour is for men to take

the most physically demanding work and women the
jobs requiring some degree of dexterity ?

with citizenship of the Union, the Commission regrets that it
is unable to answer the Honourable Member 's question on
exclusion orders at this stage .

(!) OJ No C 275, 1 . 10 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2461 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn ( 95 / C 75 / 95 )
on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1995 )
Subject : Consumer protection

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
answer the question . It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2450 / 94

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 94 )

The free movement of goods is being obstructed by the
different rules on consumer protection in the various
Member States .

For example, northern and southern European countries
have different practices : in the north manufacturers '
declarations are sufficient, while in the south a certificate is
required for each product .

Will the Commission take steps to standardize the rules on
consumer protection in the Member States ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Use of exclusion orders by the UK Government
( 10 January 1995 )

The UK Government continues to use ' exclusion orders ' to

prevent freedom of movement within the United
Kingdom .

Does the use of such ' exclusion orders ' conflict with the

freedom of movement principles enshrined in the Single
European Act and other Union Treaties ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

A dispute concerning an exclusion order is currently being
considered by the Court of Justice, which has been asked for
a preliminary ruling on a number of points of law arising in
the Adams case ; the matter was referred to the Court in an
order made by the Divisional Court, Queen 's Bench
Division, on 29 July 1994 ( a ).

Given that this reference is pending before the Court, and in
view of the questions it raises with regard to the
interpretation of the provisions of the EC Treaty dealing

Community instruments and measures in regard to
certification and consumer protection must be
differentiated depending on whether the domain in question
is harmonized or not .

1 . In the non-harmonized domain, pursuant to Directive
83 / 1 89 / EEC of 23 March 1983 (*), Member States must
communicate to the Commission their technical

standards and rules ( and this may include conformity
assessment procedures ) at the drafting stage . The
Commission in turn informs the other Member States .

The idea is to ensure a proactive exchange of
information between the Member States and the

Commission, allowing them not only to assess the
technical requirements of each country, but also to
include clauses for mutual recognition of specifications
or controls in the national legislation in question . Hence
the purpose of this mechanism is to prevent the
emergence of technical barriers to intra-Community
trade and to encourage mutual recognition of technical
specifications .

Moreover a horizontal instrument, namely Directive
92 / 59 / EEC of 29 June 1992 ( 2 ) on general product

No C 75 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

safety lays down, in the non-harmonized domain, the
safety requirements that products must meet . This
Directive mandates producers to place only safe
products on the markets ; Member States must take the
measures necessary to ensure that producers respect the
obligations incumbent upon them . At any rate,
whenever a product presents a serious and immediate
risk to the health and safety of consumers, an emergency
procedure is triggered ( Articles 8 and 9 of the Directive )
based on a mechanism for the rapid exchange of
information which may, in certain precisely
circumscribed circumstances, lead to a Community
decision-making process .

Moreover, an amended proposal for a Parliament and
Council Decision for the exchange of information on
national measures derogating from the principle of the
free movement of goods within the Community ( 3 ), after
winning Parliament 's support, is currently being
discussed at Council .

This Decision would make it incumbent on the Member

States to notify the Commission and the other Member
States of cases in which a Member State has raised

barriers to the free movement of goods which may
however be legally manufactured or marketed in a
Member State . The idea is to enable the Commission

and the Member States to come up with a
European-level solution in such cases .

2 . As regards the harmonized domain, the relevant
Directives have been adopted under Article 100a of the
EC Treaty, which makes it incumbent on the
Commission to take as a base a high level of protection
in the form of essential requirements which products
must satisfy if they are to be placed on the market .

Moreover, the conformity assessment procedures and
the certification procedures applicable to each ' new
approach ' Directive will henceforth be determined in
accordance with Decisions 90 / 683 / EEC of 13 December

1990 ( 4 ) and 93 / 465 / EEC of 22 July 1993 ( 5 ), the
so-called ' module ' decisions .

In the Commission 's view, this battery of mechanisms
should ensure both the principle of the free movement of
products and a high level of consumer protection, which
the Community is obliged to help bring about .

(!) OJ No L 109, 26 . 4 . 1983

( 2 ) OJ No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 200, 22 . 7 . 1994 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 380, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 220, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2466 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75196 )

Subject : Free movement of goods

The discrepancies between the conditions governing the
inspection and testing of products in the different Member
States often make it necessary to carry out additional
assessments on imported products, even though they may
already have been tested in the Member State of origin .

Will the Commission take steps to reform the laws and to
remove this obstacle to freedom of movement ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 January 1995 )

The Honourable Member 's question concerns a possible
Commission initiative to preclude multiple testing of goods
that circulate in the Community .

The European Court of Justice in the Cassis de Dijon case,
stated that Member States can not in principle oppose the
marketing of goods lawfully put on the market in another
Member State . In Biologische Produkten the Court also
insisted that the discrepancies between national legislation
concerning testing, should not constitute a reason to hinder
the import of goods from other Member States . Hence
specific tests may not be requested if they have already been
done in another Member State . They have to be mutually
recognised by all Member States .

The exception to this rule is that Member States may have
recourse to requirements resulting from their legislation
when this is necessary to protect essential requirements
relating to health, safety, consumer protection etc .

In this situation it should be remembered that the

Commission has already taken several initiatives and
continues to contribute to initiatives undertaken at

European level to foster mutual recognition of testing both
in fields covered by technical harmonization Directives and
those not so covered .

The new approach to technical harmonization and
standards of 7 May 1985 aims at harmonizing these
essential requirements, so that the protection of these
specific interests by national legislation is no longer

necessary .

27 . 3 . 95 LEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 49

In its resolution of 21 December 1989 on a global approach
to certification and testing 0 ), the Council gave its approval
to the adoption of common rules on the use of conformity
assessment procedures that are intended to be integrated
into new approach Directives . The Directives that have been
adopted under the new approach ( for simple pressure
vessels, toys, machinery, gas appliances, etc .) also foresee
the notification by Member States of bodies that carry out
tests and certify the conformity of products to the
requirements of the Directives . The certificate of one
notified body is recognised by all Member States . In this
manner multiple testing is precluded .

At the end of the production phase the manufacturer affixes
the CE-marking to products that fall under the scope of the
Directives . This marking symoblises conformity to all the
obligations incumbent on manufacturers for the product by
virtue of the EC Directives providing for its affixing . These
obligations not only concern the respect of the essential
requirements relating to health and safety of users and
consumers but also of the conformity assessment
procedures foreseen in the Directives . The CE-marking thus
constitutes a passport for the free circulation of industrial
products .

In the non-regulatory field the Commission promotes the
drawing up of mutual recognition agreements between test
laboratories and certification bodies . It has therefore

contributed to the establishment of the European
organization for testing and certification . In this context,
when a customer requires testing of a product by a specific
laboratory, the manufacturer can submit the test report of
another laboratory which takes part in a mutual recognition
agreement . The laboratory indicated by the client or the
relevant certification body will then attest that it endorses
the test results . In this case also, multiple testing will be
forestalled .

joint commercial television station in 1995 . The other public
companies are helping them with money from public
funds .

