Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 17
# Official Journal

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 23 January 1995

#### C 17

Volume 38

###### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 17 / 01 E-2141 / 92 by John McCartin to the Commission
Subject : Compliance with Community Directives on waste dumping at Cregga, Co . Roscommon,
Ireland ( Supplementary answer ) 1

95 / C 17 / 02 E-2090 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : External costs relating to transport .' 1

95 / C 17 / 03 E-2151 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Insurance to cover agricultural production and the farming capital in Greece 2

95 / C 17 / 04 E-2307 / 93 by Alonso Puerta and Laura Gonzalez Alvarez to the Commission
Subject : Pollution in the Bay of Biscay 3

95 / C 17 / 05 E-23 84 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Need for urgent measures to curb unemployment 3

95 / C 17 / 06 E-2557 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Approach to Mediterranean fisheries 4

95 / C 17 / 07 E-2646 / 93 by Detlev Samland to the Commission
Subject : Non-recognition of Wilfried Busch's architect's diploma 4

95 / C 17 / 08 E-2706 / 93 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Study of the ' Betuwe ' and ' Iron Rhine ' railways 5

95 / C 17 / 09 E-2770 / 93 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : The Commission's right to propose legislation 5

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E-2817 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Technical inspection of vehicles for cars in the European Community

E-2828 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Safety of passenger vessels and hazardous cargoes

E-2872 / 93 by Carole Tongue to the Commission
Subject : HIV testing in recruitment by the EC institutions

E-3060 / 93 by François Musso to the Commission
Subject : Passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Bonifacio

E-3086 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring services and subsidiarity

E-3195 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Biofuel crops on set-aside land

E-3197 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Eroding Community preference

E-3256 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Regional rail links

E-3306 / 93 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Manweb ( Merseyside and North West Electricity Board ) — Excessive charges and no
redress for consumers

E-3316 / 93 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Projected construction of a navigable waterway along the Paraguay and Parana rivers

E-3365 / 93 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Costs of power supplies to farmers in the EC

E-3371 / 93 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Take-up of recruitment premiums in Spain

E-3381 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission

Subject : Oil pollution at Pylos

E-3390 / 93 by Vassilis Ephremidis to the Commission
Subject : Measures to repair environmental damage to Pylos

E-3411 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Closure of newspapers in Russia by decree of President Boris Yeltsin

E-3497 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Navigating while under the influence of alcohol

E-3519 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Dependence of islands on oil for energy

E-3553 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Structural Fund allocation 1989 — 1993 — Spain

E-3597 / 93 by Edward Kellett-Bowman to the Commission
Subject : Pensions for EC citizens living in third countries

E-3599 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact of the Itoiz reservoir

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95 / C 17 / 30 E-738 / 94 by Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a reservoir at Itoiz ( Spain ) 17

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3599 / 93 and E-738 / 94 17

95 / C 17 / 31 E-3643 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Legislation on the management of water resources 17

95 / C 17 / 32 E-3659 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Banning of vessels with a bad pollution record from Community ports 18

95 / C 17 / 33 E-3700 / 93 by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez to the Commission
Subject : Environmental Impact Study of construction work, co-financed by the ERDF, on the
Bilbao ( Spain ) metropolitan railway 18

95 / C 17 / 34 E-3742 / 93 by Lyndon Harrison to the Commission
Subject : Regulation of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in vehicle emissions 19

95 / C 17 / 35 E-3852 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Enhancing the effectiveness of Community research programmes 20

95 / C 17 / 36 E-3 897 / 93 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : Freedom of movements for lawyers in France 20

95 / C 17 / 37 E-3977 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Operation of Thessaloniki waste tip in an area covered by the international Ramsar
Convention 21

95 / C 17 / 38 E-61 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the Lake Kerkina ecosystem 21

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3977 / 93 and E-61 / 94 21

95 / C 17 / 39 E-3993 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Data for assessing the environmental repercussions of all forms of building activity . . 21

95 / C 17 / 40 E-4008 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Promoting the Community shipping register 22

95 / C 17 / 41 E-4033 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Export ban on dangerous plant protection products 22

95 / C 17 / 42 E-4034 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Fixing of limits for the aflatoxin content of dried fruit and spices 23

95 / C 17 / 43 E-4066 / 93 by Wilfried Telkämper to the Commission
Subject : Definition of ' high-speed road ' 23

95 / C 17 / 44 E-4071 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Furniture containing polyurethane foam 24

95 / C 17 / 45 E-4074 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of highly-enriched uranium fuel 24

95 / C 17 / 46 E-4076 / 93 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Failure to propose measures relating to education, vocational training and youth .... 25

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 17 / 47 E - 1 6 / 94 by Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Commission position on hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( ozone hole ) 25

95 / C 17 / 48 E-l 80 / 94 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission

Subject : EU tobacco subsidies 26

95 / C 17 / 49 E-l 86 / 94 by Francesco Guidolin to the Commission
Subject : European studies 26

95 C 17 / 50 E-221 / 94 by Anne Mcintosh to the Commission
Subject : Vehicle safety standards — frontal impact protection . . . .- 27

95 / C 17 / 51 E-223 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject : Air pollution                   - 27

95 / C 17 / 52 E-268 / 94 by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Summer-time 28

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E-2 89 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Survival of the consumer electronics industry 28

E-322 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation by Greece of the Directive on the major-accident hazards of certain
industrial activities 30

E-3 24 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Respect for the environment and the construction of the rail link between the Channel
Tunnel and the centre of London 30

E-431 / 94 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Possibly EC action on road salt 30

E-450 / 94 by Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Prevention of natural disasters 31

E-453 / 94 by Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Commission communication on the current crisis in the textile and clothing industry 31

E-462 / 94 by Gérard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Creation of locum services — financial contribution by the Community 32

E-472 / 94 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Liverpool City Council 1994 / 95 SAA settlement 32

E-5 20 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Setting up a system of arbitration in consumer matters 33

E-636 / 94 by Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of funds for the Community Retex initiative in Spain 33

95 / C 17 / 63 E-679 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission

Subject : Work of the International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ) 34

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95 C 17165

E-751 / 94 by Gérard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Group of experts on the urban environment 34

E-756 / 94 by Gérard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Authorization for marketing pharmaceuticals 35

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E-759 / 94 by José Vazquez Fouz to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries agreement with Greenland 35

E-780 / 94 by Brigitte Langenhagen to the Commission
Subject : The Commission's Decision of 4 February 1 994 on minimum import prices or minimum
prices 36

E-791 / 94 by José Duarte Cendân to the Commission
Subject : EU collaboration with the CERN 37

E-810 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Proposal on civil liability in the services sector 37

E-816 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Proposals on education, vocational training and youth 38

E-836 / 94 by Henry McCubbin to the Commission
Subject : Use of fish traps 38

E - 8 3 9 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Inadequate legislation on pseudo-medicinal products 38

E-853 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Fireworks safety standards 39

E-878 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Facilitating access to buses and trains for people with mobility problems 40

E-8 85 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Illegal fishing using dynamite in the Saronic Gulf 40

E-907 / 94 by Bruno Boissière to the Commission
Subject : Traffic and public transport in and around Marseilles 40

E-915 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Safety of high-level nuclear waste tanks 41

E-956 / 94 by Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Compliance with environmental Directives 41

E-965 / 94 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Prohibition of a regular cargo and passenger service between Andalusia and the port of
Nador '. 42

E-970 / 94 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Green petrol 42

E-996 / 94 by Francesco Speroni to the Commission
Subject : Undue delays in the reimbursement of VAT on exports by the Italian authorities .... 43

E - 1 039 / 94 by Jean-Paul Heider to the Commission
Subject : Community funding in up-grading the E 512 Remiremont to Mulhouse road 43

E-1 044 / 94 by Juan Colino Salamanca and Jesús Cabezón Alonso to the
Commission

Subject : The presence of Commissioner Matutes in Spain 44

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 17 / 84 E-1046 / 94 by Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Voluntary civil protection bodies : recognition, funding and logos 44

95 / C 17 / 85 E-l 085 / 94 by Anne McIntosh to the Commission
Subject : Air freight transport services in the EU 45

95 / C 17 / 86 E-l 126 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Pollution of the seas 45

95 / C 17 / 87 E-1213 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Bridge Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 88 E-1236 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Eclair Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 89 E-1239 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Flair Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 90 E-1245 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear Installations Programme in Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 91 E-1247 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The DEC Programme in Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 92 E-1283 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The RDT Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 93 E-1289 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Monitor Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 94 E-1309 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The EVA Programme and Greece 46

95 / C 17 / 95 E-1315 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Human Capital Programme and Greece 47

95 / C 17 / 96 E-l 358 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Life Science Programme and Greece 47

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1213 / 94, E-1236 / 94, E-1239 / 94, E-1245 / 94,
E-l 247 / 94, E-1283 / 94, E-1289 / 94, E-1309 / 94, E-1315 / 94 and E-1358 / 94 47

95 / C 17 / 97 E-1222 / 94 by Maria Santos to the Commission
Subject : Spain's regional development plan and water requirements 47

95 / C 17 / 98 E-1431 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Transnational projects — cultural tourism 48

95 / C 17 / 99 E-1453 / 94 by David Martin to the Commission
Subject : VAT on domestic fuel . . . : 48

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141 / 92

by John McCartin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1992 )

( 95 / C 17 / 01 )

Subject : Compliance with Community Directives on waste

dumping at Cregga, Co . Roscommon, Ireland

What progress has been made in the Commission's enquiry
into the dumping of burnt animal carcasses at Cregga, Co .
Roscommon, Ireland, and were Community Directives on
the dumping of waste and the protection of ground water
fully complied with during this dumping operation ?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1994 )

Further to its answer of 15 December 1993 ( 1 ) according to
the Irish authorities, an exceptionally large volume of
charred meat required urgent disposal in the interest of
public health, following a major fire at Ballaghaderreen in
January 1992 . About 4 500 tonnes was buried at a site in

Cregga .

Trial pits at the site indicated a depth in excess of 25 feet of
clay which was likely to be effective in protection any
surrounding ground or surface water from contamination .
A subsequent survey by a firm of hydro-geological
consultants engaged by the local authority confirmed
this .

A waste permit was issued under Directive 75 / 442 / EEC .
Leachate extractiôn and venting of decomposition gases is
continuing at the site as recommended by the consultants,
and monitoring of boreholes, wells and surface waters is

ongoing . The local authority has agreed to set up a
monitoring committee consisting of representatives of the
local authority itself, the local health authority and the local
residents association, to review the results of the
monitoring .

While, on a more general basis, the Commission continues
to pursue with the Irish authorities the full and proper
implementation by Ireland of Directive 75 / 442 / EEC on
waste and Directive 80 / 68 / EEC on the protection of
ground-water against pollution caused by certain dangerous
substances, it did not consider it appropriate to intervene in
this particular case, given the practical steps being taken by
the Irish authorities . In contacts with the Irish authorities,
the desirability of transparency and disclosure of
monitoring results was emphasised .

(!) OJ No C 47, 18 . 2 . 1993, p . 21 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2090 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 02 )

Subject : External costs relating to transport

On 1 July 1993 the results were announced of a study
carried out by the European Federation for Transport and
the Environment, a cooperative organization of
environmental organizations in Europe . The subject of this
study was quantification of the external costs of transport .
These include not only infrastructure costs but also the cost
of environmental pollution, including the emission of
noxious gases and noise . The cost of transport accidents has
also been taken into account .

No C 17 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

The study concluded that the external cost of transport in
the EC and EFTA countries amounted to F1 250 billion a

year, a sum that is nowhere near covered by those who cause
the extra costs . If all external costs of road transport were to
be recouped from fuel prices, these would have to rise by an
average of 65 % . Air transport costs would have to rise by

10 — 20 % for long-haul routes and even more for short haul

routes .

1 . Is the Commission aware of thç study by the European
Federation for Transport and the Environment and does
the Commission share its conclusions ?

2 . What tax and non - tax options does the Commission

think are available for covering external costs, partly in
the light of the major problems involved in taking the
costs of road infrastructure into account ?

provide insurance cover and that the ' Greek Agricultural
Insurance Organization ' ( ELGA ) has not adjusted the scope
of its operations, does the Commission intend to persuade
the Greek authorities that the ELGA must draw up new
insurance policies for Greek production and farming capital
at the earliest opportunity ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )

Under the third non-life insurance Directive

3 . How does the Commission view the idea of a tax on ( 92 / 49 / EEC ) ( 1 ), which completed the internal market in
kerosene to cover the external costs of air transport ? insurance other than life assurance, the monopolies enjoyed

by certain bodies in some Member States over insurance
risks falling within the scope of the Directive must be
eliminated . This obligation comes into effect on 1 July 1994,
Answer given by Mr Oreja the date of entry into force of the third Directive .
on behalf of the Commission

(S May 1994 )
The Commission, as a guardian of Community law, will
ensure that Member States comply with the provisions of
the third non-life insurance Directive .
The Commission is aware of the study by the European
Federation for Transport and the Environment and is
examining closely the reasoning and calculations which led In the absence of Community agricultural programmes for
up to its conclusions .

This examination forms part of the follow-up work on the
White Paper ' The future development of the common
transport policy — the construction of a Community
framework for sustainable mobility '. It is in this context that
the Commission will decide on its approach to external

transport costs .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2151 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 03 )

In the absence of Community agricultural programmes for
the insurance-cover of certain agricultural risks, it is up to
each Member State to define the conditions of cover of risks

related to agricultural activity . From 1 July 1994, any
insurance undertaking that has been duly authorized under
the terms of the third Directive to cover agricultural risks in
the Member State in which its head office is situated may
cover the same risks in Greece . In so doing, the insurance
undertaking must comply with the general provisions of
Greek law .

Obviously, the Commission is not competent to insist that
insurance undertakings cover the agricultural risks that their

policy holders suggest, whether the insurance is mandatory
or optional . Since insurance is a contractual activity, each
insurance undertaking must decide, as part of its business
policy, whether it wishes to cover those risks and start
offering insurance policies that cover the various risks to
which agricultural activities are exposed .

Article 92(2)(b ) of the EEC Treaty provides that State aids
are compatible with the common market if they are granted
Subject : Insurance to cover agricultural production and the to make good damage caused by natural disasters ( such as

farming capital in Greece earthquakes, floods and avalanches ).

Modern farming is increasingly run like a business and
employs highly specialized technological methods . In view
of this, farmers require adequate insurance cover . Farm
holdings need to be covered by an all-risk policy . In view of
the fact that from 1994 the State will not be allowed to

This provision also covers damage caused by extreme
climatic conditions, such as freezing temperatures, hail,
frost, rain or drought, when these occur with such intensity
that, according to standard Commission practice, they may

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 3

be regarded as natural disasters in the sense of the Treaty,
provided that the individual recipient of the aid suffers a
sufficient degree of damage .

Where this provision applies, beneficiaries may be granted
up to 100% compensation for losses by the Member
State .

(!) OJ No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2307 / 93

by Alonso Puerta ( GUE ) and
Laura González Álvarez ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 04 )

Subject : Pollution in the Bay of Biscay

On 24 April 1990 the Commission replied to Written
Question No 293 / 90 (*) on pollution in the Bay of Biscay as
follows :

' The Commission is still awaiting a reply to the request
for general information addressed to Spain in
application of Directive 76 / 464 / EEC ( 2 ) on pollution
caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into
the aquatic environment .

Spain's reply should enable the Commission to locate the
points at which dangerous substances . . . are discharged
into the Bay of Biscay '?

A report just presented by Greenpeace shows that two
Basque paper-mills, Zikunaga and Papelera Espaiiola, are
responsible for discharging almost 16 000 tonnes of
organochlorines composed of chlorine gas and highly toxic
organic compounds into the Bay of Biscay .

1 . How does the Commission explain that, after such a

long time, the Spanish authorities are still not correctly
applying Directive 76 / 464 / EEC ?

2 . Is the Commission already aware of the black spots from
which effluent and dangerous substances are discharged
into the Bay of Biscay every day ?

3 . Does the Commission not consider that a study should

be drawn up on the various environmental protection
measures which need to be taken in order to prevent
worsening pollution in the Bay of Biscay ?

H OJ No C 233, 17 . 9 . 1990, p . 23 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p . 23 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

1 . Spain has transposed Directive 76 / 464 / EEC on
pollution caused by certain dangerous substances
discharged into the aquatic environment . The national law
lays down that the ' basin agencies ' ( confederaciones
hydrogrâficas ) are the competent authorities for the
practical application of Directive 76 / 464 / EEC, in particular
with regard to the inventory of discharges of dangerous
substances, prior discharge authorizations and
information .

This applies for most of Spain's ' basin agencies '.

The Commission is aware of a general problem regarding
the application of the Directive and is currently looking into
this .

2 . The information indicated by the Honourable
Members is not among the various features of the
Directive's application which Member States are supposed
to provide to the Commission upon request .

3 . It falls to the Spanish authorities to take decisions
regarding any necessary study to identify environmental
protection measures .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2384 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

f ( 95 / C 17 / 05 )

Subject : Need for urgent measures to curb
unemployment

Bearing in mind the main features of the unemployment
figures published by the Statistical Office of the EC on
7 June 1993 and, in particular, given that :

1, unemployment has not fallen or even stabilized in any of
the Member States but has in fact risen in all the

Twelve,

2, the most significant increases were in Spain ( 3,1 % ),
Belgium ( 3,1 % ) Germany and Holland (1 % ), and

3, unemployment is at much higher levels than the EC
average in four Member States, i.e . Spain ( 20,7% ),
Ireland ( 18,4% ), the United Kingdom ( 11,4% ) and
France ( 10,6% ),

can the Commission say whether the Community will take
urgent measures to encourage investment, support small

No C 17 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

and medium-sized businesses, increase public investment WRITTEN QUESTION E-2557 / 93
and improve competitiveness in order to curb by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
unemployment as soon as possible ? What form will these to the Commission
measures take ?

(1 September 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 06

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1993 )

The Commission is deeply concerned about the
unemployment crisis in the Community . In an effort to
respond to the crisis, the Commission adopted on 26 May

1993 a Community - Wide Framework for Employment i 1 )
which was welcomed subsequently by the Employment and
Social Affairs Council .

There are four inter-related dimensions to this Framework

which could raise the level of employment and reduce
unemployment in the Community, while maintaining and
extending the competitiveness and growth potential of the
European economy :

— increasing the overall employment intensity of
production and developing labour intensive activities in
appropriate sectors, in order to balance the supply and
demand for labour and other resources ;

— anticipating and accelerating the development of new

jobs and new activities, in order to maintain the pace of
structural change and adjustment in line with economic
and social developments ;

— managing the use and development of human resources

in ways that raise their quality and value, and ensure that
they are used to optimal effectiveness in line with market
and social needs ;

— strengthening the fight against inequalities, both
between regions of the Community and between social

groups .

