Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

### of the European Communities

###### Information and Notices

English edition

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 279

Volume 37

5 October 1994

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

94 / C 279 / 01 E-l 99 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Award of the project for the reconstruction of Corfu psychiatric hospital 1

94 / C 279 / 02 E-21 7 / 93 by Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission
Subject : Operation of financial instruments in Greece 1

94 / C 279 / 03 E-253 / 93 by Francesco Speroni to the Commission
Subject : Competitive handicaps affecting businessmen, professional people and craftsmen in Italy
following the suspension of tax refunds 2

94 / C 279 / 04 E-3 11 / 93 by Barry Desmond to the Commission
Subject : Proposals for a minimum wage within the EC 2

94 / C 279 / 05 E-521 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : International conference on human rights 3

94 / C 279 / 06 E-630 / 93 by Luciano Vecchi to the Commission
Subject : Balog Balog Dam ( Philippines ) 3

94 / C 279 / 07 E-647 / 93 by Jose Vasquez Fouz to the Commission
Subject : US measures against Community agricultural products 4

94 / C 279 / 08 E-696 / 93 by Christian de la Malène to the Commission
Subject : Agricultural agreement between the EEC and the United States 4

94 / C 279 / 09 E-730 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Spain 's failure to implement the Directives on dangerous substances 5

Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

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Contents ( continued ) Page

E-731 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Spain 's failure to implement the Directive on a solvency ratio for credit institutions . .

E-782 / 93 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Fishing : reduction of effort

E-940 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Arms trade in Serbia

E-990 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Weir systems on the Elbe

E-993 / 93 by Alan Donnelly to the Commission
Subject : ECSC Article 56 Conversion Loans

E-l 008 / 93 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject : Bathing water Directive

E-1180 / 93 by Enrique Sapena Granell to the Commission
Subject : Existence of a type of airplane / boat hybrid craft

E-l 3 16 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Information boards announcing EC financial participation in the development of
important transport projects

E-1377 / 93 by Christopher Jackson to the Commission

Subject : Budget for business travel

E-l 3 80 / 93 by Anthony Simpson to the Commission
Subject : Treatment of mental patients on Leros by the Greek authorities

E-l 399 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Reprocessing

E-1440 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a natural gas pipeline in Greece

E-l 670 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ESF funding for Regional Technical Colleges

E-l 737 / 93 by Dorothee Piermont to the Commission
Subject : Community trade with Cuba

E-l 790 / 93 by Margaret Daly to the Commission
Subject : Un-insured motor vehicles

E-l 841 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Bogus seminars organized by the Voktas company

E-l 856 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the decisions of the EC Veterinary Committee

E-l 861 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Releasing Greek cooperative organizations from debts contracted as a result of State
intervention

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94 / C 279 / 28 E-l 877 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Dioxin emissions in Thessaloniki 14

94 / C 279 / 29 E-l 878 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Infringement of Directive 76 / 464 / EEC by the ' Euroderm ' tannery 15

94 / C 279 / 30 E-l 880 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission „
Subject : Eritrea 15

94 / C 279 / 31 E-939 / 93 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the ' television-without-frontiers ' Directive 16

94 / C 279 / 32 E-l 894 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Breaches of the Community Directive on television broadcasting 16

Joint answer to Written Questions E-939 / 93 and E-1894 / 93 16

94 / C 279 / 33 E-1971 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Measures and studies in the field of social protection — budget item B3-4100 16

94 / C 279 / 34 E-2046 / 93 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Application of Community legislation to legislative assemblies 17

94 / C 279 / 35 E-1950 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Athens-Delphi road through Arakhova 17

94 / C 279 / 36 E-21 10 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Road threatens the traditional character of Arakhova 18

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1950 / 93 and E-21 10 / 93 18

94 / C 279 / 37 E-2227 / 93 by Mechthild von Alemann and Willy De Clercq to the Commission
Subject : Political and economic situation in Croatia 18

94 / C 279 / 38 E-2241 / 93 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Ban on books in Catalan in the Commission staff library 19

94 / C 279 / 39 E-2270 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Reduction of Community participation in the sectoral programmes of the CSF for
Greece 20

94 / C 279 / 40 E-2306 / 93 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Declaration of Commissioners ' financial interests 20

94 / C 279 / 41 E-2325 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region of the Azores

( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 20

94 / C 279 / 42 E-2326 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region of Madeira
( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 21

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 279 / 43 E-2327 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the Algarve region
( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 21

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E-2328 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region under the Lisbon
and Tagus Valley Regional Coordinating Committee ( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and
30 June 1993 21

E-2329 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region under the Alentejo
Regional Coordinating Committee ( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June
1993 22

E-2330 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region under the North
of Portugal Regional Coordinating Committee between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June

1993 22

E-2331 / 93 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds allocated to the region under the Central
Portugal Regional Coordinating Committee between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 22

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2325 / 93, E-2326 / 93, E-2327 / 93, E-2328 / 93,

E-2329 / 93, E-2330 / 93 and E-2331 / 93 23

E-2357 / 93 by Marco Taradash to the Commission
Subject : Anti-dumping investigation concerning bicycles originating in China 23

E-2361 / 93 by Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard, Marie Isler Beguin and Jean-Pierre Raffin
to the Commission

Subject : Financial contribution from the Community towards the building of road infrastructure
and a tunnel in the Vallée de la Claree, in the Hautes-Alpes department in France . . 24

E-2410 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of Greek and Community law relating to various aspects of lead
pollution 24

E-2414 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Use of Structural Fund resources in Greece 25

E-2434 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Length of trammel nets used by fishing boats in the Mediterranean 25

E-2460 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Ratification of The Hague Convention of 1965 on adoption 25

E-2470 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Aid for sponge fishing 25

E-2480 / 93 by Enrico Falqui to the Commission
Subject : Observance of the freedom to provide services in Italy 26

E-2487 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Adoption of procedures to guarantee citizens cross-border rights in regard to nuclear
installations 26

E-2492 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Restructuring of farming in Greece 27

Notice No Contents ( continued ) P age

94 / C 279 / 58 E-2530 / 93 by Michel Debatisse to the Commission
Subject : Health checks at borders within the Community 27

94 / C 279 / 59 E-2537 / 9.3 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community support for a quality guide to food . industry products 28

94 / C 279 / 60 E-2540 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Productivity of Greek agriculture 29

94 / C 279 / 61 E-2561 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Directives 90 / 219 / EEC and 90 / 220 / EEC on genetically modified micro-organisms and
organisms 29

94 / C 279 / 62 E-2589 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Community regional policy 30

94 / C 279 / 63 E-2273 / 93 by Manfred Vohrer to the Commission
Subject : Fourth Framework Programme for Research 30

94 / C 279 / 64 E-2666 / 93 by Manfred Vohrer to the Commission
Subject : Fourth Framework Programme for Research / addendum 30

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2273 / 93 and E-2666 / 93 30

94 / C 279 / 65 E-2667 / 93 by Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : The air transport crisis in the EEC 31

94 / C 279 / 66 E-2689 / 93 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : ERDF finance for British Rail InterCity 225 project 31

94 / C 279 / 67 E-2711 / 93 by Thomas Maher to the Commission
Subject : Costs of motor taxes and insurance throughout the EC 32

94 / C 279 / 68 E-2719 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Legalization of unauthorized buildings and Directive 85 / 337 / EEC 32

94 / C 279 / 69 E-2737 / 93 by Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Environmental and health problems from copper mining in Peru 33

94 / C 279 / 70 E-2377 / 93 by Kenneth Coates to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of persons 34

94 / C 279 / 71 E-2751 / 93 by Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Intra-Community travel 34

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2377 / 93 and E-2751 / 93 34

94 / C 279 / 72 E-2758 / 93 by Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Incorrect application of Article 6 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2780 / 92 in Spain 34

94 / C 279 / 73 E-2767 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Hare coursing in Ireland 35

( Continued overleaf )

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E-2776 / 93 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Arrangements for the operation of the counterpart funds in Poland 35

E-2792 / 93 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Rural and island slaughter-houses 36

E-2801 / 93 by Pierre Lataillade to the Commission
Subject : Crisis in the paper market 36

E-2 820 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Oil for Belgrade and alleged commissions paid to European Community observers . . 37

E-2829 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Greek plan to protect forests from fires 37

E-2837 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Waste disposal centres in the UK 38

E-2856 / 93 by Detlev Samland to the Commission
Subject : Accusations of corruption against Mr Jeremy Lester, a Commission official 38

E-2861 / 93 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Discharge of waste from the titanium oxide industry into Community waters 38

E-2878 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Investments under the Retex Programme in Andalusia 39

E-2887 / 93 by Enrico Falqui to the Commission
Subject : Community funding to the Tuscany Region for social an cultural policy initiatives in
Florence 40

E-2921 / 93 by Nino Pisoni, Franco Borgo, Agostino Mantovani and Andrea Bonetti to
the Commission

Subject : Difficult situation in the market for grana cheese 40

E-2926 / 93 by Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Cross-border measures at the Community 's eastern borders 41

E-2928 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Use of hasty and obscure procedures in drawing up Community programmes 42

E-2932 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Decentralized control 42

E-2942 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Volume of Greek table wine to be distilled 42

E-2947 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Fiorina Zoo 43

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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E-2948 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Trade and importation of wild animals in Greece 43

E-2949 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Prespa wetlands 44

E-2957 / 93 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Commission reaction to the decision by the President of the Central African Republic to
change the election results 44

E-2977 / 93 by Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Commission subsidies and overcapacity 44

E-2978 / 93 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Banning of 110-volt portable electrical equipment from British construction sites .... 45

E-2987 / 93 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Storage of nuclear waste at the Morsleben permanent nuclear dump 46

E-2988 / 93 by Adriana Ceci to the Commission
Subject : State of implementation of Directives on rational use of medicinal products in the 12
Member States 47

E-2990 / 93 by Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Ban on mixed marriages 47

E-3000 / 93 by Patrick Lane and Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Farmers and the administration of the CAP 48

E-3050 / 93 by George Patterson to the Commission
Subject : European systems and software initiative 48

E-3069 / 93 by Karel De Gucht to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against EC subjects with mixed career backgrounds 49

E-3076 / 93 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Objective 1 funding for Merseyside 50

E-3087 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring by the Member States of infringements of Community law 50

E-3128 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the River Gallikos from waste 50

E-3 129 / 93 by Sotoris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The environment of Kalochori in Thessaloniki 51

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3128 / 93 and E-3129 / 93 51

E-3 177 / 93 by Maria Coppo Gavazzi, Ferruccio Pisoni and Mauro Chiabrando to the
Commission

Subject : Fraud in the bread-making industry 51

E-3186 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Financing of a planned bridge and coastal road on the Isle of Skye ( Scotland ): Eilean Bhan
and Eilean Dubh 52

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 279 / 107 E-3196 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies and changing crops 52

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E-3257 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Agriculture machinery cooperatives 52

E-3267 / 93 by Sotoris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Support for exporting spring potatoes from Greece 53

E-3277 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Sounion National Park 53

E-3287 / 93 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Council Regulation on a Community eco-label award scheme 53

E-3290 / 93 by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Phare Programme in Bulgaria and Romania 54

E-3307 / 93 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Commission funding for inquiries into the effect of open cast mining on the health of
schoolchildren in Gwent 54

E-3348 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Andalusian dual carriageway A-92 55

E-3357 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Imports and surpluses 55

E-3379 / 93 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : European standard for condoms ( EN 600 ) 55

E-3386 / 93 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Consistency of cream 56

E-3410 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to combat unemployment among women 56

E-3453 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Electric cars and prospects for the European motor industry 57

E-3457 / 93 by Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Importation, transit or production in Europe of the Black Talon bullet currently being
manufactured in the United States 57

E-3464 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Crisis in the goat-farming sector in Cadiz province 58

E-3468 / 93 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Purchasing power of pensioners 59

E-3471 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Aid for fisheries research 59

E-3472 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Irish Memorandum 60

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No

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Contents ( continued ) Page

E-3489 / 93 by Alexander Langer to the Commission
Subject : Air pollution in Nikopol ( Bulgaria ) due to a Romanian fertilizer factory

E-3506 / 93 by Vasco Garcia to the Commission
Subject : Fishing vessels with drift nets in Community waters ( including the Azores EEZ )

E-3555 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Air France capital injection

E-3556 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Air France capital injection

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3555 / 93 and E-3556 / 93

E-3831 / 93 by Jose Vazquez Fouz to the Commission
Subject : Restricting the use of drift-nets

E-3877 / 93 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Minimum import price for salmon

E-3882 / 93 by Franco Borgo, Mauro Chiabrando, Giulio Fantuzzi, Agostino Mantovani,
Giuseppe Mottola, Ferruccio Pisoni and Nino Pisoni to the Commission
Subject ; Commission study into the enrichment of wine

E-3919 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Completion of development programmes for small and medium-sized businesses ....

E-3952 / 93 by Francois Guillaume to the Commission
Subject : Use of vegetable fats other than cocoa butter in the manufacture of chocolate

E-4003 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Broadcasting of TV advertising for childrens ' toys in Greece

E-4043 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of legislation in the countries of the European Union regarding private
associations of all kinds

E-4045 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to protect the Church of Aghia Sophia in Istanbul

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5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-199 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 01 )

Subject : Award of the project for the reconstruction of

Corfu psychiatric hospital

The Assessment Committee awarded the project for the
reconstruction of Corfu City Psychiatric Hospital ( with a
budget of Dr 750 million, 55 % of which is contributed
by the Community under Regulation ( EEC )
No 815 / 84 ) (^ without examining the project put forward
by the company that was outbid . In view of the allegations
that the successful company failed to include in its offer the
ten or so individual projects clearly required by the
invitation to tender, what measures does the Commission
intend to take to investigate this ' oversight ' by the
Assessment Committee as well as other issues involved ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 88, 31 . 3 . 1984, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1993 )

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commissions 's

attention to the contract award procedures for the
renovation work of Corfu psychiatric hospital .

One fact to emerge from the supplementary information
requested from the relevant national authorities is that the
total cost of the project is Dr 648 339 200, which is below
the minimum set by the Directive on coordination of the
award procedures for public work contracts . As the
Directive is therefore not applicable, the conduct of the

contracting authority cannot be considered as an
infringement . According to the commission 's information,
there is no evidence to suggest that other provisions of
Community law have been breached .

Furthermore, the national authorities concerned have
confirmed to the Commission that the contract award in

question was in conformity with national legislation

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 17 / 93

by Dimitrios Nianias ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 18 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 02 )

Subject : Operation of financial instruments in Greece

Could the Commission provide an estimate, by sector and
by region, of all direct and indirect operations untertaken in
1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 in the eastern Aegean region of
Greece by the various Community funds ( ESF, ERDF,
EAGGF, etc .), IMP programmes and / or the EIB and the
ECSC ?

Could the Commission provide the same information for
the region of Thessaly ?

Could the Commission provide a descriptive statement,
with statistics, of the various regional and / or tourist
development measures and programmes, etc . supported by
the European Community in both regions from 1989 to

1992 ?

No C 279 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Could the Commission say how much these regions
represent in percentage terms, in relation to all Community
financing to Greece for the period 1989 to 1992 ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

Because of the length of the answer, which includes many
tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat .

In the case in point, the Italian legislation actually places
enterprises at a disadvantage and applies to all businesses
without distinction . Accordingly, it cannot be regarded as
aid .

In this connection, it should be pointed out that Article 92 of
the EC Treaty cannot be invoked a contrario, that is to say,
against a tax burden that is more onerous in one Member
State than in other Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 11 / 93

by Barry Desmond ( PSE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-253 / 93
(1 March 1993 )

by Francesco Speroni ( NI )

to the Commission ( 94 / C 279 / 04 )

( 23 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 03 )

Subject : Proposals for a minimum wage within the EC

Subject : Competitive handicaps affecting businessmen,
professional people and craftsmen in Italy
following the suspension of tax refunds

The third indent of Article 5 of Decree-Law No 440 of

19 November 1992 suspends refunds of local taxes to
businesses, professions and crafts .

This act places businessmen, professional people and
craftsmen in Italy at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their
Community competitors, since they are being forced to bear
additional financial burdens resulting from the suspension
of the refunds .

What view does the Commission take of this law in the

context of the rules on freedom of competition ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1993 )

The Decree-Law referred to by the Honourable Member
provides for the suspension of tax refunds normally payable
to businesses and professions by municipal authorities .

From the viewpoint of the application of Community law, a
tax measure such as the suspension of refunds of municipal
taxes is regarded as aid within the meaning of Article 92(1 )
of the EC Treaty only where it involves a selective,
discriminatory criterion regarding its coverage and benefits
specific businesses .

The apparent indifference of the Commission to the plight
of those whom a minimum wage would seek to protect, are
grounds for grave concern . Is the Commission not aware
that it must take into account the needs of all its citizens if it

is to show that the EC does have a human face ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 1993 )

The Commission agrees that the Community must take
account of the needs of all its citizens if it is to show that it

does have a human face . The Commission is not at all

indifferent to the plight of those a minimum wage would
seek to protect . That is why it has drafted an opinion on an
equitable wage, which focuses on the existence of low wages
especially those resulting from discrimination . The draft
opinion urges the Member States to take appropriate
measures to ensure that the right to an equitable wage is
protected, in particular by a reassessment of the adequacy of
existing arrangements, including legislation . While
emphasising the need to adhere to the principles set out in its
draft opinion, the Commission believes that the Member
States are in the best position to implement those principles,
taking into account the traditions, in particular the role of
the social partners in wage determination, and the specific
situation in each Member State .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-521 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 05 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-630 / 93

by Luciano Vecchi ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 06 )

Subject : Balog Balog Dam ( Philippines )
Subject : International conference on human rights

An international conference on human rights is to be held in
Vienna in June 1993, the first such high level conference to
be held by the UN for 25 years focusing on this serious issue .
Can the Commission say what preparations it is making to
ensure that the Community makes a fitting contribution in
keeping with current circumstances and European
awareness of this crucial issue ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

After a preparatory phase lasting nearly three years,
spearheaded by a Preparatory Committee, three regional
meetings ( Africa, Latin America and Asia ), a special meeting
of the member States of the Council of Europe and hundreds
of ancillary meetings, the World Conference on Human
Rights was held in Vienna in June 1993, culminating in the
adoption by consensus of the ' Vienna declaration and action
programme '. The Community and its Member States, on the
basis of common positions adopted in the framework of
European political cooperation, made a tangible, practical
and significant contribution to the success of the
Conference . Their priorities are set out in the final
document .

Over 1 300 non-governmental organizations took part in
the preparatory phase and the conference thus enabling the
victims of human rights violations both individuals and
groups — to have their say . The role of intermediary played
by the NGOs also helped to make European and
international public opinion more aware or the vital
importance of effective human rights protection . The
Community contributed some ECU 1,7 million to financing
their participation in preparatory work and the Conference
itself . Prior to the Vienna Conference, the Commission
published a booklet in all the official Community languages
on ' The European Community and human rights ', designed
to heighten public awareness .

The eruption of the Pinatubo volcano has totally
destabilized the area around Balog Balog Dam ( Tarlac
Province ).

If the project is implemented, it could endanger thousands of
lives, given the instability of the local terrain .

The project has been judged infeasible on several occasions
and many people, including the World Bank, do not
consider it a matter of priority for the development of the
Philippines .

The project depends largely on financial and economic
contributions from one Community Member State

( Italy ).

What view does the Commission take of this project and
does it not consider that it should propose to the Philippine
authorities and Italian developement cooperation
organizations more rational use of such enormous resources
( over US $ 300 million ) earmarked for such a questionable
project ?

Has the Commission been involved in this project in any
way ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 March 1993 )

The Commission does not have the information needed to

say whether the building of the Balog Balog Dam ( Tarlac
Province, the Philippines ) is justified and so cannot give an
opinion on the matter .

The Commission is not and has never been involved in

design or building work connected with the dam .

No C 279 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-647 / 93

by José Vâsquez Fouz ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 07 )

Subject : US measures against Community agricultural

products

The USA has taken retaliatory measures against Community
peeled tomatoes in response to the ban by the Community
on imports of meat treated with hormones . As a result,
exports by Spain and Italy have fallen considerably,
seriously affecting trade, the processing industry and
producers .

During the GATT negotiations :

Has the Community emphasized this issue ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-696 / 93

by Christian de la Malène ( RDE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 08 )

Subject : Agricultural agreement between the EEC and the

United States

Showing an exceptional concern with legal presentation, the
Commission has presented the agreement concluded with
the United States as constituting a link between the new CAP
and GATT . ' The CAP is now compatible with GATT and
together they form a consistent whole ', the Commission has
said, adding : ' The draft agreement in Washington makes a
key innovation by including recognition of the common
agricultural policy in its legal rules for the first time '.

What compensation should be provided ? The facade of legal form cannot for long hide, its content,
which represents a defeat for the Community, nor the
disastrous outcome for the Community 's agriculture, which
Has the Commission taken sufficient account of the adverse will not be slow to materialize .

effects of this situation ?

What steps could it take to improve or resolve the 1 . Do the vicissitudes of the negotiations, the problems of
situation ? the negotiators and the Council 's inability to agree on

measures of retaliation against the United States, if the
negotiations fail, not prove that the Commission
received and carried out unsatisfactory instructions
from the Council both as regards the extent of the
concessions made to the United States and the rush to
Answer given by Mr Steichen conclude an agreement ?

on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1994 )

2 . The fact is that the Washington agreement is disastrous .
By restricting the production choices of farmers, even if
the market were to improve, by imposing further
The Commission takes very seriously the retaliation quantitative restrictions on them, it is exacerbating their
measures which the US applied in 1989 in the context of the problems .
dispute on the use of hormones in beef production, and in
July 1989 was able to secure a partial lifting of these

measures . The agreement, which reflects unsatisfactory
instructions, is totally in keeping with the CAP reform
and it can hardly be said that the agreement and the
US trade figures for 1992 show an increase in beef exports in CAP, taken together, form 'a consistent whole ', as the
relation to previous years . The Commission has therefore Commission claims .
recently written to the United States Government requesting
removal of the prohibitive tariffs from Community products
for an amount equivalent to the increase in US beef exports
to the Community . Leaving aside ' the legal rules ', is the Commission aware
of the consequences of the agreement with the United
States in terms of loss of jobs and reduced income for the
dependent sectors as well as the rural areas, where 50 %
of the Community 's inhabitants live ?

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 5

It is unacceptable for the Washington agreement to be
used as a means of legitimizing the reform of the
common agricultural policy .

3 . Does the Commission not ask itself, finally, where the
common agricultural policy is going ?

What answer can it give ?

Some budget information points to a reduction in the
appropriations available under the guideline for
agriculture to the detriment of farmers . While the
overall amount involved has not been reduced, the
guideline would include expenditure which it has not
covered hitherto, e . g . EAGGF ( Guidance ) expenditure
on Objective 5 A, the monetary reserve, etc .

In these circumstances, how does the Commission propose,
under the Delors II Package, to deal with the reform of the
CAP ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-730 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 09 )

Subject : Spain 's failure to implement the Directives on

dangerous substances

In December 1992 the Spanish Government had failed
to implement the following Directives : Directive
91 / 325 / EEC ( : ), Directive 91 / 326 / EEC ( 2 ) and Directive
91 / 410 / EEC ( 3 ). What is the situation at present ?

(') OJ No L 180, 8 . 7 . 1991, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 180, 8 . 7 . 1991, p . 79 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 228, 17 . 8 . 1991, p . 67 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 February 1994 ) Spain has now notified the Commission of measures
implementing the three Directives referred to by the
Honourable Member . The Commission can accordingly
terminate the infringement proceedings .

The Commission considers that the agreement negotiated
on behalf of the Community within the Uruguay Round, as
approved by the Council, represents a clear advance on the
improvements already obtained in the Blair House
preliminary agreement in relation to the Draft Final Act of

1 99 1 . It feels that the agreement is balanced and satisfactory
from the point of view of Community interests . The
agreement includes acceptance of the principles of the CAP
by the other Contracting Parties .

With regard to the future of the CAP, it should first be
pointed out that the results of the first year of application of
the reform are encouraging . Cereal production has been
brought down to below the target ceilings set when the
reform was adopted in May 1992 . Furthermore, in 1993 the
increase in cereals incorporated into animal feed will exceed
4 million tonnes .

The reform of the CAP was needed because of circumstances

within the Community : increasing expenditure, falling farm
incomes, uncontrolled growth of production and falling
consumption .

