Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 141 / 10 No 1096 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 4

93 / C 141 / 11 No 1097 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 4

93 / C 141 / 12 No 1098 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 5

93 / C 141 / 13 No 1099 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 5

93 / C 141 / 14 No 1100 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 5

93 / C 141 / 15 No 1101 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 5

93 / C141 / 16 Noll 02 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 6

93 / C 141 / 17 No 1103 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply with a Commission directive 6

93 / C 141 / 18 No 1683 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 6

93 / C 141 / 19 No 1684 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 6

93 / C 141 / 20 No 1685 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 6

93 / C 141 / 21 No 1686 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 7

93 / C 141 / 22 No 1687 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 7

93 / C 141 / 23 No 1688 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 7

93 / C 141 / 24 No 1689 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council directive in respect of competition policy ... 7

93 / C 141 / 25 No 2148 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on the registration
and authorization of cosmetic products prior to their marketing 7

93 / C 141 / 26 No 2149 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on ground water 7

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 141 / 27 No 2150 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject defective : Measures products taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on liability for ^

93 / C 141 / 28

93 / C 141 / 29

93 / C 141 / 30

93 / C 141 / 31

93 / C 141 / 32

93 / C 141 / 33

93 / C 141 / 34

93 / C 141 / 35

93 / C 141 / 36

93 / C 141 / 37

93 / C 141 / 38

93 / C 141 / 39

93 / C 141 / 40

93 / C 141 / 41

93 / C 141 / 42

93 / C 141 / 43

No 2151 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on good
laboratory practice ®

No 2 1 52 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on the labelling of
dangerous products

No 2153 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at national level the Directive on child safety
requirements in respect of packaging

No 2206 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 89 / 284 / EEC 8

No 2207 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 89 / 676 / EEC 8

No 2208 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 88 / 316 / EEC 8

No 2209 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 87 / 404 / EEC : - - 9

No 2210 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 86 / 296 / EEC 9

No 221 1 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 86 / 295 / EEC 9

No 2212 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 84 / 539 / EEC 9

No 2213 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 76 / 434 / EEC 9

No 2214 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive 73 / 361 / EEC 9

No 2684 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez to the Commission
Subject : Problems relating to Spain 's failure to comply with the directive on the incineration of
municipal waste

No 2985 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the directive on municipal waste in
incineration plants

No 2986 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the directives on plastic materials and
articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs

No 3084 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by the Spanish Government to comply with the directive on the freedom to
provide services in respect of exploration for petroleum and natural gas

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 141 / 44 No 3085 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez to the Commission
Subject : Failure by the Spanish Government to comply with Directives on the indication of
prices .

93 / C 141 / 45 No 3088 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Harm suffered by consumers as a result of Spain 's failure to comply with the directive
on plastics materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2990 / 91, 418 / 92, 420 / 92, 763 / 92, 1095 / 92 to

1103 / 92, 1683 / 92 to 1689 / 92, 2148 / 92 to 2153 / 92, 2206 / 92 to 2214 / 92, 2684 / 92,
2985 / 92, 2986 / 92, 3084 / 92, 3085 / 92 and 3088 / 92

93 / C 141 / 46 No 464 / 92 by Mr Yves Frémion to the Commission
Subject : Community support for Pegasus

93 / C 141 / 47 No 571 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Settlement of debts incurred by cooperatives

93 / C 141 / 48 No 578 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Pindos National Park

93 / C 141 / 49 No 730 / 92 by Mr Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of national measures to implement directives on
the right of establishment and freedom to supply services

93 / C 141 / 50 No 734 / 92 by Mr Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of national measures to implement directives on
the internal market

93 / C 141 / 51 No 736 / 92 by Mr Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of national measures to implement directives on
agricultural policy

93 / C 141 / 52 No 846 / 92 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Infringement of Articles 92 and / or 93 of the Treaty by Wunseradiel local authority
( Netherlands )

93 / C 141 / 53 No 942 / 92 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Efficiency of CELEX system

93 / C 141 / 54 No 961 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Diversion of the Acheloos River and infringement of Community directives

93 / C 141 / 55 No 1070 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

93 / C 141 / 56 No 1264 / 92 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Environmental protection in connection with tree-felling and pulp production

93 / C 141 / 57 No 1306 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Monastery of Aghia Anastasia in Cyprus

93 / C 141 / 58 No 1353 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Compliance by the Belgian authorities with the wild birds directive

93 / C 141 / 59 No 1496 / 92 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : European Office for Emergency Monetary Aid

10

10

10

11

11

12

12

13

13

14

14

15

16

16

17

17

17

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 141 / 60 No 1560 / 92 by Mrs Marie Isler Beguin to the Commission
Subject : European Environment Agency 1 o

93 / C 141 / 61 No 1888 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez, Mr Siegbert Alber, Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten
and Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission

Subject : Establishment of an Environment Agency

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1560 / 92 and 1888 / 92 18

93 / C 141 / 62 No 1564 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject : Use of languages in Erasmus programmes 17

93 / C 141 / 63

93 / C 141 / 64

93 / C 141 / 65

93 / C 141 / 66

93 / C 141 / 67

93 / C 141 / 68

No 1787 / 92 by Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo and
Mr Pedro Bofill Abeilhe to the Commission
Subject : Infrastructural needs of the Southern Mediterranean countries 19

No 1806 / 92 by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann to the Commission
Subject : Forwarding agents and the internal market 20

No 1890 / 92 by Mr Rolf Linkohr to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear safety in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Central and Eastern
Europe

No 1957 / 92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Emergency aid procedure 22

No 1994 / 92 by Mr Jose Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado to the Commission
Subject : Community support under Objective 5(b ) to the Autonomous Community of Madrid 22

No 21 10 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Beet rhizomania disease

93 / C 141 / 69 No 2111 / 92 by Mrs Maria Aglietta, Mr Gianfranco Amendola and Mr Virginio
Bettini to the Commission
with Subject the : Failure construction to comply of a dump with at the Gambolo environmental ' ( PV ) in impact the Region assessment of Lombardy Directive ( Italy in ) connection

93 / C 141 / 70 No 2217 / 92 by Mr Georg Jarzembowski to the Commission
Subject : UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 24

93 / C 141 / 71

93 / C 141 / 72

93 / C 141 / 73

93 / C 141 / 74

93 / C 141 / 75

No 2230 / 92 by Mr Diego de los Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Relief operation for the Strait of Gibraltar 25

No 2245 / 92 by Mr Siegbert Alber to the Commission

                              - 26
Subject : Fuel quality

No 2266 / 92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Transport of supplies to the CIS in the Antonov 124 Russian aircraft 27

No 2353 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Conversion of defence industries

No 2385 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of a standard pay card for telephone calls 28

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

93 / C 141 / 93

93 / C 141 / 94

93 / C 141 / 95

93 / C 141 / 96

93 / C 141 / 97

93 / C 141 / 98

93 / C 141 / 99

93 / C 141 / 100

93 / C 141 / 101

93 / C 141 / 102

93 / C 141 / 103

93 / C 141 / 104

93 / C 141 / 105

Contents ( continued ) p age

No 2612 / 92 by Mr Michael McGowan to the Commission
Subject : Safety of children in play areas 38

No 2625 / 92 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission
Subject : The 1991 association agreements with Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary 39

No 2633 / 92 by Mr Reimer Böge to the Commission
Subject : Budget Article B2-514 — Training and information for agriculture and rural areas ... 39

No 2648 / 92 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Financial aid from the Community budget to certain organizations 40

No 2675 / 92 by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Andalusia and new migration problems 41

No 2680 / 92 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Access to justice for consumers 42

No 2683 / 92 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission

Subject : Science parks in Andalusia 42

No 2697 / 92 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer, Mr Paul Lannoye, Mr Virginio Bettini and
Mrs Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard to the Commission
Subject : The TACIS programme 43

No 2756 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Danger from walnut kernels imported from Bulgaria 44

No 2758 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Co-responsibility levies on Greek cotton production 45

No 2777 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Traditional construction of wooden vessels in Greece 45

No 2797 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Community aid for NGOs in Chile 46

Written Questions to which no answer has been given 47

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1594 / 91

by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 July 1991 )

( 93 / C 141 / 01 )

Subject : Refusal to deliver mail

It is becoming increasingly common for the Belgian postal
and telecommunication services to refuse to handle mail
from Belgian undertakings posted in the Netherlands and
addressed to recipients in Belgium . This applies
particularly to post-paid mail, for example, reply cards
with a Belgian address sent by a Belgian undertaking .

The dispatching of mail, in particular post-paid replies,
via the Netherlands can lead to savings of approximately
20 % . The Belgian postal and telecommunications services
justify their refusal to handle this mail by referring to
Article 23 of the World Postal Union Convention which
regards such detours as illegitimate .

Is the refusal of the Belgian postal and telecommu ­
nications services to handle mail dispatched from the
Netherlands admissible under Community law ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 December 1992 )

From the facts as set out by the Honourable Member, it
appears that the Belgian post office may have refused to

supply a service, namely the delivery of incoming
international mail . The Belgian post office provides
certain postal services in Belgium under exclusive legal
rights, and may therefore enjoy a de facto dominant
position in the market for relevant services .

Article 86 of the EEC Treaty deals with undertakings
which abuse a dominant position . Case law has confirmed
that, depending on the circumstances, refusal to deal may
be considered as one such form of abuse . However, there
has been no formal complaint about the matter and the
Commission could only take a firm position on the basis
of a full knowledge of the facts and views of the parties, as
provided for in Regulation 17 / 62 implementing the
Treaty in this respect .

The Belgian post office is said to have based its alleged

action on Article 23 ( now Article 25 ) of the UPU
Convention . The object of this rule is inter alia the mutual
protection of the domestic postal monopolies of UPU
members . The question whether the use of this rule is
compatible with European law, in particular Articles 85
and 86 of the Treaty, depends on its interpretation
and the national regulatory position in particular
circumstances . In any case, there is no question of the
rules of the UPU Convention taking precedence over the
provisions of the Treaty .

Moreover, the Treaty guarantees the free circulation of
services . The Court has recently taken a series of
important decisions in the field of services . The
Commission is currently examining the implications of
the case-law for services in general and for the postal
sector in particular .

Meanwhile, the Commission has dealt with these issues
more generally in a Green Paper on the development of
the single market for postal services . One of the policy
proposals in this document envisages that any special or

No C 141 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 19.5.93

exclusive rights held by national authorities regarding
cross-border mail should be abolished .

Nevertheless, the Commission also recalls in the Green
Paper that in the case of cross-border mail collected by
one postal administration, and delivered by another, it is
the outward administration that receives the reVenue from
the customer, but a substantial part of the costs involved
are incurred by the inward administration in delivering
the mail . The existing systems of charging between postal
administrations ( the terminal dues ) is not cost-based,
leading to significant distortions between remuneration
and actual delivery costs incurred by the inward
administration .

Therefore, the Commission proposes that the
compensation charges between postal administration for
delivering each other 's mail ( terminal dues ) ought to
reflect actual inward costs that a working group should be
established to prepare the basis for a revised
compensation scheme to be applied within the
Community .

Later on, this action should not be restricted to the
intracommunity relationships, but efforts should be made
to extend the Community 's principle of basing
inter-administration compensation arrangements on costs
to other administrations with whom mail is exchanged,
within the framework of the relevant international postal

bodies .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1726 / 91

by Mr Maxime Verhagen ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 August 1991 )

( 93 / C 141 / 02 )

Subject : Alleged misappropriation of EC Development

Funds in St Martin

1 . Is the Commission aware of allegations that monies
from the European Development Fund intended for the
improvement of the Princess Juliana airfield in St Martin
have been misappropriated ?

2 . Can the Commission give details concerning the
conditions under which funds were made available for the
extension of the Princess Juliana airfield ?

3 . Can the Commission confirm that Italian
contractors received payments before carrying out any
work ?

4 . If so, how is it possible that payments from the
European Development Fund were made under these
conditions, given the Commission 's answer to Written
Question No 295 / 90 (') to the effect that the rules
governing the management of development aid

appropriations are strict enough to prevent funds being
wasted ?

5 . Given the specific case of St Martin, does the
Commission consider that additional measures are
necessary, to ensure that the misappropriation of EC
development funds is effectively halted and that the
appropriations reach their intended destination ?

6 . If the Commission is unable to provide the above
information is it prepared to send out officials to carry out
a thorough investigation and inform the European
Parliament of their findings ?

o OJ No C 207, 20 . 8 . 1990, p. 28 .

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1992 )

1 . The Commission has been aware of the allegations
of corruption in St Martin since 1989 but can assure the
Honourable Member that no airfield extension project
financed with Community aid is involved .

2 . The Princess Juliana airfield has received ECU
9298 525 in funds out of the resources of the third and
fourth EDF for studies, works and supplies, and ECU

103 500 for a study from the sixth EDF . These works were
carried out in strict accordance with EDF procedures and
the projects have been completed .

3 and 4 . Payments are only made out of Community
funds in return for services rendered .

5 and 6 . The Commission considers that the current

measures are sufficient .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2387 / 91

by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 October 1991 )

( 93 / C 141 / 03 )

Subject : ' The European islands '

At the 11th meeting of the CPMR, participants were
issued with an excellent folder which, nevertheless,
contained the following error : it designated as
' European ', on a map of Europe, only those islands
belonging to EEC Member States, using the definite

'
article — ' The European island s / Les iles europeennes
( while at the same time excluding from the map the

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 3

Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands ), thus giving the

impression that there are no other European islands and
quite obviously confusing ' European islands ' with ' islands
within the Community or belonging to the Community '.

What, in the Commission 's view, is the meaning of ' The

made to the national authorities or undertakings
concerned,

— the complainant is informed of any infringement

proceedings that the Commission initiates as a result
of the complaint . Where appropriate, the complainant
is informed of proceedings that have already been
initiated in relation to the subject matter of the
complaint .

European islands / L « iles europeennes '? What term initiated in relation
would it use to designate the islands which actually belong
to Member States of the Community, irrespective of their complaint .
geographical location ?
O OJNoC26, 1.2 . 1989 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1993 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's view

that the term used for islands within the European
Community could give rise to confusion .

To avoid any doubt regarding the meaning of ' European

islands ', which could vary depending on the context,
' European Community islands ' should be used to
designate those islands which, like the ones referred to by
the Honourable Member, form an integral part of the
European Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2768 / 91

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

( 22 November 1 991 )

( 93 / C 141 / 04 )

Subject : Article 169 — letters concerning the
environment

In relation to letters concerning environmental matters
forwarded under Article 169, could the Commission
indicate at what stage complainants are told of the
Commission 's decision ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1993 )

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that it is a well-established practice (*) to provide
complainants with the following information :

— an acknowledgement of receipt is sent to the

complainant as soon as the complaint is registered,

— the complainant is informed of the action taken in

response to the complaint, including representations

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2990 / 91

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 05 )

Subject : The Spanish Government 's failure to comply

with Council Directive 89 / 107 / EEC

Failure on the part of the Member States to incorporate
Community directives into national law is a reliable
indicator for assessing the willingness of governments to
offer effective packing for Community law and for
judging the efficiency of their administrative machinery .
It also jeopardizes what is the most effective way of
preserving the Member States ' common interests, the
obligations of the industrial and social sectors and, more
generally, the rights and duties of the citizens .

What reasons did the Spanish Government give for

delaying the incorporation of Council Directive
89 / 107 / EEC O on food additives ? Has the Commission
already issued the relevant ' reasoned opinions '
concerning the letters of notice sent out in response to
Spain 's failure to notify it of the national implementing
provisions ?

O OJ No L 40, 11.2 . 1989, p. 27 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 418 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 06 )

Subject : Spain 's failure to comply with Council Directive

71 / 305 / EEC

Has the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the
Spanish Government for having failed to notify the
Commission of national implementation measures, and its

19 . 5.93
No C 141 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities

with Council Directive 71 / 305 / EEC ( ) reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
market . Also, what stage have the delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
proceedings reached ? their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's

rights . The Commission should take a more active stance

185, 16 . 8 . 1971, p. 5 . and explain clearly to the public that Member States are

failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
WRITTEN QUESTION No 420 / 92 necessary national laws to implement Directive
76 / 434 / EEC O ?

non-compliance with Council Directive 71 / 305 / EEC ( )
on the internal market . Also, what stage have the
infringement proceedings reached ?

o OJNoL 185, 16 . 8 . 1971, p. 5 .

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities o OJNoL 122, 8 . 5 . 1976, p. 20 .

(2 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 07 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1096 / 92

Subject : Spain 's failure to comply with Council Directive

88 / 182 / EEC

Has the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the
Spanish Government for having failed to notify the
Commission of national implementing measures, and its
non-compliance with Council Directive 88 / 182 / EEC (*)
on the internal market . Also what stage have the
infringement proceedings reached .

o OJNoL 81, 26 . 3 . 1988, p. 75 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 763 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 08 )

Subject : Spain 's failure to comply with a Council directive

on the internal market

Given the Spanish Government 's continued failure to
comply with Council Directive 71 / 305 / EEC on the
internal market, what reasons have been given for the
delay in its transposition into national law, and what is the
Commission 's assessment of this failure to comply ?

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 10 )

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States

to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
84 / 539 / EEC (*)?

O OJ No L 300, 19 . 1 1 . 1984, p . 179 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1097 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1095 / 92
( 30 April 1992 )

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 93 / C 141 / 11 )

( 30 April 1992 )

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply
( 93 / C 141 / 09 ) with a Commission directive

with a Commission directive

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States
to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States
to comply with Community legislatibn . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 5

rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
86 / 295 / EEC O ?

O OJN0LI86, 8 . 7 . 1986, p. 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1098 / 92

by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 April 1992

( 93 / C 141 / 12 )

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States

to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
86 / 296 / EEC O ?

delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
87 / 404 / EEC (')?

O OJ No L 220, 8 . 8 . 1987, p. 48 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1100 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 14 )

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States
to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
88 / 316 / EEC O ?

O OJNoL 143, 10 . 6 . 1988, p. 26 .
O OJN0.LI86, 8 . 7 . 1986, p. 10 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1101 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1099 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 May 1992 )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 15 )

( 93 / C 141 / 13 ) Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States

to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States
to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance

No C 141 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

and explain clearly to the public that Member States are Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced necessary national laws to implement Directive
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the 7 3 / 361 / EEC O ?
necessary national laws to implement Directive
89 / 284 / EECO ? o OJ No L 335, 5 . 12 . 1973, p. 51 .

