Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

### Official Journal

##### of the European Communities

English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

##### C117

Volume 33

11 May 1990

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90/C117/01

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90/C117/02

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90/C117/03

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90/C117/09

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Contents p ag e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

N o 457/89 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: The need to pass the reduction in costs on to consumers so as to promote the required
expansion in services in the 'European telecommunications area' 1

N o 493/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Levy and superlevy on cereals 2

N o 661/89 by M r Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject: The image projected by the Commission 2

N o 709/89 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Combating AIDS and the price of A2T 3

N o 716/89 by M r Karl von Wogau to the Commission

Subject: Plant protection certificates and the free movement of goods 3

N o 721/89 by M r Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm to the Commission

Subject: Undertakers in the European Community 4

N o 744/89 by M r Hans-Gert Poettering to the Commission

Subject: Discrepancies in fees for admission to places of cultural interest 4

N o 764/89 by M r Antonio La Pergola to the Commission

Subject: Implementing provisions, research programmes 5

N o 768/89 by M r Christopher Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Community import ban on seal pup furskins 5

N o 773/89 by M r Gene Fitzgerald to the Commission

Subject: Food surpluses 6

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C117/11

90/C117/12

90/C117/13

90/C117/14

90/C117/15

90/C117/16

90/C117/17

90/C117/18

90/C117/19

90/C117/20

90/C117/21

90/C117/22

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9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 2 4

9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 2 5

9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 2 6

9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 2 7

9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 2 8

N o 774/89 by M r Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: TV-Video productions covering or promoting aspects of the Community's work 6

N o 781 /89 by M r Herman Verbeek to the Commission

Subject: Establishing the size of the 1989 cereal harvest 7

N o 793/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Countries owing money to the Community 7

N o 814/89 by M r Carlos Carvalhas and M r Joaquim Miranda da Silva to the

Commission

Subject: A Community policy for the beekeeping sector 8

N o 831/89 by M r Francois de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Infringement proceedings for failure to inform the Commission of national
implementing measures 9

N o 853/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: European Cancer Information Year 9

N o 854/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: European Cancer Information Year 10

N o 855/89 by M r Bruno Gollnisch to the Commission

Subject: Milk imports into the Community 10

N o 889/89 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Education and the new technologies 11

N o 893/89 by M r Alman Metten to the Commission

Subject: Greater transparency and more effective supervision in respect of lobbying activities . . 11

N o 896/89 by M r Carlos Carvalhas to the Commission

Subject: Report on a strategy for Europe and its regions after the year 2000 12

N o 899/89 by M r Herman Verbeek and M r Paul Staes to the Commission

Subject: EEC tennis tournament in Antwerp 12

N o 909/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: EIB funding for the completion of the Autostrada dei Trafori (Italy) 13

N o 911/89 by M r Yves Verwaerde to the Commission

Subject: Community policy in respect of non-EEC nationals 13

N o 927/89 by M r Claude Desama to the Commission

Subject: EEC Tennis Tournament in Antwerp 14

N o 936/89 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission

Subject: Relations between the Commission and Nato as regards the nuisance and risk of
accidents associated with military training flights 14

N o 951/89 by M r Manfred Vohrer to the Commission

Subject: Calculation of Gross National Product 15

N o 952/89 by M r Pol Marck to the Commission

Subject: Takeover of the Tirelemont sugar refinery by Sudzucker 15

Notice No C^ontents^continued^ r ^

90/(^117/29 No 961/89 by Mr (GianfrancoAmendola^ Mr VirginioBettini and Mr Enrico Faiqui

to the Commission

Subject: ImDlementation of Council resolution on environmental education 16

90/(^117/30 No978/89byMrs^inifredE^ingtotheC^ommission
Subject: Centralisation of control of tbe Community fishing industry 17

90/(^117/31 No981/89byMrs^inifredE^ingtotheCommission
Subject: A^nointments to tbe Community fisheries inspectorate 17

90/(^117/32 Nol0^1/89byMrElioMiRunototheCommission

Subject: Standardisation of international dialling codes 17

90/(^117/33 Nol057/89 by Mr Thomas MegahytotheC^ommission

Subject: Slau^bte^ of animals 18

90/(^117/3^ NolllO/89byMr]esus(^abe^onAionsototheC^ommission

Subject: EAGGF^Guidance Section and tbe Autonomous Community of Cantabdaint989 18

90/C117/35 Noll91/89byMr]oseA^arezdeFa^totheCommission
Subject: rTansfet^ of social benefits 18

90/(^117/36 Noll95/89byMr]oseAl^are^dePa^totheC^ommission

Subject: loi^bt to stride 19

90/(^117/37 No 1229/89 by Mrs CarmenlOie^deRi^eralca^atotheCommission

Subject: Ose of recycled oaoet^ 19

90/(Ell7/38 No 1231/89 by Mr Roberto Bar^anti and Mr Roberto^neciale to theC^ouncil
Subject:t99^ Genoa International ^bibition^^Cbdstoobe^Columbus:Sbios and tbeSea^ 19

90/(^117/39 No 1235/89 by Mr BoukeBeumertotheC^ommission
Subject: ECSC inspection set^ice^tOGlV^insoectionsou^suant to Article 60 of tbe^CSC
treaty 20

90/(^117/^0 Nol2^1/89byMr(GaryTideytotheCommission
Subject: multinationals andt99^ 20

90/(^117/^1 Nol265/89 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
states of the European Community meeting in European RoliticalC^oooeration

Subject: political odsonei^s in ^Bto^occo 21

90/(^117/^2 Nol266/89 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
states of the European (community meeting in European political C^ooneration

Subject: Imodsonment of tbe Romanian ^dtet^lOan^et^escu 21

90/(^117/^3 Nol267/89 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
states of the Eut^onean Community meeting in European RoliticalCooneration

Subject: ^termination oftbe^oli^ian^uc^ui Indians 21

90/CPH7/^t Nol268/89 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
states of the European (Sommunity meeting in European Rolitical Cooperation
Subject: Execution ofbi^b^ant^in^ officials in Sie^a Leone 22

^Continued o^edeaf^

Notice N o Contents (continued) Page

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9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 5 9

9 0 / C 1 1 7 / 6 0

N o 1270/89 by M r Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation

Subject: Acts of violence committed against Nahua Indians in Mexico 22

N o 1271/89 by M r Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation

Subject: Possible extermination of the Huaorani Indians 22

N o 1284/89 by M r Gerard Deprez to the Commission

Subject: European employment survey 22

N o 1294/89 by M r Rene-Emile Piquet to the Commission

Subject: Exchange of young farmers in the EEC 23

N o 1311/89 by M r Thomas Maher to the Commission

Subject: The use of milk and butter 23

N o 1336/89 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Council

Subject: Independent right of residence for immigrant women in the European Community . . . 24

N o 1337/89 by M r Antonio Mazzone, M r Gianfranco Fini, M r Giuseppe Rauti and

Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the

European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation

Subject: The emergence of chauvinistic and separatist demands in Europe 24

N o 13/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Growth of international trade in kidneys 25

N o 20/90 by M r Jose Valverde Lopez to the Council

Subject: Measures taken by the Council with regard to the distribution of blood products 25

N o 29/90 by M r Pierre Lataillade to the Council

Subject: Attacks on French vessels by Spanish trawlers 25

N o 98/90 by M r Pierre Lataillade to the Council

Subject: Renewed attacks on French vessels by Spanish fishermen 26

Joint answer to Written Questions N o 29/90 and N o 98/90 26

N o 56/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Energy reserves and energy research 26

N o 88/90 by M r Georgios Romeos to the Council

Subject: Discharge of chemical waste into the North Sea 26

N o 106/90 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political
Cooperation

Subject: Torture of opposition members in Egypt 27

N o 118/90 by M r Gijs de Vries to the Council

Subject: Voting by the Council of Ministers in accordance with the Single Act 27

N o 153/90 by M r Francesco Speroni to the Council

Subject: Non-Community immigrants in Italy 28

(Continued on inside back cover)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C117/61

90/C117/62

90/C117/63

90/C117/64

90/C117/65

90/C117/66

90/C117/67

90/C117/68

90/C117/69

90/C117/70

90/C117/71

90/C117/72

90/C117/73

90/C117/74

No 163/90 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Council

Subject: Unjustified delays in the payment of subsidies to olive-oil producers 28

No 173/90 by Mr Ian White to the Council
Subject: Irish Presidency 28

No 177/90 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Council
Subject: Investigation of Sellafield accident 29

No 178/90 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Council
Subject: Evaluation of radiation protection standards 29

No 179/90 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Council

Subject: Alternatives to storage or direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel 29

No 180/90 by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Council
Subject: Programme of social measures for workers in the shipbuilding sector 30

No 202/90 by Mr James Ford to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation
Subject: Human rights in Colombia 30

No 234/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject: TV-video productions covering or promoting aspects of the Community's work 30

No 260/90 by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott to the Council
Subject: Baggage inspection at Community airports 31

No 262/90 by Mrs Viviane Reding to the Council
Subject: The zero-rating of newspapers and periodicals for VAT purposes 31

No 281/90 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Commission
Subject: Teaching material defining Germany in terms of its 1937 borders, published in
conjunction with the Federal German Government's Press and Information Office 31

No 298/90 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Council
Subject: Dublin-Belfast rail link 32

No 307/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject: CodTAC for 1990 32

No 360/90 by Mr Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject: Age limit for recruitment by the EC institutions 32

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/1

_(Information)_

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 457/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 117/01)

_Subject:_ The need to pass the reduction in costs on to
consumers so as to promote the required
expansion in services in the 'European
telecommunications area'

Everyone knows about the efforts the Commission is
making to create a 'European telecommunications area'
by means of standardization, stimulation of demand and
cooperation on the important tasks to be carried out in
technological research and development.

Nevertheless, it would seem that much less progress is
being made in the field of tariffs and other areas which
may affect the behaviour of companies, the degree of
cohesion and consumer protection. A recent survey of
European tariffs carried out by the British consultants
Ovum Ltd. concludes that uniform tariffs are unlikely to
be introduced in the near future in view of the present
enormous discrepancy between the cost of services and
the prices charged, which for example mean that the same
kind of service costs 50 times as much in Spain as in
Sweden, or 14 times as much in East Germany as in the
United Kingdom (cf. 'Europe's twisted tariffs', _Data_
_Communications International,_ July 1989).

In these circumstances, how does the Commission intend
to comply with the European Parliament's
recommendations for improving quality and reducing the
costs of telecommunication services, so that the whole of
Europe can buy them at a reasonable price?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 January 1990)_

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view

that the price paid by the public in the Community for the

telecommunications services they receive ought to be
related to the cost of those services. It has made this one

of the main policy objectives in this sector, as it pointed
out in the Green Paper on telecommunications (').

The Commission intends to attain that objective by
adopting a two-pronged approach:

— first, by calling on the Member States to abolish the
exclusive rights which currently shield the PTTs from
any form of competition, it is opening up a large part
of the market in telecommunications services to
private service providers ( [2] ). This will have the effect
of gradually bringing the price of these services more
closely into line with costs.

— secondly, the Commission has proposed a Directive
on Open Network Provision (ONP) designed to
allow private users and service providers fair and
open access to the resources of the public networks.
Under this proposal for a Directive tariffs must be
based on objective criteria and, in particular,
cost-related ( [2] ).

In its communication on the implementation of the Green
Paper ( [3] ), the Commission restated its aim of
progressively implementing the principle that
telecommunications tariffs should follow overall cost

trends. In this connection it announced that it would have

to re-evaluate the whole approach to the future evolution
of the telecommunications sector if that objective were
not attained by 1 January 1992.

In addition, if the PTTs were to infringe Articles 85 and
86 of the Treaty in fixing the prices charged in this sector,
the Commission would be obliged to intervene directly to
deal with such practices, as it has done on previous
occasions.

O COM(87) 290 final.
O OJ No C 236, 14.9. 1989.
O COM(88) 48 final.

No C 117/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 493/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 117/02)

_Subject:_ Levy and superlevy on cereals

All the Spanish farming organizations stress the
illogicality of charging a superlevy which will probably
have to be repaid in the coming months when the balance
sheet is drawn up for the marketing year. Last year,
according to some experts, costs incurred in repaying
sums charged in advance exceeded these same sums.

Why, then, is the superlevy charged in advance?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 December 1989)_

The additional co-responsibility levy must be assessed in
the framework of the cereals market stabilization

mechanisms set up during the 1988/89 marketing year.

