Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 86
# Officiai Journal

Volume 36
### of the European Communities 26 March 1993

ISSN 0378-6986

Volume 36

26 March 1993

###### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

93 / C 86 / 01 No 2837 / 91 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Protection of children against poisonous plants 1

93 / C 86 / 02 No 2930 / 91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject : Regulatory levy on pesticides 1

93 / C 86 / 03 No 2954 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of women in the Community from cervical cancer 2

93 / C 86 / 04 No 1222 / 92 by Mrs Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Lack of cooperation between the Commission and the European Parliament during the
Winter Olympics in Albertville 3

93 / C 86 / 05 No 1242 / 92 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject : Mauritania 3

93 / C 86 / 06 No 1342 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Failure to take up Structural Fund aid 4

93 / C 86 / 07 No 1354 / 92 by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath to the Commission
Subject : The NOW Programme 4

93 / C 86 / 08 No 1505 / 92 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject : British leasehold law — an obstacle to competition 5

93 / C 86 / 09 No 1516 / 92 by Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a gas-turbine plant on the Garigliano nuclear site ( Campania region,
Italy ) and its environmental compatibility 5

2 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 86 / 10 No 1531 / 92 by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas to the Commission
Subject : Measures to deal with the smog affecting Athens and building regulations 6

93 / C 86 / 1 1 No 1568 / 92 by Mr Juan de Dios Ramirez Heredia to the Commission
Subject : Postal rates for publications 6

93 / C 86 / 12 No 1594 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for Andalusia 7

93 / C 86 / 13 No 1697 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Networks of experts to direct energy and environmental technology transfers 8

93 / C 86 / 14 No 1812 / 92 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries : Reduction of discards 8

93 / C 86 / 15 No 1870 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Fishing quotas off Newfoundland 9

93 / C 86 / 16 No 1922 / 92 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of fishing quotas in the NAFO area ( Supplementary answer ) 9

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1870 / 92 and 1922 / 92 9

93 / C 86 / 17 No 1874 / 92 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : The EC-EFTA agreements and acquired rights of foreign workers in Switzerland .... 11

93 / C 86 / 18 No 1878 / 92 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject : The conservation of Egyptian monuments 11

93 / C 86 / 19 No 1927 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of a European police body 12

93 / C 86 / 20 No 2126 / 92 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : British Lion Mark for toys 12

93 / C 86 / 21 No 2129 / 92 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Electromagnetic waves 13

93 / C 86 / 22 No 2173 / 92 by Mrs Mathilde van den Brink to the Council
Subject : The Cyprus question and the role of the Community 13

93 / C 86 / 23 No 2193 / 92 by Mr Karel De Gucht to the Commission
Subject : Aid to shipbuilding 14

93 / C 86 / 24 No 2203 / 92 by Mrs Lissy Grôner to the Commission
Subject : Presence of harmful substances in the Brussels I European School 15

93 / C 86 / 25 No 2268 / 92 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject : Takeover of Fokker by Dasa 15

93 / C 86 / 26 No 2284 / 92 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Finland's application for accession to the EEC 16

93 / C 86 / 27 No 2285 / 92 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of legislation on industrial property — copyright 16

Notice No

93 / C 86 / 28

93 / C 86 / 29

93 / C 86 / 30

93 / C 86 / 31

93 / C 86 / 32

93 / C 86 / 33

93 / C 86 / 34

93 / C 86 / 35

Contents ( continued ) Page

No 2293 / 92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Stride programme 17

No 2294 / 92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transfrontier movement of nuclear materials 17

No 2305 / 92 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Euratom 18

No 2315 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Substantial divergences between Japan and France and the rest of the OECD in the field
of nuclear energy 18

No 2319 / 92 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : The fight against Aids : dwindling budgets 19

No 2362 / 92 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Newsprint restrictions 19

No 2384 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of a European Post Office Bank 20

No 2408 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Council
Subject : Austrian neutrality 20

93 / C 86 / 36 No 2414 / 92 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) for the Mil east of London ( United
Kingdom ) 21

93 / C 86 / 37 No 2415 / 92 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject : Environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) for the M3 in southern England ( UK ) 22

93 / C 86 / 38

No 2424 / 92 by Mr Elmar Brok to the Commission
Subject : Job descriptions for the care of the elderly 23

93 / C 86 / 39 No 2426 / 92 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject : Notice of open compétitions : EUR / D / 24, EUR / D / 25, COM / D / 754 and
COM / D / 755 23

93 / C 86 / 40

93 / C 86 / 41

93 / C 86 / 42

93 / C 86 / 43

93 / C 86 / 44

93 / C 86 / 45

No 2449 / 92 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : The ' Wild Birds ' Directive 23

No 2490 / 92 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Hospital waste in Europe 23

No 2494 / 92 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Drought in southern Africa 24

No 2524 / 92 by Mr Francesco Speroni to the Commission
Subject : Car tax as a means of avoiding a reduction in the VAT rate 25

No 2526 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Dumping of bicycles on the EC market 25

No 2528 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject : EC action programme on tourism 26

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

93 / C 86 / 46

Contents ( continued ) Page

No 2537 / 92 by Mr José Valverde Lôpez to the Commission
Subject : 1995 World Ski Championships in Granada 26

93 / C 86 / 47 No 2565 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission

Subject : Sea forum in Trégastel ( Côtes d' Armor, France ) 27

93 / C 86 / 48

93 / C 86 / 49

93 / C 86 / 50

93 / C 86 / 51

93 / C 86 / 52

93 / C 86 / 53

93 / C 86 / 54

93 / C 86 / 55

93 / C 86 / 56

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93 / C 86 / 58

93 / C 86 / 59

93 / C 86 / 60

93 / C 86 / 61

93 / C 86 / 62

No 2574 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Introduction of a Community vehicle registration plate 27

No 2614 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : New VAT bracket for tailors 28

No 2615 / 92 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : The EC's role in the ITTA renegotiations 28

No 2627 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Recycling of packaging 29

No 2630 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : State subsidy for shipyards 29

No 2660 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

'
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, Towards sustainability — selected target groups / industry 30

No 2661 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — aspects overlooked 30

No 2662 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — precautionary principle 30

No 2663 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — definition of ' sustainability ' .... 31

No 2664 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — integration within the
Commission j 31

No 2665 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — democratic deficit 31

No 2666 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — compatibility of the concepts of
sustainability and sustainable development with the nuclear energy option 32

No 2667 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — the EC's position on nuclear
energy, 32

No 2668 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — implementation and
enforcement 32

No 2669 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — instruments for measuring
environmental damage / definition of growth 32

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 86 / 63 No 2670 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards sustainability ' — integration 33

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2660 / 92 to 2670 / 92 33

93 / C 86 / 64 No 2672 / 92 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Commission age limits for applicants 33

93 / C 86 / 65 No 2673 / 92 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Sixth VAT Directive 34

93 / C 86 / 66 No 2689 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The European Financial Engineering Company ( EFEC ) 34

93 / C 86 / 67 No 2690 / 92 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Commission proposal on transitional arrangements in respect of the international
textile agreement 35