Finally, with regard to Objective 5(a ) expenditure, the
Commission can confirm that this is not subject to the
agricultural guideline . As to the monetary reserve, the
Honourable Member should refer to the Conclusions of the

European Council in Edinburgh and the inter-institutional
agreement on the financial perspective .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-731 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 10 )

Subject : Spain 's failure to implement the Directive on a

solvency ratio for credit institutions

What measures is the Commission taking in view of Spain 's
failure to implement Directive 89 / 647 / EEC ? ( ] )

(M OJ No L 386, 30 . 12 . 1989, p . 14 .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )

Spain has notified the Commission of measures
implementing this Directive . The Commission has therefore
terminated the infringement proceedings .

No C 279 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-782 / 93

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 11 )

Subject : Fishing : reduction of effort

Fishermen in Bridlington ( and other parts of the UK ) have
claimed that the days at sea restrictions are a denial of the
right to work .

Does the Commission agree that days at sea restrictions do
not constitute a long-term solution to achieving a decrease
in fishing effort ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(2 September 1993 )

In the light of scientific evaluation of the state of many of the
stocks of demersal fish in Community waters it is clear that
the numerical proportion of fish removed from these stocks
each year by the totality of the vessels which exploit them
should be reduced . The most direct way in which to achieve
this objective is to limit the total amount of time spent
fishing . This implies a reduction in the total number of days

at sea .

The latter requirement can be achieved in a number of ways .
The fleet could be maintained at its existing numbers of
vessels but each vessel would be permitted to be at sea for a
number of days less than that desired by each individual
skipper . Alternatively, the number of vessels could be
reduced to a point at which each vessel could be allowed to
be at sea for its maximum potential number of days at sea .
The latter position is the one sought by the Commission . In
either case, however, the total number of days at sea for the
total fleet will be smaller than at present . In fact, as a result
of representations by various Member States, the recently
adopted Multiannual Guidance Programme ( MAGP )
incorporates elements both of reduction in fleet size and of
reduction in days at sea by existing vessels .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-940 / 93

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 29 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 12 )

Subject : Arms trade in Serbia

On 24 February the BBC 's World Service reported that
Serbia was supplying arms to rival clans in Somalia .

Apparently the arms are being shipped via Kenya in
exchange for foreign currency using a Greek vessel, the
' Maria ', which may have been renamed the ' Bana '.

Is the Council aware of this ? What action does it intend to

take to prevent this violation of the UN embargo ? What
steps have been, or are being, taken to clarify this matter
with Greece ?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 1994 )

The information given by the BBC World Service on

14 February 1993 was confirmed a few days ago by the US
Department of Defense .

It would indeed appear that Serbia was delivering arms to
Somalia on a Greek vessel . It was also pointed out, however,
that the boat was detained by the Seychelles Government
last spring and the arms aboard seized .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-990 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(3 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 13 )

Subject : Weir systems on the Elbe

In its proposal for a European inland waterway network ('),
the Commission incorporated the upgrading of the Elbe
between Magdeburg and the Czech border as a Class IV
waterway as a priority measure to ' eliminate bottlenecks '.
These plans have led to a discussion on the construction of
weir systems along the middle section of the Elbe .

1 . Is the Commission aware that these weir systems would
result in the irreversible destruction of large tracts of
lowland riparian forest around the middle section of the
Elbe since the rise in the level of the water table would

kill off most trees through decay and a lack of soil
ventilation ? Is the Commission aware that this is the last

intact lowland riparian forest in Europe which has been
under Unesco protection as a biosphere reserve of
international importance since 1979 and is home to
numerous protected animal and bird species such as the
otter, the Elbe beaver, the Black stork and crane ?

2 . To what extent are the plans for weir systems
compatible with the main objectives of the agreement on

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 7

the International Commission to protect the Elbe of have been requested to repay interest rebates from ECSC

which makes reference ' Article 56 conversion loans ?

8 October 1990 which makes express reference to ' as
natural an ecosystem as possible with sound diversity of
species ' and ' increasing the ecological value of the Elbe
valley '?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )

3 . What measures has the Commisison considered or

initiated so far to improve the Elbe waterway without
weir systems ? Is it prepared to support research and
development projects in this area ?

Requests for total or partial repayment of interest rebate
(M COM(92 ) 231 final . already paid occur in the following circumstances :

— Liquidation, bankcruptcy, etc .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

In its proposal for a Council Decision on the creation of a
European inland waterway network, the Commission
classified the upgrading of the Elbe between Magdeburg and
the Czech frontier as a priority measure . The German
version of the document ( COM(92 ) 231 ) used ' Ausbau '

(' amenagement ') to translate the word ' amelioration ' used
in the French version ( the authentic text ), not
' Verbesserung '. The latter would be more consonant with
the 1992 Federal German transport infrastructure plan

( Bundesverkehrswegeplan 1992 ) which includes deepening
and river maintenance among the plans for this section of
the river .

By contrast, the draft Outline Plan for a European Inland
Waterway Network leaves open the question of what
precise steps are required to improve conditions for shipping
on the Elbe . Specific measures have yet to be discussed in the
second round of work on the Outline Plan, which is when
projects will be defined . This is the stage at which the
participants will discuss whether, and how, conditions for
shipping can be improved on those sections of the Elbe
where the Outline Plan shows that improvement is needed,
whilst at the same time taking into account the effects on the
environment and complying with the requirements of the
Elbe Convention which sets out to protect the river 's
ecosystems . Alternatives may also be considered and here
the Commission is fully prepared to support research on,
and the development of, measures it might be appropriate
for the Member State to introduce .

— Early repayment of the ECSC loan

— Non or insufficient realization of the project, sale of

project, etc .

— Non or insufficient job creation or maintenance

— Non submission of reports after repeated reminders .

The global loan scheme has operated in the United Kingdom
since 1979 and almost 4 000 sub-loans have been disbursed .

No detailed statistics exist concerning the total number of
requests for repayment of interest rebate over this 15-year
period . Examinations of the 2 600 sub-loans in the United
Kingdom which are currently in the 5-year interest rebate
period lead to the conclusion that some 12 % of cases may
fall into the five categories mentioned above .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008 / 93

by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 May 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 15

Subject : Bathing water Directive

1 . Is the Commission satisfied with progress on the
application, implementation and enforcement of the
bathing water Directive in all Member States ?

2 . Is it being uniformly applied ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-993 / 93

by Alan Donnelly ( PSE )

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

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

(3 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 14 ( 20 December 1993 )

Subject : ECSC Article 56 Conversion Loans 1 . In 1 992, more than 1 6 000 bathing waters throughout
the Community were identified under the bathing waters
Could the Commission state the number of small and Directive . If these, 81% met the standards set by the
medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom which Directive . In 1982, only 70% of 7 000 identified bathing

No C 279 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

waters met the standards . The Commission considers that

substantial progress on the application, implementation and
enforcement of the Directive has thus been made .

Nevertheless, the Commission recognizes that
improvements are still required . It is pleased to note that all
Member States are committed to taking the remedial action
necessary to ensure real and lasting improvements in the
quality of bathing water .

2 . The information available to the Commission

indicates the Directive is applied uniformly throughout the
Community . The tenth report on the control of the
application of Community law (*) includes information
about the 1992 bathing season .

(!) OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1180 / 93

by Enrique Sapena Granell ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 November 1993 )

1 . The Commission has for some time been aware of the

existence of this type of craft . They were developed by the
former Soviet Union for military purposes . A number of
prototypes adapted for civilian use are currently being
constructed .

2 . In the absence of interest in this means of transport on
the part of European industry, the Commission is unable to
comment on this point .

3 . The Commission is watching keenly the process of
opening up and converting the Russian aeronautical sector .
In this connection, it has commissioned a study of
competitiveness and possibilities for cooperation between
this sector and European industry .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-13 16 / 93
( 13 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 16 ) by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Subject : Existence of a type of airplane / boat hybrid craft

Reliable information, which has recently been made public,
confirms the existence in the former Soviet Union of

prototypes of a revolutionary new means of transport . It is a
hybrid, part plane — in that it flies — part boat — in that
under ideal conditions it sails on a ' cushion of air ',
approximately 15 metres above water . Its first version,
about 10 years ago, was called ' ekranoplan ' by the Soviets
responsible for this means of transport . The North
American military, in checking its size ( more than 150
metres in length ) and its particular features, called it ' the
Caspian Monster '. Following the accidental destruction of
the ' ekranoplan ' prototype, the Soviets appear to have
produced half a dozen of these particular ' hydroplanes ',
much reduced in size, called ' Orlan '. This new model, 58
metres in length, could transport a maximum weight of 125
tonnes and 350 passengers a distance of 2000 km in five
hours . The US Navy is currently showing interest in a North
American copy of the ' ekranoplan ' called ' wingship '.

1 . What information does the Commission have in this

regard ?

2 . Should this invention be confirmed, does the
Commission consider that this high nautical speed has
great protential for transport in a continent such as
Europe, which is geographically a peninsula of
peninsulas ?

3 . What kind of technological cooperation could be

offered to Russian scientists to explore the possibilities
of this invention ?

to the Commission

(1 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 17 )

Subject : Information boards announcing EC financial
participation in the development of important
transport projects

The Community is contributing large amounts of money for
the development of important transport projects under the
Structural Funds . However, certain authorities, seeking to
attract favourable publicity for the national government,
frequently omit to inform European citizens that these
projects are being co-financed by the European Community,
thereby giving the impression that the projects in question
are funded entirely by the Member State concerned . Does
the Commission intend to make representations to the
national governments clearly to set up information boards
on the sites of these projects describing inter alia the details
of Community funding ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

The rules governing the operation of the Structural Funds
require the body responsible for implementing an operation
carried out with financial assistance from the Community to
ensure that adequate publicity is given to the operation

( Article 32 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88 ) (*). The

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 9

Commission has published a ' Notice to Member States
concerning information on publicity relating to assistance
from the European Regional Development Fund ' ( 2 ). The
Community Support Frameworks also contain a clause on
publicity ; this requires, for example, signs to be erected on
the sites of infrastructures which cost more that ECU 1

million, carrying the European emblem and notice of the
co-financing of the project by the Fund concerned .

The Commission has sought actively, for example in
the context of the partnership, to ensure correct
implementation of these provisions by those concerned in
the Member States . Moreover, in accordance with the new
provisions of Article 32 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88 as
amended by Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 ( 3 ) within the
framework of the recent revision of the Funds Regulations,
the Commission is currently preparing a specific Decision
concerning information and publicity . The Parliament is at
present considering the Decision before its final adoption by
the Commission .

(!) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 6, 10 . 1 . 1991 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1377 / 93

by Christopher Jackson ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 18 )

Subject : Budget for business travel

Could the Commission inform the House of its approximate
budget for business travel, including the amount spent on
meetings and conferences across all Directorates as a
whole ?

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

Most expenditure on missions, meetings and conferences is
met out of Part A of the Budget . There are special rules for
research under Articles 91 et seq . of the Financial
Regulation . More specific information on the various
categories of appropriation is given below .

Part B of the research budget, Brussels and Luxembourg
staff ( known expenditure at 1 June 1993 ): ECU
2 036 860

Part B operating costs ( subsections other than B6 ) —
Brussels and Luxembourg staff ( known expenditure at

1 June 1993 ): ECU 1 460 760

3 . Missions — 1993 budget

Article A   - 104 — Members of the Commission : ECU

1 300 000

4 . Missions — 1993 budget

Article A-1113.51 — Special advisers : ECU 78 800

5 . Meetings — 1993 budget

Article A-250 — Meetings in general : ECU
17 500 000

Item A-2510 — Compulsory committee meetings : ECU

12 000 000

Item A-2511 — Non-compulsory committee meetings :
ECU 4 202 000

Item A-2521 — Meetings of ECSC commissions and
committees : ECU 890 000

Article A-25 6 — Preliminary consultation meetings with
trade-union representatives : ECU 275 000

Total for meetings entered in Part A of the Budget : ECU
34 867 000

6 . Conferences and congresses — 1993 budget

Item A-2550 — Conferences, congresses and meetings
organized by the institution : ECU 3 481 000

Item 2551 — Institution 's participation in conferences,
congresses and meetings : ECU 600 000

Total for conferences, congresses and meetings entered
in Part A of the budget : ECU 4 081 000 .

7 . Missions — meetings — conferences and congresses in
Part B : ( operating expenditure ) 1993 budget

— under item B4-2000, on-the-spot safeguard
inspections and training of inspectors . These
appropriations are intended only in part for missions
connected with nuclear safeguards .

Commitments : ECU 3 500 000
1 . Missions — 1993 budget Payments : ECU 2 700 000

Item A-130 — Staff covered by the Staff Regulations :
ECU 33 031 000

— under item B2-900 : fisheries inspection

Commitments : ECU 1 000 000

2 . Missions — 1993 budget Payments : ECU 870 000

No C 279 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Expenditure on missions, meetings and conferences may be
charged to Subsection B2 of the budget ( Structural Funds )
but, in total, 160 items in Part B are accompanied by the
following comment : ' This item also covers expenditure on
studies, meetings of experts, conferences, congresses,
information and publications directly linked with the
achievement of the objective of the measure of which they
form an integral part ; this excludes expenditure involved in
the management of these measures or in general
administration ( Commission communication of 22 April

1992 ).'

Such expenditure must also fulfil certain conditions
designed to ensure that it is of an operational nature . In the
1993 budget, there is a ceiling on most of the relevant
appropriations .

It will not be possible to calculate what proportion of the
appropriations available for missions, meetings and
conferences and congresses has been used until the 1993
budget accounts have finally been closed and total
expenditure on studies, information and publications is
known . The final distribution of the appropriations will
depend on how they have been administered by the
authorizing officers .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380 / 93

by Anthony Simpson ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 19 )

Subject : Treatment of mental patients on Leros by the

Greek authorities

The situation of patients in mental hospitals on the island of
Leros is well-known, and has caused widespread concern
and dismay within the European Parliament . The European
Commission has granted substantial funds to assist the
Greek authorities to rectify the appalling conditions of the
patients there .

As part of the improvements, 27 patients have been moved
from the hospital into three flats and a hostel under the care
of nurses specially trained under an EC programme .

Recently, the Board of the hospital replaced these specially
trained nurses by other persons of their own choosing,
without the same level of training .

1 . Is the Commission aware of the removal of the nurses

trained under its programme ?

2 . Will the Commission take all necessary steps to
re-instate them ?

3 . Will the Commission ascertain and inform the European

Parliament of the reasons of the hospital Board for their
totally unwarranted action, which has adversely
affected the patients and continues to do so ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

The implementation of the special programme for the
mental health hospital of Leros ( 1991 / 92 ) produced positive
results which have been confirmed by external experts . This
programme contributed among other things to alleviating
the living conditions of many patients and to transferring a
total number of 1 60 patients to various hostels and sheltered
appartments outside the hospital .

In the light of this experience a further programme was
approved by the Commission for the period 1993 / 94 .

Recent developments in the hospital, including the
replacement of nurses by the hospital 's Administrative
Board, have come to the attention of the Commission . The
reason for the replacement given by the Board is the need to
ensure proper financial management in the flats and hostel
referred to in the question .

The Commission is in contact with the Greek Ministry of
Flealth in order to make sure that action is taken to resolve

problems brought about by administrative decisions and
practices which may affect the implementation of the

programme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1399 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(8 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 20 )

Subject : Reprocessing

1 . How much does it cost the operators of German
nuclear power plants to continue to have part ( or all ) of the
waste they produce stored provisionally or permanently —
at processing plants abroad, in return for payment of
appropriate storage costs ? ( Storage costs plus any penalties
for breach of contract )

2 . Does the Commission see the storage of nuclear waste
in France under discussion as an infringement of existing
French law, which bans the storage in France of nuclear
waste originating abroad ? If so, what conclusions does it
draw from this view ?

3 . What quantities of fissile and other types of plutonium
have been produced since 1984 through the reprocessing of

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 11

spent fuel elements from within the Community, and how
have they been further processed or disposed of ?

4 . How accurate are the figures for the amounts of
plutonium produced through reprocessing ?

since the pipeline will be completed by the end of 1994,
although the contract with Russia provides for the provision
of natural gas from 1 July 1994 . Moreover, the liquified
natural gas installations must be completed by mid 1995 in
order to avoid enormous losses to Greece .

In view of this will the Commission call on the Greek

Answer given by Mr Matutes authorities to ensure that suitable measures are taken to

on behalf of the Commission ensure that the construction of the natural gas pipeline in

( 19 January 1994 ) Greece is not delayed ?

1 . The Commission regrets that it is unable to supply the
information requested in paragraph 1 of the Honourable
Member 's question . This information is of a purely
commercial nature and is therefore outside its field of

competence .

2 . Similarly with regard to paragraph 2, the Commission
is of the view that it is not for it to assess compliance with
purely national laws or regulations . However, the
Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the fact that the contractual clauses in force

regarding the return of waste resulting from the
reprocessing of fuel elements of foreign origin in France are
accompanied, according to the information available to the
Commission, by an exchange of letters between the French
Government and the government of the country concerned
in which the latter undertakes not to object to the return of
the waste .

3 . This type of information is confidential and is sent to
the Commission pursuant to the provisions of the Euratom
Treaty . The Commission therefore regrets that it is unable to
communicate the information to the Honourable

Member .

4 . Modern industrial plants use an advanced
preprocessing technique which allows 99,9 % of the
plutonium contained in spent nuclear fuel to be isolated, the
remainder being incorporated into glass along with the
fission products .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1440 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 21 )

Subject : Construction of a natural gas pipeline in Greece

According to a letter dated 8 February 1993 from the Price
Waterhouse Company, which is monitoring the
construction of a natural gas pipeline in Greece, sent to the
Greek Ministry of National Finance, the viability of the
project as a whole depends on the conclusion of sales
contracts at satisfactory prices . However, according to Price
Waterhouse, no natural gas sales contracts have yet been
signed, despite the fact that the deadlines are running out,

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

According to the information available to the Commission,
the date of the first gas delivery under the contract between
the Greek authorities and the Russian company concerned
has been postponed until 1995 following the
intergovernmental agreement signed in Athens on 1 July

1993, which grants an additional period for the completion
of construction work on the pipeline and related equipment .
The Commission is providing all the necessary assistance to
the national authorities responsible for execution of the
project in order to optimize its implementation and
monitoring .

The Commission also believes that the competent national
authorities are negotiating with various potential customers
with a view to concluding contracts for delivery of natural

gas .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1670 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 22 )

Subject : ESF funding for Regional Technical Colleges

Is it possible for the Commission to supply in broad terms a
breakdown of the ESF funding received in 1992 by three
Regional Technical Colleges in Ireland, namely Galway City
RTC, Sligo RTC and Letterkenny ( Co . Donegal ) RTC ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

Since the reform of the Structural Funds in 1988, the
Commission channels Community assistance through

No C 279 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

multi-annual Operational Programmes, rather than
supporting individual training and education programmes
or institutions . Under the current Community Support
Framework ( CFS ) for Ireland ( 1990 — 1993 ) the ESF
providing assistance to training and employment incentive
measures implemented by 15 organizations under a range of
Operational Programmes . These set the context in which
actions will be supported, establish objectives and outline
the manner in which these objectives will be achieved over
the period . They are the subject of on-going evaluation and
monitoring by the Irish authorities in partnership with the
Commission .

Therefore the Commission does not have a breakdown of

funding in 1992 for individual Regional Technical Colleges

( RTCs ). Under the Industry and Services Operational
Programme, the Mid Level Technician measure, managed
by the Department of Education, funds all one year and
National Certificate ( 2-year ) courses run in RTCs and in
Colleges of Technology . Over 200 courses are currently
operational in 16 centres including Galway City RTC, Sligo
RTC and Letterkenny RTC . The ESF is contributing ECU

173 million to fund these programmes, with a further ECU
86 million contribution from the Irish exchequer over the
period . In 1992, there were 12 000 participants on these
training programmes at a total cost of ECU 63 million, of
which the ESF contributed ECU 47 million .

There are also over a hundred higher technical and business
skills training programmes run in RTCs and Colleges of
Technology . These programmes provide training in higher
skills to diploma qualification level . Expenditure over the
period of the current CSF will total ECU 139 million with a
contribution from the ESF of ECU 90 million .

The Department of Education in Ireland has information on
expenditure by individual RTCs on ESF co-financed
training programmes .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1737 / 93

by Dorothee Piermont ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 29 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 23

Subject : Community trade with Cuba

According to the answer given by the Commission on
4 December 1992 to Written Question No 2430 / 92 (*),
Community exports to Cuba rose in value from ECU 586
million to ECU 629 million between 1989 and 1991, while
imports from Cuba over the same period fell from ECU 432
million to ECU 320 million .

principally traded between the Community and Cuba and in
what quantities ?

Can the Commission give a breakdown of these statistics by
Member State ? Which Community Member States are
Cuba 's main trading partners ? What goods were principally
traded between these Member States and Cuba ?

Does the Commission have statistics for 1992 ?

t 1 ) OJ No C 61, 3 . 3 . 1993, p . 33 .

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

Because of the length of the answer, the Commission is
sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1790 / 93

by Margaret Daly ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 24 )

Subject : Un-insured motor vehicles

1 . Does the Commission have any information on the
percentage of vehicles which are un-insured in each Member
State ? If so, can it please provide the relevant statistics ?

2 . Which Member States require a windscreen disc
display of valid insurance particulars and have any studies of
the feasibility of these windscreen disc schemes been carried
out by the Commission ?

3 . What progress has been made towards implementing
the third Council Directive 90 / 232 / EEC of 14 May 1990 on
the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating
to insure against civil liability in respect of the use of motor
vehicles ( M ?

Can the Commission also indicate the volume of the

respective imports and exports ? What goods were (!) OJ No L 129, 19 . 5 . 1990, p . 33 .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 13

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1841 / 93

on behalf of the Gommission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
( 14 December 1993 ) to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 25 )

1 . The figures available to the Commission indicate that
the percentage of un-insured vehicles in Member States is as
follows :

1 . Belgium ( J ) 0,41 % .

2 . Denmark ( l ) < 1 % .

3 . Germany ( x ) About 0,18% .

4 . Spain i 1 ) No information available .

5 . France (*) Of the order of 3 % .

6 . Ireland ( x ) 7,6% .

7 . Italy C ) In the last five years, an average of

10% .

8 . Luxembourg ( l ) Very small .

9 . Netherlands ( 1 ) About 4% .

10 . Portugal f 1 ) No information available .

1.1 . United Kingdom ( l ) 7% to 10%,

Subject : Bogus seminars organized by the Voktas

company

According to the Attiki and Viotia Union of workers in the
meat and meat products sector, the manpower services
organization, OAED, is guilty of criminal negligence in its
handling of allegations by workers employed by the Voktas

company .

It has been alleged that seminars which were subsidized by
the EEC were never held and that a cover-up took place in
which workers were ' persuaded ' to sign documents to the
effect that they had attended the seminars and received
payment accordingly . The workers and, in particular, the
chairman of the union at Voktas, Mr Antonis Madonakatis
and other trade unionists claim that the Manpower Services
officials responsible for investigating the matter asked them
to ' drop ' the allegation that approximately Dr 150 million
had been squandered in connection with these bogus
seminars .

In view of this, will the Commission call on the Greek
authorities to investigate this question of bogus seminars
and establish who was responsible ?

12 . Greece ( 2 ) Reliable figures are hard to come by In view of this, will the Commission call on
but according to one source ( Rente, a authorities to investigate this question of
private company doing actuarial and and establish who was responsible ?
financial consultancy work ) the level
of non-insurance in general and
consequently the number of
non-insured motor vehicles is very Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber
high .

on behalf of the Commission

(') Source : Survey of the European Guarantee Funds ( September 1990 ). ( 19 November 1993 )

( 2 ) Source : L'Assurance Française n° 641 — 1 to 15 December 1991 .

2 . The Member States which accept a windscreen disc
display of insurance are France, Ireland, Italy and Greece .
No feasibility study of windscreen disc schemes has been
carried out by the Commission .

3 . The large majority of Member States have
implemented Directive 90 / 232 / EEC . The remaining
countries except one are in the process of finishing their
work on implementing the Directive . The Commission has
initiated infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the
EC Treaty against those countries which have not
implemented the Directive within the prescribed
deadlines .

The Commission has not been informed of the situation

described by the Honourable Member ; it is seeking full
infomation from the relevant Greek authorities with a view

to an on-the-spot check and to taking such measures as may
be required .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1856 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 26 )

Subject : Implementation of the decisions of the EC
Veterinary Committee

Given that Greece has failed for a number of days to comply
with the recent decision of the EC Veterinary Committee to

No C 279 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

close all Community borders — naturally including Greek
borders — to imports of meat from eastern Europe in order
to avert the risk of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in
sheep, goats, cattle, etc ., will the Commission call on the
Greek authorities to explain the delay and what measures
will it take to ensure immediate practical application of the
decisions of the Veterinary Committee by the Member
States ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1994 )

The Commission expects that all Member States will
implement all Community Decisions within the time scale
provided for in the legislation concerned . Any failure to
implement a Decision is dealt with under the normal
procedure provided by Article 169 EC Treaty .