The primary reason for the provisional collection of the
additional co-responsibility levy lies in the need to take
account of the overrun of the maximum guaranteed
quantity during the actual marketing year in which it
occurs. Deferral of the collection of the levy to the
following marketing year could turn out to be
inopportune if, for example, the subsequent harvest was

poor.

At the beginning of the marketing year it is impossible to
work out with any precision the volume of production,
which itself determines whether or not the additional levy
is to be collected. This cannot be done until after the

entire harvest is in, in October/November, by which time
some 80% of the harvest has already gone through the
first-sale stage. If the additional levy were not collected
provisionally at the beginning of the marketing year it
would be collected on only 20 % of the cereals sold on by
farmers, which would be not only economically
unjustifiable but discriminatory, since some producers
would escape the levy and others not.

The Commission set cereal production for the 1989/90
marketing year at 160,5 million tonnes. In view of the
particular circumstances of cereal growers during the year
and the fact that the maximum guaranteed quantity was

overrun by very little, the Commission considers that the
collection of the additional levy resulting from the setting
of production at the above level should not be definitive
and that the sums collected in advance should be

reimbursed in full. The Commission will adopt the
necessary measures in the near future.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 661/89

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/03)

_Subject:_ The image projected by the Commission

1. Can the Commission explain why no less than 45
copies of proposals for the energy demonstration
programme have to be submitted (*) ?

2. Can the Commission not see its way to managing
with a smaller number?

O Commission of the European Communities
(Directorate-General for Energy), Energy Demonstration
1989 (December 1988), information sheet, item 7.3, (p. 5).

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

_(17 January 1990)_

1. Demonstration project proposals are normally
submitted in two languages, that is 15 copies in the
language of the country concerned and 30 English
translations. Some 30 of these 45 copies are distributed to
Member States, so that their representatives can prepare
their views on each project for the relevant Advisory
Committee meeting. The remaining copies are required
for the Directorate-General for Energy's (DG XVII) own
staff, for expert advisers assisting DG XVIFs evaluations,
for other Directorates-General which need to be

consulted, and for archives.

2. For the new Thermie Programme, which is to
replace the demonstration projects programme, DG XVII
intends to reduce the number of copies required, both by
limiting the Commission's own needs and by asking
Member States to manage with fewer copies.

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 709/89

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/04)

_Subject:_ Combating AIDS and the price of AZT

For the second time since 1987 the Burroughs-Wellcome
company, which produces and markets the drug AZT in
the United States under the trade-name Retrovir, which is
used to delay the onset of the effects of the AIDS virus,
has just reduced the selling price of its product by 20 %
( _Washington Post,_ 19 September 1989). It decided to do so
under pressure of public opinion and from Congress in
response to the exorbitant rates of profit being made on a
drug presenting both curative and preventive properties
for which demand has risen very substantially. One of the
arguments used to confront the company was to say that
imported AZT would be less costly to consumers and to
Medicaid.

I should like to have answers to the following questions:

1. What are the principal companies producing AZT in
the Community, and what are their pricing policies
compared with Burroughs?

2. Does AZT have a recognized medicinal value in the
Member States of the Community, and does it qualify
(and if so at what rate*) for social security
reimbursement?

3. What is the Commission's 'pricing policy' in an area
where producers try too readily to justify excessive
profits on the grounds of the extent of their
investments in research and development?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1990)_

1. The drug known as Retrovir (Zidovudine) is
marketed throughout the world exclusively by the
Wellcome group, which developed this first effective
remedy against AIDS. The product licence should expire
between 1992 and 1994, depending on the country.
According to the information at the Commission's
disposal, the price at which the drug is available to the
public in the Community is approximately ECU 160 for a
box of one hundred 100 mg capsules.

2. Zidovudine has a recognized medicinal value in all
the Member States of the Community and qualifies for
social security reimbursement, in contrast to the situation

in the United States, where the drug is in general charged
to the patient.

3. With regard to the Community's pricing policy for
medicinal products, the Honourable Member is requested
to refer to the Commission's position stated in November
1988 (') during the Parliamentary debates prior to the
adoption of Council Directive 89/105/EEC of 21
December 1988 relating to the transparency of measures
regulating the pricing of medicinal products for human
use and their inclusion in the scope of national health
insurance systems ( [2] ).

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-371 (November

1988).
[O OJNo L40.ll. 2. 1989.](http://L40.ll)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 716/89

by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/05)

_Subject:_ Plant protection certificates and the free
movement of goods

The Italian authorities now require Italian importers of
Community goods subject to market regulations, e.g.
cereals, to submit a plant protection certificate in respect
of each consignment of goods in addition to the
customary guarantee certificate (form T2), export
dispatch certificate and invoice.

Does the Commission know about the Italian authorities'

measure? Was the measure agreed with and approved by
the Commission? If not, will the Commission take steps
against this additional administrative obstacle to the free
movement of goods?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 January 1990)_

The Commission is aware that since August 1989 serious
difficulties have been encountered over the release for

free consumption in Italy of grain from other Member
States. These difficulties arise from the application of a
decree on health standards for plants and plant products
imported, exported or in transit through Italy, one of the
requirements being that for importation into Italy grain
must be accompanied by a plant health certificate from

No C 117/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

the country of origin of the type specified by Directive
77/93/EEC O

The Commission has requested full details of the
situation from the Italian authorities, whose reply it is
now studying. It will inform the Honourable Member of
its decisions.

O OJ No L 26, 31. 1.1977, p. 20.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 721/89

by Mr Carles-Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/06)

_Subject:_ Undertakers in the European Community

The removal of physical frontiers in 1993 raises a number
of questions concerning certain aspects of the work of
undertakers, in particular with regard to the cross-border
transport of corpses. As a rule they are checked at
frontiers to ensure compliance with national regulations.
What will become of these checks once the frontiers

disappear?

Does the Commission have plans for a system of mutual
recognition based on initial checks at the point of
departure of the coffin which would be recognized by the
authorities in the country of destination, or even for
harmonization of checks at the point of departure of the
coffin?

Which Community Member States are signatories to the
International Agreement of Berlin (10 February 1937) on
the transport of corpses? If these aspects do come within
the Commission's remit, is it contemplating making the
Community a party to this Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 January 1990)_

The Commission has very little information on which to
base a sufficiently complete approach to the transport of
the bodies of deceased persons.

There are currently two international conventions in
existence. Firstly, there is the Berlin International

Arrangement of 10 February 1937, signed by certain
Member States of the Community (Belgium, France,
Italy, Portugal and the Federal Republic of Germany).

Secondly, a Council of Europe agreement on the transfer
of corpses was concluded on 26 October 1973. It has been
signed by Belgium, Greece, Spain, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Portugal and the Federal Republic of
Germany, and ratified by all these Member State, with the
exception of Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The question of the Community acceding to one of these
agreements is still premature. The Commission is
currently looking into whether further measures are
advisable and justified supplementary measures with a
view to the completion of the internal market. It is not
only a question of abolishing border controls but also of
ensuring the freedom of the undertakers to provide
services.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 744/89

by Mr Hans-Gen Poettering (PPE) .

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/07)

_Subject:_ Discrepancies in fees for admission to places of
cultural interest

Is the Commission of the European Communities aware
that a distinction is made in certain regions of Italy
between Italian nationals and the nationals of other

countries, including European Community Member
States, as regards fees for admission to places of cultural
interest?

— Does the Commission agree that this constitutes an
infringement of the Treaties of Rome?

— What representations does the Commission intend to
make to the Italian Government with a view to

remedying this situation?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1990)_

The Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable
Member that the problem related to discrimination in
entrance fees to cultural monuments and sites has ceased

to exist as a result of the Decree of the Italian Ministry of
Culture of 30 June 1988, a copy of which the Commission

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/5

is sending directly to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat of the Parliament.

This Decree, as it clearly states, was a response to the
Resolution of 20 December 1985 of the Council of the

European Communities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 764/89

by Mr Antonio La Pergola (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/08)

_Subject:_ Implementing provisions, research programmes

How many draft implementing provisions has the
Commission submitted to advisory, management or
regulatory committees since 1 January 1989 in the field of
implementation of research programmes?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 March 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the

information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 768/89

by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/09)

_Subject:_ Community import ban on seal pup furskins

The following table lists all the recorded imports of
pupskins and products, as shown by Eurostat, by
importing countries. The totals are cumulative from 1983,
by country. Would the Commission confirm these totals
and explain the status of each of the consignments which
they comprise as they appear to relate to trade in
categories banned under Community legislation?

Recorded imports of pup furs and articles of pup furskin by Community countries between and including

1984—87

Tanned/dressed pupskins
(number)

1 660

—

1 068

—

      

408

—

8 091

2 239

885

—

Articles of pupskin

(ECU '000)

261

220

99

53

3 255

    

5

47

785

    
—

Importing country

Germany

France

Italy

Netherlands

Belgium- Luxembourg

United Kingdom

Ireland

Denmark

Greece

Spain

Portugal

Number
of raw pupskins

2 563

—

1 200

—

   
   
—

801

511

   
—

_Source:_ Eurostat Analytical Table of Foreign Trade.

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

_(11 January 1990)_

Eurostat figures on Community imports of complete raw
furskins (heading 4301.22) and of tanned or dressed
furskins (heading 4302.22) of whitecoat pups of harp seals
and bluebacked pups of hooded seals indeed appear to

indicate that the Community imported 15 016 (1 936 raw
and 13 080 tanned) skins in the year 1984 to 1987.

In view of the import prohibition provided for in Council
Directive 83/129/EEC ('), the Commission investigated
whether these imports involved possible infringements
and found that:

(a) Denmark imported 801 raw and 9 tanned skins from
Greenland (hooded seal skins of that origin being

No C 117/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

exempted from the Directive); 7 769 tanned skins
from Sweden (proven to be of Greenland origin and
re-exported by Sweden after dressing) and 278
tanned skins from Norway but of Greenland origin
and therefore exempted from the Directive.

(b) The Federal Republic of Germany imported 1 135
raw skins of hooded seals from Greenland (exempted
from the Directive) and the Commission is currently
seeking confirmation with the competent authorities
that the import of 1 640 skins from Norway in 1986
also concerned skins exempted from the Directive.

(c) The United Kingdom imported 13 skins from the
United States in 1987, which proved to be Northern
fur seal skins. The United Kingdom issued no import
permits for skins covered by this Directive since the
entry into force of its implementation legislation on
26 November 1983 and therefore the reported import
of 245 skins from the United States in 1984 must

likewise have been of other seal species.

(d) Spain imported 1 293 skins from Norway in 1984 and
1985, i.e. before the Directive became applicable to it.
885 of these skins were temporarily re-exported to
Norway for processing and re-imported in 1986.

(e) Italy imported 948 skins from Canada in 1986 but
these were from seal species not covered by the
Directive.

O OJ No L 91, 9. 4. 1983, p. 30.

WRITTEN QUESTION No _773/89_

by Mr Gene Fitzgerald (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/10)

_Subject:_ Food surpluses

To ask the Commission if it is aware of the continuing
public perception that the Community is still responsible
for creating milk and wine lakes as well as beef, butter and
cheese mountains. Will the Commission therefore

indicate what the exact position is now with regard to the
question of surplus foods?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 December 1989)_

The Commission has frequently indicated that, as a result
of disposal schemes, the measures taken to discourage
sales to intervention and efforts made on exports and
lower production, a considerable reduction has been
achieved in intervention stocks since 1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 774/89

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/11)

_Subject:_ TV-Video productions covering or promoting
aspects of the Community's work

I am aware that a number of Directorates-General and

Departments within the Commission have small separate
budgets for the above purposes. Can the Commission list
all department sections and Directorates-General
administering such budgets, together with their size and
details of the method of application/allocation?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1990)_

The various efforts of all the different

Directorates-General of the Commission in the field of

information are coordinated by the Directorate-General
for Information, Communication and Culture through
the Priority Information Programme (PIP).

PIP estimates for the final outcome for 1989 indicate that

some 10 % of global priority information expenditure, or

At the end of September 1989, cereal stocks amounted to
almost 9 million tonnes, which is 2 million tonnes less
than September 1988 and 7,5 million tonnes less than
September 1986.

Stocks of butter and skimmed milk powder have
practically disappeared. Beef stocks by the end of
September 1989 were 131 000 tonnes, 600 000 tonnes less
than the level of twelve months before.

