Source: EURLEX
Language: en
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^ . ^ / * / * • - _\_ -w~ "I ISSN 0378-6986
# Orncial Journal C246

Volume 33
## of the European Communities . o«obe r 1990

### English edition Information and Notices

Notice N o Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

90/C 246/01 No 1652/86 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject: Funding for cross frontier checks on food (Supplementary answer) 1

90/C 246/02 No 840/89 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject: Air transport of animals 1

90/C 246/03 No 895/89 by Mr Carlos Carvalhas to the Commission
Subject: Report on the transport sector 2

90/C 246/04 No 922/89 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Timing of an ERDF subsidy used to make political capital 2

90/C 246/05 No 1029/89 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject: Failure to appoint a Director-General for DG XXIII 3

90/C 246/06 No 1040/89 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission

Subject: DG XXIII 3

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1029/89 and No 1040/89 3

90/C 246/07 No 1030/89 by Mr Antonio Marques Mendes to the Commission

Subject: Portuguese translation services 3

90/C 246/08 No 1085/89 by Mr George Patterson to the Commission
Subject: Wearing of crash helmets on mopeds 4

90/C 246/09 No 1272/89 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek and Mr Klaus Riskjaer Pedersen to the
Commission

Subject: Refund of tax on motor vehicles upon export 5

1 (Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C246/10

90/C246/11

90/C246/12

90/C246/13

90/C246/14

90/C246/15

90/C246/16

90/C246/17

90/C246/18

90/C246/19

90/C246/20

90/C246/21

90/C 246/22

90/C 246/23

90/C 246/24

90/C 246/25

No 1289/89 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject: Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community and the
Governments of Denmark and Greenland 6

No 23/90 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject: Drift net fishing 7

No 85/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Dispersal of DG IX following the transfer of the translation services to the JECL
premises 8

No 102/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation
Subject: Disappearance of a trade unionist in Colombia 8

No 103/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation
Subject: Disappearances in Peru 9

No 107/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation
Subject: The safety of Juan Ajanel Pixcar in Guatemala 9

No 171 /90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject: Poverty 9

No 212/90 by Mr Friedrich Merz to the Commission
Subject: Funding of the Kagiso Trust in South Africa 10

No 220/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raff arin to the Commission
Subject: Community environment policy 10

No 261/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raff arin to the Commission
Subject: ENSMA and the STRIDE programme 11

No 283/90 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject: Programme for the scrapping of vessels 11

No 308/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Consultation of the regions qualifying for Community financing 12

No 363/90 by Mr Alain Lamassoure to the Commission
Subject: Market organization for pigmeat 12

No 365/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Consequences of the low rainfall in the Atlantic regions of western France 13

No 435/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Changes in Eastern Europe — regional policy implications 13

No 444/90 by Mr Juan Bandres Molet to the Commission
Subject: Export refunds for Spanish citrus fruits 14

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 246/26

90/C 246/27

90/C 246/28

90/C 246/29

90/C 246/30

90/C246/31

90/C 246/32

90/C 246/33

90/C 246/34

90/C 246/35

90/C 246/36

90/C 246/37

90/C 246/38

90/C 246/39

90/C 246/40

90/C 246/41

90/C 246/42

No 476/90 by Mr Francesco Speroni to the Commission
Subject: Mobile telephones and road safety 14

No 526/90 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission
Subject: Uniform 'minimum wage' provisions at Community level 15

No 544/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Electric road vehicles 15

No 546/90 by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra to the Commission
Subject: EC aid to the Euskadi inshore fishing fleet for suspending fishing operations 16

No 552/90 by Mr Patrick Cox to the Commission
Subject: Extension of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in the Republic of Ireland 16

No 553/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: IDOs and Articles 15 and 19 (finance) 16

No 558/90 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Set-aside schemes - • • 17

No 565/90 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject: Recruitment procedure by the European Commission for social workers 18

No 585 /90 by Mr Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject: Implementation of the reform of the Structural Funds, 18

No 588 /90 by Mr Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject: Food aid to Romania . . . . r 19

No 592/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject: St Helena 1°

No 602/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Cooperation with Mediterranean third countries 19

No 605/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Taxation of road transport 20

No 639/90 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States
of the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation
Subject: Justice — equal treatment for the Republic of Cyprus 20

No 652/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Technical assistance funded by the ERDF 21

No 685/90 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject: Smuggling into Ireland of bacon/pork of eastern European origin presented as being
from a Member State - 21

No 742/90 by Mr Eugenio Melandri to the Commission
Subject: State of war in Sudan 21

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No

90/C 246/43

90/C 246/44

90/C 246/45

90/C 246/46

90/C 246/47

90/C 246/48

90/C 246/49

90/C 246/50

90/C246/51

90/C 246/52

Contents (continued) Page

No 768/90 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission

Subject: Community employment initiatives in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region 22

No 779/90 by Mr Francesco Speroni to the Commission
Subject: Motor vehicle licence plates 22

No 819/90 by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage and Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto to the
Commission

Subject: Progress and the real needs of East Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria
and Romania 23

No 850/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation
Subject: No lessening of interest by the European Community in Latin America 23

No 855/90 by Mr Joaquin Sis6 Cruellas to the Commission
Subject: Encouraging the use of public transport in urban areas 24

No 904/90 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject: Japanese restrictions on trade in leather 24

No 950/90 by Mr Heinz Kohler to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European .Community meeting in European Political Cooperation
Subject: Restructuring in arms supplies and garrisons 24

No 1134/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States
of the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation
Subject: Growth of anti-semitism in the USSR 25

No 1644/90 by Mr Joachim Dalsass to the Commission
Subject: Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of 30 May 1989, Article 7 (3) — infringement of
Community rules on freedom of movement 25

No 1855/90 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject: Ban on political activity 26

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/1

###### I

_(Information)_

#### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1652/86

by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED-GB)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 October 1986)_

(90/C 246/01)

_Subject:_ Funding for cross frontier checks on food

Can the Commission state whether the cost of frontier

checks of a veterinary and public health nature on food
and animals within the European Community is normally
borne by national authorities? In which countries is the
cost borne in part by local authorities?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

Further to its answer of 1 July 1987 ( [x] ) the Commission
can now give the following information.

In the case of food products for which public health and
veterinary requirements are harmonized at Community
level there is no provision for systematic frontier checks
and hence no fees to finance such checks may be charged.
The purpose of harmonization is to move control away
from the receiving to the consigning Member State and so
replace systematic protective measures at the frontier by a
uniform system of checks on food products and animals
for slaughter that are to be sent to another Member State.

Article 1 (1) of Directive 85/73/EEC of 29 January 1985
on the financing of health inspections and controls of
fresh meat and poultrymeat ( [2] ) requires Member States to
ensure that from 1 January 1986 fees for the costs
occasioned by health inspections and checks are collected
when the animals covered by the Directive are slaughtered

and that any direct or indirect refund of fees is prohibited.
It should be pointed out in this connection that the
Council Decision of 15 June 1988 ( [3] ) on the levels of the
fees to be charged for health inspections and controls of
fresh meat pursuant to Directive 85/73/EEC is to be
applied by the Member States by 31 December 1990 at the
latest.

In view of the significance of fee-charging arrangements
for the conditions of competition between the products
concerned the Commission will in 1990 thoroughly
survey the Member States' application of the harmonized
financing system outlined above, which is due to enter
fully into force on 1 January 1991.

O OJNoC270,8.10.1987.
O OJNoL32,5.2.1985, p. 14.
O OJNoL194,22.7.1988, p. 24.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 840/89

by Mr Ben Visser (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 246/02)

_Subject:_ Air transport of animals

According to an article appearing in [ c] Het Parool' of 17
October 1989, the National Animal Protection
Inspectorate carried out daily checks in Schiphol on the
transport of animals between August and November
1988. These checks show that animals with a high
commercial value, being transported by air, such as horses
and cattle, were properly cared for but that less valuable
creatures, such as birds and fish, were treated as

No C 246/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10.90

disposable articles. Many dead birds and fish were
discovered in the course of the inspections.

1. Have such disgraceful practices connected with the air
transport of animals been discovered in Member
States other than the Netherlands ?

2. Does the Commission consider that it is necessary to
take measures to improve the (air) transport of
animals?

3. If so, when does the Commission intend to make
relevant proposals?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

1. In 1987 the Commission financed a field study
throughout the Community on the application of Council
Directive 77/489/EEC on the protection of animals
during international transport (*) and Council Directive
81/389/EEC established measures necessary for the
implementation of Directive 77/489/EEC ( [2] ). That study
found that the facilities for, and care of, animals at
Schiphol airport were of, a good standard. The
Commission services have studied the report of the Dutch
National Animal Protection Inspectorate, referred to by
the Honourable Member, and find nothing in it to
contradict the findings of the 1987 study.

2 and 3. The Commission does indeed consider it

necessary to take measures to ensure the protection of
animals during transport, including air transport. To this
end, a proposal, COM(89) 322 final, of 29 June 1989 ( [3] ),
has been made to the Council for a Regulation on the
matter, which will replace the two existing Council
Directives covering the protection of animals during
international transport.

O OJ No L 200, 8. 8.1977, p. 10.
O OJNoL 150,6.6.1981, p. 1.
O OJ No C 214, 21. 8.1989, p. 36.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 895/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 246/03)

_Subject:_ Report on the transport sector

The Commission recently informed the Council of its
intention to set up a working party to consider the

European transport sector up to the year 2000 and to
draw up a report similar to the Cecchini report.

Will the transport unions and-workers have any real say in
the drawing up of the report and will the main purpose of
the latter be to give substance to the principle of economic
and social cohesion, including the peripheral countries
such as Portugal, or the 'liberalization' of all transport
agreements?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

The Commission has indeed set up a high-level working
party on the prospects for the European transport
between now and the year 2000.