Since publication of the Framework a number of detailed
proposals have been examined by the Standing Committee
on Employment but it is too early to forecast quantitative
effects of this initiative .

Following the mandate given by the Copenhagen European
Council, the Commission's work, which aims to draw as
much employment as possible from whatever level of
economic growth the Community can achieve, is being
further developed in the context of the White Paper
presented at the Brussels European Council ( 2 ).

Subject : Approach to Mediterranean fisheries

Can the Commission say, with the implementation of the
new regulation on Mediterranean fisheries in view, whether
all the Mediterranean countries and those that fish in the

Mediterranean take a uniform approach to the subject ?

f
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1993 )

The Commission has observed a fairly broad consensus
regarding the objectives of its proposed Regulation in the
contacts it has established on the matter with the
Mediterranean countries ( M.

(!) COM(93 ) 533 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2646 / 93

by Detlev Samland ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 07 )

Subject : Non-recognition of Wilfried Busch's architect's

diploma

The Commission has been aware for the last three years of
the case of a German architect, Wilfried Busch, who lives
and works in Luxembourg but whose professional
qualifications are not recognized because his vocational
training was in Luxembourg, his country of residence, and
not — as specified in the Directive on architects — in
Germany, his country of origin .

What action does the Commission intend taking to resolve
this matter so that — in common with any other EC citizen
— Mr Busch is entitled to practise his profession in the

Community ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(!) COM(93 ) 238 final . ( 15 March 1994 )
( 2 ) COM(93 ) 700 final .

The Commission has, on a number of occasions,
commented on Mr Busch's position with regard to the

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 5

application of Community law and, in particular, to the
scope of Council Directive 85 / 384 / EEC (*). This Directive is
not applicable in the case at issue . The Commission has
nevertheless suggested other avenues for Mr Busch to
explore . It is now for the Luxembourg State Council to take
a decision on Mr Busch's appeal, having due regard to the
grounds and arguments he has invoked .

(!) OJ No L 223, 21 . 8 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2706 / 93

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

Future action by the Commission in relation to the ' Iron
Rhine ' line could be considered if proposals for its
development are put forward by the relevant Member State
authorities on the basis of further analysis .

(M COM(92 ) 230 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2770 / 93

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 17 / 09 )

(8 September 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 08 )

Subject : Study of the ' Betuwe ' and ' Iron Rhine ' railways

The discussion on constructing the ' Betuwe ' line has raised
the possibility of re-activating the ' Iron Rhine ' railway . In
view of the fact that the EC is seeking to shift as much freight
as possible from the roads to the railways, it is conceivable
that there will be a need for both lines . Studies at the
national level are not enough in this respect .

Can the Commission carry out, or arrange to have carried
out, a comprehensive cross-border study of the economic
and environmental need for the two railways ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

The Commission has already carried out a study on the
problems of the so called ' Iron Rhine ' rail route in

1990 / 91 .

The outcome of this work showed inter alia that the

upgrading of this line would have entailed considerable
costs, which the three governments concerned were not
ready to bear . The use of the alternative route via Montzen
was therefore decided by common agreement between the
Member States and railway companies involved .

The Commission is also aware that studies have been
undertaken by the Netherlands authorities regarding the
Betuwe line .

This line has been included in the list of routes which figure
in the Outline for a Community Network of Combined
Transport (*), and is likely to be included in the Guideline

for a Transeuropean Basic Railway Network currently
being identified .

Subject : The Commission's right to propose legislation

According to a leader which appeared in ' The Independent '
on 6 October 1992, the Commission submitted 535
proposals to the Council in 1991 . ' The Independent ' based
on figures supplied by the Commission its statement that

'. . . the Commission found that it had initiated . . . about

30 measures . . . Of the rest, the largest number flowed
from the application of international agreements
(.    -    - )'•

I received a vague and evasive reply to my question
No 3471 / 92 ( 1 ) ( 11 December 1992 ) as to what proposals
the Commission had submitted of its own accord .

1 . Does the Commission still agree with Commissioner
Pinheiro that its information policy should be to speak
' nothing but the truth '?

2 . Does not the Commission, consider it self-evident that
information which it supplies to journalists should also
be given to directly elected representatives of the
people ?

3 . Will it now give definite replies to the following

questions ?

( a ) How many proposals did it submit of its own

accord ?

( b ) How many proposals served to implement an

international agreement ?

(!) OJ No C 292, 28 . 10 . 1993, p . 22 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(U April 1994 )

1 . Yes .

No C 17 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

2 . Yes, where it concerns information which it sends
officially to the press . This was not the case of the data
quoted by the Honourable Member .

3 . As the Commission indicated in its answer to Written

Question No 3471 / 92 and in the communication on the
principle of subsidiarity f 1 ), all proposals are made in the
exercise of its own right of initiative and it alone is
responsible for them . The only distinction that can be made
lies in the origin of a proposal ( act required under the
Treaty, implementation of an international agreement,
response to an application from economic operators
etc .).

Proposals which were necessary in 1991 to implement
international agreements or undertakings amounted to
about 18% of the total ( roughly 97 proposals ).

(*) SEC(92 ) 1990 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2817 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 10

Subject : Technical inspection of vehicles for cars in the

European Community

Many Member States have established a technical
inspection of vehicles where the vehicles are periodically
tested for roadworthiness to ensure that mechanical and

electrical faults or fatigue of components do not increase the
danger which is inherently associated with the use of any
vehicle .

Directive 77 / 143 / EEC ( 1 ) established compulsory technical
controls for lorries and certain other vehicles . Compulsory
inspection of cars will begin in 1998 .

Can the Commission indicate which Member States have

compulsory periodic ( annual or biennial ) inspections ? Does
the Commission consider that the measuring equipment
used and the level of training of the staff involved are such
that the controls in these countries are of a similar standard ?

If so, does the Commission not feel that, in accordance with
the proven method of gradual change, it would be desirable
to establish mutual recognition between the countries which
fully meet the desired conditions for these checks on cars,
given that the Member States trust each other where other
means of transport are concerned which are perhaps more
dangerous due to their power, such as lorries ?

( J ) OJ No L 47, 18 . 2 . 1977, p . 47 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

Directive 77 / 143 / EEC, as last amended by Directive
92 / 55 / EEC ( 1 ), established compulsory technical
inspections for motor vehicles and their trailers ( buses,
coaches, heavy goods vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, taxis,
ambulances, light commercial vehicles and private cars )
throughout the Community .

The same Directive lists the items that must be covered by
the technical inspection and lays down the frequency for
each type of vehicle, namely :

— light commercial vehicles and private cars : four years

after first use and every two years thereafter ;

— other vehicles : one year after first use and annually

thereafter .

For private cars, the Directive entered into force on 1 Janury

1994 . However, five Member States ( Denmark, France,
Ireland, Italy and Portugal ) have been granted derogations
until 1 January 1998 under Article 7 of the Directive as
regards the frequency of inspections, the number of items to
be covered, and the compulsory nature of inspections .

For more detailed information, the Commission would refer
the Honourable Member to the text of the Directive .

As regards the other points raised, numerous types of
equipment exist for detecting faults, and inspection
procedures vary from one Member State to another .

As a result, it was felt preferable to limit the legislation
initially to the minimum standards and methods necessary
for inspecting vehicles, as the instructions for using the
equipment are sufficient to ensure correct application, by
the authorized centres, of the guidelines on technical
inspections which remain within the jurisdiction of the
Member States .

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it is also up
to the Member States to provide ongoing training for
inspectors to enable them to keep pace with technological
change and take correct and uniform decisions .

Finally, each Member State is responsible for proof of
conformity with the Directive of the vehicles it inspects, and
must recognize proof furnished by other Member States .

(^ OJ No L 225, 10 . 8 . 1992 .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 7

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2828 / 93

by Alexandras Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

95 / C 17 / 11 )

Subject : Safety of passenger vessels and hazardous

cargoes,

In many Member States passenger vessels on domestic lines
carry not only private motor vehicles but also lorries
transporting goods . Very frequently these loads consist of
pesticides, insecticides, asbestos, products and other toxic
and hazardous substances and other goods such as
chlorines, petrol, etc . which are supplies for shops and
primary materials for many craft industries .

Will the Commission say :

1 . How it intends to respond to demands for controls on

loads carried by passenger vessels so as to avert health
hazards for the passengers and to eliminate the danger of
an accident caused by these substances ?

2 . Whether it considers that Community legislation

provides adequate safeguards concerning the transport
of goods by passenger vessels ?

In line with the subsidiarity principle, it is for the Member
States to apply controls to vessel cargoes .

The desirability of Community legislation on cargoes will be
evaluated in the light of Member States ' application of the
relevant recommendations and resolutions of the

International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) and the
International Labour Organization ( ILO ). This evaluation
will be made in the context of examination of the OMI

resolutions, deemed necessary for the improvement of the
safety at sea of vessels of any flag entering Community
waters, in respect of which the Council recommends
obligatory application in the Community ( Council
resolution of 8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe
seas ) ( 4 ).

(!) OJ No L 247, 5 . 10 . 1993 .
( 2 ) COM(93 ) 647 final .
( 3 ) OJ No L 113, 30 . 4 . 1992 .
( 4 ) OJ No C 271, 7 . 10 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2872 / 93

by Carole Tongue ( PSE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 12 )
Answer given by Mr Ore j a
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 ) Subject : HIV testing in recruitment by the EC
institutions

The transport of dangerous goods on ships, including those
carrying passengers, is regulated at international level by the
Solas Convention ( Chapter VII ) and, in greater detail, by the
international Maritime Dangerous Goods Code ( IMDG ). In
view of the global dimension of maritime transport, the
Commission is of the opinion that the regulatory
framework, established at international level, is the most
appropriate one for ensuring a high degree of protection .

However, there is an undeniable need in the Community to
improve knowledge regarding vessel movements at sea and
the nature of their cargoes . Hence the Council adopted
Directive 93 / 75 / EEC concerning minimum requirements for
vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying
dangerous or polluting goods ( 1 ) . This Community initiative
will be complemented by the setting up of a European vessel
reporting system in the maritime zones of Community
Member States, concerning which the Commission has
submitted a proposal for a Directive to the Council ( 2 ). In
addition, Council Directive 92 / 29 / EEC of 31 March 1992
on the minimum safety and health requirements for
improved medical treatment on board vessels ( 3 ) provides
that any vessel transporting dangerous cargoes or any vessel
of the ferry type must carry the antidotes provided for by the
Directive in their medical supplies .

Why is it that, in contravention of international standards of
non-discrimination against people with AIDS, or who are
HIV-positive, an HIV test remains a standard part of the
health examination for prospective employees of the EC
institutions ? While the candidate has the right to refuse such
a test, if they do so, their T-cell count is then tested, and if the
results indicate a weakened immune system, they may then
be refused employment on these grounds .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1993 )

The policy not only of the Commission but also of the other
European institutions with regard to testing for HIV
antibodies is clearcut . It was formally discussed in 1989
with representatives of the staff committees, the heads of
administrative Departments and the medical officers of the
different institutions in their capacity as members of a
working party on AIDS .

No C 17 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

1 . There is no compulsory or systematic HIV screening

either at pre-recruitment medical examinations or at
annual medical check-ups . In line with the
recommendation of the Ministers for Health meeting
within the Council that ' firms should, with the help of
those who usually have a preventive role within the firm

( company doctors, occupational health experts, etc .,
according to national practice ), consider developing an
effective AIDS education policy suited to their particular
work environment ', the medical services have been
instructed to contribute to this health education effort

not only collectively ( two extensive information
campaigns were launched in 1987 and 1990 ) but also in
the privacy of the doctor's consulting room on the
occasion of pre-recruitment examinations and annual
check-ups .

At pre-recruitment medical examinations candidates are
given information not only on the disease and its
implications both for the individual and for the wider
public but also on how a seropositive result would affect
their chances of recruitment . Candidates who test
positive but do not show any symptoms of the disease
are not turned down on medical grounds, nor is the
so-called reservation clause applied ( Article 1 of
Annex VIII to the Staff Regulations ).

Candidates who are found to show symptoms of the
disease on the basis of case history, clinical examination
or biological abnormalities, independent of any HIV
screening, may be refused on medical grounds, as they
would be if they showed symptoms of other
incapacitating diseases . This will be done in the strictest
confidentiality and the decision and the reasons for it
notified both to the candidate and to his or her medical

practitioner .

2 . Candidates ( in the case of the pre-recruitment medical
examination ) and serving staff ( in the case of the annual
check-up ) who wish to know what the situation is in this
respect, are told that they may have the HIV test as part
of their routine blood test .

3 . In the absence of any medical or clinical reasons, there is
of course no T-cell count performed after a refusal of
HIV antibodies test by candidates .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3060 / 93

by François Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

(S November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 13

Subject : Passage of oil tankers through the Strait of

Bonifacio

What measures have been taken by the French and Italian

Governments to end the passage of oil tankers through the
Strait of Bonifacio ( between Corsica and Sardinia )?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

Pursuant to a Franco-Italian agreement, France and Italy
adopted measures in early 1993 to prohibit vessels of their
respective flags transporting dangerous or pollutant goods
from passing through the Strait of Bonifacio .

In addition, at the initiative of these Member States, the
International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) adopted
resolution A 766 ( 18 ) at its 18th session on 4 November

1993, recommending governments to prohibit or strongly
discourage loaded oil tankers and vessels of their flags
transporting dangerous chemical substances or products in
bulk from passing through the Strait of Bonifacio .

In any event this test is only ever carried out on the basis

In the context of the Community action in favour of

of informed consent, and there is never any pressure,

environmentally sensitive marine zones in European areas,

particularly on candidates at the pre-recruitment

the protection of sites of great value in ecological terms, such

medical, to have the test . Candidates do not have to give

as the Bonifacio site, against risks arising from shipping was

any reason if they decide against it . It is worth noting

reaffirmed recently by the Council at its extraordinary

that some 99 % of candidates state spontaneously tht
they offer would . like to take advantage of the test on Environment 1994 . and Transport meeting held on 24 March

This procedure conforms to the resolution adopted by
the Ministers for Health meeting within the Council on
22 December 1989, and in particular to point II . 1 :
availability of suitable diagnostic tests on a voluntary
and confidential basis ; and point II.3 : no justification for
systematic and compulsory screening .

Here the Council invited the Commission and Member

States to present proposals to enable IMO resolution A 766
( 18 ) to be implemented effectively, using Community
measures if necessary .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 9

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3086 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 14 )

Subject : Monitoring services and subsidiarity

Leaving aside in situ monitoring by Community staff in their
own areas, does the Commission not think that it needs its
own monitoring services in the Member States, since the
latter can make these readily available ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(. 29 March 1994 )

The checks made by the Commission in the Member States
fully respect the principle of subsidiarity and are carried out
in a spirit of close cooperation with the authorities of the
Member States .

WRTTTEN QUESTION E-3 195 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 15 )

Subject : Biofuel crops on set-aside land

may also set aside land voluntarily over and above this
percentage, subject to a limit which has been fixed ( the
number of hectares set aside may not exceed the number for
which the compensatory payment is applied for ).

Producers who choose non-rotational compulsory set-aside
must set aside 20 % of their land . Compulsory set-aside may
be permanent, rotational or mixed, i.e . partly permanent
and partly rotational .

Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 334 / 93 (*) lays down the
detailed implementing rules for the use of land set aside for
the provision of materials for the manufacture within the
Community of products not primarily intended for human
or animal consumption .

This Regulation allows certain agricultural products,
including oilseeds and cereals, to be grown on set aside land
for manufacture into non-food products which include
biofuels in particular .

Information from Member States suggests that, in the first
year of application of this Regulation, by far the greatest
interest has been shown in the cultivation of raw materials

for processing into biofuels .

As a consequence of the adoption of Council Regulation
( EEC ) No 231 / 94 ( 2 ) amending Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1765 / 92 establishing a support system for producers of
certain arable crops, which allows the growing of products
on set aside land for non-food purposes without
compensation, it is envisaged that sugarbeet will be eligible
for the non-food set-aside scheme under those

conditions .

Clearly, the inclusion of sugarbeet in the scheme would
result in an additional raw material which could be used for

biofuels, given appropriate market conditions .

H OJ No L 38, 16 . 2 . 1993 .

Should the proposed 20% set-aside not be permanent, ( 2 ) OJ No L 30, 3 . 2 . 1994 .
without the obligatory five-year rotation ? In the
medium-term, should priority not be given to studying how
to make use of set-aside land for biofuel crops, as is
beginning to be done in Germany ( colza-based gas oil ),
France ( cereal-based ethanol ) and Brazil ( biomass-based
alcohol )?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3197 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Mura ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

(3 May 1994 ) ( 95 / C 17 / 16 )

The recent Council Decisions on set-aside have produced
the following situation :

Producers who choose to base their compulsory set-aside on
a rotational system must set aside 15 % of their land . They

Subject : Eroding Community preference

Many Spanish farmers are wondering whether the slashing
of European farmers ' incomes is improving those of poor
farmers in countries which enjoy Community preference, or

k

No C 17 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

whether in fact those who are benefiting from Community
cooperation policies and starvation-level salaries in such
countries are commercial undertakings and certain
European industries . What does the Commission think ?

visitors in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and West
Gloucestershire ? What is it doing to encourage the
development and improvement of these links ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

Answer given by Mr Steichen on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 April 1994 )
(3 May 1994 )

The Commission shares the concern of the Spanish farmers,
expressed via the Honourable Member, that commercial
operators and European industries are making some profit
from the advantages derived from preferential agreements
with non-member countries .

The scale of this profit depends on the economic
development of the non-member country concerned which,
in one way or another, enables them to participate to a
greater or lesser extent in the processes of production,
packaging or processing, transport and marketing of
agricultural products .

By signing the preferential agreements, the Community has
contributed to the economic and social development of
these countries — and agriculture plays an important part in
this development — and therefore to a channelling of the
profit from concessions granted to the co-signatory's
farmers and operators .

It is true that certain agricultural products from these
countries that are particularly advantageous for export to
the Community ( for example tomatoes, potatoes, early fruit
and vegetables etc .) are sensitive products for Community
farmers and it is difficult to find a market equilibrium for
them . For this reason, imports of a large number of fruit and
vegetables, particularly the most sensitive ones, are subject
to tariff quotas or reference quantities and are effected
during the winter months when Community production is
relatively low ( schedules for preferential exports ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3256 / 93

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 17 )

Subiect : Regional rail links

Is the Commission cognisant of the importance of regional
rail links to the quality of life for both residents and

The Commission is aware of the role that public transport
plays in the quality of life for rural areas of the Community .
The need to ensure an adequate level of public transport in
the Community was highlighted in the Commission White
Paper on the Common Transport Policy ( 1 ). The White
Paper proposed that a ' Citizens Network ' be identified and
developed in order to ensure mobility for all Community
citizens, in particular those without private transport .
However, as concerns the routes mentioned by the
Honourable Member the Commission has not received any
specific information or requests .