Under the agreement (*), the companies remaining after
Veronica leaves the public broadcasting sector will buy
television programmes to the value of Fl 65 million from
Endemol in 1996 and programmes to the value of Fl 70
million between 1997 and 2000 . There is a penalty clause
for underspending ; the minimum compulsory purchase is
45,5 million in 19 96 and 49 million for the four following

years .

Veronica has the right to publish the details of the public
companies ' programmes in its programme guide — the only
guide entitled to do this outside the public companies ' own
programme guides .

The public companies will make some of the broadcasting
rights they have purchased for sporting events available to
Veronica on a licence basis .

Does the Commission share my view that this cooperation
agreement constitutes a distortion of competition and
consequently is incompatible with the Treaty on European
Union 's rules on competition, especially Articles 85, 86 and

92 ?

If so, what action does the Commission plan to take ?

( x ) See Vrij Nederland of 29 October 1994 and NRC Handelsblad

of 26 October 1994 and 4 November 1994 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(') OJ No C 10, 16 . 1 . 1990 . ( 16 March 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2471 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 21 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 97 )

Subject : Distortion of competition by the cooperation

agreement between the Dutch public broadcasting
companies, a commercial television station and a
television production company

The Dutch public broadcasting companies recently jointly
concluded a cooperation agreement with the broadcasting
association Veronica and the television production
company Endemol . Veronica and Endemol want to set up a

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission has been
informed through the Dutch press of the forthcoming
cooperation between Veronica, Endemol and the Dutch
national public broadcasters, and the reactions of the Dutch
media council to this development .

According to the information obtained by the Commission
it appears that the cooperation agreement has not yet been
signed by the parties . As no final agreement exists at present
the Commission cannot assess whether the agreement
infringes Community competition rules .

However, on the basis of the above information it is the
Commission 's opinion that it cannot be excluded that the
agreement might infringe Community competition rules .
For this reason the Commission is closely following this

case .

Finally it should be noted that the member of the Dutch
government in charge of media affairs has promised the
Dutch Parliament to have the agreements analysed by the

No C 75 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Dutch competition authorities in the light of competition
rules and the Community rules on state aid .

that the continuation of their affiliation to the JSIS
represents a significant cost to the scheme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2479 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2473 / 94
by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE )

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission

to the Commission
( 30 November 1994 )

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 99 )
( 95 / C 75 / 98 )

Subject : Insurance of former EU Commissioners under the

JSIS

1 . Can the Commission say how many former
Commissioners and Presidents of the EU, currently
affiliated to the JSIS ( Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme ) are
entitled to the transitional allowance based on their salary,
or are drawing a pension, and how many of them are
up-to-date with their contributions ?

2 . Can it also say how many beneficiaries under the JSIS
are no longer drawing the transitional allowance although
they paid the full contribution referred to in Article 72(1 ) of
the Staff Regulations ?

3 . Can it indicate, in addition, the cost to the JSIS in the
past two years of insuring the officials ( and their
dependants ) referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1994 )

1 . There are currently 49 former Presidents and
Members of the Commission, former Presidents, Judges,
Advocates-General and Registrars of the Court of Justice
and former members of the Court of Auditors receiving a
transitional allowance or pension . Thirty of these are
currently covered by the Joint Sickness Insurance
Scheme .

2 . None of those no longer receiving a transitional
allowance has chosen to be covered by the JSIS under the
provisions of Article 1 1 of the Regulation determining their
emoluments subject to payment of all the necessary
contributions .

3 . Reimbursements of medical expenses are inevitably
higher, on average, for retired persons than for officials still
in employment, who will be younger . This is precisely where
solidarity between the generations comes into play, such
solidarity forming the very basis of all social security

systems .

However, given the relatively high level of the contributions
by the individuals in question, there is no reason to believe

Subject : Fatal accidents at work, better known as
' undeclared manslaughter '

Can the Commission say how many cases of ' undeclared
manslaughter ' have occurred in the Union in the past six
years and, in particular, provide annual figures for each
country and each economic sector ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1994 )

Each year the Commission collects from the Member States
statistics on accidents at work, broken down by branch of
activity . It is sending a compilation of these figures directly
to the Honourable Member and also to the

Secretariat-General of the European Parliament . However,
it should be emphasised that these statistics are not
comparable ; even the definition of ' fatal accident at work '
varies .

Since 1989, in accordance with its third programme
concerning safety, hygiene and health at work (*), the
Commission has intensified efforts aimed at harmonizing
the statistical systems of the Member States, though it has
not yet been able to achieve this goal .

(M OJ No C 28, 3 . 2 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2494 / 94

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 100 )

Subject : Thirteenth amendment to the Directive on

creosote

The Council is likely to adopt shortly the Common Position
on the ' thirteenth amendment to Directive 76 / 76 9 / EEC on

the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions of the Member States relating to
restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous

27 . 3 . 95 - UN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 51

substances and preparations ' ( ), as Parliament, having exist elsewhere in the European Union apart from the
reached a compromise with the Commission, adopted this UK ?
proposal at second reading under the simplified
procedure .

This proposal sets a limit for creosote in wood products of
50 ppm BaP .

Is there a standard procedure for analysing wood products
to ascertain the level of creosote, to enable the application of
this directive to be correctly monitored in all the Member

States ?

Is it possible to measure quantities lower than 50 ppm
BaP ?

(') C4-26 / 94 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1995 )

The Commission has mandated the European committee for
standardization ( CEN ) to produce European standards on
the test methods needed to control implementation of the
proposed 13th amendment to Directive 76 / 769 / EEC in so
far as this concerns creosote and creosote treated wood . The

four standards — covering the sampling of creosote, the
sampling of creosote-treated wood, the analysis of creosote
for Benzo-A-Pyrene ( BAP ) and the analysis of creosote for
phenols — are at an advanced stage of preparation and
should be applicable in Member States before entry into
force of the proposed Directive .

According to information available to the Commission, it is
possible with sophisticated laboratory instruments to
measure BAP at concentrations less than 50 parts per
million . However, analysis of such traces presents
difficulties in terms of repeatability and of reproducibility
between laboratories and is not be regarded as reliable at the
present time .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1994 )

European common VAT law refers to local government
authorities as bodies governed by public law .

Because of the variety of legal systems which exist among the
Member States there is no universal definition of the concept
of ' public law '. In practice the VAT status of local
government authorities is determined by the Member States
according to the provisions of their respective domestic legal
systems . In view of this the Commission is unable to say
whether entities with an equivalent purpose to that of the
' parish meeting ' in the United Kingdom exist in other
Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2511 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 102 )

Subject : Community initiative Pesca in Spain

In 1994 the Commission launched the Community initiative
Pesca .

Can the Commission indicate what projects have been
chosen for Spain, giving a breakdown of the individual
beneficiaries by autonomous community and of the sums
involved ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2507 / 94 on behalf of the Commission

by Edward McMillan-Scott ( PPE ) ( 15 December 1994 )
to the Commission

( 21 November 1994 )

Under the reform of the Structural Funds the Spanish
( 95 / C 75 / 101 ) authorities have submitted to the Commission a document

in the form of an operational programme concerning the
Pesca Community Initiative .