The working party's remit is to take the medium and
long-term view and look at the Community's internal and
external transport problems from all angles.

This is part of an exercise which takes a wide view
allowing for such factors as the needs of the single market
and technological developments and taking into account
parameters such as conservation of the environment, the
situation in the Community's outlying countries and the
expansion of existing networks in Central and Eastern
Europe.

This working party, whose members are independent of
the Commission, will use the most recent studies and
experiences to help it tackle each problem area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 922/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 246/04)

_Subject:_ Timing of an ERDF subsidy used to make
political capital

On 26 October 1989 the Commission approved, as part of
the national programme of Community interest, an
ERDF subsidy of 76 281 000 ECU (approximately Pta
10 000 million to assist the development of 79 districts in
the southern and eastern areas of the province of Ciudad
Real (Spain). This programme will benefit 76% of the
province by area and 58 % of the population.

However, the previous day, 25 October, news of this had
already been reported by the 'Lanza' newspaper of
Ciudad Real. On 27 October it was the subject of a

1. 10.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/3

jubilant press conference given by the socialist regional
and provincial authorities.

Since general elections to the national parliament were
held in Spain on 29 October and given the undoubtable
influence of such publicity on the mood of the electorate,
can the Commission give exact details concerning the
timing of the various stages of the proceedings and
explain why news of the measure was published prior to
signature and why the proceedings were timed to coincide
with the final and decisive days of the election campaign?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 February 1990)_

In December 1988 the Spanish authorities submitted to
the Commission a draft National Programme- of
Community Interest (NPCI) for the southern and western
areas of the province of Ciudad Real. Following entry
into force of the reform of the structural Funds, the draft
required revision and a new version was submitted to the
Commission in July 1989. The Commission checked that
the operational programme was in conformity with the
Community support framework guidelines for
Objective 1 regions and approved it on 26 October 1989,
together with a number of programmes in other Member
States.

The Commission published a press release concerning the
various programmes on 26 October, the day of their
adoption.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1029/89

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 246/05)

_Subject:_ Failure to appoint a Director-General for DG
XXIII

In January 1989 the Commission set up a new
Directorate-General responsible for enterprise policy,
distributive trades, tourism and the social economy.
Despite the considerable importance of the sectors of the
economy covered by this Directorate-General (DG
XXIII), a Director-General has yet to be appointed
thereby reducing the effectiveness of its work on the
integration of the Community market, the European Year
of Tourism, etc.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to resolve
this serious problem forthwith?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1040/89

by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 246/06)

_Subject:_ DG XXIII

Eleven months after its creation, DG XXIII (Enterprise
Policy, Distributive Trade, Tourism and 'Economie
Sociale') is still without a Director-General.

Does the Commission *iot consider that this matter

should be attended to as soon as possible?

Joint answer to Written Questions No 1029/89

and No 1040/89

given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

At its meeting on 14 February 1990, the Commission
appointed Mr Heinrich von Moltke Director-General of
DG XXIII.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1030/89

by Mr Antonio Marques Mendes (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 246/07)

_Subject:_ Portuguese translation services

It is now nearly four years since Portugal joined the
European Community and there is still a failure to comply
with the rules relating to language services, namely in the
Commission, with regard to Portuguese.

This situation, which is presumably due to the lack of
Portuguese translators, is unlawful and constitutes an
infringement of the legal right of Portuguese-speaking
citizens to have access to information.

Can the Commission state:

1. How many translators and interpreters does the
Commission currently employ for each Community
language?

2. What is the proposed total for language service staff in
1990, especially in relation to Portuguese?

3. How many LA 3 posts are currently held per
nationality and how many will be held per nationality
by the end of 1990?

4. Does the Commission consider that senior posts
(LA 3) are evenly distributed amongst the various
nationalities and> if not, what measures should be
adopted in 1990 to ensure that such a balance is

No C 246/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

achieved, bearing in mind that the current rules on the
language service attach equal importance to each of
the Community languages?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 February 1990)_

1. The breakdown by language of
(translators and interpreters) is as follows:

Danish

German

Greek

English

Spanish

French

Italian

Dutch

LA officials

120

182

104

191

165

173

150

135

Portuguese 92

2. The Translation Service and the Joint Interpreting
and Conference Service are continuing the efforts they
have made since before Portugal joined the Communities
to select and train qualified Portuguese translators and
interpreters while maintaining the same standards as for
other languages.

In particular, it should be noted that:

— the successful candidates in the two open
competitions for Portuguese translators and assistant
translators will be appointed shortly and;

— a training course for Portuguese interpreters
organized on the Commission's initiative is currently
being held at the National Institute of Administration
in Lisbon.

As a result the Commission hopes to recruit around thirty
LA officials in 1990.

3. The breakdown by
currently filled is as follows:

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

Other

nationality of LA3

4

1

5

1

2

3

1

1

2

1

3

1

posts

4. It should not be forgotten that the Translation
Service and the Joint Interpreting arid Conference Service
are not organized purely along language lines: they have
general management units as well.

As required by the Staff Regulations, the Commission
tries to ensure that a reasonable geographical balance is
observed in the distribution of managerial posts.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1085/89

by Mr George Patterson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)._

(90/C 246/08)

_Subject:_ Wearing of crash helmets on mopeds

In view of the resolution passed by Council representative
on the EEC Road and Traffic Policy Committee some
years ago, which called for the mandatory wearing of
crash helmets on mopeds and scooters, and in view of the
various initiatives taken by the European Commission in
the road safety field, is the Commission considering
bringing forward proposals to recommend that crash
helmets should be worn on mopeds and scooters
throughout the European Community? In the UK, for
example, it has been compulsory to wear protective
helrriets on any motorized two wheel vehicle since 1973.
Does the Commission agree that the wearing of crash
helmets on mopeds would be a safety measure on the
roads, in the same way as the wearing of seat belts in cars?

Could the Commission also comment on the current

discussions involving the standards for crash helmets in
relation to the Directive on personal protective
equipment. The current standard which has been
proposed, EC22, is less stringent than the current UK
standard, BS6658, and, if adopted, would mean that the
United Kingdom would have to lower its standards for
the wearing of crash helmets. Does the Commission not
agree that such a measure would not give consumers the
highest level of protection, as provided for in the Single
European Act and that it would be detrimental to the
safety of motorcyclists in the UK if their helmets became
less safe as a result of the new EC standard? If so, will the
Commission comment on the progress of discussions on
this standard?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

The Commission is convinced that the wearing of crash
helmets provides a significant contribution to road safety,
the evidence is overwhelming.

It is planned to fill the five posts now vacant in the course
of 1990.

1.10.^0 official journal of the European communities I^OC^DB^

It is the Commissions intention to bring forward
proposals for the mandatory wearing of crash helmets on
motorcycles andmopeds^TheC^ommissionhas not yet
decided upon the exact classification of moped that will
requirecompulsory wearing, orindeedwhetherhelmet
wearing should be mandatory for all types of motorized
two wheel vehicles, as is the case in the LU^.

concerning the technical standard for the manufacture of
these helmets the C^ommissionhas takenonboard the

request from the LLC^ R^oad and Traffic Policy
C^ommitteeforthesettingofstandardsfor motorcycle
crash helmets. The commission has requested to the
C^L^^omiteLuropeendel^ormalisation^ toresearch
anddraft standards for all typesof protectionhelmets
including firemens^helmets,work place helmets, bicycle
helmets and motorcycle helmets. The proposals
concerning crash helmets are at an advanced stage and, as
suggestedby theHonourableMembertheyarelargely
based on LoeLR.eg.^withaslightamendmentto take on
board at least some of the ClKBs misgivings on the
regulation. It is important that whatever standard is
reached it is of the highestpractical level and we are aware
of the tlK^smisgivings regarding LC^LR.eg.^and what
they consider to be a short fall between that and the
current British standard^This issue is being looked into
and C^El^ will be advised accordingly.

byMrElorusW^ijsenbeekandMrKlaus^iskiaerPedersen
^LIO^

to the C^on^nssionofthe European C^omrnunities

^ ^ c r . R . e f u n d of tax on motorvehicles upon export

1. Is the commission aware that, in addition toVAT,
special motorDvehicle taxes are imposed in some
countries^

^. Is the commission aware that there are considerable

disparities between the levels at which such taxes are set
and considerable disparities between assessment basest

^. Is the commission aware that, partly asaresult of
the differences in tax burdens and taxation systems, there
are wide variations between countries in the prices
charged by manufacturers forthe same products^

^t. Is the commission aware thatthis gives rise to unfair
competition and thatthereisabrisk trade in new and used

cars between the Member ^tates^ Such trade puts official
dealers in the countries concerned ata^disadvantage, since
they neither can bring influence to bear on the situation
nor gain from it.

^ Is the commission aware that the Netherlands

imposesaspecial tax on private motor vehicles imported
into the country,graduated according to the age of the
vehicle, but that there is no provision whateverforthis tax
to be refunded when used cars are exported^

D. Is the commission aware that this unfairly
circumscribes the extent to which the Loutch car industry
canbe involved in the European Community usedDcar
trade and that, in addition, distortions of competition
make it impossible to export to countries outside the
European COmmunityB

^. If so, does the commission propose to approach the
LoutchC^overnment or take other action to counter the

uncalledfordisadvantagingofabranchof industry in
one or more Member states and put an end to this
disruption ofthe market.

Answer ^iven by Mrs ^c^ivener
on behalf oftheC^onmnssion

t a n d ^ . ^es.Eor details the commission would refer

the Honourable Members to its answers to written

questions ^ i o ^ D B ^ by Mrs lOe March ^^ and
^ o ^ l D B ^ b y M r A b e l i n a n d o t h e r s ^ .