O OJ No L 111, 22 . 4 . 1989, p. 34 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1683 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1102 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 93 / C 141 / 18 )

( 11 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 16 ) Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council
directive in respect of competition policy

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States

to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States are failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance
and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the
Commission provide information on the reasons adduced
by the Spanish Government for its failure to adopt the
necessary national laws to implement Directive
89 / 676 / EEC O ?

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 88 / 409 / EEC O in respect of competition
policy ?

O OJ No L 194, 22 . 7 . 1988, p. 28 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1684 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 19 )

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council
directive in respect of competition policy

n OJ No L 398, 30 . 12 . 1989, p. 18 .

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 8 8 / 65 8 / EEC ( x ) in respect of competition
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1103 / 92 policy ?

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) (') OJ No L 382, 31.12 . 1988, p. 15 .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 17 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1685 / 92

Subject : Failure of the Spanish Government to comply

with a Commission directive

There is widespread failure on the part of Member States
to comply with Community legislation . This is not
confined to the actual implementation of such legislation ;
there are also considerable delays in transposing
Community law into national law . In response, the
Commission merely sends letters of formal notice and
reasoned opinions . However, by engaging in these
delaying tactics, the Member States arie failing to fulfil
their pledge of solidarity and are infringing people 's
rights . The Commission should take a more active stance

and explain clearly to the public that Member States are
failing to comply with Community legislation . Can the

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 20 )

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council
directive in respect of competition policy

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 89 / 227 / EEC O in respect of competition
policy ?

O OJ No L 93, 6 . 4 . 1989, p. 25 .

No C 141 / 7
19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1686 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 21 )

Directive 90 / 422 / EEC (*) in respect of competition
policy ?

o OJ No L 224, 18 . 8 . 1990, p. 9 .

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council WRITTEN QUESTION No 2148 / 92
directive in respect of competition policy by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 89 / 362 / EEC O in respect of competition
policy ?

o OJ No L 156, 8 . 6 . 1989, p. 30 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1687 / 92

by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 22 )

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council
directive in respect of competition policy

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 89 / 384 / EEC (') in respect of competition
policy ?

o OJ No L 181, 28 . 6 . 1989, p. 50 .

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 25 )

Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

national level the Directive on the registration
and authorization of cosmetic products prior to
their marketing

What information does the Commission have on
measures taken by Spain to implement at national level
Directive 76 / 768 / EEC (') on the registration and
authorization of imported cosmetic products prior to
their marketing ?

o OJ No L 262, 27 . 9 . 1976, p. 169 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2149 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 1992 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1688 / 92

( 93 / C 141 / 26 )
by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 23 )

Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

national level the Directive on ground water

What information does the Commission have on
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council measures taken by Spain to implement at national level
directive in respect of competition policy Directive 80 / 68 / EEC O on ground water ?

What reasons have been given ' by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council
Directive 89 / 556 / EEC O in respect of competition
policy ?

o OJ No L 302, 19 . 10 . 1989, p. 1 .

O OJ No L 20, 26 . 1 . 1990, p. 43 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2150 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1689 / 92 to the Commission of the European Communities

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

(1 September 1992 )

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 93 / C 141 / 27 )

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 24 ) Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with a Council
directive in respect of competition policy

What reasons have been given by the Spanish
Government for its failure to comply with Council

national level the Directive on liability for
defective products

What information does the Commission have on
measures taken by Spain to implement at national level

No C 141 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

Directive 85 / 374 / EEC (') on liability for defective
products ?

Directive 90 / 35 / EEC (') on child safety requirements in
respect of packaging ?

o OT No L 210, 7 . 8 . 1985, p. 29 . O OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1990, p. 14 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2151 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lόpez ( PPE ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2206 / 92

to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE )

( 1 September 1 992 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 93 / C 141 / 28 ) (1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 31 )

Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

national level the Directive on good laboratory
practice

What information does the Commission have on the

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

89 / 284 / EEC

measures taken by Spain to implement at national level What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not
Directive 88 / 320 / EEC O on good laboratory practice ? complying with Council Directive 89 / 284 / EEC and what

action has the Commission taken ?
O OJ No L 145, 11.6 . 1988, p. 35 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2152 / 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2207 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 1992 )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )
( 93 / C 141 / 29 )
( 93 / C 141 / 32 )

Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

national level the Directive on the labelling of
dangerous products

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

89 / 676 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not

complying with Council Directive 89 / 676 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2208 / 92

What information does the Commission have on
measures taken by Spain to implement at national level
Directive 89 / 178 / EEC O on the labelling of dangerous
products ?

O OJ No L 64, 8 . 3 . 1989, p. 18 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2153 / 92 by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 1 September 1 992 )

( 1 September 1 992 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 33 )

( 93 / C 141 / 30 )

Subject : Measures taken by Spain to implement at

national level the Directive on child safety
requirements in respect of packaging

What information does the Commission have on
measures taken by Spain to implement at national level

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

88 / 316 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not
complying with Council Directive 88 / 316 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 9

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2213 / 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2209 / 92 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2213

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

by Mr José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 34 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 38 )

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

87 / 404 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not
complying with Council Directive 87 / 404 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

76 / 434 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not
complying with Council Directive 76 / 434 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2214 / 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2210 / 92 by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1992 )

(1 September 1992 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 39 )

( 93 / C 141 / 35 )

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

86 / 296 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not
complying with Council Directive 86 / 296 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

73 / 361 / EEC

What reason has the Spanish Government given for not

complying with Council Directive 73 / 361 / EEC and what
action has the Commission taken ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2684 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2211 / 92 to the Commission of the European Communities

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

( 29 October 1992 )

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 93 / C 141 / 40 )

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 36 ) Subject : Problems relating to Spain 's failure to comply

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

86 / 295 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not

complying with Council Directive 86 / 295 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2212 / 92

Can the Commission give details of the main allegations
concerning Spain 's failure to comply with Directive
89 / 429 / EEC (') on the incineration of municipal waste
and outline the present situation ?

o OJ No L 203, 15 . 7 . 1989, p. 50 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2985 / 92

with the directive on the incineration of

municipal waste

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 ) ( 30 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 37 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 41 )

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with Directive

84 / 539 / EEC

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for not

complying with Council Directive 84 / 539 / EEC on
matters relating to the internal market and industry ?

Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement

the directive on municipal waste in incineration
plants

Can the Commission state what reasons the Spanish
government has invoked for its failure to implement

No C 141 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

Directive 89 / 429 / EEC following the reasoned opinions difficulties or reasons has the government put forward to
forwarded to it by the Commission in March 1992 ? justify this delay ?

(') OJ No L 142, 9 . 6 . 1988, p . 19 .
O OJ No L 142, 9 . 6 . 1988, p. 23 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2986 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3088 / 92

to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE )

( 30 November 1 1992 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 93 / C 141 / 42 ) ( 14 December 1 992 )

Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement

the directives on plastic materials and articles
intended to come into contact with foodstuffs

Can the Commission state what reasons have been
invoked by the Spanish government for its failure to
implement Directives 85 / 572 / EEC (') and 90 / 128 /
EEC O, following the reasoned opinions forwarded to it
by the Commission in March 1992 ?

O OJ No L 372, 31 . 12 . 1985, p . 14 .
O OJ No L 75, 21 . 3 . 1990, p . 19 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3084 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 43 )

Subject : Failure by the Spanish Government to comply

with the directive on the freedom to provide

services in respect of exploration for petroleum
and natural gas

What reasons has the Spanish Government given for its

failure to implement the measures set out in Directive
69 / 82 / EEC O following the reasoned opinions sent to it
by the Commission in March 1992 ?

O OJN0L68, 19.3 . 1969, p. 7 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3085 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 44 )

Subject : Failure by the Spanish Government to comply

with Directives on the indication of prices

Spain is not complying with Directives 88 / 314 / EEC (')
and 88 / 315 / EEC ( 2 ) on the indication of the prices of
non-food products and foodstuffs respectively . What

( 93 / C 141 / 45 )

Subject : Harm suffered by consumers as a result of

Spain 's failure to comply with the directive on
plastics materials and articles intended to come
into contact with foodstuffs

In what ways have consumers suffered most from the
failure by Spain to implement Directives 85 / 572 / EEC
and 90 / 128 / EEC on plastics materials and articles
intended to come into contact with foodstuffs ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2990 / 91, 418 / 92,

420 / 92, 763 / 92, 1095 / 92 to 1103 / 92, 1683 / 92 to 1689 / 92,
2148 / 92 to 2153 / 92, 2206 / 92 to 2214 / 92, 2684 / 92,

2985 / 92, 2986 / 92, 3084 / 92, 3085 / 92 and 3088 / 92

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 March 1993 )

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member

that Spain has notified it of national measures
implementing the following directives :

— 89 / 107 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2990 / 91 )
— 88 / 182 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

420 / 92 )
— 71 / 305 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

763 / 92 )
— 76 / 434 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1095 / 92 )
— 86 / 295 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1097 / 92 )
— 86 / 296 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1098 / 92 )
— 87 / 404 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1099 / 92 )
— 88 / 316 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1100 / 92 )
— 89 / 284 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1101 / 92 )
— 89 / 676 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1102 / 92 )
73 / 361 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1103 / 92 )
— 89 / 227 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1685 / 92 )

No C 141 / 11
19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities

— 89 / 362 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1686 / 92 )
— 89 / 384 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1687 / 92 )
— 89 / 556 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1688 / 92 )
— 90 / 422 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1689 / 92 )
— 76 / 768 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2148 / 92 )
— 80 / 68 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2149 / 92 )
— 89 / 284 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2206 / 92 )
— 89 / 676 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2207 / 92 )
— 88 / 316 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2208 / 92 )
— 87 / 404 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2209 / 92 )
— 86 / 296 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2210 / 92 )
— 86 / 295 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2211 / 92 )
— 76 / 434 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2213 / 92 )
— 73 / 361 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2214 / 92 )
— 89 / 429 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2684 and 2985 / 92 )
— 85 / 572 / EEC and 90 / 128 / EEC ( referred to in Written

Question No 2986 and 3088 / 92 )
— 69 / 82 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

3084 / 92 )
On the other hand, Spain has not yet notified the
Commission of national measures implementing the
following directives :

— 71 / 305 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

418 / 92 )
— 84 / 539 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1096 / 92 and 2212 / 92 )
— 88 / 409 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1683 / 92 )
— 8 8 / 65 8 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

1684 / 92 )
— 85 / 374 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2150 / 92 )
— 88 / 320 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2151 / 92 )
— 89 / 178 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2152 / 92 )
— 90 / 35 / EEC ( referred to in Written Question No

2153 / 92 )
— 88 / 314 / EEC and 88 / 315 / EEC ( referred to in Written

Question No 3085 / 92 )
Infringement proceedings for failure to notify national
implementing measures are at present pending in all these

cases .
The Spanish Government has mainly invoked technical

and administrative difficulties to account for the delay .

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the fact that, contrary to the affirmations in
Written Questions Nos 1095 / 92 to 1103 / 92, its efforts to
implement the directives are not confined to serving
notices or sending reasoned opinions . The Commission is
ever alert to the need to enhance the national authorities
awareness of this point and to keep the public informed of
the situation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 464 / 92

by Mr Yves Frémion ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 46 )

Subject : Community support for Pegasus

1 . Is the Commission providing financial support for
an organization known as Pegasus, one of whose
objectives appears to be to collect funds for under
privileged young people . It is reported that this
organization has organized a concert, which many MEPs
have invited to attend, at a cost of Bfrs 5000 .

2 . If this is the case, what are the amounts of the
funding, in what years were subsidies granted and under
which budget heading ? Was the Commission involved in
promoting this concert ?

3 . What are the overall objectives of Pegasus ? If a
subsidy was granted, what are the Commission 's reasons
for supporting such projects ? Does the Commission agree
that the organization of charity concerts is not an activity
worthy of its support ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

The Commission has no information about Pegasus and

has never given it any financial support .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 571 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 47 )

Subject : Settlement of debts incurred by cooperatives

In view of remarks made by the Greek Minister of
Agriculture that the European Community was opposed
to the settlement of debts incurred by cooperatives
organizations, does the Commission not consider that

No C 141 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

such a stance is a barrier to the redistribution of income in
favour of poor cooperative farmers even at a late stage
and that this is in fact ruining cooperatives ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

The Community is in principle in favour of farmers

getting together to form cooperatives and on several
occasions it has raised no objection to aid granted for this

purpose .

Nevertheless, not only in the case of cooperatives but also
in the case of other enterprises, the Commission considers
in principle that aid granted to enterprises in difficulty to
enable them to settle their debts, in particular where there
is no guarantee of viability on their part, constitutes
operating aid with no lasting effect on structures whose
positive effect endures only as long as the aid measure
itself . Such aid, therefore, does not qualify for any of the
exemptions provided for in Article 92 ( 3 ) of the EEC
Treaty and is to be regarded as incompatible with the
Treaty rules on competition .

For the record, the Commission wishes to point out that
the Greek authorities have not informed it under
Article 93 ( 3 ) of the Treaty of any case of aid of this type .

If such a case arose, the Commission would examine the
aid in question in the light of all the relevant factors,
including those mentioned by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 578 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 48 )

Subject : Pindos National Park

The Greek Electricity Board is planning to build a tunnel

between the water intake and the reservoir of the
hydroelectric plant at the source of the river Aoos, which
is considered to pose a serious threat to the
Thermolakkos Valley, the Valia Kalda, in the heart of the

Pindos national park . Does the Commission consider
such a project to the permissible in a national park and
will it urge the Greek Government to prevent the

construction of this tunnel, in order to prevent any
destruction of the wide variety of wildlife in the Pindos
national park ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1993 )

Projects listed in Annex II to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on
the assessment of the effects of certain public and private

projects on the environment ( x ), including installations for
the production of hydroelectric energy, must undergo
assessment where Member States consider that they are
likely to have a significant impact on the environment,
notably by reason of their size or location .

With regard to the construction of a tunnel between the
water intake and the reservoir of the hydroelectric plant

on the River Aoos, the location of the project could be of
great significance given that both the Pindos forest and
the Aoos valley have been classified as special protection
areas in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 79 /

409 / EEC O.

In view of this, the Commission intends to ask the Greek
authorities for more detailed information on the plans to
build the abovementioned tunnel .

o OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .
O OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 7 30 / 92

by Mr Luigi Moretti ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 49 )

Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of

national measures to implement directives on the
right of establishment and freedom to supply
services

The enactment of Community directives in national

legislation is one of the Member States ' primary
obligations . Italy is still behind schedule with the
adoption of such directives .

How has the Italian Government justified its failure to
provide notification of the implementation of Directives

78 / 686 / EEC ('), 78 / 687 / EEC ( 2 ), 82 / 470 / EEC ( 3 ), 85 /
384 / EEC ( 4 ) and 85 / 432 / EEC ( 5 ).

Has the Commission served notice of proceedings on the
Italian Government and has this been followed by the
delivery of reasoned opinions ?

O OJNoL233, 24 . 8 . 1978, p. 1 .
O OJ No L 233, 24 . 8 . 1978, p. 10 .
O OJ No L 213, 21 . 7 . 1982, p. 1 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 223, 21 . 8 . 1985, p. 15 .
O OJ No L 253, 25 . 9 . 1985, p. 34 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1993 )

Italy has notified the Commission of national measures
implementing the Directives concerning dentists

19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 13

( 78 / 686 / EEC and 78 / 687 / EEC ), services incidental to
transport ( 82 / 470 / EEC ), architects ( 85 / 384 / EEC ) and
pharmacists ( 85 / 432 / EEC ).

Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the
Court of Justice report for the hearing — a public
document — which sets out the position of the parties .

The Commission has examined the implementing
measures and found that for the Directives on dentists
( 78 / 686 / EEC and 78 / 687 / EEC ) and pharmacists
( 85 / 432 / EEC ) they were not in conformity ; it has
accordingly initiated infringement proceedings under
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty . WRITTEN QUESTION No 736 / 92

by Mr Luigi Moretti ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 51 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 734 / 92

by Mr Luigi Moretti ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 50 )

Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of

national measures to implement directives on the
internal market

The enactment of Community directives in national

legislation is one of the Member States ' primary
obligations . Italy is still behind schedule with the
adoption of such directives .

How has the Italian Government justified its failure to
provide notification of the implementation of Directive

83 / 183 / EEC

Has the Commission served notice of proceedings on the
Italian Government and has this been followed by the
delivery of reasoned opinions ?

O OJ No L 105, 23 . 4 . 1983, p. 64 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

      - (8 March 1993 )

Following the infringement proceedings commenced by
the Commission for failure to transpose Directive
83 / 183 / EEC into national law, the Court of Justice found
against Italy on 24 November 1987 ( Case 124 / 86 ). The
Commission commenced fresh proceedings against Italy
under Article 171 of the EEC Treaty for failure to comply
with that judgment . On 14 October 1992 the Court of
Justice found against Italy for failure to comply with it .

In December 1992 the Italian authorities notified the
Commission of the measures implementing the Directive .

With respect to the reasons given by the Italian

Government for its failure to notify measures, the

Subject : Failure by Italy to provide notification of

national measures to implement directives on
agricultural policy

The enactment of Community directives in national

legislation is one of the Member States ' primary
obligations . Italy is still behind schedule with the
adoption of such directives .

How has the Italian Government justified its failure to
provide notification of the implementation of Directives

89 / 227 / EEC O, 88 / 407 / EEC ( 2 ), 88 / 289 / EEC ( 3 ), 88 /
288 / EEC O and 71 / 1 18 / EEC O ?

Has the Commission served notice of proceedings on the
Italian Government and has this been followed by the
delivery of reasoned opinions ?

O OJ No L 93, 6 . 4 . 1989, p . 25 .
O OJ No L 194, 22 . 7 . 1988, p . 10 .
O OJ No L 124, 18 . 5 . 1988, p . 31 .
O OJ No L 124, 18 . 5 . 1988, p . 28 .
O OJ No L 55, 8 . 3 . 1971, p . 23 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 March 1993 )

The Italian authorities have notified the Commission of
measures implementing Directives 71 / 118 / EEC, 88 / 288 /
EEC, 88 / 289 / EEC and 88 / 407 / EEC .

The Commission has received no notification in the case

of Directive 89 / 227 / EEC . Since Italy has not complied
with the reasoned opinion issued by the Commission on

the basis of Article 169 of the Treaty, the Commission
brought infringement proceedings before the Court of
Justice ( Case C-92 / 363 ) on 18 September 1992 .

The Commission has no information on the reasons for

the delay .