(!) COM(92 ) 494 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3306 / 93

by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 18 )

Subject : Manweb ( Merseyside and North West Electricity

Board ) — Excessive charges and no redress for

consumers

Is the Commission aware that Manweb is cited in a recent

consumer report as the worst supplier of an electricity
service in the UK and that charges are excessive, with no
redress ?

Where meters are installed on a cash card basis, a
pay-as-you-use system, consumers are still charged and
subjected to enormous bills, even though the card has been
purchased and electricity paid for in advance .

Consumers are charged in advance for a service they have
not used .

Will the Commission investigate these anomalies in the
interests of European consumers and competition policy ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 11

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3365 / 93

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

(3 March 1994 ) to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

The Commission has no competence in this matter . It ( 95 / C 17 / 20 )
suggests that the Honourable Member or the consumers
concerned raise the matter with the regulatory authority for
electricity in the United Kingdom .

Subject : Costs of power supplies to farmers in the EC

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3316 / 93

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

Can the Commission produce figures detailing the costs of
power supplies — electricity, gas, oil etc . — to farmers in
each EC State ? I understand that French farmers pay only

to the Commission 1,5 pence per unit of electricity used for grass drying . Surely

( 24 November 1993 ) rates as low as this constitute State aids to agriculture ?

( 95 / C 17 / 19 )

Subject : Projected construction of a navigable waterway

along the Paraguay and Parana rivers

The Commission is supporting the projected construction of
a navigable waterway along the Paraguay and Parana rivers
and has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the
intergovernmental Paraguay-Parana Waterway Committee
for this purpose . However, the waterway will have a serious
environmental impact since it passes through the Pantanal,
which is the largest wetland area in the world and
particularly rich in flora and fauna .

Has the Commission considered alternative routes in order

to safeguard the Pantanal wetlands, or at least minimize the
environmental impact ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1994 )

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member
that the navigable route formed by the Paraguay, Parana
and lower reaches of the River Plate has always been used as

a waterway .

Consequently, it should be stressed that the issue is not one
of constructing a waterway but rather of regulating rivers
which are already used in their natural form for
navigation .

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's desire to

see thought given to the damage which this exercise might
produce in environmentally sensitive areas, especially the
Pantanal Wetlands .

Community cooperation on the Paraguay-Parana waterway
will be viewed in this light, taking into consideration
environmental consequences and measures designed to
avoid or reduce them significantly .

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission would draw attention to the provisions of
Council Directive 92 / 81 / EEC of 19 October 1992 on the

harmonization of the structures of excise duties on mineral
oils (*), Article 8 ( 2 ) ( f ) of which states that Member States
may apply total or partial exemptions or reductions in the
rate of duty to mineral oils used under fiscal control
exclusively in agricultural and in horticultural works and in
forestry and inland fisheries . In comparing the prices
charged for mineral oils in the Member States, account must
also be taken of the differences between prices excluding tax
which are due to national regulations and the market
structures of each of the Member States .

The abovementioned Directive 92 / 81 / EEC stipulates that, in
addition to petrol and gas oil, any other hydrocarbon used
as motor fuel is taxed as motor fuel . This does not apply to
natural gas, however . The Member States may nevertheless
tax natural gas as they see fit in accordance with Article 3(3 )
of Directive 92 / 12 / EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general
arrangements for products subject to excise duty ( 2 ). The
result is that taxes on natural gas currently differ throughout
the Community, with some Member States exempting it
from any excise duty, and even VAT for certain uses, while
others apply duties which may differ according to the
different categories of user .

With regard to the more specific question concerning
electricity charges in France, Electricité de France does not
lay down rates according to use, and there are therefore no
special rates for grass drying or, more generally, for farmers .
Certain activities of a highly seasonal nature carried out
during the summer months when demand for power is lower
may benefit from lower rates .

No C 17 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

The Office for Official Publications of the European 3, with regard to Objective 1 : concentrate on the year 1 993
Communities twice a year publishes the prices charged for the remaining resources allocated to recruitment aid .
various types of energy in its review ' Energy prices ', but no
breakdown is given according to different types of

consumer .

(!) OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 76, 26 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3381 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3371 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) ( 26 November 1993 )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 17 / 22 )

( 26 November 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 21 )

Subject : Oil pollution at Pylos

Subject : Take-up of recruitment premiums in Spain

As part of the implementation of the reform of the Structural
Funds in Spain, provision was made for ' recruitment
premiums ', which have not been taken up to any great
extent by the Spanish Government . Can the Commission
give details of the pesent state of affairs as regards this line of
action ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1994 )

Approximately 17% of the ECU 2 814 million ( 1989
prices ) approved under the Community Support
Frameworks ( ESF ) for Spain under Objectives 1, 3 and 4
was earmarked for recruitment aid .

During 1990, 1991 and 1992, however, Spanish
recruitment aid programmes were hardly used, firstly,
because the relevant legal framework povided for when the
CSF and the operational programmes were drawn up was
not adopted until April 1992 and, secondly, because the
slowing down of economic growth also seriously affected
the use of such aid .

Consequently, re-programming has taken place in order

to :

1 . transfer approximately ECU 170 million of the amounts

initially allocated to recruitment aid to vocational
training programmes under Objectives 1, 3 and 4 .

2, with regard to Objectives 3 and 4 : extend until

31 December 1993 recruitment aid programmes which
expired on 31 December 1992 .

On 9 October 1993, 340 cubic metres of oil spilled from a
tanker which ran aground while leaving the port of Pylos
without a pilot . The cost has been polluted affecting fish
farms, the region's fishing grounds, important habitats for
heron and cormorants, breeding grounds of the
Caretta-caretta turtle and other species and tourism has
been devastated . Despite the fact that some 80—100 large
vessels dock at Pylos each month, the port authority did not
have adequate resources ; chemical dispersants banned in the
Community were used and, at a more general level, there
were delays in mobilizing resources to tackle the disaster .

1 . Does the Commission intend to speed up the
introduction of a safety system based on the experience
gained from the COST 301 and 311 programmes, as
called for in a recent European Parliament
resolution ?

2 . Does it believe that Greece's policy of pursuing court
action is enough to prevent similar occurrences and fully
repair the damage Caused ? How is the ' polluter pays '
principle being applied in this specific case ? What steps
are the Greek authorities taking to ensure that the
company in question has not exceeded them maximum
number of oil spills which would ban the company irom
transporting petroleum products ?

3 . Is Greece implementing specific measures to uphold the
Community principle of prevention of such incidents
and, if so, what are they ? Has Greece implemented the
provisions of the Marpol Convention which state that
appropriate port facilities must be available ?

4 . Is Greece complying with its obligation to site shipping
lanes for tankers far from sensitive areas, such as the
breeding grounds of the Caretta-caretta, as laid down in
Article 7(c ) of Council Decision 84 / 132 / EEC (*)?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 13

5 . Does Greece apply Council Decision 81 / 420 / EEC ( 2 ) in

such instances with particular regard to communication
of the required information at Community level ?

í 1 ) OJ No L 68, 10 . 3 . 1984, p . 36 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 162, 19 . 6 . 1981, p . 4 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Article 7(c ) and ( k ) of the Protocol concerning specially
protected areas of the Mediterranean ( Council Decision

84 / 132 / EEC of 1 March 1984 ) specify that the Parties,
taking into account the characteristics of each protected
area, shall, in conformity with the rules of international law,
progressively take the measures required, which may
include the regulation of the passage of ships and any
stopping or anchoring, and any other measure aimed at
safeguarding ecological and biological process in protected

areas .

The Protocol does not require shipping routes to be kept
(6 May 1994 ) well away from sensitive areas .

The communication from the Commission of 24 February

1993 on a common policy on safe seas includes a detailed
programme of measures to improve the safety of
shipping H.

A number of measures were adopted in 1993, in particular
Council Directive 93 / 75 / EEC of 13 September 1993 ( 2 ),
which is aimed at providing Member States with
information about vessels bound for or leaving their ports
and carrying dangerous cargoes and about accidents at sea .
This measure is only the first stage in the setting up of a more
detailed system covering the movements of vessels in
European waters which will enable Member States to act
more rapidly and more effectively in an emergency .

Several important projects are in progress with regard to
navigational aids and maritime infrastructure, in particular
the preparation of a European radio navigation scheme, and
guidelines for a trans-European vessel traffic management
and information system ( VTS ). Furthermore, as soon as the
Member States send the Commission the information

required concerning ecologically sensitive areas ( ESA )
which need protection as a matter of priority, the
Commission will examine together with the Member States
what protective measures need to be taken in these areas as
regards maritime traffic .

The Commission is not aware of any legal action having

been brought in this matter . The general principle that the
' polluter pays ' assumes that, by taking action against the
presumed polluter, it is possible to ensure that the cost of the
pollution is paid by those responsible for causing it,
providing that the penalties are proportionate . The
Commission does not know how this principle has been
applied by the Greek authorities in the case in question . It is
not the Community's responsibility to ensure that the
maximum number of spills is not exceeded .

Questions relating to the application of the principle of
prevention ( which is not a principle of the Community
alone ) and the Marpol Convention should be put straight to
the Greek authorities, particularly in view of the fact that
Greece signed the Convention . These matters in particular
are discussed in the abovementioned programme of
action .

The species Caretta caretta is not referred to in this Protocol
but it is included in Annex II to Council Directive
92 / 43 / EEC ( 3 ) as a priority species whose conservation
requires the designation of special areas of conservation .
The Member States concerned are required to submit no
later than June 1995 a list of the sites which they propose to
designate as conservation areas .

In a memorandum dated 13 July 1993 the Commission
drew up a list of common criteria for the definition of
ecologically sensitive marine and coastal areas ( ESA ) for
which measures to provide protection from maritime traffic
might be necessary . The Member States were to use this list
as a basis for determining the ESAs and notify them to the
Commission by November 1993 in accordance with the
Council Decision of 29 June 1993 . In March 1994, Greece
sent the Commission a provisional list of five ESAs .

The bay at Pylos is not included in this preliminary list .

The Commission was required to draw up a report on the

designation of ESAs at Community level by February 1994 .
Proposals for specific measures applicable to the ESAs may
then follow .

Council Decision 81 / 420 / EEC concerns the conclusion of

the Protocol concerning cooperation in combating pollution
of the Mediterranean Sea by oil and other harmful
substances in cases of emergency . Article 9(1 ) ( a ) and ( c ) of
the Decision provide that any Party faced with a situation of
this kind must assess the situation and inform all other

Parties of these assessments and of any action which it has
taken to combat the pollution . In the case in question, it is
Greece which must provide this information to the other
Contracting Parties . The Commission is a Contracting Party
and therefore received information about the accident .

(!) COM(93 ) 66 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 247, 5 . 10 . 1993 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

No C 17 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3390 / 93

by Vassilis Ephremidis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 23 )

Subject : Measures to repair environmental damage to

Pylos

On 9 October 1993 following a collision involving an oil
tanker carrying 83 000 tonnes of crude oil at sea near the
town of Pylos an oil spill caused very extensive damage to
many kilometres of beaches, the maritime eco-system and
tourism in the region . Initial estimates have put the scale of
the damage at Dr 1,5 billion . Thousands of dead fish and
other maritime creatures have already been washed ashore
and the turtle Caretta-Caretta is under serious threat .

Does the Commission intend to take appropriate measures
to ensure that the damage is repaired and to finance
measures to clear up the sea and the coastline ?

Does it intend, furthermore, to submit proposals to increase
the share of responsibility borne by shipowners and to
establish their objective responsibility for incidents
involving maritime pollution, given that in the
Mediterranean alone some 330 000 tonnes of oil are spilt at
sea annually, including 40 000 in the Aegean ?

Does it intend, furthermore, to submit proposals to increase
the safety of maritime transport by establishing strict
standards for the construction of vessels, given that in this
specific instance the tanker was 18 years old and did not
have double hulls, which might have prevented the
disaster ?

In order to upgrade the quality of organizations which
inspect sea-going vessels including oil tankers, the
Commission has forwarded a proposal which was
welcomed by the Transport Council on 29 November 1993 .
The Council is now awaiting Parliament's opinion .

On 8 June 1993 the Council adopted a resolution ( 1 ) listing
the Community action and priorities for the work of the
Commission to upgrade safety in shipping .

Furthermore, on 16 December 1993 the Commission
adopted a Decision ( Decision C(93 ) 3704 final ) relating to a
concerted action for the granting of a laying up allowance to
the fishermen and fish farmers of the coast of Messinia who

have had to suspend their activities because of the damage
caused by the shipwreck of the oil tanker ILIAD .

The measures provided for include :

— compensating fishermen who have had to suspend their

fishing activity,

— providing financial support for cleaning and gear

replacement,

— providing financial support for a research programme

focusing on the impact of the pollution on fishing and
fish farming and the work that needs to be done to
re-establish the ecosystem .

(!) OJ No C 271, 7 . 10 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3411 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission to the Commission

(6 May 1994 ) (2 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 24 )

Information on the clean-up work and on the financial
aspects have been given in the reply to Written Question
No 3342 / 93 by Mr Kostopoulos .

The Commission is supporting the international convention
rules agreed in the International Maritime Organization

( IMO ):

— that new oil tankers shall meet the design criteria of a

double hull vessel or alternatives to that design, and

— to phase out existing oil tankers with an age of 25 or 30

years dependent on their construction in the years to

come .

In addition, the Commission is preparing a proposal on port
state control, in which ageing oil tankers will be inspected
with a high priority .

Subject : Closure of newspapers in Russia by decree of

President Boris Yeltsin

The Russian President Boris Yeltsin has recently taken
measures to deprive the opposition of any forum in the
media . The Russian Ministry of the Press has so far issued
decrees banning 14 newspapers, including the ' Pravda ' and
' Soviet Russia '. The popular St Petersburg television
programme ' 600 seconds ' presented by the Russian
journalist Alexander Nevzorov has also been banned .

Given that the European Parliament has repeatedly
expressed its keen interest in defending the freedom of press
and pluralism in the media, what action does the
Commission intend to take in view of this decision by Boris
Yeltsin who is seeking to muzzle any criticism ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 15

Answer given by Mr van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

On 5 October 1993, in the context of the emergency
measures taken in the wake of the uprisings in Moscow,
Boris Yeltsin introduced preliminary censorship of the
press, suspending and subsequently banning the publication
of 15 newspapers .

In the meantime the situation has substantially improved .
The toughest restrictions were lifted on 8 October,
following widespread criticism in the press and media at
home and abroad ; ' Pravda ' reappeared on 2 November

( albeit with a new chief editor ) and ' Soviet Russia ' on
14 December .

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the fact

that, in an effort to encourage this process, the Commission
financed a ' media-watch ' programme to the tune of ECU
200 000 in the run-up to the legislative elections of

12 December . The information gathered was passed on to
the MEPs who went to observe the elections .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 25 )

Subject : Navigating while under the influence of alcohol

The river police in the Port of Rotterdam complain that
ship's captains under the influence of alcohol are putting
shipping at risk . This year, eight captains under the influence
of alcohol were taken off their vessels in Rotterdam .

Very recently, a coaster ran aground on a sandbank, then
freed itself without outside help, only to collide with a light
buoy later on . A breathanalyzer test showed later than the
skipper had a blood alcohol level six times over the legal
limit for road traffic in the Netherlands ( 0,5 %o ).

The police takes the view that drunken captains can cause
very serious accidents, but is only authorized to intervene,
under the Netherlands Shipping Act, if it can be proven that
they were ' navigating in an abnormal fashion '.

1 . Can the Commission say whether the authorities in

other Member States also have problems with excessive
consumption of alcohol by ships ' captains during
navigation ?

2 . Is the Commission prepared to put forward proposals,
applicable to shipping, for a standardized Europe-wide

limit on the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream,
similar to the proposal it made with regard to road '
traffic in 1989 ?

3 . Is the Commission aware of any other possible ways to
combat the hazards caused by skippers navigating while
under the influence of alcohol ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

Maritime transport is a world-wide industry for which rules
and regulations are normally decided in the context of the
International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) and the
International Labour Office ( ILO ).

With regard to the question of alcohol use in the maritime
industry, a resolution concerning drugs and alcohol in the
maritime industry was adopted in 1991 by the ILO Joint
Maritime Commission . The resolution calls for an

international coordinated approach to drug and alcohol
policies and asks for tripartite ( governments, shipowners,
seafarers ) cooperation at world level .

In 1992, IMO also approved a circular No 59 5 on the
principles and guidelines concerning drug and alcohol abuse
programmes . Further measures to reduce alcohol and drugs
problems in the maritime community have been discussed in
an inter-regional tripartite meeting of experts in ILO .

The Commission has participated in the discussion in order
to elaborate the ILO resolution and it follows the relevant

work in the international organizations . Depending on the
progress of the work undertaken at international level, the
Commission will in due course examine whether a
Community action in this field could be envisaged .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3519 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 26 )

Subject : Dependence of islands on oil for energy

What Community programmes exist enabling the Greek
and other islands of the Community to free themselves of
their dependence on oil for energy ( solar and wind energy
for example )?

No C 17 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Oreja The funds actually allocated during the period for assistance
on behalf of the Commission under the CSFs came to ECU 13 907 million .

(5 May 1994 )

Through the Joule research and development programme
and the Thermie Programme to promote energy technology
the Community is backing alternative solutions to reduce oil
dependence throughout the Community, including its
islands, which are most dependent of all .

Efforts to research, develop and demonstrate the technical,
economic and commercial viability of renewable energies

( solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal ) and the aim of
using energy as rationally as possible are two lines of action
which should be pursued and exploited in the islands .

The Structural Funds have been used to support investment
projects of this type ( Valoren Programme 1987 — 1992 ),
including in the islands, and could continue to back such
developments through new programmes over the period

1994 — 1999, where this is in line with the priorities agreed
with the Member States ( CSF section ) or determined by the
Commission (' Initiatives ' section ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3553 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 27 )

Subject : Structural Fund allocation 1989 — 1993 — Spain

With regard to the 1989 — 1993 period what, in ECU at

1992 prices, was the initial indicative allocation and the
out-turn to Spain from the Structural Funds ( not including

1993 Cohesion Fund receipts )?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3597 / 93

by Edward Kellett-Bowman ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 28 )

Subject : Pensions for EC citizens living in third countries

Which EC citizens living in third countries are entitled to
regular uprating of their pensions from their hpme
government ? Does the Commission intend to try to
harmonize pension entitlements for all EC pensioners living
in third countries ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1994 )

The Commission does not have any information on the
uprating of the pensions of Community citizens living in
third countries .