Subject : Constitution of local authorities

What constitutes a local authority for the purpose of VAT,
given that in the UK an elective parish council is eligible for
VAT status but a parish meeting, a decision-making entity
which may comprise all adults in the parish, is not ? Does the
parish meeting, perhaps the most direct form of democracy,

This operational programme is still being examined and the
Commission is therefore unable, at this stage, to reply to the
questions put .

No C 75 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 17 / 94

by Doeke Eisma ( ELDR ) and
Elly Plooii-van Gorsel ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 103 )

Subject : Failure to honour the promise of ECU 300 million

for nature and environmental protection in the
' Black Triangle '

Why is the Commission not honouring its promise to make

ECU 300 m available for the protection of nature and the
environment in the ' Black Triangle ' ( in Germany, Poland
and the Czech Republic )? Does it intend to remedy this
omission, and if so, when ?

The only action taken so far is to monitor air pollution in the
area . Nothing has been done to tackle the pollution at
source, in spite of the commitment to make funding
available .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

Earlier this year there was a statement in the Dutch press
that the Commission had promised in 1990 that 300 MECU
would be given to the power plants in the Black Triangle
area in order to improve the environmental situation . The
Commission, however, has no knowledge of such promise ;
in view of the fact that the annual budget of Phare is
approximately 1 billion ECU such a commitment would not
be sustainable .

The Czech Republic ( at that time the Czechoslovak
Federation ), Germany and Poland launched at the Dobris
conference in June 1991 the so-called Black Triangle
Project, intended to contribute to cooperation in the area
especially to abate air pollution . The Commission was later
invited to become the fourth partner and has since allocated
5,9 MECU in support of the programme . Additional
allocations are planned for the coming years .

Within the framework of the Phare Programme, apart from
the 5,9 MECU support to the Black Triangle programme,
Phare has spent 10,3 MECU in the framework of the
ex-DDR programme and the Czech national Phare
Programme has allocated 8,3 MECU to environmental
programmes in that region .

A Commission-financed study has revealed that 800 MECU
are necessary for the pollution abatement in power plants on
the Czech and Polish side .

The de-sulphurisation and dust removal in both countries
are carried out on the basis of own financing of the
privatized power plants and with the support of various
banks . It is foreseen that on the Czech side the last power
plant will be at Community emission levels by July 1997 . On
the Polish side work also has started and it is expected that
the last block will be ready by December 2000 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2524 / 94

by Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 104 )

Subject : Selection of the ' Executive Director ' of the new

European Business Information Centre in Kuala
Lumpur ( Malaysia )

An advertisement having appeared in the press for the post
of ' Executive Director ' of the new European Business
Information Centre in Kuala Lumpur ( Malaysia ), can the
Commission explain :

1 . Why the advertisement in question is headed by the

symbol of the European Community ?

2 . What kind of aid the Community is providing or intends

to provide towards the setting-up and operation of this
centre ?

3 . On what basis was the undertaking in charge of
choosing the ' Executive Director ' selected ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1994 )

To recruit an executive director of the Kuala Lumpur
European Community Business Information Service ( EBIC )
a recruitment agency was engaged and advertisements were
placed in one or more prominent newspapers from each
Member State . An initial pre-screening of more than 400
applications was carried out by the agency and supervised
by the Commission . A second screening and interviews with
possible candidates were done by the Commission .

1 . The symbol of the Community was used in the

advertisement to indicate that the EBIC is a project
supported by the Commission .

2 . The aim of the project is to establish an EBIC on an

initial basis in association with the European

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 53

Community Business Council in Kuala Lumpur . The
project will stimulate cooperation activities between
European and Malaysian businesses . The Commission
will support the establishment of the Centre and its
operational costs, including staff salaries, over a two
year period by way of a grant of ECU 960 000 .

3 . A short of list of recruitment agencies was established by
the Commission . Based upon terms of reference worked
out by the Commission, all agencies submitted offers .
The Commission selected the economically most
favourable offer .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2526 / 94

by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2535 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 106 )

Subject : The Consultative Forum, Implementation
Network and Review Group on environmental
policy

Can the Commission say what specifically has been achieved
by the above dialogue groups which were set up after
adoption of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

to the Commission given by Mr
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 12 December 1994 )
( 95 / C 75 / 105 )

Subject : Auxiliary fund for the payment of unemployment

benefit in Belgium

Can the auxiliary fund for the payment of unemployment
benefit and Orbem in Belgium refuse to grant
unemployment benefit to a Belgian citizen who has worked
outside Union territory for a European company ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable

Member that Community law in the field of social security,
and more specifically Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 ( 2 ),
does not apply in this particular case, as this Regulation
coordinates the social security systems of the Member States
only and does not apply where there is a problem of
coordination between a Member State and a third

country .

The Commission must therefore reply that Community law
does not provide any legal basis for requiring Belgium 's
unemployment benefit fund and the Orbem — the Brussels
Regional Employment Office — to grant unemployment
benefit to a national who has worked outside the territory of
the Community for a European company .

(') OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971 .

The three bodies to which the Honourable Member refers

were set up as informal dialogue groups in the framework of
the fifth action programme on the environment, the strategy
of which was approved by the Council in February 1993 .
The groups serve to promote a greater sense of responsibility
among the principal actors involved in sustainable
development and to ensure the effective and transparent
application of measures .

The general consultative forum was established to provide
for consultation and information exchange between the
industrial and production sectors, the business world,
regional and local authorities, professional associations,
trade unions, environmental and consumer organizations
and the Commission . Three meetings of the forum were held
in 1994, focusing on how the forum should function and on
the environmental aspects of the 1993 white paper on
growth, competitiveness and employment . A wide range of
views was expressed, providing the Commission with
valuable input into its thinking on these issues . The forum is
also working on the principles of sustainable development
and, in 1995, will discuss transport and the urban
environment, agriculture and the rural environment and the
issue of civil liability . The forum will also provide the
Commission with input into the review process of the fifth

programme .

The environment policy review group ( ERPG ), comprising
Directors-General for the environment of Member States

( and more recently the accession countries ) and the
Commission, has held regular meetings since 1993 .
Discussions concerned the target sectors of the fifth
programme and useful exchanges were held on environment
and agriculture, environment and transport, the interface
between environment and research and development,
environment and energy and most recently on environment

No C 75 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

and industry, focusing particularly on the use of voluntary
agreements in the environmental sector . ERPG meetings
have played an important role in improving dialogue
between the Commission and Member States on strategic
issues affecting the environment and sustainable
development .

Finally, in line with the fifth action programme commitment
to set up an implementation network, the informal Chester
network of enforcement authorities was transformed in

December 1993 into an informal network for the

implementation and enforcement of environmental law .
This new network comprises representatives of relevant
national authorities and of the Commission and is aimed at

the exchange of information and experience on practical
issues arising from the implementation and enforcement of
environmental legislation, including Community measures .
The plenary meeting of the network held in Athens in June

1994 concentrated on the network 's working methods and
on the results of four working groups looking at various
aspects of the enforcement process . A meeting, held in
Munich at the end of November, looked at horizontal issues
such as the authorization of industrial installations, the
relationship between environmental auditing and
regulatory controls and the role of the European
environment agency providing information to assist
implementation and enforcement .