93 / C 86 / 68 No 2714 / 92 by Mr Lyndon Harrison to the Commission
Subject : River Acheloos diversion scheme 35

93 / C 86 / 69 No 2717 / 92 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Night work 36

93 / C 86 / 70 No 2729 / 92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Imports of newsprint 36

93 / C 86 / 71 No 2749 / 92 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Importation of newsprint — discrimination and unfavourable impact on consumers . . 36

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2729 / 92 and 2749 / 92 37

93 / C 86 / 72 No 2730 / 92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Failure to implement the Seventh Directive in Italy 37

93 / C 86 / 73 No 2755 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Greek raki 37

93 / C 86 / 74 No 2949 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Compensatory payment for soya production 38

93 / C 86 / 75 No 2966 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Xenophobic attack by German neo-Nazis against a Greek school in Wuppertal 38

93 / C 86 / 76 No 2995 / 92 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Organization of dog fights 39

93 / C 86 / 77 No 3123 / 92 by Mr Jean-Marie Alexandre and Mr Bernard Frimat to the Council
Subject : GATT negotiations in Chicago 39

93 / C 86 / 78 No 3141 / 92 by Mr Manfred Vohrer to the Council
Subject : Differences in the treatment of refugees in EC Member States 40

93 / C 86 / 79 No 3314 / 92 by Mr James Moorhouse to the Council
Subject : Open competitions for recruitment of officials 40

93 / C 86 / 80 Written Questions to which no answer has been given 42

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2837 / 91

by Mr Gerhard Schmid ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 93 / C 86 / 01 )

Subject : Protection of children against poisonous plants

In Written Question No 1071 / 90 Q ) I asked the
Commission to examine the possibility of introducing
mandatory Community-wide labelling of poisonous
house-plants in order to protect young children .

Has the Commission now examined the relevant Member

State legislation ?

If so, what findings has the examination yielded ?

Is the Commission giving consideration to the
introduction of mandatory labelling as I have proposed ?

If not, when will the examination be completed ?

O OJ No C 312, 12 . 12 . 1990, p . 30 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1992 )

Since the reply to the Honourable Member in December

1990 the Commission has examined the legal position
relating to the protection of persons from poisonous
plants in the Member States .

The Commission has noted that legislation to protect
persons specifically from the dangers of cultivating or
marketing poisonous plants or their propagating material
does not exist in the Member States, although
Community law does not generally prevent them from
doing so . National authorities may have powers under
consumers protection or other more general legislation .

The Commission considers that the incidence of cases of

accidental poisoning from plants is extremely low,
particularly in relation to poisoning accidents in general,
and that specific legislation at Community level would not
be appropriate .

The Commission would point out moreover that
Directive 92 / 59 / EEC (') on general product safety,
however, covers inter alia plants and the Commission is
satisfied that it will now provide the necessary
Community framework under which all Member States
must ensure that products intended for consumers, or
likely to be used by consumers, are safe .

o OJ No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2930 / 91

by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 9 December 1 991 )

( 93 / C 86 / 02 )

Subject : Regulatory levy on pesticides

In the final week of October, a report was published in the
Netherlands by the Agricultural University and
consultant engineers concerning regulatory levies on
pesticides, the main conclusion of which was that such
levies would help to reduce the amount of pesticides used
for agriculture and horticulture .

1 . Does the Commission not agree that effective
reduction of pesticides in agriculture is only possible if
farmers are given incentives to use ecological
production methods ( taking account of social and
ecological costs ) ?

No C 86 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

2 . Is the Commission aware of the above report ?

3 . In view of its conclusions, would it consider the

possibility of introducing regulatory levies on
pesticides in the EC ?

4 . Is the report correct in stating that unilateral
introduction of a regulatory levy on pesticides by the
Netherlands does not constitute an infringement of
Community rules ?

5 . Does the Commission agree, that the enforceability

and effectiveness of the regulatory levy at national
level would be enhanced if it also applied to imported
pesticides ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 992 )

1 . The Commission agrees that a reduction in the
quantities of pesticides used would result in less intensive
farming which would be more favourable to the
environment .

As regards price levels, it is clear from economic logic that

an increase in farm prices — all other factors remaining
constant — would only encourage more intensive farming
( more pesticides would probably be used ), which would
be contrary to the aims of the Honourable Member and
of the Commission . Furthermore, the Commission would
remind the Honourable Member that organic production
methods are already being used at farm level . Organic
farming has its own market and its products sell at higher
prices than conventional agricultural products .

2 . The Commission is not aware of the report referred

to .

3 . The Commission has considered the possibility
introducing regulatory levies . The studies it has looked at
indicate that such levies would have to be increased before
the quantities of pesticides used can be significantly
reduced . However, the Commission is committed to
reducing the quantities of pesticides and other chemical
agents used in agriculture . It believes that the mechanisms
introduced under the CAP reform in May 1992 will help
to achieve this goal . Furthermore the implementation of
Directive 91 / 414 / EEC (*) will reduce the number of
authorized pesticides once all the substances on the
Community market have been assessed to check their
compliance with the stringent requirements for the
protection of health and the environment laid down in
this Directive . If the situation is still unsatisfactory after
these measures have been applied, the Commission will

reconsider the matter and a levy on pesticides may then be
an option .

4 and 5 . The competent authorities in The Netherlands
may create a regulatory levy on pesticides provided that it
complies with Community rules which enter into force on

1 January 1993, particularly with the provisions laid down
in Article 95 of the Treaty and in Article 3 ( 3 ) of Council
Directive 92 / 12 / EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general
arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on
the holding, movement and monitoring of such
products ( 2 ).

O OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991 .
O OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2954 / 91

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

( 13 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 03 )

Subject : Protection of women in the Community from

cervical cancer

25% of Greek women aged 18 and above have never
undergone a gynaecological examination . Moreover, 57 %
have not taken the Papanikolaou test for early diagnosis
of cervical cancer . These are some of the main findings of
a poll carried out in March 1991 in the 12 Member States
in connection with the prevention of cancer in women .
Will the Commission recommend that women in the

Community should be informed by every appropriate
means of the need for early diagnosis of cervical cancer ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 May 1992 )

Since 1987, the Commission has sought, in the framework
of the ' Europe against Cancer ' programme, to promote
the early detection and screening of cervical cancer . To
inform the European citizen a European Code against
Cancer was drafted which highlights, in the last
commandment, that women should undergo a regular
cervical smear test .

This Code was adopted by all cancer leagues and

associations of the European Community and widely
distributed by Community and national actions, notably
during thé European Year against Cancer in 1989 .

In 1991, the European Week against Cancer focused on
the early detection of female cancers and many
information promotions were carried out in the Member
States, including Greece .

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 3

In addition, in order to promote systematic cervical
cancer screening in the Community, the Commission has
funded since 1989 several pilot programmes in cervical
cancer screening, notably in Greece . It is envisaged that a
network, comparable to that set up for breast cancer
screening, be established with the participation of all
Member States . Quality control criteria for such an
initiative are presently under discussion .