^. The commission is aware that the widely differing
levelsof t a x o n t h e purchase, registration anduse of a
vehicle contribute to the segmentation of the community
motor vehicle market. C^uite apart from the clear
influence which suchatax charge pattern may have on the
volume of demand, segmentation is reflected in
differences in technical components, standard equipment
and the range of versions marketed in the various
Member states. This situation does not make comparison
any easier and results in what are sometimes considerable
disparities in the pretax prices of apparently similar
vehicles.

The commission has already commented on this matter.
Its aimwith regard to motorvehicle taxation is to limitthe
associated distortion and segmentations this might be
achieved through a process of aligning the total tax
charge, ^ h e r e specific taxes other than VAT are
concerned, however, this objective must necessarily be
achieved gradually since views on the social cost of the car
differ and since any major change in tax levels would have
abudgetary and commercial impact. ^evertheless,where
the commission has found that such discrimination

produced effects which were in breach of theTreaty,it
hasactedtoputastoptoit.I^orexample,proceedings

No C 246/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 1.10.90

have been initiated under Article 95 of the EEC Treaty
against Member States whose tax structure has been
judged to be discriminatory or to give rise to distortions in
intra-Community trade.

4. The Commission is also aware that disparities in
pre-tax prices for similar models trigger a certain amount
of parallel imports within the Community. It should be
stressed, however, that the scale of this trade is marginal
at Community level, even though it may be of some
importance in frontier areas or regions. It is clear that
official dealers in such areas or regions of Member States
in which price levels are generally higher are at a
disadvantage compared to dealers on the other side of the
frontier.

This situation does indeed give rise to imperfect
conditions of competition, which cannot, however, be
attributed either to the privileged dealers or to
manufacturers. The dealers do not have to discriminate

between resident and non-resident buyers in their
country, and manufacturers set their ex-works sales price
on the basis of the specific characteristics of the versions
marketed and the conditions on the markets for which

these versions are normally intended. As stressed at
point 3 above, it is partly the tax disparities between
countries which cause such situations, and not any
reprehensible conduct of market participants.

5. In the case of imports of used vehicles, the taxable
amount, pursuant to Article 11 B 1 of the Sixth VAT
Directive of 17 May 1977 ( [J] ), is either the amount of the
invoice, if the vehicle has been purchased from a taxable
reseller, the price of the transaction, if the vehicle has
been purchased from a private individual, or the 'open
market value', i.e. the amount which an importer would
have to pay to a supplier at arm's length in the country
from which the vehicle is exported in the absence of such a
price.

The Commission has never been informed that the

Netherlands does not comply with these rules. The
Honourable Members are consequently requested to
supply any information they might have on the matter.

As regards the export of a used vehicle, a distinction must
be made between the VAT charged on the transaction
carried out by the taxable reseller and the residual VAT
still contained in the value of the used vehicle.

Where the vehicle is exported, its supply by the taxable
reseller is not taxable in the Netherlands and no VAT can

therefore be refunded. On the other hand, the
Community rules currently in force do not provide for a
refund of the residual VAT contained in the value of the

used vehicle either.

The Commission would draw the Honourable Members'

attention, however, to the fact that where a used vehicle
from the Netherlands is imported by a private individual
into another Member State of the Community and that
person is able to prove that VAT has been paid as a final

charge on the vehicle in the Member State of export, no
VAT will be claimed from the importer without the
residual VAT being deducted. The Commission would
refer the Honourable Members to its communication on
this subject ( [4] ).

6. As far as the Commission is aware, no Member State
has at this stage provided for a refund of the residual VAT
contained in the value of used cars. It is therefore not

clear to the Commission how residual VAT should give
rise to a distortion of competition on the Dutch used
vehicle market.

Since other Member States impose a higher rate of VAT
on vehicles than the rate applicable in the Netherlands,
those Member States should — if the rate of residual VAT

were a decisive factor in fixing the price of used cars,
which economically speaking it is not — actually
experience a greater distortion of competition.

7. The closer alignment of VAT rates as progress is
made towards 1992 will clearly bring a significant
improvement in the conditions of competition between
firms operating in the same sector in the various Member
States.

However, as indicated at point 3, disparities will persist as
long as other taxes (such as the special Dutch tax on
motor cars) continue to weigh upon the cost of motor
vehicles.

O OJ No C 32,12. 2.1986, p. 2.
O OJNoL277,15.10.1987,p. 23.
O OJNoL145,13.6.1977, p. 1.
O OJNoC 13,21.1.1986, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1289/89

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 246/10)

_Subject:_ Agreement on fisheries between the European
Economic Community and the Governments of
Denmark and Greenland

The first paragraph of Article 7 of the agreement on
fisheries between the European Economic Community,
on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and
the local Government of Greenland, on the other
(Council Regulation (EEC) No 223/85 of 29 January
1985 (') says: 'Where, for a given fishing year, biological
circumstances require the total volume of catches from a
particular stock to be fixed at a level which does not
permit Greenland to meet the obligation arising from
Article 2 and, at the same time, to maintain its fishing
activities at a level corresponding to minimum.quantities

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/7

laid down in the Protocols referred to in Article 2(1), the
corresponding quotas agreed with the Community for
the stock or stocks concerned shall be reduced

accordingly,. ..'.

On the basis of this Article, could the Commission say
what quantities of catches have been authorized annually,
in particular during the five years to which the first
Protocol applied?

O OJNoL29,1.2.1985, p. 8.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 February 1990)_

Article 7 of the Fisheries Agreement between the
Community and Greenland was only used as regards cod
off West Greenland in those years where the Community
was not granted its full quota of 12 000 tonnes of cod
in area NAFO 0/1 during the period 1985—1988 (see
Table I).

TABLE I

EEC quota of cod in area NAFO 0/1

_(in tonnes)_

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

3 597 0)

p.m.

p.m.

7 000 O

12 000

( + 4 0 0 0 ) ( \

(') Remainder of 1984 quota to be fished until 31 March 1985.
( [2] ) In 1988 the situation of the codstock improved somewhat.
( [3] ) An additional quantity of 4 000 tonnes was granted due to the strong
recovery of the cod stock.

With reference to Article 7.2 of the Fisheries Agreement,
the Parties agreed on compensation for this nonallocation of the 12 000 tonnes of cod in additional

redfish, shrimps and capelin (see Table II).

TABLE II

Additional quantities for the Community within the context
of Article 7.2 of the Fisheries Agreement EEC/Greenland

WRITTEN QUESTION No 23/90

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 246/11)

_Subject:_ Drift net fishing

Will the Commission take urgent steps to ban the use of
purse seine and drift nets in Community waters, and do
everything within its power to discourage the use of these
nets in the Pacific, in order to stop indiscriminate death to
dolphins, seals and other species?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 February 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 564/89 by Mr De
Vries 0).

The Commission would refer also to the resolution

adopted by consensus by the General Assembly of the
United Nations on 22 December 1989, concerning the use
of drift-nets. The Community participated actively in the
formulation of this resolution, which recommends that all
members of the international community should agree to:

(a) a moratorium of all large-scale pelagic drift-net
fishing on the high seas by 30 June 1992;

(b) take immediate action to reduce progressively
large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing activities in the
South Pacific region, leading to the cessation of such
activities by no later than 1 July 1991;

(c) an immediate cessation to further expansion of
large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing on the high seas
of the North Pacific and all the other high seas
outside the Pacific Ocean.

The question will figure again on the agenda of the
General Assembly in the course of 1990.

As regards purse seines and taking into account the
particular characteristics of this gear, the Commission
does not intend to propose measures forbidding their use
in Community waters. In fact, in the Atlantic Ocean they
do not cause problems related to the death of marine
mammals.

O OJ No C 90,9.4.1990.

ICES xrvvV

20 000 tonnes capelin 20 000 tonnes capelin
300 tonnes shrimps 300 tonnes shrimps

**20 000 tonnes capelin**
**400 tonnes shrimps**

**20 000 tonnes capelin**

Area

1986

1987

1988

NAFO 0/1

**4 500 tonnes redfish**

**300 tonnes shrimps**

**4 500 tonnes redfish**

**250 tonnes shrimps**

**2 500 tonnes redfish**

No C 246/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 85/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/12)

_Subject:_ Dispersal of DG IX following the transfer of the
translation services to the JECL premises

The Commission's translation services are soon to be

transferred to the JECL premises.

Once more large removal costs will be incurred.

In addition, the transfer of the translation services to the
JECL premises will mean moving and dispersing much of
DG LX, whereas the advantages of the present
arrangement is that most of the staff administration
services are situated together at the Rond-Point Schuman.

Following the dispersal of DG IX, it is highly probable
that anyone seeking information concerning social
security, renumeration and missions, for example, will
need to go to several different buildings situated a long
way apart from each other.

Can the Commission indicate:

1. the cost of 'centralizing' the translation services and
'dispersing' DG LX,

2. whether its has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of
these removals,

3. whether the social and professional organizations
were properly consulted on this matter,

4. why the translation services were not centralized in
the new 'Breydel' building?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

1. The total cost of the removal is estimated at ECU

1 700 000; however, what the Commission hopes to gain
from reorganizing the Translation Service and relocating
its various units in a single building should enable it to
recoup the cost swiftly.

It is inexact to speak of 'dispersing' the
Directorate-General for Personnel and Administration,
since the departments leaving the JECL building will all be
located in and around the Square Frere-Orban. For
example, the units dealing with remuneration and
missions will be housed in the same building and those
dealing with social security in a neighbouring building.

2. A cost-benefit analysis is the basis for all major
decisions of this type. The relocation of the Translation
Service — one of the Commission's key departments —
will make it even more effective.

3. The trade unions and staff associations were

informed of the decision, bringing the Translation Service
under one roof being one of their specific desiderata.