The objective of all three groups is to ensure the satisfactory
implementation of the policy, strategy and measures of the
fifth programme . Improved consultation and dialogue,
through the establishment of these groups, has enabled the
Commission to prepare measures more satisfactorily and
transparently, to ensure better practical follow-up to
legislative measures and to stimulate participants to play a
more active role in the move towards sustainable

development .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2538 / 94

between the Russian military and the criminal organizations
in the trade in this transuranium element .

Is the Commission aware of these facts ?

What urgent measures has it organized to monitor the trade
in Rm-2020 ?

Is Rm-2020 also being produced within the Union ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1995 )

The Commission has been informed on several occasions of

the trading of the substance referred to as Rm-2020

( Sb 2 0 7 Hg 2 ), which is not a transuranic element .

Under its popular name ' Red Mercury ' it has caught the
increasing attention of the media in Russia and the West and
it was indeed offered as a product used in detonators of
nuclear warheads . The Commission, however, has no
evidence that this substance is actually used for this

purpose .

The Commission is in close contact with Member States in

the framework of its activities in following the illicit trade of
nuclear substances . In one case the Commission

laboratories had the opportunity to analyse the substance .
However its use remains unclear . The Commission is not

aware of any production of the substance in the
Community .

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the

Commission 's reply to Written Question No 2176 / 94 of
Mrs Breyer ( 1 ).

(!) OJ No C 36, 13 . 2 . 1995, p . 48 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539 / 94
by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE )

to the Commission by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission
( 30 November 1994 )

( 30 November 1994 )
( 95 / C 75 / 107 )

( 95 / C 75 / 108 )

Subject : Illegal trade in Rm-2020, known as red mercury

According to a BBC report and the nuclear physicists Frank
Barnaby, Ted Taylor and Sam Cohen ( the father of the
neutron bomb ), the transuranium element Rm-2020

( Sb20 7 Hg 2 ) created in the Russian particle accelerator at
Dubna can be used for small nuclear weapons .

Five prosecutor 's offices in the Union ( including 3 Italian )
are hunting the traffickers who are acting as intermediaries

Subject : Data on the activities of Greek NGOs in the

development field

A number of Greek NGOs are involved in development aid
and are co-funding programmes, in conjunction with the
Commission, in various countries of Asia, Latin America
and Africa .

In which countries have these organizations co-funded
programmes since 1985 ? What proportion of the overall
activities in this field has been undertaken by Greek NGOs ?

27 . 3 . 95 1 EN |, Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 55

How many applications have been made for co-funding by
Greek NGOs and how many have been rejected in their
entirety ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1995 )

The first development projects to be co-financed with Greek
NGOs undter budget heading B7-5010 took place in 1988,
as the organizations concerned have acquired the capacity to
carry out such operations only fairly recently . Indeed, the
Commission has made a special effort to give NGOs from
Greece ( and subsequently from other new Member States )
easier access to the Community co-financing system,
through individual and group contacts, training seminars,
and so on .

From 1988 to 1994, Greek NGOs submitted 37
co-financing requests for development projects ; 23 of them
were approved for an aggregate of ECU 3 867 388,
representing 65,3 % of the total amount requested ; 14
requests were rejected under the general co-financing
conditions, for a variety of reasons essentially to do with the
eligibility, quality and viability of the products
concerned .

The approved projects were carried out in :

— Africa : Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Zimbabwe and

southern Africa ;

— Asia : India, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and

Gaza ;

— Latin America : Brazil, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador,
Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay .

In addition to these projects in developing countries, a
further 13 projects to increase public awareness in Europe
have been co-financed with Greek NGOs under budget
heading B7-5010, for a total of ECU 1 346 657 . Between
1990 and 1993, the proportion of co-financing operations
accounted for by Greek NGOs varied between 0,7 % and

1% .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2540 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 109 )

Subject : Data on the activities of NGOs in the field of

emergency aid

A number of Greek NGOs are involved in providing
emergency aid and are co-funding programmes in this field
with the Commission .

3 . The Commission 's hopes of finding a reasonable
number of Greek partner NGOs in the field of humanitarian
aid have been only partially realized . Only five of the
Commission 's 120 partners in this area are Greek .

This is reflected in the low rate of participation by Greek
NGOs in humanitarian activities financed by the

Which countries have been granted aid by Greek NGOs
since 1985 ? How much emergency aid has been provided
and what proportion of overall emergency aid does this
amount to ? How many applications for funding submitted
by Greek NGOs have been rejected since 1985 and on which
grounds ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 1995 )

1 . The table below gives a breakdown of the
humanitarian projects financed in 1993 that were carried
out by Greek NGOs :

( ECU )

Beneficiary State :

total value of

humanitarian aid

contracts

Former Yugoslavia :

( 393 244 315 )

Former Yugoslavia :

( 393 244 315 )

Albania :

( 456 000 )

Somalia :

( 12 055 004 )

Amount for
Greek NGO
Greek project

Greek Committee for

International Democratic

Solidarity

Hellenic Institute

Solidarity and
Cooperation

Association of Social and

Humanitarian Aid

Médecins du Monde —

Greece

1 750 000

27 000

350 000

509 000

2 . The table below gives a breakdown of the
humanitarian projects financed in 1994 that were carried
out by Greek NGOs i 1 ).

( ECU )

Beneficiary State :

total value of

humanitarian aid

contracts

Egypt :

( 500 000 )

Former Yugoslavia :

( 143 662 667 )

Azerbaijan :

(6 578 873 )

Amount for
Greek NGO
Greek project

Médecins du Monde —

Greece

Médecins du Monde —

Greece

Médecins du Monde —

Greece

100 000

500 000

250 000

No C 75 / 56 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Community . As a result of their small number an limited
capacity, the Commission receives very few requests from
Greek NGOs . For example, in 1994, of a total of 1 178
financing requests received by ECHO, only nine came from
Greek NGOs, three of which were approved ( see
table 2 ).

Requests from NGOs can be turned down for a number of

reasons :

— because the project proposed by the NGO does not

correspond to the humanitarian needs of the region
concerned ;

— because one or more organizations have already
obtained Community financing for similar work in the

same area ;

— because the NGO lacks the expertise or the means

required to implement a given humanitarian
operation ;

— because of lack of funds ( where the budget allocation

concerned has already been spent ).

f 1 ) To end November 1994 .

These proposals concern in particular the definition of a
universal service, the quality of service, technical
standardization and measures to promote the gradual and
controlled liberalization of the postal market as well as a
durable guarantee for the universal service .

The legal basis will depend on the substance of the measures
which are still being drawn up .

Since it is a question of how to define the reserved area, the
Commission has on several occasions, in particular in the
Green Paper on postal services ( 2 ) and in the Guidelines for
the development of Community postal services ( 3 ), laid
down the criteria to be used, especially with regard to the
prices of services and the weight of consignments .

Finally, since turning its attention to the Community postal
dossier in 1989, the Commission has undertaken in-depth
studies on the economic impact of the proposed measures,
most often in collaboration with the Member States .

(!) OJ No C 48, 16 . 2 . 1994 .