The Commission is convinced that these actions, which
integrate public awareness and effective action at the level
of the individual citizen, combined with training of
concerned health personnel, will have marked results .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1222 / 92

by Mrs Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 04 )

Subject : Lack of cooperation between the Commission

and the European Parliament during the Winter
Olympics in Albertville

During the recent Winter Olympic Games in Albertville,
the Commission set up a Community information stand .
The EP, for its part, published a brochure informing the
public of Parliament's major initiatives in the field of
sport . The brochure will also be distributed at the
Olympic Games in Barcelona .

However, incredible as it may seem, those in charge of the
EC stand refused to distribute Parliament's brochure and
to cooperate in any way with the staff of the EP
Information Office in France .

One of the reasons apparently given for not distributing
the EP's brochure was that it contained inter alia an
illustration of the Barcelona Olympic Games logo .

In view of this unacceptable behaviour, which is contrary
to the most basic principles of the Community, does the
Commission not agree that the attitude of its officials in
Albertville was unacceptable both politically speaking and

also from a purely organizational point of view ?

Does the Commission intend to conduct an investigation,
as seems reasonable, to establish who was responsible for
this refusal to cooperate with the EP ?

Does the Commission not consider that the objections to
the logo for the Barcelona Olympic Games amount to a
blatant infringement of the resolutions adopted by the
EP, the institution which represents all EC citizens, and
of the ' European spirit ' on which our Community is
based ?

What specific steps does the Commission intend to take to

ensure that such events do not happen again during the
Summer Olympics and to ensure maximum cooperation
between the Commission and the EP when planning ways
to represent the Community in Barcelona ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1 992 )

The Commission did not refuse to cooperate with
Parliament at The Winter Olympics in Albertville . On the
contrary, a number of joint operations were undertaken .
The information material produced and the information
centres for the general public were in the name of the
Community and not the Commission . Certain display
panels were designed with the help of Parliament .

With regard to the brochure in question, the Commission
did not refuse to distribute it . It was available to the public
at its information centres from the end of the first week of
the Games . The Commission considered that it was up to
Parliament to ensure that the necessary authorization to
use the Olympic logo had been obtained .

This brochure was also distributed at a travelling
exhibition which visited over 60 European cities,
including Barcelona at the time of the Summer Olympics .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1242 / 92

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

( 21 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 05 )

Subject : Mauritania

Could the Commission make a statement about EC
relations with Mauritania following the recent elections ?

No C 86 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1 992 )

Relations between the Commission and Mauritania were
not affected by the recent elections .

During the presidential elections, some foreign observers,
including Mr Saby, were unanimous in indicating that,
despite some isolated cases of fraud, the general results
were for the most part positive . Therefore, developments
in the democratic process in Mauritania look promising .

The Commission supported the electoral process in
Mauritania, financing some of the necessary electoral
material, and it considers that progress in
democratization should be encouraged and that the
related incentive measures should be supported .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1342 / 92

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

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 06 )

Subject : Failure to take up Structural Fund aid

Can the Commission provide details of the Structural
Fund aid to which each Member State was entitled but
may have omitted to take up from 1989 to 1991 and, will it
give its view of the reasons for such ineffective utilization
of Community resources ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 November 1992 ) 1

Implementation of the reform of the Structural Funds,
which entered into force on 1 January 1989, and in
particular negotiating the Community support
frameworks ( CSFs ) and approving the most frequently
used forms of aid ( operational programmes — OPs ), all
of which are of a highly innovative nature, has taken a
certain amount of time to get off the ground .

The overall appropriations included in the CSFs cover the
entire CSF programming period .

Requests for payment may be delayed or OPs changed at
any time to ensure that part-financed measures are best
suited to actual conditions for implementation in each
Member State .

For this reason it would be premature to assess budget
implementation in 1989, 1990 and 1991 in order to draw
conclusions on the actual take-up of the Structural Funds
by each Member State .

In any case, appropriations entered in the budget for a
given year which are not used may be carried over or
transferred to subsequent financial years in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulation
and the interinstitutional Agreement .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1354 / 92

by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 07 )

Subject : The NOW Programme

1 . In view of the fact that many women's projects have
been turned down because of the NOW Programme's
limited funds, can the Commission say whether these
funds are to be increased ?

2 . Is it correct that additional funds and / or additional
titles as a result of which funding has almost doubled have
been assigned only to the Horizon and Euroform
Programmes, only the NOW Programme, which applies
specifically to women, being left with the original modest
funding ?

3 . Can the Commission indicate what action is being
taken to counteract discrimination against women's
initiatives in this connection ?

4 . Could the Commission say whether, and to what
extent, it is willing to cut down in the case of women's
projects the bureaucratic and personal effort involved in
making an application and implementing a project ? Is
consideration being given to the possibility of allowing
applications regarding women's projects to be submitted
directly to the Commission ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 1992 )

1 to 3 . The projects submitted to national authorities
under the NOW Programme greatly exceeded the budget
resources available . Several high-standard projects had to
be turned down because of the inadequacy of funds . To
respond to this high level of interest and to the wishes of
Parliament regarding an increase in the NOW
Programme's budget, the Commission has increased the
sum initially earmarked ( Ecu 120 million ) by Ecu 33
million . This increase will make it possible to develop new
projects, especially in the field of distance learning, to
intensify the transnational character of particularly
innovative projects and to set up networks which will

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 5

guarantee the dissemination at Community level of the
most successful experiments .

are causing distress to certain citizens in England and
Wales . However, as the Community has no competence in
these matters, there is no possibility of Commission
intervention .

4 . As NOW is an initiative of the Structural Funds, it intervention .
operates in line with their rules . This means that projects
must always be submitted to national authorities and not
direct to the Commission . However, concerned that the
available appropriations should be distributed more
rapidly, the Commission has decided to simplify the
procedures for the submission of Member States '
applications . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1516 / 92
by Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr Alexander Langer ( V )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1505 / 92

by Mr Madron Seligman ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 08 )

Subject : British leasehold law — an obstacle to
competition

Constituents of mine have appealed for help, since they
are threatened by High Court action to recover from
them many thousands of pounds owed to the ground
landlord by a subsequent holder of a lease ( purchased
from them ) in respect of business premises . Many other
British citizens are faced with the same risk of losing their
businesses and / or home in order to pay debts incurred by
total strangers under English Common Law . The problem
has been ventilated in depth by the Channel 4 television
programme ' Watchdog ' and in the quality press .

To have legal power to enforce payment against an earlier
tenant of leasehold premises — even to the point of
making them sell their homes ( as has happened in some
cases ) may well be an infringement of Human Rights . If it
only applies to the United Kingdom, it could also
constitute a serious impediment to competition in the
Single Market, since citizens from other Member States
would be reluctant to set up a business in the United
Kingdom .

Is the Commission able to intervene so that this practice,
criticised by the Law Commission in 1988, can be
rendered unenforceable ?

Will the Commission please give urgent attention to this
unethical legal anomaly which is causing widespread
distress ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1992 )

It is regrettable that rules within the English Common
Law System of leasehold ( which do not apply in Scotland )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 09 )

Subject : Construction of a gas-turbine plant on the

Garigliano nuclear site ( Campania region, Italy )
and its environmental compatibility

It is planned to build a gas-turbine plant a few metres
away from the Garigliano nuclear power-station, which,
though no longer operational, has still to be
decommissioned .