4. The translators were not moved to the Breydel
building, because it had been reserved under the
accommodation plan for Directorates-General XI
(Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) and
XIII (Telecommunications, Information Industries and
Innovation) and organized to meet their requirements.
Furthermore, unlike the JECL building, it was not large
enough to house all the translation units.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 102/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/13)

_Subject:_ Disappearance of a trade unionist in Colombia

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation make representations to the Government of
Colombia concerning the case of Guillermo Ramirez,
primary school teacher, trade unionist and political
activist, who appears to have been arrested at the
headquartes of the Teachers' Union of Santander (SES)
by a patrol of uniformed soldiers belonging to the Fifth
Brigade of the army, based in Bucaramanga, calling for
his immediate unconditional release unless he is charged
with a recognized criminal offence and brought before a
competent court?

Answer

_(8 August 1990)_

The specific case raised by the Honourable Member has
not been discussed in EPC. However, the 12's position on
human rights is well known to the Colombian authorities.
Most recently, at the meeting between the 12 and the Rio
group in Dublin on 10 April 1990, the 12 stressed the
necessity for all countries in the region to respect human
rights and the rule of law.

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/9

WRITTEN QUESTION No 103/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muni (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/14)

_Subject:_ Disappearances in Peru

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation make representations to the Government of
Peru on behalf of the citizens from Atcas, Jorge Parraga
Castillo, Guzman Estrada, Inicias Estrada Pascual, Alinio
Torrealba, Herbert Santos, Andres Estrada and Rafael
Castillo Mendoza, who were arrested on 24 October 1989
by a group of uniformed soldiers in a mopping-up
operation, calling for their legal situation to be clarified
and for them to be given humanitarian treatment and
allowed access to their relatives and lawyers while they are
in prison?

Answer

_(8 August 1990)_

The specific issue raised by the Honourable Member has
not been discussed within European Political
Cooperation. There can be no doubt, however, that the
Peruvian authorities are well aware of the 12's position on
human rights and on the fundamental freedoms of the
individual, especially as Peru participated in the meeting
between the 12 and the Rio group in Dublin on 10 April
1990, which provided Foreign Ministers with the
opportunity of expressing concern about the human
rights situation in Latin America.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 107/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/15)

_Subject:_ The safety of Juan Ajahel Pixcar in Guatemala

In view of the climate of permanent insecurity affecting
thousands of people in Guatemala, especially human
rights activists, can the Foreign Ministers meeting in
European Political cooperation investigate, by the
appropriate means, the safety of the symbolic figure Juan
Ajanel Pixcar, a member of the Mutual Support Group
for the Reappearance of our Relatives Alive (GAM), from

Pachoj in the department of El Quiche, who has been
subjected to harassment and threats after ordering the
exhumation from a clandestine graveyard of the bodies of
three of his relatives, who had lost their lives in the area at
the hands of the local civil patrol in the early 1980s?

Answer

_(8 August 1990)_

The specific case raised by the Honourable Member has
not been discussed in EPC. However, the 12 have made

their concern known to all the countries of Central

America on the increasing levels of violence in the area
and in particular on the need to respect human rights. The
Guatemalan authorities are fully aware of the importance
the 12 attach to these principles.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 171/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/16)

_Subject:_ Poverty

What action can the Commission take to guarantee
minimum income to protect the elderly, the disabled and
unemployed against poverty?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 February 1990)_

The Commission considers that the right to a guaranteed
minimum income is one of the main components of a
global policy to combat poverty and promote solidarity. It
is in this context that the Community Charter of
Fundamental Social Rights of Workers recognizes a right
to sufficient resources and appropriate social assistance
for the persons who have been unable either to enter or
re-enter the labour market and have no means of

subsistence, and for the persons who have reached
retirement but who are not entitled to a pension or who
do not have other means of subsistence.

Moreover, in their Resolution on combating social
exclusion, the Council and the Ministers for Social Affairs
meeting within the Council (') have underlined that 'the
existence of a series of measures guaranteeing adequate
aid and resources adapted to the situation of each

No C 246/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

individual is a fundamental factor in combating social
exclusion'.

The initiatives of the Commission in this field are defined

in its Action programme concerning the implementation
of the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights,
which provides within its chapter on Social Protection (5)
for a recommendation on the common criteria of

measures guaranteeing adequate aid and resources for
people in poverty.

The timetable adopted foresees that this recommendation
will be proposed during 1991.

In parallel, the Commission intends to stimulate
exchanges of information and deepening of knowledge
on existing mechanisms in Member States. A seminar took
place in Windsor in November 1989 on this issue and
further research work is planned on this subject.

O OJNoC277, 31.10.1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 212/90

by Mr Friedrich Merz (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/17)

_Subject:_ Funding of the Kagiso Trust in South Africa

The Kagiso Trust in South Africa receives considerable
financing from the European Community for
humanitarian purposes. It has recently provided
considerable funds for the foundation and organization
of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers
(NADEL) and the Black Lawyers' Association (BCA)
which can, it is admitted, be used for delegates' travel and
other expenses. How can the Commission justify this use,
of Community funds for aims which cannot be described
as humanitarian?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to Written Questions No 1213/88 by Mr
Pearce ( [x] ), No 295/87 by Mr Habsburg ( [2] ) and
No 584/87 by Mrs Lehideux ( [3] ), where it was stated that
details of individual projects supported under the
Community's special programme for victims of apartheid
are not publicly divulged. Confidentiality of information
is maintained in this case not to disguise what activities are
taking place, but rather to safeguard project holders in
South Africa from possible harassment and intimidation.

It should be reiterated, however, that all the projects
supported through the special programme are non-violent
in nature, and contribute towards peaceful change
through activities in the humanitarian, social, training and
education and legal assistance fields. All such projects so
far decided by the Commission have received the prior
positive opinion of the ad hoc group of Member States
experts.

O OJ No C 227,4. 9. 1989.
( [2] ) OJNoC 23,28.1.1988.
O OJNoC42,15.2.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 220/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/18)

_Subject:_ Community environment policy

What means, other than a few isolated data banks, does
the Commission have at its disposal to monitor the quality
of the environment and implementation of standards?

What Community assessment scheme could be set up
rapidly?

What are the prospects for the proposed European
Environment Agency?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1990)_

The Commission has at its disposal means and
information systems which have become operational in
certain environmental areas. First, there is the CORINE
system, which can already be used in particular with
regard to policy for the protection of biotopes, taking
account of the risk of coastal erosion, the risks of soil
erosion and air emissions. Second, pursuant to specific
directives the Member States provide the Commission
with data to enable the implementation of policy to be
assessed. By way of example, there is the data supplied
about the quality of the air and bathing water and about.
industrial installations posing risks.

The objective of the European Environment Agency is
precisely to consolidate and supplement this initial
information to form an overall, permanent system that
will be used to gain knowledge about the state of the
environment and to monitor changes.

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/11

WRITTEN QUESTION No 261/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/19)

_Subject:_ ENSMA and the STRIDE programme

In his answer to Written Question No 559/89 ('), Mr
Bruce Millan said, on behalf of the Commission, that the
application for assistance for the transfer of the National
College of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
(/90ENSMA) from Poitiers could not be approved by the
ERDF Committee, since the project could be considered
only if it came under objective No 2.

At a recent meeting of the Poitiers town council the
Deputy Mayor announced that the project would now
come under the STRIDE programme.

Does the Commission consider this is possible?

If it does, how long would it take to reach a decision on
this application for assistance under the STRIDE
programme?

O OJNoC97,17.4.1990, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May 1990)_

Following a request from the French government, the
Commission has now re-considered the application for
ERDF assistance for the construction of research

laboratories at the national College of Mechanical and
Aeronautical Engineering (ENSMA) in Poitiers. In doing
so the Commission had in mind a number of factors: the

nature of the project, the date of submission of the
application for ERDF funding and the impact of the
project on the area of Poitou-Charente which is eligible
for ERDF assistance under objective 2 of the Structural
Funds. As a result of this review, a decision was taken on
21 March 1990 to contribute 33 million French francs

towards this project.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 283/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/20)

_Subject:_ Programme for the scrapping of vessels

As part of the rationalization in the shipping sector,
bargemen are being obliged to pay an annual contribution
to the cost of the operation.

As a result, small-scale bargemen are being penalized.

Why does the Commission not make special allowance for
this category of bargemen whose earnings are ridiculously
small compared to those of the shipping industry?

Why are these rationalization measures not being taken in
all the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

The measures to bring about structural improvements in
inland waterway shipping introduced under Council
Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89 ( [l] ) and Commission
Regulations.(EEC) No 1102/89 ( [2] ) and No 3685/89 ( [3] ) in
order to reduce existing structural overcapacity is based
on the principle of solidarity between transport operators.
All owners of vessels carrying goods for hire or reward or
on own account are required to help finance this action by
paying an annual contribution for each of their vessels.
This is used to refund the sums the Member States

involved in the scheme have advanced interest-free so that

the scrapping operation can begin immediately and
simultaneously in those Member States.

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1102/89 allows for
the special economic position of small-scale bargemen.
For instance, the annual contributions for the various
types and categories of river craft are reduced by 30 % for
vessels with a deadweight capacity of less than 450 tonnes.
For vessels with a deadweight capacity of between 650
and 450 tonnes, the annual contribution is reduced by
0,15% for every tonne by which the deadweight capacity
of the vessel in question is less than 650 tonnes. In
addition, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89
provides that Member States may take measures to make
it easier for inland waterway carriers leaving the industry
to obtain an early retirement pension or to take up other
work.

Community rules are applicable in all Member States. In
fact, all vessels of those States carrying goods on inland
waterways linked to those of another Member State are
subject to the rules. It is precisely on these waterways that
there is a very large structural overcapacity which,
because the waterways are interconnected, can be
eliminated only by simultaneous action in all the Member
States affected.