( 2 ) COM(91 ) 476 final .

( 3 ) COM(93 ) 247 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2567 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2557 / 94
by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

by Danielle Darras ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission
(5 December 1994 )

( 23 November 1994 )
(9 SIC 75 / 111
( 95 / C 75 / 110 )

Subject : Postal services Subject : Guatemala street children

Does the Commission intend to propose legislation to
implement the internal market for postal services ? If so,
what will be the legal basis for the legislation defining the
universal postal service, the list of special services, the
quality of postal services, and their harmonization ? What
criteria is the Commission applying in defining the area of
special services ( have any impact and feasibility studies been
carried out )?

Is the Commission aware that street children continue to be

murdered in Guatemala City ? In particular seven children
were killed in an eight - week period in autumn 1994 .

What steps will the Commission take to make the
Guatemalan authorities aware that this is unacceptable,
especially as the European Union funds schemes to assist
Guatemalan street children ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission
(9 December 1994 )

(6 January 1995 )

The Commission is currently drawing up proposals for
regulations in response to the invitation made by the
Council in its resolution of 7 February 1994 on the
development of Community postal services ( 1 ).

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's concern

at the plight of street children in Guatemala . It is well aware
that violence against minors is still going on .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 57

In June the Member States approved a multi-annual WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 72 / 94
programme for street children in Guatemala City, which by Christine Oddy ( PSE )
should shortly be signed by the partners in Guatemala .
to the Council

( 31 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 75 / 112
In the short term, the programme systematically increases
training for officials dealing with juvenile delinquents,
particularly for the staff of the Secretaria de Bienestar Social Subject : Arms trade with Indonesia
and the law-enforcement agencies in general .

Is the Council of Ministers aware of plans to sell fighter
planes and tanks to the Indonesian Government from
Britain ?

Such measures have been successful when carried out on a

smaller scale in the past and will be continued as part of the
present programme 's training component . Funds have also
been earmarked for a large-scale information campaign .

Given the appalling human rights record in East Timor,
what moves will the Council take to halt arms trade with

Indonesia ?

Answer

In the medium and long term, children from broken homes Answer
have to be given an alternative to crime, since most of the ( 31 January 1995 )
victims have been — or have been presumed to be — juvenile
delinquents . This will be one of the tasks entrusted to a series
of homes run by non-governmental organizations under the Concerning EU action on the human
programme . Indonesia and in East Tumor, the

It should be borne in mind that the predicament of the street
children is a consequence of a complex economic, social and
political situation .

The guidelines and objectives of the programmes it finances
in Guatemala illustrate the Commission 's wish to establish,
maintain and ensure respect for the rule of law, as well as its
desire to reduce the widening gulf between a rich and
all-powerful minority and a poor, ill-educated,
culturally-divided majority constantly struggling to get
by .

The Commission is aware that a reduction or temporary
suspension of international aid would have drastic and
immediate consequences for the very poor, on whom most
of this aid is targeted . This will not, of course, prevent the
Commission denouncing human rights violations, including
crimes against children, to the Guatemalan authorities .

At international level, the Community is trying to make a
practical contribution to solving the serious problem of
street children . At the Community 's proposal, the UN
General Assembly has adopted a resolution on the plight of
street children every year since 1992 . In the past two years it
has done the same in the Commission on Human Rights .

Concerning EU action on the human rights situation in
Indonesia and in East Tumor, the Honourable Member is
referred to the answer given to Written Question E-2127 / 94
by Mr Glyn Ford and to the Statement by the Presidency on
behalf of the European Union on Indonesia issued on
22 November 1994 .

As far as Member States ' arms exports policies are
concerned, the Honourable Member is referred to the
answer given to oral question H-0425 / 94 by Mr Friedrich
Wolf . It is to be recalled that European Union Member
States apply the eight criteria which have been agreed upon
by the 1991 Luxembourg and 1992 Lisbon European
Councils . In the context of exchanges of information on the
application of these criteria, the United Kingdom has
indicated that it would not licence for export defence
equipment likely to be used for repressive purposes against a
civilian population .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 74 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 113

Subject : Freedom of expression in Sri Lanka and protection

of journalists

Is the Commission aware that the Free Media movement

estimates that there were over 50 incidents involving
harassment of journalists between January 1992 and March

1993 ?

What steps will it take to ensure that media journalists and
media workers are protected against attacks and threats ?

No C 75 / 58 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Will the Commission fund schemes to assist and strengthen
the democratic process and freedom of expression in Sri
Lanka ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

Commission is fully associated . It is for the Presidency to put
to the United Nations any proposal the Union may make in
this matter .

(6 January 1995 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2578 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE ), Glenys Kinnock ( PSE ),

following closely the human rights David Morris ( PSE ) and Tony Cunningham ( PSE )

The Commission is following closely the human rights
situation in Sri Lanka . Following the presidential elections
held on 9 November, which were conducted freely and
fairly, it hopes that the new government will do whatever is
necessary to improve the human rights position, notably
with regard to freedom of expression .

The Commission will continue to monitor developments
closely : the Sri Lankan authorities are already aware of the
Union 's commitment to observance of democratic

principles and human rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 77 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE ), Glenys Kinnock ( PSE ),
David Morris ( PSE ) and Tony Cunningham ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 114

Subject : UN preventative action

Will the Commission encourage the UN Secretariat to
establish an office of preventative diplomacy to collate early
warning information from governments, non-governmental
agencies, the media and academics ?

Will the Commission encourage the United Nations to have
stand-by arrangemens for immediate deployment ?

Will the Commission support an increase in the UN
peacekeeping reserve fund to US $ 400 million ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 1995 )

The Commission considers the measures referred to by the
Honourable Members a useful means of improving
preventive crisis management and the capacity of the United
Nations to keep the peace and safeguard international
security .

In the European Union, such questions fall under the
common foreign and security policy, with which the

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 115 )

Subject : Rwanda and arms embargo

What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that
Resolution 918 ensuring an arms embargo is properly
enforced ?

Will the Commission press for the United Nations register of
conventional arms to include small arms ?

Will the Commission support the United Nations to agree
and enforce a code of conduct on international arms

transfers ?

Will the Commission support and ban the production, sale,
export, transfer, stock-piling and use of anti-personnel
mines at the review of the Inhumane Weapons Convention
in September 1995 ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 1995 )

The questions raised by the Honourable Members come
under the common foreign and security policy, with which
the Commission is fully associated .

It is for national governments to apply UN Security Council
Resolution 918 .

The introduction of a UN register of conventional arms
shipments was proposed by the Community and Japan .
That register is now in its third year .

The Community has backed the inclusion of new categories
of data .

At the 49th UN General Assembly, the Community tabled a
draft resolution concerning a code of conduct for
conventional arms shipments, but had to withdraw it in the
face of opposition from certain non-member countries .

27 . 3 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 59

The Community has endorsed the revision of the Inhumane
Weapons Convention, and in particular Protocol II
concerning anti-personnel mines .

The Commission welcomes the decision of some Member

States to place an embargo on the export of anti-personnel

mines .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 79 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE ), Glenys Kinnock ( PSE ),
David Morris ( PSE ) and Tony Cunningham ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 116 )

Subject : Assistance to Rwanda

Since April 1994 over half of Rwanda 's 7,2 million
population are now either dead, displaced or living as
refugees .