The Commission is not aware, however, of any particular
delay by Greece in the implementation of Commission
Decisions relating to imports from eastern Europe in the
context of foot-and-mouth disease .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1861 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 December 1993 )

Community legislation on common market organizations
for the products in Annex II of the EC Treaty adopted under
the common agricultural policy is a complete all-embracing
system which does not allow Member States to take any
additional measures to support prices and farmers '
incomes .

In the past the Commission has several times had occasion
to bring cases before the Court of Justice which it felt
constituted infringements by Greece of the common market
organization ^. In all these cases the Court found that Greece
was failing to meet its obligations under Community
law .

The Greek authorities have informed the Commission under

Article 93 ( 3 ) of the EC Treaty of a plan for State aid to
Greek cooperatives which are in debt as a result of action
they had to take in the past on the instruction of the
State .

The Commission will not fail to take a decision on these

measures in the light of the rules on competition .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( IS July 1993 ) ( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 27 ) ( 94 / C 279 / 28 )

Subject : Releasing Greek cooperative organizations from

debts contracted as a result of State intervention

Greek cooperatives play a particularly important role in the
operation of Community agricultural trade and the
provision of income support for farmers, while at the same
time guaranteeing good prices for consumers . In Greece,
however, mainly because the Greek authorities have
required cooperative organizations to implement a social
policy for which the Greek cooperative movement does not
have the necessary resources, those organizations are now
heavily in debt and only the Greek State can now solve this
situation .

In the light of the Greek authorities ' abovemeritioned policy,
does the Commission intend to take any steps enabling the
Greek agricultural cooperative organizations to be released
from the debts they contracted following State
intervention ?

Subject : Dioxin emissions in Thessaloniki

The inhabitants of Thessaloniki are in danger because of
emissions of large quantities of dioxin, the most toxic
substance known to modern man . According to the
environmental organization, Greenpeace, people living in
the vicinity of the PVC factory belonging to EKO in
Thessaloniki and, of course, the workers in that and
neighbouring factories, are threatened by cancer and
reproductive disorders .

Citing on evidence from the chlorine producer itself and the
environment ministries of various European countries,
Greenpeace has stated that the annual emission of
carcinogenic dioxin exceeds even the conservative danger
levels laid down by the World Health Organization .

What steps will the Commission take to protect the
inhabitants of Thessaloniki from dioxin ?

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 15

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

accordance with the terms of the Directive, and covers the
problems raised with regard to the discharge of waste from
the works into the water .

However, there are still problems related to the removal of
The Commission is gathering the information required to solid waste . The Commission will continue to ensure that
answer the Honourable Member 's question . the Community law is properly applied .

It will inform it of its findings as soon as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1880 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 878 / 93 to the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

( 15 July 1993 )

to the Commission ( 94 / C 279 / 30 )

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 29 )
Subject : Eritrea

Subject : Infringement of Directive 76 / 464 / EEC by the

' Euroderm ' tannery

The inhabitants of Konitsa are endeavouring to close the

' Euroderm ' tannery in the town on the grounds that the
waste it produces is polluting the area 's water . Will the

Commission take steps to protect the inhabitants of Konitsa
from the offending tannery since the discharge of hazardous
substances into the aquatic environment infringes Directive
76 / 464 / EEC ( M ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p . 23 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

Tannery wastes contain substance covered by Directive

76 / 464 / EEC on the discharge of dangerous substances into
the aquatic environment .

The Member States are required to take measures for the
elimination of pollution by the dangerous substances in
List I and to reduce pollution by the substances in List II in
the Annex to that Directive . The Greek authorities must

make any discharge of dangerous substances subject to a
discharge authorization in accordance with the conditions
laid down in the specific Directives for the substance in List I
and with the national programmes for the reduction of the
substances in List II . Chrome is one of substances in the

latter list .

The Commission has been in communication with the

Greek authorities on this matter and has received the text of

the definitive authorization for the discharge of effluent
from the ' Euroderm ' tannery at Konitsa . This is in

In view of the recent declaration of independence by Eritrea
following a referendum, can the Commission say whether
the Community will be providing aid to strengthen the
democratic institutions and economic development of that
country ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

The Community and its Member States have welcomed the
successful holding of the referendum on self-determination
and the emergence of the sovereign State of Eritrea .

The Community has already provided substantial assistance
to Eritrea amounting globally to over ECU 62 million .
Community aid includes funding of a short-term
programme on reconstruction and recovery . Funding of this
programme ( for an amount of ECU 20 million ) was already
approved by the Commission in October 1992 and its
implementation is well underway .

The Commission also provided assistance ( training of
polling officials and logistic facilities ) to the referendum
mentioned above .

The provisional government of Eritrea has requested to
accede to the Lome IV Convention . Commission and

Council have reacted favourably and are pursuing actively a
procedure which would allow the automatic application of
the Lome Convention to Eritrea .

In this context an assessment of additional Community
support to Eritrea taking into account in particular its
specific needs for rehabilitation, food supply and
reintegration of refugees is being made .

No C 279 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

The Commission would also be prepared to examine any national measures, since these measures were not in
further request for assistance aiming at reinforcement of the conformity with the Directive .
democratic institutions in this new country .

0 ) OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-939 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1971 / 93

by Anne André-Léonard ( LDR )

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 29 April 1993 )

( 19 July 1993 )
94 / C 279 / 31

( 94 / C 279 / 33 )

Subject : Implementation of the ' television-without ­
frontier s ' Directive

Eleven of the Member States have already notified the
Commission of the measures they have adopted to
implement the ' television-without-frontiers ' Directive but

12 procedures have been instigated under Article 169 of the
EEC Treaty because of incorrect or incomplete
implementation .

Can the Commission say which Member State has not yet
implemented the ' television-without-frontiers ' Directive
and what the 12 procedures are which have been instigated
under Article 169 ?

Subject : Measures and studies in the field of social
protection — budget item B3-4100

Further to the answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of
the Commission to my Written Question No 2651 / 92 ( ] ), I
should like the following additional information :

1 . To whom has the Missoc Programme been contracted
out ?

2 . What budgets have been allocated to what projects ?

3 . To whom have the other studies been contracted out, or
have they been carried out by the administration
itself ?

(!) OJ No C 99, 7 . 4 . 1993, p . 17 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 894 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
Answer given by Mr Flynn
to the Commission
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 July 1993 ) ( 21 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 32 )

Subject : Breaches of the Community Directive on television

broadcasting

Which countries are breaching provisions of the EEC
Directive on television broadcasting, cross-border
broadcasting for example, and how is the Commission
dealing with this matter ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-939 / 93 and E-l 894 / 93

given by Mr Joao de Deus Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1993 )

The current situation with regard to the implementation of
the ' television without frontiers ' Directive 89 / 552 / EEC ( l ) is
as follows :

— Spain : infringement proceedings are in progress for

failure to notify national implementing measures ;

— Denmark : the Commission is examining the national

implementing measures notified on 14 April 1993 .

The Commission has commenced infringement proceedings
against the other ten Member States which had notified their

1 . Responsibility for the management of the Missoc
Programme has been conferred on :

ISG Sozialforschung und Gesellschaftspolitik GmbH
Barbarossaplatz 2
Postfach 26 02 44

D-5000 Köln 1

The principal management tasks relate to the gathering and
adaptation of social protection information and the
organization of twice yearly meetings of the expert group
which is composed, in addition to Commission staff, of
representatives from social security ministries in the
Member States .

2 . The essential details of the Missoc Programme appear
in the Official Journal S 177 and C 243 of 18 September

1991 which contain the text of the public invitation to
tender in respect of the provision of technical and
administrative services relating to the tasks outlined
above .

3 . In the other principal fields of activity ( convergence
strategy and supplementary social security scheme ), studies
have been carried out, principally, by experts from
universities and research institutes in each Member State,
selected on the basis notably on their expertise and
knowledge of national systems but also of their
understanding of Community objectives in the areas of

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 17

social protection and freedom of movement of labour . With
a view to expanding its network of experts who can be called
upon to conduct further research on these, and related,
disciplines the Commission has published ( x ) a call for
expression of interest in carrying out studies in the field of
social protection . It is, as yet, too early to be able to assess
definitively the results but the number of replies received has
been encouraging .

legislative assemblies, as instruments of the Member States,
where the national constitution makes them responsible for
enacting the requisite legislation .

social protection . It is, as yet, too early to be able to assess Accordingly, as the Court of Justice has consistently held,
definitively the results but the number of replies received has delays in transposing that are due to parliamentary
been encouraging . procedures do not free Member States from their obligation

to effect the transposition within the time allowed by the
0 ) OJ No C 54, 25 . 2 . 1993 . relevant Directives .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046 / 93

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1950 / 93

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 94 / C 279 / 34 ) ( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 35 )

Subject : Application of Community legislation to
legislative assemblies

Subject : Athens-Delphi road through Arakhova

Will the Commission state whether European legislation is
applicable to legislative assemblies ?

If so, on what legal basis ?

Has the Court of Justice of the European Communities
given any rulings on the subject to date, or has the
Commission initiated proceedings in this respect or even
planned to do so ? If so, will it provide the relevant
details ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

The general rule is that Community legislation applies to
whatever natural or legal persons it is specifically addressed
to pursuant to the powers conferred on the Community by
the Treaties — and that includes Member States .

The Community has no powers over the electoral procedure
of legislative assemblies in Member States ( though there are
of course provisions for elections to the European
Parliament in Article 138 of the EC Treaty and those in
Article 8 b concerning the right of citizens of the Union to
vote and stand as candidates in municipal and European
Parliament elections ).

However, Community legislation does concern legislative
assemblies indirectly where — for example, in the case of
Directives — it makes provisions which the Member State is
required to incorporate into national law within a stated
period of time . It is clear that the transposition of
Community law into national law is a matter for the

In 1992 I tabled Written Question E-1232 / 92 ( ! ) on the
Athens-Delphi road through Arakhova . The Commission
replied that ' the construction of bypasses around towns for
traffic, environmental and cultural heritage reasons is
encouraged by the Commission and has been adopted as one
of its priorities in the development of trans-European road
networks ' and that ' it will request more detailed
information from the Greek authorities '.

In 1982 the Government decided definitively that the main
road through Arakhova would not be widened, but that a
bypass would be constructed, a solution which was
officially adopted by the Council of State by Decision
No 3632 / 1986 . On 22 April 1993 a Ministerial Decision
was passed amending the Arakhova Urban Development
Plan and widening the main road through the town by 3

metres .

In view of the fact that :

1 . in 1978 Arakhova was classified as a ' heritage
conservation area ' ( Greek Government Gazette
Nos 460D, 5 . 9 . 1978 and 594D, 13 . 11 . 1978 ),

2 . no environmental impact assessment has been carried
out in accordance with Council Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ),

3 . modernization of the area requires a specific strategy to
carry out effective projects,

has the Commission requested ' more detailed information '
from the Greek authorities ? What information was given in

No C 279 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

reply ? What measures will it take within its sphere of
competence to prevent the disfigurement of the ' heritage
town of Arakhova ' and to find the best solution to its

problems while conserving its economic and cultural
heritage ?

(!) OJ No C 16, 21 . 1 . 1993, p . 13 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-21 10 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 /C 279 / 36 )

the Ministerial Decision concerned, informing it that until
now no decision had been taken and that, in future, there
would be a study to examine the two possible options (a
bypass or a motorway through the city ). Whatever was
decided, all of the procedures laid down in Directive
85 / 337 / EEC on the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment would be complied with before
any such project was authorized . In the light of this reply,
which was considered to be satisfactory, the Commission
closed this case .

From the two Parliamentary Questions, it would appear
that a decision has been taken without complying with the
above Directive . The Commission will therefore contact the

Greek authorities once again in order to gather further
information .

Subject : Road threatens the traditional character of WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227 / 93
Arakhova by Mechthild von Alemann ( LDR )

and Willy De Clercq ( LDR )

The Greek authorities seem determined to destroy the
traditional character of Arakhova . Just recently the State
Secretary for Economic Affairs, Mr Tsiplakos, stated that
' the 400 metres of road will be driven through Arakhova
come what may ' and that for the present the ' Tritsis
solution ' for a bypass around the southern edge of the town
will be ignored . As this attitude on the part of the Greek
authorities runs counter to the Commission 's stance of

encouraging ' the construction of bypasses around towns for
traffic, environmental and cultural heritage reasons . . . and
has been adopted as one of its priorities in the development
of trans-European road networks ', in the words of Mr Van
Miert in answer to Written Question No 1299 / 92, and has
been objected to by the National Metsovio Polytechnic, the
Greek Technical Chamber, the Greek Architectural
Association, the Office for national town and rural
landscape and even the committee responsible at the
Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Public
Works ( Central Council for land use and the environment ),
while it ignores Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( Annex II ) as regards
the appropriate advance assessment of environmental
impact, what action, which will have to be urgent action,
does the Commission intend to take to protect Arakhova
from the arbitrary decisions of the Greek authorities ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-1950 / 93 and E-2110 / 93

to the Commission

( 30 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 37 )

Subject : Political and economic situation in Croatia

How much emergency and humanitarian aid, and also how
much economic and technical assistance has Croatia

received from the EC since its independence compared with
other republics of former Yugoslavia ?

Would the Commission be in favour of extending the Phare

- Programme to the Republic of Croatia and under what

conditions ?

What initiatives has the Commission taken to further

improve the economic, political and humanitarian situation
in Croatia ?

What possibilities does the Commission see for further
enhancing the regular information of the European
Parliament about its activities in the republics of former
Yugoslavia and particularly in Croatia ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1994 )
(1 February 1994 )

Of the ECU 700 million given in aid to former Yugoslavia
since the start of the crisis there, Croatia has received
The Commission had already contacted the Greek humanitarian assistance worth ECU 136 million, of which
authorities, which replied a month before the adoption of ECU 27 million was allocated under the Commission

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 19

decisions of 22 October and 6 December ( approving ECU WRITTEN QUESTION E-2241 / 93
72,1 million and ECU 86 million respectively for former by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )
Yugoslavia as a whole ).
to the Commission

( 30 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 38 )
This paid for a variety of schemes : food aid, medical
programmes, the supply of sanitary requisites, housing
repairs, etc . It was administered in part by the Commission 's
usual partners : UNHCR, other UN agencies, the Red Cross Subject : Ban on books in Catalan in
and NGOs ; but food aid and support for the Croat library
Government 's refugee facilities were administered directly
by the European Union through the European Community
Task Force ( ECTF ) stationed in Zagreb . In a letter published in the ' Courrier

Subject : Ban on books in Catalan in the Commission staff

library

A breakdown of the amount of aid for each of the new

republics puts Croatia ( 20,1 % ) second only to
Bosnia-Herzegovina ( 52,3 % ) followed by Serbia ( 18,3 % ),
Fyrom ( 5,7% ) and Slovenia (1 % ), with 2,6% not broken
down .

So far, Croatia has not been eligible for technical or
economic assistance as there is no agreement between it and
the European Union . At the end of 1991 the Commission
did propose an economic and trade cooperation agreement
with the country as well as an extension of the Phare
Programme to it ; Parliament did not give its assent . The
Commission has not thought it approriate to make any
further proposal to the Council as some democartic
safeguards are not in evidence in Croatia and the role fo the
Croatian Government and army in the Bosnian conflict is
less than clear . Slovenia, which is eligible for Phare
assistance, has received ECU 28 million ( ECU 18 million in

1992 and ECU 10 million in 1993 ) under the programme
while Fyrom received a one-off aid package of ECU 60
million, as recommended by the Edinburgh Council .

Among the initiatives taken by the Commission to improve
the economic, political and humanitarian situation in
Croatia are the maintaining of preferential trade
arrangements and the GSP for certain agricultural products,
financial help for the independent media ( radio broadcasts
from a ship in the Adriatic through the ' Association Droit de
Parole ').

The Commissioners responsible regularly inform the
Parliamentary committees concerned of what the
Commission is doing in the republics of former
Yugoslavia .

In a letter published in the ' Courrier du Personnel ' ( No 21 of

10 June 1993 ), a Commission official reported an incident
involving the acquisition of books in Catalan by the staff
library . I was extremely surprised at what happened and
very annoyed .

The official in question, a user of the library, successfully
requested that it buy some books in Catalan and these were
placed in the Spainish section under the euphemistic heading
' Spanish other Mediterranean Language '. However, shortly
afterwards a number of Spanish officials protested
vigorously to the library staff at the inclusion of the books in
question and, as a result, the librarian in charge decided not
to buy any further books in Catalan and to withdraw the
existing ones from the ' Spanish ' shelves .

In view of the unspeakable behaviour of the official 's
' colleagues ' and the incorrect and unjust reaction of the
librarian in charge,

— is the Commission aware that among its officials there

are some individuals who not only do not respect the
principles of the defence of cultural pluralism and access
to one 's own culture — principles which are regularly
invoked by the Community and the institution to which
they belong — but who clearly attack them ;

— does the Commission consider that this is one of the

' special ' ways of implementing the resolution by the
European Parliament on recognition of the Catalan
language or of bringing the Community closer to all its
citizens, whatever their culture of origin ;

— has the Commission perhaps forgotten that Catalan ( in

its various forms ) is the official language of a territory in
which it is spoken by more than 10 million people, is
used as a medium of communication and as a vehicle for

literature — to a greater extent, even, that certain official
Community languages — and is also the mother tongue
of a very considerable proportion of the Commission 's
Spanish officials ;

— finally, will the Commission undertake to restore the

situation as quickly as possible to what it was before the
' colleagues ' in question exerted their pressure and to
prevent a recurrence of these outrageous incidents,
which are at variance with the ideas on which European
Union is based ?

No C 279 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )

The ' bibliotheque d'agrement ' operates independently as
part of the leisure facilities made available to staff ; it enjoys
only the financial and administrative support of the
Commission .

Although Catalan is not an official Community language,
the Commission is mindful of the need to respect diversity
and cultural pluralism and does not object to books in
Catalan being bought by it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2270 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 39 )

Subject : Reduction of Community participation in the

sectoral programmes of the CSF for Greece

At the meeting of the monitoring committee of the CSF for
Greece on 19 March, it was decided to transfer a substantial
share of Community funding — ECU 140,4 million from the
sectoral programmes to the regional section . Among these
sectoral programmes is the Greek Telecommunications
Company 's crash programme and the Community 's
contribution to this programme has been slashed by ECU 39
million .

Given the multiple — and, indeed, multiplicatory —
development contribution made by the sectoral
programmes in backward regions such as Greece, will the
Commission say on what grounds it has reduced
Community participation in these programmes ?

The cut does not call into question the implementation of
the programme, which is now making satisfactory

progress .

Under the new CSF for 1994 — 1999, the Commission is
ready to examine any proposal by the Greek authorities to
speed up the modernization of telecommunications in
Greece .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2306 / 93

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 40 )

Subject : Declaration of Commissioners ' financial
interests

Political ethics rightly require Members of Parliament to
make a public declaration of their direct or indirect financial
interests .

Do the Members of the Commission not consider that it

would be appropriate for them do likewise and make a
public declaration both of their direct or indirect financial
interests and their professional activities ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1994 )

The Commission ensures that the provisions of the EC
Treaty and, in particular, those on the independence of its
Members, enshrined in Article 157, are fully complied
with .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )
Answer given by Mr Millan to the Commission
on behalf of the Commission

(1 September 1993 )
(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 41 )

An ECU 39,027 million cut in Community assistance for the
Greek telecommunications crash programme was decided at
the meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the
Community Support Framework on 19 March 1993 .

This cut was a budgetary move to take account of the real
possibilities of absorption under the programme by
31 December 1993, the expiry date of the current Greek
CSF .

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region of the Azores ( Portugal )
between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June
1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the Azores
region — and which measures were funded — between the
beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following

sources :

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 21

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327 / 93

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 43 )

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the Algarve region ( Portugal ) between
the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the Algarve
region — and which measures were funded — between the
beginning of 19§9 and 30 June 1993 from the following

sources :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2326 / 93 3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee

by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 42

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region of Madeira ( Portugal )
between the beginning of 1989 and 30 June
1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the region of
Madeira — and which measures were funded — between

the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following

sources :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2328 / 93

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 44 )

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region under the Lisbon and Tagus
Valley Regional Coordinating Committee
( Portugal ) between the beginning of 1989 and
30 June 1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the region under
the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Regional Coordinating
Committee — and which measures were funded — between

the beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following

sources :

8 . Other Community programmes ? 1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

No C 279 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330 / 93
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ; by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2329 / 93

by Jose Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 45 )

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region under the Alentejo Regional
Coordinating Committee ( Portugal ) between the
beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the region under
the Alentejo Regional Coordinating Committee — and
which measures were funded — between the beginning of

1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following sources :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 46 )

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region under the North of Portugal
Regional Coordinating Committee between the
beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the region under
the North of Portugal Regional Coordinating Committee —
and which measures were funded — between the beginning
of 1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following sources :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee

Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

/

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 47 )

Subject : Information on the amount of Community funds

allocated to the region under the Central Portugal
Regional Coordinating Committee between the
beginning of 1989 and 30 June 1993

What was the volume of Community aid to the region under
the Central Portugal Regional Coordinating Committee —
and which measures were funded — between the beginning
of 1989 and 30 June 1993 from the following sources :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF );

2 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section ;

3 . The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section ;

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 23

4 . The European Social Fund ( ESF );

5 . Community research programmes ;

6 . Community energy sector programmes ;

7 . Community environmental programmes ;

8 . Other Community programmes ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2325 / 93, E-2326 / 93,

E-2327 / 93, E-2328 / 93, E-2329 / 93, E-2330 / 93

and E-2331 / 93

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

As this question requires a voluminous answer
incorporating many tables, the Commission has decided to
send it direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament 's

Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2357 / 93

by Marco Taradash ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 48 )

Subject : Anti-dumping investigation concerning bicycles

originating in China

Provincial anti-dumping duties on bicycles originating in

China were imposed in March 1993 at a uniform duty rate
of 34,4 % for all State-owned and foreign investment
companies (' FICs '). The Commission intends to propose to
the Council that definitive anti-dumping duties also be
imposed at a uniform rate .

1 . Why does the Commission consider that legal and

economic developments in China do not justify the
imposition of indivivual anti-dumping duties, at least
for FICs, and that instead, the corporate status of these
FICs must be examined ?

2 . Did the Commission consider any guarantees offered by
FICs which would have ensured that anti-dumping
duties would not be circumvented ?

3 . Does the Commission consider that it is in the

Community 's interests to impose anti-dumping duties,
while at the same time reintroducing customs duties on

Chinese-origin bicycles ? Does it intend to maintain these
cumulative restrictions in 1994 ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

In September 1993, the Council imposed a definitive
anti-dumping duty on the imports of bicycles originating in
the People 's Republic of China (*).

1 . Exporters in centrally-planned economies like the
People 's Republic of China are, as a rule, not assigned
individual anti-dumping duty rates because this would
allow the State to channel exports through the exporter
which has the lowest anti-dumping duty .

In the People 's Republic of China the economy is in
transition from a fully State controlled economy to a
partially market oriented economy . However, state
control subsists in very many aspects of economic life
and the influence of the state on all economic activity in
China is still dominant .

Some companies, which were joint  - ventures between
the Chinese State and foreign investors, claimed
individual treatment in this case . The Commission, after
examination, was however not satisfied that the
companies were free of State control .

2 . The Commission considered a price undertaking offered
by one of the joint  - venture companies . This offer was
rejected given that the acceptance of an undertaking
from an exporter in a non-market economy would
presuppose individual treatment for this exporter,
which in this case could not be granted .

3 . The People 's Republic of China is a beneficiary of the
Community 's Generalized Scheme of Preferences, and as
such gains improved access to the Community market
through the application of preferential rates of import
customs duty, mostly at zero . The level of imports are
controlled by quotas, ceilings or reference basis, applied
on a product / country basis . Once these limits are
reached, the full rate of customs import duty is, or may
be, re-introduced following the procedures laid down
in Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3831 / 90 ( 2 ),
last extended by Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3917 / 92 ( 3 ).

The benefits provided under this scheme are applied on
an autonomous basis and their application is not
normally affected by the imposition of anti-dumping
duties, either on a provisional or final basis, except in
cases mentioned in Article 2 of Regulation ( EEC ) ./
No 3917 / 92, which does not concern China anyway .

Consequently, if a product which benefits from GSP
preferential treatment is also subject to anti-dumping
measures, once the limit prescribed for GSP preferences
is exceeded the full customs duty would be applicable in
addition to the anti-dumping measures . This is the case
for bicycles imported from China . The customs import
duty of 1 7 % was re-introduced in May this year after
the application, separately, of the anti-dumping duty of

34,4% .