The following table indicates the situation of intervention
stocks at the end of August 1989 _('000 tonnes_ _or_
_hectolitres)._

wheat (soft)
wheat (durum)
barley

rye
maize

sunflower seed

olive oil

butter

skimmed milk powder
beef

tobacco

alcohol

2 700

1 100

3 200

1 100

778

5

153

39

5

120

30

11 000

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/7

approximately ECU 2,5 million, of the different
Departments of the Commission has been devoted to
audiovisual productions in one form or another,
especially for programmes relating to '1992'. This does
not include expenditure related to the Commission's
MEDIA programme of support and stimulus to the
audiovisual profession for which ECU 7 million was
budgeted in 1989.

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of the European
Parliament a set of tables containing more detailed
information.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 781/89

by Mr Herman Verbeek (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/12)

_Subject:_ Establishing the size of the 1989 cereal harvest

1. Is the Commission able and willing to provide
definitive figures for the size of the Community cereal
harvest in 1991 and precise details of the cereal harvest in
each Member State, broken down by the various types of
cereal?

2. Can the Commission say what techniques (or
methods) are used to arrive at these figures, again broken
down by Member State and type of cereal?

3. Does the Commission consider that if it proves
possible to establish precisely the size of the cereal harvest
in the European Community, it will, technically speaking,
be a simple matter to introduce a reliable system of cereal
quotas in the European Community?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

Pursuant to the conclusions of the European Council of
February 1988 and to the Council's decision of 25 April
1988 Council Regulation (EEC) No 1097/88 O, the
Commission is, for the purposes of the stabilizer
mechanism, required to establish before 1 March of each
marketing year the total volume of cereals produced in
the Community in that year.

However, both in 1988/89, the first year of operation of
the stabilizer mechanism, and even more so in the current
marketing year the Commission has received numerous
requests, from both national authorities and trade

organizations, to bring the date by which it establishes the
harvest as far forward as possible in order to clarify the
situation for producers.

The Commission has responded positively to these
requests while pointing out that at dates as early as
October or November only an estimate can be made. With
its many years of experience of estimating harvests the
Commission has been able to set up procedures providing
the most reliable estimate possible under present
circumstances. Nonetheless, although production of each
cereal or group of cereals in each Member State is
carefully examined, the probability of error is shown by
experience to be markedly higher for the individual
components of an estimate (maize in France, wheat in
Ireland, etc.) than for the total estimate (all cereals in the
Community of Twelve). It is for this reason that the
Commission publishes an overall figure only. It considers
that in so doing it fully discharges its obligation.

The fact that at this stage only an overall figure can be
advanced with some guarantee of reliability is likewise a
reply to the Honourable Member's third question.

The Commission's determination of the cereal harvest is

arrived at by a group of experts on cereals and on
statistical forecasting, in close cooperation between the
Statistical Office and the Directorate-General for

Agriculture. All information made available by the
national authorities (Ministries of Agriculture, statistical
services, certain intervention agencies), trade
organizations (COPA/COGECA, COCERAL) and
private sources (the big cereal market operators in
particular) is used. The experience of the experts
themselves is also of great importance. They have a single
task, to submit to the Commission, following thorough
consideration of all the information available to them, the
best estimate of the cereal harvest that they can make.
Their work can be judged against a single criterion: the
final harvest figures, which are generally available in June
or July. On the basis of this criterion their work for
1988/89 was excellent.

O OJNoL 110,29.4. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 793/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/13)

_Subject:_ Countries owing money to the Community

When does the Community intend to tackle its own debt
problem? How much does the debt amount to at present
and what are the debtor countries?

No C 117/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 January 1990)_

Non-member countries owe money to the European
Community in the form of loans from the European
Investment Bank (EIB), loans from the European
Development Fund (EDF) and loans financed by the
Community budget and granted under financial protocols
with Mediterranean countries.

EDF loans are granted under the Yaounde and Lome
Conventions to countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the
Pacific (the ACP countries). The other loans are focused
on Mediterranean countries (including Jordan and Syria)
with which cooperation or association agreements have
been signed.

The amounts owed to the Community are marginal
compared with the debtor countries' total external debt.
For example, at the end of 1987 they accounted for
between 2% and 2,5% of the public long-term external
debt of the Mediterranean countries and less than 2 % of

the debt of the ACP countries. Thus non-member

countries have no debt problem with the Community.

Two innovations have been made in the arrangements for
financial cooperation between the Community and
non-member countries. Under the third financial

protocols (which run from 31 October 1986 to 31 October
1991) loans on special terms financed from the
Community budget have been replaced by grants, and
some of this money is used to contribute to risk capital
formation.

The new Lome Convention contains a special chapter on
the debt problem. The main features are as follows:

—
_Aid arrangements:_ the new Convention does away
with special loans and the requirement to replenish
Stabex resources; under a two-stage procedure
introduced for Sysmin aid, a grant to the recipient
country will be used to finance a loan to the final
borrower;

— _Community_ _support:_ the Community will provide
support in the form of technical assistance for debt
management and, by means of structural adjustment
support, for attacking the causes of imbalance and
indebtedness;

—
_General debt problem:_ in a joint declaration annexed
to the Convention, the Community undertakes to
exchange views with the ACP countries on the debt
problem in general, within the framework of
international discussions and without prejudice to
specific discussions in the appropriate forums.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 814/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas and Mr Joaquim Miranda da Silva

(CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/14)

_Subject:_ A Community policy for the beekeeping sector

Agricultural organizations in the Community have
recently published a document on beekeeping in Europe
which draws attention to both the Community's shortfall
in this sector and the inadequate rules governing the
market.

Given this situation, can the Commission state whether it
intends to support improved statistical information, rules
designed to stimulate the production of honey in the
Community, and more effective customs control, to
introduce measures to support beekeepers in
less-favoured areas such as Portugal and to encourage
vocational training and research?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 January 1990)_

The Commission has received the document on the

beekeeping sector referred to by the Honourable
Members, and its services have examined its content with

interest.

They are also examining the most appropriate means by
which it may prove possible to encourage and help
beekeepers and their representative organizations to
benefit, as do other food producers, from the various
provisions for aiding the improvement of agricultural
structures and the marketing of agricultural produce,
contained in the structural legislation of the Common
Agricultural Policy. In the meantime, the Community has
increased the level of financing for both research and
beekeeping organizations' action in the field aimed at
better control of the bee disease, varroasis, which is the
most serious problem facing the sector in almost every
Member State, including Portugal.

Past aid schemes to the sector have all proved costly and
uneconomical to administer, and ineffective as real
support to beekeepers for a number of reasons, which are
as much a reflection of the structural characteristics of

beekeeping in most Member States as of the small sums
which it proved possible to make available in times of
severe budgetary restrictions. These reasons continue at
the present time, in the Commission's view, to make it
unrealistic to seek better support for beekeepers along the
lines of a common organization of the market. However
lightly-structured such envisaged legislation might be, it
would still have to be efficient and controllable. Any form
of aid to storage, for instance, would already require a
degree of market transparency in the shape of regular

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/9

official statistics which is unlikely to be made available.
Furthermore, the Commission must point out that, far
from being unprotected against imports, the major third
country exporters are faced by a common customs tariff
of 27 % at the frontier. Only for ACP and LDC countries
is this rate reduced to zero, imports from other
developing countries also attracting a 25 % duty rate.

For further details of the background to the difficulties
referred to above, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Members to its answers to Written Question
No 2460/88 by Mr Kolokotronis ('), 2537/86 by Mr
Newton Dunn ( [2] ) and oral question H-1062/88 by Mr
Schmid ( [3] ). The Honourable Members might also usefully
refer to the Commission's report to Council on the
il981 —1983 aid scheme operated under Council
Regulation 1196/81 and to the text of the Commission's
Decision concerning aid for the control of varroasis from
the 1989 budget, which are being sent directly to the
Honourable Members and to the Secretariat of the

Parliament.

O OJNoC270, 23. 10. 1989.
O O J N o C 177,6.7. 1987.
(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 2-376 (March
1989).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 831/89

by Mr Francois de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/15)

_Subject:_ Infringement proceedings for failure to inform
the Commission of national implementing

measures

In April 1989, the Commission sent the Belgian
Government a letter of formal notice for failure to inform

it of the national measures implementing Directive
85/374/EEC of 25 July 1985 (') on the approximation of
the laws of the Member States concerning liability for
defective products.

1. Could the Commission state what argument the
Belgian Government has put forward to justify its
failure to inform the Commission?

2. What further action does it intend to take in this

matter?

(') OJNoL210,7. 8. 1985, p. 29.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 February 1990)_

1. The Belgian Government has informed the
Commission that, following a number of consultations,

the competent authorities will shortly be tabling a bill.
The Commission is not aware of any other grounds for
exceeding the time limit laid down in the Directive
referred to by the Honourable Member.

2. The Commission has initiated the infringement
procedure provided for in Article 169.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 853/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/16)

_Subject:_ European Cancer Information Year

On page 9 of the Commission publication _'Europe against_
_Cancer',_ it is stated that the Community is currently trying
to reinforce the existing anti-cancer information
campaigns.

1. Does not the Commission consider that this statement

is contradicted by the decision to reduce the share of
the budget devoted to information from 40 % to 15 _%,_
as proposed in the second 'Europe against Cancer'
programme (COM(89) 210 final)?

2. What measures does the Commission intend to take to

ensure consistency with its publicly stated aim of
reinforcing the existing national anti-cancer
information campaigns?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the importance of campaigns
to inform the general public about cancer prevention. In
1989, the 'European Year on Cancer Information', the
European Community provided major support for the
various national bodies active in the fight against cancer
by asking them to give as wide a dissemination as possible
to the 'European Code against Cancer'.

As part of the second action plan (1990—1994) of the
'Europe against Cancer' programme, endeavours at
European level to inform the general public will, of
course, be continued. However, shortage of funds means
that the budget allocated to this type of operation has had
to be revised downwards. However, the Commission
expects that the non-governmental bodies involved in the
fight against cancer will assume a larger proportion of the
costs involved in disseminating the 'European Code
against Cancer'.

No C 117/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 854/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

1 (90/C 117/17)

_Subject:_ European Cancer Information Year

Page 15 of the Commission publication _'Europe against_
_Cancer'_ states, _inter alia,_ that the Community has a
specific role to play in 'using its prerogatives in areas such
as . . . the common agricultural policy'.

Does the Commission not consider that:

1. it is deceiving the public by omitting to mention that in
the Community budget for 1990 over ECU 1 billion is
allocated to support for the tobacco industry?

2. it should act on its affirmation in the

above-mentioned publication by taking the
appropriate budgetary measures for the 1991 financial
year?

3. it should carry out a study with a view to conversion of
the tobacco-growing industry?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1990)_

As the Commission has already stated in its reply to
Written Question No 294/89 by Lord O'Hagan ('), the
support given to the raw tobacco sector by the common
agricultural policy derives from the obligations set out in
Article 39 of the EEC Treaty.

However, the Commission has systematically embodied
concern about health protection in all the policies which
fall within the Community's competence. The structural
Funds, for example, support operations to switch to
tobacco varieties which are less injurious to health or to
other crops, as was announced in the first 'Europe against
Cancer' action plan ( [2] ), to which the Honourable Member
refers. In the same spirit, the proposals for Directives
concerning the implementation of the single market
likewise took account of this concern to put an end to
smoking. For example, as regards harmonization of the
labelling of tobacco products and pursuant to paragraph 3
of Article 100a, the Commission's proposal took its cue
from the Irish example, which was the most advanced in
this field. This Directive was adopted by the Council
meeting of Ministers of Health held on 13 November
1989 ( [3] ).

Finally, an — admittedly modest — proportion of the
Community budget has been allocated to support for

anti-smoking operations as part of the 'Europe against
Cancer' programme. These amounts cannot, of course, be
compared with the sums devoted to the common
agricultural policy. However, this European action has
major seminal effects, since it is taken up in the field by
non-governmental anti-cancer and anti-smoking
associations.

O OJ No C 90, 9. 4. 1990.
O OJ No C 50, 26. 2. 1987.
0 OJNoL359, 8. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 855/89

by Mr Bruno Gollnisch (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/18)

_Subject:_ Milk imports into the Community

Can the Commission state whether there have been recent

imports of milk into the Community, and, if so, in what
quantities and from which third countries?