As for the problem of harmonization of pension
entitlements for all EC pensioners living in third countries,
the Commission reminds the Honourable Member that the
Community's competence in the field of social protection
remains relatively limited . However, in the context of
convergence policy as dealt with in Council
recommendations 442 / 9 2 / EEC ( l ) ( convergence of social
protection objectives and policies ) and 441 / 92 / EEC (*)
( guarantee of sufficient resources and social assistance for
all persons legally resident within the territory of the
Corïununity ), the Commission is very carefully monitoring
developments in systems of social protection in the
Community and has recently published a report on social
protection in Europe, which should in future appear on a
regular basis . This report is being sent directly to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the

European Parliament .

With this convergence policy, the Community is laying
down common objectives for social protection policies,
though the social protection systems of the Member States
remain completely autonomous .

The philosophy, methods of financing, organization and
rules of the national social protection systems are therefore
the responsibility of the Member States .

The forecast allocation of Structural Fund resources to
Spain in 1989 — 1993, adding together the indicative yearly (!) OJ No L 245, 26 . 8 . 1992 .
amounts in the relevant Community support frameworks,
was ECU 14 002 million at 1992 prices .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3599 / 93

Joint answer to Written Questions

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE ) E-3599 / 93 and E-738 / 94

to the Commission given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1993 ) (5 May 1994 )
( 95 / C 17 / 29

Subject : Environmental impact of the Itoiz reservoir

Has the Commission, having carefully studied the
construction plans for the Itoiz reservoir ( Navarre, Spain )
and the various arguments against the project, discovered
any provision running seriously counter to Community
Directives or any severe adverse environmental
consequences suggesting that the plans should be
withdrawn or, at least, revised ?

Has the Commission, between its examination and the
present moment — at which the work has reached an
advanced stage — discovered any reason which would
justify suspending construction ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-738 / 94

by Paul Staes ( V )

to the Commission

( 22 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 30 )

Subject : Construction of a reservoir at Itoiz ( Spain )

Work has been under way on the construction of a reservoir
at Itoiz ( Spain ) since May 1993 . The project has been
sharply criticized by scientific circles in Spain and has
provoked opposition from a number of national and
international environmental movements .

The reservoir will have a substantial impact, both on the
environment and in terms of its social and economic
consequences . Nine villages, five of which are inhabited, are
to be submerged, and this has unleashed a storm of protest .
Three nature reserves will also be submerged, as will two
special areas for the protection of birds . More than 150
species of animal, some of them in danger of extinction, live
in the area, including 23 species of bird listed in Annex 1 to
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC i 1 ).

The Commission received a complaint concerning the plan
to build a dam at Itoiz . It was stated in the complaint that the
project could have a major impact on the Sierra de Artxuba
and Sierra de Zariquieta area, which has been classified by
the Spanish authorities as a special protection area for birds
under Article 4(1 ) of Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC of
2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds .

The main grounds for the complaint are inadequate
environmental impact assessment ( presumed failure to
comply with Article 3 of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC of 27 June

1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment ) and the fact that
protected birds could be significantly disturbed if the project
were carried out ( presumed failure to comply with Article 4
of Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ).

The complexity of the dossier submitted to the Commission
required, in addition to the usual correspondance with the
authorities of the Member State concerned, detailed
discussion at the package meeting held in Madrid on
3 March 1994 . Following the meeting, the regional
authorities concerned sent the Commission a voluminous
set of documents wKich are now being examined .

The results of this examination will determine what course

of action the Commission decides to take next .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3643 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

-( 17 December 1993 )

( 95 / C 17 / 31 )

Subject : Legislation on the management of water

resources

1 . What action will the Commission take to prevent

infringement of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ? Environmental organizations are taking every opportunity

to demand more effective laws governing the management
of water resources and for minimum limits to be established

2 . What is the Commission's response to complaint

No 4758 / 92 ? concerning the flow of water in rivers, with a view to

protecting riverside ecosystems . They are also calling for a
halt to the diversion of rivers . What are the Commission's

(M OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 . views on this matter ?

infringement of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ?

2 . What is the Commission's response to complaint

No 4758 / 92 ?

No C 17 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission fully appreciates the value of water as a
crucial natural resource and the concomitant necessity to
ensure its protection and good management . The protection
of nature and bio-diversity and the management of water
resources are specified as key objectives in the Fifth Action
Programme on the environment and sustainable
development .

The Honourable Member will be aware that the

Community has adopted a substantial range of legislative
provisions to protect water resources, involving the setting
of quality objectives and limit values for certain categories of
water and a wide range of pollutants . The Commission is at
present considering the possibility of measures designed to
achieve an improvement of the overall ecological quality of
surface waters, including riverside ecosystems .

As far as physical interference with water flows are
concerned, the Commission would point out that it is
incumbent on Member States to check in respect of each
project the application of existing Community legislation,
especially Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment . The examination of a sustainable minimal

flow of rivers would be part of this process, especially in the
context of protecting ecosystems, in instances where, for
example, the diversion of rivers might be involved .

under the heading of stepping up port state control . Both the
Commission and the Council have recognized this as a
priority if international regulations on safe seas and
environmental protection are to be applied effectively and
uniformly .

To this end, the Commission, on 16 March 1994, forwarded
to the Council and Parliament a proposal to step up control
of shipping by port states ( l ), in accordance with the
guidelines laid down by the Council in its resolution of

8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe seas .

0 ) COM(94 ) 73 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 700 / 93

by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez ( GUE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 33 )

Subject : Environmental Impact Study of construction

work, co-financed by the ERDF, on the Bilbao

( Spain ) metropolitan railway

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3659 / 93

Construction work on the Bilbao-Villa de Plencia branch of

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) the Bilbao metropolitan railway, which is essential to the

to the Commission city's development, includes a stretch which crosses the
suburb of Lamiako ( Leioa District ).

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

( 17 December 1993 )

(9 SIC 17 / 32

Subject : Banning of vessels with a bad pollution record

from Community ports

The proposal for this stretch involves placing the railway
tracks over the current bed of the river Gobelas, which
would be diverted to the sea through an overflow channel
built 2 km upstream .

What are the Commission's views concerning the request by
many environmental bodies including Greenpeace to bar The residents of Lamiako and the association which
vessel with a bad pollution record and oil tankers over 15 represents them have asked the City Council, the County
years old from Community ports ? Council and the Basque Government to amend the proposal

so as to protect the river Gobelas and enable the urban
surroundings to be improved in a suburb which has greatly
deteriorated and where income levels are very low . They are
Answer given by Mr Orja proposing that, on this stretch, the railway should be built
on behalf of the Commission underground following the current train route .

(5 May 1994 )

The by-laws of the Leioa Local Authority, which lay down
The problem of vessels with bad pollution records and in the objective of regaining the use of the river Gobelas, would
particular, barring them from Community ports, comes clearly be breached by the official proposal .

23 . . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 19

Since work of this kind, which is co-financed by the ERDF,
is included in Annex I of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*),

1, can the Commission guarantee that the relevant

authorities have correctly implemented the Directive,
which requires an environmental impact study to be
carried out, and if not, what steps can it take to freeze the
proposal and have it amended ?

2, can the Commission seek all the information needed to
establish that the Community's environmental
Regulations will be complied with ?

0 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3742 / 93

by Lyndon Harrison ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 34 )

Subject : Regulation of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in
vehicle emissions

Does the Commission intend to bring forward proposals for
legislation restricting the use of aromatic hydrocarbons in
fuel ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas ( 28 February 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

1 . The Commission, in the role of guardian of
Community legislation assigned to it by Article 155 of the
EC Treaty, instituted infringement proceedings against
Spain for incorrect transposition into national law of
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, in particular Annex II thereto .

In response, the Spanish authorities clerly indicated that
they intended to take the necessary measures to comply with
the Commission's demands as soon as possible .

2 . Within the framework of the 1989 — 1991 Basque
Country operational programme, the European Regional
Development Fund ( ERDF ) co-financed work on the
Elorrieta-Etxeberri section of line II of the Bilbao Metro .

The Spanish authorities guaranteed that Community
Directives relating to the environment would be complied
with for this section .

The area to which the Honourable Member refers in her

question is not affected by this section, but by the
Plencia-Etxeberri section of line I. By Commission Decision
C(88 ) 1402 / 8 of 27 July 1988, the ERDF co-financed the
project design for line I, but no co-financing was granted for
the building work itself .

The Commission would point out that all applications for
co-financing of major projects by the Structural Funds are
examined in order to check their compatibility with
Community standards, including those mentioned above .

The Commission's proposal on measures to reduce
emissions from motor vehicles for and beyond the year
2000 (*), includes under Article 4 action in the area of
improved fuel quality . This is reflected in the common
position adopted by the Environment Council on 1 and
2 December 1993 .

The Commission is currently preparing these proposals and
has, with regard to fuel quality, initiated the European
Auto / Oil Programme . This programme is carried out in
cooperation with the European associations of the car and
oil industries and is evaluating the various aspects of a
change in fuel quality . These include the linkage between
different fuel parameters and emissions, the achievements to
be made in terms of air quality, the costs of improved fuel
quality for producer and consumer and the establishment of
a system to guarantee fuel quality in the market .

The following fuel parameters are under examination :

— petrol ( unleaded and leaded ): lead, oxygenates,
aromatics, benzene, distillation range, olefins, vapour
pressure and sulphur .

— diesel : density, polyaromatics, cetane number, sulphur

and distillation range .

With regard to aromatics in petrol, the linkage between the
content of aromatics in the fuel and benzene emissions in the
exhaust gases is clear and does not need further
investigation . However, the effect of a reduction in
aromatics on other exhaust hydrocarbons is less certain and
will be investigated in a test programme on engines, fuels
and emissions to be carried out in 1994 jointly by the car and
oil industries .

With regard to diesel fuel, further investigation into the role
of polyaromatics will be carried out under the industries test

programme .

No C 17 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Following, the conclusion of this test programme, the
Commission will evaluate the overall effects ( in terms of
emission reduction / air quality ) and costs ( for producer and
consumer ) of a reduction of aromatics in petrol . On this
basis the Commission will draft its legislative proposal for
the year 2000 .

(!) COM(92 ) 572 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 852 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 35

Subject : Enhancing the effectiveness of Community
research programmes

The Summary of the Annual Report of the Court of
Auditors of the European Communities on the financial
year 1992 states in Chapter 10 on research that

' the Community processes for taking decisions and
implementing the specific programmes are too long . The
Community is thus running the risk, in the area of
industrial research, of promoting projects which are no
longer at the leading edge of technology, which will
inevitably reduce the competitiveness of industry in the
Community '.

What practical measures will the Commission take to
remedy this situation with a view to the adoption of the
Fourth Research and Technological Development
Framework Programme ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1994 )

In its reply to the Court of Auditors ' Annual Report for

1992, the Commission pointed out that the criticism of the
time taken to implement programmes was not applicable to
Community industrial research activities . It also noted
that

' despite the cumbersome procedures involved, the
evaluation and impact studies carried out show that the
cooperation networks established by the framework
programme . . . have a measurable economic impact and
influence research in the Member States '.

Given that the Commission is allocating significant sums of
public money to researchers and that it must take care to

ensure equality of access to all actors throughout the
European scientific and technological community,
Commission Decisions on these matters must, of necessity,
be taken carefully . This imposes formal requirements for the
taking of such Decisions which can, as a consequence,
appear to be long . However, the Commission does not
believe that its decision-making procedures for managing
research programmes are excessively long compared with
those in place in other public funding bodies in the Member
States .

The Commission does keep all its procedures under
constant review and revise them when they are shown to be
too complex . For example, all the Commission Decisions on
technical measures for implementation of the research
programmes such as calls for proposals have now been
delegated to the responsible Commissioners, and the
decisions on the selection of projects for funding from lists
of research proposals adopted by the Commission have been
delegated to the Directors-General concerned .

In order to improve understanding of its procedures, the
Commission has prepared a ' management manual ' which
will be made widely available . This manual not only outlines
the decision-making process involved in managing research
and technological development programmes, but sets out
indicative timescales for the various steps . These timescales
are challenging and will serve as both guidance for
participants and implementation targets for the
Commission staff managing the programmes . Very few
other public authorities publish such information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3897 / 93

by Hugh McMahon ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 36

Subject : Freedom of movements for lawyers in France

What action is the Commission prepared to take to ensure
that the French Bar " and the French Government fully
comply with the terms and spirit of the EC Directive on the
mutual recognition of the qualifications of lawyers ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

The Commission is examining in detail — and with
particular regard to lawyers — the transposition by France
of Council Directive 89 / 48 / EEC on a general system for the
recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on
completion of professional education and training of at least

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 21

three years ' duration ( 1 ), and will be pleased to look into any
aspects which the Honourable Member might wish to
raise .

(!) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3977 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1994 )

{9 SIC 17 / 37

Subject : Operation of Thessaloniki waste tip in an area

covered by the international Ramsar
Convention

Plans are being made to situate Thessaloniki waste tip in
Kokkinochori in the community of Nymfopetra . However,
as the Greek ornithological association has pointed out, this
site lies within an area covered by the International Ramsar
Convention and is, in addition, geologically unsuitable for
this purpose . In view of this, does the Commission intend to
take an interest in . protecting the environment in this
area ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-61 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

the conservation of wild birds ( ). Without details, in
particular geological studies, no answer can be given as to
what extent the realization of such a tip may have a negative
impact on the SPA .

Greece has also classified Lake Kerkini as a SPA . The impact
on the SPA of raising the banks of this artificial lake also
requires thorough study .

In general, Member States have to take the appropriate steps
to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any
disturbances affecting the birds . More concretely, both
projects referred to above will be subject to appropriate
assessment of their implications for the SPA in view of its
conservation objectives . In the light of the conclusions of the
assessment of the implications for the SPA and subject to the
porvisions referred to below, the Greek authorities may
agree to the project in question only after having ascertained
that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the SPA
concerned and, if appropriate, after having obtained the
opinion of the general public .

The Commission will ask the Greek authorities to provide it
with the relevant information available on the two issues

raised by the Honourable Member .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3993 / 93

to the Commission by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission
( 14 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 38 ) ( 19 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 39 )

Subject : Protection of the Lake Kerkina ecosystem

The prefecture of Seres is planning to raise the banks of Lake
Kerkina, which is protected by the Ramsar Convention . The
project, intended for irrigation purposes, is receiving
funding from the Delors II package . Raising the water level
will have a disastrous effect on wildlife habitats, killing the
lakeside wildlife and vegetation . In view of the fact that the
raising of the banks is an infringement of the Ramsar
Convention, what action does the Commission intend to
take to protect this exceptionally important ecosystem ?

Subject : Data for assessing the environmental
repercussions of all forms of building activity

Will the Commission say whether the Member States of the
Union have made available data — and, if so, which data —
to serve as a basis for evaluating the environmental
repercussions of all forms of building activity over a certain
limit ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission
Joint answer to Written Questions

E-3977 / 93 and E-61 / 94

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

(S May 1994 )

Building activity as such does not fall within the scope of
(5 May 1994 ) Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment .

The site of Nymphopetra, for which plans to set up the new
Thessaloniki waste tip exist, is close to Lakes Volvi and
Langada that Greece has classified as a Special Protection
Area ( SPA ) pursuant to Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on

Nonetheless, some building activities are covered by
Annex II to the Directive, e.g . where they involve the
construction of holiday villages or hotel complexes .

v

No C 17 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

In this case, and in accordance with Article 4(1 ), it falls to
the national authorities to determine whether the

characteristics of projects listed in Annex II require such
assessment, e.g . on account of their size or location .

Under the terms of Article 4(2 ) Member States may inter alia
specify certain types of project as being subject to an
assessment or may establish the necessary criteria and / or
thresholds in order to determine which Annex II projects are
to be subject to environmental impact assessment .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the published report on the application of Directive
85 / 337 / EEC (*) for all information on the transposition of
Annex II to the Directive into national law in the various

Member States .

Commission is aware that flagging out of Community
vessels continues apace and there is, therefore, an urgent
need for effective action .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4033 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 41

Subject : Export ban on dangerous plant protection
(M COM(93 ) 28 final . products

Does the Commission intend to take steps to introduce an
export ban on plant protection products considered by the
authorities of the countries of the European Union to be an
environmental hazard ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4008 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 January 1994 ) ^

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 17 / 40 (5 May 1994 )

Subject : Promoting the Community shipping register

Will the Commission put forward new proposals to
promote the Community shipping register ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

At its transport meeting on 8 December 1992, the Council
requested the Commission to revise its proposal on the
establishment of a Community Ship Register ( Euros ). The
Commission, therefore, worked on more flexible
approaches on the two main stumbling-blocks which are the
obligatory character of support measures to be provided for
shipowners operating Euros-registered vessels and the
crewing nationality requirements . An option for further
benefits was also considered . However consultations

showed that even substantial modifications to the proposal
would not meet with the approval of Member States and
would, therefore, be unlikely to lead to agreement in
Council .

On 20 January 1994, the Commission chaired a meeting of
officials from the Member States in order to reactivate the

debate on Euros . The Commission drew the inference that

further discussion on Euros is worthwhile and is preparing
to work on the further promotion of Euros . The

The Commission does not intend to take steps to introduce a
general export ban on plant protection products classed as
environmental hazards by the competent authorities of the
Member States .

With Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92 of 23 July 1992
concerning the export and import of certain dangerous
chemicals (*) the Commission has set up a system of
notification of exports which, when a dangerous substance
or preparation listed in Annex I to the Regulation is being
imported for the first time, informs third countries of the
reasons for the measures to ban or severely restrict such
substances in the Community as well as the risks involved
and safety precautions to be taken .

In addition, this Regulation makes it obligatory within the
Community to observe the ' prior informed consent '
procedure etablished in the framework of the FAO's code of
conduct ( 2 ).

These measures respect the sovereignty of the importing
countries in deciding on their particular needs as regards
imports of plant protection products that they cannot
produce themselves . Besides, Community exporters are
obliged to respect the decisions of the importing countries
with regard to chemical products covered by the PIC
procedure .

Furthermore, the labelling and packaging of chemical
products exported must be in conformity with the rules in
force in the Community .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 23

The Commission would also refer the Honourable Member
to the answer given by the Commission to Written Question
No 396 / 92 ( 3 ).