No C 141 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 19.5.93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 846 / 92

by Mrs Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

. ( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 52 )

Subject : Infringement of Articles 92 and / or 93 of the

Treaty by Wunseradiel local authority
( Netherlands )

Following a number of meetings of Group chairmen on
the local authority which were held in camera,
Wunseradiel decided on Monday, 24 Febraury 1992 to

sell the camp site known as ' de Holle Poarte '. The
intention to sell has never been made public . It was only
following a leak that other interested parties became
aware that it was to be sold . The camp site has been sold
to one party, thereby preventing other prospective
purchasers from buying, although at the council meeting
it was known that there were four other interested parties,
including one resident in Germany, some of whom had
actually submitted higher bids .

In the light of the file concerning this matter does the
Commission believe that Articles 92 and / or 93 of the
Treaty have been infringed and, if so, what action does it
intend taking to ensure compliance with the Treaty ?

Netherlands concerning aid by municipal authorities,
which were published in the Dutch Official Journal

( Staatscourant ) dated 10 February 1986, such aid to
companies with less than 10 workers need not be notified
pursuant to Article 93 ( 3 ) of the EEC Treaty . This would
seem to be the case here .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 942 / 92

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 53 )

Subject : Efficiency of CELEX system

In its resolution of 13 November 1991 (') in connection
with the reorganization of the operating structures of the

CELEX system, the Council requested the Commission
to examine how the existing structures could be made
more efficient . It was considered important for national
parliaments to have access to information on Community
law .

Can the Commission ensure that, as a result of the
reorganization of the system, in future the automatically
updated documentation will also be easily and rapidly
accessible, free of charge, in all official languages to
members of the national parliaments ( federal, Lander and
regional parliaments )?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission O OJ No C 308, 28 . 11 . 1991, p. 2 .

( 30 October 1992 )

It is the well-established policy of the Commission to
consider that the sale of assets or goods by public
authorities below their market value is likely to involve
aid .

In the case described by the Honourable Member, the
camping site in question was apparently not sold to the
highest bidder as the result of an open, unconditional bid,
nor did the authorities responsible use equivalent
procedures guaranteeing an objective valuation . This sale
may therefore well have involved aid .

It would seem unlikely, however, that the aid involved in
the sale of a camping site could have affected trade
between Member States in the meaning of Article 92 ( 1 )
of the EEC Treaty, even if a potential other bidder did not
have Dutch nationality .

The Commission would also point out to the Honourable

Member that, according to the notification rules agreed
between the Commission and the Government of the

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1993 )

The Office for Official Publications is responsible for the

management of the interinstitutional CELEX system and
will continue to modernize the base in all the Community

languages .

The Publications Office is also responsible for the

dissemination of information under the supervision of the
Community institutions . Dissemination also includes
copies of CELEX addressed to commercial servers . By
concluding contracts with these distributors the
Commission ; gives outside users access to Community
bases thus avoiding any distortion of competition .

As a rule public authorities are charged for access to legal

information .

So far no provision has been made for free direct access to
CELEX for national parliaments or national authorities .

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 15

According to information available to the Commission,

some national authorities ( for example, Italy and
Germany ) have organized access to copies of CELEX on
national servers which they manage jointly .

In any case free access to CELEX for national parliaments
would require a decision by all the institutions which
jointly own the base .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 961 / 92

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 54 )

Subject : Diversion of the Acheloos River and
infringement of Community directives

The Acheloos Delta is considered an area of Community

importance and Greece has a specific obligation to protect
it under Article 4 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ('). In view of
Article 130r ( 2 ) of the Treaty and Article 7 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 2052 / 88 O, and given that Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ( 3 ) has not been fully incorporated into
Greek legislation ( the Commission having announced in
previous and more recent replies that the Directive in
question had not been incorporated into Greek legislation
and that for this reason proceedings had been initiated
against Greece under Article 169 ).

— Have proceedings also been initiated against Greece

for failure to implement Article 4 of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC specifically in connection with the
Acheloos River

— and is the Commission funding the Acheloos
diversion project contrary to Article 155 of the EEC
Treaty, since proceedings have been initiated against

Greece under Article 169 ?

1 . What stage has been reached in the proceedings
under Article 169 for infringement of the above two
directives by the Greek Government ?

2 . How can EC funding of a project with serious
environmental consequences be reconciled with the fact
that the EC itself has initiated proceedings under
Article 169 for infringement of two important directives

on the environment against the Member State in which
the project is situated ?

o OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .
O OJ No L 185, 15 . 7 . 1988, p . 9 .
O OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 February 1 993 )

1 . Pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC,
Greece has so far notified to the Commission 26 special
protection areas : 16 on 30 October 1987 and 10 on 20
February 1989 . The second batch included the Mesolongi
lagoons, an area which is also covered by the Ramsar
Convention . The estuary of the River Acheloos forms
part of the Mesolongi lake system .

The Commission did not consider that the 26 areas were

sufficient to represent the whole territory of Greece and,
in any case, the boundaries of the various areas had not
been precisely laid down . Furthermore, there were no
specific instruments setting out in detail the protection
measures required . The Commission therefore sent
Greece a formal letter of notice in October 1989 .

As part of a separate procedure, in 1990 the Commission
sent a second letter giving Greece formal notice
concerning the Acheloos estuary in which it pointed out
that Greece had not undertaken an assessment of the
impact on the environment of fish farming to be carried
out by a private company ( Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ) and
that Greece had taken no concrete measures to protect the
Mosolongi lake system, as required by Article 4 of
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC .

The Greek authorities informed the Commission that an

impact study concerning fish farming had been carried
out and that it had shown that these activities would have
only a minimal effect on the environment . They also
stated that the specific measures referred to in Article 4 of
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC would be adopted ' as soon as
possible '.

Since the Commission has received no information about
the specific measures taken or about the definitive
delimitation of areas, the infringement procedure is
continuing .

2 . The Community began financing the Acheloos
project in 1987 as part of an IMP . Since at that time
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC was not applicable in Greece, the
Commission secured the agreement of the Greek
authorities to its provisions being applied on a one-off
basis and this was made a condition for Community
finance for the project . Accordingly, in the case of the
Acheloos project, respect for Directive 85 / 337 / EEC does

not depend on its transposition into domestic law .

The Greek authorities carried out an assessment of the

impact of the Acheloos project on the environment of the
delta which concluded that there would be no direct
impact on the Mesolongi special protection area as
designated under the Birds Directive . The assessment also
identified a number of conditions to be respected and
restorative measures to be taken . The Commission made

No C 141 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

finance for the Acheloos project subject to these
conditions, one of which is the designation of special
protection areas in accordance with environmental
requirements .

Finally, following a visit on 9 July 1992 to the Acheloos
Delta by Commission representatives and officials from
the Greek Ministry of the Environment and the Public
Power Corporation, accompanied by experts, the
Commission is of the opinion that there is no reason to
conclude that the diversion project would result directly
or indirectly in significant adverse effects on the protected
area subject to a number of conditions being met ( relating
to the implementation of remedial measures in the
wetlands area and guaranteeing minimum water flow
levels in the river ). These measures would, in any event,
improve the ecological situation in the area independently
of the diversion .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1070 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 55 )

Subject : The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

According to press reports, the most ambitious plan to

date to reverse the international economic decline has
failed . The Community 's uncompromising refusal to
make drastic reductions in its farm spending appears to
have convinced international negotiators that this year 's
round of negotiations on liberalization of world trade has
come to an end . The target date for the conclusion of this
round of GATT is now 1993 or even later . Can the
Commission confirm these reports ? How has the situation
developed to date ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

In the interval since the Honourable Member submitted
his question, a break-through in the Uruguay Round
negotiations has been achieved . The agreement reached in
the bilateral discussions between the US and the
Community on several outstanding negotiating issues,
including the settlement of the oilseeds dispute, makes it
possible to resume thfe multilateral negotiations of the
Uruguay Round in Geneva and thus paves the way for a
successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1264 / 92

by Mr Dieter Rogalla ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 56 )

Subject : Environmental protection in connection with

tree-felling and pulp production

1 . Does the Commission know whether appropriate
legislation putting an end to imports, on the lines of
legislation to protect species, could curb or even eliminate
the practice of obtaining cellulose from environmentally
important ancient forests ?

2 . How does the economic policy pursued by the
Commission in this area square with concern for the
environment and tropical forests, which should be
safeguarded ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1992 )

1 . The Commission is of the view that unilateral
import bans on the basis of environmental damage which
does not impact on the territory of the importing country
should be avoided and that global environmental issues,
such as deforestation, are more equitably tackled through
multilateral agreements, as is already the case for the
protection of endangered species . These basic
orientations are guided by the need to respect the
Community 's international obligations under the GATT,
as well as the principles agreed in the UNCED
Conference — notably Principle 12 of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development and
Principle 14 of the Statement of Principles for a global
consensus on the management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests . At the
same time, a fundamental guideline has already been set
by the ITTO where it was decided that after the year 2000
no tropical timber will be allowed in international trade,
except when originating from sustainably managed
forests . The ITTO has agreed on definitions, guidelines
and criteria for sustainable management of tropical
forests and has an action plan and time planning for the
period between now and the year 2000 ., The Community
is actively engaged in these efforts .

2 . The Commission is of the view that international
efforts to ensure that all countries improve their forest
management practices should be intensified . Moreover,
the Commission considers that rather than applying
unilateral import bans, positive signals should be sent to
countries with major forestry industries to encourage
them in the direction of the sustainable management of
their forestry - resources . Apart from financial

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 17

cooperation, these positive signals could, where
developing countries are concerned, include more
favourable GSP treatment for processed tropical timber
provided that assurances are given on the respect of
international norms on sustainable forest management .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1306 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 57 )

Subject : The Monastery of Aghia Anastasia in Cyprus

The Monastery of Aghia Anastasia in Lapitho in the

occupied part of Cyprus is being converted into a hotel . It
seems that the firm undertaking this project belongs to a
former MP, Mr Trafer . Does the Commission intend to
take any measures to prevent this action by the Turks ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

As it has already stated on several occasions in reply to
parliamentary questions, the Commission attaches great
importance to preserving the cultural heritage . However,
as the Honourable Member will appreciate, in the case
under discussion there is little the Commission is able to

do .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1353 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 58 )

Subject : Compliance by the Belgian authorities with the

wild birds directive

On 8 August 1991 the Commission forwarded to the
Belgian authorities a reasoned opinion on non ­
compliance with the obligations pursuant to Directive
79 / 409 / EEC (') ( as subsequently amended ).

The Commission asked what action Belgium was taking

to prevent the gradual drainage of the De Blankaart area .

Has the Commission received a reply ?

If so, what action is being taken by Belgium to safeguard
the area in question ? If not, what action will the
Commission consider taking against Belgium, and when ?

o OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1993 )

The Commission received a reply from the Belgian

authorities on 21 October 1991 . In the reply the Belgian
authorities explained in detail what had been done to save
the Blankaart and in particular what has to be done .
During a meeting in February 1992 and thereafter in
writing the Commission asked for more specific
information on the actions to be taken to prevent damage
to the area, and a timetable for the work to be done
during the different stages . The reply to that letter
contained mainly information on future actions to be
taken ; the Commission keeps regular contact with the
Belgian authorities to follow progress closely .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1496 / 92
by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 59 )

Subject : European Office for Emergency Monetary Aid

What is the current position with regard to the European

Office for Emergency Monetary Aid prepared by the
Commission and set up by the Maastricht Summit ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1 993 )

The EEC Treaty foresees in Articles 108 and 109 the
granting of mutual assistance to a Member State which is
in difficulties as regards its balance of payments . The
Council has to adopt directives or decisions laying down

No C 141 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

the conditions and details of the mutual assistance, which
may take the form of the granting of limited credits by the
other Member States . The current system of mutual
assistance is laid down in Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1969 / 88 O establishing a single facility providing
medium-term financial assistance for Member States '
balance of payments . This facility was used for the last
time in March 1991, when a Community loan in favour of
Greece was granted ( Decision 91 / 136 ( 2 )).

Until the Treaty of Maastricht enters into force,
Articles 108 and 109 of the EEC Treaty are applicable .
After ratification of the Treaty of Maastricht, they will be
replaced same as the by ' Articles old ' Articles 109h 108 and and 109i 109, which and which are virtually shall only the
cease to apply from the beginning of the third stage of
EMU, except for Member States with a derogation .

As regards the Community financial assistance mentioned
by the Honourable Member, this is foreseen in
Article 103a, paragraph 2, of the Treaty of Maastricht in
favour of a Member State which is in difficulties or is
seriously threatened with severe difficulties caused by
exceptional occurrences beyond its control . It will apply
only from the start of the third stage and equally to the
Member States taking part fully in this stage and those
with derogations . Contrary to Articles 109h and 109i,
Article 103a, paragraph 2, does not foresee the adoption
by the Council of directives or decisions laying down the
conditions and details of the assistance .

(') OJNoL 178, 8 . 7 . 1988 .
O OJNoL 55, 13 . 3 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1560 / 92

by Mrs Marie Isler Béguin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 60 )

Subject : European Environment Agency

The Council of Ministers for the Environment met in

Lisbon on 23 March 1992, without the seat of the
European Environment Agency having yet been decided

on .

What does the Commission propose to do in order to

speed up the establishment of the European Environment
Agency and compel the Council finally to assume its

responsibilities and decide on the seat of the European
Environment Agency, thereby allowing it to carry out its
work effectively ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1888 / 92
by Mr José Valverde López, Mr Siegbert Alber,
Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruiiten and Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 61 )

Subject : Establishment of an Environment Agency

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1210 / 90 (') on the
establishment of the European Environment Agency
states that it will enter into force ' on the day following
that on which the competent authorities have decided the
seat of the Agency '. Since such a decision has still to be
taken, the Environment Agency has been unable ' to begin
work .

Is the Commission aware that there is a direct link
between the urgent need to set up the environment agency
and pressure from the public, which is becoming
increasingly concerned at the state of the environment in
the Community ?

What action is the Commission taking so as not to delay

any further the introduction of the additional tasks
provided for in Article 20 of this Regulation, in particular
the setting up of inspectorates ?

O OJN0LI2O, 11.5 . 1990, p. 1 .

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1560 / 92 and 1888 / 92

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1993 )

The Commission welcomes the agreement reached at the

Edinburgh European Council regarding the seats of the
Community institutions and hopes that a decision will be
reached rapidly on the seat of the European Environment
Agency .

In the mean time, the Commission will take provisional

steps to :

— maintain and update the Corine information system ;

— set up a high-level informal working party of national

representatives as soon as possible to :

— examine the future work programme and priorities

of the Agency in the light of the priorities laid
down in the fifth action programme on the
environment ;

— examine the structure to be given to the national

networks and thematic centres in the light of the
work programme and the established priorities ;

— draw up draft work programmes for the thematic

centres and begin the selection procedures for the
thematic centres in the priority areas ;

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 141 / 19

— step up cooperation between the Member States in

order to :

— ensure that initiatives relating to the work of the

Agency are consistent with one another ;

— create a catalogue of data sources and projects ;

— set up a computerized pilot network .

However, the Commission is continuing to encourage
establishments of origin and host establishments to teach
the less widespread languages and, under Community
student mobility programmes, students are required to
follow the courses in the language of the host Member

State .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1787 / 92
by Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1564 / 92 and Mr Pedro Bofill Abeilhe ( S )
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the Commission of the European
to the Commission of the European Communities 1992

to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 July 1992 )

( 16 June 1992 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 63 )

( 93 / C 141 / 62 )

Subject : Use of languages in Erasmus programmes

Owing to cooperation between various universities,
separate study programmes are being set up within the
Erasmus programme . These programmes should
ultimately lead to the award of the ' EC diplomas '.

Since the studies are spread over various Member States,
there is considerable keenness to have instruction given in
one language .

Is the Commission contemplating introducing such
standard EC diplomas ? Do specific programmes already
exist ? What language or languages are planned for these
programmes ?

Can the Commission guarantee that there will be an
opportunity for the less widely spoken languages in this
connection ? How does the Commission propose to
guarantee this ?

Subject : Infrastructural needs of the Southern
Mediterranean countries

The shortcomings affecting the Mediterranean basin in

respect of transport infrastructures are only too well
known and, in the southern Mediterranean countries, the
situation is even worse . This is preventing the North
African countries from developing their economies in line
with each other and achieving the industrial
manufacturing economies of scale which a future regional
common market ( AMU ) could offer .

Since some of these countries are producing agricultural
surpluses while others are suffering from serious food
shortages, it is obvious that these countries must be
helped to achieve closer integration by improving their
basic land transport infrastructures .

Has the Commission carried out any survey of the
required links between the North African countries ?

Has the Community entered into any commitment to
provide funding for such infrastructural links ?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou would it not be a good idea to carry out a joint study of

on behalf of the Commission

existing deficiencies and decide on a common strategy ?

on behalf of the Commission

In the context of relations between the EC and the AMU
would it not be a good idea to carry out a joint study of

(7 September 1 992 )

It is obvious that the establishments which are taking an
active part in inter-university cooperation programmes
wish to profit from the experience acquired and the

contacts made by developing whole courses at
undergraduate and postgraduate level which attract
students from the various Member States .

How these courses function, their content and the names
given to diplomas are matters for the establishments
themselves requested in, which collaboration are free, where to introduce appropriate the, with courses the
relevant local or national authorities . The same applies to
the languages used for teaching the courses .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

The Commission has always supported and stressed the

need for economic integration among the countries of
North Africa .

The ' horizontal ' or more specifically regional cooperation

component of the new Mediterranean policy is one of the
main instruments for financing development and other

19 . 5.93
No C 141 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities

schemes in areas of joint interest . Transport
infrastructure, which is important for national economic
development and regional integration, is eligible for such
financing if the countries involved so wish and provision
has been made for relevant feasibility studies to be
financed from the Community budget .

This is why the Commission has decided to help finance a

regional transport study in the Maghreb, the groundwork
for which has already been done by the World Bank . The
main aim of the study is to gauge the economic benefits
that would arise if barriers to communication were

removed .

Equally noteworthy is the Commission 's financing of
schemes in the shipping sector aimed at computerizing
communications between ports with a view to boosting
trade in the Mediterranean basin and the Maghreb in
particular .

The Commission is also financing a study on an electrical
power link between the Maghreb and Spain, again in a bid
to strengthen communications infrastructure .

The Community will also, via the EIB, part-finance the
Algeria-Morocco-Spain gas pipeline .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1806 / 92
by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 ),

( 93 / C 141 / 64 )

Subject : Forwarding agents and the internal market

On 6 May 1992 the Commission presented a plan for
accompanying measures aimed at adapting the occupation
of forwarding agent to the internal market .