Can it also state the size of the Community's stocks of
dried milk and the amount of milk which the Community
is to supply to Poland?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

During the first eight months of 1989 the following
quantities of milk were imported into the Community:

Yugoslavia
Austria

United States

Switzerland

Canaries

Andorra

Norway
Iceland

Hungary
Dominica

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes,

tonnes.

4313

804

359

278

278

50

47

27

25

22

The Community's stock of skimmed milk powder was
4 811 tonnes on 1 December 1989.

The Commission has decided for the time being not to
supply milk products from Community stocks to Poland
on special terms, talks with the Polish authorities having
shown that there was no special need for them.

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/11

WRITTEN QUESTION No 889/89

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/19)

_Subject:_ Education and the new technologies

Is the Commission planning to fund any pilot
programmes to promote the new technologies in schools?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

The work programme for 1990 concerning measures
relating to the introduction of new information
technology in schools (Resolution of 19 September 1983
adopted by the Council and the Ministers of Education
meeting within the Council (') will focus on:

— the organization of meetings and seminars to
compare experience in the various Member States;

— the organization of an exchange programme and
visits, primarily for teacher trainers, designed to
broaden their practical and vocational experience;

— comparative analyses aimed at ensuring greater
transferability and improved assessment of software,
including educational software;

— improvement of the information exchange and
experience data system using the Euryclee network.

Naturally, the basis for action continues to be the
Euryclee network measures and a Community network of
pilot and demonstration projects designed to exhibit the
practical utilization of new information technology.

The aim in bringing these transnational projects within
the framework of a single network is to produce, by dint
of a multiplier effect, an increase in the transfer of
methodologies and the exchange of experience, expertise
and materials.

The projects undertaken by the Euryclee network, which
consists of a national centre for information on new

technology in each of the Member States, will make it
possible to collate information on the strategy pursued by
each Member State with a view to the introduction of new

technology in education. This in turn will enable the
various parties involved in the education process to
familiarize themselves with the new technology applicable
and the existing educational software and, where
appropriate, to obtain access to the banks of data on
experience acquired in other Member States and to
respond to information requests.

The projects will be accepted by the network on the basis
of their reference value and likely contribution to the
Community network, particularly with regard to their

potential value in terms of exchange and transfer between
the Member States. These projects — naturally financed
by the Member States — will receive Commission support
in respect of the transnational aspects connected with the
transfer of experience and methodologies and, in the
latter case, in respect of various pilot projects and in
particular the Euryclee network, which comprises a
national centre in each Member State, set up by the
Ministers of Education and responsible for the exchange
of information and practical experience data. The
Commission has set up a group of experts (responsible for
national policies on introducing new technology into the
education systems) in order to assist it in this task. The
group's brief is to meet twice a year with the directors of
the Euryclee centres.

(') OJNoC256, 24. 9. 1983.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 893/89

by Mr Alman Metten (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 198 9)_

(90/C 117/20)

_Subject:_ Greater transparency and more effective
supervision in respect of lobbying activities

Since legislation concerning the internal market began in
earnest two years ago, the number of people lobbying the
European Community has increased dramatically.
However, it is not at all clear who these lobbyists are and,
in particular, what interests they represent. It is also
unclear what rules of conduct they follow.

1. Is the Commission prepared, if possible in
collaboration with the European Parliament, to
introduce a compulsory registration procedure for
lobbyists, as is the practice in the United States under
the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act?

2. (a) Does the Commission not consider that this

compulsory registration procedure should be
accompanied by a general code of conduct for
Community lobby activities?

(b) Is the Commission prepared to confer with the
European Parliament on the introduction of such
a code of conduct?

3. Is the Commission prepared to attach to its proposals
a list of persons and organizations it has consulted on
its own initiative, so that it is possible to assess
whether such consultations have been evenly
balanced?

4. Is the Commission also prepared to attach to its
proposals a list of persons and organizations by which
it has been contacted while in the process of drawing
up its policies?

No C 117/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1990)_

A list of trade and professional organizations in the
Community is published by the Office for Official
Publications in collaboration with a private publisher; it
covers the European federations in contact with the
Community institutions and is used for reference

purposes.

The Commission is not planning to introduce a code of
conduct; its departments operate within the bounds of
Community regulations and its officials act in accordance
with the Staff Regulations.

The Commission has asked its department for lists of the
organizations which were formally consulted in 1989; it
will send the results to the Honourable Member direct.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 896/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/21)

_Subject:_ Report on a strategy for Europe and its regions
after the year 2000

Mr Bruce Millan, the Commissioner responsible for
regional policy, announced at the conference on the
regions of Europe in Munich that the Commission
intended to draw up a report on the regions of the
European Community after the year 2000.

Does the Commission intend to consult the local

authorities and trade unions when drawing up this report?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1990)_

In accordance with Article 10 of Regulation 4254/88 ('),
the Commission intends to draw up, by the end of 1990 a
strategic document presenting the image of the European
Community and its regions beyond the year 2000. This
work will be carried out in dialogue with the Member
States and regions concerned.

While the Commission does not intend to consult

individual local authorities or trade unions, it will ensure
that the Consultative Council of Regional and Local

Authorities and the Economic and Social Committee are

informed about the main lines of the study.

(') OJNoL374,31.12.1988,p. 15.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 899/89

by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Paul Staes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/22)

_Subject:_ EEC tennis tournament in Antwerp

1. Exactly how much money has the EC made available
for the EEC Tennis tournament this year and the previous
seven years?

2. Is it true that the first prize in the tournament is a
golden racket studded with 1617 diamonds?

3. Does the Commission not believe that this prize,
which will probably be kept in the winner's safe, is a waste
of Community money, and will probably confirm the
spendthrift image that the Community creates in the
minds of very many people?

4. Is the Commission prepared to review its policy of
subsidizing sport and give priority to leisure sports?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

1. The Commission has not provided any financial
assistance for this year's EEC tournament in Antwerp or
for the seven previous events. The Honourable Member is
referred in this connection to the answer given by the
Commission to Written Question No 927/89 by Mr
Desama (*).

2. and 3. The Commission is in no way involved in the
design and financing of the golden racket, which is
donated by the Antwerp Diamond Council.

4. The Commission will continue its policy with regard
to sport along the lines set out in the Adonnino People's
Europe Report approved by the Milan European Council
of June 1985 which recommends promoting the European
idea via sport.

(') See page 14 of this Official Journal.

M ^ 0 COfficial journal of the European Communities ^ o C M B B l ^

^ ^ T T E ^ ^ t l E ^ T I C O ^ ^ o ^ O ^ B ^

hyM^C^ianfra^coAr^endoia^

to the Commission of the European Communities

r^OBCMBB^

^ ^ c ^, E1B funding for the completion of the
Autostrada deiTraforit^ltaly^

following the questions by Mr Corleone t^os^tB5s^
a n d ^ B ^ andin viewof thefactthattheEuropean
Investment Bank has provided funding forthe completion
of the Autostrada dei Trafori r^CenoaVoltri^implon^
and that, during the work on the stretch between
^omeraro and the Commune of ^tresa rlBtaly^ the
Italstrade Company was responsible for the
^disappearance^ofawater source which p r o v i d e d ^ ^ o f
the water requirements of ^tresa and was also responsible
for cracks which appeared in various houses situated near
the dual tunnel under constructions

t. Moes the Commission intend to ask the E1B whether

monitoring procedures e^ist which ensure that funds
are used in a manner which does not damage the
environmentor municipal infrastructures

^. Moes the Commission intend to take action to ensure

that an assessment is made of the damage caused to
the municipality of ^tresa and its inhabitants by
Italstrade and that compensation is paidB

^. Moes the Commission intend torequest the E1B to
withdraw its funding in view of this and similar
incidents which have occurred in the past during the
construction of this motorways

Answer^venhyMrChristophersen
on behalf of the Commission

Muring excavation of the Motaroneltunnel at ^omeraro
^municipality of ^tresa^ as part of the work on the
Autostrada deiTrafori,amaiorbreakin of water caused
a spring supplying the municipality to dry up. flight
surface movements then led to cracks appearing in some
nearby houses. As a result, the motorway construction
company suspended work and took appropriate measures.
In constant liaison with the local authorities, it undertook
to diganewwell which would supply as much, if not more
water than the source which had disappeared. The cracks
in the structures affected were monitored carefully and it
wasfoundthat there wasnofurtherdeteriorationafter

work had been suspended, ^ o r k will not be resumed until
equipment has been installed to give early warning of any
earth movements.

These events are indeed highly regrettable. However,they
aresomeoftheunforeseeablerisks normally associated
with works of this type, ^one of the information available
casts doubt on the validity of the project asawhole,which
was ascertained inanumber of preliminary studies.

TheHonourableMemberwillunderstandthatitisnot

for the Commissionto become involved inthe repair of
damage suffered by individuals or local authorities a s a
result of these works.

^KlTTE^C^CLlE^TlCo^^o^tB^

hyMr^vesVerwaerde^LL^^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ O B C t P ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . Community policy in respect of nonEEC
nationals

Applications to Prance for political asylum in t ^ ^
doubled in comparison withr^B^.The Eederal Republic
of Cermany received over tOO 000 applications in t ^ ^,
while the united kingdom granted asylum to t t ^
people

POoes the Commission intend to take measures to

harmonise the different regulations in force in the
Community Member ^tates^

Answer ^iven by Mr Ban^emann
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware both of the increase in requests
for asylum in the Community as a whole and of the
substantial numerical variationsinsuch requests among
the different Member states.

Asfaras theCommission^sgeneral commitments the
humanitarian aspects of asylum and the refugee question
is concerned, the Honourable MembePs attention is
drawnto the statement issued on t^Mecember t ^ ^ b y
Ministers responsible for immigration questions, with
which the Commission fully associated itself.

As far as the need for a new legislative instrument is
concerned, the Commission looks at this question in the
content of establishing an area without internal frontiers,
as defined inthe^ingleEuropean Act and according to
the timetable set out in that Act. It set out its views on this

in its Communication to the Council of ^ P^ecember

P^^^^,where it expressed the need, before^tMecember
t ^, for rules to determine which Member ^tate should
be responsible for dealing with asylum requests and to
cover the movement between Member states of

recognised refugees.

This aspect of the asylum question is currently being
discussed,intheformof adraft convention, inthe Ad
Hoc Immigration Croup, who are close to agreement on
the principles that should apply. The Commission
supports this action as meeting one of the essential
requirements for establishing an area without internal
frontiers,but it has not ruled out bringingforwardadraft
directive if work on the Convention does not make

satisfactory progress.

^ o C M B B t ^ Official journal of the European Communities M.^.90

The European Council,meeting in Strasbourg o n 8 a n d 9
POecember 1989, underlined the need for this
intergovernmental agreement to be concluded as soon as
possible, and at the latest by the end of P990. It also
requested that an inventory of the national policies on
asylum bedrawnup,witha^iewtoharmoni^ingthem.
The Commission welcomes this new political impulse
imparted by Pleads of State and (Government.

^ ^ I T T E ^ C ^ U E S T l C ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^

by ^ r Claude lOesama^

to the Commission of the European Commumties

^90BCttBB^

^ ^ L e EECTennisTournamentinAntwerp

The AntwerpEECTennisTournament is sponsored by
the European Communities, whose name and logo are
use^l forpromotionalpurposes.^oul^l the Commission
stated

t. the amount of the Community^ financial
contribution,

^. the budget heading used forthat purpose,and

^. the legal basis forthat payments

POoes the Commission consider that it is compatible with
its calling to help promote an elitist and purely
commercial e^ent chiefly distinguished by the extravagant
rewardsforthose taking partB

Answer ^ e n by ^rlOondel^er
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission does not makeafinancial contribution

to theEuropeanCommunityChampionshipin Antwerp
and is not in^ol^ed in promoting it.

^ K l T T E ^ ^ E S T l C ^ ^ ^ o ^ D B ^

by^rsBri^tteErnstdelaCraetepV^

to the Commission of the European Communides

^90BCM^B^

^ ^ e T B delations between the Commission and ^ato as

regards the nuisance and risk of accidents
associated with military training flights

The risk of accidents and the^arious forms of pollution
^especially excess noise and atmospheric pollutions

associatedwith military training flightshassparkedoff
lively protestsamongtheaffectedpopulation incertain
countries.