O OJ No LI 16, 28.4.1989, p. 25.
O OJ No LI 16,28.4.1989, p. 30.
O OJNoL360,9. 12. 1989, p. 20.

No C 246/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 308/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/21)

_Subject:_ Consultation of the regions qualifying for
Community financing

Does the Commission plan to consult the regions affected
by the plans for communications networks which qualify
for Community financing?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

. _(22 May 1990)_

Communications networks of Community interest are
established by the Commission after consultation with the
Infrastructure Committee, which includes Member States
Governments. It is for the latter to consult the regions
concerned according to the relevant national procedures,
particularly in planning routes.

The aid granted to communications networks by the
European Regional Development Fund or other
Community structural instruments are negotiated by the
Commission, the Member States and the regions
concerned in partnership when establishing the
Community support frameworks and implementing
operation programmes or other types of aid.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 363/90

by Mr Alain Lamassoure (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/22)

_Subject:_ Market organization for pigmeat

After a three-year slump followed by a brief rally in 1989,
pigmeat prices have dropped by FF 5 on the Breton Index
since last August.

This spectacular fall is the result of the Commission's
decision to curb the price increase by reducing export
refunds from ECU 25 to ECU 5 per tonne.

This restriction has encouraged Denmark to sell on the
Community market about 150 000 tonnes normally
exported to Japan and the United States.

The market upheaval has been further aggravated by the
decision to grant Poland and Hungary an annual quota of
18 000 tonnes at a reduced levy.

While the motives for this open-market policy can be
readily understood, in a self-sufficient sector, such as the
pigmeat sector in Europe, it should have been
accompanied by export refunds for quantities equivalent
to the additional quotas granted by the EEC.

Given the growing concern felt by producers, what
measures will the Commission take to stabilize the market

in pigmeat?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 April 1990)_

The crisis in the pigmeat sector in 1987 and the first half
of 1988 was succeeded in 1989 by a sharp rise in prices,
which, by August 1989, were 40% higher than for the
same period in 1988. The improvement was due to a
shortage of pigmeat on the Community market, which led
the Commission to cut the amounts of the export refunds.

The purpose of such a measure was to maintain some
balance by not encouraging exports of a product which
was in short supply and showing a strong upward price
trend.

Cyclical crises tend to occur in the pigmeat sector every
three or four years. Such crisis are always triggered by an
improvement in production margins, which encourages
producers to expand their enterprises. Profitability last
August was so great that a substantial increase in pig
numbers was to be feared, bringing a new crisis in the

sector.

The successive decreases in the amount of the refunds

succeeded in bringing pigmeat prices down to more
reasonable levels.

It was only in mid-January that a seasonal drop — due
mainly to the increase in carcase weights and hence
production — put the future stability of the market in
jeopardy.

The Commission reacted at that stage by increasing the
rates of refunds, which brought an improvement in prices
that can now be seen.

The import quota opened for Poland and Hungary
represents only 0,1 % of Community production. It is true
that the Community is self-sufficient but it cannot
seriously be thought that the quantity in question and the
conditions attaching to such imports could possible
damage the Community market.

In any case, the Commission can assure the Honourable
Member that its staff will continue to monitor

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/13

developments in the sector and apply the measures most
appropriate to each situation that arises so as to stabilize
the Community market in pigmeat as much as possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 365/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/23)

_Subject:_ Consequences of the low rainfall in the Atlantic
regions of western France

During the 1990 winter there has been insufficient rainfall
in the Atlantic regions of western France. In view of the
drought in previous years, can the Commission make
provision now for action which will probably be necessary
in the course of the summer of 1990 ?

If there is no change in the weather between now and
then, such action will involve both agriculture and the
environment.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

Following the reform of the Structural Funds, approved
by the Council in 1988, the Community can, taking
account of the need for proper water resource
management, apply two categories of assistance to deal
with the problems described by the Honourable Member.
In the Community as a whole, assistance for farms may be
granted for various types of investments, notably for
individual items of irrigation equipment, providing that
the investment forms part of plans for the material
improvement of a farm.

In the areas listed as qualifying for Community assistance
under Objective 5 (b), notably the Atlantic regions of
western France, projects to install, renovate or improve
collective irrigation networks or other types of irrigation
systems may also be covered. However, such projects will
receive Community assistance only where they have been
specified under the Community Support Framework for
the area concerned. Community financing will be made
available, where appropriate, for such projects once
approval has been granted for the operational
programme(s), or other forms of assistance, which
constitute the Community's financial commitment to
implementation of operations provided for under the
Community Support Framework.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 435/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/24)

_Subject:_ Changes in Eastern Europe — regional policy
implications

Can the Commission say what effects the changes in
Eastern Europe might have on EEC regional policy?

Example: the Zonenrand-Gebiet (West German areas
bordering the GDR).

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

It is not possible to predict with any certainty the outcome
of the present process of far-reaching political and
economic reform in Central and Eastern Europe, or its
impact on the CommunityV regional policy. The
Commission is launching several studies to provide the
necessary economic and statistical data needed to assess
objectively the current situation of the Eastern European
economies, and their position relative to countries of the
Community. The results of these studies will provide a
basis for policy decisions in the medium term.

In the shorter term, the Commission has announced an
initiative under Article 11 of Regulation (EEC)
No 4253/88 ( [x] ) which will provide Structural Funds
support for border regions in the Community, including
borders with third countries. The draft guidelines for this
initiative (INTERREG) have been transmitted to the
European Parliament for an opinion.

In addition, the Commission is proposing to help finance
interregional cooperation between Community regions
and their emerging counterparts in Poland and Hungary,
through the intermediary of European-level
organizations of local and regional authorities. In
agreement with the governments concerned Funds for this
purpose could be taken into consideration for the
PHARE programme and the ERDF under Article 10 ot
Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 ( [x] ).

As to the Zonenrand-Gebiete of the Federal Republic of
Germany, parts of these areas are eligible for Structural
Funds assistance under Objectives 2 and 5b, as well as
under the RESIDER and RENAVAL Community
programmes. Eligibility is determined by reference to
criteria laid down in the regulations concerned, for
example levels of unemployment and sectoral
employment patterns. Present developments will not of

No C 246/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

themselves affect the eligibility of areas for Structural
Funds assistance. Eligibility will in any case be reviewed
for Objective 2 in 1991 and for Objective 5b in 1993.

O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 444/90

by Mr Juan Bandres Molet (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/25)

_Subject:_ Export refunds for Spanish citrus fruits

On 1 January 1990 the second phase of the transitional
period for the horticultural sector established by the
Treaty for the accession of Spain to the European
Communities came into effect for the Spanish citrus fruit

sector.

Under the Accession Treaty, in this phase of the
transitional period the Commission may authorize export
refunds for Spanish citrus fruit to promote exports and
open new markets, particularly in the countries of Eastern
Europe.

However, the Commission has not authorized the
Spanish Government to grant export refunds to the citrus
fruit sector for the 1989—1990 marketing year.

Does the Commission intend to authorize the Spanish
Government to grant aid in the form of export refunds for
citrus fruit in the 1990—1991 marketing year?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 May 1990)_

The commencement of the second stage of the transition
period marked a change in the refund arrangements for
Spanish fruit and vegetables. Instead of the Spanish
Government being authorized to grant export aid out of
national funds, any refunds are to be granted from
Community funds.

For the 1989/90 marketing year Spain was authorized to
grant from national funds a refund of ECU 5,88/100 kg
on exports of oranges up to 31 December 1989. The

Commission then decided to set the Community refund
from 1 January 1990 to the end of the marketing year at
the same amount in order not to adjust the refund during
the marketing year.

The same line was taken for lemons, for which the
Community refund from 1 January 1990 was set at ECU
3,92/100 kg, the amount authorized for Spain to grant
from national funds up to 31 December 1989.

The Commission considered that given the trend of
Community exports of small citrus fruit and the export
market position there was no need to introduce
Community refunds for the 1989/90 marketing year.

It is too early for the Commission to come to a decision
on citrus fruit export refunds for the 1990/91 marketing

year.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 476/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/26)

_Subject:_ Mobile telephones and road safety

Concentration and unremitting attention when driving
are essential conditions for road safety: consequently, any
activity that distracts the driver, however briefly, from the
business of driving is a risk to be added to those already
inherent in road traffic.

The use of mobile telephones in vehicles is certainly one
such risk, both when dialling a number and when holding
a conversation.

In the interests of road safety, is the Commission
therefore thinking of introducing restrictions on the use
of mobile telephones in vehicles when the user is driving
at the same time?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

The Commission has considered the problem raised by
the Honourable Member and recently organized a survey

1. 10.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/15

of the Member States to obtain information on their

current national regulations on and position with regard
to the question.

The survey shows that hardly a Member State has any
specific provisions prohibiting drivers from using the
telephone whilst at the same time driving a car. On the
other hand, the situation is covered by one of the general
rules of the highway code which, requires drivers to be in
control of their vehicles at all time and not to let

themselves be distracted.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view

about the potential danger of using a telephone whilst
driving. Nevertheless, the development of a 'no-hands'
telephone should reduce the risk and the instruction
manuals recommend that the telephone should be used
only when the vehicle is stationary.

Also, information reaching the Commission in connection
with the desirability of introducing Community
legislation on this matter shows that the Member States
are not in favour of such - a law — considering it
unnecessary in view of the fact that incorrect use of such
telephones, and road safety, are covered by the general
rules mentioned above.

The Commission is therefore not at present considering
including such legislation in its programme.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 526/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/27)

_Subject:_ Uniform 'minimum wage' provisions at
Community level

The increasingly widespread introduction of 'minimum
wage' provisions by different Community regions in an
attempt to alleviate the poverty of some of their citizens
has involved great discrepancies in the rules and
procedures followed.