No C 279 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

As regards the future, the Commission is currently
examining and developing a scheme of preferences to be
applied during the next decade . In the course of the
elaboration of this new scheme, full account will be
taken of the final results of the Uruguay Round
negotiations whose final results, as far as tariffs are
concerned, will not be available until 30 June . In the
meantime, the Council has decided to open the 1994
scheme until that date . This scheme will be exactly the
same as that for 1993, but applied on the basis of half
quantities . It will be automatically extended in the
second part of 1994 if the new 10 years scheme has not
been put into force on 15 June .

t 1 ) OJ No L 228, 9 . 9 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 370, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

and gives a list of specific major projects . The project in
question does not appear on that list, and, until now, the
Commission has not received any official proposal for the
funding of studies .

(!) OJ No L 161, 2 . 7 . 1993 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 396, 31 . 12 . 1992 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-24 10 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission '

(1 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2361 / 93 ( 94 / C 279 / 50 )

by Marguerite-Marie Dinguirard ( V ), Marie Isler Béguin ( V )

and Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

to the Commission

Subject : Harmonization of Greek and Community law
(1 September 1993 ) relating to various aspects of lead pollution

( 94 / C 279 / 49 )

Subject : Financial contribution from the Community
towards the building of road infrastructure and a
tunnel in the Vallee de la Claree, in the
Hautes-Alpes department in France

1 . Can the Commission confirm or deny that a financial
contribution from the Community has been granted or
planned in respect of the construction of road Infrastructure
and a tunnel in the Vallee de la Claree, in the Hautes-Alpes
department in France ?

2 . If the answer is yes, does the Commission realize that
the area in question became a protected area in August

1992 ?

Has Greece brought its legislation into line with Community
law relating to various aspects of lead pollution,
e.g. with Directives 82 / 884 / EEC ( l ), 85 / 210 / EEC ( 2 ),
80 / 778 / EEC ( 3 ), 76 / 464 / EEC ( 4 ), 82 / 605 / EEC ( 5 ) and
77 / 312 / EEC ( 6 )?

(») OJ No L 378, 31 . 12 . 1982, p . 15

( 2 ) OJ No L 96, 3 . 4 . 1985, p . 25 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980, p . 11 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p . 23 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 247, 23 . 8 . 1982, p . 12 .

( 6 ) OJ No L 105, 28 . 4 . 1977, p . 10 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission
( 31 January 1994 ) ( 21 December 1993 )

The Commission can confirm that there has not been any
previous Community funding of this project in the
framework of the common interest infrastructure

programme .

Furthermore, the new 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 (*) identifies transport
infrastructure projects of Community interest within the
framework of the 1993 / 94 action programme . Article 4 of
the above Regulation states that Community action
concerns any study covering land transport infrastructure

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member

that Greece has transposed Directives 82 / 605 / EEC

( protection of workers ), 82 / 884 / EEC ( lead in the air ),
85 / 210 / EEC ( quality of petrol ), 80 / 778 / EEC ( drinking
water ) and 76 / 464 / EEC ( discharge of dangerous substances
into the aquatic environment ) and that no proceedings have
been initiated to date for failure to comply .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 25

WRITTEN QUESTION E-24 14 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrasses

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 13 December 1993 )

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 51 ) The Commission is currently preparing a communication on
the use of passive gear . Clearly, such gear must in future be
the subject of specific provisions .

Subject : Use of Structural Fund resources in Greece

Some national governments are attempting to use Structural
Fund resources on the basis of patronage, petty politicking
and an attitude designed to obstruct development . In
particular, the Greek Government has already begun to
bring the Structural Funds into the country 's election
campaign, which has not been formally declared, in an
attempt to make political capital out of them . What are the
Commission 's views on this and how does it intend to react

to ensure that European citizens and, especially Greek
citizens, are properly informed about the development
objectives for which resources from the Community 's
Structural Funds are provided ?

The proposal for technical measures in Mediterranean
fisheries already lays down the first elements . However,
since such gear differs so greatly from one region to another
and often involves fisheries which concern a single Member
State, Community provisions can provide only a basis to be
supplemented at national level under the principle of
subsidiarity .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2460 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 53 )
Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1993 ) Subject : Ratification of The Hague Convention of 1965 on

adoption

Preparation of the regional development plan for the next
programming period ( 1994 — 1999 ) is the sole responsibility
of the Greek authorities . Under Article 32(1 ) of Regulation

( EEC ) No 2082 / 93 (*), those authorities must also ensure
that the plan receives adequate publicity . Subsequently the
Commission will draw up in partnership with the Greek
authorities the Community support framework for which
appropriate publicity will also be ensured .

Which Member States have not yet ratified the 1965 Hague
Convention on adoption ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

(^ OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 . Of the Member States only the United Kingdom has ratified
this Convention . It should be noted that matters in relation

to the Hague Conventions are not within the competence of
the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2434 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2470 / 93

to the Commission by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission
(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 52 ) (1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 54 )

Subject : Length of trammel nets used by fishing boats in the Subject : Aid for sponge fishing

Mediterranean

Many Mediterranean fishermen take the view that the
length of trammel nets should, without exception, be in
proportion to the length of the vessels using them . Does the
Commission agree with this view ?

Does the Commission support Greek sponge fishermen in
their desire to see aid for sponge fishing per kilo of product
replaced by aid to encourage modernization of
sponge-fishing boats or to replace them with vessels for
catching tuna fish or swordfish ?

No C 279 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1993 )

Direct price support, such as the aid per kilo referred to by
the Honourable Member, is covered by the rules on the
common organization of the market and cannot affect the
conditions for implementation of the structural aid scheme,
which includes measures to assist fleet renewal .

There is no principle whereby measures under these two
schemes, which differ greatly in their objectives, can
substitute each other .

Any implementation of structural measures to modernize
vessels of the sponge-fishing fleet, or to replace them with
vessels for catching tuna or swordfish, would be strictly
subject to compliance with a number of conditions,
including :

— the healthy state of stocks of these species,

— compliance with the objectives set out in the multiannual

guidance programmes for the fishing fleet,

— evidence that the Member State concerned gives priority

to this type of measure in the programming of the plan
that it submits to the Commission for its fishing industry
in connection with the application of the reform of the
Structural Funds in the fishering sector .

Community territory and that the police chief 's decision
consequently infringes the basic principle laid down in the
Treaty .

Does the Commission not believe that it should ask the

Italian Interior Ministry for an explanation regarding the
general point at issue, of which the case described above is
just one illustration ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1993 )

In general, the withholding of permission for a rock concert
to be given by a singer who is a national of another Member
State constitutes a restriction on the fundamental principle
of freedom to provide services within the Community,
which is enshrined in Article 59 of the EC Treaty .

However, under Articles 66 and 56, such a measure may be
admissible if it is justified, as in the case in point, on grounds
of public policy or public security .

Even though subject to verification by the Court of Justice
and the Commission, assessment of the factual
circumstances under which the concert is to take place and
the final decision on whether the necessary conditions as to
public policy or public security are met falls within the
jurisdiction of the competent authorities in each Member
State .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2487 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2480 / 93
by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

by Enrico Falqui ( V ) to the Commission

to the Commission
(1 September 1993 )

(1 September 1993 ) ( 94 / C 279 / 56 )
94 / C 279 / 55

Subject : Observance of the freedom to provide services in

Italy

When the English rock singer Sting last toured Italy, the
local chief of police decided to withhold permission for a
concert to be staged in Catanzaro ( Calabria ).

Permission was certainly not refused, however, for safety
reasons connected with the nature of the proposed venue .
On the contrary, it was alleged that the performance might
incite the spectators to violence .

Without wishing to pass judgment on the soundness of the

underlying reasons for the police chief 's decision, the fact
nevertheless remains that Sting — a British national, a
professional entertainer, and hence a ' provider of services '
— should enjoy the freedom to provide services within

Subject : Adoption of procedures to guarantee citizens

cross-border rights in regard to nuclear
installations

In view of the cross-border nature of the hazards posed by
nuclear plants, will the Commission adopt binding
procedures guaranteeing citizens their rights across borders
in regard to nuclear installations ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrasses

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

In application of Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty, the
health of the population living in the Community is
protected against the dangers of ionizing radiation by means
of the Community 's legislation on radiation protection . In

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 27

particular, the Council has adopted Directive
80 / 836 / Euratom of 15 July 1980, laying down the basic
safety standards for the health protection of the general
public and workers against such dangers ( J ), and Directive

89 / 818 / Euratom of 27 November 1989, on informing the
general public about health protection measures to be
applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological
emergency ( 2 ).

The cross-border effects of nuclear installations are

controlled by the Commission under Article 37 of the
Euratom Treaty, according to which the Commission shall
deliver an opinion on any plan to be adopted by a Member
State for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form,
to determine whether the implementation of such plan is
liable to result in the radioactive contamination of the water,
soil or airspace of another Member State . Since 1957, the
Commission has issued 144 opinions on such cases .

Article 7 of Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC of 27 June 1985
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment ( 3 ) obliges any Member State,
where there is intended to be carried out a project likely to
have significant effects on the environment in another
Member State, to forward to the other Member State
information on the project and its effects .

In view of the measures described above, the Commission
takes the view that there already exists a comprehensive
legislative framework, which is binding for all Member
States .

i 1 ) OJ No L 246, 17 . 9 . 1980 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 357, 7 . 12 . 1989 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 57 )

Subject : Restructuring of farming in Greece

Restructuring of farms in Greece is thought to be unrealistic
and impossible in certain cases such as :

1 . traditional crop farming ( olives, vines, etc .) which use
land unsuitable for other crops,

2 . citrus fruit groves which to a large extent belong to
non-farmers,

3 . isolated ventures,

and while the Community envisaged wide use of the

set-aside scheme, there has been limited scope for its
implementation .

In view of this, can the Commission make any changes to the
basic options and measures relating to the restructuring of
farming in Greece ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

The question asked by the Honourable Member has to be
seen against a rather complex background, and experience
has shown that the answer must not be sought in solutions
affecting one aspect of the issue, such as, for example, public
aid for the conversion and restructuring of crops or
varieties, or the snowball effects of the CAP reform . It is a
fact that public aid tenders for conversion or restructuring,
or the evolution of the CAP and of world trade can increase

farmers ' choices as to the various lines of production, but
much will still remain to be done to direct those choices,
bearing in mind market advantages ( or constraints ),
possible new outlets, specific features and assets ( or weak
links ) at regional and even at local level . The answer,
therefore, can only be the result of specific studies which
must dwell on and carefully consider all the factors affecting
the farmers ' relevant decisions, as was the case, for example,
of the study entrusted to Professor Zevgaridis in the context
of Mediterranean Integrated Programme for Crete on the
prospects of the island 's agricultural growth sectors .

The Commission would be prepared to examine any similar
proposal for the other Greek regions in the course of the new
period for programming the Structural Funds and with due
regard for the principle of partnership . Indeed, the
cooperation of Member States is all the more important as
the taking of decisions of a political or institutional nature,
sometimes difficult at the level of the Member States, is often
essential in this field .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2530 / 93

by Michel Debatisse ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 58

Subject : Health checks at borders within the Community

It is now a year since checks on animal movements at the
Community 's internal borders were abolished on 1 July

1992, and the Animo computer network should have
become operational, but it has still not done so .

No C 279 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

When does the Commission intend to put it into operation ?
What transitional measures have been adopted to make up

for its absence ?

As a result of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Italy,
swine vesicular disease in the Netherlands and swine fever in

Germany, the Commission has prohibited the movement of
animals susceptible to these diseases out of the areas
affected . Does the Commission have the means to enforce

compliance with these prohibitions ? More generally, does
the Commission intend to increase the means at its disposal
to enable outbreaks of disease to be dealt with at regional
level, and if so, how ?

Is the Commission aware that unidentified animals with

incomplete accompanying documents are sold between
Member States, although Article 11 of Council Directivce
92 / 102 / EEC O states that minimum identification
procedures must be observed during the transitional period .
How does the Commission intend to deal with this

problem ?

(!) OJ No L 355, 5 . 12 . 1992, p . 32 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

The Animo system is working . The central server,
communications and applications software and computers
at local level are all in place . Several thousand messages have
already been exchanged .

What remains to be achieved is the generalized operation of
the network throughout the Community . This has involved
various time-consuming tasks ( for example translation of
the software and of installation and operation manuals into
all the languages of the Community, internal procedure for
negotiating and signing the contracts between the national
authorities and the host centre ). At present, the Commission
is concentrating — in collaboration with the national
authorities — on settling the last remaining problems in a
small number of Member States . In any event, it will be
necessary to decide before the end of the year and in
accordance with the procedure envisaged, whether it is time
to start up the system even if a limited number of local units
are not ready .

The Commission would like to stress the considerable

efforts which have been made by all the parties concerned to
create such a large network ( approximately 2 500 local
units ) and render it operational .

It had been agreed between the Member States to exchange
faxes on a transitional basis . As was foreseeable, this
experiment has been disappointing .

The regionalization policy for animal diseases is based
legally on Directives concerning the individual diseases of
importance and Article 10 of Council Directive
90 / 425 / EEC . The authorities of the Member States apply
the measures . They are also responsible for the health
certification of live animals before trade, checks on arrival at
the destination and for taking appropriate action when

infringements of rules are discovered . These functions are
supervised by the veterinary inspection division of the
Commission, which at present is increasing resources to
permit greater involvement in this area of work .

Movement of live animals across intra-Community borders
requires certification, by an offical veterinarian, followed by
the possibility of health and documentary checks on arrival
at the destination in the receiving Member State . The
notification of consignments also helps in the
administration of these checks . The Commission is aware

that the competent authorities of the Member States
sometimes find, in the course of checks, that identification is
missing, illegible or incomplete or that documents are
missing or incorrect . It is inevitable that such incidents will
occasionally occur in view of the large numbers of animals
moving within the Community . However, the Commission
is not aware of any systematic or large-scale evasion of
Community rules .

The Commission, in collaboration with the Chief
Veterinary Officers of the Member States, is actively
considering ways of improving disease control measures .
Animal movement controls, to apply within Member States,
compatible with those for intra-Community trade and a
surveillance system at farm and transport level are two areas
presently being examined .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2537 / 93

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 59 )

Subject : Community support for a quality guide to food

industry products

The food industry has a major obligation to consumers in
the Community to guarantee food quality control systems
and establish guidelines for international food marketing .

Certain groups of industrialists and consumers '
representatives have proposed setting up a food industry
quality guide, as is already done in some Member States,
which would give a grading to every single product available
on the market, so as to protect the fundamental interests of

consumers .

Does the Commission think it should encourage that
creation of a Community food industry quality guide, by
providing appropriate funding for its production, in view of

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 29

its importance and its aim of improving the quality of food Answer given by Mr Steichen
products consumed by Community citizens, and by granting on behalf of the Commission
a label of quality to products which exceed the standards set (7 February 1994 )
by the guide ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

(7 February 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

The Commission is conscious of the role which technical

standards play in the development of the agri-food industry,
and of the value to consumers of being able to identify
products prepared in accordance with those standards by
means of quality labels .

Taking the experiences of the Member States as its
starting-point, the Commission decided to promote a
Community-wide quality policy . Thus, in the context of the
common agricultural policy, the Council, on 14 July 1992,
adopted Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 92 on certificates of
specific character for agricultural products and foodstuffs,
which makes provision for affixing a Community symbol to
specific products for which specifications have been
registered at Community level .

Directive 93 / 43 / EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of
foodstuffs requires Member States to encourage the
preparation of voluntary guides to good hygiene practice
and, if they consider it appropriate, to recommend firms in
the food sector to apply the European standards of the EN
29000 series in order to implement the general rules of
hygiene and the guides to good hygiene practice .

The Commission has no plans at present to devise a quality
label for products which exceed the required standards .

Over the last 10 years Greece has made great progress in
improving labour productivity in agriculture . Between 1982
and 1992 the volume of final production increased by 12 %,
while the volume of labour utilized ( measured in annual
number of work units ) fell by 17,8 % . This corresponds to a
36,7 % increase in labour productivity . Although this
increase in productivity is substantial, it remains lower than
the increase recorded for the Community as a whole over the
same period, which was 55,6% .

Intermediate inputs have remained more or less stable over
the last decade, both in Greece and in the Community, if one
ignores annual fluctuations due to variable weather
conditions . This means that the increase in production has
been mainly due to a proportional increase in the volume of
means of production used ( fertilizer, pesticides,
feedingstuffs, fuel, etc .).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2561 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 61

Subject : Directives 90 / 21 9 / EEC and 90 / 220 / EEC on
genetically modified micro-organisms and
organisms

What stage has been reached in the proceedings against the
Federal Republic of Germany for failure to fulfil Treaty
obligations with regard to Directives 90 / 21 9 / EEC (*) and
90 / 220 / EEC ( 2 )?

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2540 / 93 ( 2 ) OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990, p . 15 .

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 f C 279 / 60 )

Subject : Productivity of Greek agriculture

In recent years Greece has aimed to improve agricultural
productivity by rationalizing production methods and the
distribution process for agricultural produce . Has Greece
managed to improve its agricultural productivity in
comparison with the other Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrasses

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )

The procedure referred to by the Honourable Member is
being followed . The Commission is continuing to take
action to ensure that German legislation is brought into line
with Directives 90 / 21 9 / EEC and 90 / 220 / EEC .

No C 279 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 89 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2666 / 93

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) by Manfred Vohrer ( LDR )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

(1 September 1993 )

to the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 62 ) ( 94 / C 279 / 64 )

Subject : Community regional policy

Is the Commission satisfied with the measures taken in the

context of Community regional policy, in particular, those
to support disadvantaged regions through industrial
restructuring, vocational training and investment ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1994 )

The resources mobilized for structural intervention by the

Community are very substantial .

Most of the funds are used for improving basic
infrastructure, modernizing the productive base and raising
skill levels in the regions concerned .

Subject : Fourth Framework Programme for Research /

addendum

As an addendum to my question submitted in early July

1993 ( E-2273 / 93 ):

According to recent reports in the media, though it has yet
to be definitively confirmed, it seems that the British
mathematician Andrew Wiles, making use of the earlier
work carried out by the German mathematician Gerhard
Frey, has succeeded in proving ' Fermat 's last theorem ' 350
years after it was first postulated .

— What is the Commission 's assessment of this cultural

achievement,

— of the importance of the earlier work,

— of the status of mathematical research in Europe

— of the importance of outstanding mathematical research

institutes in Europe ( Cambridge, IHES, Max Planck
Institute, etc .)

— and, in the light of this remarkable achievement, how

can top-class research in mathematics in Europe be
safeguarded and promoted ?

In partnership with the Member States, specific safeguarded and promoted ?
programmes have been launched in certain industrial sectors
to help resolve restructuring problems and promote
investment . As regards occupational training, action by the
Community has helped to improve the quality and capacity Joint answer to Written Questions
of education and training in the disadvantaged regions . E-2273 / 93 and E-2666 / 93

E-2273 / 93 and E-2666 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2273 / 93

by Manfred Vohrer ( LDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 63 )

Subject : Fourth Framework Programme for Research

What provision does the Fourth Framework Programme in
the field of Research 1994 — 1998 make for the field of

mathematics, bearing in mind particularly that the EP
wishes more funds ( around 10% ) to be allocated to
fundamental research ? What percentage of the research
budget has been allocated to pure mathematics ?

given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1993 )

The Commission is not conducting any specific research
activity on mathematics . However, since 1985, it has used
the Stimulation, Science and Human Capital Programmes to
fund hundreds of study grants and research projects in this
field . These measures were not restricted to one particular
area of research but were directed at the training and
mobility of researchers and the setting up of networks .

A similar activity, entitled ' Stimulation of training and
mobility of researchers in the Community ', is included in
the Commission 's proposal for a Fourth Framework
Programme and is allocated ECU 785 million . Past and
more recent experience shows that the proportion of the
budget for this kind of activity allocated for research and
training in mathematics is in the order of 10% . The
proportion of Community funds allocated to mathematics
should therefore continue to increase over the next few years
and hence make a significant contribution to maintaining
and stimulating mathematics research in Europe .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 31

The hundreds of proposals of excellent scientific quality
which have been received and are still being received under
the Human Capital Programme are good indicators that
high standard mathematics research continues to flourish in
Europe . In this context, the Commission is pleased to
congratulate the British mathematician, Andrew Wiles,
who, on the basis of groundwork done by the German
mathematician, Gerhard Frey, seems to have solved one of
the main problems facing the world of mathematics for
more than three centuries : Fermat 's last theorem . Experts
recognize in Wiles ' demonstration, which relies on a wide
variety of modern techniques, a brilliant and original
synthesis of ideas that opens the way to new fields of
investigation . The Commission is pleased to report that the
establishments referred to by the Honourable Member ( the
University of Cambridge, the Institut des Hautes Etudes
Scientifiques ( IHES ) and the Institut Max Planck ) have
already been selected for the Human Capital Programme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2667 / 93

by Alonso Puerta ( GUE )

to the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 65 )

Subject : The air transport crisis in the EEC

Community airlines are undergoing a serious recession with
the loss of thousands of jobs owing to unfair competition
from US carriers as regards domestic fares and the rapid
process of liberalization of the market .

1 . Does the Commission intend to promote
Community-wide negotiations between airlines and
trade unions ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to delay the process of
liberalization or to accompany it with a process of social
harmonization ?

3 . Does the Commission intend to promote a greater
degree of coordination between Community airlines
and facilitate a reasonable agreement with US airlines
within the framework of IATA ?

4 . What conditions has the Commission laid down for the

authorization of public assistance to airlines, and to the
Spanish company Ibera in particular ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

The Commission is well aware of the serious difficulties

which Community airlines are currently experiencing . It
noted with great interest the report presented by the
Committee of Wise Men on 1 February 1994 analyzing the
current situation of the civil aviation sector . The

Commission will be examining the Committee 's conclusions
carefully ; it intends presenting its conclusions in the form of
a communication to the Council and Parliament as soon as

possible .

The Commission is also pressing on with its endeavours to
harmonize within the Community working conditions for
aircrew and to foster the mutual recognition of pilot 's
licences . On the question of negotiations with third
countries, the Commission has already submitted a number
of proposals to the Council for the recognition of its
jurisdiction in this sphere . In particular the Commission
considers that negotiations between the United States and
the Community could advantageously take the place of the
current system of bilateral agreements negotiated by each
Member State . On the other hand, encouraging an
agreement between Community airlines and US airlines
within the framework of IATA might constitute a violation
of the rules on competition in force on both sides of the
Atlantic . The Commission is, nevertheless, prepared to
examine under what conditions such cooperation might be
acceptable .

Lastly, the Commission is continuing its investigations into
state aid to airlines by applying the principles defined in
Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty . In this connection it is
preparing a communication explaining its intended
approach on the evaluation of state aid in the civil aviation
sector . The question of State aid to Iberia is not currently
under investigation by the Commission, which approved the
aid and restructuring programme for the company in July

1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2689 / 93

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 66 )

Subject : ERDF finance for British Rail InterCity 225

project

Is the British Rail InterCity bid for franchise monies for
investment in the InterCity 225 project for the west coast
main line a suitable candidate for Regional Development
Funds ?

No C 279 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

In order to receive support from the European Regional
Development Fund, rail transport schemes must be located
in eligible regions .

The current Community Support Frameworks for Objective
2 regions in the United Kingdom state that ' Measures such
as the general provision of basic transport and public utility
infrastructure will be carried out by the responsible
authorities without ERDF support, but where appropriate
with the support of the Community 's other financial
instruments .'

Moreover, only a part of the west coast main line is currently
located in eligible regions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2711 / 93

by Thomas Maher ( LDR )

to the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 67 )

Subject : Costs of motor taxes and insurance throughout the

EC

Can the Commission give comparative figures for the cost of
motor taxes in the Member States for the following
categories of motor vehicles 1-litre, 1,5-litre, 2-litre, 2,5-litre
and 3-litre .

What are the average costs of insurance, both
comprehensive and third party, for these categories of
motor vehicle ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

1 . The motor taxes to which the Honourable Member

refers differ appreciably from one Member State to another .
These differences are due to a variety of factors associated
with the structure of the tax base and with the rates

applied .

The tax base is made up of various components which vary
between Member States . Some Member States determine the

tax base by applying the notion of taxable horse power, a
notion open to many differing interpretations, while others
calculate the tax solely on the basis of actual power or by
combining this criterion with others such as cylinder
diameter, the number of cylinders, the fuel used, the dead

weight, or age . One Member State applies a single flat-rate
tax without reference to any base whatsoever .