Will the Commission assist Rwanda by funding a
rehabilitation and reconstruction plan, encouraging the
Rwandese Government to share political and military
power with moderate Hutus, and assisting the Rwandese
Government to establish a new legal and judicial system ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

On 25 November the Council adopted a resolution, based
on guidelines submitted by the Commission, in which it
recommended the immediate rehabilitation of Rwanda 's

social and economic infrastructure . The Commission then

drew up a financing proposal for ECU 67 million which was
endorsed by the EDF committee in December, and the
financing decision was adopted before the end of the

year .

The rehabilitation and reconstruction programme will
restore the country 's social and economic infrastructure to
relaunch economic activity . The first priority will be direct
action to kick-start production of exports like tea and
coffee, followed by indirect action in the field of social
infrastructure ( education, health, transport, energy ) to
enable the economy to function, and imports of basic
necessities such as fuel, cement, spare parts and vehicles . To
help the authorities, which are short of ministerial and
operational staff, technical assistance will have to be

provided as required in the different sectors of
intervention .

Wherever possible, and in line with the priorities identified,
the programme will be supported by restarting projects to
which financing had already been allocated, or which were
already under way, when the war broke out in April 1994 .
Humanitarian and food aid operations will also continue,
while an urgent rehabilitation programme of the electricity
and water supply was launched in October 1994 ( ECU
5 million ).

The overall programme budget breaks down a follows :

1 . Human rights observers : ECU 5 million

2 . Refurbishment of Kigali airport : ECU 2 million

3 . Repairs to damaged roads : ECU 3 million

4 . Rehabilitation of the health and education systems :
ECU 7 million

5 . Environment and protection of parks : ECU 4 million

6 . Special imports programme : ECU 15 million

7 . Technical assistance : ECU 3 million .

Finally, a project to help rebuild the legal system and other
measures in the field of human rights are also being
cofinanced with some NGOs under budget heading
B7-5220 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588 / 94

by Gerardo Fernandez     - Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 117 )

Subject : European Union participation in Ibero-American

educational television

The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education,
Science and Culture recently held its Vllth General
Assembly at which it decided to set up a working party to
resume discussions on the planning, content and funding of
Ibero-American educational television .

One of the aims is to televise literacy programmes such as
those currently being targeted, with funding from Spain, at
El Salvador and the Dominican Republic .

No C 75 / 60 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

Does the Commission consider that the European Union
should become involved in Ibero - American educational

television by contributing to the funding of literacy
programmes and providing broadcasts on Community
topics aimed at informing Latin American pupils of the main
ideas underpinning the European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The Commission has followed the work of the Organization
of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and
Culture with great interest and is pleased that a working
group has been set up to raise the issue of the planning,
content and funding of Ibero-American educational
television . The Commission wholeheartedly subscribes to
those aims which involve increasing the awareness of the
European Union within Latin America .

The Commission has paid particular attention to increasing
awareness about the Community as a whole within Latin
America . To this end, the Commission devotes on average
ECU 1,25 million per year to the development of
information programmes in Latin America . In addition to
this grant, there are funds aimed at cultural programmes
with an information component . There is also provision for
cultural cooperation with third countries ( totalling
approximately ECU 250 000 ) as well as a budget ( of
approximately ECU 475 000 ) to support Latin American
culture . Further funds are allocated to projects aimed at
promoting the protection of human rights and the
democratization process, and over seventy of these projects
include a substantial education, circulation and information
element .

Generally speaking, the Commission is interested in
working in education, a field which has traditionally
constituted an important element of rural and urban
development programmes ( e.g. programmes aimed at street
children, among others ). Furthermore, this year saw the
introduction of the ALFA programme for academic training
in Latin America which targets training programmes .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2605 / 94

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 118 )

Subject : Suicide amongst farm-workers and farmers

There appears to be an inordinately large number of suicides
among farmers and farm-workers in the United
Kingdom .

Could the Commission please publish the number of deaths
from suicide in 1993 in all Member States and indicate, in
each case, how many of these deaths were of farmers and
farm-workers ?

Is any work under way to investigate such deaths in the
European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

The Commission does not possess data on suicides in the
Member States . It cannot, therefore, indicate the numbers of
deaths from suicide among farmers and farmworkers .

Such information may, however, become available in the
future from work in the area of health data and indicators,
and intentional and unintentional injuries and accidents,
which will be the object of Commission proposals for
Parliament and Council Decisions for action programmes,
as it was announced in the communication of 23 November

1994 on the framework for action in the field of public
health .

Information obtained from the ' health for all ' database of

the World Health Organization 's regional office for Europe
shows that the standardized death rates for suicide,
including self-inflicted injury specified as intentional, per

100 000 population are as follows :

SDR

Member States

( suicide and self-inflicted injury )

( 100 000 )

Belgium 17,85 ( for 1989 )

Denmark 20,37 ( for 1992 )

Germany 15,43 ( for 1991 )

Greece 3,42 ( for 1991 )

Spain 6,9 7 ( for 1991 )

France 18,94 ( for 1991 )

Ireland 10,68 ( for 1991 )

Italy 6,80 ( for 1990 )

Luxembourg 13,96 ( for 1992 )

Netherlands 9,91 ( for 1992 )

Portugal 7,36 ( for 1993 )

United Kingdom 7,76 ( for 1992 )

27 . 3 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 61

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2615 / 94

by James Janssen van Raay ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 119 )

Subject : Cost-benefit analysis of trade restrictions

Governments apparently do not investigate the costs to
consumers when introducing import restrictions ( safeguard
measures, antidumping levies etc .). Consumers '
organizations have therefore recently advocated once again
that governments apply the Indicative Checklist for the
Assessment of Trade Policy Measures adopted by the OECD
in 1986 ( 1 ).

1 . Could such cost-benefit analysis improve the quality of
decision-making on trade policy and increase public
confidence in it ?

2 . Will the Commission in future make such analyses itself
before adopting import restrictions or proposing them
to the Council ?

3 . Can the Commission publish these analyses promptly
enough for the responses of consumers ' organizations
and other interested parties to be taken into account in
its decisions ? If not, when can it publish them ?

(') See OECD press release of 17 October 1994, ' Consumers at

OECD Conference support world trade reform '.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 January 1995 )

adoption of any measure, to make known their views to the
Commission, obtain non-confidential information from it,
reply to comments by other interested parties and be heard
orally .

In conclusion, the adoption of commercial defence measures
implies a thorough examination of consumers ' interests as
part of the assessment of the ' Community interest ', which
not only takes full account of the sort of indicators included
in the OECD checklist but also gives consumers an
opportunity to assert their interests as soon as an
investigation is initiated .