The Garigliano nuclear power-station is currently in a

highly radioactive state . Radioactive wastes have been
dumped in the vicinity, and, in December 1991, after the
river Garigliano overflowed its banks, the site was
flooded for the second time . ( The first flood occurred on

14 November 1980 ).

Proper environmental impact assessment of the projected
gas-turbine plant must also take account of the problems
posed by the closeness of the nuclear power-station . ' V '

1 . Can the Commission say whether the environmental

impact assessment carried out in connection with the
projected gas-turbine plant conformed to the
provisions of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( x )?

2 . Does it not believe that to protect the safety of

workers, the public, and the environment, the
gas-turbine plant should be built several kilometres
away from the Garigliano nuclear power-station ?

3 . Does the Commission intend to approach the Italian

authorities ? If so, what specific representations will it
make ?

O QJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

Under Directive 85 / 337 / EEC the intended construction
of the Garigliano nuclear power plant may be covered
either by Annex I thereto if its thermal output is at least
300 MW or Annex II thereof if, on the contrary, its
thermal output does not reach that threshold .

No C 86 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Indeed, as shown by the Honourable Member's question,
it is not possible to have a precise idea of the size and
power of the project .

The Commission shall not fail to contact the Italian

authorities in order to obtain more detailed information

in order to be able to give its opinion concerning
adherence to the procedure provided for in Directive
85 / 337 / EEC .

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member
with regard to protection against ionizing radiation in
connection with the Garigliano nuclear power plant,
which ceased electricity generation in 1978, that it is for
the Italian authorities to enforce the national provisions
of enforcing the Council Directive laying down basic
standards for the protection of public and worker health
against dangers arising from ionizing radiation . This was
adopted in 1959 and last reviewed in 1984 ( 1 ).

O OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1531 / 92

by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 10 )

Subject : Measures to deal with the smog affecting Athens

and building regulations

The Minister for Regional Planning, the Environment
and Public Works has presented a bill to the Greek
Parliament entitled ' Measures to deal with the smog
affecting Athens and building regulations ' which contains
provisions whereby :

1 . By virtue of ministerial decision, responsibility for
supervising the implementation and smooth operation
of the exhaust control charter may be handed over to
private interests,

2 . Responsibility for ensuring that public or private

works and activities which have an impact on the

environment comply with environmental criteria may
be handed over to private interests,

3 . The development and operation of a system for

monitoring vehicle exhaust fumes and the creation of
' a data-bank on atmospheric pollution may be handed
over to private interests .

Since these powers should be exercised by central or local
government, the process of privatization entails serious
risks that the environmental situation in Athens will
deteriorate ( where the rate of photochemical pollution is
often much higher than the highest internationally
acceptable levels ), can the Commission state :

1 . Whether the provisions and regulations proposed by

the Greek Government are consistent with EEC

Directives ?

2 . What systems exist in the EEC Member States for

registering environmental conditions and monitoring
the exhaust control charter and the environmental
impact of projects and works that have an effect on
the environment ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1 992 )

Article 130r ( 4 ) of the Treaty requires the Member States
to ensure application of Community environmental
provisions and makes them responsible for the results

achieved, whilst leaving them a degree of discretion as to
the means used to achieve the objectives established by the
Community provisions .

EEC Directives cannot thus be invoked in connection
with the problem raised by the Honourable Member .

The Commission does not at present have complete and
reliable information on the technical monitoring systems
in place in the Member States .

In connection with the air quality Directives, there are
measuring networks in all the Member States which can
be used for national monitoring as well as for monitoring
compliance with the limit values established by
Community Directives .

A Community inventory of sources of atmospheric
pollution ( Corinair ) was carried out in 1985 and is
currently being updated to 1990 . This inventory pays
particular attention to emissions from traffic .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1568 / 92
by Mr Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 11 )

Subject : Postal rates for publications

The Commission realizes the importance of postal
services in the Community, as is obvious in its Green
Paper on the development of the single market in postal
services .

The Commission realizes that it is very difficult to provide
this public service at an equal level, since the resources

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 7

available vary to such an extent from one Member State to
another, yet recognizes the need to adopt certain
measures for harmonization within the Community .

In view of the fact that governments ' tax-collecting zeal in
some countries has been the ruination of many
publications issued by non-profit-making organizations,
which derobe themselves to social advancement and to
defending the underprivileged, because of the vast and
disproportionate increase in rates ?

1 . Does the Commission propose to make its views

known in this regard ?

2 . Ought not the Commission to act to prevent
charitable organizations from suffering the
discrimination they meet in some Member State,
whereas they can expect better, more civil treatment
from governments in others ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 December 1992 )

This particular case is a good illustration of mixed
responsibilities :

— on the one hand, aspects relating to the general

objectives of the Treaties, particularly those designed
to remove obstacles to the single market and
distortions incompatible with Community law ;

— on the other, specific aspects which remain at a

national level, even within the framework of a general
plan .

In its Green Paper on the development of the single
market in postal services, the Commission stresses the
idea of a universal service, being the sum of all postal
services offered to all people throughout the Community
at affordable prices and of reasonable quality .

At the present stage of public consultation, the
Commission is taking the following approach, based on
the Green Paper :

— the distribution of newspapers, magazines and other

cultural publications should be included in the
definition of universal service, but should not be
included in the list of services which maybe reserved .

Accordingly, postal administrations would always be
obliged to distribute them, but publishers could
organize parallel or independent distribution systems .

Relations between publishers and postal
administrations would therefore be more a matter for
local negotiation between a customer ( generally
speaking, a major customer ) and the supplier of
services ( the postal administration ) than a question of
regulations .

— As regards postal rates, the Commission is proposing

that, as a general rule, rates for individual services
must be linked to the average cost of supplying that
service and that cross subsidies must be avoided, so as
to ensure the medium and long-term financial viability
of postal administrations and of the universal service .

Nonetheless, the Commission believes that a
transparent approach must be taken to preferential
rates or free carriage granted by decision of
governmental authorities in the Member States ( e.g .
the distribution of press material and books, electoral
mail and mail for the blind ).

In conclusion, there is nothing to prevent Member
States from granting tariff reductions to
non-profit-making organizations of their choice .
Indeed, they alone are able to do so .

WITTEN QUESTION No 1594 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 12 )

Subject : ERDF aid for Andalusia

The ERDF has provided financial aid for the following
projects in Andalusia :

— high-speed rail link between Madrid and Seville

— Seville airport,

— Malaga airport,

— Madrid-Seville motorway,

— the port of Sanlucar,

— the T arif a wind energy power station .

Please indicate for each project :

1, the EC's contribution ;

2, the contribution made by the Spanish central

government ;

3, the contribution made by the Andalusian authorities .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1992 )

The ERDF part-funded several types of project under

each of the measures referred to by the Honourable
Member . The total amounts are as follows :

No C 86 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

( Ecu million )

Central
ERDF
gouvernment

Madrid — Seville
high-speed rail link
( including-servicing centre ) 784 784

Seville airport 5 5

Málaga airport 35 31

Madrid — Seville motorway 139 139

As the central government is responsible for the
aforementioned infrastructures, the regional authorities
were not involved in their financing .