Rates also vary widely in the Member States, and in some of
them they even vary from one region to another .

Given the disparities in the tax base and the wide variety of
rates, it is not possible to produce a table giving a valid
comparison of the level of road tax by class of vehicle .

2 . With regard to the cost of insurance, several
comparative studies have been carried out in recent years to
illustrate the cost of insuring a motor vehicle in the 12
Member States .

A recent example was the joint study carried out by ' the
European consumer ' organization, the European Bureau of
Consumers ' Unions ( BEUC ) and the Belgian magazine ' Test
Achats ' and published in April 1992 under the title
' Third-party motor insurance '.

These studies must, however, be regarded with some
caution . Depending on the classification of vehicles, there
are wide differences in premiums between Member States
and between insurance companies, and this hampers
comparisons . Other factors specific to driving, such as
congestion, the road system, climate, liability rules, the cost
of spare parts, and taxes or para-fiscal charges, also differ
appreciably from one Member State to another .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2719 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 68 )

Subject : Legalization of unauthorized buildings and
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC

The Greek Government has asked the Ministries for

Agriculture and Cultural Affairs to give their opinion within
two months on an amendment to the law which could

exclude areas in which illegal building has taken place from
the urban development plan .

This is contrary to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 1 ).

— firstly paragraph 10(b ) of Annex II of the Directive

expressly includes ' urban development projects '.

— secondly : Article 6 of the Directive incorporates
provisions such as public information, specification of
the way in which the public may be informed

( organization of exhibitions with plans, drawings,

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 33

tables, bill-posting within a certain radius, publication in
local newspapers etc .) which are not included in the
government 's provisions, and

— thirdly : because the methods and impossibly tight

deadlines applied to woodland and archaeological sites
are totally contrary to the spirit of the Directive .

copper mining by the SPCC in Peru ( for example,
through the purchase of copper or support for
development projects )?

3 . Does the Commission consider that any links revealed in
answer to question 2 are in conflict with the general
environmental policy of the European Community ?

What measures will the Commission take to ensure that 4 . If so, what steps will it take ? If not, is it prepared to
Greece complies with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ? contribute to improving the environmental and health

situation with regard to copper mining and how will it
(!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 . do so ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission
( 27 January 1994 )
( 24 February 1994 )

The inclusion of unauthorized buildings in the urban
development plan does not fall within the scope of Directive
85 / 337 / EEC on the impact of certain public and private
projects on the environment . Urban development plans in
general are not within the Community 's field of
competence . The stage at which Directive 85 / 337 / EEC
might possibly apply is before planning permission is given
for any individual project within an urban development
plan .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737 / 93

by Hemmo Muntingh ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 69 )

Subject : Environmental and health problems from copper

mining in Peru

The mining activities of the American ' Southern Peru
Copper Corporation ' ( SPCC ) are having an unfavourable
impact on the ecosystem in Peru, and hence on human
activities and health as a result of air and water pollution in
both land-based and marine ecosystems . This situation has
lasted for over 30 years and is affecting both the mining
areas and beyond . The Peruvian authorities apparently
intend to ignore the specific rulings and recommendations
by the International Water Tribunal of 1992, refusing to
allow the local authorities and populations any say in the

matter .

1 . Is the Commission aware of the problems conneted with
copper mining by the SPCC in Peru and / or the rulings
and recommendations delivered by the International
Water Tribunal ?

2 . Can the Commission say how the European Community
or its Member States are directly or indirectly involved in

1 . Although aware of the environmental problems
caused by mining activities, the Commission has no
knowledge of the specific problems mentioned by the
Honourable Member nor of the International Water

Tribunal 's rulings concerning the SPCC in Peru .

2 . The Commission does not provide any direct financial
support for development aid projects in the area in
question .

After successive falls in imports of copper ores and
concentrates from Peru in the late 1980s, there have been no
imports at all of these products since 1992 into any
Community country .

As far as the Commission is aware, no Community-based
concern, even in the private sector, has a stake in the SPCC .
At the beginning of 1993 the respective holdings in SPCC
were as follows : Asarco Inc . ( 52,3 % ), Marmon Group Inc .

( 20,7 % ), Newmont Mining Corp. ( 10,7 % ), Phelps Dodge
Corp. ( 16,3% ). The SPCC also has two wholly-owned
subsidiaries : Cuajone Copper Mine and Toquepala Copper
Mine .

It is worth noting that the Commission has received
information from the Peruvian government to the effect that
it required the SPCC to carry out a policy of
decontamination and that the company did in fact launch an
extensive decontamination programme ( water recycling and
anti-contamination measures ) at the beginning of the 1990s .
Peruvian universities, including the University of Arequipa,
are involved in this work .

3 . and 4 . The Commission draws the Honourable

Member 's attention to the fact that it is unable to respond to
his question owing to the lack of detailed information on the
environmental impact of the SPCC 's mining activities .

However, as part of its policy of cooperation with third
countries, the Community has developed a very active policy

No C 279 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

of environmental protection, in particular by means of the
budget for ' the environment in the developing countries '. It
is the budgetary authority that sets the limits to Community
action .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 77 / 93

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September )

( 94 / C 279 / 70 )

Subject : Free movement of persons

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-23 77 / 93 and E-2751 / 93

given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

In its joint answer to Written Questions Nos 378 / 93 by Mr
Ford and 930 / 93 by Mrs Banotti (*), the Commission stated
that the logic of the single market would seem to preclude
carriers from continuing to carry out embarkation checks
on intra-Community travellers at a time when public
authorities should no longer be carrying out checks at
internal borders . The Commission announced that it had

therefore started to look into possible action in this area .
This work, which forms part of the overall examination of
the measures which the Commission could take within the

limits of its jurisdiction in order to achieve the objective of
free movement of persons referred to in Article 8a of the EC
Treaty, is still in progress .

Has the Commission obtained an opinion on the question of
whether the British Carriers ' Liability Act of 1987 is (!) OJ No C 140, 21 . 5 . 1994, p . 31 .
contrary to Community law ?

It will be recalled that Article 8a of the Single European Act
defines the internal market as ' an area without internal

frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons,
services, and capital is assured in accordance with the
provisions of the Treaty '. But employees of private
companies, airlines and ferry operators are required to carry
out document checks on passengers to the United Kingdom
under the Carriers ' Liability Act .

Is it denied that this Act impedes the free movement of
persons ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2751 / 93

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 71 )

Subject : Intra-Community travel

The Treaty of Rome ( Article 8a ) and the Treaty on
European Union state that ' The internal market shall
comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free
movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured
in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty '.

Does the Commission think that this is compatible with the
Carriers ' Liability Act ( 1987 ) of the United Kingdom and
with the equivalent legislation in France ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2758 / 93

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 72 )

Subject : Incorrect application of Article 6 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 2780 / 92 in Spain

Article 6 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2780 / 92 ( 2 ) stipulates that
the transfer of entitlement to the supplement for durum
wheat must be accompanied by transfer of entitlement to
work the same number of hectares which may be eligible for

compensatory payment .

Despite the unambiguous nature of the aforementioned
provision, the Spanish Government 's National Service for
Agricultural Products has systematically denied the right to
receive supplementary payments for durum wheat in cases
where there has been a transfer of entitlement to work the

corresponding hectares of land .

Given this arbitrary attitude which is totally contrary to
Community law what measures does the Commission
intend to take to make the Spanish Government apply the
Community law correctly in relation to supplementary
payments for durum wheat and to stop the discrimination
between its farmers and those in the rest of the

Community ?

What action does the Commission propose to deal with
this ? H OJ No L 281, 25 . 9 . 1992, p . 5 .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 35

Answer given by Mr Steichen

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2776 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )
( 12 January 1994 ) to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 74 )
The Commission has no information concerning this
allegation, but is currently checking the position with the
Spanish authorities . Article 6(3 ) of Regulation ( EEC )
No 2780 / 92 states that the transfer of entitlement to the Subject : Arrangements for the
supplement for durum wheat must be accompanied by funds in Poland
transfer of entitlement to work the same number of hectares
of eligible land . The non-application of this provision by a Given that three years have elapsed
Member State would constitute an infringement of Question No 590 / 90 (*) and the
appropriate Community, legislation institute proceedings, and the Commission under Article would 169 EC, if reply much, as and the in Commission particular provide, can the
Treaty . since the first half of

Subject : Arrangements for the operation of the counterpart

funds in Poland

Given that three years have elapsed between my Written
Question No 590 / 90 (*) and the reply, which I regret as
much as the Commission, can the Commission update its
reply, and in particular provide information on any new
developments since the first half of 1990 with regard to :

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2767 / 93

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 73 )

Subject : Hare coursing in Ireland

1 . Does the Commission agree that hare coursing,
practised as a ' national sport ' in Ireland, is incompatible
with ethical standards regarding the treatment of
animals ?

2 . 80 % of the Irish population disapprove of this sport,
regarding it as an extremely brutal form of cruelty to
animals . Does not the Commission see this as a reason for it

to take action ?

3 . What will the Commission do, and what measures
should be taken in Ireland ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1994 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by
the Commission to Written Question No 1103 / 93 by Mr
Bettini and others (*).

(!) OJ No . C 140, 21 . 5 . 1994, p . 36 .

— requests for authorization by the Polish authorities to

the EEC concerning the main points of management of
these funds, and more precisely in which cases
authorization was granted or refused ;

— on-the-spot checks by the Commission and the Court of

Auditors on the use of the funds and the conclusions

drawn from such checks ;

— the selection criteria for projects entitled to receive

funding ; if these have been modified, in what way ;

— the nature of projects financed since 30 June 1990 ?

0 ) OJ No C 320, 26 11 . 1993, p . 1 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

1 . The applications submitted to the Board of the Polish
Counterpart Fund for consideration since 1990 are too
numerous to list individually . However, two tables listing
the turnover of the Counterpart Fund since 1990 give an
indication of the volume involved and are sent direct to the

Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of

Parliament . Applications to the Board are accepted or
rejected on the basis of whether or not they meet the terms
and conditions governing the use of the Counterpart
Fund .

2 . Reports by the Court of Auditors on the Polish
Counterpart Fund may be obtained from the Court 's
Annual Reports on the financial years 1990 ( paragraph

12.35 ) and 1991 ( paragraph 14.58 ). During 1992 the Court
carried out an on-the-spot audit with the assistance of the
Polish Court of Auditors .

3 . The selection criteria for projects entitled to receive
funding have been amended since 1990 . In particular, it
should be mentioned that the former overall objective of

No C 279 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

' improvement of living conditions in rural areas ' has been
made more explicit and now includes projects for the
protection of the rural environment and support to rural
education systems .

4 . The table ( see point I above ) on outgoings from the
Counterpart Fund indicates the nature of projects financed
since 30 June 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2792 / 93

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 75 )

Subject : Rural and island slaughterhouses

Will the Commission state what proposals it has to assist
rural and island slaughterhouses to improve standards to
enable their survival in view of their vital role in providing
essential services in the interests of sustained

development .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

Aid for the United Kingdom meat processing industry is
available under Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90 (*) for the
processing and marketing of agricultural products . The
Regulation does not provide for direct assistance to
slaughterhouses, execpt in the Objective 1 area of Northern
Ireland . In all cases, aid is subject to the provision that there
must be no overall increase in the slaughtering capacity of
the region .

Implementation of the Regulation is the responsibility of the
Member States, which co-ordinate and submit proposals to
the Commission in the form of Operational Programmes .
The programmes are then approved by the Commission in
line with an approved Community Support Framework,
previously decided by the Commission on the basis of
sectoral plans submitted by the Member States .

The Commission is currently reviewing aspects of this
legislation as part of an overall review of the Structural
Funds, and will shortly receive submissions from Member
States concerning their priorities for grant aid during the
period 1994 — 1999 . As resources are limited, priority will
be given to the areas of greatest need and existing
restrictions may well continue to apply in the meat

sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2801 / 93

by Pierre Lataillade ( RDE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 76 )

Subject : Crisis in the paper market

At a time when devaluation of the Nordic countries '

currencies has already brought about a serious crisis in the
European paper market which threatens the long-term
survival of Community producers, and when certain
European countries are planning to establish new waste
management procedures applicable to paper products, thus
further distorting competition in the sector, can the
Commission say what progress it has made in its efforts to
secure Community harmonization of waste paper
management ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

The Honourable Member will be aware that in December

1993 the Council adopted a common position on the
proposal for a Directive on packaging and packaging
waste i 1 ), the purpose of which is to harmonize provisions
on packaging and packaging waste at Community level . The
Directive covers waste paper generated by packaging .

In the mean time, following the recent upheavals on the
market for recycled paper, the Council asked the
Commission to collate data with which to measure the

movement of recyclable material within the Community,
and in particular out of Germany, and its impact on the
collection systems and markets for recyclable products in
other Member States .

To this end, the Commission has made contacts and
organized working meetings with the Member States . The
results of its consultation have been sent to the Council .

These contacts are being maintained .

The Commission has taken the devaluations referred to by
the Honourable Member into account in examining the
applications for safeguard clauses which several Member
States have sent in for certain wood and paper products . In
this context, the Commission also takes account of
devaluations in the Member States themselves, as well as
other related factors . The Commission would also point out
that on 1 August 1993 the Community set up a system to
monitor the importation of the products in question, for an
initial three-month period . The system was extended to run
a further three months .

(!) OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 . The Commission is aware of the complexity of the problem
and will continue to provide all necessary support to reach
solutions which are consistent with the Community 's

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 37

guidelines and regulations, while at the same time guarding
against any unilateral action liable to have serious
repercussions on the markets . The Member States directly
concerned will have to work together and the industrial
sectors most affected be flexible enough to overcome a
situation which is causing considerable immediate

concern .

(M COM(92 ) 278 final and COM(93 ) 416 final SYN 436 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1993 )

The Commission categorically denies the allegations
referred to by the Honourable Member .

Although the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has
broken the embargo imposed on Serbia and Montenegro,
Community and CSCE officials in these countries have not
benefited in any way from such violations .

Moreover, there is evidence from a number of sources that
since 1 September Fyrom has complied with the
embargo .

to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2829 / 93

(4 October 1993 ) by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

( 94 / C 279 / 77 ) to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 78 )

Subject : Oil for Belgrade and alleged commissions paid to

European Community observers

A major reputable British publisher in London publishes a
printed Bulletin for a restricted readership which one hopes
includes the services of the Commission .

In its issue of 1 July, the Bulletin contained an article entitled
' How Belgrade survives '. The article claims that this survival
is to a large extent due to Greek oil exports via Macedonia
with the Pantsevo refinery near Belgrade as their final
destination .

It goes on to say that the Greek oil merchants complain
about the high taxes levied by the Macedonian authorities,
the tax being 70 % ad valorem . Moreover :

' They ( the Greek oil merchants ) say some ( of the high
tax ) ends up in the pockets of officials and observers
from the European Community and the Conference on
Security and Cooperation in Europe .'

How have the Community Institutions and the Commission
in particular responded to these serious allegations ?

Subject : Greek plan to protect forests from fires

In June 19 93 the Greek Government submitted an
integrated plan to protect the forests from fires based on
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2158 / 92 ( J ). The Greek proposal was
rejected by the Advisory Commission on Forests set up
under this Regulation as inadequate and the plan was
rejected .

Will the Commission say :

1 . On what grounds this plan was considered
inadequate ?

2 . What observations were made to the Greek Government

with a view to making the plan acceptable ?

3 . In what points did the Greek plan differ from the plans
of other Member States which were accepted by the
Advisory Commission on Forests ?

4 . How has the demand set out in Resolution B3-1 158 / 92
adopted in the plenary sitting on 17 September 1992 ( 2 ),
on the drawing-up of a report on the plans for
protection from fires submitted by the Member States,
been met ?

(!) OJ No L 217, 31 . 7 . 1992, p . 3 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 284, 2 . 11 . 1992, p . 109 .

No C 279 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2856 / 93

by Detlev Samland ( PSE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

Contrary to the information received by the Honourable ( 94 / C 279 / 80 )
Member, the Committee has not rejected the integrated plan
to protect the forests from fire submitted by Greece on the
basis of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2158 / 92 on protection of the Subject : Accusations of corruption
Community 's forests against fire . Lester, a Commission

Subject : Accusations of corruption against Mr Jeremy

Lester, a Commission official

Since the Greek plan did not arrive at the Commission until
1 July 1993, and time was needed for examination
procedures and consultation, it could not be presented at the
meeting of the Standing Committee on Forestry in July . It
will be put forward at the next meeting .

As to the plans presented by the other Member States,
examination procedures preceding presentation to the
Standing Committee on Forestry, as well as preparation of
Commission opinions after consultation with the Standing
Committee, are still underway .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2837 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

In its edition of 27 August 1993 the magazine
' Wirtschaftswoche ' indirectly accused Mr Lester of
corruption and referred to dubious practices on the part of
the Commission in awarding public works contracts .

1 . Has the Commission looked into this matter, or does it
intend to do so ?

2 . Is the Commission aware of the Greek-Belgian firm
Euro-Services which, the article in ' Wirtschaftswoche '
claims, sells appointments with EC officials ?

3 . Is EC official Mr Dimitri Petropoulos related to the
owner of Euro-Services, Mr Nikos Petropoulos ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1993 ) ( 26 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 79 )

Subject : Waste disposal centres in the UK

What notifications have been released from the United
Kingdom under Directive 91 / 689 / EEC (*) in regard to the
plans of the sites operated by Rechem International to be
designated waste disposal centres as from 12 December

1993 ?

(') OJ No L 377, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 20 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 February 1994 )

The United Kingdom authorities have not communicated to
the Commission any plans for the management of
hazardous waste under Directive 91 / 689 / EEC on hazardous

waste, which has not yet come into force .

Some waste disposal plans drawn up further to Directives
75 / 442 / EEC on waste and 78 / 319 / EEC on toxic and

dangerous waste have been communicated to the
Commission by the United Kingdom authorities . The latest
such communication was in November 1990 . These plans
do not, however, enable sites operated by Rechem
International to be identified, as the names of site operators
are rarely mentioned .

1 . The Commission has undertaken an administrative

inquiry into the allegations made in ' Wirtschaftswoche ' on
the 27 August 1993, examining written information and
taking selected testimonies . This administrative inquiry
clearly established that the allegations against the
Commission and its official mentioned in the article are

completely unfounded .

2 . The Commission is aware that the firm Euro Services

is established in Brussels .

3 . The official in DG VII, referred to by the Honourable
Member, is not related in any way to the managing director
of Euro-Services .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2861 / 93

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 81 )

Subject : Discharge of waste from the titanium oxide

industry into Community waters

Under Article 5 of Council Directive 92 / 112 / EEC of
15 December 1992 ( J ), the discharge and dumping of solid

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 39

waste, strong acid waste and to a large extent also treatment
waste from the titanium oxide industry are banned with
effect from 30 June 1993 at the latest .

1 . Has the deadline been adhered to by all Member
States ?

2 . Have any Member States informed the Commission that
they are prevented by serious technical and economic
difficulties from complying with the deadline ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2878 / 93

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 82 )

Subject : Investments under the Retex Programme in
Andalusia

The 1993 to 1997 operational programme for Spain under

3 . What does the Commission propose to do if a Member the Community 's Retex Programme has been allocated

State does not or cannot comply with the deadline ? Community aid of ECU 90,4 million, to cover investment in

11 regions of Spain . What specific investments in which
projects have been made in Andalusia under this
(>) OJ No L 409, 31 . 12 . 1992, p . 11 . programme ?

3 . What does the Commission propose to do if a Member

State does not or cannot comply with the deadline ?

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

on behalf of the Commission (3 January 1994 )

( 25 February 1994 )

1 . The Commission would inform the Honourable

Member that compliance with the deadline laid down by
Directive 92 / 112 / EEC on waste from the titanium oxide

industry can only be verified if the Member States have
actually notified to the Commission the national measures
giving effect to the Directive .

Spain, France and Luxembourg have already notified their
national implementing measures to the Commission .
However, in June 1993 the Commission sent letters under
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty to those Member States from
which it had not received such notification .

To date, only the German authorities have replied ; all the
measures which they notified are now being studied in detail
by the Commission .

2 . The Commission is not aware of any technical
problems at national level liable to delay compliance with
the deadlines laid down by the Directive .

3 . The Commission has taken and will continue to take
the measures at its disposal to ensure compliance with the
Community legislation .

The Spanish operational programme for Retex was
approved by the Commission Decision ( ! ) granting
Structural Fund assistance worth ECU 90,393 million ( 1993
prices ), including ECU 87,312 million from the European
Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) and ECU 3,081
million from the European Social Fund ( ESF ).

The programme covers the period 1993 — 1997 and
partially covers the areas eligible under Objectives 1, 2
and 5(b ) in 11 Spanish regions : Andalusia, Aragon,
Castile-Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura,
Galicia, Rioja, Madrid, Murcia and Valencia .

With regard to Andalusia, ERDF aid only is envisaged,
under three sub-programmes : multi-regional sub ­
programme 1 and regional sub-programmes 2 and 3 .

Subprogramme 1, which aims at improving the
competitiveness of businesses, will be implemented by the
Ministry of Industry under legislation introducing measures
to help areas dependent on textiles and clothing to adapt
to international competition and diversify . This
subprogramme will receive ERDF aid worth ECU 38,874
million for all the areas covered by the OP . At this stage, it is
not possible to advance the amount to which the eligible
areas of Andalusia could be entitled, since this will depend
on the progress made in implementing the sub ­

programme .

Under sub-programme 2, which aims to improve the
industrial base of the regions, ERDF aid worth ECU 5,858
million is planned for Andalusia, accounting for 11,5 % of
all the ERDF aid under this sub-programme ( ECU 50,811
million ). Operations under measures 2,1 ( coordination and

No C 279 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

advisory teams ), 2,4 ( modernization plans ) and 2,5 ( ECU )

( rehabilitation of industrial wasteland ) will be implemented
by the regional authorities under this sub-programme .

Lastly, Andalusia will also receive ECU 0,264 million in
ERDF aid under sub-programme 3, which aims to improve
access by businesses to venture capital and loans, i . e . 6,1 %
of the ERDF aid programmed under this sub-programme

( ECU 4,34 million ). Studies on the possibilities of access by
businesses to venture capital will be carried out .

Florence Tuscany

1989 0

1990 20 000 48 000

1991 0 80 000

1992 0 135 000

1993 80 304 + 100 000 52 194

The total for the region of Tuscany is ECU 515 498 for the
(M C(93 ) 2232 .
period in question, of which ECU 200 304 was allocated to
the city of Florence ( the ECU 100 000 indicated in 1993 was
allocated as a result of the damage caused by the bomb
which exploded in Florence on 26 May 1993 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2887 / 93

by Enrico Falqui ( V )

to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-2921 / 93

( 11 October 1993 ) by Nino Pisoni ( PPE ), Franco Borgo ( PPE ), Agostino

( 94 / C 279 / 83 ) Mantovani ( PPE ) and Andrea Bonetti ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

Subject : Community funding to the Tuscany Region for ( 94 / C 279 / 84 )

social an cultural policy initiatives in Florence

What funding has the Commission provided during the

1989 — 1993 four-year period in connection with the social
policy initiatives undertaken by the Community for social
and cultural projects submitted by the Tuscany regional
government in respect of Florence ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

Provision was made for the following ESF expenditure to be
granted to finance training and recruitment activities in the
region of Tuscany for the period 1989 — 1992 :

ECU Lit

1989 8 461 890 12 97 2 077 555

1990—1992 27 549 944 41 170 638 320

1993 8 7 66 198 15 762 500 624

Given that a regional framework project was presented for
the region of Tuscany in 1989 in which it is impossible to
distinguish the various activities, and that multiannual
programmes covering the whole region have been presented
since 1990, it is not possible to specify activities intended for
the city of Florence .

The following assistance was given in the context of the
social and cultural policy for the city of Florence :

Subject : Difficult situation in the market for grana
cheese

In view of the extreme sluggishness of the market for grana
padano and parmigiano-reggiano cheese :

1 . Does the Commission not feel that substantial amounts

of grana padano and parmigiano-reggiano cheese —
once dried and grated — should be set aside as a matter
of urgency for food aid to third countries which are in
difficulties, rather than being stored in public
stockpiles ?

2 . Is it aware that, rather than improving market
conditions, such public storage would further aggravate
them when the cheese was finally released onto the
market ?

3 . Does it not feel that it should cooperate with the
Consorzio di Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano

( grana padano cooperative association ) with a view to
achieving a balanced situation on a market which has
been upset by, inter alia, unfair competition from
poor-quality imitation products ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 December 1993 )

1 . The products selected to be used as Community food
aid are chosen primarily on the basis of a detailed analysis of
aid requirements or applications, which are drawn up either
by the governments of the countries concerned or by

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 41

non-governmental organizations that are in contact with
those in need of aid in the countries concerned . Account

must also be taken of the unit cost of different agricultural
products, so that the budget appropriations available for
such measures are used as effectively as possible .