(!) OJ No L 251, 29 . 8 . 1992 . ( 2 ) FAO : International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and

Use of Pesticides ( amended version ), Rome, 1990 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 281, 29 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4034 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

95 / C 17 / 42

Subject : Fixing of limits for the anatoxin content of dried

fruit and spices

Does the Commission intend to set limits for the aflatoxin

content of dried fruit and spices to be implemented in all
countries of the European Union and, if so, when ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission is currently compiling technical and
scientific data in order to assess the impact of mycotoxins in
general on the wholesomeness of certain foodstuffs, in
particular dried fruit and certain cereals .

Contact has been established with the Member States to

arrange a preliminary exchange of views for the purpose of
evaluating the situation and drawing up guidelines .

The Commission is unable at this stage in the procedure to
give an undertaking on an exact timetable for the
presentation of proposals .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4066 / 93

by Wilfried Telkàmper ( V )

to the Commission

(1 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 43 )

Subject : Definition of ' high-speed road '

On 26 October 1993, the European Parliament approved
Amendment 13 to the Commission proposal for a Council

Decision on the creation of a trans-European road network

( COM(92 ) 231 final ) (*), inserting in the Decision a new
Article lb defining ' high-speed roads ' for the purposes of the
Decision as follows :

'. . . those which fulfil all of the following conditions : ( a )
existence of a central division and of at least two lanes in

each direction ; ( b ) the possibility of driving at speeds
equivalent to motorway speeds ; ( c ) absence of
junctions .'?

This definition differs from that of ' express roads ' given in
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on environmental impact
assessment ( 2 ). This Directive refers to the European
Agreement on main international traffic arteries, which
defines express roads as roads reserved for motor vehicles
and accessible only via interchanges or specially regulated
intersections and on which, in particular, stopping and
parking are prohibited .

1 . Does the Commission intend to incorporate the
amendment in the modified proposal for a Council
Decision on the creation of a trans-European road
network ?

2 . If so, does the Commission believe that the inclusion of
the definition of ' high-speed road ' in the Decision is
relevant to the interpretation of the term ' express road '
in the Directive on environmental impact assessment ?

3 . Are there any plans to amend the Directive on
environmental impact assessment, and particularly the
definition of the term ' express road ', in this
connection ?

(M OJ No C 236, 15 . 9 . 1992, p . 5 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Ore j a
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

Amendment No 13 adopted by Parliament on 26 October

1993 was not accepted by the Council . As stated in Council
Decision 93 / 629 / EEC (*), the trans-European road network
is composed of motorways and ' high-quality ' roads . The
term ' high-quality ' is an indication of the priority given by
the Commission to modern road links of a high standard,
ensuring safety, speed and technical inter-operability .

In 1994 the Commission will put forward additional
proposals on the basis of Article 129b and c of the EC Treaty
to promote the inter-operability of inter-city roads . The
proposals will incorporate the provisions adopted at
international level ( such as the agreement on major roads of

No C 17 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

15 November 1975 ) and will supplement them if

necessary .

The Commission does not therefore intend to include the

amendment as it stands in its additional proposals .

(M OJ No L 305, 10 . 12 . 1993 .

Commission believes that European standards are the best
way to avoid trade barriers from different national
legislation on domestic upholstered furniture .

WRTTTEN QUESTION E-4074 / 93

by Taak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4071 / 93 (1 February 1994 )

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE ) ( 95 / C 17 / 45 )

to the Commission

(1 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 44 )

Subject : Furniture containing polyurethane foam

Subject : Transportation of highly-enriched uranium fuel

Consignments of highly radioactive fuel elements are shortly
to leave the Nuclear Energy Research Centre at Mol .

1 . How many consignments are to be transported ?

Does the Commission believe it satisfactory that, to be legal,

2 . By what means of transport

furniture sold in the UK has to conform to higher standards
regarding polyurethane foam than furniture sold in other 3 . What routes will the
parts of the Community ? What is it doing to address this
situation ?
4 . What containers will be used ?

2 . By what means of transport will this be done ?

3 . What routes will the consignments take ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1994 )

5 . Have adequate measures been taken to ensure that the

consignments are transported safely ?

6 . Has an emergency plan been drawn up and if so, are the
local authorities involved ?

7 . What is to be done with this nuclear waste at Dounreay ?

As the Honourable Member says, polyurethane foam used Who will pay for it ?
in domestic upholstered furniture in the UK has to conform
to higher standards than furniture sold in ten other Member
States, Ireland having the same sort of legislation as the
UK . Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

Polyurethane foam in slab or cushion form must pass the (6 May 1994 )
ignition test with ignition source 5, which is a wooden crib .
Qther foam fillings and non-foam fillings must resist a
smaller ignition source . Cover fabric on all parts of Except as provided for under Chapter VII Safeguards of the
upholstered furniture ( whether or not the cover is over a Euratom Treaty, in which framework information is given
filling material ) must be match resistant and the upholstery in confidence, the Commission does not have to be informed
( i.e . the combination of the cover fabric and the filling on transport or movements of fissile or radioactive
material ) must be cigarette resistant . materials .

This means that all materials used to make upholstered
furniture and related article ( for instance mattresses ) and the
furniture and the related articles themselves are covered by a
comprehensive regulation, whereas the ten other Member
States do not have any legislation applicable to domestic
furniture .

Many useful steps have been taken, such as the mandate to
the European Committee for Standardization to prepare
nine standards on tests ( the first two of them being already
adopted ) a study made of the alleged toxicity and
eco-toxicity of flame retardant products, and the launching
of a study on the post-ignition behaviour of upholstered
furniture ( to be completed at the end of this year ). The

Transport of fissile or radioactive materials is subject to the
provisions of several national, Community and
international regulations and agreements, a summary of
which is given in the communication from the Commission
to the Council and the Parliament on the safe transport of
radioactive materials in the Community ( 1 ).

As regards the specific operations mentioned in the
question, the information set out below is communicated
following contacts with the Belgian authorities and

operators :

— Six consignments of fuel have so far been transported by

land and sea from Mol in Belgium to Dounreay in the

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 25

United Kingdom, in December 1993 and January 1994 .
Each consignment consisted of a container of 24 fuel
elements, of the Unifetch type supplied by the Atomic
Energy Authorities ( AEA ) and approved for the
transportation of radioactive materials .

— The 144 elements concerned, which form part of the

technical liabilities of the Belgian Nuclear Energy
Research Centre ( CEN ), were transported to Dounreay
for reprocessing operations . The resulting costs were
borne by the Belgian State via the fund covering

" technical liabilities which was set up by an agreement
dating from 18 December 1990 .

(M SEQ89 ) 801 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4076 / 93

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 46

Subject : Failure to propose measures relating to education,

vocational training and youth

Given the new powers granted to the Community under
Articles 126, 127 and 128 of the Treaty on European Union,
can the Commission explain why, with the sole and minor
exception of a programme to promote cooperation with the
United States, it has proposed no new or innovatory
measures in pursuit of any of the goals listed in those Articles
in its Legislative Programme for 1994 ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the
Community action programme ' Socrates ' ( 3 ) concerning
university education and training .

With regard to Article 128, the Honourable Member is
reminded that the Commission presented to the Council and
to Parliament a communication on ' new prospects for
Community cultural action ' ( 4 ) in anticipation of the entry
into force of the Treaty's new Article on culture, in which it
proposed the setting up of a reference framework for the
development of its action in this area . The communication
received a favourable opinion from two other institutions

( conclusions of the Council of 12 November 1992 and
resolution of the Parliament of 21 January 1993 ).

In this document, the Commission indicated that it intended
to develop and reinforce its activity in a consistent and
progressive manner . For this purpose, in 1994 it will present
to the Council, Parliament and the Committee of the
Regions a communication explaining inter alia the specific
measures which the Community should develop to promote
cultural cooperation, in accordance with the new procedure
provided for in Article 128 . These measures will also be the
subject of specific programmes . In this context, the initial
proposals will be presented by the Commission in 1994 .

(!) COM(93 ) 523 final .
( 2 ) COM(93 ) 686 final .

( 3 ) COM(93 ) 706 final .

( 4 ) COM(92 ) 149 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-16 / 94

by Paul Staes ( V )

to the Commission

(8 February 1994 ) .

( 95 / C 17 / 47 )

( 23 March 1994 ) Subject : Commission position on hydrochlorofluorocarbons

( ozone hole )

The Commission has had to await ratification of the Treaty
on European Union in all Member States before being able
to initiate its internal procedure for the preparation of new
proposals for a decision based on the Articles of the
abovementioned Treaty .

With regard to the Articles to which the Honourable
Member refers, on 4 November 1993 the Commission
adopted a proposal for a European Parliament and Council
Decision adopting the third phase of the ' Youth for Europe '
programme (. 1 ) based on Article 126 .

On 21 December 1993 the Commission adopted, on the
same legal basis, a draft Decision establishing an action
programme for the implementation of a Community
vocational training policy ' Leonardo da Vinci ' ( 2 ).

On 4 January 1994 the Commission finally adopted, on the
joint legal bases of Articles 126 and 127, a proposal for a

Denmark intends to prohibit the use of methyl bromides by

1998 and to ban hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFCs ) by the
end of the year 2002 and, in particular, their importation
from other Member States .

In a letter dated October 1993 to the Danish Minister for the

Environment, Mr Auken, the Commissioner responsible for
the single market, Mr Bangemann, threatened to take action
against Denmark in the European Court of Justice, claiming
that any such ban on imports would affect the operation of
the single market .

1 . Is the Commissioner able to confirm this

information ?

2 . If so, what is his position with regard to the Danish
Government's view that no substance which contributes
to the depletion of the ozone layer should be allowed to
be used a day longer than is necessary ?

No C 17 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

3 . How is it possible to reconcile Commissioner
Bangemann's position with that of the Commission on
ecologically sustainable economic development ?

4 . Are we to take it from Commissioner Bangemann's
attitude that the Commission views the free movement

of ecologically harmful products as being more
important than a serious environmental problem such as
the ozone layer which, according to the British Antarctic
Survey, has become 67% thinner since 1957 ?

action by Member States . The Commission believes that a
concerted action at Community level is more effective for
the purposes of protection of the ozone layer than unilateral
measures taken by Member States .

0 ) OJ No L 405, 31 . 12 . 1992 .
( 2 ) OJ No C 232, 28 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 80 / 94

Answer given by Mr Bangemann by Caroline Jackson ( PPE )

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1994 )

The Commission is well informed about the continued and

increasing destruction of the Earth's protective ozone layer,
and of the view of the global scientific community that
ozone depletion is caused by emissions of chlorine - and
bromine-containing chemicals .

The Commission shares the view of the Danish Government

that these substances should only be used for as long as
necessary and that account should be taken of the expected
developments of more ozone-friendly substitutes .

Following the Copenhagen meeting of the Montreal
Protocol Parties in November 1992 the Community
introduced more stringent provisions on ozone depleting
substances ( Council Regulation 3952 / 92 / EEC (*)) and the
Commission put forward a new proposal for a Council
Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer
( COM(93 ) 202 final ( 2 )) to introduce new Community
controls on methyl bromide, HCFCs . and HBFCs . This
proposal is currently under discussion in the Parliament and
the Council .

The Commission participates actively in the efforts at
international level to reduce further the consumption of
methyl bromide, as was shown again at the fifth meeting of
the Parties to the Protocol in Bangkok in November 1 993 .
The technical uncertainties concerning the effects of methyl
bromide on the ozone layer and the possible alternatives are
to be subject to a scientific review by the UNEP technical
panels in 1995 following Decision IV / 23 taken by the Parties
in Copenhagen . The Commission will follow these
developments very closely and will take account of the
results in its legislation as soon as possible .

In July 1993, the Commission delivered a Decision relating
to the Danish draft order prohibiting the use of certain
substances harmful to the ozone layer . This Decision
engages the Commission as a collegiate body . It has been
taken in the framework of Directive 83 / 189 / EEC as

modified by Directive 88 / 182 / EEC . Under this Directive,
when a proposal is being discusspd at Council level, national
measures covering the same subject, but using a different
approach than that of the Commission, are discouraged, so
that discussions in Council are not undermined by unilateral

to the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 48

Subiect : EU tobacco subsidies

Can the Commission give the levels of support from the EU
budget for tobacco production over the latest five years for
which figures are available ( year by year ) both in terms of
the actual amount in ECU and as a proportion of the total
EU budget that the this represents ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The figures requested by the Honourable Member are as
follows :

( in ECU million )

Total
Financial year expenditure

Total expenditure %

for tobacco

1989 40 850,0 1 138,9 2,8

1990 44 378,9 1 232,1 2,8

1991 53 823,1 1 329,6 2,5

1992 58 857,0 1 233,0 2,1

1993 65 268,5 1 165,1 1,8

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 86 / 94

by Francesco Guidolin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 49 )

Subject : European studies

Does the Commission intend to organize or promote on a
regular basis coordinated initiatives for teachers in all the

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 27

Community Member States, under the general title of impact protection specifies a safety standard which offers
' European studies '? significant potential for casualty reduction in frontal

impacts such as the partial overlap deformable barrier test
and that it be implemented as soon as possible and by
October 1998 at the latest ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 March 1994 )

The Commission is implementing a series of measures
associated with the resolution on the European dimension in
education . It is supporting a large number of initiatives
aimed at preparing teachers to promote Europe at
school .

The Commission has also supported the creation of a
network currently bringing together 208 training
establishments for teachers and teacher trainers, the
objective of which is to promote the European dimension
through basic and continuing teacher training .

In 1989 Parliament took the initiative to create a budget
heading covering the exchange of a certain number of
secondary school teachers in the Community . Since then
more than 1 600 teachers have benefited from Community
aid .

Similarly, since 1992 a pilot measure targetted at
multilateral school partnerships has involved teachers in the
development of Europe-oriented education projects .

On 4 January 1994, on the basis of Articles 126 and 127 of
the EC Treaty, the Commission adopted a proposal for a
Decision of the European Parliament and the Council
establishing the ' Socrates ' action programme .

Under this programme teachers will be invited to become
involved in trans-national cooperation, e.g . in an
expertise-updating project .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-221 / 94

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission is preparing a proposal for a new Directive
relating to frontal impact protection which includes the
recently agreed 30° angled barrier test procedure . The draft
also prepares the way for the adoption of a further test
procedure, based on the partial overlap, deformable barrier
as currently being developed by the European Experimental
Safety Vehicle Committee . This will be introduced as soon '
as it becomes available by means of a technical adaptation to
the Directive .

The first stage of the Directive should be applicable from
October 1995 and the second, offset deformable barrier test
stage, from October 1998 .

Whilst the Commission has suggested an implementation
date of October 1 995 in the proposal, it must be recognized
that the final decision on such dates rests with the Council

and Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-223 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 51 )

Subject : Air pollution

by Anne Mcintosh ( PPE ) Does the Commission intend to set up an air pollution
monitoring system ( apart from that for greenhouse gases ) to
to the Commission
measure pollution from factories ?

( 24 February 1994 )

. ( 95 / C 17 / 50 )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

Subject : Vehicle safety standards — frontal impact on behalf of the Commission
protection (5 May 1994 )

In view of the unacceptable and unneccessary toll of 500 car
user deaths every week in the European Union, and given
that most impacts are to the fronts of vehicles, will the
Commission ensure that any new Directive on frontal

The Commission is currently examining future minimum
criteria for a number of pollutants in respect of the
monitoring of air quality .

No C 17 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

However, responsibility for the actual setting-up of air
pollution monitoring systems falls to the Member States .
The Commission will ensure compliance with the
established criteria .

Meanwhile, two important subjects relating to atmospheric
pollution are due to be included in the draft work
programme of the European Environment Agency :

— an inventory of emissions of pollutants into the air ;

— the collection and processing of air quality
information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-268 / 94

by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 52 )

Subiect : Summer-time

The problems resulting from the use of summer-time are
well known . A number of studies have shown that the
savings derived from this system are nil or derisory . The
Commission has even acknowledged that the hour change
could have undesirable long-term effects on health and
sleeping patterns as well as harmful consequences, for
example, for schools .

Has the Commission submitted a proposal to abolish the
summer-time system ? If not, does it plan to do so without
delay ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

The Commission would point out to the Honourable
Member that the decision on whether or not to apply
summer time is solely a matter for the Member States . The
only purpose of Community regulations in this area is to
harmonize the starting and finishing dates of the period of
summer time .

As the Member States have expressed a desire to continue
with such a system, the Commission has therefore drawn up
a proposal for a Seventh Directive on summer time
arrangements for the years 1995 to 1998 . This proposal
seeks to harmonize completely the period of summer-time,
i.e . to fix the same starting and finishing dates in all Member
States without exception from 1996 . Taking into account
certain amendments made by Parliament on first reading,
the Council adopted a common position on 4 March 1994

which amends the Commission proposal . These
amendments relate to the period of validity of the Directive,
which is limited to three years rather than four as originally
proposed, and a reduction in the transitional period to 1995
alone .

On 22 April 1994, Parliament approved the common
position of the Council . On that occasion, the Commission
made a statement in which it undertakes to carry out a
detailed study of the economic and other effects of switching
from summer-time to winter-time and vice-versa and of the

application of summer-time per se . Moreover, the
Commission also undertakes to submit a report on this
subject to Parliament and the Council by 1 January
1996 .

However, as regards the effects of summer-time on health
mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission
stated in a report dated February 1991 that same
disadvantages had been noted for certain categories of
people, particularly the elderly and schoolchildren,
depending on the geographical location, but that these
effects disappeared after one to two weeks . Nevertheless,
the Commission, in line with its undertaking, is planning to
examine the effects of summer-time on public health in
greater detail .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-289 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 53

Subject : Survival of the consumer electronics industry

Europe's consumer electronics industry is undergoing a
major crisis characterized by over-capacity, relocations and
large-scale job losses to such an extent that its survival is
threatened . The trade unions say that trade policy can give
some protection to the industry only if dumping is
penalized, if local output with a high added value is
encouraged and if the principle of reciprocal market access is
laid down vis-à-vis Europe and Japan . As far as Europe is
concerned, the trade unions also believe that there is an
urgent need to introduce an effective and forward-looking
European research and development policy, to make it
easier to conclude cooperation agreements and to step up
attèmpts at standardization, so to overcome the
fragmentation of national markets . In addition, standards in
respect of ecological output and re-cycling of goods must be
harmonized .