Will this plan provide for compensation or pay
supplements, especially for older employees or the
affected companies, in a new employment situation ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1992 )

The Commission, by virtue of the principle of
subsidiarity, cannot assume responsibilities which fall to
the Member States and the appropriate trade
organizations .,

It is up to the Member States ' national and regional
authorities and other interested parties to take concrete
local measures . Various types of measures are planned :

— social measures such as early retirement, retraining,

relocation aid, the establishment of redeployment
units, etc ., and

— economic measures, including various tax measures

such as allowing firms to write redundancy payments
off against tax, or to spread payment of the last
month 's VAT over a longer period .

The Commission is, of course, willing to contribute

financially to any scheme that meets the criteria set by
Community rules, for example under the Regulation
proposed to the Council on 3 August 1992 (') indeed, it

also proposed that a sum of ECU 30 million be allotted
for this purpose in the 1993 budget .

0 COM(92 ) 328 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1890 / 92

by Mr Rolf Linkohr ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 65 )

Subject : Nuclear safety in the Commonwealth of
Independent States and Central and Eastern
Europe

1 . How does the Commission evaluate the risks of
uncontrolled sales of fissile material from the former
Soviet Union 's nuclear stockpile ? Is it not time to
recommend to the CIS countries a safeguards system
similar to EURATOM, to the development of which the
EC could contribute its experience ?

2 . Does the Commission see any need to act now that
several safety studies have confirmed suspicions that
nuclear power stations pose an incalculable risk ? What
political and financial steps is the Commission
considering to reduce the risks to energy supplies ?

3 . How can the EC help to reduce the damage caused
by the accidents at Chernobyl and other nuclear power
stations, such as the exposure of people to radiation and
contamination of the soil ?

4 . Does the Commission not consider that the time has
come to endow the IAEO ( International Atomic Energy
Organization ) in Vienna with greater powers ?

5 . Can the Commission contemplate helping the
nuclear states of the CIS with the disposal of nuclear
missiles ? Should the EEC not propose an initiative to

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 21

dispose of the weapons-grade material, amounting to
several hundred tonnes of uranium and plutonium,
through final disposal, ' combustion ' or transmutation ?

6 . Is it not time for a worldwide ban on civil and
military nuclear tests once and for all, now that the CIS
has already renounced them ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 March 1993 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the risks of

uncontrolled sales of fissile materials from the former
Sovient Union 's nuclear stockpile .

It should, however, be noted that Russia is a signatory to
the Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT ) and as such has
assumed non-proliferation obligations . The Community
expects the other members of the CIS to become parties to
the NPT as non-nuclear-weapon states and thereby
accept the safeguard inspections to be carried out by the
International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) of all
nuclear materials in their territory .

The Commission is considering a proposal along the lines
recommended by the Honourable Member for the
introduction of a safeguards systems similar to that of
Euratom for the CIS States . This will be put to the
International Science and Technology Centre ( ISTC ).

2 . ' Some ECU 53 million has been allocated for nuclear
safety under the technical assistance programme for the
former Soviet Union ( Council Regulation ( EEC,
Euratom ) No 2157 / 91 ) (').

This programme focuses on four areas :

( 1 ) improving the safety of all types of reactor in

operation ;

( 2 ) training of personnel ;

( 3 ) bolstering inspection authorities ;

( 4 ) public information .

The approach taken by the Commission has been to gain

( 1 ) train power station operatives and personnel in the

observance of higher safety standards through the
transfer of expertise from western European
regulatory authorities . to their counterparts in the
countries concerned ;

( 2 ) obtain the information needed by local and national

authorities for energy policy decision-making ; a
number of studies are being undertaken into the role
of WER and RMBK-type reactors in energy supply
and possible alternatives .

3 . In 1991 the Commission mounted seven projects
with Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus to assess the
long-term environmental impact, develop
decontamination procedures and improve nuclear crisis
management . Three other projects on health
consequences were launched last year .

4 . As regards an extension of the IAEA 's
responsibilities, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to the statement made by the
Netherlands on behalf of the European Commission and
the Member States in September 1991 at the IAEA 's
General Conference proposing various forms of action to
improve safeguards . Most of these proposals have been
followed up or are being considered by the IAEA .

5 . The Commission is studying two proposals
concerning the disposal of nuclear materials following the
dismantling of nuclear missiles in the former Soviet
Union . These would be put to the International Science

and Technological Centre .

The first proposal deals with the civilian use of military

fissile materials as suggested in the Honourable Member 's
question .

The second concerns the setting up of a safeguards system

for exports of nuclear materials to reinforce and
consolidate the existing system in the Russian Federation .
Under this proposal recommendations will be drawn up
on export safeguards procedures to be introduced in other
CIS States including Georgia .

6 . At the European Council in Lisbon on 26 and 27
June last year the Community discussed the possibility of

joint action to ensure full observance of all disarmament
and arms control agreements to which the Independent
States of the CIS are party, including the
Non-Proliferation Treaty .

Peaceful and military nuclear testing does not come
within the Commission 's remit .

an overview of all measures required to for greater
security . The industrial section of the programme gives
priority to reactor safety, but the treatment of solid waste o OJN0L2OI, 24 . 7 . 1991 .
was also considered in the selection of projects for 1991 .

The Commission 's strategy is also to :

No C 141 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1957 / 92

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

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 66 )

Subject : Emergency aid procedure

I have been informed that certain humanitarian aid
workers helping the victims of famine in Africa have
complained about the red tape which is impeding the
speedy arrival and hence the effectiveness of the aid
provided by the Community 's emergency programmes . Is
there any basis for such criticism ? What provision, in
terms of staff, technological support and funding, is being
made to ensure that Community aid can be effectively
deployed in such emergency situations ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

Without more details as to their identity, the Commission

cannot find out whether the complaints of the
humanitarian aid workers referred to by the Honourable
Member are well founded .

Food aid is programmed and mobilized by DG VIII and
DG VI of the Commission . The manpower and resources
available to them are considered adequate for a period of
normal activity and barely so for emergencies ( it is well
known that the Commission 's staff and resources are
insufficient to cover the rapid expansion of its tasks and
obligations ). Standard and emergency food aid
distributed via NGOs is mobilized with the help of
Euronaid, a specialized grouping of European and
international NGOs .

As regards the time taken to make the aid available, the

Commission mobilizes the various consignments on
instructions from the international humanitarian
organizations and NGOs . It believes this to be the best
way of ensuring that the aid arrives when it is least likely
to disrupt local markets, cause transport problems or
overlap with aid from other donors .

Generally speaking, mobilizing larger consignments of
aid takes some time because :

— the products need to be purchased through invitations

to tender ( falling which there would be a very real risk
of abuse );

— the aid has to be transported by sea and / or land .

Except in quite exceptional circumstances, air
transport cannot be justified as the costs are far too

high in proportion to the quantities carried, and is
therefore out of the question for nearly all food aid .

There are ways of shortening delivery schedules such as

swaps, the rerouting of boats, local purchases and so on,
and the Commission tries to take advantage of such
opportunities in emergencies wherever feasible and
justifiable .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1994 / 92
by Mr José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 67 )

Subject : Community support under Objective 5(b ) to the

Autonomous Community of Madrid

Can the Commission provide information on the support
provided for within the framework of the European
Social Fund for the Autonomous Community of Madrid ?
Can it supply detailed information on the reasons for
possible delays in the implementation of these funds ? In
particular, why has the Labour Ministry not presented the
specific programme on developing human resources
corresponding to part 4 of the operational programme for
the Autonomous Community of Madrid under the
Community support framework covering objective 5(b )?
What contributions must the central authorities provide

to make up the contribution of the European Social Fund
to part 4 of the abovementioned operational programme ?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1992 )

The Community support framework for Objective 5b

relating to the development of rural areas in Spain for the
period 1989—93, drawn up in partnership with the
Spanish authorities, makes no provision for the
participation of the regional administration of the
Autonomous Community of Madrid in part 4
( Developing human resources ). This was in line with the
plan submitted by the Spanish authorities, which provided
for participation by the central authorities in the Madrid
region only as regards the ESF — assisted operations for
this Objective .

The ESF assistance provided for under the Community

support framework for measures to be implemented by
the central authorities in the Madrid region is ECU 0,74
million ( at 1989 prices ) for the period 1991—93 .

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 23

The total cost of intervention by the central authorities in
this region was expected to be ECU 0,265 million for

1991 . In fact, the authorities carried out training measures
in 1991 costing ECU 0,927 million ( 250 % more than
expected ); the number of persons who received training
was 687 ( 804 % more than expected ).

The Commission considers that these provisions will

adequately protect the zones concerned from the
introduction of rhizomania whilst assuring free
circulation of plants and plant products under the
conditions described above .

O OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1991 .
O OJNoL26, 31 . 1 . 1977 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2111 / 92
by Mrs Maria Aglietta, Mr Gianfranco Amendola

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2110 / 92 by Aglietta,
and Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )

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

to the . Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 68 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 69 )

Subject : Beet rhizomania disease

What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that

parts of the Community currently free from beet
rhizomania disease, such as the UK, continue to be so
after completion of the internal market and the
abandonment of existing plant health controls based on
border checks ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1992 )

With a view to the completion of the internal market,

Council has adopted a series of measures O to adapt the
Community plant health regime, set up by Directive
77 / 93 / EEC ( 2 ), to the requirements of the single market
and the elimination of internal border controls after 1992 .

In this context, the Commission has recently introduced
specific provisions relating to beet necrotic yellow vein
virus ( BNYVV ), the agent causing rhizomania, aimed at
preventing the introduction and spread of the disease
from infected areas within the Community into so-called
protected zones, which are being formally recognized, on

a temporary basis, and of which the United Kingdom is

one .

These measures include detection and cartography of the

disease, agronomic measures such as seed cleaning, areal
production control, cleaning and disinfecting agricultural
and transport equipment . Host plants, agricultural and
transport equipment identified as posing a particularly
high risk when moving from infested zones into protected
zones should meet specific requirements, based on the
abovementioned measures .

Subject : Failure to comply with the environmental impact

assessment Directive in connection with the
construction of a dump at Gambolo ( PV ) in the
Region of Lombardy ( Italy )

Work on building a solid municipal waste dump at

Gambolo in the province of Pavia at the Parco della Valle
del Ticino is well advanced .

The dump is located at the edge of that area, where

—
potentially toxic and harmful industrial waste
generated in the production of car batteries — has been
unlawfully dumped in the past and is still present .

Were the dump to come into operation, furthermore, the

groundwater, which has already risen to the surface
because of the work, would be at serious risk .

1 . Does not the Community believe that, in this instance,

an environmental impact assessment should be carried
out as provided for in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (')?

2 . Does not the Commission believe that it should open
infringement proceedings against the Italian
authorities for failure to comply with the above
Directive ?

o OJ No L 175, 5 . 7. 1985, p. 40 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1993 )

Under Directive 85 / 337 / EEC the building project
involving an urban-waste disposal facility is covered by
Annex II and must be subject to an assessment of its

impact on the environment, if this is considered to be
significant, more particularly owing to its size and
location .

The Commission is already aware of the setting-up of the

Gambolo ( Pavia province ) disposal facility, the location
of which is an area where industrial wastes which were

NoC 141 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

stored without permission in the past are still present may
have adverse effect on the environmental amenities of the
Ticino Valley Park .

special interest in deep-sea mining, particularly of
manganese nodules, cannot accept the regime in Part XI
of it . They take issue not with the principle of the
' common heritage of mankind ' but with the dirigiste,
interventionist and bureaucratic nature of the provisions .

It therefore approached the Italian authorities in order to .
learn what action they had taken or intended to take in
respect of this project .
However, the industrialized countries, including the
Community and its Member States, are keen for the other
parts of the Convention, many of which reflect customary
law, to become international contractual law as soon as
possible, so that the practice of individual countries does
not stray from the compromises embodied in the
Convention .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2217 / 92

by Mr Georg Jarzembowski ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 70 )

Subject : UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

In the second half of 1992, further informal consultations
will take place under the auspices of the UN
Secretary-General in order to find solutions enabling the
EC Member States of Germany and the United Kingdom,
as well as the United States, to accede to the UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea .

1 . What are the aims of the Commission representatives

in the various different areas under discussion ?

2 . What results does the Commission expect from

consultations on individual areas and when ?

3 . When does the Commission expect the Community

and the individual Member States to ratify the
Convention ?

4 . On what date does the Commission expect the

Convention to enter into force ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1992 )

The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea will
come into force one year after the sixtieth country has
ratified it . As of 1 September, 5 1 states had done so, all of
which except Iceland are developing countries .

The only reason why most industrialized countries have
not ratified the Convention or, in the case of Germany,
the UK and the US, even signed it is that countries with a

The Community and its Member States, including
Germany and the UK as observers, have since 1983 been
participating in twice-yearly meetings of the ' Preparatory
Commission for the International Seabed Authority and
for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ' to
try to improve the regime for deep-sea mining .

Last March, 10 years after the Convention was opened for
signature, the Preparatory Commission came to the
conclusion that it could not function as the appropriate
body for resolving fundamental problems and should for
the time being cease most of its activities .

In 1990, the situation had led the UN Secretary-General
to invite a limited number of countries to a series of
informal consultations to identify basic problems and
solutions to them . Eight problems were cited : the costs for
the States parties, the ' Enterprise ', decision-making
procedures,, the review conference, the transfer of
techniques, limits on production, the compensation fund
and the financial terms for contracts .

A second series of consultations, open to all signatories

and therefore including the Community, began last June .
Initial discussions led to hopeful signs that a solution
might be found before the Convention came into force .

1 . When it signed the Convention on 7 December 1984,

the Community stated that Part XI contained serious
deficiencies and flaws which required rectification . It
recognized the importance of the work which
remained to be done and hoped that agreement could
be reached on generally acceptable conditions for
implementing the regime . This is the Commission 's
aim in the consultations .

On the Commission 's initiative, Community
consultations, based on Article 1 13 of the EEC Treaty
for ' limits on production ' and on Article 116 of the
EEC Treaty for the other issues, led to a common and
coordinated approach . Commission representatives
took part in the discussion on ' limits on production '
and pointed out that although this instrument would
prove a major barrier to deep-sea mining it would not

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 141 / 25

guarantee protection for land-based producers in
developing countries .

2 . It would be desirable for the ongoing consultations to

enable the UN Secretary-General to make
compromise proposals early next year .

3 . Under Article 3 of Annex IX to the Convention, the

Community may deposit its instrument of ratification
if the majority of Member States are depositing or
have deposited their instruments either of ratification
or accession .

In a 1987 communication, the Commission reminded
Member States that they could not ratify the
Convention individually, as it includes spheres solely
under Community jurisdiction, but only in
conjunction with the Community .

If the consultation process is successful, the
Convention could swiftly be ratified before it comes
into force .

4 . Although the number fo countries ratifying gathered

pace last year ( with Djibouti, Grenada, the Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the
Seychelles doing so ), none has so far followed suit this

year .

Obviously, bringing the Convention into force before
agreement has been reached on improvements to Part XI
would jeopardize international efforts to make the

Convention acceptable to all parties, including the
Community and its Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2230 / 92
by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 71 )

Subject : Relief operation for the Strait of Gibraltar

Each summer thousands of Maghrebis living in
Community Member States embark on a mass exodus to
their countries of origin for the holiday period, travelling
thousands of kilometres and converging on the Strait of
Gibraltar .

As a result, one of the ' gateways ' to the European

Community is transformed into an over-crowded
Third-World encampment with no sanitary facilities,
proper food supplies or health care . This situation,
together with the increased danger of road accidents and
the traffic jams means that local residents and others
travelling in the area suffer severe financial losses .

Despite all their efforts, the town affected, in particular
Algeciras, are forced to set aside a large proportion of
their budget and human resources to resolve problems
which are essentially European and affect them only by an

accident of geography .

Given the gravity of this situation, which arises each year
at the beginning and end of the holiday period, what view
does the Commission take of the fact that thousands of
Maghreb citizens congregate in the Strait of Gibraltar in
degrading conditions caused by the lack of services and
facilities to meet their most basic needs for sanitation,
food, transport, etc .?

Does the Commission not consider that, in view of the
European dimension of this recurring problem, the
Community should support the efforts of the local
authorities concerned by funding a European programme
to set up temporary and permanent facilities to ensure
that Maghreb citizens are able to travel to and from their
countries in the most satisfactory conditions possible ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the situation referred to by

the Honourable Member and agrees that a satisfactory
response needs to be found to the problems of migrant
workers in transit .

In the period 1989 to 1993, Andalusia has received or will
receive a total of ECU 2 207 million from the regional or
multiregional headings of the Community support
framework for the Objective 1 regions of Spain . The
money will be spent on development projects which have
been identified by the Spanish authorities with
Commission agreement and which cover highways, port
and tourist infrastructure, and other manpower and local
development schemes . The Spanish authorities must
therefore first decide which projects should receive such

support .

Within the guidelines of the new Mediterranean policy (')

and of the paper on the future of relations between the
Community and the Maghreb ( 2 ), some of the schemes
based on Regulation ( EEC ) No 1762 / 92 adopted by the
Council on 29 June last year ( 3 ) are designed to foster
effective cooperation between local government districts
in the Community and their counterparts in non-member
Mediterranean countries .

The Commission is particularly keen to help in the

decentralized settlement of problems and other issues

No C 141 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

common to a number of towns in the northern and
southern Mediterranean . This could cover the study of
solutions to specific problems affecting regions which,
like Andalusia, provide gateways between the Community
and non-member Mediterranean countries .

(') Communication from the Commission to the Council of

1 June 1 990, SEC(90 ) 8 1 2 final .
( 2 ) Communication from the Commission to the Council and

Parliament of 30 April 1992, SEC(92 ) 401 final .
O OJ No L 181, 1.7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2245 / 92

by Mr Siegbert Alber ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 72 )

Subject : Fuel quality

It is claimed that the additives used to improve the
efficiency of all fuels have a harmful effect on the
environment and public health .

1 . Does the Commission have a list of all additives used

in the EC petroleum industry ?

2 . Have investigations been carried out into the effects

of the additives on public health and / or the
environment ?

3 . Have measures been taken by the Member States to

restrict and / or prohibit the use of additives or certain
types of additive ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1993 )

The Honourable Member makes reference to the claim
that fuel additives have a harmful effect on the
environment and public health . To the understanding of
the Commission it should also be recognized, however,
that a number of additives have a clearly positive effect on
the reduction of exhaust emissions, even if concern has
been raised for some additives, most notably lead, which
is now being phased out on the European market .

1 . A complete list of all existing chemical substances used

in fuel additives is not immediately available .
However, a more generalized nomenclature based on
the main structural components such as metal,
hydrocarbon types and active organic group, has been
made available by the Technical Committee of
Petroleum Additive Manufacturers in Europe ( ATC )
in 1992, cf . ' An Internationally Recognized
Nomenclature System for Petroleum Additives ', ATC
Document No 31, 1992 .