So far no requests for food aid in the form of grana padano
cheese or parmigiano-reggiano cheese have been submitted
by the bodies concerned .

2 . The Commission freely acknowledges that public
storage is not considered a measure likely to improve market
conditions, still less when the problems are structural . It
should be emphasized that production of the cheeses in
question has constantly increased over the last few years,
which has brought about a structural surplus on the
market .

The Commission therefore considers that a sustainable

improvement in these sectors can only be achieved by
adapting production levels to demand .

3 . The Commission is certainly interested in taking
advantage of any relevant experience that might contribute
to its better understanding of the markets concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2926 / 93

by Dieter Rogalla ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 85 )

Subject : Cross-border measures at the Community 's
eastern borders

For 1993 the Commission has earmarked ECU 15 million

for aid to the western border areas of Poland, the Czech
Republic, Albania and Bulgaria .

The governments of these countries are known to be more
concerned with providing such funds for the less-favoured
eastern regions and that funding for this purpose is
hesitant .

What funds have currently been used for these cross-border
measures ? Is there a danger of funds for 1993 being
withdrawn if they have not been used by the end of the
year ?

In view of the large discrepancy between west and east in the
countries concerned can the Commission see any possibility
of adopting a more flexible approach to funding rather than
specifically restricting funds to the western borders ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1994 )

Under programmes submitted by central and eastern
European countries to the Commission and its Phare
Management Committee for approval in 1993, the
Commission has identified a number of projects of cross
border cooperation :

1 . Two border crossings between Poland and Germany

( Value : ECU 9,6 million );

2 . A border crossing between the Czech Republic and
Bavaria ( Value : ECU 1,5 million );

3 . A number of small projects between the Czech N
Bohemia region and Saxony ( Value : ECU 1,3
million );

4 . An environmental study of the Nestos river between
Bulgaria and Greece ( Value : ECU 0,7 million );

5 . A border crossing between Albania and Greece ( Value :
ECU 0,7 million ).

Total value of projects : ECU 12,8 million .

The first four of these projects correspond to projects
already proposed for financing in the Member States with
the Interreg Programme . There may be additional projects
of this kind which may be still identified before the end of

1993 . There is no danger that credits of 1993 will be lost as
long as all the programmes foreseen, within these projects
appear, are in the process of receiving approval by the Phare
Management Committee .

It should be added however that the delays experienced in
identifying these projects, due to the present programming
process of Phare, will continue as there are no
implementation procedures for jointly financed projects
between a Member State and a country of central and
eastern Europe which will need to be developped in the
course of 1994 .

It is anticipated that the Commission will provide the
Parliament with a report on this initiative in the first quarter
of 1994 .

The ' maximum ECU 15 million ' for crossborder

cooperation is part of the Phare budget appropriation . All
Phare funds will be committed before the end of the

budgetary year and no credits will be lost .

The Commission is preparing the implementation rules for
crossborder cooperation and will take into account the
preoccupation of the Honourable Member .

No C 279 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2928 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 86

Subject : Use of hasty and obscure procedures in drawing up

Community programmes

On 9 September 1993 the Greek Ministry of the Interior sent
an urgent circular to the secretaries-general of the regions,
the prefects and the TEDK ( Local Union of Municipalities
and Communes ) throughout the country calling on them to
submit proposals for funding under the Eapta Programme

( concerning local government programmes ) as part of the
second Delors Package ; however this entire procedure is
precipitate and lacking in transparency .

In particular, the circular asks the above bodies to submit
their programmes by 30 September 1993 at the latest and
Secretaries-General of the regions to submit the
programmes they have drawn up to the relevant service of
the Ministry of the Interior by 10 October 1993 .

It is generally recognized that this programme ( Eapta ) is
particularly important not only because it is concerned with
local government, but also because it accounts for 10% of
all funds allocated to regional enterprise programmes
contained in the second Delors Package, i.e. between Dr 220
billion and 250 billion .

Given that the relevant ministry had previously neglected to
drawn up the above programme and that it is only now
rushing to implement it in mid-election campaign without
having really consulted local government bodies, a number
of questions are understandably being asked about the
reasons for this precipitable action .

Will the Commission say how it intends to safeguard the
integrity of programmes and ensure that they operate
smoothly ? How will it ensure cooperation with whatever
government emerges from the elections, this being an
indispensable condition for the smooth functioning of the
programmes ? Finally, how does it intend to safeguard its
prestige given that there is an increasing perception that
Community funds and programmes are being misused for
election purposes ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

concerning them . It will examine attentively the proposals
made by the Greek Government and will proceed, under the
partnership, to define strategic choices for the economic
development of the Greek regions for the purposes of
preparing the Community support framework for
1994—1999 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2932 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 87 )

Subject : Decentralized control

The first steps have been made towards setting in place a
decentralized control system like that in the ' public
contracts ' sector . This brings with it the risk of public
authorities awarding contracts in breach of Community
rules . In view of this situation, what guarantee is there that
each Member State will implement these rules
impartially ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni D'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

Since the Commission does not have the information it

would need to investigate the problem referred to by the
Honourable Member, it is not at the moment in a position to
answer his question .

It would therefore ask the Honourable Member to provide
more details .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2942 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

(3 January 1993 ) ( 94 / C 279 / 88 )

Preparation of regional development plans and proposals
for assistance are the responsibility of the Member
States .

The Commission attaches special importance to local
development and the active involvement of local authorities
in the definition and implementation of the measures

Subject : Volume of Greek table wine to be distilled

Will the Commission say whether — and, if so, when — it
intends to reply on behalf of the Community to the Greek
request for an increase in the volume of table wine which
may be distilled per stremma ( one-tenth of hectare ) of land
under cultivation ?

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 43

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 January 1994 )

The decision taken in July 1993 to allow the preventive
distillation of 12 hectolitres per hectare for the current
marketing year was based on an estimated Community wine
production of 180 million hectolitres . At present, given the
bad weather that has affected certain production areas, it is
unlikely that overall wine production will exceed 164
million hectolitres . Wine production prices have also picked
up slightly on representative markets .

The analysis of wine stock trends on 31 August 1993 also
offers little more in the way of justification for amending the
measure currently in place than in the same period in
preceding years .

Naturally, the Commission will continue to follow
developments in this matter in the appropriate context . It
will not fail to intervene if necessary, taking account of the
availability of funding for this purpose .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2947 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 89 )

Subject : Fiorina Zoo

The facilities at Fiorina Zoo are unsuitable for wild animals .

Furthermore, no veterinary care of any kind is provided for
the animals . In view of this situation, does the Commission
intend to propose — as an immediate measure — that no
new animals should be accommodated in this zoo until the

Greek authorities have introduced comprehensive measures
bringing zoos in Greece in line with the forthcoming
Community Directive on this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

approve the housing facilities before issuing an import
permit for live wild animals of the species listed in
Appendix I to the Convention and in Annex C to the
Regulation .

This provision should be extended to a great number of
additional species on the entry into force of the Regulation
laying down provisions with regard to possession of and
trade in specimens of species of wild fauna and flora ( 2 ).

In view of the above, the Commission does not intend to
propose specific measures with regard to the zoo in
question . It has, however, brought the opinion of the
Honourable Member to the attention of the competent
authorities in Greece .

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

( 2 ) OJ No C 26, 3 . 2 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2948 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 90 )

Subject : Trade and importation of wild animals in
Greece

According to research carried out by Traffic Europe on the
trade and importation of wild animals in Greece, many
species protected by the Cites agreement are being sold in
Greece where shops stock furs ( of members of the cat
family ), ivory ornaments, stuffed animals etc .

In view of the above, what action does the Commission
intend to take to eliminate this phenomenon ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

The Commission and the Greek authorities are aware of the

Traffic Europe report and are currently considering what
action, if any, is required .

The Commission would point out, however, that the fact
that Cites specimens are on sale does not necessarily imply
an infringement of Community legislation on the matter .
Previous investigations have shown that items on sale were
in many cases imported before this was prohibited under
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3626 / 82 C ).

Under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3626 / 82 on the
implementation in the Community of the Convention on (>) OJ No L 384, 31 . 12 . 1982 .
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora ( 1 ), the Greek Management Authority has to

No C 279 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2949 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 91 )

Subject : Prespa wetlands

A management plan has existed for the Prespa wetlands
since 1991, but it has not yet been accepted by the Greek
Ministry of Agriculture which is responsible for protecting
this region, as this area is a national park . Will the
Commission request information from the relevant state
authorities on this matter ?

election has been condemned by the opposition as a real act
of aggression by the State .

Such decisions only serve to hinder the slow progress of
most African countries towards the full establishment of

democratic structures on that continent .

Can the Commission say how it reacted to the
announcement by the President of the Central African
Republic, how it supported the French Government 's
decision to suspend bilateral aid to this country and how it
intends to make other African countries aware that such

decisions will always provoke a strong reaction by the
Commission against anti-democratic " acts such as that
carried out by President Andre Kolingba ?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 January 1993 )
( 27 January 1994 )

The Commission has already been informed about the
procedure of preparing a Management Plan for the Prespa
area . Apparently the Prespa Management Plan has been
elaborated since March 1992 by a scientific group under the
supervision and instructions of the Greek Ministry of
Agriculture . Due to insufficient official information to the
local people about the implementation of this Management
Plan the ten communites of the area of Prespa National Park
unanimously refused to accept this Management Plan .

Subsequently the Central Office of the Ministry of
Agriculture, in collaboration with the Head of the
Prefecture ( Nomarchis ) of Fiorina, visited the area and, after
dialogue with all the interested local people, reached an
agreement . Under this, sixteen representatives of the local
communitites with one qualified forester of Fiorina Forest
District formed a working group in order to study the
Management Plan in detail and make their remarks on the
text . This has now been accomplished .

The Commission moved resolutely and in close
coordination with the Member States and others to counter

the former president 's attempts to sabotage the electoral
process . In their statement of 1 September 1993, the
Community and the Member States, while welcoming the
fact that the balloting and vote counting in the first round of
legislative and presidential elections had taken place in good
conditions, stressed the importance of publishing the final
results as quickly as possible .

In its dealings with developing countries in Africa and
elsewhere, the Commission has repeatedly demonstrated its
commitment to the objectives laid down in the Council
resolution of 28 November 1991 on human rights,
democracy and development .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2977 / 93

by Fernand Herman ( PPE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2957 / 93 ( 25 October 1993 )

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE ) ( 94 / C 279 / 93 )

to the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 92 )

Subject : Commission reaction to the decision by the

President of the Central African Republic to
change the election results

The decision by the President of the Central African
Republic to change the electoral law after he had lost the

Subject : Commission subsidies and overcapacity

At the same time that the Commission is seeking to reduce
overcapacity — mainly such capacity as owes its very
existence to public subsidies — in the steel sector, I have
learned that it has also authorized the payment of subsidies
totalling ECU 547 million to the Ford-Volkswagen project
in Setubal . This will create the capacity to manufacture

190 000 vehicles of the same type — clearly an instance of
overcapacity under present circumstances .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 45

1 . How can the Commission reconcile its contradictory
attitudes towards the steel and car sectors ?

2 . Is it true that, of the ECU 547 million of subsidies, ECU
300 million come from a regional fund, which makes the
Commnission 's contradictory attitude even worse ?

3 . Is it true that this large-scale joint venture has not been
subjected to prior examination, as provided for by
Article 93(2 ) of the Treaty ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1994 )

The Community steel industry is in crisis facing massive

overcapacity and significant losses for almost all producers .
The Steel Aids Code only allows state aid for R+D,
environmental protection and closures and ( exceptionally )
regional investment aids in certain Member States, provided
that there is no increase in production capacity . All other
aids to the steel industry are prohibited by Article 4(c ) ECSC
Treaty . However, by way of derogation, restructuring aid

for companies in difficulty may, with the unanimous assent
of the Council, be authorized under Article 95 ECSC Treaty .
In such cases adequate counterpart measures in the form of
capactiy reductions are required in order to minimize the
possible distortion of competition and to contribute
towards the structural adjustment of the sector .

The State aids to the Ford-VW project in Setubal had to be
assessed under the rules of the Framework on State aids to

the motor vehicle industry . This Framework in principle
allows a variety of types of state aid, but subjects them to
strict approval criteria which necessitate a thorough analysis
of each case . As a general rule, the Framework stipulates
that the aids have to be in proportion to the problems
addressed by them . As concerns regional aids, the
Framework prescribes that while the Commission
' acknowledges the valuable contribution to regional
development which can be made by the implantation of new
motor vehicle . . . production facilities ', it has to assess these
regional benefits against possible adverse effects on the
sector as a whole, such as the creation of important
overcapacity, which should be avoided . In regional aid cases
the Commission therefore performs a detailed cost-benefit
analysis to assess the regional handicaps faced by an investor
at the specific location . In this case the proposed aids were
found to be commensurate with the regional handicaps . As
to the effects on the sector, it was assessed at the time when
the decision was taken in 1991, that in Europe the
multi-purpose-vehicle ( MPV ) segment had every prospect of
expanding significantly in the medium and long-term and no
important overcapacity was expected in the foreseeable
future .

In the Ford-VW case the Commission approved an aid
intensity of 32,8% on an eligible expenditure of 1 668
million ECU, translating into an amount of aid of 547
million ECU of which 47 million ECU is in the form of tax

concessions and 500 million ECU in the form of investment

aids . The total project cost, however, amounted to 2 550
million ECU . It has to be kept in mind that the Commission
approved a fixed aid intensity and not a specified aid
amount . Therefore, if the outturn of eligible investment falls
below the estimated eligible expenditure that formed the
basis of the decision, the aid amount to be paid out will also
be lower .

As the Ford-VW case in Setubal concerns one of the least

developed regions of the community, the project was clearly
in the interest of cohesion and therefore the European
Regional Development Fund contributed to the financing of
the project . Within the 500 million ECU of investment aids,
375 million ECU relates to the period up to the end of 1993
and ERDF support of 263 million ECU ( 70% ) has been
approved in the existing Community support Framework
( CSF ). The size of the Community contribution to the
remaining 125 million ECU has not been agreed with the
Portuguese authorities but is being discussed in the context
of the priorities for the next CSF .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2978 / 93

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 94 )

Subject : Banning of 110-volt portable electrical equipment

from British construction sites

The Health and Safety Commission 's Construction Industry
Advisory Committee was recently told that Brussels officials
were considering whether action should be taken against the
UK for infraction of the Low Voltage Directive, under which
mains voltage equipment must be traded throughout the
European Community without restriction, providing it
complies with that Directive 's safety requirements .

In environments such as construction sites, where electrical
equipment may be readily damaged, inspectors in the UK
have long advocated the use of 110 voltage rather than
mains voltage electric tools . With this system the maximum
voltage to earth is a safe 55 volts which is the most reliable
way of complying with the Electricity at Work
Regulations .

No C 279 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Members of the Construction Industry Advisory Committee WRITTEN QUESTION
are concerned to hear of the possibility that by pressing for by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2987 / 93

110-volt equipment, heath and safety inspectors in the UK
might be regarded by the Commission as raising barriers to
trade .

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 95 )

Subject : Storage of nuclear waste at the Morsleben
permanent nuclear dump

Could the Commission clarify this point ?

Is the Commission aware :
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 December 1993 )

The safety of electrical appliances used on construction sites
constitutes an extremely important issue, but it should be
noted that the mandatory use of 110 Volts may raise a
question of compatibility with Community law, and in
particular with the ' Low Voltage Directive ' ( LVD ),
Directive 73 / 23 / EEC ( M.

This Directive aims at the free circulation of electrical

equipment within the Community . Being a total
harmonization Directive, according to Article 2, electrical
equipment can be placed on the market only if it does not
endanger the safety of people, domestic animals or property .
The principal elements of the safety objectives are listed in
Annex I. Therefore, as provided in Article 3, the free
movement within the Community of equipment complying
with the safety objectives cannot be impeded for reasons of
safety . Furthermore, Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 provide that
compliance with the safety objectives can be assured by
compliance with standards or with the provision of
Article 2 . In addition, the safeguard clause of Article 9
provides that if, for safety reasons, a Member State prohibits
the placing on the market of electrical equipment or impedes
its free movement a consultation procedure should be
started in order to reach an agreement . In other words, the
safety objectives being harmonized, free movement of
electrical equipment complying with them cannot be
impeded for safety reasons, except according to the
provisions of Article 9 LVD .

— that the only German permanent nuclear dump at

Morsleben ( Land of Saxony-Anhalt ) is now to store
nuclear waste from West Germany even though the
project has not been submitted to an environmental
impact assessment or received official planning approval
under German federal law ?

— that Morsleben was built and brought into operation in

accordance with the law of the former East Germany
only for the storage of small amounts of nuclear waste
from the GDR ( 150 m 3 / a ), whereas the nuclear waste of
East and West Germany combined makes up 350 times
that amount ?

— that consequently, two different bodies of
environmental legislation apply in one country and the
population of Saxony-Anhalt is being deprived of the
protection from hazards enjoyed in the rest of
Germany ?

Does the Commission share the view that this represents a
breach of Community environmental Directives ?

What steps does the Commision intend to take in
connection with this infringement of Community law ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1994 )

In the light of the abovementioned provisions and taking
into account the particular conditions on construction sites,
the Commission is examining whether the British The problems to which the Honourable Member refers are
requirement for obligatory use of 1 10 Volts on construction the responsibility of the Member State concerned . Waste
sites is justified or not . was already being dumped at the time of German

reunification . In such a case, it seems impossible to apply
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC retroactively and subject installations
f 1 ) OJ No L 77, 26 . 3 . 1973 . which are already in operation to an assessment which
would no longer serve any purpose .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 47

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2988 / 93

by Adriana Ceci ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 96 )

Subject : State of implementation of Directives on rational

use of medicinal products in the 12 Member
States

What is the state of implementation of the Directives on
rational use of medicinal products ( Directives 92 / 25 / EEC,
92 / 26 / EEC, 92 / 27 / EEC and 92 / 28 / EEC H ) in the 12
Member States, and in particular :

1 . to what extent have lists of prescription drugs been
harmonized ?

2 . has the Community code on distribution been drawn
up ?

3 . What Member States have not yet complied with rules in
respect of the package leaflet, classification or
distribution, and what measures has the Commission
taken against them ?

Lastly, when will Commissioner Bangemann submit to
Parliament the findings of the survey on the prices of
pharmaceutical products and possible distortions ?

aspects linked with price control, the repayment of
prescription charges, parallel imports and the setting of high
prices for particularly innovative medicines . A Commission
communication on the directions taken by the industrial
policy to apply to the Community pharmaceutical sector
will also cover these aspects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2990 / 93

by Virginio Bettini ( V )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 97 )

Subject : Ban on mixed marriages

Non-Community spouses of italian citizens are subject to
the same restrictions as other foreigners . Visas are granted
for 90 days and may under no circumstances be renewed
thereafter .

Will the Commission explain how such a situation is
(M OJ No L 113, 30 . 4 . 1992 . possible in Community Europe ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission
( 15 February 1994 )

(4 March 1994 )

Directives 92 / 25 / EEC, 92 / 26 / EEC, 92 / 27 / EEC and
92 / 28 / EEC, adopted in March 1992 have been transposed
in most of the Member States . In the remaining Member
States the transposition procedure is at an advanced stage .
However, in March 1993 the Commission instituted
infringement procedures against all of the instances of
non-notification of national implementation measures .
These procedures are pursuing their normal course .

Member States must, for the first time pass on their list of
medicines, the supply of which must be accompanied by a
medical presciption, in March 1994 . The Commission will
only be able to assess the extent of convergence of the
decision taken by the Member States in this connection once
it has seen these lists . As provided for by Article 6(3 ) of
Directive 92 / 26 / EEC the Commission will report on the
implementation of this Directive before 31 March 1996 .

The guidelines concerning good distribution practice are
due to be published by the Commission during the first half
of 1994 .

The Commission is closely following price movements as
regards medicines in the Member States and in particular the

The case referred to by the Honourable Member is not at
variance with Community law .

Member States may impose an entry-visa requirement on
family members not having the nationality of a Member
State . However, they are obliged to provide them with all the
assistance necessary to obtain such a visa, which is free of
charge . The individuals concerned are issued with a
residence document valid for the same period as that issued
to the nationals enjoying freedom of movement on which
they depend .

Accordingly, the possibility exists that, under similar
circumstances, the members of a national 's family present in
that national 's own Member State may be subject under
domestic law to stricter provisions than those applying to
the family of an individual who has exercised the right to
free movement .

No C 279 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3000 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-3050 / 93

by Patrick Lane ( RDE ) and Mark Killilea ( RDE ) by George Patterson ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 ) ( 29 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 98 ( 94 / C 279 / 99 )

Subject : European systems and software initiative

Subject : Farmers and the administration of the CAP

Allowing for the fact that the ESSI programme still awaits
ratification by a Decision of the Commission, and taking
note that
Does the Commission agree that the amount of bureaucratic
and asked administrative to comply with formalities, allegedly which because farmers of CAP are now reform being, is — the ESSI Programme is important for the competitivity
becoming increasingly time-consuming and that the of European industry in the field of software-based
threatened penalties for failing to complete or for returning systems,
inaccurately completed documents are far too severe ?

— the ESSI Programme is important for the competitivity

of European industry in the field of software-based

systems,

What plans does the Commission have to urgently simplify
these non-productive procedures and allow farmers to
spend more time farming and less time form-filling ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

It is clear that farmers are obliged to complete certain
administrative formalities in order to benefit from the direct

subsidy payments established within the framework of CAP
reform . It is the aim of the Integrated Administration and
Control System that the bureaucracy be kept to a minimum .
For this reason for example, farmers are only obliged to
complete a single ' area ' aid application . As this is the first
year of operation many farmers have not yet become
accustomed to all the requirements but as the System
becomes fully established the form filling will be a much less
complicated and time-consuming exercise .

The System does provide for quite severe penalties for false
declarations . It is encouraging to note that, according to
information received from Member States concerning its
implementation, these penalties would appear to have had
an important deterrent effect . In addition the Commission
has adopted a flexible approach with regard to genuine
errors made by farmers in the completion of their forms this

year .

— the credibility and effect of ESSI have already been put at

risk by delays since Director-General Carpentier 's first
public reference to it in November 1988,

— in July 1993 the Esprit Information Technology
Committee approved 102 projects under the ESSI call
for porposals,

— contracts for some of those projects will be issued this

year, but the remainder will not be issued until 1994,

— some of the delayed projects are strategically significant

to the success of the ESSI Programme and should start as
soon as possible,

— additional delay in lauching ESSI may further damage its

industrial credibility, as well as causing problems for
small enterprises if they have committed resources in
anticipation of a prompt start .

What justification can be given for the protracted period of

issuing contracts ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

The public call for this initial ESSI pilot action closed on

7 June 1993 . The resulting 966 proposals were evaluated,
recommendations for support established and opinions
sought from the relevant committees by 23 July 1993, with
unprecedented speed .

The proposers, both successful and unsuccessful, were
informed in August of the results together with the summary
referee reports prepared for each individual proposal . In the
case of successful proposers they were asked to take into
account the remarks contained in the referee reports in the
preparation necessary for any subsequent contract .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 49

Of the 102 successful proposals 93 related to application
experiments and nine to dissemination actions . Since the
application experiments form a vital component of the work
of the proposed dissemination actions, establishing a critical
mass of such experiments is a clear operational priority and
a necessary first step to be achieved before finalizing details
of the dissemination activities . The application experiments
are thus the subject of the first round of contract
negotiations .

Some 69 ( 71 % ) of the 93 successful application experiment
proposals will be covered by the first round of scheduled
contract discussions . The selection has been made on the

basis of perceived operational readiness and need of the
proposers for an early start . Given the light weight and
highly streamlined procedures of ESSI, this round of
detailed contract discussion was completed by the end of
October, with contracts expected to be completed by the
end of November 1993 .

Furthermore, the Commission has made it clear that should
any of the remaining proposers have both a need to
commence their experiment and be operationally capable of
doing so this year, then due consideration will be given to
accommodating them in this initial round of contracts .

So far, it should be noted that of the discussions completed
to date and representing those most prepared to commence
work at an early stage only three require a start date earlier
than 1 January 1994 . Moreover, of those not selected in this
initial ' early start ' set, only one has indicated the possibilities
of difficulty . This proposer has now been accommodated in
the current round arid all will have commencement dates

that accommodate their operational needs .

It is not apparent, therefore, that any ' strategically
significant project ' has been delayed ( or, indeed, any
application experiment project ).