How does the Commission intend to allay trade union
concerns and so save this industry and help regions affected
by the decline of the consumer electronics industry ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 29

Answer given by Mr Bangemann for example in setting up the electronics priority waste

on behalf of the Commission stream Working Group, the first meeting of which was held

(4 May 1994 ) in Rome in January 1994 . Also clean manufacturing

technologies are plannend to be developed in the Fourth
Framework Programme, specially in the Industrial and
materials technologies programme .
The European consumer electronics industry has, in
common with its main competitors in Japan and Korea,
suffered serious market contraction and price-erosion over Standards are an important and complex issue . On the one
the past two years . These are global problems and not hand regulation by the authorities can facilitate the
limited to the European Union . Indeed consumer electronics allocation of scarce resources, such as broadcast
has been characterized over the past three decades by a frequencies, and ensure interconnection . On the other,
relentless price reduction driven by advances in technology innovation and customer service is best served by
and productivity world-wide . competition in the market .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

Standards are an important and complex issue . On the one
hand regulation by the authorities can facilitate the
allocation of scarce resources, such as broadcast
frequencies, and ensure interconnection . On the other,
innovation and customer service is best served by
competition in the market .

However latest projections suggest that the contraction is
bottoming out and that weak growth is expected, for
example in the colour television market, for 1994 to 1996 .
This is spurred by the introduction of stereo sound ( Nicam )
and wide-screen ( 16*9 ) and the prospect of the 1996
Olympic Games . These are good examples of new high
added-value products referred to in the question .

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, is
active in a number of areas which will improve the
conditions for competitiveness of the industry . Firstly, as
mentioned in the question, R&D is a key factor which is
being addressed in the Fourth Framework Programme
which is now being decided . The needs of the consumer
electronics industry are receiving particular attention, for
example in respect to programmes related to liquid crystal
display ( LCD ), open microprocessors ( OMI ) and most
importantly, multimedia .

In addition, the two-year ' Community pilot programme to
develop competitive sub-contracting for the European
consumer electronics industry ' was launched in 1993 . So far
this programme has supported actions in the plastics
moulding and printed circuit industries and plans actions
for the connector and pressed metal parts industries . This is
an industry-driven initiative ( the consumer electronics
set-makers ) oriented at improving the performance of
suppliers, mostly small and medium sized enterprises and is
based on industrial cooperation, both between the
consumer electronics manufacturers in Europe ( European
and Japanese capital-affiliated ) and between users and
suppliers . The role of the Commission is to provide some
financial support (a budget of ECU 3 million has been
allocated ), ( to provide an environment in which such
cooperation can proceed, and to work with MITI to ensure
the best cooperation with Japanese industry . The
programme will terminate at the end of 1994, but its success
so far is such that the industry is very anxious to see it
continued, and is in the process of defining a proposal in this

sense .

Concerning the environmental issue raised, it is clear that
the consumer electronics industry is particularly affected,
and is anxious to see convergence and coherence of
legislation which is currently under way in a number of
Member States . The Commission is playing an active role,

The question of access to Japanese markets for consumer
electronics products is raised . Recently again the
Commission received confirmation from the main

European producer selling in the Japanese market that it
experiences no barriers in exporting and selling their
products . It is interesting to note that Japan registered a net
deficit in trade in colour televisions in 1 993 for the first time,
importing 3,66 million units against exports of 3,28 million
units . More generally, the Uruguay round of the GATT
resulted, for consumer electronics, in the maintenance of
tariffs for the most critical products at close to current levels .
The next important trade issue will be the general system of
preferences ( GSP ). This is especially important for consumer
electronics because about half of the imports into Europe
fall under this regime .

Regarding the effects of unfair trade on the Community
consumer electronics industry, the Commission remains
active in pursuing complaints lodged by the industry as
evidenced by the colour television and microwave ovens
cases which are at present before the Commission . In
addition, anti-dumping measures are currently in force on
small screen colour televisions and car radios . It is

considered that the introduction of the new time limits for

the completion of anti-dumping proceedings will contribute
to the effectiveness of commercial defence instruments, as
measures, where warranted, will be imposed much more
expeditiously .

The White Paper on ' Growth, competitiveness and
employment ' sets the framework for the development of the
economic and industrial environment in Europe for the rest
of the decade . The electronics industry is expected to play a
key role for the ' information society '. The central
importance of this concept has led the Commission to set up
the ' Task Force on Information Infrastructures ' in order to

develop a vision of the direction in which the Community
should be moving .

Finally it is worth reflecting on the new relationships with
the countries of central and eastern Europe . The
development of these economies offers for the European
consumer electronics industry unprecedented opportunities
for strengthening their global competitiveness and
maintaining a strong pan-European manufacturing industry
— much in the same manner as Japanese and Korean

No C 17 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

industries have pursued strategies involving the countries of Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
south-east Asia . on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

QUESTION E-322 / 94 The Commission has been informed by the British

Government that a number of the route options and

Kostopoulos ( PSE )

proposed station sites for the planned rail link between the

to the Commission Channel Tunnel and the centre of London have been the

( 28 February 1994 ) subject of detailed environmental appraisals, copies of
which have been transmitted to the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-322 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 95 / C 17 / 54 )

Subject : Implementation by Greece of the Directive on the The Commission will follow the environmental aspects of

major-accident hazards of certain industrial the Channel Tunnel rail link .
activities

Can the Commission say when the Greek authorities intend
fully to implement Directive 82 / 50 1 / EEC C ) which aims to
prevent major accidents due to certain industrial
activities ?

(M OJ No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982, p . 1 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-431 / 94

by Caroline Jackson ( PPE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas (3 March 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 17 / 56 )
(6 May 1994 )

As it has made clear in reply to earlier parliamentary
questions and petitions, the Commission is following up the
failure to implement this Directive ( commonly known as the
Seveso Directive ) properly in Greece . It has already
instituted a procedure, which is currently taking its

course .

The Commission will be keeping a close eye on this

matter .

Subject : Possibly EC action on road salt

Does the Commission have any plans to bring forward
legislation to limit, or possibly ban, the use of salt for the
gritting of roads in cold weather, since this can damage
vehicles being driven on salted roads, and also cause damage
to the surrounding environment ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-324 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 55 )

Subject : Respect for the environment and the construction

of the rail link between the Channel Tunnel and the

centre of London

Given that proposals for the construction of a rail link
between the Channel Tunnel and the centre of London are
currently being studied and given also that trans-European
networks fall within the sphere of activities of the European
Community ( Article 129b of the Maastricht Treaty ), does
the Commission intend closely to monitor the plans for the
construction of the above link in order to ensure that the

Community's environmental policy objectives are
respected ?

(5 May 1994 )

The Commission has no plans to propose legal measures on
the use of salt on roads in winter .

Winter weather conditions vary considerably, as does the
need to treat roads in winter to ensure a minimum level of

service and safety . The same is true as regards the scale of the
adverse effects on the life expectancy of vehicle bodywork
and on the environment .

For this reason the need for winter treatment of roads is best

identified at local, regional or national level, as are the
methods best suited to the various circumstances .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 31

QUESTION E-450 / 94 example of regional cooperation in this field and could be

Ferrer ( PPE ) used as a model for other regions . Moreover, the

Commission Commission's representatives will actively participate in the

relevant committees and will contribute to integrating the

March 1994 ) environmental dimension of natural and technological

( 95 / C 17 / 57 ) disasters in the whole range of prevention, preparedness and
intervention activities for the second part of the decade .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-450 / 94

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

Subject : Prevention of natural disasters

In 1988 the UN decided to declare the 1990s ' International

Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction ' ( IDNDR ), with the
aim of promoting studies and coordinated international
measures to prevent and reduce the loss of life, material
damage and social and economic costs arising from natural
disasters .

Does the Commission not believe that it would be better to

conduct studies and grant assistance to prevent natural
disasters and the serious effects thereof rather than simply
mitigating the impact of such disasters ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that
it is important to prevent or reduce the effects of natural
catastrophes instead of trying repeatedly to relieve their

consequences .

The Commission ( by its ECHO ) is finalising a disaster
preparedness and prevention programme, including specific
operational field studies and the development of long term
capacity of countries at risk through training of local
personnel involved in disaster relief and rehabilitation .
Budgetary resources have been made available to permit the
implementation of such activities as from 1994 with the
support of the Parliament .

The Commission also works closely with the Secretariat in
Geneva of the International Decade for Natural Disaster

Reduction and its activities are co-ordinated with the goals
and objectives of the decade . In this context, a special
Commission report is being prepared for the world
conference on disasters to be held in Yokohama in May .
This report will encompass the multiple actions of the
Commission in development, civil protection ( including the
integration of the environmental dimension ) as well as
science and research ( including programmes with the aim of
risk reduction and risk management through the
understanding of causes, mechanisms and impacts ).

Finally, it should be stressed that at the abovementioned
world conference, a comprehensive presentation of
Community cooperation in the field of civil protection will
be made . This cooperation is already considered as the best

WRITTEN QUESTION E-453 / 94

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 58 )

Subject : Commission communication on the current crisis

in the textile and clothing industry

On a proposal from Commissioner Bangemann, the
Commission has adopted a communication to the Council
on the current situation in the Community textile and
clothing industry . This document proposes inter alia
measures for strengthening the competitiveness of the
industry .

What are these measures ?

Does the Commission plan to adopt measures to implement
such proposals and, if so, what will they be ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

In its communication to the Council of 27 October 1993

( report on the competitiveness of the European textile and
clothing industry ) (*), the Commission analysed the current
situation of thè textile and clothing industry, which is very
difficult, with a substantial decline in employment and
deteriorating competitiveness .

In view of the scale of restructuring required, the
Commission believes specific action by the public
authorities must accompany the restructuring effort : the
various Community initiatives and measures to make the
industry more competitive and to improve the conditions of
international competition were presented in the
abovementioned communication .

Some of these have already been put into effect . For
example, the package of textiles measures adopted as part of
the Uruguay Round was on the whole satisfactory and
fulfilled the objectives defined by the Community :

No C 17 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

— progressive integration of the textile industry into GATT

and a greater opening-up of non-Community
markets ;

— tightening-up of the GATT rules and disciplines,

particularly of the anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and
safeguard measures, and greater protection for
intellectual property .

Improvements have been made in the way the Community's
commercial policy instruments operate, in the form of
greater transparency and efficiency . The measures recently
taken in certain anti-dumping proceedings and the
implementation of the textile anti-fraud initiative
demonstrate the Commission's readiness to use the

instruments available to it .

The White Paper on growth, competitiveness and
employment laid down the broad lines of the measures to be
taken in general .

Flanking policies for industrial restructuring were stepped
up recently when the Commission adopted a package of
Community measures aimed in particular at facilitating the
adjustment of blue-collar and white-collar workers to
industrial restructuring, improving the know-how of small
and medium-sized businesses and encouraging
diversification and restructuring .

The Commission has stepped up its cooperation with the
two sides of industry, particularly in the context of the social
dialogue, and continued measures for the dissemination of
statistical information, particularly in the context of the
European Textile and Clothing Observatory, in order to
monitor developments in the sector more closely and to seek
solutions aimed at improving its competitiveness .

such services ? On what basis ? Could not the EAGG make a

contribution ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

Article 15 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 91 of

15 July 1991 on improving the efficiency of agricultural
structures f 1 ) makes provision for launching aid for the costs
of agricultural associations providing farm relief services .

The maximum aid is ECU 14 540 per relief worker
employed on a full-time basis . The aid is co-financed by the
EAGGF Guidance Section .

Introduction of the aid is at the discretion of Member States

and it is they who determine the approval requirements for
associations . The Commission is not planning to propose
any change in these arrangements .

(M OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-472 / 94

by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

(M COM(93 ) 525 . ( 95 / C 17 / 60 )

Subject : Liverpool City Council 1994 / 95 SAA settlement

WRITTEN QUESTION E-462 / 94

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 59 )

Subject : Creation of locum services — financial
contribution by the Community

Given the problems caused, both to farmers ' spouses and to
the profitability of their farms, when farmers fall ill or are
temporarily unable to work, does the Commission not
believe that the creation of ' locum services ' should be made

compulsory in all the Member States ?

Could a financial contribution from the Community be
envisaged to support the establishment and operation of

Is the Commission aware that the UK Government has
reduced the SSA grant for Liverpool from 423,5 million in

1993 / 1994, to 419 million in 1994 / 1995, which represents a
reduction of 1 % in SSA for Liverpool and more disturbingly
a reduction of 4% ( 17 million ) when compared against
other authorities in England ?

This will leave the City Council with the need to make
savings of 25 million in order to achieve its capping limit of
458 million . Because of the inadequate SSA grant, Council
tax levied will be approximately 20 % to 25 % higher and
will increase the level of poverty in the Community .

Liverpool has already been granted Objective One status on
the recommendation of the Commission, recognizing it a
one of the most deprived areas of Europe . Objective One
funding is meant to be additional to national government
funding, not a method to reduce its funding to deprived

areas .

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 33

Does the Commission agree that once again the British
Government is up to its old tricks in failing to meet
additionality as agreed with the Commission, or filching
European Funding to reduce their own commitment to
deprived areas .

to exchanging experiences on this subject ' ( conclusion
No 5 ).,

European Funding to own to The Commission attaches great importance to Parliament's
deprived areas . views, whose Legal Committee has already started work on

this subject .
Will the Commission investigate ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

(M COM(93 ) 576 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-636 / 94

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

As part of the negotiations on the Merseyside Objective 1 by Concepció
plan, which are presently taking place, the Commission will to the
carry out, a verification of additionality in accordance with ( 17 March
Article 9 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88, as amended by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 (*). ( 95 / C 17 / 62 )

to the Commission

( 17 March 1994 )

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-520 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 14 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 61 )

Subject : Setting up a system of arbitration in consumer

matters

Can the Commission look into the possibility of setting up a
system of arbitration in consumer matters in the
Community in order to settle disputes arising between
consumers and suppliers from different Member States ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Allocation of funds for the Community Retex

initiative in Spain

The Commission has approved ERDF and ESF aid of ECU

90,4 million for an operational programme with the
objective of speeding up diversification of the economic
activities of regions dependent on the textiles sector and
facilitating the creation of healthy businesses in all industrial

sectors .

The programme forms part of the Community's Retex
initiative and covers the period 1993-1997 . It particularly
concerns the Objective 1, 2 and 5 ( b ) areas of the following
Spanish regions : Andalucia, Aragon, Castilla y Leon,
Castilla la Mancha, Cataluna, Extremadura, Galicia, La
Rioja, Comunidad de Madrid, Murcia and Comunidad
Valenciana .

Can the Commission give details of the amounts allocated to
each of these regions out of the total for the programme, and
out of each of the sub-programmes ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
( 25 April 1994 ) on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )
On 16 November 1993 the Commission presented a Green
Paper on Access of Consumers to Justice and the Settlement
of Consumer Disputes in the Single Market ( 1 ). The second Aid for the operational programme
part of this document devotes particular attention to 2 and 5 ( b ) regions heavily
arbitration procedures that apply specifically to consumer clothing industry under the
disputes . granted for the period from 2

In certain Member States ( and notably Spain and Portugal ),
endeavours to simplify the settlement of consumer disputes
have led to the creation of specific arbitration procedures
that are available free of charge . The problem of
transfrontier disputes mentioned in the written question is
dealt with in the third part of the Green Paper . Guidelines
for a possible Community initiative are the theme of the
fourth part . These guidelines include ' closer contacts
between different consumer arbitration bodies with a view

Aid for the operational programme for Spanish Objective 1,
2 and 5 ( b ) regions heavily dependent on the textile and
clothing industry under the Community initiative Retex was
granted for the period from 2 December 1992 to
31 December 1994 by Commission Decision C(93)2232 .
The total cost of the programme amounts to ECU 361,13
million at 1993 prices . The total amount of assistance from
the Structural Funds amounts to ECU 90,39 million, with
the European Regional Development Fund contributing
ECU 87,31 million and the European Social Fund
contributing the remaining ECU 3,08 million .

The Community assistance is broken down by region and
sub-programme as follows :

No C 17 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

( in million ECU — 1993 )

Sub-programme (')

Regions

Total

1 2 3 4 5

Multi-regional 38,874 0,034 38,908

Andalucía 5,858 0,264 6,122

Aragón 0,638 0,638

Castilla-Léon 1,169 0,295 1,464

Castilla-La-Mancha 1,715 3,431 1,716 6,862

Cataluña 14,081 0,403 0,301 14,785

Extremadura 0,099 0,530 0,629

Galicia 3,732 3,732

La Rioja 0,174 0,174

Comunidad de Madrid 0,170 0,170
La Región de Murcia 0,862 0,242 0,239 l(343

Comunidad Valencia 15,566 15,566

Total 38,874 44,064 4,340 3,081 0,034 90,393

C ) 1 : Improvement of the competitiveness of businesses,

2 : Improving the regional industrial fabric,
3 : Improving access by businesses to venture capital and loans,
4 : Vocational training,
5 : Monitoring and assessment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-679 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 63 )

Subject : Work of the International Organization for
Standardization ( ISO )

' The purposes of this standard are to consider
performance criteria for humaneness ; to encourage the
ongoing development of humane traps and hence to
improve the welfare of animals caught in traps, including
reducing injuries to, and minimizing the suffering of
animals ; to improve capture efficiency, selectivity and
user safety '.

The standards will contain categories of kill or restrain
without prejudice to the values attached to these categories .
No progress was made on category definitions .

Regulation ( EEC ) No 3254 / 91 (*) requires the Commission
to take into account the work of thé ISO, when deciding
whether to suspend or impose an import ban on 13 species
of animal fur . Will the Commission give details of its
observation of or participation in the work of the ISO
Humane Animal ( Mammal ) Trap Committee ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-751 / 94

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

0 ) OJ No L 308, 9 . 11 . 1991, p . 1 . to the Commission

( 22 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 64 )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

Subject : . Group of experts on the urban environment

A group of experts on the urban environment was set up by
the Council in 1991 to advise the Commission on ways of
assigning more importance to the urban dimension of
Community environmental policy .

The Commission participated as an observer in the February assigning more importance to the
meeting of ISO Technical Committee 91 in Ottawa . In view Community environmental policy .
of the differences of opinion of members of this Committee
on the definition of the term ' humane ', the working title of
the standards being considered was changed from ' Humane Is the group still operational ? Can
animal ( mammal ) traps ' to ' Animal ( mammal ) traps '. It was details of its make-up ?
further decided that the preamble to the draft standards
should read : Are the results of its work available ?

Is the group still operational ? Can the Commission give
details of its make-up ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 35

In practice, what Commission initiatives has the group been
instrumental in launching and which has it influenced ?

launching of the European Agency for the Evaluation of
Medicinal Products reduce the delays ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemanji

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 ) (4 May 1994 )

The expert group on the urban environment met for the first
time in November 1991 and meets on average three times a

year .

The 24 members are a representative from each of the
Member States, six city representatives, three
representatives from the ' non-government ' sector ( industry,
unions, ecology, environment ) and three representatives
chosen for their specialist knowledge in fields such as
architecture, urban management and ecology .

There are also a varying number of observers, who are from
relevant international organizations or are chosen for their
specialist knowledge in relevant fields .