Some 80 to 90 % of the additives, sold in Europe will be
described in this nomenclature .

Further information on the chemical substances
concerned is available to the Commission from
existing notification procedures . Directive
79 / 831 / EEC O, the sixth Amendment to Directive
67 / 548 / EEC on the classification, packaging and
labelling of dangerous substances, established
harmonized Community-wide procedure for the
notification of new substances before they are placed
on the EC market .

The seventh Amendment to that Directive, Directive
92 / 32 / EEC ( 2 ) strengthens the notification procedure
and also requires national authorities to carry out a
risk assessment on new, notified chemicals . This
means that any new substances placed on the EC
market for subsequent use as a fuel additive would be
subject to the notification and assessment procedures
established under this Directive ; these procedure
would include an evaluation of its impact upon man

and the environment . '

Furthermore, the Commission proposal for a Council
Regulation on the evaluation and control of the
environmental risks of existing chemicals will
probably be adopted by the Council and enter into
force in 1993 . This regulation establishes a
Community procedure for the systematic evaluation
of the 100 000 chemicals on the European Inventory
of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances
( EINECS ). This regulation therefore provides a legal
framework wherein any existing substance could be
evaluated at a Community level . Thus, if an existing
substance was proposed for use as a fuel additive, we
again have a mechanism to assess its potential impact
upon man and the environment .

2 . The Commission is aware that several studies have

been made on the effects on health and the
environment of fuel additives . The results of some of
these studies are summarized in the abovementioned
nomenclature from ATC, others can be found in a
study by Dr Friedrich Hovemann from 1990 : ' The
contributions of fuel additives in reducing the
emissions from four-stroke ignition engines ',
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Mineraloel  - und
Kohlewissenschaft, Hamburg 1990 and ATC
Document No 34 / 1990 . The Commission is also
aware of studies carried out in Member States, notably
Umweltbundesamt in Germany, on health and
environment effects of certain additives .

3 . As is probably well known by the Honourable

Member the Community in 1985 adopted Community
legislation on the limitation — and eventual phasing
out — of lead in petrol, cf . Directive 85 / 210 / EEC ( J ).

As far as Member States ' initiatives are concerned, the

Commission is aware that France several years ago
introduced legislation requiring the labelling of
additives containing barium and that Germany a few
years ago legislated against the so-called Scavenger

additive, containing chlorine and bromine . Apart from
that, the Commission is not aware of legislation in

No C 141 / 27
19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities

Member States restricting or prohibiting additives or
certain types of additives .

o OJ No L 259, 15 . 10 . 1979 .
O OJNoL 154, 5.6 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 96, 3 . 4 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2266 / 92

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

side-effects . However, it cannot agree to any weakening
of existing safety standards . Instead, priority should be
given to completing the work on harmonization of
technical standards in the JAA-context with a view to
seeking broader regional coverage immediately
thereafter .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2353 / 92

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

(1 September 1992 ) ( 23 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 73 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 74 )

Subject : Transport of supplies to the CIS in the Antonov

124 Russian aircraft

Is the Commission aware that the Russian AN - 124 freight
and passenger aircraft which has a payload of around 100
tonnes, is being refused authorization to land at a number
of that airports it does in not the meet European the ' certification Community ' requirements on the grounds to
carry out commercial flights ?

If so, will the Commission bring its influence to bear with
the national aviation authorities with a view to lifting this
prohibition and ensuring that the aircraft obtains landing

authorization as soon as possible, so that European and
CIS undertakings can continue their transport operations
without delay ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 March 1993 )

The enforcement of high safety standards in relation to

aircraft used for flights inside and to and from the
Community is a matter of prime concern for the
Commission .

In the context of the discussions on the Third Aviation
Package the Council and the Commission agreed to the
principle that Community Member States shall — in the
case of leased aircraft registered and certified outside the
Community — continue to have the right to request the
fulfilment of safety standards equivalent to those imposed
inside the Community .

The implementation of this principle may in individual

cases mean that the competent authorities of Member
States refuse the exercise of traffic rights of Community
air carriers if the equipment used is not in conformity with
existing technical standards .

The Commission is aware that the implementation of this
principle may occasionally have economically problematic

Subject : Conversion of defence industries

The calling into question of defence strategy, particularly

in France, is reducing military programmes in the
armaments and space sectors .

Unless something is done to build up or convert the
industrial sectors concerned thousands of jobs will be lost .

What types of action could the EEC take to assist

conversion of the defence industries, and what
opportunities could those in positions of responsibility in
the sectors concerned have to express their points of view
and wishes ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 December 1992 )

The Commission explained its position on the conversion

of defence industries during the debate held by the
European Parliament on 16 September 1992 on the Ford
report concerning the Community 's role in the
supervision of arms exports and the armaments
industry ('). Possible Community action to support the
conversion of defence industries comes up against the
following problems :

—
Taking regional policy, most of the regions affected

by the consequences of disarmament are not eligible
for assistance under the conversion programmes
supported by the ERDF . In its communication on the
financial perspectives for 1993 — 97, the Commission
proposed that the selection criteria be made more
flexible .

— From an industrial angle, the Commission took the

view in its November 1990 communication on
industrial policy that the restructuring needs of certain
sectors would be better served through horizontal
measures such as support for research, vocational
training and the maintenance of transparent

No C 141 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 19.5.93

conditions of competition, rather than by sectoral
assistance programmes .

— This view is borne out by the special position of the

defence industries, whose objectives and research and
production activities are largely determined by
national security considerations . A Community plan
for conversion of the armaments industry would
inevitably impinge on national prerogatives in such a
highly sensitive area .

These difficulties should not, however, prevent us from

looking for possible ways and means of achieving a
compromise between respect for national security
objectives and the need for a more efficient and more
integrated research and production system . Industrial
restructuring needs to be encouraged and accelerated, in
particular by opening up markets further and intensifying
the R&D effort .

At an informal meeting of industry ministers held in
Lisbon in March 1992, the Commission raised these
problems and asked to what extend and in what way

Member States might be prepared to work in a
Community context to strengthen the competitiveness of
the European armaments industry . The reactions revealed
that many Member States still have misgivings about
the idea of cooperation at Community level in
defence-related economic questions . It was also clear that
the scope for Community action remains limited because
of the interpretation given by some Member States to
Article 223 of the EEC Treaty .

The Commission remains open to the views and wishes of

decision-makers in the sectors concerned, expressed in
any form but preferably channelled through European
industrial federations .

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-421 ( September

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1993 )

The Commission has already stated how important it

considers the harmonization of telephone pay cards to be
( see answer to Written Question No 1459 / 91, Mrs von
Alemann (')) in the context of the completion of the

internal market .

Information supplied recently to the Commission by the
representatives of the European standards bodies
indicates that progress in the work of CEN and ETSI has
resulted in the drafting of harmonized technical
specifications which should be adopted as European
standards in the near future .

The Commission believes that this points the way to a

higher level of interchangeability for telephone pay cards,
but that this remains subject to the initiatives taken by the
operators to align their systems on these standards and
ensure that an agreed minimum level be achieved with
regard to financial compensation .

The Commission therefore intends to discuss the
problems posed by the implementation of these standards
with the network operators and suggest that a timetable
be set for the subsequent steps to be accomplished .

O OJN0C2O, 27 . 1 . 1992 .

1992 ).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2394 / 92

by Mr Claude Desama ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 76 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2385 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 75 )

Subject : Establishment of a standard pay card for

telephone calls

Given the enormous development of telecommunications
in all Community Member States and in view of the
tendency of various telecommunications organizations to
encourage the use of pay cards for telephone calls from
public phone booths, does the Commission intend to call
on European telecommunications bodies to pool their
ideas and resources to establish a standard card ?

Subject : Pollution resulting from the use of protective

coatings on new cars

The use of protective coatings, wax or acrylic varnish on

new cars is widespread in the Community . These coatings
are designed to protect vehicles during storage, and when
they are washed off the waste water produced is relatively
high in pollutants and alkalis . Since the average per
vehicle is 150 litres of effluent the total amount of
pollution can be estimated at 2 to 3,5 per head of
population .

Has the Commission introduced standards in this area ? If
not, does it intend to take steps to reduce this major
source of pollution ?

19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 29 ­

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas legal and if so, whether there is any obligation to inform it
that such an endorsement has been made ?

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1993 )

This particular question concerns the pollution caused by
the removal of protective coatings from new road vehicles
in booths and / or garages . The protective films used
between the production and marketing stages are
normally paraffin waxes or acrylic products . These
substances are entered in list II in Council
Directive 79 / 464 / EEC on pollution caused by the
discharge of certain dangerous substances into the aquatic
environment of the Community ( 1 ). Pursuant to this
Directive the competent national authorities are to take
steps to reduce the pollution caused by the list - II
substances, more particularly by adopting reduction
programmes containing quality targets for the recipient
environment . Moreover all discharges of these substances
must have received prior authorization which lays down
the emission limit values which meet the quality targets
adopted .

In implementation of Article 1 1 of Directive 9 1 / 271 / EEC
concerning urban waste water treatment ( ), Member
States shall ensure that, before 31 December 1993, the
discharge of industrial waste water into collecting systems
and urban waste-water treatment plants is subject to
regulations that satisfy the requirements of Annex I C to
that Directive .

O OJNoL 129, 18 . 5 . 1976 .
O OJNoL 135, 30 . 5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2403 / 92

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

(6 October 1992 )

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1993 )

As stated in the Commission 's answer to Oral Question

H-0862 / 92 by Mr Ford ('), the Commission tries to make
payments to beneficiaries within a reasonable time and
has taken internal measures to ensure that everything
possible is done to achieve this objective .

The final beneficiaries do not receive payments direct

from the Commission but from the designated authorities
in their own country . Generally speaking, the
Commission is not in a position to influence the payment
procedures applied by the national authorities .

It should also be borne in mind that the execution of
payments — following notification of decisions to grant

aid — is affected by the validation procedures, i.e. the
need to check the supporting documents in relation to the
progress of projects, which necessarily requires a certain
length of time .

The Commission considers that, where beneficiaries

obtain advance payment of aid by means of bank
endorsements ( which is tantamount to prefinancing ), they
do take a certain risk . It canhot therefore encourage this
practice . Beneficiaries who resort to this mechanism do so
on their own responsibility and must bear any
consequences . For this reason, the Commission does not
require notification .

Nevertheless, the Commission can take note of such
arrangements and, provided all the conditions for
payment are met, can comply with the terms of
agreements concluded between beneficiaries and third
parties by paying the aid to another bank account .

( 93 / C 141 / 77 )
( 1 ) European Parliament debates No 3-421 ( September 1992 ).

Subject : Possible requests for bank endorsements for

Community subsidies

Due to the generally lengthy delays in processing all
forms of Community funding, the beneficiaries are
increasingly seeking mechanisms whereby they can gain
access to the funds during the period which elapses
between notification that the funding has been granted
and the moment when the money is made available, so
that they can meet the needs it has been allocated to cover .

One such mechanism is bank endorsement of the amount
of Community aid until receipt of that aid, by means of
payment for the corresponding financial services .

Could the Commission say whether bank endorsements
of Community subsidies before receipt of the funds are

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2405 / 92

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 78 )

Subject : Sales of Russian uranium to the United States

Does the Commission have any details of the proposals
which Russia appears to have made to the United States to

No C 141 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

sell the latter country enriched uranium from Soviet
weapons removed from their atomic silos ? Have the

Russian authorities made any similar proposal to the
Community or its Member States ? Finally, how does the
Commission assess the advantages and disadvantages of
such operations ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1993 )

On 31 August 1992 the governments of the United States
and the Russian Federation initialled a framework
agreement for the conversion of highly enriched uranium
from the military nuclear programme into civil nuclear
fuel . Details of the implementation of this agreement are
to be negotiated by the two Governments over the coming
months, but it calls for the conversion annually of at least

10 tonnes of highly enriched uranium in the first five
years and at least 30 tonnes subsequently ; it may cover an
estimated total of about 500 tonnes .

No similar proposals have been put to the European
Community or, as far as the Commission is aware, the
Member States .

Moves of this kind undoubtedly hamper the proliferation
of nuclear weapons and promote nuclear disarmament ;
on the other hand, they may have an adverse effect on the
world market in nuclear materials which is already
considerably over-supplied at the present time .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2410 / 92

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 79 )

Subject : Visit of Vice-President Bangemann to Taiwan

In April 1992, the Vice-President of the Commission, Mr
Martin Bangemann, visited Taiwan . What did he achieve
in terms of improving relations between our Community
and a country whose economy is among the most
vigorous, creative and advanced in the world ? Is it
possible to strengthen this relationship without damaging
the Community 's relations with the People 's Republic of
China ? Could the EC even help to smooth relations
between the two Chinas ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1993 )

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between
the Community and China in 1975, the Community does
not maintain official relations with Taiwan . Despite the
absence of diplomatic relations, technical discussions
between the Community and Taiwan are required on a
number of commercial questions . Furthermore, the
Working Party on the accession of Taiwan to GATT was
set up on 29 September 1992 .

Bilateral trade between the EC and Taiwan has grown
considerably in recent years . Total trade grew from ECU
3,8 billion in 1981 to ECU 16,5 billion in 1991 . The EC 's
trade deficit with Taiwan reached ECU 5,5 billion last

year .

Vice-President Bangemann paid a private visit to Taiwan

last April . This does not modify the situation described
above although private visits can play a useful role in
improving relations .

Relations between Beijing and Taipei are an internal
Chinese affair which does not involve the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2427 / 92

by Mr François Musso ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 80 )

Subject : Special tax regime for Corsica

Have the national and local authorities ( the Corsican
Territorial Assembly ) informed the Commission of the

special tax regime being instituted for Corsica ( special
status ) ? What measures does it intend to propose in order
to ensure that ' appropriate provisions ', as referred to in
Article 8c of the EEC Treaty, are made to assist the

necessary development of Corsica, which is recognized as
the most underdeveloped region in metropolitan France

( an Objective 1 region )?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1993 )

The Commission has taken note of several French

requests for authorization to apply specific indirect tax

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 141 / 31

provisions in Corsica as part of the moves to abolish tax
frontiers .

In the VAT field, the Council and the Commission agreed
that France could ask to apply specific rates and specific
rate structures in Corsica for a transitional period . The
French authorities have submitted their request, which is
being examined by the competent Commission
departments .

For the rest, France has been authorized to maintain in
force until 31 December 1994 reduced rates of excise duty
for mineral oils consumed on the island .

France has also been authorized since 1 January 1993 to
continue to apply in Corsica lower excise duties on
tobacco than those applicable in mainland France
provided that the former are gradually raised to the level
of the latter by 31 December 1997 at the latest .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2438 / 92

by Mr Gijs de Vries ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 81 )

Subject : New Commercial Policy Instrument

Italian tomato-canners who have been affected by the
United States ' countermeasures against the EC hormones
ban have submitted a formal complaint to the EC ( GATT,
Trade Policy Review Mechanism, EC, 18 March 1991,

page 25 ).

1 . Has the Commission proposed to the Council that a

GATT Panel be requested ? If not, on what specific
ground has it been decided not to take action ?

2 . Is the Commission currently considering action in

other areas, based on the New Commercial Policy
Instrument ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 2641 / 84 ('))?

3 . The European Parliament has proposed that the

NCPI be amended to enhance its use in combating
illicit trade practices condoned by foreign
governments ( resolution in A3-0336 / 90,
paragraph 32 (*)). When will the Commission act on
this proposal ?

O OJ No L 252, 20 . 9 . 1984, p . 1 .
O OJ No C 19, 28 . 1 . 1991, p . 633 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 March 1993 )

Since the beginning of 1991, only two cases have been
initiated under the New Commercial Policy Instrument
( NCPI ). One concerned charges on Community shipping
lines in Japan . Following bilateral consultations, these
charges were abolished leading the Commission to
suspend the procedure in March 1992 (*) prior to its
eventual termination . The most recent case was initiated
in July 1991 against Thailand for lack of effective
property protection for Community sound recordings ( 2 ).
This proceeding is now making promising progress .

According to Article 3 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2641 / 84,

a procedure aiming at protecting a Community industry
against illicit commercial practices is initiated on the basis
of a formal complaint by a Community industry whose
combined output constitutes a major proportion of total
Community production of the products concerned or on
the basis of a referral by a Member State . In principle,
therefore, any action on the part of the Commission
depends on the introduction of requests .

The Community had, in fact, requested a GATT panel on
the unilateral retaliation measures already in February

1989 . This request was blocked by the US who had
previously tried to obtain a panel on the Community 's
hormones Directive . Any further attempt to go to the
GATT on the US measures could again be blocked by
them, as the first panel request was made before 1 May

1989 and is, therefore, not covered by the terms of the
Montreal Agreement which makes such blocking action
illegal . A bilateral review of the status of US measures
should take place shortly, in the light of improved access
to the EC market for US meat products .

The Commission took note of the European Parliament s

resolution published on 28 January 1991 stating that the
NCPI did not permit the Community to efficiently defend
its legitimate interests . Despite the fact that past cases
have been successfully solved, the Commission agrees
that its efficiency should be improved . A proposal was
recently made to the Council to improve the
decision-making mechanism of the various Community
instruments of commercial defence of which NCPI is a
part, in order to render the Community 's commercial
defence policy more effective . This proposal was
communicated to the European Parliament on 2 July

1992 .

O OJ No L 74, 20 . 3 . 1992 .
O OJNoL 189, 20 . 7 . 1991 .

No C 141 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2454 / 92

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 82 )

Subject : CEVMA Advisory Committee

Given the Commission 's decision to set up a European
Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods to
replace animal experiments ( CEVMA ), which is
beginning its work at the JRC in Ispra, Italy ( SEC(91 )

1794 final, 29 October 1991 ), and given that the decision
provides for the setting-up of an ' Advisory Committee
would currently be being represented formed ' and, ' on which which would all the have parties the task (. . of .)

setting priorities when drawing up the annual work
programme, what criteria have been used to form
this Advisory Committee, and will it consist of an
equal number of representatives from anti-vivisection
organizations and from industry ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1 993 )

As set out the Commission 's Communication on the

establishment of a European Centre for the Validation
of Alternative Testing Methods ( ECVAM ) (*), the
Commission has asked all interested parties active on
Community level in this field ( Member States, industry,
academic world and Animal Welfare Organizations ) to
propose each three candidates from which the member of
the Committee would be selected . The Commission asked
that the candidates should have the following profile :

— an established reputation in the development and

validation of alternative testing methods or in-vitro
toxicology ;

a good knowledge of National and European '
legislation on the protection of animals used for
experimental pruposes ;

All parties concerned replied positively .