Overall, the strength of the response to call, the subsequent
speed of the evaluation and the evidence of the discussions
that have taken place with the proposers suggest that, far
from any loss of credibility, this inital ESSI action has been
well regarded .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3069 / 93

by Karel De Gucht ( LDR )

to the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 100 )

Subject : Discrimination against EC subjects with mixed

career backgrounds

Under the Belgian rules on sickness and invalidity insurance,
Belgian pensioners who were self-employed qualify for a

substantial reduction in voluntary insurance contributions
in respect of ' minor risks ', if they can prove that they worked
as an employed person for at least one year .

This derogation is not, however, allowed for EC subjects,
e.g. UK subjects, who have been self-employed in Belgium
but previously worked as employed persons in the UK .

In order to justify this discrimination, the departments
concerned ( including the National Sickness and Invalidity
Insurance Department ) refer to EC Regulations, in
particular Article 27 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2864 / 72 ( J ),
namely to the fact that anyone who draws a pension in his
country of residence must be registered with his health
insurance scheme in the capacity in respect of which the
pension is paid, in this case as a self-employed person . A
Belgian, on the other hand, may be registered as an
employed person .

Does the Commission believe that this regulation lends itself
to such a discriminatory interpretation ?

If so, is it considering taking initiatives to eliminate such
differences in treatment in future ?

If not, what specific measures is it considering taking ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 306, 31 . 12 . 1972, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

The Honourable Member has identified a problem of

Belgian legislation, according to which retired
self-employed workers who have worked as employed
persons for at least one year are entitled to a reduction in
insurance contributions for ' minor risks ' which is not

available to British citizens who have been self-employed in
Belgium after working as employed persons in the UK .

According to Article 27 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 1408 / 71 0 ), 'a pensioner who is entitled to draw
pensions under the legislation of two or more Member
States, of which one is that of the Member State in whose
territory he resides, and who is entitled to ( sickness ) benefits
under the legislation of the latter Member State . . . ( shall
receive ) such benefits from the institution of the place of
residence and at the expense of that institution as though the
person concerned were a pensioner whose pension was
payable solely under the legislation of the latter Member
State '.

The final part of the paragraph is aimed at protecting retired

No C 279 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

migrant workers by ensuring that they have health insurance
rights equivalent to those of non-migrants .

Any other interpretation could be in breach of the principle
of non-discrimination set down in Article 3 of the same

Regulation and of Articles 48 and 51 of the EC Treaty .

The Commission will contact the Belgian authorities
immediately for clarification of their interpretation of the
abovementioned provisions of Community law .

I 1 ) As amended by Regulation ( EEC ) No 2864 / 72 referred to in the

written question

This is the guideline figure the Commission will use in
negotiating with the United Kingdom authorities the
Community support frameworks for the regions eligible for
Objective 1, including Merseyside .

The Commission would expect to be consulted, through the
partnership, on the proposed allocation of Structural Fund
resources by region .

The Commission is aware of an announcement on

Objective 1 regional allocations made by the United
Kingdom government some time ago . However, this
announcement considerably pre-dates the decision taken on
the indicative allocation for the United Kingdom as a
whole .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3076 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3087 / 93
by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

(5 November 1993 )
( 94 / C 279 / 101 )

( 94 / C 279 / 102 )

Subject : Objective 1 funding for Merseyside

The Commission is aware that the British Government has

already assessed the differential of funding between
Northern Ireland, Merseyside, and the Highlands .

Given the partnership with the Commission on the decision,
does the Commission think it is high-handed by the British
Government to declare its priorities without consultation
with the Commission ?

Merseyside was expecting in the region of 40 % of the total
funding, but obviously Maastricht had some pressure on the
British Government in reaching its conclusion . Can we have
assurances that in future the correct application will take
place, in consultation with the Commission ?

Subject : Monitoring by the Member States of infringements

of Community law

What action is the Commission taking to ensure that the
Member States cooperate to a greater extent in the
institution of proceedings against infringements of
Community law and in the direct monitoring thereof ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the tenth annual

report on the monitoring of the application of Community
law f 1 ), and in particular the passages devoted to monitoring
at Community level and by the national courts and to
contacts with national authorities in the Introduction .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission (!) OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

( IS February 1994 )

The Commission decided on 21 October 1993 indicative

allocations by Member State of Structural Fund resources
for the Objective 1 regions for the 1994-1999 period .

These allocations are consistent with the budgetary
perspectives agreed at the European Council meeting in
Edinburgh in December 1992 and are based on the objective
criteria specified in the revised Structural Fund
Regulations .

The allocation for the United Kingdom is ECU 2 360 million
at 1994 prices .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3128 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 103 )

Subject : Protection of the River Gallikos from waste

Given that scientific research carried out by the Thessaloniki
Water Authority has established that the dumping of toxic

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 51

waste in the River Gallikos poses a public health threat,
what measures does the Commission intend to take to

persuade the Greek national authorities to do whatever is
necessary to protect this river from waste ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 129 / 93

by Sotoris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 104 )

Subject : The environment of Kalochori in Thessaloniki

Kalochori is a village on the outskirts of Thessaloniki which
is being ' buried ' in liquid and solid waste from neighbouring
industrial plants . The Mayor of the village, Mr Stathis
Pandelidis, notes that the five major plants in the region
alone discharge 15 000 cubic metres of effluent that has not
undergone any kind of biological processing into the sea at
Kalochori on a 24-hour basis . In view of this, how does the
Commission intend to protect the environment of Kalochori
in Thessaloniki ?

Mr Bangemann confirmed that failure to respect the
Regulations laid down in the above Directive constituted a
breach of Community law .

There are no Community rules explicitly concerning the
thawing of bread at the point of sale .

In some Member States it is normal practice to thaw
pre-cooked frozen bread and to complete baking at the
point of sale, despite the fact that this does not comply with
general Community guidelines .

1 . Is the Commission aware of this situation ?

2 . Does it intend to carry out an inquiry to find out where
and to what extent this practice is common in the
Community ?

3 . Does it intend to adopt provisions regarding respect for

 - Community legislation on a food product as important
as bread, and if so what provisions would these be ?

(!) OJ No L 40, 11 . 2 . 1989, p . 34 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Joint E-3128 answer / to 93 and Written E-3129 Questions / 93 ( 24 February 1994 )

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1994 )

The Commission would welcome further information from

the Honourable Member concerning the cases described .
Only when details are received of the nature of the waste and
substances in question it can be determined whether there
may be an infringement of Community law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 177 / 93

by Maria Coppo Gavazzi ( PPE ), Ferruccio Pisoni ( PPE ) and

Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 105 )

Subject : Fraud in the bread-making industry

Replying on behalf of the Commission to a question of

15 October 1992, Mr. Bangemann, Vice-President of the
Commission, said that frozen bread must be fully subject to
the obligations laid down in Directive 89 / 108 / EEC (*) on
quick-frozen foodstuffs for human consumption .

1 . The Commission is indeed aware of the fact that in

some Member States the thawing and baking of pre-cooked
frozen bread can be carried out at points of sale .

2 . The Commission does not consider it necessary to
launch an inquiry into this matter because the practice in
question does not appear, in its view, to pose problems of
compatibility with Community law . It is appropriate to
point out in this regard that Council Directive 89 / 108 / EEC
of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of
the Member States relating to quick-frozen foodstuffs for
human consumption applies only to products which are
marketed in such a way as to indicate that they have
undergone a freezing process ; defrozen products which have
been prepared using frozen ingredients are not covered by
the Directive .

3 . The Commission takes the view that the consumer can

be considered to be properly protected as regards adequate
information on the type of bread he buys through the
Community rules on labelling, and in particular through
the provisions of Council Directive 79 / 112 / EEC of
18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and
advertising of foodstuffs ( a ).

( J ) OJ No L 33, 8 . 2 . 1979 .

No C 279 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3186 / 93

by Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 106 )

Subject : Financing of a planned bridge and coastal road on

the Isle of Skye ( Scotland ): Eilean Bhan and Eilean
Dubh

Can the Commission say whether European funds ( and if so
which and in what amounts ) have been or will be allocated
to the United Kingdom for a planned bridge and coastal
road on the Isle of Skye, which will affect the historic sites of
Eilean Bhan and Eilean Dubh ?

support prices for cereals, abolition of support prices for
' oilseeds ' and ' protein crops '). To this end, Member States
should have established regionalisation plans designed to be
as equitable as possible and to maintain traditional cropping

patterns .

Any shift in production that has occured between maize and
sunflower has resulted from the nature of Member States '

regionalization plans, the exceptional weather conditions
that have prevailed since last autumn, and, in the cases of
Spain and Portugal, from the special conditions granted to
producers under the terms of the Treaty of accession .

If such funding has indeed been granted, is the Commission
aware that no public inquiry has been held on the
matter ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-3257 / 93

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Millan ( 23 November 1993 )
on behalf of the Commission
( 94 / C 279 / 108 )
( 26 January 1993 )

The financial arrangements for the construction of the

bridge between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland
have not involved any contribution from the Community 's
Structural Funds and no request for assistance has been
received by the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 196 / 93

Subject : Agriculture machinery cooperatives

What encouragement and assistance is the Commission
giving to the establishment of agricultural machinery
cooperatives in Herfordshire, Worcesterhire and West
Gloucesterhire, and elsewhere in the UK ?

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE ) Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission
to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 ) ( 11 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 107 )

In its response to Written Question No 1410 / 93 ( ) from the

and changing crops Honourable Member the Commission indicated that the

creation of agricultural cooperatives and particularly those

that premiums paid by the hectare have for the ownership and operation of machinery is supported
of production, encouraging one crop at by the Commission under Regulation ( EEC )
another ( e . g . sunflowers instead of maize ) for No 2328 / 91 ( 2 ). Implementation of the Regulation is the
than the existence of Community responsibility of the Member State . The Commission is

aware that a total of 25 machinery rings are in existence in
England, Scotland and Wales . Two of these rings, the 7Y
machinery ring and the Cotswolds Machinery ring, are
located in the Hereford and Gloucester areas
Answer given by Mr Steichen respectively .

Subject : Subsidies and changing crops

Is it not the case that premiums paid by the hectare have
upset the balance of production, encouraging one crop at
the expense of another ( e . g . sunflowers instead of maize ) for
no better reason than the existence of Community
subsidies ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

t 1 ) OJ No C 292, 28 . 10 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991 .
The direct payments made to producers of arable crops are
intended to compensate farmers for the change in the
support arrangements adopted by the Council ( e . g . lower

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 53

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3267 / 93

by Sotoris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 109 )

Subject : Support for exporting spring potatoes from
Greece

According to the Patras Union of Agricultural Cooperatives
and the Federation of Agricultural Collectives of the
Prefecture of Achaia, aid ( of Drs 15 per kilogram ) is needed
in order to export spring potatoes from Greece using every
means of transport available . How does the Commission
intend to deal with this request from producers '
representatives in the prefecture of Achaia ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 January 1994 )

The Commission has noted the request of the Greek
producers as presented by the Honourable Member .
However, it cannot propose any measures to satisfy their
needs . Since there is no common organization of the market
in potatoes, the Member State concerned has exclusive
competence to adopt and implement national operations in
the sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3277 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 110 )

Consequently, the Sounion National Park was excluded
from Community funding .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3287 / 93

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 111 )

Subject : Council Regulation on a Community eco-label

award scheme

Can the Commission state the categories of products for
which uniform conditions for the award of the eco-label

have been laid down at Community level ?

In particular, if this does not yet apply to dish-washers,
washing machines, spin-driers, vacuum cleaners, lawn ­
mowers and percolators, can the Commission givean idea
of when it will be in a position to put forward proposals in
this respect ?

Can it also state whether the Member States have notified it

of the competent bodies designated by them in accordance
with Article 9 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 880 / 92 (*)?

Lastly, Article 14 of that Regulation stipulates that the
Commission shall publish a consolidated list inter alia for
the information of consumers, of the products for which an
eco-label has been awarded . Has the Commission already
done so, thereby enabling consumers to choose products
while being aware of their effects on the environment, as
recommended by the second Commission three-year action
plan on consumer policy ( 2 )?

(!) OJ No L 99, 11 . 4 . 1992, p . 1 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 378 final .

Subject : The Sounion National Park Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

The municipal council of Lavrio is protesting at the fact that ( 28 January 1994 )
the Sounion National Park has been excluded from EC
funding earmarked for Greek national parks . Can the In the framework of Council Regulation
Commission explain why it has been thus excluded ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1994 )

Of all Greek national parks, that of Sounion is the only one
not to have been identified as an important area under the
Directives concerning nature conservation, which were the

legal basis for Community intervention applicable for the
programme in question .

In the framework of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 880 / 93
of 23 March 1992 on a Community ecolabel award scheme
the Commission has so far adopted criteria for granting
ecolabels to washing machines and dishwashers . Criteria for
other product groups are currently being developed .

For the time being there are no criteria for tumble dryers,
lawn-mowers, vacuum-cleaners or coffee machines .

The Commission is in the process of establishing a priority
list from which the product groups will be chosen in the
future . If the products mentioned in the questoin are given a
high priority then the criteria for them will be developed in
the course of 1995 .

No C 279 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

Each Member State has to designate a competent body
responsible for carrying out the tasks provided for in the
Regulation . Up to now, 10 Member States have designated
these bodies . The remainder are in the process of doing so
and it is hoped that they will designate their competent
bodies in the new future .

Article 14 of the Regulation states that the Commission
shall publish a list of products for which an ecolabel has
been awarded . The criteria for washing machines and
dishwashers have been adopted recently . Applications for
the ecolabel for three washing machines have been
submitted . Once the label has been granted to these and
other products the Commission will publish a list in the

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1993 )

The Commission has been informed, through its Delegation
in Sofia, of the concern of the Bulgarian authorities with
respect to the trans border pollution problems at Nikopol in
Bulgaria . However, the Commission does not have technical
information or independent reports available on the extent
and seriousness of the problem .

Through its Phare national environment programmes, the

Commission has recognized the problems of air pollution in

of the European Communities . both countries . Fixed and mobile air monitoring equipment

has been supplied to Bulgaria and mobile air monitoring
equipment has been supplied to Romania through the
programmes . It is envisaged that the mobile equipment will
facilitate the study of air pollution problems in regions such
as Nikopol .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3290 / 93

Official Journal of the European Communities .

by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 112 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3307 / 93

by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

Subject : Phare Programme in Bulgaria and Romania

In its opinion on the European Community 's relations with
countries in central and eastern Europe ( Bulgaria and
Romania ), the Economic and Social Committee stresses that
Community investments should contribute to a coordinated
prevention policy in the field of environmental protection .
The ' environment ' section of the Phare programme aims to
reduced harmful industrial emmissions and to provide for
appropriate management of environmentally sensitive

areas .

I have received alarming reports from environmental
organizations and the Bulgarian Environment Minister
about chemical plants ( in particular, agricultural fertilizer
plants ) situated on the Romanian bank of the Danube,
which are a danger to the town of Nikopol in Bulgaria .
Concentrations in the town 's air ( ammonia, hydrogen
sulphide and nitrogen oxides ) are well in excess of the limits
set by the Bulgarian authorities and represent a threat to the
health of the local population, and especially children . This
is a sensitive frontier region, given the situation of the
Danube .

What information does the Commission have on this

subject ?

What measure does it intend to take, in particular within the
Phare Programme, to implement a development plan with
due respect for the environment in this frontier region ?

How will it influence the Romanian authorities to ensure

that toxic emissions cease to threaten the neighbouring
population ?

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 113 )

Subject : Commission funding for inquiries into the effect of

open cast mining on the health of schoolchildren in
Gwent

The Commission is well aware of the problem at Bootle,
Merseyside, of the storage of coal in the open and the
previous investigations by the Commissioner, the
continuous suffering of residents from lung-related illness
also affecting the children in the vicinity of the coal storage
depot at Seaforth Dock .

Would the Commission consider funding such an inquiry at
the schools near the coal storage depot in Bootle ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1994 )

The Commission, in its reply given on 8 December 1992 ( J )
to questions 1856 / 92 to 1858 / 92 by the Honourable
Member indicated that its enquiries at Bootle Docks were
comprehensive, including inspection by Commission
officials .

Nevertheless, if it is felt that additional investigations are
needed, e . g . regarding the health effects on children living in

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 55

the vicinity of coal storage, proposals supported by
documentation may be submitted for examination by the
Commission .

(!) OJ No C 90, 31 . 3 . 1993 .

Community Directives and production requirements, given
that cereals surpluses are accumulating and expenditure on
export refunds is increasing ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3348 / 93

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 114 )

Subject : Andalusian dual carriageway A-92

The A-92 dual carriageway, which was built with
Community funds, is exhibiting major construction defects,
particularly on the section which passes through the
Province of Granada, where some newly opened stretches or
facilities have had to be closed again .

Can the Commission consider the finished state of dual

carriageway A-92 pursuant to Article 25 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 4253 / 88 ( l ) and check the effectiveness of the
resources committed to it ?

(') OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988, p . 1 .

Some imported animal feedingstuffs do reduce cereals
inclusions in animal feed . They enter the Community at
either zero or very low rates of duty bound in GATT and
have been attracted as Community cereal prices have in
general been significantly higher than those on the world
market .

Due to the reform of the CAP, which entered into effect on

1 July 1993, cereals have become more competitive for feed
use . This makes the Community a less attractive market for
feedingstuff imports . It is therefore expected that
feedingstuff imports will decrease . As a result, animal
consumption of cereals is forecast to increase, bringing the
market into better balance so reducing stocks and
expenditure on export refunds .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-33 79 / 93

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission
( 28 February 1994 )

( 26 November 1993 )

Technical aspects of projects part-financed by Community ( 94 / C 279 / 116 )
Funds, from the design stage onwards, including the works,
deadlines, and final acceptance of the works, fall entirely
within the competence of the national ( in this case regional ) Subject : European standard for
authorities concerned, who decide their terms of reference in
cooperation with the successful bidder . Issue No 42 of Der of 18

Subject : European standard for condoms ( EN 600 )

However, the Commission will inform the authorities
concerned of the Honourable Member 's comment at the

next meeting of the Monitoring Committee for
interventions in the Andalusia region .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3357 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 115 )

Subject : Imports and surpluses

Does the Commission agree that the enormous quantities of
imported low-quality animal feed substitutes contradict

Issue No 42 of Der Spiegel of 18 October 1993 carries a
report about discussions that have dragged on for the past
two years in the European Committee for Standardization

( CEN ) concerning EN 600, the European standard for
condoms . On the basis of the results of recent research by a
London hospital published a short while ago in the British
Medical Journal, to which Der Spiegel refers in its article, the
UK is challenging a compromise reached on the average
length of the sexual organ of the European male put at

17 cm, with an average diameter of 5,6 cm, claiming that
this is inadequate in the case of the British population .

Is the Commission aware of the report in Der Spiegel of

18 October 1993 regarding the discussions on the EN 600
standard for condoms and the problems that are arising in
this connection ?

Would the Commission not agree that, in view of the
sensitivities aroused with regard to determining the average
length of the sexual organ of the European male,
consideration should be given to settling the matter by

No C 279 / 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

applying the subsidiarity principle or by drawing up a
' European Charter on Condoms ', under which Member
States would if necessary be able to grant derogations in
respect of the statistical averages of 17 cm for the length and
5,6 cm for the diameter of the male member ?

Would the Commission not agree that this bickering over
the length of the male member and condoms might have an
adverse effect on AIDS prevention campaigns in the
Member States, in which the condom has a key role ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1994 )

No . However, the requirements of Council Directive
79 / 112 / EEC on the labelling, presentation and advertising
of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer are

applicable .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3410 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
( 21 March 1994 ) to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the media interest in the

standardization activity on condoms within the European
standards body CEN . The information provided in some
articles is quite selective and does not focus upon the real
subject of this standardization activity .

In fact the Commission requested CEN in 1991 to establish
European safety standards for condoms in support of the
safety requirements included in Directive 93 / 42 / EEC on
medical devices . The standards, of voluntary application,
address safety-related aspects in respect of the protection of
public health, which are of key importance in the prevention
of sexually transmitted diseases and of the transmission of
HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS . As the standards, now
expected towards the end 1994, will not have a compulsory
nature, there will be no need to provide derogations as
suggested by the Honourable Member .

The Commission agrees and regrets that superficial
reporting and discussion of this matter has had an adverse
effect on the AIDS prevention campaign .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3386 / 93

by Caroline Jackson ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 117 )

Subject : Consistency of cream

Is it true that EC law prevents the sale of double cream
which is already thick in the tub, and can the Commission
comment ?

( 94 / C 279 / 118

Subject : Measures to combat unemployment among

women

Can the Commission say when it intends to submit its
special proposals on combating umenployment among
women in conjunction with measures to promote the
principle of the same pay for the same work ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 April 1994 )

The principle of equal pay was one of the original
cornerstones of the Community and was enshrined in
Directive 75 / 117 / EEC as equal pay for equal work . Despite
the fact that this Directive has been incorporated into
national legislation, the average difference in pay is still high
in the Community — approximately 30 % — with
enormous discrepancies between Member States, sectors
and branches of activity . The Commission takes this
commitment seriously and the Honourable Member will
find that the problem is mentioned in the Green Paper on
social policy, along with other ways of combating
unemployment among women .

Most women work in the services sector, in both the north
and the south, and many women are to be found in small
family businesses in the south .

50,8 % of men and 73,9 % of women were employed in the
services sector in 1 9 8 9, 1 2 % of the active female population
being unemployed ( the rate was 7,7 % for men ). This kind of
segregation, together with the fact that women 's jobs are
undervalued, explains the continued disparity in pay .

From the very outset the purpose of Community measures
to promote equal opportunities on the labour market has

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 57

been to provide both a wider choice of jobs for women and
the training necessary to take these changes on board ( LEI
Programme for the creation of small and medium-sized
businesses by women and IRIS — a typical training for new
sectors of activity ). A network of experts has been set up to
work on innovatory ways of reconciling a career with family
life and deal with the problem of child care .

In the period 1989-1993, furthermore, the European Social
Fund — which is the main Community instrument for
combating unemployment — implemented measures
designed specifically to promote the training and
employment of women, over and above the general
measures in which 42% of women participated . To these
can be added the trans-national and innovatory measures
introduced under the NOW scheme . Approximately ECU
500 million was earmarked for action to help women during
this period .

As part of the latest reform of the Structural Funds, the
promotion of equal opportunities will be an important task
in the period 1994-1999 . Action — in particular measures
geared to unemployed women or women likely to become
unemployed — will be taken in sectors in which women —
especially those who have no professional qualifications —
are under-represented .

The promotion of equal opportunities will, furthermore, be
a priority under the new Community Human Resources
Initiative for the period 1994-1999 and model trans ­
national measures will also be developed .

they are among the options which are likely to be developed
in future . With this in mind, mastery of the technology to
allow a significantly large market in such vehicles to be
created is a competitive factor for the Community car
industry, as it is in certain other industries . However,
this technology requires considerable and sustained
technological research . For this reason, the Commission has
given particular prominence to electric vehicles and their
components in its proposal for a fourth research framework
programme . It is also considering the possibility of other

support measures .

R&D is directed towards three options : battery-driven,
fuel-cell driven and hybrid electric vehicles .

In order to bring about a breakthrough for electric vehicles,
an integrated approach is needed which includes both R&D
and activities such as infrastructure and standardization . To

that end a number of projects are underway which aim at
battery testing and standardization of test methods ( eight
car manufacturers ), case studies for introduction of electric
vehicles in urban areas ( cities, utilities ) and collaboration
concerning electric vehicle fleets in Europe ( cities, utilities,
car manufacturers ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3457 / 93

by Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3453 / 93
( 94 / C 279 / 120 )

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 119 ) Subject : Importation, transit or production in Europe

of the Black Talon bullet currently being
manufactured in the United States

Subject : Electric cars and prospects for the European motor

industry

Can the Commission say where electric cars fit into the
studies it is conducting on the future of the European motor
industry ?

The north American Winchester Olin company has recently
introduced a new bullet known as the Black Talon, designed
to cause hitherto unimaginable damage to human flesh and
bone . Its six razor-like claws unfold on impact, expanding
to three times the bullet 's diameter then fold slightly further
forward, increasing the damage even more .

Answer on behalf given of by the Mr Commission Bangemann caused Surgeons and are the dismayed risks involved at the gravit in the \ treatment i nd size of . the wound

( 18 March 1994 )

Among the buyers and users of this ammunition is the
notorious Gian Luigi Ferri, who opened fire in a San
The advantages of the various kinds of electric vehicle, in Francisco law office in July 1993, killing eight people and
particular as regards the urban environment, are such that wounding six others .