Recently the group has been working on a report on
sustainable cities . The first draft of the report is to be
presented at the ' sustainable towns and cities conference ' at
Aalborg on 24 — 27 May 1994 . The group intends to present
the finished report to the Commission during 1995 when it
will contribute towards the mid-term review of the Fifth

Environmental Action Programme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-756 / 94

The future Community system of authorization for
medicinal products, adopted on the basis of Regulation
( EEC ) No 2309 / 93 ( 1 ), will enter into force in 1995 .

Until the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal
Products is set up it is the authorities of the Member States,
and not the Commission, which are responsible for
examining current applications .

Nonetheless, the Community does have a mechanism for
coordinating national registrations, under the aegis of the
Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products . However,
this procedure is not binding and files have to be presented
by companies interested in this type of coordination .

In this particular case no request for Community
coordination has been presented by the company .

When the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal
Products starts work in 1995 the time limit for examinations

will be reduced to 300 days from the date of presentation of
the application .

(M OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 .

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-759 / 94

to the Commission by José Vâzquez Fouz ( PSE )

( 22 March 1994 ) to the Commission

95 / C 17 / 65 ) ( 22 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 66 )

Subject : Authorization for marketing pharmaceuticals

Subject : Fisheries agreement with Greenland

The Twelve have agreed to implement a single Community
system for authorizing the marketing of pharmaceuticals .

Pending its implementation, what measures has the
Commission taken, or can it take, to reduce the time lapse
before new pharmaceutical products of proven efficacy can
be marketed or made available to the public ?

In the United States, for example, a drug for the use of
patients with the ' exacerbating-remitting ' form of multiple
sclerosis has been tested and seems very promising . If these
results were confirmed, what would be the estimated length
of time before European patients could hope to benefit from
the drug ? Some people talk in terms of several years . Can the
Commission confirm this estimate ? Is there no accelerated

testing procedure which can be used in cases such as this,
without jeopardizing the safety of patients ? Will the

The fisheries Agreement signed with Greenland in 1985,
prior to the accession of Spain and Portugal, has frequently
been discussed in Parliament . It is shortly to be completely
renewed, and this is therefore the appropriate moment to
correct situations which have even led to proceedings in the
European Court in Luxembourg .

Does the Commission believe that the new Agreement with
Greenland should be open to all Member States of the
European Union ?

Does it believe that the Agreement can be drawn up in
' second generation ' terms ?

Could the cod quotas for Spain and Portugal be
increased ?

No C 17 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

With a view to a continuation of the Fisheries Agreement
with Greenland, exploratory talks have shown an interest,
on both sides, in amending the Agreement so as to include
some of the features of second generation agreements,
particularly joint ventures .

Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation ( EEC )
No 3760 / 92 ( a ) and in accordance with the case law of the
Court of Justice, the principle of ' relative stability ' applies to
all fishing opportunities traditionally available to the
Community in third country waters . Only newly obtained
fishing possibilities will be open for distribution among
Member States, in a way that takes into account their
interests .

Fishing opportunities available to the Community since

1985, under the Fisheries Agreement with Greenland, such
as cod, will therefore be allocated to Denmark, Germany,
France and the United Kingdom, on the basis of the principle
of relative stability . As the Court of Justice established in
cases C-63 / 90 and C-67 / 90 of 13 October 1992, the
application of this principle may not be dispensed with in
the case of an increase in the amount of such fishing
possibilities .

To take into account the concerns of both Portugal and
Spain, regarding their lack of access to Greenland's waters,
the Commission is seeking to engage in negotiations with a
view to bringing about amendments to the Fisheries
Agreement with Greenland, making available new fishing
possibilities to the Community and incorporating elements
of second generation agreements .

(!) OJNo L 389, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-780 / 94

by Brigitte Langenhagen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(4 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 67

Subject : The Commission's Decision of 4 February 1994 on

minimum import prices or minimum prices

Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 275 / 94 (*) of 4 February
1994 makes imports of certain fishery products subject to
the observance of the reference prices, which means that
such products may not be imported into the EU at less than
the reference prices . The Commission justifies this by stating
that the free-at-frontier prices are below the reference
prices .

1 . Can the Commission support this statement with
appropriate figures at an early date ?

2 . Why has the Commission decided on this measure when

it is itself of the opinion that such intervention in the
market will not solve the structural problems currently
facing the fishing industry ?

3 . Does the Commission have any idea what an importer is

to do, or will do, if he is offered fish by competing
third-country suppliers at less than the minimum import
price ?

4 . Does the Commission share the view that the manner in

which Regulations ( EC ) No 274 / 94 and ( EC ) No 275 / 94
have been published is prejudicial to the reputation of
the European institutions and creates the impression
that safeguarding the interests of one Member State has
taken precedence over the interests of the European
fishing industry as a whole ?

(!) OJ No L 32, 5 . 2 . 1994, p . 33 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1994 )

Following certain disruptions primarily on the French
market, the authorities in France requested the Commission
to introduce safeguard measures for a number of fish and
fish products on 2 February 1994 .

After examination of the market situation the Commission

responded by introducing temporary minimum import
prices for :

— certain traditional whitefish, where the imports were

made subject to the respect of the reference prices for the
products in question ( Regulation ( EC ) No 275 / 94 ),
and

— Atlantic salmon, where imports were made subject to the

observance of a specifically calculated import price

( Regulation ( EC ) No 274 / 94 ).

Both measures were published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities No L 32 / 94, and expired on

15 March 1994 . The Commission, as requested by the
Council, decided to prolong these measures from 17 March
1994 to 17 May 1994 (*).

In relation to the specific points put forward by the
Honourable Member, the Commission has the following

comments :

1 . In the period before the introduction of the minimum
import prices, the Commission's monitoring of the
market indicated an increased volume of imports of
whitefish below the reference prices . These imports

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 37

resulted in a negative price development for the market
in general, and consequently an increased quantity of
Community produced fish had to be withdrawn from
the market .

2 . The minimum import prices were introduced in order to

stabilize the market prices in the short term . Structural
measures for more permanent improvement of the
market are not necessarily the appropriate response in
an emergency situation .

3 . The Commission is aware that traders, in a situation of
obligatory minimum import prices, might in certain
cases be tempted to circumvent the rules . It is up to the
Member States to ensure that such circumvention does

not take place .

4 . No . When the minimum import prices were presented to

the Management Committee for fishery products, eight
Member States unconditionally supported the use of

emergency measures .

(!) OJ No L 74, 17 . 3 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-791 / 94

by José Duarte Cendân ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 March 1994 )

data-transmission via satellite . From the early 1980s the
cooperation intensified considerably . In June 1985 the
Communities were granted observer status on the CERN
Council, while CERN became a member of Codest . Further
cooperation has taken place under the Science and Esprit
Programmes as well as in the work of RARE ( Réseaux
Associés pour la Recherche Européenne ) and the Eureka
Cosine ( Cooperation for Open Systems Interconnection
Networking in Europe ) project .

Since ten of the Member States are also members of CERN

and the Community has an observer status, the LHC project
is followed closely in the Community, but such high energy
physics projects and installations are funded directly by
CERN's member States, and not by any Community

programme .

The long lasting and positive experience of cooperation with
CERN has shown the potential for synergy between the
advanced technical activities of CERN, required to support
their main scientific objectives, and the Community RTD
activities . The Fourth Framework Programme stresses the
need to cooperate with international scientific and technical
organizations, such as CERN . This would call for closer
formal links between CERN and the Community .

( 95 / C 17 / 68 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-8 10 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Subject : EU collaboration with the CERN

During a recent visit to CERN in Geneva, the Committee on
Energy, Science and Technology was asked a great number
of questions which clearly reflected the concern of the
CERN Council that the EU should become more involved

with the Centre's work . EU collaboration is important both
for the team's own work and for overall strategic reasons at
this precise moment in time, as the US Congress has just
refused to continue the American programme .

1 . What sort of collaboration has the Commission engaged

in with CERN ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to undertake any action to
assist CERN with its LHC ( Large Hadron's Colimator )
Programme ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

Cooperation between CERN and Euratom started in 1958
concentrating on common work relating to nuclear fusion .
In the mid 1970s cooperation was started on high-speed

to the Commission

( 23 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 69 )

Subject : Proposal on civil liability in the services sector

Will the Commission say whether it intends to take any steps
to review the proposal on civil liability in the services
sector ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 April 1994 )

The Commission is currently re-examining the proposal for
a Directive on the liability of suppliers of services presented
on 20 December 1990 . In this connection the Commission is
taking into account the general context of the conclusions of
the European Council at Edinburgh and the new
Article 129a of the EC Treaty, in conjunction with the
negative reaction of the Economic and Social Committee,

No C 17 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

the political import of the amendments voted by the
responsible Parliamentary Committee and severe criticism
from professional circles in the services sector .

The Commission hopes to finish examining this dossier very
soon . It will forthwith inform the Parliament and Council of

its position .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-816 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

In particular there ià a worry about the conservation of eels,
at risk from these traps .

Does the Commission have information concerning the use
of fish traps ? Are there figures available for the impact of
these traps on species like the eel ? Has the Commission
considered introducing any kind of guidance on traps ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission (5 May 1994 )

( 23 March 1994 )

(9 SIC 17 / 70 )

Subject : Proposals on education, vocational training and

youth

Has the Commission submitted proposals on education,
vocational training and youth in accordance with
Articles 126 and 127 of the Treaty on European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1994 )

Yes . The Commission has presented three proposals :

Programme for the Implementation of a European
Community Vocational Training Policy ' Leonardo da
Vinci ' i 1 ) ( Article 127 ).

Programme ' Socrates ' ( 2 ) ( Article 126 and Article 127 ).

Youth for Europe III ( 3 ) ( Article 126 ).

(!) COM(93 ) 686 final .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 708 final .

( 3 ) COM(93 ) 523 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-836 / 94

The Commission has only limited information about the use
of fish traps of the type to which it is assumed the
Honourable Member refers . Apparently, these traps are
used in very small numbers in the United Kingdom,
effectively on an experimental basis at present . The UK Sea
Fish Industry Authority is at present carrying out
investigations into such traps .

Traps of this type are widely used in Canada and USA where
it is claimed that the catches are retained alive so that

discards can be returned alive into the sea . This is in contrast

to discards from conventional trawls which are almost all

dead . Furthermore, it is claimed that such traps can be made
to function in such a way that they catch only one species or
group of species and retain fish only of certain sizes .

It is also claimed that the traps are easily recovered if lost
since they are large ( about 2 cubic meters in vo}ume ) and are
each marked and attached to an individual buoy .

It is assumed that the reference to eels is to conger eels rather
than to migratory eels of the type found in rivers . Since the
use of traps is at present limited, the Commission has no
information of their effect on species such as congers . The
Commission has no plans at present to introduce guidance

on traps .

by Henry McCubbin ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-839 / 94

to the Commission
by Ray monde Dury ( PSE )

( 30 March 1994 ) to the Commission

( 95 / C 17 / 71 ( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 72 )
Subject : Use of fish traps

Some rod and line anglers are very concerned about the ùse
of large fish traps in commercial fishing . They believe that
these traps pose a threat to the angling industry, in that they
catch fish without distinction . Another fear is that lost traps
would continue to catch fish indefinitely, as they are
self-baiting .

Subject : Inadequate legislation on pseudo-medicinal
products

In an analysis of the Belgian market in pseudo-medicinal
products, the Belgian ' Test-santé ' review, which is affiliated

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 39

to a consumer organization, is highly critical of
unscrupulous practices taking advantage of the credulity of
the public to sell products for slimming, improving athletic
performance, combating fatigue, improving concentration,

etc .

For example, before the sale of certain herbal remedies was
prohibited, about 50 women were obliged to undergo
dialysis or kidney transplants . A number of slimming or
fortifying pills contain carnitine, which may, beyond a
certain dosage, cause nausea, vomiting or abdominal
pains .

Despite the licence issued by the Ministry of Public Health,
certain products do not appear to be effective against the
illnesses which they are supposed to treat . What is more
serious, a number of powders, capsules and herbal remedies
are on sale without any form of scrutiny .

Is the Commission aware of these practices ? What is the
situation in the other Member States ? What can it do to

protect consumers against these dangerous abuses ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Community legislation on pharmaceuticals provides
that medicinal products may not be placed on the market
unless they have been registered . Before they can be
registered, the applicant must demonstrate their efficacy,
safety and quality . Under the same legislation, all medicinal
products authorized on the basis of earlier evaluation
methods had to be reviewed in the light of the current
registration criteria by 1990 at the latest .

At the moment, registration is still exclusively the
responsibility of the Member States . A mechanism for
coordinating the national registration procedures has been
set up . Beyond this, the future system for the authorization
of medicinal products, based on Regulation ( EEC )
No 2309 / 93 (*), will allow a single procedure in the
Community for evaluating and authorizing the placing on
the market of new medicinal products emerging from
research .

Consequently, the Community legislation on medicinal
products contains everything necessary to put an end to the
malpractices and abuses mentioned . However, strict
enforcement of the legislation and, consequently, more
stringent controls are the only way to ensure that they are
effectively stopped .

As regards the specific problem of slimming products
prepared from Chinese plants which have led to

kidney deficiencies, the Honourable Member is referred to
the Commission's answer to Written Question
No 3844 / 93 ( 2 ).

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

( 2 ) OJ No C 352, 12 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-853 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 73

Subject : Fireworks safety standards

In view of the report on firework safety in Europe forwarded
separately, will the Commission give its assurance that any
future safety standards which it is considering introducing
will use British Standard 7114 as a minimum ?

Particular concern is being raised by the fact that any
lowering of safety standards will allow ' flash powder ',
rather than the currently used black powder, to be used in
the manufacture of bangers, a retrograde step in terms of
safety .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission is well aware of the problems of safety
linked to fireworks . If a proposal on fireworks is presented
by the Commission, it will contain the harmonized
requirements that fireworks have to satisfy in order to be
placed on the market . Such requirements would of course
guarantee the ' high level of protection ' referred to in Article

100a3 EC Treaty, but the Commission cannot give the
assurance that any future provisions will be based on British
Standard 7114 as a minimum .

The concerns reflected in the report from the Oldham
Metropolitan Borough Council, referred to in the
Honourable Member's question, relate to standards under
preparation by CEN, the European Committee for
Standardization . Since compliance with standards is
voluntary, a standard cannot by itself alter the regulatory
framework in force in a Member State . This can only happen
when a standard has been prepared pursuant to a mandate
from the Commission in the framework of a so-called ' new

approach Directive '. In this case the standard provides a
presumption of conformity with the essential requirements
established by the Directive to which the standard relates .
In the case of fireworks, the work undertaken by CEN has
not been performed pursuant to a mandate from the

No C 17 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Commission and standards under preparation cannot
therefore become European standards under present
circumstances .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-878 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

three to four years ; particularly in Aegina because of its
location, causing considerable damage to the environment
and having severe consequences for coastal fishermen . Can
the Commission bring this matter to the attention of the
Greek authorities ?

to the Commission Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

(6 May 1994 )
( 95 / C 17 / 74

Subject : Facilitating access to buses and trains for people

with mobility problems

Bearing in mind the need to facilitate access to buses and
trains for people with mobility problems, will the
Commission take any action on drawing up a Directive on
that subject ?

Answer given by Mr Ore j a
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

The Commission is very conscious of the need for people
with mobility handicaps to have improved access to public
transport, and has adopted an action programme setting out
the measures which are necessary to achieve improved
accessibility ( 1 ).

This action programme is now being examined in the
Member States, as well as by international transport
organizations . Among the medium-term measures
envisaged by the Commission is a Directive concerning
accessibility to all modes of land-based transport and
transport infrastructure, including retrofitting where
practicable ( point 5.2f .).

Moreover, the amended proposal for a Directive on
minimum requirements to improve the mobility and safe
transport to work of workers with reduced mobility ( 2 )
presented by the Commission on 19 December 1991 is
under consideration by the Council .

(!) COM(93 ) 433 final .

( 2 ) COM(91 ) 539 final — SYN 327 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-885 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

The Commission is unable to intervene pending the
adoption by the Council of a Regulation consequent upon
its proposal on the harmonization of certain technical
fishery measures currently applicable in the
Mediterranean .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-907 / 94

by Bruno Boissière ( V )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 76 )

Subject : Traffic and public transport in and around

Marseilles

In Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes and Rennes great
importance is attached to urban ecology and quality of life is
regarded as a fundamental factor of a balanced urban
existence .

If everything is designed for cars, as in Marseille, those who
travel by foot or two-wheeled vehicle, those who rely on
public transport, the elderly, the disabled, young people,
households with no or only one car, the unemployed and
those in financial difficulty etc . tend to be neglected .

What steps will the Commission take to encourage the local
authorities to develop alternative solutions to cars : bicycles,
two - wheeled vehicles and public transport ?

( 30 March 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Ore j a
. ( 95 / C 17 / 75 ) on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )
Subject : Illegal fishing using dynamite in the Saronic

Gulf

The problem of illegal fishing using dynamite is widespread
in the Saronic Gulf and has become more acute over the last

The White Paper on the future development of the common
transport policy ( published in December 1992 ) made one of

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 41

its priorities the encouragement and promotion of safe
public transport and support for local initiatives in favour of
cyclists and pedestrians to make a contribution to the
quality of the urban environment .

The Commission is actively pursuing this aim through
research grants, studies, information exchanges,
conferences and seminars, in the linked fields of transport,
environment and energy conservation .

On the specific case of accessibility of transport for people
with reduced mobility, the Commission drew up an action
programme which was presented to the Transport Council
of 30 November 1993 ( 1 ).

For example, the Commission has recently supported the
creation of a ' Car-Free Cities ' network established
following the conference on ' Car-Free Cities ' held in
Amsterdam . To date, 38 towns and cities have joined the
network in order to promote the exchange of experience and
joint approaches to the development of a more sustainable
urban mobility .

(!) COM(93 ) 433 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-915 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 77 )

Subject : Safety of high-level nuclear waste tanks

The Nuclear-Free Zone Local Authorities in Scotland

published on 24 February 1994 a report, commissioned
from independent environmental biologist Peter Taylor
titled ' Consequence analysis of a catastrophic failure of high
active liquid waste tanks serving the THORP and Magnox
nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield '. The report
demonstrates that millions of people would need to be
evacuated from the North of England and South of Scotland
if just one of the high-level nuclear waste storage tanks were
to lose its coolants and explode, releasing radioactivity to
the environment .

Will the Commission obtain a copy of the report, which uses
the Commission's own ' Cosyma ' computer program
developed by the radiation protection division, and assess its
validity ?