( x ) OJ No L 67, 10 . 3 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 209, 2 . 8 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2620 / 94

by John McCartin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 120 )

Subject : Regulations on bonded travel companies and

cross-border claims for compensation

Will the Commission state what action is being taken to
cover the gap in consumer legislation where a booking made
by a travel agent in Ireland with a tour operator in Northern
Ireland was not eligible for compensation when this
operator collapsed, despite the tour operator being bonded
in both Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland ?
Will the Commission state whether any Community law is
being broken when such incidents occur ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

The Council and the Commission only adopt commercial ( 12 January 1995 )
defence measures ( anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, safeguard
measures etc .) if the Community interest so requires . The
Community is one of the few users of commercial policy As far as consumer legislation is concerned, the only
instruments to apply this rule, which takes account of the Community law specifically applicable to travel agents and
public interest . tour operators is Directive 90 / 314 / EEC on package travel,

package holidays and package tours .

Appraisal of the Community interest implies taking account
of consumers ' interests by examining the impact of
measures on the price and choice of products concerned, the
level of competition and security of supply .

In addition, procedures are laid down in Community
legislation — for example, Regulation ( EC ) No 518 / 94 (*),
Regulation ( EC ) No 519 / 94 ( safeguard measures ) and
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2423 / 89 ( 2 ) ( anti-dumping measures )
— to enable consumers, during an investigation and before

This Directive which came into effect on 1 January 1993,
and has still to be implemented in Ireland, is intended to
provide protection and conpensation for the consumer who
has purchased a package holiday, travel or tour — provided
that the package booked is in accordance with the definition
of package under Article 2 — in the event of cancellations or
the travel agent or the tour operator becoming insolvent .

While it deals indirectly with the relationship between travel
agents and tour operators, the Directive does not include

No C 75 / 62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

specific measures covering compensation for losses of such Answer
intermediaries resulting from their contractual relationships ( 31 January 1995 )
with each other while supplying such packages .

Therefore the specific case cited by the Honourable Member
does not appear to disclose an infringement of Community At the General Affairs Council on 28 November, Foreign
law . Ministers agreed that the decision they had taken on

10 November 1986 not to authorize new arms sales to Syria
should no longer apply, on the grounds that the original
reason for imposing the restrictions no longer existed .
Lifting the embargo at that moment was considered
appropriate as a signal of encouragement to Syria with
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630 / 94 regard to progress in the Middle East peace process .

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

95 / C 75 / 121

Subject : Legal framework for fraud prevention

Will the Commission provide, for each area of the budget,
full details of the legislative acts that exist to prevent
fraud ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

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-2673 / 94

by Leonie van Bladel ( PSE )

to the Council

(6 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 122 )

Subject : Lifting of arms embargo on Syria

On 28 November, the EU / Syria Cooperation Council
decided to lift the arms embargo on Syria .

1 . What were the reasons for this decision ?

2 . Is it acceptable to allow an increase in exports of arms to
a region which is still so unstable, and to a country
which still violates human rights on a considerable
scale ?

3 . Does not the Council agree that restricting arms exports
is the best way of promoting the Middle East peace
process ?

Foreign Ministers took this decision, however, on the
understanding that Member States, with whom competence
for decisions on arms export licences lies, would show
restraint in their arms export policy towards Syria, based on
the common criteria for arms exports agreed by the
European Council in its Declaration on Non-proliferation
and Arms Exports issued at its 1991 Luxembourg meeting
and in the conclusions of its 1992 Lisbon meeting . These
common criteria include :

— respect for the international commitments of the

Member States of the European Union, in particular the
sanctions decreed by the United Nations Security
Council and those decreed by the Community,
agreements on non-proliferation and other subjects, as
well as other international obligations ;

— the respect of human rights on the part of the country of

final destination ;

— the internal situation in the country of final destination,

as a function of the existence of tensions or internal

armed conflicts ;

— the preservation of regional peace, security and
stability ;

— the behaviour of the buyer country with regard to the

international community, as regards in particular its
attitude to terrorism, the nature of its alliances, and
respect for international law .

In addition, attention is drawn to the fact that, with the
objective of agreeing on a set of principles and guidelines to
promote responsibility and restraint in international
transfers on Conventional Arms, the European Union
introduced a draft resolution at the 49th session of the UN

General Assembly on a Code of Conduct for the
International Transfers of Conventional Arms . This draft

resolution had to be withdrawn at the 49th Session because

of opposition from the NAM countries .

27 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 63

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2677 / 94

by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 123 )

Subject : Infant formulae ban ( baby milk )

Commission Directive 91 / 321 / EEC i 1 ) bans infant formulae
manufacturers from providing samples ( including
follow-on milks and weaning foods ) ( Article 8.3 ).
Luxembourg is the only country so far to use this clause
specifically to ban follow-on milk samples . Is there anything
which the Commission proposes to do to ensure the full
implementation of this provision in all Member States ?

1 . The establishment of an improved International Coffee
Agreement . If this is not possible at international level
then it should at least be achieved at European level .

2 . Abolition of all import tariffs on coffee, starting with
fair trade coffee .

3 . The introduction of a social clause with minimum

working conditions in international trade agreements
and a code of conduct for multinational enterprises .
This social clause should be stipulated in such a form
that abuse by advanced countries can be prevented .

(!) OJ No C 44, 14 . 2 . 1994, p . 30 .

(M OJ No L 175, 4 . 7 . 1991, p . 35 . Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

Article 8.3 . of Commission Directive 91 / 321 / EEC prohibits
the distribution of samples of infant formulae by
manufacturers or distributors to the general public or to
pregnant women, mothers or members of their families .
This prohibition however concerns only infant formulae . It
does not apply to follow-on formulae or indeed to weaning
foods, the latter not being covered by the Directive in
question .

The Commission therefore has no reason to take any
measures as suggested by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2689 / 94

by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE -)

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 124 )

Subject : Improvement of coffee trading structures

Following Parliament 's resolution A3-0373 / 93 (*), I am
concerned to know what the Commission has done to

improve the situation for coffee producers in the South who
face a number of grave inequalities .

Specifically, does the Commission support the following
proposals, and if so what stage is it at in their
implementation ?

1 . Following the collapse of negotiations for an
international coffee agreement with economic clauses in
March 1993, it became clear that any new agreement would
necessarily have to be largely administrative in character —
at least in the short term . A new international coffee

agreement was negotiated on this basis and it duly came into
force on 1 October 1994 . The agreement will continue to
provide a forum for cooperation between producer and
consumer countries, and to be responsible for the collection,
analysis and dissemination of statistics . The agreement also
contains a clause which leaves the door open for the possible
negotiation of a further agreement ' which would contain
measures to balance the supply and demand for coffee '.

However, it is unlikely that a basis could be found for the
negotiation of a coffee agreement with economic clauses in
the next few years . The setting up of a coffee retention
scheme by producer countries in September 1993, and the
subsequent withdrawal of the United States from the
international coffee organization, have seriously weakened
the chances of an early return to market intervention
provisions . An agreement at the European level would not
be effective . The 1992 — 1993 negotiations were based on
the concept of a universal quota as being the only reliable
way of avoiding a double market, backed up by a tight
system of export controls .

2 . All imports from ACP countries ( whether of green or
processed coffee ) are tariff exempt and this naturally
includes coffee imported under fair trade arrangements .
Imports of green coffee from other origins will similarly be
exempt from tariffs under the Uruguay round outcome . This
exemption from tariffs will be achieved over a period of six

years .