As regards the wind energy power station at Tarifa, it has
formed part of several projects part-funded by the ERDF
under the Valoren programme, the two largest of which
received ERDF assistance totalling Pta 7 00 million out of
a total investment of Pta 4 843 million . The promoters of
the two projects concerned are two limited companies
whose shareholders include various bodies in the private
and public sector ( both central and regional ).

The port of Sanlucar was not part-funded by the ERDF .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1697 / 92

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

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 13 )

Subject : Networks of experts to direct energy and

environmental technology transfers

At the meeting held in April 1992 by the seven largest
electricity companies in the world ( three of which are
European ) technology transfers were considered to be
more effective than tax regulations in solving ecological
problems relating to energy consumption .

This group, known as E7, also decided to create a joint

network of experts to assist governments and
international organizations in assessing the situation,
particularly with regard to relations with development
countries .

How does the Commission consider that this initiative by
a major group of companies could be dovetailed with
Community technology transfer measures and other
forms of assistance in the field of energy and the
environment ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 November 1992 )

The Commission attaches particular priority to the
transfer of technology in the field of clean and efficient
energy, in particular to developing countries . Energy
production, transmission and consumption patterns in
these countries are factors of growing importance in the
creation of local and global environmental problems .

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable

Member that the Community has expressed its interest in
this issue on several occasions and in particular at the
United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development . At this Conference, the Community and its
Member States announced an initial commitment of Ecu 3
billion, including new and additional resources, to finance
specific projects and programmes in key Agenda 21
sectors . Within each of these sectors inter alia technology
transfer will be given very high priority . In this context,
the Commission transmitted to the Council, in
September, a Communication which seeks to give effect
to this announcement .

In addition, the Commission adopted and transmitted to
the Council a Communication on Clean and Efficient
Energy for Development . This Communication examines
existing Community cooperation instruments in the field
of energy as well as energy policy instruments with an
external component, and suggests how their overall
impact and efficiency might be improved .

The Commission intends to mobilize all the appropriate

Community instruments in order to promote the clean
and efficient energy technology transfer to developing
countries with emphasis on capacity building and the
encouragement of investments by both the public and the
private sector . In this context all initiatives, including
those from E 7, will be explored .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1812 / 92

by Mr Peter Crampton ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 14 )

Subject : Fisheries : Reduction of discards

In its 1991 Report to the Council and the European
Parliament on the common fisheries policy ( doc .
SEC / 91 / 2288 ), the Commission suggests that an
improvement to the system of catch limitation may be the
introduction of ' incentives for fishermen prepared to use
more selective gear to achieve substantial reductions in
discards at sea '.

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 9

Can the Commission give an indication what form such WRITTEN QUESTION No 1870 / 92
incentives may take and does the Commission have any by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
plans to introduce disincentives for those fishermen who
are not prepared to use more selective gear ? to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1870 / 92

( 23 July 1992 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
\ on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1992 )

In line with its suggestion in the 1991 Report to the
Council and the European Parliament on the common
fisheries policy (') that ' incentives for fishermen prepared
to use more selective gear to achieve substantial
reductions in discards at sea ', the Commission has
undertaken the following tasks .

First, a comprehensive report has been elaborated and
presented to the Council on ' Discards Within EC
Fisheries ' ( 2 ) in which it endeavours to identify the causes
of this practice and to evaluate its consequences for the
resources as well as for the fishing sector . This report also
includes an assessment of an outright ban on the
discarding practice which led to the conclusion that such a
ban would be impractical as it would be impossible to
monitor and to enforce . To reduce discards, an overall
strategy is thus proposed which combines a range of legal
and economic incentives as well as disincentives .

In a second stage, the Commission is reviewing available
data on the selectivity of fishing gear used in specific
fisheries, while encouraging and supporting a growing
number of research projects aimed either at the
determination of selectivity parameters for fishing gear
and fisheries for which such data are lacking, or at the
identification of technical ways to make specific types of
fishing gear more selective . Furthermore, a working
group has been created to evaluate and compare the
effectiveness of a number of incentives in promoting
among EC fishermen the use of more selective gear .

Indications as to what form incentives should take to
induce fishermen to use more selective gear are thus to be
found in the corresponding section of the Commission
Report on Discards . As for disincentives for those
fishermen who are not prepared to use more selective
gear, it is still far too early for the Commission to
formulate any plan . Nevertheless, and given that selective
gear offer conservation advantages and improve the
pattern of exploitation in the common interest, every
option will have to be envisaged, taking into account the
specificity of each fishery, and evaluated accordingly .

O Doc . SEC(91 ) 2288 .
O Doc . SEC(92 ) 423 .

( 93 / C 86 / 15 )

Subject : Fishing quotas off Newfoundland

Why has the Commission authorized catch quotas, in the

international waters off Newfoundland, which are higher
than those laid dwon by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
Organization ( NAFO ) ?

What checks are carried out on the fleets of Community

Member States ?

What principles of stock management does the .
Commission use when allocating catch quotas ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1922 / 92

by Mr Miguel Arias Caflete ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 16 )

Subject : Establishment of fishing quotas in the NAFO

area

Canada and the EC use widely differing methods for
establishing fishing quotas in the NAFO area, with the
result that the EC establishes quotas unilaterally .

What scientific criteria are used by the Commission as a
basis for establishing these quotas ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1870 / 92 and 1922 / 92

given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1992 )

The Community is pursuing an autonomous conservation
policy regarding certain stocks occurring in the NAFO
Regulatory Area as a result of a fundamental
disagreement with Canada . As from 1985, Canada
attempted unilaterally to limit the Community's fishing
right in the NAFO Regulatory Area, so extending its
jurisdiction beyond the 200 sea-miles limit provided for
by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea .
Canada has, subsequently, involved NAFO in the dispute
by requesting since 1986 a ban on fishing for cod in 3L,

No C 86 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

the part of division 2J3KL lying outside its own waters,
while continuing to fish this stock in Canadian waters . At
the same time, Canada has placed before NAFO its single
management plan, the so called ' F. 0 . 1 .' option for all
NAFO management stocks . This is basically a political
plan with limited scientific justification, and one which
Canada does not follow systematically in its own waters .

Since 1989, the Community is pursuing a global
settlement of all outstanding fisheries questions with
Canada and has taken numerous initiatives to that effect .

Against this background, it is to be noted that Canada

accepted recently an extraordinary meeting of the NAFO
Scientific Council for the assessment of 2J3KL cod stock

which occurs both in Canadian waters and in the NAFO

Regulatory Area .

Under the NAFO Scheme of Joint International
Inspection and Surveillance, Contracting Parties of
NAFO provide inspection platforms and assign inspectors
to carry out control duties in the NAFO Regulatory Area .

The Commission's participation in the Joint International

Scheme is substantial . A special inspection vessel with
Commission inspectors embarked will be stationed in the
NAFO Regulatory Area for a total of ten months in 1992 .