The Commission has nominated the members of the

Committee recently .

The Committee is composed as follows :

Organization

Number of

representatives

ECETOC ( Chemical Industry ) 1

COLIPA ( Cosmetics Industry ) 1

Eurogroup for animal welfare 2

EFPIA ( Pharmaceutical Industry ) 1

ERGATT ( European Research Group for
Alternatives in toxicity testing ) 1

Commission — DG V ( Employment, Industrial
Relations and Social Affairs ) 1

Commission — DG XI ( Environment, Nuclear
Safety and Civil Protection ) 2

Commission — DG XII / JRC ( Science, Research
and Development / Joint Research Centre ) 2

The 12 Member States 12

o SEC(91 ) 1794 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2455 / 92

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 83 )

Subject : Non-compliance by Italy with the directive on

the protection of animals used for experimental
and other scientific purposes

Directive 86 / 609 / EEC (') was transposed into Italian law
by Legislative Decree 1 16 of 27 January 1992 and Circular
No 600.8 / 24444 / AG .

Contrary to the provisions of the directive, Circular
No 600.8 / 24444 / AG, issued on 21 August 1992 by the
Italian Ministry of Health, does not fix the deadline by
which university establishments and public research

agencies — which hitherto were not required to request
prior authorization — must send their notification .

Contrary to the specific requirements of the second
paragraph of Article 17 of the directive, the circular does
not state at what intervals inspections are to be carried out
by officers of the authority, thereby ensuring that
experiments may continue to act illegally with impunity .

By stating that laboratories will be given authorizations
for periods of five years, the circular represents a step
backwards from the previous situation in which
authorizations were granted at three-year intervals and
contradicts Article 26 of Directive 86 / 609 / EEC, which
provides for reports by the Member States every three

years .

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 141 / 33

Although Article 24 of the directive, taken over in the
third paragraph of Article 18 of Legislative Decree

1 16 / 92, stipulates that ' the Minister of Health shall adopt
by ministerial decree stricter measures for the protection
of animals used in experiments ', the circular
surreptitiously authorizes the practice of cutting the vocal
cords of dogs in particular, which is specifically
prohibited by the fifth paragraph of Article 6 of
Legislative Decree 116 / 92 .

Does the Commission not intend to initiate infringement
proceedings against Italy for failure to comply with
Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ?

O OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 March 1993 )

The Commission approached the Italian authorities, who

replied as follows :

'( 1 ) Article 7 of Legislative Decree 1 16 / 92 states that

applications for authorization must be submitted
to the Ministry of Health before any experiments
are carried out on live animals . Hence there was
no reason to set a deadline for such applications
in Circular No 600.8 / 24444 / AG .

( 2 ) Article 17 of Directive 86 / 609 / EEC was
transposed into national law by Article 11 of
Legislative Decree 116 / 92 . This states that
inspections shall be within the competence of the
local authorities . Hence it is for the latter to lay
down at what intervals inspections shall be
carried out .

( 3 ) Article 12 of Legislative Decree 116 / 92 states

that any establishment using animals for
experimental purposes must be approved by the
Ministry of Health . This approval refers
exclusively to establishments and is granted, after
inspection, for a five-year period .
On the other hand, the authorization for
conducting experiments mentioned in point 1 is
valid for only three years . However, according to
Article 7, Point 2 of the legislative decree, this

deadline may be extended if a fresh application is
submitted one year before the expiry date .

( 4 ) The circular quoted above expressly prohibits the

cutting of the vocal cords of animals ( in
particular dogs ) unless it is necessary for
safeguarding the animal 's health ( for example, in
the event of a pathological process in the
laryngopharyngeal system )'

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2466 / 92

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 84 )                  

Subject : Shortcomings in the functioning of the
Vocational and Technical Training Centre of the
Aegean

The Vocational and Technical Training Centre of the
Aegean was built with the help of ERDF funds and

construction work finished in 1987 . This Centre is
currently operating with a staff of 45 teachers and
between 460 and 520 students . Despite the fact that the
original plan provided for a two-storey building, only one
storey has been built . Recent controls by the Commission
have revealed serious problems in the planning,
construction and operation insufficient buildings, poorly
equipped laboratories, no indoor gymnasium, serious
construction faults and unsafe electrical installations etc .
What measures does the Commission intend to take to

ensure that this project which was co-funded by the EC
fully complies with the planning specifications ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1992 )

As a result of a recent control visit, the Commission is

aware of the problems relating to the project in question,
which was assisted by the European Regional
Development Fund under a decision taken in 1985 .
Needless to say, the Commission is concerned about these
problems . However, the Honourable Member will be

aware that the technical specifications of such projects are
a matter for the competent authorities of the Member
States, whose attention has been drawn by the
Commission to the various deficiencies noted during the
control visit .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2468 / 92

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 85 )

Subject : Construction of a plant for preparing, packaging

and controlling pharmaceutical products in the
Patras industrial development zone

As part of the IMP for Western Greece and the

Peloponnese, and notably subprogramme 5 on Research

On the basis of these elements, it would appear that the
lack of precision in the legislative decree as regards the
intervals at which inspections are to be held might not be
in conformity with Article 17 of the directive .

No C 141 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

and Industry, a plan has been adopted for the
construction of a plant for preparing, packaging and
controlling pharmaceutical products in the Patras
industrial development zone, with a budget of Dr

171 000 000 . This modern plant which is fitted with
up-to-date equipment was completed in April 1990, since
then this vast investment has remained unused, since for
legal and political reasons the plant has not begun
operations : this represents a considerable waste of Greek
public funds . Recent Commission controls have revealed
that the Greek state is obliged to spend some Dr 40m
annually on maintaining the plant and paying a five-man
security team . What urgent measures does the
Commission intend to take to ensure that this project
which was co-funded by the EC can begin operating as

soon as possible ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 January 1993 )

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the

Commission 's answer to Oral Question No H-564 / 92 by
Mr Avgerinos ( 1 ).

The Commission is in contact with the Greek authorities

in order to remove the legal and other obstacles
preventing operation of the Patras pharmaceutical plant

so that it can begin production as soon as possible .

If for any reason the Greek authorities are unable to
resolve the current problems surrounding operation of
the plant within a reasonable time, the Commission will
take appropriate steps, which may include the transfer of
Community assistance to other measures or projects
eligible under the aid scheme .

(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-419 ( June 1992 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2474 / 92

by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 86 )

Subject : Slaughterhouses

Many small slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom are
being forced to close as a result of European Community

legislation .

1 . Is this the policy of the Commission ?

2 . Is the legislation on cleanliness and safety in abattoirs

enforced fairly throughout the European
Community ?

3 . How many small slaughterhouses have closed in other

Member States in the last year ?

4 . Is this another example of the United Kingdom

enforcing enacting and implementing legislation more
quickly and efficiently than other Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 5 February 1 993 )

In view of the completion of the internal market, some
rules have been laid down in order to abolish veterinary
checks at frontiers between Member States .

It was then necessary to lay down stringent guarantees at
the place of origin where it is no longer possible to
distinguish between products for the domestic market and
products to be marketed in another Member State and to
adapt the current conditions required for
slaughterhouses .

Therefore, Council Directive 64 / 433 / EEC on health

conditions for the production, and marketing of fresh
meat was amended by Directive 91 / 497 / EEC O and
establishes specific rules for small slaughterhouses
handling not more than 12 livestock units per week with a
maximum of 600 livestock units per year .

Furthermore, it was taken into account that, in some
cases, some establishments would be unable by 1 January

1993 to comply with all of the new requirements .
Consequently, and in order to prevent abrupt closures of
establishments, the principle of limited and temporary
derogations from specific Community health rules for
establishments in operation before 1 January 1992 was
accepted by the Member States under certain conditions
laid down in Council Directive 91 / 498 / EEC ( 1 ).

In accordance with this principle, Member States had to
submit to the Commission before 1 July 1992 a list of the
establishments requesting a derogation . Given this
deadline, the Commission does not have at its disposal the
figures indicating the number of slaughterhouses which
could have already closed in the different Member States .

Moreover, the Honourable Member will be reassured to
know that the intense activity of the EC Veterinary
Inspectorate will enable it to achieve visits by the end of
the year to all the slaughterhouses approved for

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 35

intra-Community trade in order to ensure a fair
enforcement of the EC legislation concerning the
slaughterhouses .

In this context, it is the Commission 's intention to initiate,
in 1993, visits to slaughterhouses other than those
approved for intra-Community trade in order to avoid
any distortion of competition .

This is only one example showing the Commission 's

interest in ensuring the protection of the consumer which
is shared not only by the United Kingdom but also the
other Member States in adopting the relevant EC
legislation, which, in the present case, takes into account
the specific problems of the different categories of
slaughterhouses . It is the responsibility of the national
authorities, under the control of the Commission, to take
the necessary measures for the implementation of the
Directives concerned .

O OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2487 / 92

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

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 87 )

Subject : Funding of the Schneider Group

Has the French multinational ' Groupe Schneider ', which
recently took the decision to sack 112 of the 153
employees at the Square D. Company Italia s.p.a . of
Arenzano ( Genoa ), received any funding or aid from the

Community over the last 10 years, and if so to what end ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 February 1993 )

The only Community funding received by the Schneider
Group was a loan granted by the European Investment
Bank in 1988 .

The loan, which amounted to FF 200 million ( ECU 28,3

million ), was for modernizing and increasing the
production capacity of four plants belonging to the
Merlin-Gerin Group and manufacturing electrical
equipment . The plants are located at Ales ( Gard ),
Chalon-sur-Saone ( Saone et Loire ), Montmelian ( Savoie )
and Sarre-Union ( Bas-Rhin ).

The investments, which were all made in priority areas for

regional development, helped safeguard a total of 2 300
jobs .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2495 / 92

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

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 88 )

Subject : Consumer holiday hotline

How many Member States have a national consumer
holiday hotline similar to France 's ' numero vert '? Will the
Commission consider the feasibility of encouraging each
Member State to introduce such a system ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1993 )

At this time, the Commission does not have precise
information available on the number of Member States
which currently provide a service of this nature . The

Community 's existing telecommunications policy ( in the
development of which the Commission plays a very active
role ) does, however, strongly encourage the possibility of
such services being provided .

According to the telecommunication ' services Directive '
90 / 388 / EEC O, information services which can be
accessed over public telecommunications networks, such
as a holiday hotline or, to choose an illustrative example,
information on snow conditions, flight times etc . are
considered value-added services and can be provided by
any service provider who so wishes .

This does not necessarily imply that the providers of such

a service would want to charge for the information they
are providing, although for so-called premium-rate
service this is the case . A service provider might also wish
to provide such information at no cost to the person
seeking it — even absorbing the cost of the telephone call
needed to access the information in the case of ' numero
vert ' ( or ' freephone ').

In this case, a commercial organization offering such
information free of charge would do so presumably
because this would help promote custom for its lines of
business . A service provider could also provide such
information for non-commercial reasons, possibly as a
public service, which could be the situation referred to in
the question .

Further to the ' services Directive ' mentioned above which
provides for an open competitive market in value-added
services, the Council recently adopted, in November

1992, a resolution ( 2 ) calling for Europe-wide cooperation
on telecommunications numbering . This aims to put
in place a coherent framework for development of
numbering in Europe, in particular to ensure that
numbering arrangements are developed which best suit
the provision of pan-European services .

No C 141 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

This expressly calls for Europe-wide telephone numbers

( numbers which can be dialled in exactly the same way
from anywhere in Europe ) which will promote the rapid
development of ' numero vert ' and information services
with Europe-wide applications .

In conclusion, the Community 's telecommunications
policy is geared strongly to facilitating services such as
mentioned by the Honourable Member .

o OJ No L 192, 24 . 7 . 1990 .
O OJ No C 318, 4 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2522 / 92

by Mr Christopher Jackson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

this is done by kiln-drying or by pasteurization ) to
achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56 °C for
30 minutes . There is, however, an exception from that
heat treatment requirement for wood of Western Red
Cedar ( Thuja ) which should only be debarked and free
from grub holes .

The above mentioned proposal forms part of a
Commission Directive amending the Annexes I to IV to
Council Directive 77 / 93 / EEC . The latter is to be
implemented six months after the notification of the
decision on the revision of Annex V to the said Directive,
which presently is in the Council . In the meantime the

system requires wood to be kiln-dried to a less than 20 %
moisture content and derogations from this requirement
for sawn wood will be applicable .

( 93 / C 141 / 89 ) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2550 / 92
by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S )

Subject : EC Plant Health Directive to the Commission of the European Communities

I understand the Commission has recently withdrawn its
proposal for a solution to a problem relating to the Plant
Health Directive 77 / 93 / EEC O concerning controls over
the importation of timber in respect of the danger of
introducing harmful organisms such as the pine wood
nematode into Member States from North America . I am
told that the Member States are concerned about the idea
of delay and that the danger to timber health is extreme .

Will the Commission please state their view of the

situation and when it can be expected that action will be
taken ?

O OJ No L 26, 31 . 1 . 1977, p. 20 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1993 )

The Commission is aware that there is considerable

concern by the Member States about the idea of delaying
a decision in respect of the Pinewood nematode issue and
about the danger to timber health .

The Commission did not ask for an opinion on its

proposal relating to coniferous wood imports from the
USA and Canada at the Standing Committee on Plant
Health on 23 July 1992, as a result of a new set of
proposals presented by Canada . However, at the
following meeting of the said Committee on 30 July 1992,
the proposal was discussed again and was approved by the
Standing Committee .

The agreed proposal requires coniferous logs and lumber

originating in North America to be heat treated ( whether

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 90 )

Subject : Collection of works by pro-Europeans

In order to achieve the objectives set out in Commission
communication COM(92 ) 149 final, would it not be
useful to publish or at least help to prepare a popular
edition of works by pro-Europeans on Europe and its
common cultural heritage and values ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1993 )

The Community 's priority measures on books and

reading are set out in the Annex to the resolution of the
Council and the Ministers for Cultural Affairs of 1 8 May

1989 0 ).

In this list no provision is made for direct aid to
publishers .

The idea of a European collection is one which surfaces

from time to time with laudable insistence and in various
forms . Nevertheless, the Commission feels that the
publication of a collection of ' Works by the best
pro-Europeans common values on ' would Europe raise, its the cultural problem heritage of obtaining and
copyright from a variety of publishers, as the texts in
question would already be on the market . Moreover, a
selection of texts of this kind, supported directly or
indirectly by the Commission, would acquire an official

19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 37

seal of approval which would be incompatible with the
desire to foster diversity of opinion in the cultural field .

O OJ No C 183, 20 . 7 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2553 / 92

by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 91 )

Subject : Prawn fishing by Eurocutters

Established prawn fishing activities, particularly in the
northern Netherlands, are being threatened by
competition from ' Eurocutters '. Prawn fishing is carried
out by Eurocutters during quieter periods by way of
supplementing Community fishing quotas . Unlike a
standard prawn boat, a Eurocutter is a powerful vessel
equipped with engines of between 600 and 900 hp, while,
under Dutch and European regulations, the maximum
engine power of prawn boats operating within the 1 2 mile
zone is set at 300 hp .

In order to meet the requirements for prawn fishing in the

12-mile zone, the larger engines on Eurocutters are
temporarily adjusted to 300 hp . However, there have been
complaints from regular prawn fishers that the
Eurocutters make covert use of their greater engine
capacity, an allegation which is substantiated by their very
large catches, and that monitoring procedures relating to
engine power and fishing gear are either completely
lacking or totally inadequate .

1 . Can the Commission take steps to ensure stricter

implementation of Dutch and European regulations
on prawn fisheries, particularly on environmental
grounds and reserve the 12-mile zone exclusively for
cutters with an unadjusted maximum engine capacity
of 300 hp ?

2 . If the Commission has no objection to Eurocutters
with a temporarily adjusted maximum engine capacity
of 300 hp, would it agree to the installation of marine
tachographs on Eurocutters fishing for prawn within
the 12-mile zone ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1993 )

1 . The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's
concern at the scope for infringing the regulations on
fishing in the 12-mile zone .

Prawn-fishing is restricted to vessels with an unadjusted
maximum engine capacity of 221 kW ( 300 hp ). The only

exception to this rule concerns vessels commissioned
before 1 January 1987 which comply with the
requirements laid down in Regulation ( EEC )
No 3094 / 86 (').

The Honourable Member is asked to note that the

Member States themselves are responsible for direct
monitoring of fishery activities and action in respect of
infringements committed on their territory or in their
territorial waters . The Commission deploys all its
resources, notably in the field of Community inspection,
in ensuring that the Member States remain aware of their
obligations .

2 . It is accordingly for the Member States to ensure
that the engine capacity actually employed is in
conformity with the Community rules applicable . The
Commission is aware, nevertheless, that monitoring a
vessel 's engine capacity is not a simple matter . It is clear,
moreover, that relatively subtle means are used to adjust
the power of certain fishing vessels . For this reasons,
sophisticated monitoring methods are necessary in order
to detect infringements .

The Commission encourages the use of new technology
for control purposes . Provision is made under Council
Decision 89 / 631 / EEC ( 2 ) for a Community contribution
to the financing of expenditure incurred in this context .

O OJ No L 288, 11 . 10 . 1986 .
O OJ No L 364, 14 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2605 / 92

by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 92 )

Subject : Plans for the establishment of a Bayer plant in

Ostiglia ( Mantova )

In 1989, Bayer Italia SpA announced its plan to build both
a factory for the production of Dorlastan and an
incinerator plant at Ostiglia ( Montava ). In 1990, this plan
was replaced by a new one covering production in 12
possible areas :

—
diagnostics

— a polyurethane compound plant

— veterinary and zootechnical products

— a dietary product plant

— packaging of photografic films

— preparation and packaging of silicone products

No C 141 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 19.5.93

— a laboratory for the development of products for

leather

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2612 / 92

— a technical assistance centre for diagnostic equipment
( 27 October 1992 )

— warehouse of various kinds

— a polyurethane thermoplastic rubber plant

— and adhesives raw materials plant

— a production plant for polyurethane-based raw

materials for coating applications ;

whereas Ostiglia is affected by a thermoelectric plant ;
whereas Bayer maintains that it observes Community

directives ; whereas the relevant authorities have already
agreed on the location of the site, even though no
environmental impact assessment has been carried out ;

does the Commission not consider that such a project falls
within the categories listed in Annexe I of Directive

85 / 337 / EEC O, thus making an environmental impact
assessment essential ?

o OTNoL 175, 5.7 . 1985, p. 40 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1993 )

Under Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the
impact on the environment of certain public and private
projects the setting up of a chemical - products facility is
subject to the requirements of Article 4, paragraph 1, if, as
in integrated-chemicals facility, it counts among the
projects referred to in Annex I. On the other hand, if it is
a facility for the treatment of intermediate products and
the marking-up of chemical products as listed in Annex II,
an assessment of this type will be required if the Member
State concerned feels that the impact of the project is
significant, particularly owing to its location or size .