In reply to an earlier written question e^^he Commission
stated that it was trying to get ^ato to grant it observer
status on the technical group dealing with noise from
military aircraft.Via this group,the Commission said,it
was hoping to be able to deal with certain environmental
issues raised by the European Parliament, especially in
relation to the^tactical leadership programme^TPP^ and
lowaltitude flights

Idas the Commission been granted such observer status^
If so, what has it achieved thus far through the technical
group in questions Plow does it envisage informing
Parliamentof these results^

Answer ^ e n by l^rRipadilvieana
on behalf of the Commission

The Commissiondoesnotha^ethecompetenceto deal
with noise from military aeroplanes, fdowe^er, it has
obtained observer status on the ^atoBCC^iS^orking
Croup dealing with military aeroplane noise.

The forking Croup deals with technical matters
pertaining to noise due to the operation of military
aeroplanes, including helicopters. Policy matters, the
future location of low flying areas and the Tactical
PeadershipProgramme^TPP^ are not dealt with by this
group, nor does this group deal with matters arising from
accidents.The Commission can point out, asamatter of
record, that for a gi^en number of flying hours the
accident rate for military aeroplanes has declined
appreciably.

Concerning theTPP,the course was mo^ed from ]e^er in
the Pederal Republic of Cermany to Plorennes AB in
Belgium,transferring ^ 0 0 sortiesayear. Before taking
the TPP, Plorennes AB housed a fighter wing and
groundlaunched cruise missiles. The initial plan to
rebuild the base infrastructure to accommodate theTPP

was cancelled atalate stage.The last two courses ha^e,as
aconsequence,been held atVolkelAB in the Netherlands
and RAP Possiemouth in the united kingdom, it is
believed that Erance has offered to share some of the low

flyingforne^tyeaPscourse.

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 117/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 951/89

by Mr Manfred Vohrer (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/27)

_Subject:_ Calculation of Gross National Product

To what extent is the Statistical Office of the European
Community prepared to consider the idea currently being
put forward of making provision for environmental costs
in the calculation of gross national product, a move which
is being firmly recommended by the German Federal
Statistical Office?

Answer given by Mr Christopherson
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

GNP, or gross national product, measures the output of
new goods and services in the economy. It is widely used
for purposes of economic analysis. However, the
production of this output can sometimes have harmful
effects on the environment, causing pollution or using up
natural resources for example. It is quite true that such
effects are only partially captured and not well presented
in national accounts, be it in the broad aggregates or at
more detailed levels of breakdown. In the interests of

proper analysis and the formulation of policies which take
into account their environmental consequences these
consequences must be reflected in the system of statistics.

The only Member State to have started work on this
problem so far is Germany, where the Federal Statistical
Office has been developing input-output tables for
expenditure on environmental protection; a working
party from the Statistical Office of the European
Communities (Eurostat) is engaged in devising a common
framework for presenting such statistics.

In the area of national accounts statistics, Eurostat is
actively participating in the work of the United Nations
group of experts revising the world system of national
accounts. It agrees with the group of experts that it would
be premature to change the standard basic system of
national accounts and adjust GNP calculations to take
account of environmental aspects. However, given the
enormous difficulties of definition and statistical

availability that are still to be solved, the group
recommends developing more flexible satellite accounts
that would be more closely geared to environmental
problems and would provide a more appropriate tool for
research and progress in this area.

Early in 1990, the United Nations, the United Nations
Environment Programme and the World Bank will be
jointly producing an initial proposal for satellite accounts,

to be thrown open to international discussions in which
Eurostat will take part.

In the framework of Eurostat's environmental statistics

programme, being carried out in collaboration with the
Directorate-General for the Environment and its working
party on the economy and the environment, it is planned
to develop basic statistics for the environment within the
combined framework provided by the satellite accounts,
natural wealth accounts and other accounts at present
under discussion at the level of the Member States, the
United Nations and the OECD. Eurostat's working
parties will provide a forum for the coordination of
Member States' statistical expertise, thereby helping to
step up and accelerate the work. To promote thinking on
this matter, the proposal for the development of
environmental economic accounts from the Statistical

Office of the Federal Republic of Germany has been
submitted to the Conference of the Directors-General of

the National Statistical Institutes of the Member States,
who met, along with the statistical directors of the EFTA
countries, at the end of November 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 952/89

byMrPolMarck(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/28)

_Subject:_ Takeover of the Tirelemont sugar refinery by
Sudzucker

What are the implications of this takeover for Belgian
beet growers, particularly concerning the protection of
their quotas:

1. in the short term,

2. from 1993 onwards, within the framework of the
single market?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1990)_

1. The takeover of the Belgian sugar firm 'Raffinerie
Tirlemontoise S.A.' by the German sugar firm 'Sixdzucker
AG' is perfectly in keeping with the common organization
of the market in the sugar sector.

As the Honourable Member knows, production quotas
are allocated to each form on the basis of an objective
production reference, for a set period, using basic
quantities fixed generally for each of the Member States.
This is the case for Belgium and the Federal Republic of
Germany (Article 24 of Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81,
the basic regulation for the sector) _(_ _[l]_ _)._ It follows that
there can be no transfer of quotas from one Member State
to another under present regulations. Consequently, the

No C 117/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

quota guarantees of neither Belgian beet growers nor
German beet growers are directly affected by the
abovementioned takeover.

2. Regarding the single market's emergence in 1993, it
should be recalled that the production regime established
by Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81 comes to an end on 30
June 1991. The Commission will soon have to present the
Council with suitable proposals to enable it to act before 1
January 1991, in accordance with the texts. It goes
without saying that, in such a context, the Commission
will take into account the legitimate concern of beet
growers regarding the transfer of quotas.

O OJNoL 177, 1.7. 1981,p. 4.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 961/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola, Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr
Enrico Falqui (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/29)

_Subject:_ Implementation of Council resolution on
environmental education

Bearing in mind that eighteen months have elapsed since
the adoption of the resolution of 24 May 1988 ('), which
invited the Commission to take measures at Community
level, can the Commission state:

1. whether and by what means basic documentation on
important Community environmental issues is being
placed at the disposal of teachers and pupils;

2. whether and by what means environmental education
has been incorporated into the 'Youth for Europe'
(YE) and 'Exchanges between young workers'
schemes and the Arion, Erasmus and Comett
programmes?

(') OJNoC 177,6.7. 1988, p. 8.

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

_(6 February 1990)_

The Commission is currently setting up a working party
composed of representatives of the Member States,
appointed by the Commission on a proposal from the
Member States, as laid down in the resolution of 24 May
1988. It is to be convened in April 1990.

1. As to basic documentation on different Community
issues to be placed at the disposal of teachers and

pupils, this must take into broad consideration the
specific features of national education systems,
therefore necessitating effective cooperation with
national specialists on this subject.

The Commission is pleased that the budget authority
has provided financial resources for 1990 which
should enable this initiative provided for in the
resolution to be successfully implemented.

2. Protection of the environment is one of the topics on
which exchanges can be organized with Community
support through programmes such as: Youth for
Europe, Exchanges between young workers, Arion,
Erasmus and Comett.

The following exchange projects, geared to the
environment, received Community financing in 1989:

— Youth for Europe: 34 bilateral, 4 trilateral and 7
multilateral projects.

— Exchanges between young workers: a project
centred on training in techniques and methods of
environmental protection.

— Arion: since 1987, environmental education has
been one of the 14 topics of the Arion programme.
Over five study visits, approximately 60 education
specialists have had the opportunity to study the
methods and content of environmental education

classes in other Member States.

— Erasmus: as regards the Erasmus programme, 13
inter-university cooperation programmes have
been introduced for the 1989/1990 academic

year, aimed at developing inter-university
cooperation in the field of environmental studies.

— Seven programmes have benefited from
Community financial assistance, involving
exchanges of 112 students and 12 lecturers
between 26 higher education institutions
throughout the Community.

— Ten study visits are also being undertaken in
1989/1990 by 20 teachers specializing in the
environment, aimed at preparing short-term
education programmes.

— The Comett programme has contributed to the
financing of 23 projects in agriculture, forestry
and fisheries, 24 in the specific field of the
environment, and 7 in remote sensing. All these
concern the four strands of the programme,
namely the creation of universities-industry
training partnerships, exchanges of students and
staff between universities and industry, joint

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/17

projects in continuing training in new
technologies, and multimedia projects.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 978/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 117/30)

_Subject:_ Centralization of control of the Community
fishing industry

Is the Commission proposing to introduce the
centralization of control of all Community fishing
industry matters, including fishing rights and the
allocation of licences, as outlined by Commissioner Marin
in Santander?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 January 1990)_

The Commission is less interested in such matters of

organization than in contributing to securing a significant
and permanent reduction of fishing effort with a view to
creating a better balance between fishing effort and
fishing opportunities. This development could be secured
by using existing mechanisms, but the Commission
reserves, of course, the right to propose modifications to
these.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 981/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/31)

_Subject:_ Appointments to the Community fisheries
inspectorate

What additional appointments are proposed to be made to
the Community Fisheries Inspectorate and when are they
likely to be made?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

The Commission has proposed the creation of five
additional posts in the Community fisheries' inspectorate
in its preliminary draft budget for 1990. The posts were

approved by the budgetary authority and they will be
filled in 1990 in line with the normal recruitment

procedures.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1041/89

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/32)

_Subject:_ Standardization of international dialling codes

A German, a Greek, an Italian, a Luxembourger and a
Belgian wishing to make an international telephone call
must dial the prefix 00. However, a Dane must dial 009, a
Spaniard 07, a Portuguese 07, a Frenchman 19, an
Englishman 010, an Irishman 16 and a Dutchman 09.

Would it not be a good idea to standardize international
dialling codes?

What are the Commission's views on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Pandolf i
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1990)_

The problem of harmonization within the European
Community of the access telephone codes to special
services, particularly useful for European citizens
wherever they are in the Community, and of the access
code to the international telephone lines, is of extreme
interest.

On this subject, there already exists a recommendation of
the CEPT (Conference Europeenne des Postes et
Telecommunication), Recommendation T/SFl (The
Hague 1972, revised at Puerto de la Cruz 1974, at
Malaga-Torremolinos 1975 and at Stockholm 1976)
relative to the long-term harmonization of the national
numbering plans.

The CEPT recommends the use of the code 00 as an

international prefix. The application of this
recommendation nevertheless implies in many states
considerable technical difficulties, requiring revision of
the telephone numbering plans, and has therefore only
progressed slowly.

The Commission attaches a high priority to progress in
this area for the benefit of the European citizen in the
framework of its telecommunications policy.

No C 117/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1057/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/33)

_Subject:_ Slaughter of animals

What steps is the Commission taking to enforce the
provisions of Council Directive 74/577/EEC (') on the
slaughter of animals?

(') OJNoL316,26. 11. 1974,p. 10.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 January 1990)_

The veterinary inspection service of the Commission
checks on the application of Council Directive
74/577/EEC on stunning of animals before slaughter, in
the course of inspection visits made to slaughterhouses in
the Community and in third countries. In addition, the
Commission has published the results of a field study
made in 1987 into the application of the Directive, and
copies have been made available to Members of
Parliament. The Commission intends, in 1990, to make a
proposal for a Council Regulation on the protection of
animals for slaughter, to implement the European
Convention on the subject which was approved by
Council Decision 88/306/EEC ('). This proposal will
make provision for Commission inspections to ensure its
uniform application, and will lay down detailed rules for
stunning and killing methods which will allow all involved

Number

Title

(slaughterhouse operators, competent authorities of the
Member States, Commission inspectors) to check on
compliance in an objective manner.

(') OJ No L 137,2.6. 1988, p. 25.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1110/89

by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 117/34)

_Subject:_ EAGGF — Guidance Section and the
Autonomous Community of Cantabria in 1989

What projects in the Autonomous Community of
Cantabria (Spain) have received co-financing or subsidies
and how much has been received by each project in 1989
under Council Regulations (EEC) No 355/77 (') and No
4256/88 O (EAGGF-Guidance Section)?

O OJ No L 51, 23. 2. 1977, p. 1.
O OJNoL374, 31.12. 1988, p. 25.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1990)_

Under Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 on the improvement
of processing and marketing facilities for agricultural and
fishery products the EAGGF Guidance Section granted
aid for two projects in Cantabria in 1989:

Amount of aid

Ptasl5 966 513

Ptas74 319 523

89.41.ES.016.0

89.41. ES.414.0

Construction of a new milk collection plant at
Puente Agiiero

Construction of a cold store and grading unit
for fruit at Santander

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1191/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/35)

_Subject:_ Transfer of social benefits

Does the Commission think it necessary to simplifying the
administrative procedures for transferring social benefits,
particularly retirement pensions?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

The management of social security affairs, especially as
regards pensions, is more difficult when persons are
involved who have been insured in several countries than

when persons are involved who have been insured in only
one country. This phenomenon survives within the
Community, although the techniques of coordination
between national laws have been considerably improved
and specialized bodies, on which national institutions are

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/19

represented, have been set up to solve the problems
presented by this coordination.