In addition to their functions under the Scheme,
Community Inspectors inspect in the Regulatory Area
Community vessels to which the Scheme applies for
compliance with any other Community conservation or
control measures applying to those vessels .

Monitoring and reporting of the landings of catches taken
in the Regulatory Area is the responsibility of the control
authorities of the Member State in whose territory the
landings occur .

Whilst pursuing the objective of ensuring conservation

and the rational and equitable management of fish
resources, the Commission is basing its proposals to the
Council concerning TACs and quotas on the best
scientific advice available . As regards the Regulatory
Area, scientific advice is provided by the NAFO Scientific
Council, where scientists from the Contracting Parties are
assessing fish stocks occurring in this area .

Stock assessments include an analysis of the parameters
relevant for the evolution of the stock ; the implications of
different catch levels for the size of the biomass being
estimated on the basis of an appropriate model, provided
sufficient information is available for a reliable estimate .
Against this background, the Community is working
towards an improvement of the scientific advice regarding
the NAFO Regulatory Area in order to meet similar
standards as those of the advice provided by the Advisory
Committee on Fishery Management of International
Council for the Exploration of the Sea ( ICES ) for the
North East Atlantic .

Since the Commission decided in 1989, on my initiative,
to make stock conservation policy a priority within the
Common Fisheries Policy, it will not hesitate, where
appropriate, to adopt proposals based on the best
scientific advice available, even if they imply severe
consequences for fisheries by vessels of Member States .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Marin

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 December 1 992 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1992, the Commission
provides the following additional information .

At the 14th annual meeting of the NAFO which was held

14 — 18 September 1992, upon a joint proposal by the
Community and Canada, the NAFO decided
unanimously that, taking into account the available
scientific advice on the state of the stock as well as the
measures ( moratorium ) applied by the coastal state
( Canada ) to the fishing of this stock in its fishing zone, a
directed cod fishery in division 3L in the Regulatory Area
shall not be permitted in 1993 . This measure is in
accordance with the NAFO Convention .

The NAFO was able to make this decision since, as
requested by the Community, Canada agreed to convene
an extra-ordinary meeting of the NAFO Scientific
Council for the assessment of the cod stock in NAFO

divisions 2J + 3KL .

Since 1986, the Community has been issuing objections to
NAFO proposals on conservation and management of
fish resources in the NAFO Regulatory Area . These
objections were based on the arguments that the annual
NAFO moratorium on directed codfishery in division 3L
in the Regulatory Area in those years :

— was not based on scientific advice ;

— was inconsistent with the exploitation of this stock in

the Canadian fishing zone and ;

— was not designed to achieve the optimum utilization

of the fish resources of the Regulatory Area .

For these reasons, the moratorium in previous years was

not in conformity with the NAFO Convention ( Art . XI ).

Under these circumstances, the Community can come
back in 1993 to the normal NAFO framework for quota
allocations to Contracting Parties .

Against this background, the Commission thinks that it is
justified in expecting that conservation and management
measures for directed cod fishery in division 3L in the

26.s3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 11

Regulatory Area, to be taken by NAFO in future years,
will be based on the same principles and will, therefore be
in accordance with the NAFO Convention .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1874 / 92

by Mr Alonso Puerta ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 17 )

Subject : The EC-EFTA agreements and acquired rights

of foreign workers in Switzerland

The Swiss Pension Fund refunds to any foreign worker

leaving Switzerland before retirement age the total capital
he or she has accumulated under the scheme . As part of
the ' Eurolex ' legislative package, the Swiss Parliament
plans to amend around 60 laws with a view to the
establishment of the European Economic Area . Under
one of these amendments, such contributions would be
refunded not when the insured person left Switzerland
but only when he or she left the European Economic Area
and then only under certain conditions .

This news has caused concern among foreign workers
resident in Switzerland as well as trade unions .

The Swiss Federal Council justifies the reform as part of

measures needed to comply with Regulation ( EEC )
No 1408 / 71 O.

Does the Commission consider that the agreement signed
by the EC and the EFTA member States to establish the
European Economic Area require the Swiss authorities to
reform the law in question ?

What representations would the Commission be prepared
to make to the Swiss authorities to ensure that any reform
does not harm the acquired rights of foreign workers in
Switzerland ?

o OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971, p . 2 .

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 8 December 1 992 )

According to the provisions of Article 28 and Annex VI of
the EEA Agreement, the Community acquis in the field of
social security for migrant workers, and in particular the
provisions of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 shall apply
in all EFTA States .

Article 1 0 paragraph 2 of the abovementioned Regulation

lays down that where under the legislation of a Member

State reimbursement of contributions is conditional upon
the person concerned having ceased to be subject to
compulsory insurance, this condition shall not be
considered satisfied as long as the person is subject to
compulsory insurance under the legislation of another
Member State .

The proposed amendments to Swiss legislation to which
the Written Question refers have been adopted by Swiss
Parliament subject to a transitional period of five years .
During this period, the migrant worker can upon request
continue to receive reimbursement of contributions paid
to the complementary pension scheme .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1878 / 92

by Mr James Ford ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 18 )

Subject : The conservation of Egyptian monuments

Will the Community be adding its ( financial ) support to
the National Academy of Sciences ' study proposal, ' The
Conservation of Egyptian Monuments '?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 992 )

The Community has programmed with the Egyptian

authorities the use of the funds ( Ecu 568 million ) of the
Fourth Financial Protocol . The sectors in which the
Community's assistance will be directed are support to the
agriculture sector ( services and credit facilities ) and to the
economic reforms ( privatization and restructuring of the
public enterprises, banking and security reforms ), and
protection of the environment and support programmes
related to the demographic problem of Egypt .,

Following, therefore, the results of the abovementioned
programming, the project referred to in the Written
Question is not included in any sector because the
Government of Egypt stated that funds from other
sources will be used for projects tied to the October 12
quakes .'

The Redirected Mediterranean Policy provides, in
addition to the Protocol Funds, possibilities ( horizontal
cooperation ) for financing projects related to the
protection of the environment . The Egyptian authorities
are taking the necessary steps and approached in that
respect the EIB and the Commission as mentioned above,
and examined the possibilities to finance this project from
the horizontal cooperation funds .

No C 86 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1927 / 92

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

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 19 )

Subject : Establishment of a European police body

The establishment of a single European police area is in
natural consequence of the implementation of the
Community rules contained in the Treaty on European
Union . Does the Commission consider it likely that the
European Community will set up a European policy body
and what action does it intend to take in this connection ?
Do those responsible consider that the establishment of a
European police body must be accompanied by all the
necessary safeguards to ensure democratic policing,
including trade union rights for members ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 992 )

The Honourable Member's suggestion that a European
police unit be set up echoes Chancellor Kohl's proposal at
the Luxembourg European Council asking the Ministers
responsible to draw up a report on the establishment of a
European police office ( Europol ) to combat drug
trafficking and organized crime . The matter is being
pursued by the Trevi Group, an intergovernmental body .
An initial report on Europol was approved by the

Maastricht European Council : It advocated a two-stage
approach with the first stage concentrating on the fight
against drug trafficking . This approach was confirmed by
the Lisbon European Council, which set a deadline of

1 January 1993 for the establishment of a European Drugs
Intelligence Unit . Any questions on the details of these
projects should be addressed to the Presidency .