Starting from the principle that a minimum wage should
be introduced throughout the Community, does the
Commission consider that uniform provisions should be
introduced at Community level to ensure that this
purportedly social measure is effectively implemented to
eradicate poverty wherever it may exist on Community
territory?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 March 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 171/90 by Mr
White 0).

(') See page 9 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 544/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/28)

_Subject:_ Electric road vehicles

Following the constituent meeting of European cities
interested in the use of electric road vehicles which was

attended by Mr Van Miert, Member of the Commission,
what steps is the Commission considering to promote this
non-polluting form of transport?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

As proved by the studies, demonstration projects and
research contracts it has funded, its participation in
COST 302 and, more recently, its support for the newly
created association of European cities interested in the
use of electric road vehicles (CITELEC), the Commission
is making every effort to encourage the spread of this type
of vehicle in urban transport.

Thanks to appropriations obtained through Parliament's
good offices in 1988, and with a view to reducing
pollution, the Commission is currently having a study
done on advanced electric driver systems for buses, vans
and private cars. One section of the study is devoted to the
infrastructure that will be required if electric vehicles are
to be introduced into the urban environment.

The Commission expects to continue supporting the
necessary research on batteries and fuel cells (JOULE
programme), permanent magnets (BRITE-EURAM) and
electronic circuits (ESPRIT).

It will continue to support CITELEC, whose programme
might include projects eligible for Community support.
The association might be a key to the use of electric
vehicles in so far as European cities could use it as a
channel through which to make known the size of the

No C 246/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10.90

market to be supplied and, if that is significant, to interest
entrepreneurs at last in launching competitively priced
products.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 546/90

by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/29)

_Subject:_ EC aid to the Euskadi inshore fishing fleet for
suspending fishing operations

In a reversal of the practice of previous years, the
Community has not granted the inshore fishing fleet of
the Autonomous Region of Euskadi (Spain) aid for
suspending fishing operations requested for 1989, even
though other Spanish autonomous regions have received
such aid.

The Deputy Counsellor for Fisheries in the Basque
Government has hinted that this could be due to a

'bureaucratic error'.

Could the Commission say why the request for aid by the
Euskadi inshore fishing fleet for suspending fishing
operations was rejected?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1990)_

Article 22 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 of
18 December 1986 (') specifies that Member States may
grant a laying-up premium for temporary withdrawals
and that the Community is to contribute towards the
expenditure incurred by the Member States.

For 1989, the most recent estimates by the Spanish
authorities put the amount of eligible expenditure at
approximately ECU 14 million, of which ECU 4,7 million
for Euskadi. By decision of 20 December 1989, theCommission adopted, within the limits of its available
financial resources, a sum of ECU 4 721 million in eligible
expenditure on laying-up premiums granted in Spain in
1989.

Since the granting of laying-up premiums is the
responsibility of the Member States, the Commission is
unable to inform the Honourable Member why the
Spanish authorities refused to grant aid to the Euskadi
inshore fishing fleet.

(') OJNoL376,31.12.1986, p. 7.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 552/90

by Mr Patrick Cox (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/30)

_Subject:_ Extension of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in
the Republic of Ireland

Has the Irish Government yet submitted documentation
to the Commission in relation to the extension of the

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in the Republic of Ireland?

Can the Commission indicate the. likely time-scale in
considering and deciding on the contents of such a
submission?

Has the Irish Government informed the Commission of

its intention to establish an appeals mechanism to deal
with borderline cases?

Is the Commission prepared to facilitate the Irish
Government's intention to establish such an appeals
mechanism to consider borderline cases in relation to the

extension of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

At the time of writing, the Commission had not received
any proposals from the Irish authorities regarding the
extension of the less-favoured areas in Ireland, though it
is understood that such proposals are imminent.

Pending receipt of the communication, it is not possible to
indicate a position in relation to the other elements of the
question.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 553/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/31)

_Subject:_ IDOs and Articles 15 and 19 (finance)

What importance does the Commission attach to
Articles 15 and 19 in the approval of funds for IDOs'
within the UK?

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_{2 May 1990)_

As far as integrated Development Operations approved
under the pre-reform Regulations of the Structural Funds
are concerned, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to its answer to his oral question
H-445/88 ( [x] ). This made clear the Commission's view
that Article 15 and Article 19 measures of ERDF
Regulation No 1787/84 ( [2] ) are particularly suitable for
the restoration of economic and social balance in areas of

industrial decline.

For the programmes already approved or to be approved
under the Community support frameworks for
Objective 2 regions in the United Kingdom, provision has
been made for the inclusion of a range of actions similar
in nature to the Article 15 and 19 measures, covered by
the priorities relating to: assistance for the development of
businesses, in particular small and medium-sized
enterprises; the development of tourist activities; support
for research and development. The Commission expects
that a significant number of projects will be undertaken in
these fields under the Objective 2 Operational
Programmes in the United Kingdom.

O OJ Annex No 2-369, 12. 10. 1988.
( [2] ) OJ No L 169,28.6.1984, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 558/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_{16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/32)

_Subject:_ Set-aside schemes

In the European Parliament's motion for a resolution on
set-aside schemes it was suggested that a premium might
be introduced for the production of cereals not intended
for consumption on part of the lands left uncultivated.

1. What demonstration projects will be carried out (type
of crops, etc.)?

2. What is the maximum financial limit?

3. What accounting method will be used for the cereals
produced under this scheme?

4. Will there be a simplification of the restrictions on aid
beneficiaries?

an Communities No C 246/17

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_{17 April 1990)_

1. The Commission report on the use of agricultural
raw materials for non-food uses (') concluded, inter alia,
that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on
demonstration projects which bridge the gap between
research work and commercial activity in this area.

The Commission would not like to pre-judge which
projects or which plants could attract new funding for this
purpose. The choice of projects will necessarily depend on
their chances of success, economic viability, and
environmental contributions. However, the Commission
has reason to believe that acceptable project proposals are
likely to be submitted at least for those crops listed in the
report. These are castor, rape, high oleic acid varieties of
sunflower, linen and flax, kenaf, fibre sorghum, elephant
grass and bitter lupin.

2. For the case of demonstration projects, funding
arrangements will be made when the Council has formally
adopted the third framework programme. The budget for
that programme will provide co-finance for
demonstration projects, the remainder of the cost being
made up by the project proposers.

For the case of the proposal (annexed to the above report)
for industrial set-aside, which means growing and selling
cereals cheaply for non-food uses in return for a per
hectare premium, the Community contribution comes
from budget line III B, item 390, which covers all set-aside
expenditure and directed revenue aid expenditure. The
Commission estimates that the cost of all these can be

financed within the limit on that line.

3. The cereals produced under the industrial set-aside
scheme will, like any other cereals, be included in the
annual calculation which determines whether or not the

Maximum Guaranteed Quantity of 160 million tonnes is
exceeded.

4. The constraints included in the industrial set-aside

proposal were put there for three purposes, which are to
make sure that the scheme achieves its desired objective,
to avoid distortions of competition, and to provide
safeguards against abuse. The Commission would
therefore certainly not want to see any of the constraints
relaxed unless alternative ones are imposed. This is not
envisaged at present.

O COM(89)597.

No C 246/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 565/90

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 February 1990)_

(90/C 246/33)

_Subject:_ Recruitment procedure by the European
Commission for social workers

Can the Commission inform the House how many
applications were received for the above vacancy and what
were the nationalities of both the successful and

unsuccessful applicants?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

The Honourable Member is referring to the
Commission's Open Competition COM/B/510 to set up
a reserve of Welfare Officers. There were 638 candidates

admitted to the written tests but only 329 of them actually
sat the examination.

There were 15 candidates who were successful in the

competition and put on the reserve list.

A breakdown of these figures by nationality is given in the
following table.

Commission of the European Communities open competition for the recruitment of welfare

officers

COM/B/510

L

3

2

—

I

40

15

—

D

14

2

—

DK

6

2

—

E

25

7

—

F

41

23

1

UK

9

1

1

GR

5

2

—

IRL

9

4

—

NL

"12

5

—

P

16

9

—

Total

638

329

15

Admitted to the

competition

Present at the written

examination

Candidates successful in

the competition

B

451

252

13

WRITTEN QUESTION No 585/90

by Mr Gerard Deprez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/34)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the reform of the Structural
Funds

Can the Commission provide information on the
implementation of the reform of the Structural Funds
regarding:

1. the assessment and efficiency of programmes in terms
of job creation and optimizing the regional productive
fabric?

2. the Commission's monitoring arrangements to ensure
that Member States keep to the priorities set for the
reform of the funds ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

Whether considered separately or together, job creation
and making the best use of the region's productive

capacity constitute the essential components of the
Community support frameworks (CSFs).

The assessment and efficiency of programmes submitted
under the CSFs is the subject of procedures established by
the Commission, particularly through the Monitoring
Committees, which will enable the socio-economic impact
of the measures taken under each CSF on the regional
economy and their contribution to the specific objectives
referred to by the Honourable Member to be evaluated
through the partnership process.

The results of the impact analysis will be included in the
reports required by the Regulations introducing the
reform of the structural Funds and sent to Parliament.

Apart from financial control, which, in accordance with
the principle of subsidiarity, is primarily the responsibility
of the Member State (Article 23 of coordinating
Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 ( [1] ), the arrangements to
ensure that the Member States keep to the priorities set
for the reform of the Funds will be laid down by the
common will of the Member States and the

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/19

Commission to implement the guidelines of the
Community's structural policies.

O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 588/90

by Mr Gerard Deprez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/35)

_Subject:_ Food aid to Romania

The Commission is to release ECU 40 million for

emergency aid to Romania

Goods will be distributed to the people through the
Romanian distribution system at the same prices as the
goods on the Romanian market. The revenue from the
sale of the goods will be put into a special account.

1. Can the Commission guarantee that this Community
aid will really go to the Romania people?

Has it provided for supervision to ensure this?