To simplify national measures, Regulations (EEC) No
1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72 (») on social security for
migrant workers provide for several procedures,
including:

(a) the utilization of standard liaison forms ( [2] );

(b) the establishment of measures to speed up the grant
of benefits pursuant to Article 50 of Regulation
(EEC) No 574/72. The terms for application of these
provisions were laid down in Decisions 117 and 118
of the Administrative Commission on the Social
Security of Migrant Workers ( [3] );

(c) the payment of benefits on a provisional basis and
advances on benefits pursuant to Article 45 of
Regulation (EEC) No 574/72.

(') _O]_ No L230, _22._ 8. 1983, as last amended by Regulation

(EEC) No 2332/89; OJ No L 224, 2. 8. 1989.
O OJNoL192, 15.7. 1986.
( [3] ) OJNoC238,7.9. 1983; OJ No C 306, 12. 11. 1983.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1195/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/36)

_Subject:_ Right to strike

Does the Commission plan to take any initiatives to
regulate the right to strike in the private and public
sectors?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 February 1990)_

The Commission does not intend to take any initiative in
this field.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1229/89

by Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/37)

_Subject:_ Use of recycled paper

In the answer to my Written Question No 421/89 (*)
about the use of recycled paper for ordinary European

Community publications I was referred to the answers to
Written Questions No 864/87 ( [2] ) and 1511/88 ( [3] ), which
are not to be found in the data bank of the European
Parliament's library.

Could the Commission repeat the contents of these
answers and tell me what percentage of the paper used in
1989 was recycled paper and what percentage is forecast
for 1990?

O OJNoC47,27. 2. 1990.
O OJN0C86, 4.4. 1988, p. 22.
O OJ No C 138,5.6. 1989, p. 28.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

The Commission is sending the Honourable Member a
copy of the answers to the Written Questions she
mentions direct.

The Commission purchased the following quantities of
recycled paper for use in its offset printing shops:

1989:

330 tonnes,

400 tonnes.

Estimates for 1990 are of the same order of magnitude as
for 1989.

Reliable statistics on the use of recycled paper are not
available at present.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1231/89

by Mr Roberto Barzanti and Mr Roberto Speciale (GUE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/38)

_Subject:_ 1992 Genoa International Exhibition —
'Christopher Columbus: Ships and the Sea'

In Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and all
over Liguria, a large number of scientific and cultural
events are to be held in 1992 to commemorate the 500th

anniversary of the discovery of America, including the
1992 Genoa International Exhibitions Bureau.

The authors of Written Question No 1716/89 (') to the
Commission advocated that the Commission itself should

No C 117/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

take part in the event by occupying a stand of its own. It
has shown interest in doing so and has contacted the
organizing body.

Mediaeval breakwaters have recently been discovered in
the harbour of Genoa and will be displayed during the
exhibition.

The exhibition is being designed by an architect of
international renown and the construction work is being
carried out by important public and private Italian firms.

Could the Council say whether it considers that the
Community should take part in the project, possibly by
having a stand of its own, in view of the fact that the 500th
anniversary of the discovery of America constitutes an
important opportunity for comparative study between the
Member States and the Community, with regard to the
past, but even more with regard to the future?

O OJNoC 195,31.7. 1989,p. 31.

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

As indicated in its reply to Written Question No 1717/89,
the Council will examine any proposals put to it on this
subject by the Commission, which at this stage is the body
responsible for considering whether the exhibition in
question should be given a Community dimension.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1235/89

by Mr Bouke Beumer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/39)

_Subject:_ ECSC inspection service (DG IV — inspections
pursuant to Article 60 of the ECSC Treaty

Without requesting quotations from any competitors, the
Commission has instructed the auditing company Societe
Fiduciaire Suisse to carry out auditing work in the
framework of the ECSC Treaty (Article 60). Furthermore
it appears that the Commission's own inspection service is
being systematically phased out (cf. report by the Court of
Auditors).

In view of this, can the Commission say:

— why it did not ask for any quotations from other
auditing firms (before taking this step), as it did
regarding the auditing firms concerned with quotas
(Article 58)?

— how it justifies phasing out its own inspection service,
in view of the fact that the Societe Fiduciaire Suisse is

actually and relatively a great deal more expensive
than its own service?

— how it justifies price auditing being carried out in
small steel firms by three or more Swiss auditors over
a period of several weeks, when large-scale firms are
inspected in one week?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

The Commission, being in possession in 1986 of the
results of the call for tenders under Article 58 of the

ECSC Treaty, did not consider it necessary, for the
purposes of Article 60, to repeat the operation as, after a
space of a few months, the outcome would inevitably have
been much the same. It was considered preferable to
proceed by direct negotiation, taking as a basis the
findings of the earlier market research, in view of the
similar nature of the work in both cases and the

experience Societe Fiduciaire Suisse has in the auditing
field.

As required by the last paragraph of Article 5 of the ECSC
Treaty, the Commission carries out its activities with a
minimum of administrative machinery. Owing to
changing market conditions, the workload of the
inspection service is, however, subject to variation. It has
been found less expensive in times of need to draw from a
pool of staff under contract than to employ permanent
staff.

Large firms have sound administrative and accounting
structure and their business is essentially geared to
fulfilling large orders. Small firms are not always so
efficiently organized, and they tend much more to work
on a variety of small orders, so it is often more difficult
and time-consuming to compile and audit a representative
sample.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1241/89

byMrGaryTitley(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 117/40)

_Subject:_ Multinationals and 1992

One of the benefits that is predicted of the Single Market
is that European Multinationals will grow in size
(through takeover or expansion). Such a prospect
however may warm few hearts on tea estates in
Bangladesh or banana plantations in Colombia where
multinationals are associated with exploitative labour
practices and monopolistic control. For workers in the
Third World the call is not for larger multinational
companies but greater control on the world-wide
activities of the companies that already exist.

In order to avoid social dumping in the Third World after
1992, will the Commission of the European Communities
draw up proposals for the proposed European Company
Statute to improve the marketing and employment
practices of European transnational corporations
operating in the Third World?

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/21

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

The Commission has always strived for a balance between
the maintenance of a positive investment climate for
enterprises and a social consensus in the interest of
workers. The Community's company law programme and
the social legislation programme can be seen in this

context.

The new proposed Statute for a European Company ( [x] ) is
in line with this policy as it contains provisions on the
involvement of employees for every European company at
the supervisory level and at the level of the development
of the company's strategy. The Commission considers
this involvement as an instrument for promoting stable
relationships between management and employees in the
work place, which will improve the employment practices
of European companies.

(') COM(89)268.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1265/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/41)

_Subject:_ Political prisoners in Morocco

Are the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation in a position to take up the case of the
prisoners Alami Bouti Hassan, Boukourou Abdelfattah
and Adelilah Benabdessalem, who declared a hunger
strike when the authorities refused to investigate
accusations of torture and the confiscation of medicines

and other personal effects of prisoners in the Laalou
prison in Rabat?

Answer

_(20 March 1990)_

The Twelve have taken note of the resolutions on

Morocco adopted on 12 October and on 14 December
1989 by the European Parliament, as well as of the
interest of the Parliament in a number of specific cases.

The cases mentioned by the Honourable Member have
not been discussed within European Political
Cooperation.

The human rights policy of the Twelve and the
importance they attach to it in their relations with third
countries are known by the Moroccan authorities. The

Twelve will not fail to make representations wherever
these will be considered to have the desired effect or to be

in the interest of those concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1266/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/42)

_Subject:_ Imprisonment of the Romanian writer Dan
Petrescu

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation do anything to bring about the release of the
Romanian writer Dan Petrescu, 40 years of age and
resident in Iasi, Romania, who was arrested on 30 or 31

October 1989?

Answer

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The Honourable Member will be aware that Mr Dan

Petrescu was released and now holds the position of
Vice-Minister for Culture.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1267/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/43)

_Subject:_ Extermination of the Bolivian Yuqui Indians

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation enquire into the persecution of the Yuqui
tribe in the Ichila jungle of the Santa Cruz department of
Bolivia, and in the jungle reservation of El Chore and Rio
Verde? Can they ascertain the true situation at the Nuevas
Tribus Mission, where, according to some witnesses, over
a hundred of them are confined?

Answer

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The position of the Twelve in the field of human rights is
well-known. The specific issue raised by the Honourable

No C 117/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

Member has not been discussed within the framework of

European Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1268/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/44)

_Subject:_ Execution of high-ranking officials in Sierra

Leone

Are the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation aware of the executions of six high-ranking
officials from previous governments, including a deputy
head of state, which took place on 6 October 1989, on
charges of treason? Did they take any steps to prevent
these executions? Did they examine the legal conditions
under which the sentences were passed and ascertain
whether internationally-recognized rights were observed?

Answer

_(20 March 1990)_

The Honourable Member is referred to the answer given
to the question No 1017/89.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1270/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/45)

_Subject:_ Acts of violence committed against Nahua
Indians in Mexico

Have the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation at any time taken an interest in the acts of
violence perpetrated against the indigenous inhabitants of
the state of Veracruz (Mexico), where three Nahua
Indians were murdered in 1986, ten in 1987 and four in
1988, while several more have been killed this year?

Answer

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The Foreign Ministers have on many occasions stated the
position of the Twelve concerning the respect of human

rights. The specific question raised by the Honourable
Member has not been discussed in European Political
Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1271/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

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

Cooperation

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/46)

_Subject:_ Possible extermination of the Huaorani Indians

Have the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation taken any steps to obtain information about
the situation in Ecuador's largest nature reserve, the
Yasurii National Park in Napo province, which is in
danger of disappearing — according to statements by
numerous biologists and other experts — due to
exploitation by the oil industry? In particular, have they
taken an interest in the fact that the Huaorani people
possibly face extinction if the government does not take
the urgent decisions required to preserve the habitat of
this indigenous tribe?

Answer

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The Honourable Member is certainly aware of the
Twelve's well-known position in the field of human
rights. The specific question which he has raised has not
been discussed within European Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1284/89

by Mr Gerard Deprez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/47)

_Subject:_ European employment survey

The resolution on the European employment survey by
the Council and the Ministers for Labour and Social

Affairs meeting within the Council invited the
Commission, in conjunction with the Member States and
after consulting both sides of industry, to submit a
summary of the work carried out on the topics and sectors
covered by the survey's remit.

M ^ 0 Official journal of the European Communities ^oC^MBB^

C^ould the Commission associate the European
parliament and its Committee on Social Affairs^
Employment and the forking Environment with the
surveys particularly by providing information and
submittingsummary reportsonthe workithascarried
out^

Answer ^iven by ^issRapandreou
o^ behalf of the C^om^nssion

The procedure provided for in the Resolution of the
council and theMinisters of Labour and Social Affairs

for consultation of and discussionwiththe two sides of

industry implies apolitical andoperationalviewof the
endeavours of the labour market monitoring body. At the
same timembe aim of the Resolution is not only to inform
governments and the two sides of industry^but also the
entire range of politicals economic and social agents. The
rdonourableMembePsproposalisthusinlinewiththe
concern expressed in the Resolution.

As this Resolution asks and as it itself indicated in its

action programme relating to the Social Charters the
commission will set up an employment monitoring body.
The commission will see to it that information is

disseminated and that summary reports are forwarded to
theEuropeanRarliament^e^pecially to its committee on
social affairs^ employment and the working environment.

The Commission will likewise see to it that the documents

published by Misep and Sysdem are sent to the members
of that committee. These two networks of correspondents
organi^edby the Commissionto collect informationon
the policies pursued by the Member States in the field of
employment r^Misep^ and to collect information from the
Member States on the development of employmentwithin
the more specific framework of the completion of the
internal market ^Sysdem^willassist the Commission in
its monitoring duties.

^ R I T T E ^ ^ t d E S T t C ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

b y M r R e ^ E ^ i l e P ^ u e t ^ C ^

to the C^or^rr^ss^ of the European C^omni^Ues

e^OBCMBB^

^ ^ c r . Exchange of youngfarmers in the EEC

In t^B^ the council adopted theErasmus programmed
with a view to stepping up exchanges of university
students and promoting greater cooperation between
universities.