For its part, the Commission may not take any steps in
this field, which comes under the scope of
intergovernmental cooperation . This will still be the case
even after the Treaty on European Union has entered into
force : under the second indent of Article K.3 ( 2 ) of the
Treaty, the Commission's right of initiative does not
extend to matters relating to police cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2126 / 92

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 20 )

Does the Commission not consider that the British
consumer will be confused with a Kitemark, CE Marking
and Lion Mark to indicate toy safety ?

Does the Commission not consider that the British ' Lion
Mark ' constitutes a disguised discrimination for EC toy
manufacturers and is contrary to the Treaty of Rome and
free movement of goods ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 January 1 993 )

The Commission is aware of the existence of the Lion

Mark, created by the British Toy and Hobby Association
in the United Kingdom in 1988 .

The mark is affixed to toys on a voluntary basis at the
request of the manufacturer alongside the CE marking,
which must be affixed pursuant to Council Directive

88 / 378 / EEC of 3 May 1988 on the safety of toys ( 1 ).

The CE marking indicates that a toy has, when placed on
the Community market, been declared to comply with all
the provisions of the abovementioned Directive, including
the conformity assessment procedures — in this case, the
manufacturer's declaration of compliance with
harmonized European standards or the declaration of
conformity on the basis of the EC type-examination
certificate issued by a notified laboratory .

The Directive prohibits the affixing to toys of marks or

inscriptions likely to be confused with the EC marking,
either in design or in meaning .

However, this provision does not prevent quality marks
or additional information on use from being affixed to

toys .

To avoid any confusion, such additional marks must
indicate something ' extra ', over and above the provisions
of the Directive concerned, i.e . in terms of binding
technical specifications . The Lion Mark is one such mark,
providing the purchaser with additional information in
that it imposes further requirements on manufacturers
and distributors ( code of good practice ) wishing to affix it
to their products .

At the current stage of work to harmonize the CE
marking, the Lion Mark does not, therefore, appear to
run counter to Community law and should not hamper
the free movement of toys, given that it provides a
complement to the CE marking .

Subject : British Lion Mark for toys
O OJ No L 187, 16.7 . 1988 .

Is the Commission aware that Britain has recently
introduced a ' Lion Mark ' for toys ? How does this differ
from the Commission's own 'CE Marking ' for toy safety ?

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2129 / 92

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

C 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 21 )

Subject : Electromagnetic waves

Has the Commission undertaken research to establish the
effect of electromagnetic waves on the environment ?

Has the Commission any evidence to establish the
relationship between the frequency in electric mains and
the human body ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1 992 )

The issue of risks from non-ionizing radiation has been
raised by several Members of the European Parliament .
The Honourable Member is referred to Written
Questions 1733 / 90 by Messrs Vertemati and Carniti O,

1956 / 91 by Mr Papayannakis ( 2 ), 2132 / 91 by Mr
Vernier ( 3 ) and 1932 / 92 by Mr Kostopoulos ( 4 ), oral
question H - 101 2 / 90 by Mr Bowe ( 5 ), as well as to petition
No 471 / 90 .

The effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic waves on
man and his environment have not been investigated by
the Commission in a specific research programme
because, in spite of occasional reports e.g . in the popular
press, a serious health hazard of non-ionizing radiation,
ultraviolet radiation excepted, has not been established .
However, the scientific literature on the possible
biological effects of non-ionizing radiation is
systematically followed . The EC RTD Environment
Programme 1991 — 1994 ( 6 ) Q made the subject eligible in
its call for tenders, but no proposals were submitted .

The Commission wishes to reiterate that the many
investigations and reviews of epidemiological findings
concerning possible risks from exposure to low frequency
electromagnetic fields, associated with residence near
major sources of electricity supply, the use of electrical
appliances, or work in the electrical, electronic and
telecommunications industries, have provided no firm
evidence of the existence of a carcinogenic hazard to the
foetus, children or adults .

For example, the National Radiological Protection Board
in the United Kingdom has recently published a report of
an advisory group on ' Electromagnetic Field and the Risk
of Cancer ' which reviews the scientific literature and
concludes that if there is any cancer hazard from low level
exposure to electromagnetic fields, it is extremely weak .

International recommandations on exposure limits to
non-ionizing radiation have been derived to avoid effects

such as electric shock, and also to avoid effects caused by
tissue heating .

In order to control the risks to health associated with the
induction by power lines of electric currents into humans,
protective measures are generally taken in Member States

and the Commission is collecting the corresponding
information . These risks are also taken into consideration
in future proposals by the Commission concerning the
minimum safety and health requirements for the
protection of workers at work against physical agents .

There are no established facts showing hazards from
exposure of humans at levels lower than the
recommended limits .

Since a clear relationship between low level EMF waves
and human health has not been established, it is also
impossible to identify any relationship between frequency
in electricity mains and the human body .

O OJ No C 70, 18.3 . 1991 .
O OJ No C 202, 10 . 8 . 1992 .
O OJ No C 183, 20 . 7 . 1992 .
O OJ No C 6, 11 . 1 . 1993 .
( 5 ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-304 ( October

1990 ).
( 6 ) Council Décision 91 / 354 / EEC, 7 . 6 . 1991 .
( 7 ) Call for proposals : OJ No C 184, 16 . 7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2173 / 92

by Mrs Mathilde van den Brink ( S )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 22 )

Subject : The Cyprus question and the role of the

Community

1 . At the recent meeting of the Association Council
with Turkey what talks were held on Cyprus as one of the

conditions for possible future Turkish membership ?

2 . What is the Council's attitude towards Cyprus '
application for membership ?

Answer

(2 March 1993 )

1 . In his general statement on behalf of the
Community at the recent EEC-Turkey Association

No C 86 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Council meeting in Brussels (9 November 1992 ) the
President of the Council, Foreign Secretary Douglas
Hurd, underlined that the Community and its Member
States remained deeply concerned at the situation in
Cyprus . In this context, he recalled the previous
declarations by trhe Community and the Twelve on
Cyprus, in particular the Dublin Declaration and the
Lisbon Conclusions as well as their strong support for the
efforts on the UN Secretary-General, in the framework of
his mission of good offices, aimed at finding a just and
viable solution to the Cyprus question, which will respect
the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and
unity of the country in accordance with the relevant UN
Resolutions, including UNSCR 774, and High Level
Agreements .

The President of the Council stressed, in line with

Security Council Resolutions, that the present status quo
in Cyprus was not acceptable . He declared that the
Community welcomed the intercommunal talks resumed
in New York on 26 October and called upon the two
Communities in Cyprus to work towards an Overall
Framework Agreement, but information received
indicated that serious difficulties remained . In this
respect, on the Community side, the Secretary-General's
set of ideas, including suggested territorial adjustments,
were considered as the basis for the on-going New York
negotiations on Cyprus . The Community requested
Turkey to use its influence to help resolve current
problems .