The Commission has hitherto been unaware of the

intended Bayer Italia facility at Ostiglia and, in view of
the information provided by the Honourable Member, it
is unable to judge whether the project in question is to be
subject to the assessment procedure under Article 4,
paragraph 1, as the Honourable Member seems to
conclude .

Nevertheless, in view of the location of the plants in
Ostiglia, where there is also a plan to build a
thermo-electric plant, the Commission has contacted the
Italian authorities in order to learn what steps have been
taken on the basis of existing national legislation and in
meeting the requirements of the abovementioned
Community Directive .

( 93 / C 141 / 93 )

Subject : Safety of children in play areas

Is the Commission aware of the concern about the deaths
of, and injuries to, children in play areas which are the
result of children falling onto hard surfaces ?

Has the Commission carried out any investigations in
cooperation with Member States into this problem ?

What plans has the Commission to protect children from
death and injury which result from hard surfaces in play
areas ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 March 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the concern about accidents

to children in play areas which in many cases are the result
of children falling onto hard surfaces .

The information available is based on the monitoring of

such accidents by Member States under the EHLASS
programme, which receives funding from the
Commission . Member States are responsible for taking
the necessary steps to ensure that play areas are safe .

The accidents in question are very often due to improper

installation of the equipment, which is mounted on hard
surfaces instead of shock - absorbant surfaces .

The Commission does not intend to introduce a
Community Directive in the near future, as Member
States can rectify this problem directly .

With regard to the equipment itself, it had been the

intention to establish a Directive to ensure free
movement, but work on this has currently been
suspended ; such equipment is therefore subject to
different national laws and will be covered by the

Directive on general product safety when it comes into
force .

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 39

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2625 / 92

by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 94 )

Subject : The 1991 association agreements with Poland,

Czechoslovakia and Hungary

1 . Is the Commission aware of the strong criticism
made by Jacques Attali, President of the EBRD, of the
association agreements between the European
Community and Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary ?
His criticism is directed at the many trade restrictions and
the protectionism by the Community towards these
countries .

2 . Does the Commission consider this criticism
unjustified, in other words, that the European
Community has given these countries every possible
opportunity to sell their products on the west European
market ? Can clearer and more detailed information be

given on this matter ?

3 . To what extent is there contact between the
Commission and the EBRD, to enable them to take
account of each other 's policies towards Eastern Europe
and, if possible, to coordinate them ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1993 )

1 . The Commission is aware of Mr Jacques Attali 's
opinion on the Europe Agreements with Poland,
Hungary and Czechoslovakia .

2 . The Commission is convinced that the trade aspects
of the Europe Agreements which entered into force on 1
March 1992 by way of ' Interim Agreements ' are very
substantial . Indeed, since 1 March 1992, over 50% of all
our imports from Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia
enter the Community without customs tariffs and without
quantitative restrictions . The tariffs and quantitative
restrictions on remaining industrial products — and these
include also steel, coal and textiles — will be abolished
over a period not exceeding five to six years . In fact, as of

1 March, quantitative restrictions have been abolished for
all industrial products except for textiles . Additional trade
concessions were negotiated for agricultural products .
The three Central European countries will also abolish
their trade barriers for Community products, but their
efforts will be spread over a longer time period — seven to
nine years . Thus, before the end of the transition period
of the Europe Agreements, free trade areas between the

Community and each of the three countries will have been
established . The Europe Agreements provide for the
parties to decide on possible speedier implementation of
these objectives and on negotiating further mutual
concessions on agricultural products .

Similar agreements were signed with Romania on 1
February 1993 and with Bulgaria on 8 March 1993 . On 1 1
May 1992, the Community signed trade and economic
cooperation agreements with Albania and with each of the
three Baltic States . They provide for more favourable
treatment for these nations and the Community granted
them unilaterally the favourable Generalized Systems of
Trade Preferences — GSP — treatment . The Community

also abolished or suspended quantitative trade restrictions
applicable to those countries .

Before the entry into force of the Interim Agreements, the
Community had unilaterally granted a favourable trade
treatment to Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia by
extending to them, as well as to Bulgaria and to Romania,
the GSP trade regime and by abolishing or suspending the
quantitative restrictions . As a result, our imports from
these countries in 1991 increased considerably, namely by
24 % . From Czechoslovakia, the increase was as high as

51% .

3 . The Commission and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) have
consultations in the framework of the regular meetings on
Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS that includes
also the EIB, the IMF, the World Bank, the Bank for
International Settlements and the OECD . These
consultations permit an exchange of views and
coordination policy . The presence of a Community
representative on the Executive Board of the EBRD
allows coordination terms of policy and operations .
Finally, the Commission and the EBRD have regular
contacts at senior management and working levels to
ensure coordination in the implementation of their
respective assistance programmes .

Moreover, through its PHARE and TACIS programmes,
the Commission contributes to the EBRD 's technical

assistance programmes .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2633 / 92

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

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 95 )

Subject : Budget Article B2-514 — Training and
information for agriculture and rural areas

An appropriation of ECU 3 million was entered under
Article B2-514 in the 1992 budget .

No C 141 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

Can the Commission detail the organizations and
individual projects for which funds were earmarked ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1993 )

In 1992, on the basis of decisions taken on 31 October,
the Commission had committed approximately 2,8 of the
ECU 3 million entered under Article B2-514 to help
finance the following information and training

programmes :

Finally, as part of a programme of educational visits,
more than 50 groups have attended lectures on the
common agricultural policy . By 3 1 October, almost ECU

100 000 had been spent on those programmes, providing
assistance to several hundred administrators or future

administrators .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2648 / 92

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

( 27 October 1992 )

a CEPFAR programme comprising seven
seminars, plus two regional seminars on
specific aspects of structural policy
and / or the reform of the CAP 312 000

seminars, briefing sessions and specialized
study groups held by the European
Council of Young Farmers ( ECYF ) 140 000

exchange programme for young farmers
administered by the ECYF for the EEC
plus a special allocation for the new
German Länder . More than a thousand
young farmers from all over the EEC have
benefited from this exchange programme,
in groups or individually

400 000

50 000

( 93 / C 141 / 96 )
( ECU )

Subject : Financial aid from the Community budget to

certain organizations

From the list of subsidies to organizations for 1991
forwarded by the Commission Secretariat, it appears that
three organizations in particular received amounts which
were much higher than average payments from the

Community budget :

— ECU 250 000 to the European Human Rights
Foundation ( London ) under Item 30-30 ;

— ECU 200 000 to the European Migrants ' Forum

( London ) under Item 30-30 ;

— ECU 100 000 to the ' International Press Club '

( Brussels ) under Item 30-90 .

Can the Commission provide clarification concerning the
reasons for these payments ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 March 1993 )

EFA training programme and briefing
sessions ( agricultural workers ) 83 200

MIJARC training programme and
briefing sessions ( Young Rural Catholics ) 73 000

AEFPR training programme and briefing
sessions ( European training association
for farming and rural life ) 80 000

programme of educational visits
administered by the COPA ( Committee
of Organizations for agricultural
producers ) 100 000

COPA database network for the
dissemination of agricultural information 160 000

interpreting costs incurred at for
information and training programmes
held by these organizations and at other
events 400 000

Approximately ECU 858 000 had been granted by
31 October 1992 to help finance training programmes
and briefing sessions held by regional, national or
European agricultural organizations . Approximately fifty
programmes have been financed in this way, involving
between 20 and 500 people each time, who are all opinion
formers . As in previous years, particular efforts have been
made in favour of the new German Länder and the
Objective 1 or 5b countries and regions .

The Honourable Member will find below a brief
description of the history and activities of each of the
organizations in question . It should be noted that the
decision to fund these organizations comes from
interinstitutional agreements or undertakings by the
Parliament itself . It is the Commission 's view that the
amounts awarded were the minimum necessary for the
satisfactory operation of the organizations during 1991 .

European Human Rights Foundation

Founded in 1980 on the initiative of the Community the
European Human Rights Foundation provides seed
money and small grants to non governmental human
rights organizations all over the world .

19 . 5 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 41

The Foundation is managed by a Board of experts of high

standing and reputation in the human rights field who
offer their services free of charge . A Commission
representative attends as observer the meetings of the
Board where decisions on grant awards are made .

The Commission regularly seeks the advice of the
Foundation on grant requests which it receives from
NGOs, and the advice is given free of charge .

The Commission, which has followed very closely the
work of this Foundation since its establishment, believes
that it has played an extremely important role in
supporting ' grass roots ' human rights activities all over
the world .

For further information the Honourable Member might
like to refer to the report of Mr Newton-Dunn to the
Parliament 's sub-committee on human rights regarding
this organization ( PE 153012 / rev .).

European Migrants ' Forum

In 1989 the European Parliament instructed the
Commission to set up a European Migrants ' Forum in
accordance with point 3 of the joint declaration of the
Parliament, Council and Commission of 11 June 1986
against racism and xenophobia .

The Forum, whose membership is made up of 108

different organizations representing the various ethnic
groups has established important contacts with a number
of ministers and racial ombudsmen in the Member States
as well as the ad hoc group on Immigration .

Support groups to ensure the representation of all migrant
organizations have already been set up in Italy, Ireland,
the United Kingdom, France, Portugal and Denmark .
Similar groups in the other Community countries are in
the process of being established .

The Commission believes that the Forum plays an

extremely important role in providing Europe 's migrant
population with a means of communicating its concerns to
the EC institutions and the government of the Member

States .

The International Press Club

The International Press Club is a non profit-making

organization established in 1973 to provide workspace
and briefing rooms for international journalists .

The organization is funded through an arrangement
between the Belgian Prime Minister 's Office, the Belgian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Parliament, the
Council and the Commission .

The IPC building is located with walking distance of the

Parliament, the Council and the Commission and so

provides easy access to those journalists reporting on
European Community affairs .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2675 / 92

by Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 97 )

Subject : Andalusia and new migration problems

Andalusia, an Objective 1 region situated on the
Community 's external borders with the Maghreb
countries, is attempting to find a satisfactory solution to
the serious problems of immigration across the Straits of
Gibraltar which have recently arisen .

Specific measures should be devised to cope with the new
scale of the immigration problem in this less-favoured
region .

In deciding on future Community initiatives, will the
Commission take account of the need to deal with this

problem ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 March 1993 )

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the

Commission 's answer to Written Question No 2230 / 92
by Mr de los Santos L6pez (').

As far as future Community initiatives are concerned, the
Commission has recently begun preparatory work on a
new Community initiative on crossborder and
interregional cooperation to follow the present Interreg
Programme . In drawing up guidelines for this initiative,
the Commission will take into account the special
problems associated with immigration which are faced by

a number of Objective 1 regions on the Community 's
external borders .

( l ) See page 25 of this Official Journal .

NoC 141 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2680 / 92 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2683 / 92

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE ) by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC )

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 October 1992 )

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 98 ) ( 93 / C 141 / 99 )

Subject : Access to justice for consumers

In view of the importance of consumer protection in the
completed internal market, will the Commission consider
proposing measures aimed at improving access to justice
for consumers ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1993 )

The question raised by the Honourable Member
highlights the problems which Community consumers
may encounter in obtaining legal redress .

The European Parliament resolution on ' Consumer

protection and public health in the internal market ',
adopted on 1 1 March 1992, and the Council resolution of

13 July 1992 on ' Future priorities for the development of
consumer protection policy ', invited the Commission
further to develop consumer protection policy in this
field .

Both the abovementioned resolutions highlight the access
to courts for consumer organizations having a legitimate
interest in the matter ( mutual recognition of locus standi ).

On 28 October, a report of the ' High level group on the
operation of the internal market ' ( chairman : Mr Peter
Sutherland ) was submitted to the Commission . This
report recommends a review of the way in which the
rights of individuals to obtain redress for breaches of EC
law are provided across the Community .

It also recommends ' an urgent examination of the .
difficulties faced by those who — despite the provisions
of the Brussels Convention of 1968 — wish to execute, in
one jurisdiction, a civil order which has been made in
another '.

The Commission is examining this report, and will draw

its conclusions in due course . An update of earlier
Communications on this subject ( COM(84 ) 692 final and
COM(87 ) 210 final ) is also planned for 1993 .

Subject : Science parks in Andalusia

In 1990 the European Community launched the science
park consultancy scheme within the framework of the
strategic programme for innovation and technology
transfer ( 1989 — 1993 ) ( SPRINT ).

The Government of the Autonomous Community of
Andalusia is amongst those planning to set up
approximately 100 science or research parks throughout
the European Community . In the case of Andalusia, these
are the Malaga science park and the Cartuja 93 science
park in Seville .

I believe that it is necessary to strengthen the
technological and innovation capacity of Andalusia, in
line with the Community 's avowed aim of devoting
special attention to such initiatives in the less-developed
regions which do not yet have adequate structures . This is
where the Community can make a real contribution

towards achieving cohesion . The SPRINT programme
and the consultancy scheme have an important role to
play, although they are still insufficiently funded .

Can the Commission give details of the aid which
Andalusia has received for implementing the . SPRINT
programme ?

Have the promoters of the Malaga and Cartuja 93 science
parks applied for the aid provides for in the science park
consultancy scheme ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 March 1993 )

The science park consultancy scheme is a scheme under

the Strategic Programme for Innovation and Technology
Transfer ( Sprint ) and was launched in 1990 to improve,

through feasibility studies, the market-orientated
definition, planning and chances for success of science
parks information ( or similar on other projects countries ) by ' experience facilitating and access to advice to
from renowned independent experts from the
Community .

Following the call for proposals O published under the
consultancy scheme, the Commission adopted 37
proposals ( out of the total of 52 applications received
from promoters of science parks in 10 Community

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 43

countries ), including three applications from Andalusian Confederation, Seville, European Business and
promoters . These concern the following projects : Innovation Centre ( EUROCEI ), Seville .

— ' Business and Research Park of the Ciudad de Jérez de O OJ No C 198, 27 . 7 . 1991 .

la Frontera ' ( presented by Gerencia Municipal de
Urbanismo del Ayuntamiento, Jérez de la Frontera )

— ' Technical Innovation Centre of the Malaga Science

Park ' ( presented by the Malaga Science Park )

— ' Pilot cooperation project between the promoters of

the Bari, Montpellier, Malaga and Seville Science
Parks ( presented by the Instituto de Fomento de
Andalucia, Seville ).

Support was given for the Malaga and Jerez projects on
the condition that there is close cooperation with the two
other science park projects in Andalusia .

The Jerez promoters have just turned down the grant

( financial support of up to ECU 400 000 was planned ).

Negotiations with the promoters in Malaga have just been
concluded and a contract should be signed shortly . A
grant of ECU 39 750 is to be made .

Negotiations with the promoters in Seville were
concluded in October 1992 and a contract should be
signed in the near future . The grant of ECU 40 000 is
intended to support a feasibility study ( Cartuja 93 ) on the
conversion of the Expo 92 site into a science park .

It should be recalled that the latter grant is part of the
pilot cooperation project between the Bari, Montpellier
and Andalusia science parks ( AMBAR ). This pilot project
was launched under the ERDF ( No 91.99.29.001 ) and is

intended to provide support to Andalusia based on
cooperation between technopoles, dissemination of
innovation and projects of common interest between the
two . Apart from the provision of a grant under the
consultancy scheme, Sprint is involved in this pilot
project, which is being managed by DG XVI under an
agreement signed on 14 November 1991, as support is
being given for cooperation networks between the
promoters of science parks and the Business and
Innovation Centres ( BIC ) located on these sites . The
Sprint grant will amount to ECU 110 000 . The contracts
for the grants are currently being negotiated and should
be signed shortly .

The AMBAR project has a total budget of ECU 810 000

( ECU 150 000 under Sprint, ECU 560 000 under the
ERDF, ECU 100 000 from self-financing of the
technopoles ). The Andalusian partners to the agreement

are : Andalusian Development Institute ( IFA ), Seville,
Andalusian Science Park, Malaga, Andalusian Business

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2697 / 92
by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer, Mr Paul Lannoye, Mr Virginio

Bettini and Mrs Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 100 )

Subject : The TACIS programme

1 . Even in the EC Member States where, according to
the Commission, high safety standards prevail, it has
proved impossible fully to control the use of fissile
material ( for instance the Trans - Nuclear scandal ).

How does the Commission intend to avert the very
serious danger of the CIS Republics, which are currently
undergoing a period of great social instability with no
predictable outcome, transferring these materials without

any controls to states such as Iraq ?

2 . ( a ) Does the Commission agree that a sharp fall in

production in the CIS will lead to a reduction in
electricity requirements .

( b ) Does the Commission have any studies available

on the development of electricity requirements in
the CIS ?

( c ) Does the Commission not agree that without such

a forecast of future requirements as a guideline
the CIS will acquire an expensive surplus capacity ?

3 . ( a ) What firms and institutions are currently involved

in studies and projects forming part of the TACIS
subprogramme on nuclear safety in the following
areas : safety of WER 440 / 230 ; safety of RBMS ;
safety : all reactors ; safety : centre for training and
management ; increase in safety checks ?

( b ) In which countries are these firms and institutions

based ?

( c ) Is it true that some of the firms commissioned to

draw up studies on refitting CIS reactors have also
been commissioned to undertake the refitting
themselves ?

NoC 141 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan these investment projects are at present not covered by the

on behalf of the Commission TACIS programme nuclear safety .

( 12 March 1993 )

1 . As to transfers of missile materials to Iraq, the
Community and its Member States naturally act to ensure
the full respect of the embargos decided upon by the
United Nations Security Council . Russia is a party to the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

( NPT ), as a nuclear weapon State . The Commission
believes it particularly important that the other
Independent States of the former Soviet Union, which
have not yet done so, should adhere to the NPT, as
non-nuclear weapon States, as soon as possible .
Diplomatic pressure to secure this objective continues to
be maintained . Adherence to the NPT involves adoption
of undertakings relating to export on nuclear material and
equipment .

The Member States of the European Community have

adopted a policy on full-scope safeguards as a condition
of future nuclear supplies, which means that the transfer
of nuclear facilities, equipment, components, material and
technology, as referred to in the export trigger list
of the Guidelines for Nuclear Transfers, ( see
INFCIRC / 254 / Rev . 1 / Part 1 ), should not be authorized
to a non-nuclear weapon State unless that State has
brought into force an agreement with the IAEA requiring
the application of safeguards on all source and special
fissionable material in its current and future peaceful
nuclear activities . In 1992, the Community Member
States, together with the other 17 countries adhering to
these Guidelines, appealed to all States which export these
nuclear Items to adopt the same policy .