No C 279 / 58 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

The ' Handgunning ' and ' Gun World ' magazines were lavish ban ( i.e. one which would include hunters and marksmen )
in their praise of the bullet 's performance ' for hunting on a set type of expanding projectile if they see fit .
purposes '. However, many protests have been received from
medical personnel ( because of gravity of the injuries inflicted (!) OJ No L 256, 13 . 9 . 1991 .
and the resulting extra risk of contracting deadly viruses or
hepatitis ) and from the police authorities .

Moreover, the American ' way of life ' makes it practically
impossible to restrict the use of this ammunition to hunting
and to prevent it from being used for illegal purposes .
Senator Daniel Moynihan has introduced bills ( SB 178 / 179 )
that would ban certain types of bullet including the Black
Talon, or alternatively, tax such ammunition at a rate of

1000% .

What is the Commission 's position concerning the
importation, transit and manufacture in the European
Community of types of ammunition opposed by the
Senator, in particular the Black Talon ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 February 1994 )

The Commission has no detailed customs or trade figures
for particular makes, calibres or types of ammunition . The
Common Customs Tariff distinguishes between certain
general categories, depending on whether the weapon is for
military or sporting use .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3464 / 93

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 121 )

Subject : Crisis in the goat-farming sector in Cadiz
province

Goat-farming in Cadiz province is in the throes of a severe
crisis which threatens the survival of a sector which is of

major importance to the rural population in extremely poor
districts . The situation is exacerbated by delays in payment
of Community subsidies .

Moreover, tuberculosis epidemic affecting 95 % of the
livestock has created additional problems, with farmers
having to slaughter large numbers of animals .

Can the Commission explain the reasons for the delay in
paying Community premiums in Cadiz province ?

Can the farmers affected by the epidemic obtain
compensation for the infected animals slaughtered ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware of a press release of 22 November ( 28 February 1994 )

1993 in which the American company, Winchester Olin,
stated it was withdrawing the Black Talon bullet from
public sale and restricting purchase of it to the police .
However, it cannot say whether a similar bullet is currently
manufactured in the Community or if it is being traded .

As regards the relevant rules, available information appears
to indicate the bullets of the Black Talon type come under
the expanding projectiles in category A of the firearms
banned by Directive 91 / 477 / EEC of 18 June 1991 on the
acquisition and possession of weapons ( J ). Excluded from
the ban on expanding projectiles are hunters and marksmen .
Nevertheless, account must always be taken of Article 3,
which enables Member States to adopt national laws which
are stricter than the Directive and hence to place a general

The Commission has asked the Spanish authorities for
information concerning the causes of a possible delay in the
receipt of the ewe premium in Cadiz province .

Council Decision 90 / 424 / EEC ( J ) lays down the list of
animal diseases for whose eradication Community
assistance may be granted . Since caprine tuberculosis is not
on that list the Community cannot at present grant any
aid .

(!) OJ No L 224, 18 . 8 . 1990 .

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 59

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3468 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3471 / 93

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

Christine Crawley ( PSE ) by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 122 ) ( 94 / C 279 / 123 )

Subject : Purchasing power of pensioners
Subject : Aid for fisheries research

Could the Commission update the figures given in answer to
a question from Mr Edward Newman ( Written Question
No 2620 / 88 (*)) on the comparative purchasing power of
pensioners across the European Community ?

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

( ICES ) at its annual meeting in Dublin has decided to initiate

pensioners across the European Community ?

investigations into the declining numbers of sea trout in EC

waters .

(') OJ No C 262, 16 . 10 . 1989, p . 58 .

Is the Commission prepared to make a contribution towards
the costs of this research and is it contemplating any
Answer given by Mr Christophersen initiatives of its own to identify the causes of the decline of
both trout and salmon stocks ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

A problem in comparing the situation of pensioners in the
various Member States is that the amount they receive
depends on many factors .

First, the ways in which Member States have organized
social protection in respect of old age differ widely . Some
rely on State pensions for an adequate income during
retirement, while in others relatively low State pensions are
supplemented with compulsory or voluntary occupational
pension schemes . Second, individual circumstances play an
important role, such as the number of years the pensioners
have worked or paid contributions, their marital status,
level of past earnings, or, former occupation . Third, there
may be large differences in how pensions develop over time
and they may or may not be indexed with the cost of living .
Finally, there is the influence of tax and social security
contributions on pensioners income .

Comparisons therefore can only be made for specific
defined cases .

Recently, Eurostat published a comparative study of old age
replacement ratios ( the ratio between pensions and income
from employment at the moment of retirement ) in the
Member States ( J ).

The main results are summarized in a table transmitted

direct to the Honourable Member and to the

Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

The Community cooperates fully with ICES through its
contribution under the EC-ICES Cooperation Agreement .
The Commission will not make any direct contribution to
the investigations to which the Honourable Member
refers .

The Commission 's work in the field of fisheries research is

carried out by encouraging, coordinating and financing
research through the AIR ( Agriculture and Agro-Industrial
Research ) Programme . The work itself is carried out by
academic and research institutions in the Member States, the
Commission having no facilities ( laboratories, research
vessels, infrastructure, etc .) of its own . Research on the
causes of decline of salmon and sea trout stock is included in

this framework . The Commission is also prepared to finance
studies in the precise field through its funds for
bio-economic analysis in support of the common fisheries
policy .

An invitation to tender for the AIR Programme is now open

( the deadline is 14 January 1994 ) and a new call to tender
will appear in 1994 . Proposals for coordination actions

( workshops, seminars, lectures ) are also welcome at any
( l ) Old age replacement ratios, Volume 1, Office for Offical moment .
Publications of the European Community 1993 .

No C 279 / 60 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

QUESTION E-3472 / 93 that the Community meets, by way of an exception, 100 %

Des Geraghty ( NI ) of the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member States

to the Commission for the purpose of implementing these pilot projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3472 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

(7 December 1993 ) (!) OJ No L 261, 20 . 10 . 1993 .

( 94 / C 279 / 124 ) ( 2 ) OJ No L 364, 14 . 12 . 1989 .

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

( 4 ) SEC(93 ) 882 final, 14 . 6 . 1993 .

( 5 ) COM(93 ) 546 final, 10 . 11 . 1993 .

Subject : Irish Memorandum

Successive Council of Fisheries Ministers ' meetings have
been requested to address a series of proposals submitted by WRITTEN QUESTION
Ireland to deal with the fact that Ireland has to bear a totally by Alexander Langer
disproportionate and increasing amount of the costs of to the Commission
surveillance of EEC waters .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-34 89 / 93

by Alexander Langer ( V )

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 125 )
Is the Commission prepared to state its position on this issue
and present specific proposals which would help to alleviate
the burden borne by the Irish Exchequer ? Subject : Air pollution in Nikopol ( Bulgaria ) due to a

Romanian fertilizer factory

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 January 1994 )

Under Article 4 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2847 / 93 of

12 October 1993, establishing a control system applicable
to the common fisheries policy ( J ) each Member State shall
carry out, on its own account, inspection and monitoring of
fishing activities in the waters subject to its sovereignty or
jurisdiction . The Community may grant a financial
contribution towards expenditure ( investments ) incurred by
Member States for ensuring compliance with the
Community system for fisheries and aquaculture ( 2 ) in
accordance with Council Decision 89 / 63 1 / EEC ( 3 ).

As pointed out in the Commission 's Report on the Irish
Memorandum ( 4 ), the Community has since 1988
contributed ECU 18,5 million to expenditure incurred by
Ireland in respect of inspection and monitoring, which
represents 20% of the total financial contribution to
expenditure incurred by the Member States .

The city of Nikopol is situated in northern Bulgaria . It lies
on the right-hand bank of the river Danube on the border
with Romania . Immediately across on the Romanian side, in
the district of Turnu Magurele, there is a huge factory which
manufactures agricultural products and fertilizer in
particular .

According to information brought to my attention, this
factory is responsible for a high level of emissions of
ammonia and sulphur and their compounds, which, aided
by climatic conditions, have a particularly detrimental effect
on the health of the population of Nikopol . Its population
has decreased from 30 000 to 16 000 in recent years . The
level of air pollution is consistently many times higher than
the permissible levels ( up to 36 times higher ) and a large part
of the population complains of health problems which are
without doubt due to the air pollution from the fertilizer
plant .

Is the Commission aware of the situation described above

and can it confirm it ?

Does the Commission intend to adopt any measures within
its power, particularly as regards the economic and technical
cooperation with Romania and Bulgaria, to help the
affected population, or has it already done so ?

Are there similar cases where the Community has already
taken positive action ?

In conformity with Article 3 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 2847 / 93 each Member State shall implement a pilot
project concerning satellite and / or automatic data recorder
systems for locating the position of fishing vessels . This Answer given by Sir Leon
technology can contribute to a significant improvement in on behalf of the
the monitoring function and is expected to alleviate the (7 February 1994 )
control burden for Member States .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission has presented a proposal to the Council to
amend Decision 89 / 63 1 / EEC ( 5 ) with a view to provide
funding of such pilot projects . The Commission proposed

The Commission has been informed, through its Delegation
in Sofia, of the concern of the Bulgarian Government with
respect to the trans-border pollution problems at Nikopol in
Bulgaria and also of other trans-border problems at

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 61

Rousse / Guirgiu and Silistra / Kalarash . However, the
Commission does not have reliable technical information or

independent reports available to enable it to reach an
informed view on the extent and seriousness of the current

problems at the abovementioned sites .

Through its Phare national environment programmes, the
Commission has recognised the problems of air pollution in
both countries . Fixed and mobile air monitoring equipment
has been supplied to the Government of Bulgaria and mobile
air monitoring equipment has been supplied to the
Government of Romania through the programmes . It is
envisaged that the mobile equipment will facilitate the
objective study of air pollution problems in regions such as
Nikopol . The problems of air pollution and health are also
being addressed through a component of the 1991 Regional
Environment Programme which is aiming to strengthen the
capacity of the countries to carry out epidemiological
studies to properly assess the extent to which health
problems are caused by air pollution in order to better target
the resources available for air pollution abatement .

The Commission could intervene in such issues through the
provision of further technical assistance to clarify the
specific environmental components and with the
identification of problems when such action is formally
identified as a priority for funding by the governments
concerned through the Phare environment programmes .

The Commission has played a mediating role in connection
with the water management regime associated with the
Gabsikova / Nagymaros Dam on the Danube River and
encouraged the governments of Slovakia and Hungary to
resolve the issues at the International Court of Justice in the

Hague .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3506 / 93

3 . What action does the Commission intend to take if it is

established that such infringements are taking place or
to prevent them from occurring ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1994 )

1 . The Commission is aware from reports by its Fishery
Inspectorate that driftnets in excess of the length prescribed
in Article 9(a ) of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3094 / 86
have been used by vessels from Member States . However,
the Commission has received no confirmation that illegal
driftnets have been used within the Portuguese exclusive
economic zone including the waters around the Azores .

2 . The Commission is not in a position to quantify the
exact number of vessels using illegal driftnets .

3 . Enforcement of Community conservation measures
lies in the first instance with the control authorities of each

Member State . The Commission 's role is to monitor the

effectiveness of the control exercised by Member States and
commence proceedings against any Member State which has
failed to implement the appropriate measures . At present,
the Commission is in the process of preparing proceedings
against one Member State and has recently concluded an
administrative enquiry with respect to another Member
State .

by Vasco Garcia ( LDR ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3555 / 93

to the Commission by Des Geraghty ( NI )

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 126 )

Subject : Fishing vessels with drift nets in Community

waters ( including the Azores EEZ )

I have been informed that there are Community fishing
vessels using drift nets exceeding 10 km in length within the
Economic Exclusion Zone ( EEZ ) of one or other Member
State, including the Portuguese EEZ of the Azores .

1 . What information does the Commission have on this

matter ?

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 127 )

Subject : Air France capital injection

In approving the FF 2 billion capital increase in Air France
the Commission reserved its position on the capital
injections to be carried out in 1992 and 1993 (*). What
developments have taken place in the meantime with regard
to these latter capital injections and the Commission 's
position on them ?

2 . How many vessels are involved and where are the
catches landed ? (M SEC(92 ) 431 .

No C 279 / 62 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3556 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 279 / 128

Subject : Air France capital injection

With regard to the FF 1,25 billion injection by Banque
Nationale de Paris into Air France, what has been the
outcome of the assessment which the Commission stated it

was carrying out in March 1992 ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-3555 / 93 and E-3556 / 93

given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

In its Decision of 15 July 1992, the Commission considered
as a normal financial transaction, under the market
economy investor principle, the second and third tranches of
Air France 's capital increase . The tranches comprised FF

1,25 billion obligations redeemable into shares which were
subscribed by Banque Nationale de Paris under conditions
comparable to the capital increase by the State, as well as FF
2,5 billion Titres Subordonnes a Duree Indeterminee, which
were subscribed to by an international consortium of banks,
among which there were private banks .

On 10 November 1993, the Commission opened the
procedure foreseen in Article 93(2 ) EC Treaty with regard to
participation of the Caisse de Depot et Consignation ( CDC )
in the amount of FF 1,5 billion .

Does the Commission not feel that a total ban should be

placed on the use of such nets ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1994 )

The Commission has always given clear and unambiguous
backing to the resolutions adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on drift gillnets .

The Commission has, however, noted that checks carried
out by Member States with fleets using drift nets are not
always sufficiently rigorous . Nevertheless, an immediate
and total ban on drift nets would not seem to be an

appropriate response, particularly since this method is
employed also to catch small pelagic species by
non-industrial fishermen . This said, it is essential that the
controls which ensure strict enforcement of the applicable
rules be tightened up . The Commission will do all within its
power to ensure this outcome .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3877 / 93

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

94 / C 279 / 130

Subject : Minimum import price for salmon

Will the Commission urgently review the recent decision to
impose a minimum import price on salmon, bearing in mind
that Norwegian salmon is still being sold on the London
market at prices well below those with which Scottish
salmon producers can compete ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3831 / 93 Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

by José Vazquez Fouz ( PSE )

to the Commission ( 21 January 1994 )

( 17 January 1994 )

Due to the general deterioration of the salmon market from
( 94 / C 279 / 129
late September 1993, the Irish authorities requested the
Commission to apply emergency measures, as provided by
Article 24 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3759 / 92 (').

use of drift-nets

Consequently, the Commission introduced minimum
import prices for fresh or frozen Atlantic salmon

Subject : Restricting the use of drift-nets

The appropriate use of fishing techniques is central to the
conservation of fish stocks . The use of drift-nets does not

constitute good practice in this respect, despite being
tolerated with nets of up to 2,5 km and, under exceptional
circumstances and on a temporary basis, 5 km, subject to
strict controls .

It would appear that these controls are not being carried out,
with obvious repercussions for fish stocks .

( Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 3193 / 93 ( 2 )), applicable
from 20 November 1993 to 31 January 1994 .

The minimum import price scheme must be seen as an
immediate measure, aiming at a short term stabilization of
the market .

The actual control of the salmon imports — that is, whether
or not the imports observe the level of the minimum import

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 63

'
prices — falls exclusively under the Member States
competence . The Commission has not been informed about
any breaches of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3193 / 93 .

The Commission is aware that the delicate situation in the

Community salmon market persists, and is monitoring
developments carefully so that — if necessary — the
appropriate measures ( including a review or extension of
minimum import prices ) are taken .

(!) OJ No L 388, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 285, 20 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 882 / 93

by Franco Borgo ( PPE ), Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE ),

Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE ), Agostino Mantovani ( PPE ),

Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE ), Ferruccio Pisoni ( PPE )

and Nino Pisoni ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1994 )

The thorough study of the possibilities for using
concentrated grape must, whether rectified or not, and
sugar for the enrichment of wine referred to in Article 20 of
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 822 / 87, has been carried out
by independent experts from three Member States .

However, the final conclusions of the study, in particular as
regards the economic aspects, are not shared by all the
authors . For that reason the Commission has not thought it
expedient to distribute it .

However, the Commission discussion paper ' Development
and future of wine sector policy ' ( 1 ) broadly takes account of
the results of the study, particularly as regards the
oenological practice and control aspects .

Under these circumstances, the Commission does not see
any obstacle to distributing the study when formal
proposals on the reform of the wine sector are submitted to
Parliament .

( 94 / C 279 / 131 ) (!) COM(93 ) 380 final .

Subject : Commission study into the enrichment of wine

In view of the fact that :

— Article 20 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 822 / 87 ( x ) on the

common organization of the market in wine ( former
Article 33 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 337 / 79 ( 2 )) stipulates
that the Commission shall make a thorough study of the
possibilities for using concentrated grape must, whether
rectified or not, and sugar for enrichment, which shall
cover the various oenological and economic aspects of
the different enrichment methods permitted,

— the results of the in-depth study should have been

submitted to the Council and the European Parliament
in 1990,

— Article 20 provides that the cost of implementing the

study, estimated at ECU 2 million, shall be fixed under
the budget procedure,

— the Commission has not produced any documents on

this subject to date,

can the Commission give details of the findings of the study
or, alternatively, can it give details of the ways in which the
appropriations allocated for the implementation of the
study have been used ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3919 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 132 )

Subject : Completion of development programmes for small

and medium-sized businesses

The European Union has undertaken to devise and fund a
package of measures to support small and medium-sized
businesses, provide financial facilities on favorable
terms, open markets through sub-contracting, provide
information about new technologies and investment and
involve them in the industrial relations process . Can the
Commission say when these development programmes for
small - and medium-sized businesses will be completed ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1994 )

The specific measures taken by the Community to provide
(!) OJ No L 84, 27 . 3 . 1987, p . 1 . support for SMEs are the subject of a multi-annual

( 2 ) OJ No L 54, 5 . 3 . 1979, p . 1 . programme adopted by the Council on 14 June 1993 . The

No C 279 / 64 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

aim of this programme is to intensify action in the priority
areas of enterprise policy in order to stimulate growth in the
Community and ensure the continuity and consolidation of
this policy, with a view to fostering the Europeanization and
internationalization of businesses in general and SMEs in
particular . The programme entered into force on 1 July

1993 and covers the period to 31 December 1996 .

With regard to access to credit, following the European
Council in Copenhagen, the Commission presented to the
Council a proposal for a Decision on the provision of
Community interest subsidies on loans for SMEs extended
by the EIB under its temporary lending facility ( a ). In
addition, the European Investment Fund, which will have
the task of providing guarantees in respect of loans to SMEs,
should become operational on completion of the ratification
process by the Member States .

Increased importance has been attached, within the
framework of the abovementioned multiannual

programme, to the role of subcontracting . In this domain
the Commission is engaged in a whole series of activities
with the aim of improving the transparency of the market,
especially in such key areas as the electronics, automobile,
aeronautical, construction, textile and clothing industries
and strengthening inter-industrial relations by fostering
contacts between large firms and SMEs . These measures
also include the dissemination of information on legislation
in the Member States and support for certification in liaison
with professional organizations .

The proposal for a Fourth Framework Programme of
research and technological development activities
( 1994 — 1998 ) provides, under the third activity

( Dissemination and optimization of the results of activities
in Community research, technological development and
demonstration ) for a set of direct or indirect measures to
improve the quality and effectiveness of innovation support
services and the absorption of new technologies by SMEs .
These activities will enable the wider dissemination to SMEs

of the results of Community research, greater awareness
among SMEs of best practice in the management of
technological resources and improvement of the financial
environment for the dissemination of new technologies .
Finally, the Commission intends to strengthen the
coordination of national and Community policies with
regard to support for research and innovation by and for
SMEs . In this context, and more specifically in the
framework of its regional policy, the Commission is
maintaining its efforts to promote the establishment of
European Business and Innovation Centres . These are
intended to stimulate the creation and development of
innovating businesses in the disadvantaged regions and
promote the active detection of business projects, including
those resulting from spin-off effects .

The programming activities connected with the
establishment of the Community Support Frameworks, as
part of the revision of the Structural Funds, will get off the
ground in the course of 1994 . Particular emphasis will be
given, among other priorities, to the local development
aspects, especially support for SMEs .

With regard to the social dialogue, the Commission has
recently adopted a communication on the implementation
of the Protocol on the Social Dialogue ( 2 ) which enlarges the
scope of consultations in the framework of the social
dialogue to include several SME organizations . An initial
consultation process, under the terms of Article 3 of this
Protocol, concerning a proposal on information and
consultation for workers in companies with a Community

dimension, is already under way .

(!) COM(93 ) 577 final .

( 2 ) - COM(93 ) 600 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3952 / 93

by Francois Guillaume ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 133 )

Subject : Use of vegetable fats other than cocoa butter in the

manufacture of chocolate

The Commission has recently confirmed that it not longer
intends to revise the 1973 Directive under which the United

Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland are permitted to market as
' chocolate ' a product containing 5 % of vegetable fats other
than cocoa butter . This exemption will not be extended to
the other Member States but will remain in force for the

three countries in question .

What are the Commission 's reasons for retaining these
exceptional provisions, which were originally permitted as a
transitional measure, and which manifestly conflict with the
Community 's development policy with regard to the
cocoa-producing countries, particularly those in Africa, the
Caribbean and the Pacific ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

Directive 73 / 241 / EEC on cocoa and chocolate products is
one of a series of vertical Directives in the foodstuffs sector

which are being scrutinized, in accordance with the
conclusions of the Edinburgh European Council, to see how
they can be simplified in keeping with the principle of
subsidiarity . The Brussels European Council of 10 and

11 December 1993 further called on the Commission to

continue its work in the light of these guidelines .
Accordingly, the Commission will be proposing a revised
version of Directive 73 / 241 / EEC during the course of

1994 .

The Commission would recall that Article 14 of the

Directive in question states that ' this Directive shall not
affect the provisions of national laws at present authorizing

5 . 10 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 279 / 65

or prohibiting the addition of vegetable fats other than
cocoa-butter ... At the end of a period of three years from
the notification of this Directive the Council shall decide, on
a proposal from the Commission, on the possibilities and
the forms of extending the use of these fats to the whole of
the Community .'

Under the mandate conferred on it by the Edinburgh
European Council, the Commission is currently looking at
possible ways of ensuring the smooth operation of the
internal market while respecting its international
commitments .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4043 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 135

Subject : Harmonization of legislation in the countries of

the European Union regarding private associations
of all kinds

Does the Commission intend to take an initiative to

harmonize the legislation of Member States of the European
Union on private associations of all kinds ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4003 / 93 on behalf of the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) ( 27 April 1994 )

to the Commission

( 26 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 134 )

Subject : Broadcasting of TV advertising for childrens ' toys

in Greece

The Quality of Life Consumers Association has proposed to
the Greek Government that TV advertising for childrens '
toys should be banned until 11 p.m . Will the Commission
make representations to the Greek Government on this
matter ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1994 )

The protection of minors is already covered by Directive

89 / 552 / EEC ( ] ) ' Television without frontiers '. With a view
to protecting young people from unacceptable, adverse
effects of certain forms of advertising, this lays down certain
requirements relating to the content of television
advertising . In addition, Article 3 permits Member States to
apply more restrictive rules to programmes emanating from
broadcasters within their jurisdiction .

However, where a Member State introduces stricter rules,
they must be compatible with Community law, and in
particular with Article 59 EC Treaty .

(!) OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989 .

The Commission has proposed to the Council a Regulation
on the statute for a European association ( ! ). The aim of this
statute is to offer the existing legal categories in all Member
States a . European legal framework which, while respecting
their specific character, will enable them to develop
trans-national activities ( the legal bodies involved are listed
in the Annex ).

As the abovementioned proposal for a Regulation states :

'. . . the completion of the internal market means that
there must be full freedom of establishment for all

activities which contribute to the objectives of the
Community, irrespective of the form taken by the body
which carries them on '.

The intention of this proposal is not to harmonize the
regulations of the Community Member States but to give
associations the option of having a European statute .

0 ) COM(93 ) 252 final — SYN 386 to 391 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4045 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 279 / 136

Subject : Measures to protect the Church of Aghia Sophia in

Istanbul

The Democratic Revival Association has stated that the

Church of Aghia Sophia in Istanbul has in the course of

No C 279 / 66 Official Journal of the European Communities 5 . 10 . 94

many centuries suffered substantial damage and been
subjected to major alterations but that the Turkish
authorities have taken either no action at all to restore the

Church or only inadequate action without any overall
long-term plan ; as a result, the very survival of the Church
has been at risk for some time . The above Association

stresses the need to preserve this monument which forms
part of the world 's historical, cultural and religious heritage
and make it operational once more . Does the Commission
intend to look into this matter and consider what rapid and
effective action can be taken to protect the Church of Aghia
Sophia in Istanbul ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1994 )

The Commission has neither the financial resources nor the

legal basis, under the Association Agreement between the
Community and Turkey, for contributing to the renovation
or preservation of historic monuments .