Is the commission willing to promote exchanges ofyoung
farmers in the European Economic Community in the
same way^so as to help to improve theirwork^

Answer ^iven by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the commission

The Commission has already launched several youth
exchange schemes from which young farmers have
benefited.

The mostimportanthavebeen^

This programme is for young peoplefrom 1^ t o ^
years of age who have completed their initial training.
Applications^ collected together by national
promoters^ are lodged in Brussels^ where the selection
ismade^ withtheBE]CE^ ^RlaceduLuxembourg^
tO^tO Brussels

^oung farmers have taken advantage of the
programme in the past.

This programme is run by national agencies
designated by the Member States. It covers young
people from t^ to ^ years of age for visits of a
minimum of five days.

The national agency for Prance is the Institut
national de la ]eunesse^ValEleury^Rue Raul LeplaL,
B^DOMarlyleRoi

^oung farmers have taken advantage of the programme in
the past.

The Etonourable Member refers to the Erasmus

programme for cooperation between establishments of
higher education. These include establishments providing
higher education in agriculture.

^ e o t ^ D L ^ t m ^ ^ m ^ ^

^ R l T T E ^ ^ E S T ^ ^ ^ o ^ t t B ^

byMrThomasMaher^LTOR^

to the commission ofthe European communities

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

^ O B C t l ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . The use of milk and butter

In view of the recent changes to the milk quota schemed
the dramatic fall in butter consumption in i r e l a n d ^ D ^
between t ^ ^ and t^D^ as a result of the increasing
consumption of substituteproducts not to mention the
tO^o drop in Irish milk sales O ^ ^ E o ^ d ^ ^
Commission give cu^ent figures and identify the
underlying trendsinthat part of milk productionwhich
goes into butter in each Member Stated

No C 117/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 February 1990)_

Since 1983, the domestic consumption of butter has
declined throughout the Community as a whole, but with
great variations between Member States.

The development in butter production as a percentage of
milk deliveries is shown in the table below. The trends

shown in the table are expected to continue, reflecting the
general tendency of decline in consumption at normal
market prices and the increasing significance of dairy
products other than butter in the framework of a control
over the production regime.

Deliveries utilized for butter production

_(%)_

and, if so, what progress they have made in enshrining in
legislation the independent right of residence of
immigrant women? If not, can the Council state whether
this right will be introduced (in those countries where it
has not yet been introduced) on the abolition of internal
frontiers at the end of 1992?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

At its meeting on 21 December 1989 the Council had
positive discussions on three proposals for Directives on
right of residence, following which the Council again
consulted the European Parliament.

However, there is no provision in that framework for
granting women nationals of third countries independent
right of residence.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1337/89

by Mr Antonio Mazzone, Mr Gianfranco Fini,
Mr Giuseppe Rauti and Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

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

Cooperation

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/51)

_Subject:_ The emergence of chauvinistic and separatist
demands in Europe

Recently, in various Community countries movements
have been forming and mobilizing with the aim of
asserting absurd anachronistic territorial claims on
bordering states, such as a chauvinistic German group in
the Alto Adige, which by virtue of law, culture and
civilization belongs to Italy. Political movements are also
being organized in certain Community countries in order
to create ridiculous territorial and racial divisions which

undermine the concept of national unity, sovereignty and
peaceful coexistence between the citizens of one and the
same State, such as, for example, the anachronistic
Lombard and Veneto leagues, Southern Italian and
Sardinian groups, etc.

What steps do the Member States of the European
Economic Community intend to take to put an end to
such phenomena, which tend to destroy the spirit of
national and territorial unity of individual Community
States and harmony between them? Do they not consider
that they should promote national and inter-community
conferences within the various communities aimed at

reaffirming the principles likely to strengthen real
European political union on the basis of respect for

1988

42,5

39,6

37,4

2,7

12,2

45,3

64,1

17,2

62,7

37,8

13,4

21,5

Belgium

Denmark

Federal Republic of Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

1983

63,3

48,4

53,6

4,5

7,7

51,8

70,8

17,1

62,2

48,3

16,9

32,5

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1336/89

by Mrs Nel van Dijk (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/50)

_Subject:_ Independent right of residence for immigrant
women in the European Community

Two years ago, in its resolution on discrimination against
immigrant women in the Community (Doc. A 2-133/87),
Parliament called for non-Community subjects already
living in the Community so as to be reunited with their
families to be granted the independent right of residence,
i.e. a right of residence not dependent on being a member
of the family, such as spouse or parent. In particular, this
means the independent right of residence for women.

Can the Council say whether the governments of the
Member States have responded to Parliament's request

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/25

national values and the natural boundaries between

nations?

Answer

_(20 March 1990)_

The question raised by the Honourable Member does not
fall within the competence of European Political
Cooperation, so it has not been discussed in that
framework.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 13/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/52)

_Subject:_ Growth of international trade in kidneys

According to an article published in the newspaper _The_
_Independent_ on 6 December 1989, keen debate has been
provoked by the appearance of two kidney transplant
surgeons before the British General Medical Council on
charges of serious professional misconduct. Mr Sells,
chairman of the British Transplantation Society, to which
more than 90% of transplant surgeons belong, has
expressed his concern at the spectacular growth of
international trading in kidneys, which jeopardizes the
health and lives of patients but greatly benefits middlemen
and doctors. The Director of the kidney transplant unit of
the Royal Liverpool Hospital has made similar comments,
in particular denouncing the morally and ethically
disastrous practices which have arisen in several
countries, including Japan, where the donation of kidneys
has become a way of repaying debts, and the organs can
be resold for between 45 000 and 50 000 dollars.

Following a similar case in Great Britain, Mr Sells drew
up a guide to ethics, which does not condone the sale of
kidneys, but does not settle all the problems raised by the
donation of organs, especially if the donor remains

anonymous.

Has the Council investigated this matter?

What is its position with regard to the ethical problems
raised by the sale or donation of organs?

What is the situation with regard to the official 'market' in
kidneys in the Member States of the Community?

Can the Council estimate the size of the 'black market' in

kidneys?

What measures does it intend to propose and/or take to
prevent or curb this practice?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

The Council has not had occasion to discuss the matters

raised by the Honourable Member and to date has
received no proposals from the Commission on the
subject.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 20/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/53)

_Subject:_ Measures taken by the Council with regard to
the distribution of blood products

According to press reports, the Council of Health
Ministers, which met on Monday, 13 November 1989
dealt with the distribution of health products, in
particular the measures which need to be taken to
promote greater self-sufficiency in blood in Europe. This
is a matter of great concern to the European Parliament,
which wants maximum safety in this sector without the
supply to the market of quality products being hampered,
since they are vital for the sick and are urgently needed
for certain groups such as haemophiliacs.

Can the Council say what basic policy it intends to pursue
as regards blood products?

Answer

_(22 March 1990)_

At its meeting on 13 November 1989, the Council asked
the Commission to submit during the first half of 1990 a
report on the Community's self-sufficiency in human
blood and the encouragement of voluntary unpaid
donations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 29/90

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 117/54)

_Subject:_ Attacks on French vessels by Spanish trawlers

On Friday, 24 November 1989 an inshore fishing vessel
'Le Biniou' registered in Arcachon was attacked by a
Spanish trawler less than 12 miles from the coast off

No C 117/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

Arcachon, resulting in the destruction of 12 fishing nets
valued at FF 20 160. The same evening and the following
day similar tactics were attempted without success by
other Spanish trawlers, on which the registration marks
had been concealed.

Does the Council intend to inforce the provisions of the
Treaties in a strict and uniform fashion?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 98/90

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/55)

_Subject:_ Renewed attacks on French vessels by Spanish
fishermen

Over the last few weeks there has been a further outbreak

of attacks on French vessels by Spanish fishermen in the
Bay of Biscay.

These activities, which violate the most fundamental
principles of the Law of the Sea and of the code of
conduct adopted by Spanish fishermen, are having an
extremely serious economic and social impact on the
French fishermen whose equipment has been destroyed as
a result of Spanish action, and are gravely undermining
mutual understanding and respect between Spanish and
French people.

The French authorities are clearly not deploying adequate
resources for the purpose of surveillance in the Bay of
Biscay, since Spanish vessels frequently refuse to comply
with instructions during inspection procedures.

Such incidents also highlight the inadequacy of the
Community's own inspection force.

Does the Council intend to ensure that the rules laid

down under the Treaties are implemented in a strict and
uniform manner?

Joint answer to Written Questions No 29/90 and No 98/90

_(22 March 1990)_

1. The Council considers that its Regulations must be
fully applied in Community waters.

2. It is up to the Commission to enforce Community
laws.

3. The protection of fishing vessels is a matter for the
Member State which has jurisdiction in the waters in
which such vessels operate.

4. The Council has continued its efforts to strengthen
its rules on the control of fishing, both through the
adoption of additional measures and through the granting
of financial support for Member States' expenditure on
improving their methods of surveillance and control.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 56/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/56)

_Subject:_ Energy reserves and energy research

Can the Commission give me a list of energy sources for
the European Community as a whole, with a breakdown
of the figures by Member State (from 1985 to date)?

I should also like to have a breakdown of the different

types of energy research carried out from 1985 to date,
with a clear indication of the proportion of research time
spent on each different source of energy.

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

_(14 March 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 88/90

by Mr Georgios Romeos (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/57)

_Subject:_ Discharge of chemical waste into the North Sea

The Irish Presidency's programme gives top priority to
environmental protection.

However, the Dublin Government recently approved the
United Kingdom's decision to discharge large quantities

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/27

of chemical waste into the North Sea — which runs

counter to Community rules and international agreements
— despite the opposition of the coastal countries in this

area.

How does the Council explain the Irish Government's
position?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

1. The Council reminds the Honourable Member that

under the Treaties it is Commission's responsibility to
ensure that Member States meet their obligations under
Community law.

2. The Council attaches great importance to the
control of marine pollution and has adopted several
measures in this area especially with regard to the
discharge of hydrocarbons and other harmful substances.
The Honourable Member is referred in particular to
Council Decisions of 3 December 1981 (') and of 6 March
1986 ( [2] ).

The Community is also a Contracting Party to a number
of international agreements concerning the prevention of
marine pollution, in particular the Bonn Agreement for
cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by
oil and other harmful substances.

4. The Council is nevertheless aware of the need to

reinforce Community action concerning protection of the
sea. In this connection, it recalls its Resolution of 19
October 1987 ( [3] ) on the continuation and implementation
of a policy and action programme in the environment
(1987—1992) and its Resolution of 28 June 1988 ( [4] ) on
the protection of the North Sea and of other waters in the
Community.

O OJNoL355, 10. 12. 1981.
O OJ No L 77, 22.3. 1986.
O OJNoC328,7. 12. 1987.
( [4] ) OJNoC209,9. 8. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 106/90

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 117/58)

_Subject:_ Torture of opposition members in Egypt

Have the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation been able to make representations to the
government of the Arab Republic of Egypt with a view to

requesting an investigation of the accusations of torture
after the imprisonment in August 1989 of scores of
workers, lawyers, journalists and others including two
members of the executive committee of the Organization
for Human Rights, Muhammed Ali Sayyid Sa'id and Amir
Salem?

Answer

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The cases mentioned by the Honourable Member have
not been discussed within European Political
Cooperation.

The human rights policy of the Twelve and the
importance they attach to it in their relations with third
countries are known by the Egyptian authorities. The
Twelve will not fail to make representations wherever
these will be considered to have the desired effect or to be

in the interest of those concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 118/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/59)

_Subject:_ Voting by the Council of Ministers in
accordance with the Single Act

1. In how many cases did the Council of Ministers
adopt a common position unanimously in 1988 and 1989?

2. In how many cases did the Council of Ministers
adopt a position at the second reading by a qualified
majority in 1988 and 1989?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

Both in the framework of the legislative procedure and in
that of the co-operation procedure, the Council acts in
accordance with the Treaty.

As the Council does not have a list at its disposal it is
unable to supply the statistics requested by the
Honourable Member.

The Honourable Member might also wish to note that the
Council often takes decisions without a formal vote where

it is clear that the required majority exists.

No C 117/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 153/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/60)

_Subject:_ Non-Community immigrants in Italy

At the meeting held in Paris on 14 and 15 December 1989
by the Community Justice and/or Interior Ministers, in
the context of the _'ad hoc_ Immigration Group', an
undertaking was made to combat illegal immigration and
to defend the interests of the Community as a whole.