2 . It is true that, in the CIS countries, several factors
have combined to produce a reduction in electricity
demand, particularly in the industrial sector . The prime
objective of the TACIS programme is to assist in the
transition to a market economy, including the safe and
efficient management of power plant . Decisions on the
required amount of electricity production plant are
matters for the CIS countries themselves .

3 . The TACIS nuclear safety programme is executed
by firms and institutions from the European Community
even though firms from the CIS and Georgia are eligible
to participate .

A number of European Community private and public

sector organizations have been awarded the bids for
projects which have been launched since the beginning of
this year . These projects mostly consist of the execution
of diagnostic studies . These activities constitute the
preparatory work for the necessary investments to
improve the safety of the targeted nuclear power plants .
The procurement of the goods and services required for

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2756 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 101 )

Subject : Danger from walnut kernels imported from

Bulgaria

Five-and-a-half tonnes of shelled walnuts ( kernels )
arrived on the Greek market from Bulgaria in the first 10
days of September . Chemical tests on samples carried out
by the consumer safety and health officials from the
Ministry of Agriculture, were found to contain 18 times
the permissible aflatoxin level . Despite this, according to
the Greek Parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture
allowed the product to be imported and it is now reaching
consumers . Given that aflatoxins are carcinogenic, will
the Commission call on the Greek authorities to impound
the consignment of walnuts imported from Bulgaria
immediately and to launch a judicial inquiry to determine
who is responsible for importing them ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1 993 )

The Commission was not aware of the facts reported by

the Honourable Member .

At present, there is no Community legislation on the
presence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs . The Commission
has no powers to ask the Greek authorities to start a
judicial inquiry to establish possible responsibilities in the

matter .

Consequently, only the Member States can decide what
level of consumer protection is needed to cope with risks
connected with the possible presence of aflatoxin in nuts
and it is their responsibility to institute suitable
monitoring measures .

However, in line with undertakings made at the time of
the adoption of a common position on a draft Council
Regulation laying down Community procedures for
contaminants in food O, the Commission intends to

19.5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 45

consider in detail, before 31 December 1993, the issue of
toxic substances naturally present in certain foodstuffs
which can pose problems in the field of human health and
to submit to the Council any proposal which may prove

necessary .

( l ) COM(91 ) 523 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2758 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

made by the Council in Regulation ( EEC ) No
2052 / 92 O, the gap recorded for 1991 / 92 between
estimated and actual production has not been taken into

account .

The Commission hopes that the investigations into the

question of illegal claiming of subidies by cotton ginners
in the 1991 / 92 marketing year will be completed in the
very near future .

O OJ No L 215, 30.7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2777 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 102 ) ( 16 November 1992 )

Subject : Co-responsibility levies on Greek cotton
production

This year 's cotton ginning season began a few days ago

and Greek cotton producers are paying for the illegal
profits made last year by certain cotton ginners who
inflated their production figures . On the basis of Greek
production this year and the excess figures for last year,
the Community is to impose a co-responsibility levy of
approximately Dr 45 billion to be paid by all Greek cotton
producers . Does the Commission consider it fair for
farmers to pay co-responsibility levies when it is an open
secret that last year Greek cotton production did not in
fact exceed the Community ceiling ? Can the Commission
give any indication of when its investigations into the
illegal claiming of subsidies by cotton ginners will be
completed and those responsible identified ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(1 1 February 1 993 )

The estimated volume of production of unginned cotton

for the 1991 / 92 marketing year, which determines the aid
reduction under the stabilizer arrangements, was worked
out from official figures sent by the Member States for
area sown and estimated yield given the state of the crop .
Since the volume arrived at was higher than the maximum
guaranteed quantity a reduction in the aid proportionate
to the overshoot has been applied . Contrary to the
Honourable Member 's fear, the quantity produced in
excess of estimated production has not further increased
the 1992 / 93 reduction since, as a result of the changes

( 93 / C 141 / 103 )

Subject : Traditional construction of wooden vessels in

Greece

At Hierissos near Mount Athos the art of constructing
wooden vessels — an art in which Greece was
pre-eminent in the last century — is still alive . The skills
involved have been honed over the ages as they have been
passed from father to son . However, this traditional art is
now facing a desperate crisis : of the 400 shipyards
constructing wooden vessels that existed throughout
Greece, only a few score are left . The only way to reserve
this trend is by funding . Does the Commission intend to
provide financial support for the traditional Greek art of
constructing wooden vessels and, in particular, to support
the craftsmen of Hierissos ? Is there any scope for funding
vocational training programmes to teach young people
the skills involved as part of the European Social Fund ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1 993 )

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission is anxious
to preserve traditional industries and recognizes the
cultural importance of passing on these ancient
shipbuilding skills .

However, the Commission is unable to provide funds to
support shipbuilding as such . Moreover, it has beefn
directed by the Council ( Vllth Council Directive of
21 December 1990 on aid to shipbuilding O ), with a view
to the medium and long-term rationalization of the
industry, to authorize Member States to grant decreasing
amounts of aid for the construction eft - metal-hulled
vessels, a maximum ceiling for such aid being fixed each

year .

No C 141 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

Funding for vocational training programmes for young
people is available from the ESF .

The builders referred to in the Honourable Member 's

question should contact the authorities of Central
Macedonia if theirs is a state-owned business or a
non-profit-making organization, or the OAED ( Greek
equivalent of Britain 's Manpower Service Commission ) if
the initiative is a private one .

o OJ No L 380, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2797 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 141 / 104 )

Subject : Community aid for NGOs in Chile

Item B7-5073 of the 1992 budget contains an entry of
ECU 4,5 million earmarked for the activities of NGOs in
Chile and economic cooperation in the light of political
developments in that country .

Can the Commission list the NGOs and projects receiving
such funding ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1993 )

In the period 1986 — 91 the Commission funded
158 projects at a total cost of ECU 22 million ( or 100 % of
the funds allocated ).

Chilean and European NGOs presented 81 projects
costing a total of ECU 9,8 million for funding in 1992 .

The commitment and payment appropriations for 1992
under budget item 7-5073, however, amount to ECU
4,5 million . The sum of ECU 2 million is in the process of
being committed for financing the second instalment of
the ' Fundacion Empresarial Europa / Chile ' project .

From the remaining ECU 2,5 million, it was decided that
ECU 2 499 286 would be allocated to 32 of the projects
presented by the NGOs . These projects fall into the
following categories :

( ECU )

Number

of projects

EC contribution

Human rights 2 100 000

Promotion of the role of women 1 33 333

Trade unions 2 135 913

Ethnic minorities 1 47 969

Improvement of living conditions 1 139 000

Health 4 355 188

Civic education / Participation 2 242 245

Regional and local
development / Decentralization
Education / Training 8 558 723

Basic economic activities 10 748 662

Other 1 138 253

Total 32 2 499 286

Economic cooperation ( Fundación
Empresarial CE / Chile ) 2 000 000

The Commission also granted, on 7 July 1991,
ECU 130 000 in emergency humanitarian aid for the
people of Antofagasta after flooding in southern Chile .
This aid was allocated to the OCAC ( Oficina
Coordinadora de Asistencia Campesina de Chile ).

19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 141 / 47

WRITTEN QUESTIONS TO WHICH NO ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN ( v )

( 93 / C 141 / 105 )

This list is published pursuant to Rule 62 ( J ) of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament,
which states : ' Questions to which no answer has been given within one month by the Commission, or
within two months by the Council of the Foreign Ministers, shall be recorded, pending an answer, m

the Official Journal of the European Communities .'

No 52 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the Council

( 8 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : Milk quotas

No 53 / 93 by Bouke Beumer ( PPE ), Christa Randzio-Plath ( S ),
Fernand Herman ( PPE ), Klaus Riskaer Pedersen ( LDR ) and
Alman Metten ( S ) to the Council ( 8 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : First stageof EMU : a readjustment of ERM parities or a
need for its re-making ?

No 54 / 93 by Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Fernand Herman
( PPE ) to the Council ( 8.2 . 1 993 )

Subject : Restoring the credibility of the EMS

No 55 / 93 by Klaus Riskaer Pedersen and Patrick Cox ( LDR ) to
the Council ( 8 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : Recent realignments in ERM

No 62 / 93 by Roberto Barzanti, Rinaldo Bontempi and Luigi
Colaianni ( GUE ) to the Council ( 9 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : Movement of cultural goods

No 417 / 93 by Detlev Samland, Johannes Peters ( S ), Günter
Rinsche ( PPE ), Hiltrud Breyer ( V ), Dieter Schinzel ( S ), Doris
Pack ( PPE ), Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Wilhelm Piecyk, Christa
Randzio-Plath, Heinz Köhler, Günter Lüttge, Willi Görlach, Kurt
Vittinghoff, Dieter Rogalla, Klaus Hänsch, Barbara Simons, Gepa

Maibaum, Lissy Gröner, Günter Topmann, Helwin Peter, Klaus
Wettig, Thomas von der Vring, Annemarie Kuhn, Karin Junker

( S ) to the Commission ( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Question on the implementation of the report on
European policy on coal ( A3-0333 / 91 )

No 418 / 93 by Luigi Colajanni ( S ), Maria Aglietta ( V ) and Dagmar
Roth-Behrendt ( S ) to the Commission ( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Termination of infringement proceedings against the
United Kingdom

No 419 / 93 by Rinaldo Bontempi, Anna Catasta and Roberto
Speciale ( S ) to the Commission ( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Authorization of Italian state aid for the Fiat plant at
Melfi

No 420 / 93 by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
No 64 / 93 by Mr Arie Oostlander ( PPE ) to the Council

( 9 . 2 . 1993 ) Ile-Moncenisio-Piossasco Subject : Projected power ) line in the Susa Valley ( Grand

Subject : Information policy

No 70 / 93 by Mr Jose Torres Couto ( S ) to the Council ( 9 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : The internal market and social Europe

No 71 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Torres Couto ( S ) to European Political
Cooperation ( 9 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : The peace process in Angola

No 95 / 93 by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR ) to the Council

( 10 . 2 . 1993 )
Subject : Refusal by the Swiss Confederation to accede to the
Treaty on the European Economic Area

No 113 / 93 by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE ) to the Council ( 10 . 2 . 1993 )

Subject : Social Action Programme

No 120 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Council

No 421 / 93 by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Charter for the Elderly

No 422 / 93 by Mr Karel De Gucht ( LDR ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Payment of subsidies in Wallonia

No 423 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Incomplete privatization of the Italian salt industry

No 424 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with Community transport
directives

( 10 . 2 . 1993 )
Subject : Switzerland and the European Community No 425 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

No 142 / 93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC ) to the Council Subject : Non-compliance with Spain by the Directive on animal

( 15 . 2 . 1993 ) health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and
Subject : Scottish and Welsh seats in the European Parliament imports from Third countries of fresh poultrymeat

(») The answers will be published as soon as they are received from the institution concerned . The full text of these questions appeared in the Bulletin of the

European Parliament No 4 / C-93 to No 8 / C-93 .

No C 141 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

No 426 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission No 439 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 8 . 3 . 1993 ) ( 8 . 3 . 1.993
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with directives concerning Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with the directive on the
customs and indirect taxation coordination of procedures on the award of public supply

contracts

No 427 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 No 440 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Non-compliance with Spain by the Directive on animal
health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and Subject :
imports from Third countries of poultry and hatching eggs ning

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with the directive concer ­
ning coordination of procedures for the award of public works

contracts

No 428 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

No 441 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 8 . 3 . 1993 ) ( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with the directive on Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with the Directive on air
nutritional labelling for foodstuffs limit values and values for dioxide and

No 429 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

8 . 3 . 1993

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with directives on telecom ­
munications, the information industries and new technology

No 430 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with the Directive on air
quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and
suspended particulates

No 442 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 ) 
Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with the EEC Treaty and
Directives on the right of establishment of dentists in Spain and
Latin American nationals

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
No 443 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

insurance Subject : Non-compliance against civil liability by Spain in respect with the of directive the use relating of motor to ( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
vehicles Subject :

No 431 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Non-compliance by Spain with the EEC Treaty and the
regulation on discrimination on grounds of nationality ; employ ­
ment of teaching staff at the University of Barcelona

( 8 . 3 . 1993
No 444 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on agricul ­ 8 . 3 . 1993

ture

No 432 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : . Non-compliance by Spain with the EEC Treaty, with
regard to difficulties for imports of frozen fresh meat into Spain

8 . 3 . 1993 No 445 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on agricul ­ 8 . 3 . 1993

ture

No 433 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Non-compliance by Germany with the EEC Treaty and
the Directive on sterile clinical instruments : labelling and
preparation of products

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on the No 446 / 93 by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE ) to the Commission
internal market and industrial matters ( 8 . 3 . 1993

No 434 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993
Subject : Draft proposal on psychiatric and paediatnc nurse
training

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
No 447 / 93 by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on the 11 . 3 . 1993
internal market and industrial matters

Subject : Architectural heritage grants

No 435 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

No 448 / 93 by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 8 . 3 . 1993 ) ( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on the Subject : The Wild Birds Directive
environment, nuclear safety and civil protection

Subject : The Wild Birds Directive

No 436 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

8.3 . 1993

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on energy

No 437 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with directives on financial
institutions and company law

No 438 / 93 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 8 . 3 . 1993 )

No 449 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the
Commission ( 11.3 . 1993 )

Subject : School milk scheme

No 450 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the
Commission ( 11.3 . 1993 )

Subject : Discrimination in Danish law

No 452 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Projected enlargement of Barajas Airport

Subject : Failure by Spain to comply with the directive on No 453 / 93 by Mr Marc Galle ( S ) to the Commission ( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
television broadcasting Subject : Video games and deaths of children

No C 141 / 49
19 . 5.93 Official Journal of the European Communities

No 454 / 93 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro ( CG ) to the Commission No 471 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) ( 11.3 . 1993 )
Subject : Resignation of the Portuguese National Coordinator of Subject : The future of the Euronews news channel
the NOW initiative

Subject : The future of the Euronews news channel

No 455 / 93 by Mrs Jessica Larive ( LDR ) to the Commission

No 472 / 92 by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S ) to the Commission

( 11.3.1993 )
( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) Subject :
Subject : Further disappearance of native language from labels ?

Subject : Working time directive

No 456 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S ) to the Commission

No 473 / 93 by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Structural Funds — Community initiatives

No 457 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S ) to the Commission

( 11.3.1993 )
Subject : Structural Funds and Community initiatives and
programme partnership

Subject : Living and working conditions of hospital doctors

No 474 / 93 by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 11 . 3.1993 )
Subject : National expenditure on tourism

No 458 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S ) to the Commission No 476 / 93 by Mrs Jessica Larive ( LDR ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11.3 . 1993 )
Subject : Edinburgh Council and Objectives 3 and 4 of the Subject :
Structural Funds

Subject : Uranium imports

No 460 / 93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) to the Commission

No 477 / 93 by Mr Stephen Hughes ( S ) to the Commission

( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) Subject :
Subject : Biodiversity and forestry

Subject : Phare programme

No 478 / 93 by Mr Michel Herve ( S ) to the Commission
No 461 / 93 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
directive Subject : Commission on the conservation staff responsible of natural habitats for implementing and the directive the drawing Subject : up Taking the Community account of framework human and research social programme sciences in
on establishing a ' LIFE ' financial instrument

No 462 / 93 by Mr Christopher Jackson ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Taking account of human and social sciences in
drawing up the Community framework research programme

No 479 / 93 by Mr Bryan Cassidy ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) Subject : European Commission grades by nationality

Subject : Chemicals used by European growers
No 481 / 93 by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S ) to the Commission

No 463 / 93 by Mr Nereo Laroni ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
( 11.3.1993 )
Subject : Refusal of authorization for Italy to take protective Subject :
measures with regard to the banana market

Subject : European Community information policy

No 482 / 93 by Mr Michel Debatisse ( PPE ) to the Commission
No 464 / 93 by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC ) to the ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Commission ( 11.3 . 1993 ) : Council Directive down health rules for the

Subject : Fisheries structures in Spain

No 466 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Elimination of the swine fever ' red zone ' in Andalusia
and Extremadura ( Spain )

No 467 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Council Directive laying down health rules for the
production and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated
milk and milk-based products

No 483 / 93 by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo ( S ) to the Commission

( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Cooperation between European universities and uni ­
versities in Mediterranean countries

( 11 . 3 . 1993 )

Absence of and Greek No 485 / 93 by Mr Jos6 Torres Couto ( S ) to the Commission

Subject : Absence of Spanish, Portuguese and Greek at Eurostat
( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
meetings

Subject : Commission position on social rights
No 468 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 11.3.1993 ) No 488 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S ) to the Commission
Subject : Assistance from various Community funds for the ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Rhone-Alpes area Subject : Incineration of chemical waste near the Waddenzee

( 11.3.1993 ) No 488 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S ) to the Commission
Subject : Assistance from various Community funds for the ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Rhone-Alpes area Subject : Incineration of chemical waste near the Waddenzee

No 469 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) No 489 / 93 by Mr Karl von Wogau ( PPE ) to the Commission

No 469 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Possible locations for the headquarters of European ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Community and third-country organizations Subject : Road tax for vehicles in Greece

No 470 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE ) to the Commission

No 490 / 93 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( NI ) to the Commission

( 11 . 3 . 1993 ) ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Measures to prevent the spread of Mafia activities in Subject : Agricultural cooperatives
Europe

No C 141 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 5.93

No 491 / 93 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( NI ) to the Commission

( 12 . 3 . 1993

Subject : Infringement of the Directive on the conservation of
wild birds

No 492 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Costs of implementing EC safety regulations for the
building industry

No 493 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Freedom of access to information on the environment

No 494 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12.3 . 1993 )

Subject : Storage of spent nuclear fuel

No 495 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Protection of the marine environment

No 496 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Transportation of plutonium by air

No 498 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Financial aid to Community overseas territories

No 501 / 93 by Mr Floras Wiisenbeek ( LDR ) to the Commission
( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Combined transport

No 502 / 93 by Floras Wijsenbeek and Gijs de Vries ( LDR ) to the
Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1 993 )

Subject : Bankruptcies and suspension of payments in cross ­
border undertakings

No 503 / 93 by Mr Reinhold Booklet ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 12 . 3 . 1993 )
Subject : Fairer treatment under the Council Directive on
mountain and hill farming and farming in certain less-favoured

areas

No 504 / 93 by Mr Ben Visser ( S ) to the Commission ( 12 . 3 . 1993 )

Subject : Noise levels near airports