2. Can the Commission provide information on the
purpose of the special account and on how it will
work?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

In order to avoid disrupting the distribution of the initial,
urgently-needed, food aid, the Romanian authorities
have not yet introduced a reform of the distribution
system for food in Romania. It would therefore be
difficult for Community supplies of free agricultural
products to be distributed other than through the existing
Romanian state system. Deliveries of the first tranche of
the food supplies to Romania are now underway and the
Commission will be sending experts to Romania to
monitor the distribution. The Romanian authorities have

already given the Commission every assurance that the
supplies will be distributed fairly, to the benefit of the
Romanian population.

The Commission has asked the Romanian authorities to

sell the food supplies provided by the Community on the
market at prevailing market prices. These prices remain
low in Romania at present as the authorities are
continuing to subsidise the most essential food stuffs to
ensure that they are available to all. The proceeds or the
sales will, at the Commission's request, be put into a
special bank account. The Commission and the Romanian
authorities are now considering possible uses for this

money.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 592/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/36)

_Subject:_ St Helena

Has EEC money ever been available for any purpose for
the benefit of the inhabitants of the Atlantic island of St

Helena?

Has any application ever been made for help or assistance,
direct or indirect, financial or otherwise, for or on behalf

of St Helena?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 May 1990)_

_A_ financing proposal for the improvement of sea defences
in St James' and Rupert's Bays on the island of St Helena
will shortly be presented to the Commission.

The project, which is to be carried out in response to a
request of October 1986 from the St Helena Government,
will protect infrastructure vital to the preservation of
shore facilities and the well-being of the island's
population. It will absorb remaining balances of
approximately ECU 2,7 million under the 4th, 5th and 6th
EDFs (European Development Fund).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 602/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/37)

_Subject:_ Cooperation with Mediterranean third countries

Can the Commission provide an update on the state of the
Community's relations with Mediterranean third
countries, particularly as regards the volume of foreign
investment in the food self-sufficiency sector?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1990)_

Financial protocols have been signed with Mediterranean
non-member countries linked with the Community by

No C 246/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

cooperation or association agreements in force for an
unlimited period. Financial protocols are valid for five
years and may be renewed. It is through these protocols,
which often involve budget appropriations and European
Investment Bank (EIB) own resources, that the
Community contributes to the financing of development
projects in the various sectors. The funds provided under
the protocols have been increasingly used to help improve
food self-sufficiency of non-member countries in the
southern and eastern Mediterranean whose need for

imported foodstuffs has greatly increased. This is indeed
the main priority under the third financial protocols
covering the period 1 November 1986—31 October 1991.

Thus, as at 31 December 1989, ECU 983 million of
budget appropriations had been committed in total under
the three series of financial protocols signed with SEM
countries. Of this amount, ECU 323 million (33%) has
gone to agriculture. Under the third protocols ECU 276
million have been committed out of a total of ECU 615

million, of which 42 % for the agriculture sector.

The EIB's commitments as at 31 December 1989 totalled

ECU 1 306 million and under the three series of financial

protocols ECU 205 million (16%) has been allocated to
the agricultural sector. Under the third protocols, these
figures are ECU 382 million and ECU 108 million (28%)
respectively.

The share allocated to the agriculture sector has thus
clearly increased.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 605/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/38)

_Subject:_ Taxation of road transport

Does a comparative study exist on levels of taxation in the
field of road transport in the different Member States of
the Community?

If so, what are the findings?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

The Honourable Members are asked to refer to the 1986

Commission report (') which analyses taxes specifically
relating to transport and was sent to Parliament for its
opinion.

O COM(86) 750 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 639/90

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/39)

_Subject:_ Justice — equal treatment for the Republic of
Cyprus

1. The European institutions and, in particular, the
European Parliament have expressed their moral support
in various ways for the peoples of Eastern, Central and
Southern Europe who have risen up to overthrow
despotic regimes imposed on them by force,

2. They have given their active support to promote the
success of the people's struggle for freedom, democracy
and self-determination,

3. They are making a practical contribution to
restoring their battered economies through providing
special loans and various other benefits,

4. They have welcomed the demolition of the Berlin
Wall, that symbol of a divided city and a divided people.

However, while these laudable actions on the part of the
main European institutions mark the end of a long period
of violation of individual, social, political and sovereign
rights of so many nations, in the Republic of Cyprus — a
Member State of the UN — arbitrariness and violence

continue to hold sway, flying in the face of the European
and international communities' sense of justice.

Given that all nations have an equal right to
self-determination, does the Council not agree that it is
time to take up the case of Cyprus? Has the time not come
to make firmer demands — instead of mere requests —
for an end to the outrages perpetrated by the Turks over
the past 16 years? Have matters not reached the point
where the European Community can raise its voice and
put forward its own proposal for the immediate
withdrawal of Turkish troops who are holding 40 % of the
territory of an independent country under armed
occupation and sabotaging inter-communal talks in
Cyprus?

Answer

_(8 August 1990)_

The 12 remain committed to a settlement of the Cyprus
question, in accordance with the principles they have
repeatedly enunciated, most recently at the special
European Council in Dublin on 28 April 1990, where the
question of Cyprus, in particular the impasse in the latest
round of inter-communal talks, was discussed at the
highest level.

1. 10.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/21

On that occasion, the 12 expressed their deep concern at
the present situation while at the same time reaffirming
their previous declarations and their support for the unity,
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Cyprus in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.
They also stressed the need for a prompt resumption of
the intercommunal talks on the basis of the mission of

good offices of the Secretary general of the United
Nations, as was recently reaffirmed by resolution 649/90
of the Security Council.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 652/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/40)

_Subject:_ Technical assistance funded by the ERDF

Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 O provides
for the financing of technical assistance measures for
studies closely related to preparatory, accompanying and
assessment measures in respect of operations of the Fund.

What measures have been financed under this provision?

O OJNoL374,31. 12.1988, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 May 1990)_

In the course of 1989 — which was when the reform of

the Community's structural policies first became
operational — the Commission's activities were focused
on the preparation and establishment of Community
support frameworks for regions whose development is
lagging behind (Objective No 1) and for declining
industrial regions (Objective No 2).

The financing plans included in the Community support
frameworks, more particularly those relating to the
regions covered by Objective No 1, allocate substantial
amounts for the financing of technical assistance
connected with the preparation, implementation and
evaluation of measures funded under the Community
support frameworks.

Details of these measures, which will be financed i.a.
under Article 7 of ERDF Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88,
will be made available as and when the structural

operations provided for under the Community support
frameworks are approved and implemented.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 685/90

byMrNeilBlaney(ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/41)

_Subject:_ Smuggling into Ireland of bacon/pork of eastern
European origin presented as being from a
Member State

Is the Commission aware of a recent case in which

bacon/pork imported into Ireland and purporting to
come from Denmark was found to have originated in an
eastern European country and to have been covered by
false papers?

Has the Commission initiated an investigation, and will it
provide the Parliament with full information, in particular
about the scale of this sort of infringement of Community
rules?

What steps are being taken to prevent this sort of fraud
recurring?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

The Commission is fully aware of the case mentioned by
the Honourable Member. The matter is subject to enquiry
both in the Member States concerned and in the

Commission. A mission in this context has already been
undertaken. The Member States concerned are in regular
contact with the Commission in relation to developments.
The topic has also been discussed in the EAGGF
irregularities Experts' Group on 21 March 1990.

In the light of the findings of the said enquiries the
Commission will take appropriate measures to address the
situation and its implications. Further information in this
respect will be furnished to the Honourable Member as
soon as possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 742/90

by Mr Eugenio Melandri (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/42)

_Subject:_ State of war in Sudan

The former Prime Minister of Sudan, Sadiq El-Mahdi, is
attempting to impose 'Sharia' (Islamic law throughout
Sudan, thereby aggravating the internal conflict dividing

No C 246/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

the country which the recent military coup of 30 June
1989 did nothing to help to alleviate not even the
non-govemmental organizations are able to operate in
this country any longer as has been shown by the recent
decision by 'medecins sans frontiers' to suspend their
activities in Sudan.

1. Does the Commission intend to take the necessary
political and diplomatic steps with a view to mediating
between the conflicting parties and opening peace
negotiations between John Garang's .SPLA and the
government forces?

2. Can the Commission say what forms of economic
relations and cooperation have been established with
Sudan apart from those existing under the Fourth
Convention of Lome?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 May 1990)_

Since the military coup of 30 June 1989 which brought to
power the Revolutionary Command Council led by
Brigadier General El Bashir, the Commission has
followed closely developments in Sudan. In this context,
particular attention has been given within the framework
of European Political Cooperation to the situation
regarding the conflict in the South, respect for human
rights, the introduction of internal reforms and the
distribution of humanitarian assistance.

This concern led the Community to issue a statement on
10 November 1989 deploring the resumption of fighting
in the South, and the resulting human suffering and loss
of life.

The statement made an urgent appeal for an end to the
fighting and for the launching of peace negotiations and a
process of national reconciliation to lead to a definitive
solution to the conflict and to national reconstruction.

A further Community declaration was issued on 20
February 1990, urgently appealing for an end to hostilities
and for all necessary steps to be taken promptly to launch
the second phase of Operation Lifeline, Sudan.

In this context, the Commission welcomes the recent
initiatives of Presidents Mubarak of Egypt and Moubutu
of Zaire to bring the two parties to the conflict back to the
negotiating table. The Commission stands ready to play a
constructive role in the framework of a peace process, if
required.