A few days later, the Italian Government passed a
decree-law granting an extensive and indiscriminate
amnesty to illegal immigrants in Italy.

In view of the above, does the Council consider the action
of the Italian Government to be compatible with the
undertaking given in the _'ad hoc_ Immigration Group'?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

The subject raised by the Honourable Member is dealt
with by the Conference of Ministers concerned with
Immigration, which takes place outside the framework of
the European Communities.

In the context of the Conference of Ministers concerned

with Immigration, all the Member States have undertaken
to combat illegal immigration.

In that connection it is up to each Member State to take
whatever measures it deems appropriate.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 163/90

by Mr Giuseppe Mottola (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/61)

_Subject:_ Unjustified delays in the payment of subsidies to
olive-oil producers

The long delays in the payment of subsidies to olive-oil
producers has caused serious hardship, since the
payments may be made more than two years after the
harvesting or pressing of the olives in question.

When will the Council simplify the procedure by
amending the relevant EEC regulations to ensure that

olive-oil producers receive the subsidies no later than six
months after the harvesting or pressing of the olives?

Answer

_(22 March 1990)_

The time limits laid down for granting production aid to
olive growers were set with the aim of enabling
beneficiaries to receive the aid as quickly as possible; in
particular, a system of advance payments was introduced.

At the same time the Council inevitably had to take into
account the technical factors inherent in the calculation of

aid in a particular sector such as olive growing, and in the
need to ensure for this purpose an appropriate supervision
of the production of olives and oil.

The present regulations therefore represent a positive
attempt to reconcile the various interests involved. The
Council would also draw the Honourable Member's

attention to the fact that these regulations provide for
accelerated procedures to help olive growers covered by
the 'flat rate' system; such procedures make it possible,
among other things, for these olive growers to receive the
aid in full even six months after the start of the marketing

year.

Given that the flat-rate system mainly concerns small
producers, it should also be borne in mind that the
concept of 'small producers' was expanded by the Council
in 1989 to include olive growers producing at least 400
kilograms of oil per annum, the previous threshold having
been 300 kilograms.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 173/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/62)

_Subject:_ Irish Presidency

What priority will the Irish Presidency give to a
Euro-company statute and workers' involvement in
industry in the next six months ?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

As it stated at the meeting of the Internal Market Council
on 21 and 22 December 1989, the Irish Presidency intends
to continue work on the Statute for a European Company

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/29

at a sustained pace. A first reading of the proposal for a
Regulation on the Statute and the proposal for a Directive
complementing the Statute began in October 1989; the
Irish Presidency has arranged for six meetings of the _ad_
_hoc_ Working Party responsible for dealing with this
matter and thus hopes to be able to complete the first
reading.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 177/90

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/63)

_Subject:_ Investigation of Sellafield accident

Will the Council initiate an investigation into the dangers
posed to the public of the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland by an accident at Sellafield involving a
breach of containment of

1. the protective covering around the Calder Hall

reactors;

2. the high level nuclear waste storage tanks, and

3. the B-205 Magnox reprocessing plant?

Answer

_(30March 1990)_

1. It is not for the Council to conduct the kind of

investigation to which the Honourable Member refers.

2. The Commission constantly checks that all the
Community provisions in the area of concern to the
Honourable Member are being applied in full.

3. If the Commission thought that these provisions
were inadequate, it could make a proposal to the Council,
which would certainly discuss it without delay.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 178/90

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/64)

_Subject:_ Evaluation of radiation protection standards

Has the Council evaluated if the radiation protection
standards and worker health and safety standards at
Sellafield are equivalent to the highest standards planned

for the cancelled Wackersdorf Reprocessing plant; and
how do the standards of health and safety at the La
Hague Reprocessing Plant run by Cogema in France
compare with those adopted at Sellafield and planned for
Wackersdorf?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

1. It is not for the Council to make the kind of

comparative evaluation to which the Honourable
Member refers.

2. That said, the Council adopted between 1959 and
1984, under the relevant Articles of Chapter III of the
Euratom Treaty and therefore acting on proposals from
the Commission, a whole series of Community Directives
on the protection of the population and workers against
the dangers of ionizing radiation; these Directives have
been constantly updated in the light of the latest scientific
knowledge.

3. The Commission ensures that these Directives are

fully applied.

4. If the Commission thought that these Directives
would benefit from revision, it would be for it to submit a
proposal to the Council, which would certainly discuss it
without delay.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 179/90

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/65)

_Subject:_ Alternatives to storage or direct disposal of spent
nuclear fuel

What initiatives have been taken by the European
Community towards evaluating the benefits of the storage
or direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel instead of
reprocessing it?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

1. To date the Council has not been called upon to
discuss the question raised by the Honourable Member

2. Clearly, however, should the Commission, on the
advice of any scientific and technical experts which it saw

No C 117/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

fit to consult, decide that it should submit a proposal on
this matter to the Council, the latter would certainly
examine it with all speed.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 180/90

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/66)

_Subject:_ Programme of social measures for workers in the
shipbuilding sector

In September 1988 the Commission amended its proposal
for a regulation introducing a specific Community
programme of accompanying social measures for workers
in the shipbuilding sector who have lost their jobs or are
threatened with redundancy. The amended proposals,
approved by the European Parliament on 16 June 1988
were accepted wholly or partially by the Commission.

When does the Council plan to adopt the proposal?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

The Commission proposal was examined at the Council
meeting on Labour and Social Affairs on 12 June 1989.

As the required unanimity was not forthcoming, the
proposal was not adopted.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 202/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

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

Cooperation

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/67)

_Subject:_ Human rights in Colombia

Will the Ministers meeting in political cooperation say
whether they consider the current crackdown on drugs
traffic by the Colombian authorities as anything more
than a smokescreen?

With over 1 000 'political' killings there last year, can
pressure be put on the Colombian Government to assume
responsibility for human rights abuses, by regular police,
civilian auxiliaries and military police?

Answer

_(6 April 1990)_

The Honourable Member is doubtlessly aware of the
Twelve's statement at the Strasbourg European Council,
which saluted the courageous action taken by the
Colombian Government against drug trafficking. In the
wake of that statement, they welcomed, on 18 January
1990, the special programme of cooperation announced
by the Government of Colombia and expressed the
intention of the Community and its Member States 'to
respond positively to the programme at an early date.'

In this context, the Honourable Member may be assured
that the Colombian Authorities will be reminded of the

Twelve's well-known position in the human rights field.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 234/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/68)

_Subject:_ TV-video productions covering or promoting
aspects of the Community's work

I am aware that a number of Directorates-General and

Departments within the Commission have small separate
budgets for the above purposes. Can the Commission list
all department sections and Directorates-General
administering such budgets, together with their size and
details of the method of application/allocation?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 February 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to his Written Question No 774/89 (').

(') See page 6 of this Official Journal.

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/31

WRITTEN QUESTION No 260/90

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott (ED)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/69)

_Subject:_ Baggage inspection at Community airports

In the light of continuing threats to passenger safety from
the concealment of explosives in airline passengers'
baggage and air freight, and the technological
achievements of firms such as Science Applications
International Corporation in USA and Sodern in France,
in developing thermal neutron analysis (TNA) systems to
detect explosives such as Semtex, what steps is the Council
taking to promote investment in TNA equipment at
Community airports and at airports in the Lome
Convention States, in the light of the recent destruction of
a second UTA airliner in Chad?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

The Council has not had occasion to discuss the question
raised by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 262/90

by Mrs Viviane Reding (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/70)

_Subject:_ The zero-rating of newspapers and periodicals
for VAT purposes

Having received an evasive and vague answer to my
Written Question No 717/89 (') on 10 January 1990, I
hereby submit it again:

The Council is preparing to study new proposals for the
harmonization of VAT rates.

In the interests of public information and the democratic
process in the Member States it is important to give the
greatest possible encouragement to the widespread
distribution of newspapers and periodicals, since they
make a significant contribution to social, cultural and
political life.

As a way of reducing the cost to the reader of newspapers
and periodicals, would it not be appropriate to zero-rate
them for VAT purposes throughout the Community?

Within the Community 0 % is the rating most commonly
applied to newspapers, the average being about 3% and
the maximum 10%. The VAT rate on periodicals in the
Community varies between 0 and 25 %.

0 OJNoC39,19.2. 1990.

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

The Council has not yet taken any decisions on the
question of harmonization of VAT rates.

The Ecofin Council discussed this matter at its session of

18 December 1989. The attention of the Honourable

Member is drawn to the Presidency's conclusions at that
meeting, which note that Member States undertook to
seek agreement between now and 31 December 1991:

— on a range of rates, or a minimum rate applicable on 1
January 1993 within the limits proposed by the
Commission for the normal rate,

— on the scope and level of the reduced rates which
Member States will be able to apply after 1992,

— on the products which can continue to be zero-rated
without this entailing distortions of competition
among Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 281/90

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/71)

_Subject:_ Teaching material defining Germany in terms of
its 1937 borders, published in conjunction with
the Federal German Government's Press and

Information Office

In December 1989 the publishing house 'Zeitbild-Verlag
GmbH', Mainzer Str. 225, 5300 Bonn 2, in conjunction
with the Federal German Government's Press and

Information Office, issued a leaflet for distribution to
schools. Responsibility for the contents of the leaflet is
claimed by the 'Study Group for Topical Education. W.
Martin.'

This leaflet refers to the GDR as 'Mitteldeutschland'

[Central Germany] and states that Germany does not end
at the Oder and Neisse but continues to exist within its

borders of 31 December 1937, encompassing the old
German territories of Eastern Prussia, Pomerania,
Eastern Brandenburg and Silesia. For details of the

No C 117/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 5. 90

definitive borders, reference is made to a non-existent

peace treaty.

1. What view does the Commission take of such leaflets

being issued, particularly among schoolchildren in the
Federal Republic of Germany, following the opening
of the Berlin Wall?

2. What view does it take of the fact that the German

Government's Press and Information Office is helping
to produce such documents?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 March 1990)_

The Commission is not in a position to offer any
comment upon the question posed by the Honourable
Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 298/90

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa (CG)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/72)

_Subject:_ Dublin-Belfast rail link

Can the Council say what steps have been taken by the
Irish and British Governments to ensure that the £ 35

million of Community funds available for the
improvement of the rail link between Dublin and Belfast
is availed of?

Would the Council agree that, in the light of terrorist
attacks on the line by the Provisional IRA, and the fall-off
in traffic which is forcing the two railway companies
concerned to review the service, it is a matter of some
urgency that reinvestment in the service take place?

Would the Council agree that the rail link is vital to the
economic welfare of the east coast of Ireland, north and
south of the border, to continuing efforts to improve
cross border relations in all spheres and to the improved
implementation of the structural framework programmes
to help the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to
more effectively meet the challenge of 1992?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

Responsibility for replying to the three questions raised
by the Honourable Member lies with the Commission,

which is entrusted with implementation of provisions
governing the Structural Funds.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 307/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/73)

_Subject:_ CodTAC for 1990

The Commission set the cod TAC from the North Sea at

90 000 tonnes for 1990; on what criteria did the Ministers

of the Twelve base their final decision to raise it to 98 000

tonnes?

Answer

_(30 March 1990)_

1. The Council sets the TAC following a proposal
from the Commission.

2. In the instance raised by the Honourable Member,
the proposal put forward by the Commission at the
Council meeting on 18 December 1989 comprised a TAC
for 1990 of 97 _000_ tonnes of cod from the North Sea to be

shared with Norway within the framework of the
common management of the stock, which resulted in
90 270 tonnes for the Community.

On 19 December 1989, at the end of its discussion, the
Council set the TAC in question at 105 000 tonnes (of
which 98 270 tonnes were reserved for the Community)
following the amended Commission proposal put
forward during the Council meeting.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 360/90

by Mr Freddy Blak (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 117/74)

_Subject:_ Age limit for recruitment by the EC institutions

Notices of vacancy for posts in the EC institutions specify
age limits depending on the nature of the post. This is a

11. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 117/33

highly unusual selection criterion, since age is not a
reflection of professional competence. Such a criterion
discriminates against an entire section of the population
and is equivalent to excluding _en bloc_ all red-haired
persons or all women.

What is the reason for this age criterion? Do plans exist to
change it or replace it with a system of temporary
contracts?

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

_(16 March 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the replies given to his oral questions H-142/89 and
145/89 and to oral question H-366/89 by Mr Prag,
during question time at Parliament's September, October
and December 1989 part sessions.

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