Will the Commission further examine the relevance of the

report to the Euratom Article 37 submission on Thorp by
the United Kingdom Government of 30 September 1991,

and re-assess its favourable opinion on Thorp of 30 April

1992 ( 92 / 269 / Euratom ( l ))}

Will the Commission also assess whether the current status

of the high-level nuclear waste tanks at Sellafield constitute a
reportable risk to Ireland under - Euratom Treaty
Article 34 ?

(!) OJ No L 138, 21 . 5 . 1992, p . 36 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(S May 1994 )

The Commission has received a copy of the report by Mr
Taylor on ' Consequence analysis of a catastrophic failure of
highly active liquid waste tanks serving the Thorp and
Magnox nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield '.

However, as stated in the reply to Written Question
No 4095 / 93 by Mr A. Smith, Community legislation is such
that the competent national authority is solely responsible
for the safety analysis which leads to the evaluation of the
probable release . Hence the Commission cannot comment
further on the results obtained by Mr Taylor . In particular,
these results do not provide any basis for reconsidering the
opinion issued under the terms of Article 37 Euratom
Treaty .

Article 34 Euratom Treaty refers to ' particularly dangerous
experiments ', whereas the tank storage of such wastes has
been practised routinely for some 40 years without any
accident with significant environmental consequences . The
Commission, therefore, does not consider Article 34 to
apply in the present case .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-956 / 94

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 78 )

Subject : Compliance with environmental Directives

How many Directives relating to the environment are there
on which the United Kingdom Government is required to
report its progress to the European Parliament ?

What progress has been made in this respect ?

No C 17 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 ) .

The Commission is not aware of any Directive relating to the
environment in which the United Kingdom is required to
report its progress to Parliament .

However, the Commission would draw attention to
Directive 91 / 692 / EEC (*) standardizing and rationalizing
reports on the implementation of Directives relating to the
environment . This provides that for certain Directives,
Member States shall send specified information to the
Commission at regular intervals, and that the Commission
shall publish a ' Community report ' on the implementation
of those Directives within a specified period .

If the Honourable Member requires further information,
the Commission may be able to furnish this in relation to
specific Directives and specific years .

(!) OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-965 / 94

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 79 )

Subject : Prohibition of a regular cargo and passenger

service between Andalusia and the port of
Nador

From 5 February 1994, a cargo and passenger shipping
route was to be opened between Nador ( Morocco ) and
Malaga and / or Almeria in Andalusia . This new route was to
be operated by Cenargo Navigation Ltd, and Ferrimarroc
Ltd, two subsidiaries of the British company Cenargo
International Ltd .

However, the Spanish Government has not authorized this
route, claiming that there are compulsory measures linked
with the implementation of the Schengen Agreement
involved, particularly those concerning crossing the
Community's external borders ( Article 3 et seq .).

The attitude of the Spanish Government will not help
improve communications between Andalusia and North
Africa, nor assist economic activity in Andalusia ; quite apart
from its indirect repercussions it will cause inter alia the loss
of some 200 jobs .

Could the Spanish Government, by invoking the Schengen
Agreement in this instance, be infringing Regulation ( EEC )

No 4055 / 86 (*) concerning the application of the principle
of the freedom to provide sea transport services between
Member States and third countries ?

What measures does the Commission intend to take in this

connection ?

(!) OJ No L 378, 31 . 12 . 1986, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Ore j a
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the refusal by the Spanish
authorities to allow the disembarkation of passengers and
vehicles on the occasion of the inaugural trip of the vessel
' Scirocco ' belonging to the British company Cenargo . Two
complaints were lodged on the basis of Regulation ( EEC )
No 4055 / 86 on this subject in the beginning of 1993 .

An infringement procedure under Article 169 EC Treaty is
currently being processed by the Commission against Spain
for this refusal . The procedures which the Commission
follows in handling infringements are well established : they
are being followed scrupulously in this case and will
continue to be so until a satisfactory outcome is reached .

In parallel with the formal procedure mentioned above, the
Commission has tried to solve this problem through
bilateral contacts with the Spanish authorities and has held
meetings with the parties involved . It has made every effort
to achieve a speedy solution which so far has not been
possible . It will therefore continue to pursue the formal
procedures .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-970 / 94

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 80 )

Subject : Green petrol

The substances termed ' green ' or ' ecological ' petrol contain
a high proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons, or antiknocks,
which pose an extreme danger to human health, since,
whenever they have been analysed, they have been shown to
display potent carcinogenic properties .

Could the Commission scotch the hoax being spread by the
oil industry by drawing up a Directive laying down the
composition of green petrol and setting the quantities of
hydrocarbons or additives at levels harmless to human
health ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 43

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1039 / 94

by Jean-Paul Heider ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to ( 95 / C 17 / 82 )
its answer to Written Question No 3741 / 93 by Mr
Harrison ( M.

(!) OJ No C 367, 30 . 12 . 1993 . Subject : Community funding in up-grading the E 512

Remiremont to Mulhouse road

WRITTEN QUESTION E-996 / 94

by Francesco Speroni ( NI )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 81 )

Subject : Undue delays in the reimbursement of VAT on

exports by the Italian authorities

Is the Commission aware that the British Customs and

Excise authorities recently criticized the Italian authorities
for late reimbursement of VAT on exports ? Are such delays
in breach of Community law ? What action does the
Commission intend to take on this matter ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(S May 1994 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the criticisms levelled
against the Italian authorities for late reimbursement of
VAT on exports ?

2 . Such delays are in breach of Community law and, in
particular, of Article 7(4 ) of Council Directive 79 / 1072 / EEC
of 6 December 1979 on the harmonization of the laws of the

Member States relating to turnover taxes — Arrangements
for the refund of value added tax to taxable persons not
established in the territory of the country ( a ), and this
despite the fact that the Directive has been correctly
transposed into Italian law ?

3 . In 1991, acting under Article 169 of the Treaty, the
Commission already initiated infringement proceedings
against Italy in this connection, with the Court of Justice
finding against Italy on 3 June 1992 ( Case C-287 / 91 ). Since
the Italian authorities have failed to comply with the Court's
judgment, on 28 May 1993 the Commission initiated
further proceedings under Article 171 of the Treaty .

0 ) OJ No L 331, 27 . 12 . 1979 .

What instruments and resources does the Community have
at its disposal for the up-grading of the RN 66, which is
classed as a European trunk road within the framework of
the European agreement on main roads for international
traffic ?

Can the E 512 qualify for a loan from the EIB now that its
scope for financial intervention in trans-European transport
networks has been widened ?

Answer given by Mr Ore j a
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1738 / 93 ( ) for an action
programme in the field of transport infrastructure with a
view to the completion of an integrated transport market
allows the co-financing of transport infrastructure projects
of Community interest . Community action concerns studies
and specific major projects indicated in Article 4 of the
Regulation .

The RN66 / E512 does not form part of the specific projects
and therefore only studies would be, in principle, eligible for
co-financing . However, the Commission's proposal for

1994 has been already developed based on the proposals
submitted by the authorities of the Member States, the
selection criteria described in the Regulations and the
budgetary constraint .

The road in question does not form part of the
trans-European road network as established by Council
Decision of 29 October on the creation of the
trans-European road network ( 2 ).

Moreover, the project is not eligible under the European
Regional Development Fund or the Cohesion Fund .

As a matter of fact, the project is fully eligible under the
Edinburgh Facility as a small transport infrastructure of
local or regional interest which moreover improyes the
access to the TENs . Once the Edinburgh Facility is
exhausted, the EIB could still consider this project to be

No C 17 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

eligible for financing if it is proved that it benefits some
Objective 2 zones ( namely the towns of Remiremont,
Mulhouse, Than ). The EIB can finance projects which either
take place in assisted areas or which are of European interest
( that is to say, which belong to the TENs, which is not the
case for the present project ).

i 1 ) OJ No L 161, 2 . 7 . 1993 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 305, 10 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1044 / 94

by Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) and

Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

to the Commission

question H-0267 / 94 of Mr Gutierrez Diaz () on this
subject . In view of his intention to stand as a candidate in the
European Parliamentary election, Mr Matutes has informed
the Commission and the President of the Council of his
resignation, from the European Commission . The decision
on his replacement by the Member States was taken on
27 April 1994 . The Commission can confirm that there has
been no Community funding of any form of activities of Mr
Matutes which could be regarded as incompatible with his
position as Member of the European Commission .

(*) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-446 ( April 1994 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1046 / 94
( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 83 by Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

Subject : The presence of Commissioner Matutes in Spain ( 95 / C 17 / 84 )

There have been constant reports in the media about the
visits Commissioner Matutes has been making to Spain . In
all cases, the reports have referred to him as head of the list
of the Spanish People's Party for the forthcoming elections
to the European Parliament on 12 June 1994 .

1 . Have the many visits made by Commissioner Matutes in
recent months to his country of origin, Spain, been
related to his duties as Member of the Commission ?

2 . If so, how can the Commission justify the fact that
Commissioner Matutes has been constantly using press
conferences to explain the policy guidelines for his
election campaign ( Valladolid, 7 March 1994 )?

3 . Does the Commission feel that it is legitimate for
Commissioner Matutes to make use of his office as
Member of the Commission in order to carry out his
own pre-election campaign ?

4 . If Mr Matutes is visiting Spain in his capacity as a
potential election candidate, can the Commission
confirm that the costs of these visits are being borne by
his political party and not by the Community
budget ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable
Members to the reply which it has already given to the oral

Subject : Voluntary civil protection bodies : recognition,

funding and logos

European woods and forests are constantly threatened by
fires, and the damage caused to the Community forestry
heritage is inestimable in both economic and environmental

terms .

Community measures launched to avert the large-scale
disasters which loom each year are being thwarted by the
lack of preventive and protective measures in the areas
concerned .

The work carried out by qualified groups of volunteers in
the sphere of civil protection is extremely useful and
praiseworthy, and the authorities, including the European
Union, acknowledge that it has been highly effective .

1 . Can the Commission confirm that there are no
procedures at present for authorizing funding for civil
protection services and allowing them to use
Community logos ?

2 . Can the Commission clarify whether it is true that the
European Union has sponsored flags, stickers and other
publicity material for civil protection activities ?

3 . Does the Commission not agree that, if there are no rules
governing this area, it should look into the possibility of
giving recognition to organizations of volunteers
working to combat forest fires by providing funding and
allowing them to use Community logos ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 45

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

by Mr Paleokrassas civil aviation authorities . The Commission, for its part, is

of the Commission determined to use its special enforcement powers under the

(6 May 1994 ) Regulation with a view to ensure full compliance with the
new rules by the Member States .

on behalf of the Commission

1 . It is correct that there are no procedures at present for 0 ) OJ No L 240, 24 . 8 . 1992 .
authorizing funding for civil protection services and
allowing them to use Community logos .

2 . It is untrue that flags, stickers and other publicity
material for civil protection activities have been sponsored
by the European Union .

3 . It is not the Commission's responsibility to recognize
civil protection organizations in the Member States,
whatever their identity . In addition, bearing in mind the
principle of subsidiarity, the Commission does not envisage
providing funding for voluntary organizations working in
the civil protection sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1085 / 94

by Anne Mcintosh ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 85 )

Subject : Air freight transport services in the EU

What steps will the Commission take to remove
impediments to internal trade resulting from national bans
on freight aircraft picking up goods, during a stop-over in
that Member State, for delivery in another Member
State ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 126 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 86 )

Subject : Pollution of the seas

At the meeting of the Paris Commission on the control of
pollution of the seas, ( Parcom ), in Berlin in June 1993,
Parcom passed recommendations 93 / 5 calling for much
more rigorous restriction on the discharge of radioactive
wastes from nuclear re-processing plants in countries which
are contracting parties to the 1974 Paris convention . Both
France and the UK entered reservations on the

recommendations, in light of their reprocessing facilities, as
did the Commission .

Will the Commission explain fully why it objected to the
Parcom recommendations to reduce radioactive discharge
into the environment, and what proposals does the
Commission have to ensure that the North Sea, Irish Sea and
the Atlantic Ocean, into which these reprocessed radioactive
wastes are currently discharged will not be further
contaminated radioactively by increased reprocessing at
Sellafield, Dounraey and Cap de la Hague ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1994 )

(5 May 1994 )

The freedom to provide air transport services within the
Community has been achieved by virtue of the third aviation
package of 23 July 1992 and, in particular, Council
Regulation { EEC ) No 2408 / 92 (*) on access for Community
air carriers to intra-Community air routes . In principle, that
freedom includes the right to carry cargo between any two
airports located in the Community . Only cabotage services,
i.e . services operated within the territory of one Member
State by a carrier established in another Member State,
continue to be subject to a limited numbèr of restrictions
until 1 April 1997 .

The Regulation is directly applicable in all Member States

and may be relied upon by the air carriers before the national

The Commission did not in fact enter a reserve on Parcom

recommendation 93 / 5 but adopted a neutral position .

The Commission considers that in practice the
recommendation overlaps existing Community legislation
to a considerable degree . Hence the extent to which the
Member States may voluntarily accept the duplication of
effort which the recommendation would imply is regarded
as a matter for the individual Member States to decide .

Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to ensure the
application of Community legislation in particular, in the
present case, to discharges of radioactive effluents .

No C 17 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1213 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1247 / 94

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1994 )

(7 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 87 ) ( 95 / C 17 / 91

Subject : The Bridge Programme and Greece Subject : The DEC Programme in Greece

What funds have been earmarked for the Bridge Programme
in Greece and how much has actually been allocated to that
programme ?

What funds have been earmarked for the DEC Programme
in Greece and how much has actually been allocated to that
programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1283 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1236 / 94
by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) to the Commission

to the Commission
( 13 April 1994 )

(5 April 1994 ) ( 95 / C 17 / 92 )
( 95 / C 17 / 88 )

Subject : The RDT Programme and Greece
Subject : The Eclair Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
allocated to the Eclair Programme in Greece and how much
has actually been allocated to this programme ?

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the RDT Programme in Greece and how
much has so far actually been allocated to this
programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1289 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1239 / 94
by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) to the Commission

to the Commission
( 13 April 1994 )

(5 April 1994 )
( 95 / C 17 / 93 )
( 95 / C 17 / 89 )

Subject : The Flair Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
allocted to the Flair Programme in Greece and how much
has actually been allocated to this programme ?

Subject : The Monitor Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the Monitor Programme in Greece and how
much, has so far actually been allocated to this
programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1245 / 94
by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission
( 13 April 1994 )

(7 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 94 )
( 95 / C 17 / 90 )

Subject : The EVA Programme and Greece
Subject : Nuclear Installations Programme in Greece

What funds have been earmarked for the Nuclear

Installations Programme in Greece and how much has
actually been allocated to that programme ?

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the EVA Programme in Greece and how
much has actually been allocated to this programme so
far ?

23 . 1 . 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 17 / 47

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1315 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1222 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) by Maria Santos ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

( 22 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 95 ) ( 95 / C 17 / 97 )

Subject : The Human Capital Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the Human Capital Programme in Greece
and how much has actually been allocated to this
programme so far ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1358 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 96 )

Subject : The Life Science Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was set
aside for the Life Science Programme in Greece and how
much has actually been allocated to this programme so
far ?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-1213 / 94, E-1236 / 94, E-1239 / 94, E-1245 / 94,
E-1247 / 94, E-1283 / 94, E-1289 / 94, E-1309 / 94,

E-1315 / 94 and E-1358 / 94

given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

There is no a priori allocation of RTD Programme funding
to individual Member States . Funds are granted following
an invitation to tender in which businesses, research centres
and universities established in the Community compete with
one another .

As regards actual participation in research programmes by
organizations established in Greece the Commission is
sending very detailed documentation directly to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat .

Subject : Spain's regional development plan and water

requirements

Spain's regional development plan appears to include all the
dams proposed in the Spanish hydrological plan . Most of
these dams are aimed at increasing the amount of water
available for the irrigation of agricultural land . The water
requirement forecasts used to justify these dams were drawn
up before the recent reform of the CAP and GATT
agreements . These agreements have changed agricultural
production targets and, consequently, the corresponding
water requirements .

The Commission must clearly take great care to ensure that
the Structural Funds are not used to finance pointless
projects . What steps will the Commission take to obtain
further information on Spain's actual water requirements
for agriculture ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1994 )

The regional development plan for Spanish Objective 1
regions provides for certain work to be carried out,
including the construction of dams . Under the national
hydrological plan these dams are to be used for
irrigation .

It is well known that the shortage of water in Spain at certain
times of the year has caused problems for agriculture . In
previous years it was forbidden for lengthy periods to
irrigate crops, so that the population's water requirements
could be met . For this reason the Commission is, generally
speaking, in favour of increasing water storage capacity and
hence of building dams .

However, following the reform of the CAP and the GATT
agreements, the Commission must avoid any increase in the
output of surplus agricultural produce . Any increase in
irrigated area will be examined in this context and will have
to be justified if it is to be part-financed by the Funds .

In the light of the data in the regional development plan for
the Spanish Objective 1 regions, the Commission does not
intend to ask for additional information on agriculture's

No C 17 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 23 . 1 . 95

water requirements . The necessary information will be
included in the applications for assistance .

A summary list of the projects is being sent to the
Honourable Member, as well as to the Secretariat-General
of Parliament .

i 1 ) OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 128, 8 . 5 . 1993 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1431 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 98 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1453 / 94

by David Martin ( PSE )

Subject : Transnational projects — cultural tourism

Would the Commission indicate which projects have been

'
adopted under the transnational projects — cultural
tourism ' scheme ? Would the Commission send me the list of

projects ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

In order to implement the ' transnational projects ' and
' cultural tourism ' initiatives laid down in Council Decision
92 / 42 1 / EEC (*), the Commission published two calls for
proposals ( 2 ). Those calls for proposals received a large

response .

In the case of cultural tourism, 18 of the 188 projects
proposed have been co-financed by the Commission for a
total of ECU 1 261 000 .

In the case of transnational projects, 180 proposals were
submitted to the Commission, of which 15 were selected
and co-financed to the amount of ECU 1 957 000 .

The results of the projects co-financed under these two calls
for proposals will be published on completion .

to the Commission

(6 April 1994 )

( 95 / C 17 / 99 )

Subject : VAT on domestic fuel

Next month the UK Government will remove the

zero-rating for VAT on domestic fuel .

Under existing Community Regulations / agreements will it
be possible for the UK to return to zero-rating on domestic
Fuel ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1994 )

No . Community VAT legislation ( Article 28(2)(a ) of the
sixth Council VAT Directive as amended by Directive
92 / 77 / EEC ) allows Member States to continue to apply on a
transitional basis after 1992, those VAT zero rates which
were in force on 1 January 1991 in accordance with
Community law . However, it is not possible to introduce or
return to zero-rating on the basis of this legislation .