The trade and cooperation relations between Sudan and
the European Community are mainly governed by the
provisions of the successive Lome Conventions. Certain
areas of cooperation are provided outside the Lome

framework, financed from the Community budget,
notably the provision of food aid and assistance to
non-governmental organizations. Since 1975, assistance
to Sudan from such non-Lome sources has totalled

approximately ECU 140 million. This compares to
around ECU 710 million provided within the Lome
framework.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 768/90

by Mr Jacques Vernier (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(9'0/C 246/43)

_Subject:_ Community employment initiatives in the
Nord-Pas-de-Calais region

1. Can the Commission given a sector — by sector —
estimate of the number of jobs created and/or saved in
the Nord-Pas-de-Calais from 1979 to 1989, directly or
indirectly as a result of the aid from the various
Community funds (ESF, ERDF, EAGGF, etc....) and of
the EIB and the ECSC?

2. Can it provide a qualitative and quantitative
description of the various initiatives undertaken in this
region from 1979 to 1989?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _July 1990)_

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 779/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 246/44)

_Subject:_ Motor vehicle licence plates

In view of the plans to introduce uniform characteristics
for the identification of motor vehicles within the

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/23

Community, does the Commission intend to take steps to
persuade Italy to bring licence plates for motor vehicles
registered in Rome into line with others, since the
lettering on them is different from that used generally for
licence plates?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

As part of its work on the technical characteristics of
licence plates, the Commission has agreed with the
Member States that the sequence of figures and letters
used to identify vehicles would remain the responsibility
of the national authorities. They can therefore decide to
alter licence plates when they see fit.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 819/90

by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage and Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto

(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 246/45)

_Subject:_ Progress and the real needs of East Germany,
Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and
Romania

East Germany, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and
Romania have requested to benefit from the 'aid to
reform' (FARO programme) offered by the Group of 24
(which has already been granted to Poland and Hungary).
The extension of aid to these countries is dependent on
the following conditions: the rule of law, respect for
human rights, political pluralism (democratization), the
holding of free elections before the end of the year and
economic liberalization. The Commission of the

European Communities (entrusted with the coordination
of the work of the Group of 24) has sent a mission to
those countries to ascertain what progress has been made
what is needed to carry out the reforms.

Can the Commission say how the reforms are proceeding,
what the priorities are and what the opportunities are for
offering these countries assistance?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

The Commission is sending the 'Summary report on
Commission information missions to countries eligible

for assistance under the Group of 24's coordinated
assistance programme' direct to the Honourable Member
and Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 850/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 246/46)

_Subject:_ No lessening of interest by the European
Community in Latin America

In recent statements the Spanish Foreign Minister
indicated his concern that, as a result of the political
changes which have occurred in Eastern Europe,
European Community aid for Latin America might be
affected by that intended for the European countries
involved and stressed that our Community should not
abandon its foreign policy because serious problems of all
kinds had occurred in neighbouring European countries.

Such statements have given rise to evident concern in both
Spain and Latin America, which are afraid that the
Community may in fact, for that reason, distance itself
further from Latin America.

Do Ministers believe that the concern of their Spanish
colleague is justified and do they consider that it is
necessary — and that this would be a good opportunity —
to devise a Community policy on Latin America which is
not at the mercy of fluctuations caused by changes in
circumstances whether in Eastern Europe or in any other
region of the world?

Answer

_(8_ _August 1990)_

The Community and its Member States have repeatedly
stressed, in particular at the last meeting of the San Jose
Dialogue on 9 and 10 April, that the intensification of our
relations with the countries of Central and Eastern

Europe will in no way lessen our commitment to the
countries of Latin America.

Tangible evidence of this commitment was provided by
the signature of the agreement on the Central America
payments system, in the margins of the San Jose meeting,
which should result in EC financial support of ECU 120
million over 30 months to aid the economic and

commercial development of the region. Other ambitious
programmes are under way concerning both the countries
of Central America and those of the Andean Pact. In

No C 246/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

addition, the Commission adopted on 14 May a
communication to the Council regarding the deepening of
cooperation with the developing countries of Latin
America and Asia, including assistance to the poorest
countries and economic cooperation. Such assistance
would be granted in the framework of a substantially
increased budgetary allocation. This proposal, which was
initially discussed at the Development Council on 29 May
1990, reflects the importance the Community and its
Member States attach to their relations with the countries

of Latin America.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 855/90

by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 April 1990)_

(90/C 246/47)

_Subject:_ Encouraging the use of public transport in urban

areas

The decision of the City Council of Saragossa (Spain) to
reduce by ten pesetas the price of a ticket for travel on the
city bus service constitutes an altogether revolutionary
approach to the problem of promoting the use of public
transport at the expense of the private car and hence of
relieving traffic congestion.

This measure, coupled with the renovation and
modernization of the urban bus fleet, has resulted in an
undoubted improvement in the flow of traffic in the
Aragonese capital.

In view of the positive results obtained, does the
Commission think that it could help solve the problem of
urban traffic congestion by promoting a Community
campaign to encourage the more frequent use of public
transport in towns through the provision of a better
service and the charging of more modest fares?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

The Commission attaches great importance to public
transport and appreciates the particular benefits,
economic, social and environmental, that urban public
transport can bring. It has commissioned a study to
examine the present position as regards urban traffic in
general in various community conurbations, and the
strategies applied by the public authorities. The study will
identify the issues relevant to the Community and indicate
possible action at the Community level.

It is therefore appropriate to await the findings of this
study before any decisions are taken on possible
Community measures in the field of urban transport.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 904/90

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C246/48)

_Subject:_ Japanese restrictions on trade in leather

Japan currently protects its tanning industry by applying a
rate of 60% to most types of dressed leather, with a
reduced duty of 20 % applied to a very small tariff quota
which amounts to only 1—2% of total Japanese
production. This high level of protection is totally
unjustifiable for an economically successful country such
as Japan. Would the Commission indicate in relation to
the current GATT negotiations and the ending of the
trade agreement with Japan in 1991 whether in accepts the
view of the British Leather Confederation (amongst
others) that the EC should settle for nothing less than a
basic tariff of 10 % and abolition of the quota system?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May 1990)_

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that the present high level of protection for the leather
and shoe industry in Japan is not justifiable for an
economically successful country such as Japan. It will
therefore, both in the GATT Uruguay negotiations and in
bilateral talks with Japan, insist on significant market
opening for this important sector to the benefit of
European industry. The Honourable Member may be
assured that the Commission will seek a substantial

reduction in Japanese tariffs on leather arid shoes, as well
as an abolition of the quota system itself.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 950/90

by Mr Heinz Kohler (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C 246/49)

_Subject:_ Restructuring in arms supplies and garrisons

The Vienna negotiations on the reduction of conventional
forces will soon be leading to structural changes in the

1. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 246/25

arms industry and its suppliers. The expected troop
reductions will lead to a steady loss of civilian jobs and a
fall in demand at military garrisons.

This will also affect the weaker regions of the
Community.

Are the ministers responsible in the Member States
prepared and able to pass on to the Commission of the
European Communities information from the Vienna
Negotiations on conventional forces, to enable it to take
regional policy measures?

Answer

_(8_ _August 1990)_

This question is not dealt with in the EPC framework.
However the 12 welcome the progress attained in this
negotiation and look forward to its early and successful
conclusion.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1134/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 246/50)

_Subject:_ Growth of anti-semitism in the USSR

Do the Foreign Ministers meeting in Political
Cooperation have information on the rise in the number
of attacks on Jewish people in the Soviet Union,
particularly in the Azerbaij city of Baku where Moslem
revivalism and the pogrom against Armenians have forced
Jews to flee? Will they take the earliest opportunity to
express their concern about this situation to the Soviet
authorities?

Answer

_(8_ _August 1990)_

On many occasions, the 12 have welcomed the positive
developments in the Soviet Union concerning the exercise
of human rights. However, they remain vigilant and avail
themselves of suitable opportunities to draw to the
attention of the Soviet authorities situations that give rise
to concern. The incidents of antisemitism to which the

Honourable Member refers do not appear to have been
endorsed by the Soviet authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1644/90

by Mr Joachim Dalsass (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(i July 1990)_

(90/C 246/51)

_Subject:_ Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of 30 May
1989, Article 7 (3) — infringement of
Community rules on freedom of movement

Article 7 (3) of the Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of
30 May 1989 contains the following provision:

'Foreigners registered with the registration office are
obliged to renew annually the declaration of their
usual domicile in the municipality and to enclose their
residence permit. The registrar shall in any event make
the relevant enquiries, take the necessary measures and
inform the Prefect thereof.'

In view of the fact that this provision also applies to
citizens of Community countries, and is patently
inconsistent with the completion of the single market and
the existing provisions governing freedom of movement
for persons, can the Commission say:

1. whether it knows about Italy's issuing of this
provision, which restricts freedom of movement?

2. whether it is not also convinced that this provision
contravenes the rules governing the free movement of
persons within the Community in so far as it also
applies to Community citizens ?

3. what steps it intends to take to ensure that freedom of
movement for citizens is completely reestablished in
Italy?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _August 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 91/90 by Mrs
Larive (*).

0) OJ No C 207, 20. 8.1990, p. 20.

No C 246/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1855/90

by Mrs Christine Crawley (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 July 1990)_

(90/C 246/52)

_Subject:_ Ban on political activity

It has recently been announced that one of the results of
the UK's Local Government and Housing Bill, enacted
last year, is that approximately 32 000 people working
within Local Government are now banned from taking
part in political activity — at the time when the bill was introduced, it was estimated that the figure would be
about 13 000. In the light of the Commission's oft-stated
commitment to the safeguarding of individuals' civil
liberties across Europe, and in the context of the

Commission's welcoming of the burgeoning democracy in
Eastern Europe, does the Commission not believe that
this represents an unacceptable curtailment of individuals'
civil liberties in a country which purports to be among the
leaders of the free world? What representations will the
Commission make to the UK to press upon them that
involvement in bona-fide political activity should be an
inviolable right in a free country?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_{3_ _August 1990)_

The matter referred to by the Honourable Member does
not fall within the jurisdiction of the Community.