3 . The insertion of a social clause, or of a code of conduct
for multinational companies, in the recently negotiated
coffee agreement would not be feasible, the more so since it

No C 75 / 64 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

does not contain mandatory provisions covering the Answer given by Mr Marin
production, marketing and distribution of coffee . on behalf of the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701 / 94

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 125

Subject : Upper age limits

I note with interest and pleasure that the nominees to the
post of Commissioner are all over the age of 40 and most
over the age of 50 . 1 hope these nominees will be able, during
the oral hearings, to impress Parliament with their
competence and ability to carry out the duties of a
Commissioner, despite being in all cases of an age so
advanced that they would be deemed inappropriate for
entry into employment in the Commission .

Can the Commission take this opportunity of explaining the
rationale behind its ageist and discriminatory practice of
imposing arbitrary age limits on entrants to posts in the
Commission ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1995 )

The Commission is very much aware of the importance of
the Grameen Bank, its functioning, its success and its impact
on the people, especially women, living in Bangladesh .

Although the Community has not directly financed the
Grameen Bank, it does provide support to similar credit
schemes both through its NGO co-financing scheme and its
official development programmes . In the case of
Bangladesh, the Commission is funding actions such as the
Rangpur region rural development programme, the cluster
village programme and the rural development programme
III ( RDP III ), all of which include credit components . In
particular, RDP III is a de-centralised cooperation
programme administered by a local non governmental
organization, the Bangladesh rural advancement
committee .

As future activities the Commission is considering possible
assistance to the Grameen Bank in a South Asian context as

an important step in regional cooperation . The proposed
Grameen Trust project focuses on a visit and training
scheme . The scheme would enable interested and committed

people from developing countries to visit the Grameen Bank
in Bangladesh and be shown how to set up and develop, in
an sustainable manner, similar activities on their return
home .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744 / 94

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member
by Wayne David ( PSE )
to its answer to Written Question No 1966 / 94 by Mrs
Oddy ( 1 ). to the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

(!) OJ No C 55, 6 . 3 . 1995 . ( 95 / C 75 / 127 )

Subject : ESF funding

QUESTION E-2720 / 94 Will the Commission explain how and why it has apparently

been agreed that ESF moneys available to regions under

Christine Crawley ( PSE ) Objective 2 can now only be used for training workers

to the Commission already in employment ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2720 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 126 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn
Subject : Grameen Bank, Bangladesh on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )
The Commission will be aware of the importance to people
living in Bangladesh of the small loans made by the Grameen
Trust . What support has the Commission given to the The decisions on the actions to be

Grameen Bank in the past and what support will it be giving
in the future ?

The decisions on the actions to be supported are based firstly
on the analysis and identified needs for the conversion of the
region concerned . Account has also to be taken of the

27 . 3 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 75 / 65

requirements under the ESF Regulation ( Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2084 / 93 of 2 July 1993 amending
Regulation ( EEC ) No 4255 / 88 laying down provisions for
implementing Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88 as regards the
European Social Fund ) ( ! ) Article 1 paragraph 3 ( a )
concerning Objective 2 with the emphasis on continuing
training and those in employment or threatened with
unemployment ; and Objective 3 which already provides for
support across all regions for the unemployed exposed to
long-term unemployment .

ESF resources have to be concentrated on the most

important needs and the most effective operations . It is
necessary to ensure that ESF support under Objective 2 is
distinct from support under Objective 3 . Whilst the main
focus under Objective 2 will be for those in employment,
ESF supports unemployed people whose particular skill
requirements need to be met .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2760 / 94

by Yves Verwaerde ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 75 / 128 )

Subject : Report by the Court of Auditors of the European

Union — European Parliament property projects
in Brussels

The Commission 's attention is drawn to the conclusions of

the most recent report by the Court of Auditors on
Parliament 's property projects in Brussels .

In the continuation to the Tomlinson report, the Court of
Auditors notes numerous financial irregularities in the
arrangements for these property projects .

What is the Commission 's position with regard to such
practices ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1995 )

The Commission takes the view that it has no jurisdiction in
this matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2819 / 94

by Frank Vanhecke ( NI )

to the Commission

( 22 December 1994 )

95 / C 75 / 129

Subject : Equal treatment of the official working languages

of the European Union by the Commission 's
departments

On 25 October 1994 the Commission ( Directorate-General
V ) organized a plenary meeting of the Joint Committee on
Postal Services .

At this international meeting, interpretation was provided
from and into French, German, English, Italian and Spanish
but not from and into Dutch, Greek, Danish and
Portuguese . Speakers of these languages who attended the
meeting protested openly at the fact .

The Commission is presumably aware of the obligation to
afford completely equal treatment to the nine official
working languages of the European Union .

Why were no interpreters in attendance for the four
languages mentioned above ?

Have the necessary measures been taken to prevent such an
unacceptable situation from arising again ?

Has a written apology been sent to the participants who
were discriminated against at the meeting ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 1995 )

A Joint Committee on Postal Services was set up by a
Commission Decision of 27 July 1994 ( 1 ). The Commission
had scheduled the first plenary meeting of this new joint
committee for 11 October 1994, but it was postponed until
25 October 1994 at the request of the Postal, Telegraph and
Telephone International Trade Union Committee . To avoid
holding up the activities of the Joint Committee on Postal
Services, the PTTI secretariat agreed to accept interpretation
into five languages for this meeting .

The Commission does its utmost to ensure that full

interpretation services are available for meetings,
particularly those which involve representatives of the social
partners, within the restrictions reasonably imposed by
actual interpretation needs and the resources available .

It is not usual practice to send a written apology to those
participants whose language cannot be covered by the

No C 75 / 66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 3 . 95

interpretation service at meetings organized by the
Commission .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )
(!) OJ No L 225, 31 . 8 . 1994 .

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
answer the question . It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 75 / 130 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2899 / 94

Subject : The vegetable trade and fair competition in the

region of Attica

Marketing Regulation No 10 adopted by the Ministry of
Commerce on 3 November 1994 forbids the sale of

potatoes, garlic and onions in the region of Attica outside
the Athens Central Vegetable Market . However, a ' closed
shop ' has developed in that market ; for example, none of the
vacant stands has been auctioned off in the last three years .
This is preventing new businesses, cooperatives and farmers
from breaking into this lucrative trade and is hindering the
development of fair competition .

1 . How does the Commission intend to ensure that the

abovementioned Marketing Regulation, which is
preventing new businesses from breaking into the
vegetable market and consequently affecting fair
competition, is repealed ?

2 . Does it intend to look into the legality and application of
the Ministry of Commerce 's Decision A2-8730 of
6 August 1990 concerning the Athens Central Vegetable
Market, which provides around 4 million consumers
with vegetables, so as to remove those legal obstacles
which are hindering fair competition in the vegetables
market ?

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

{9 SIC 75 / 131 )

Subject : Commission report on the arrangements
applicable to tuna for the canning industry

Prices are a key indicator to the state of the Community tuna
market . Could the Commission give details, for recent years,
of the purchase prices paid by Community processors for
imported tuna and the export selling prices received by
Community producers ?

Answer given by Mr Bonino
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat a table containing
the information requested .