2 . With regard to the application for membership
submitted by the Republic of Cyprus, the Council cannot
begin to examine it until it has received the opinion
requested from the Commission as laid down in
Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome, as amended by the
Single Act .

It should further be noted that at the fourteenth meeting
of the EEC - Cyprus Association Council on 21 December

1992, reference was made by both sides to the Lisbon
European Council conclusions which had underlined that
relations with Cyprus would be developed and
strengthened on the basis of the Association Agreement
and its membership application and by developing a
political dialogue .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2193 / 92

by Mr Karel De Gucht ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 23 )

Subject : Aid to shipbuilding

Is the Commission aware of the detrimental effect which
the proposed changes ( x ) to Directive 90 / 684 / EEC ( 2 ) on

aid to shipbuilding could have on shipbuilding
throughout the Community ?

The temporary raising of the aid ceiling for shipyards in

the former German Democratic Republic is clearly likely
to upset the delicate equilibrium that has been created in
that sector, if it is not accompanied by additional
measures for shipyards in other regions .

Does the Commission have any plans for complementing
the special scheme proposed for the former GDR, to
ensure that throughout the Community this industry
retains sufficient room for manoeuvre to be able to
compete on the world market ? If so, what are those plans ?

o SEC(92 ) 991 final .
O OJ No L 380, 31 . 12 . 1990, p . 27 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1992 )

The Commission proposal for a derogation to the

Seventh Directive on Aid to Shipbuilding as regards the
East German shipbuilding industry, adopted by the
Council ( Council Directive 92 / 68 / EEC (')), represents a
balanced consideration of, on the one hand, the urgent
and pressing social and economic needs safeguarding a
certain industry structure in the East German region and
on the other hand, the effects of the accompanying aid on
competition inside the Community's shipbuilding
industry . This is reflected in the proposed 36% aid
derogation during a limited period and the 40 % capacity
reduction required as a counterpart .

The effects of the aid on other EC yards will be mitigated
not only by the 40 % capacity cut, but also by :

— the expected improvement during the nineties in world

demand for ships forecasted by all shipbuilding

experts .

— the fact that these yards are likely to continue to

obtain a large part of their orders in the former
Comecon countries, i.e . in markets where other
Member States have hardly been present .

Moreover, in order to ensure that no distortion of
competiton takes place when a former East German yard
competes with yards of other Member States for the same
contract, the derogation contains a new Article 10 ( a ) ( 3 )
to prevent the undercutting of prices by an East German
yard with the help of the proposed aid .

Also, as laid down in Article 10 ( a ) ( 2 ) of the derogation,
the German Government is asked to provide evidence to
the Commission, in the form of annual reports by an
independent chartered accountant, that the aid payments

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 15

are strictly limited to support the activities of the yards in
the former GDR and that no spill-over of aid occurs to
other yards outside this territory .

Finally, the general aid policy of the Seventh Directive,
which was unanimously approved by all Member States,
ensures fair conditions for intra-Community competition
and the maintenance of a sufficient level of activity in
European shipbuilding industry on the world market . The
limited derogation is in line with this policy and with
temporary derogations previously allowed for other
Member States .

O OJ No L 219, 4 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2203 / 92

by Mrs Lissy Grôner ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 24 )

Subject : Presence of harmful substances in the Brussels I

European School

The parents of children attending the Brussels I European

School are concerned about the presence of harmful
substances, particularly asbestos .

1 . Have readings been taken in the school to determine

the levels of harmful substances ?

2 . What was the extent of the readings taken ?

3 . Which substances were measured, and with what

degree of accuracy ?

4 . Who carried out the readings ?

5 . What were the results of the readings ?

6 . Was the renovation work undertaken at the school in

1990 carried out as a result of what the measurement

revealed ?

7 . What were the exact measures taken in the course of

this renovation ?

8 . Which rooms or areas of the school were renovated ?

9 . Have any readings been taken since the renovation

was completed ?

10 . What was the result of these readings ?

11 . Are there any plans for readings to be taken at

regular intervals in the European Schools ( as is the
case, for example, at the Commission ) ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1992 )

The issues raised in the Honourable Member's question
have already been discussed in an exchange of
correspondence ( dated 5 February and 26 March 1992 )
between her colleague, Mr Manfred Vohrer, and the
relevant Commission departments .

As stated in the reply given by the Commission
representative and as confirmed by the information
obtained from the Head of the Brussels I European
School and the Belgian Régie des Bâtiments, responsible
for monitoring the new building, there is no asbestos at all
in the walls or in any of the materials in the new building .
Furthermore the tender specifications for the building
work have been made available to the school authorities .

In the older buildings, readings were taken by the Régie
des Bâtements and proved negative . On a previous
occasion, it had been necessary, in one building only, to
replace materials which might have posed a problem in the
long term .

To help ensure that the school premises are completely
safe for all who use them, the Régie des Bâtiments will
gladly provide the results of these tests to the relevant
authorities and will give any committee wishing to
monitor asbestos levels permission to do so .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2268 / 92

by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 25 )

Subject : Takeover of Fokker by Dasa

Deutsche Aerospace ( Dasa ), Fokker and the Dutch
Government have concluded an agreement whereby Dasa
takes possession of 51% of Fokker shares . Dasa earlier
signed a memorandum of understanding with ATR ( the
joint venture of the French firm Aérospatiale and the
Italian firm Alena ) on the joint development of the
' Regioliner '.

Last year the Commission blocked the takeover of the
Canadian firm De Havilland by Aérospatiale on the
grounds that it affected freedom of competition .

According to nine Dutch professors of aircraft
technology the ' unique technical and scientific
infrastructure ' of the Dutch aircraft industry is threatened
by the transaction between Dasa and Fokker .

1 . Does the Commission consider that the takeover of
Fokker by Dasa will create a monopoly on the

No C 86 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Community market for aircraft in the 65 — 130 seating
range which is in conflict with Articles 85 and 86 ( on
competition ) of the EEC Treaty ?

2 . What effect does the Commission expect this takeover

to have on the offer and pricing of medium-sized jet
planes in the EC ?

3 . Are the effects comparable with the consequences that

the takeover of De Havilland by Aérospatiale was
expected to have last year : if not, why not ?

4 . What does the Commission think of the fact that such
takeovers pose a threat for the survival of high-level
technological expertise and employment in the small

. Member States in particular ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1992 )

The Commission anticipates that when the agreement
between Fokker and Dasa is finalized, the operation will
have to be notified to the Commission under Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 4064 / 89 ( The Merger
Regulation ) ('). The Commission will then have the duty
to investigate the operation including the matters raised in
this question .

prospective middle and long-term economic, monetary
and budgetary performance is likely to contribute to the
development of the Economic and Monetary Union .'

The Commission recommended, as it did for the other

countries applying for membership, that as part of the
accession negotiations specific, binding assurances be
sought from Finland regarding its political commitment
and legal competence to fulfil its obligations in this
sphere .

On the opening of negotiations, the Commission would
remind Parliament of the two conditions which the
European Council of Lisbon, on 26 and 27 June 1992, said
must first be met, namely ratification of the Treaty on
European Union and agreement on the Delors II package .

The Commission's opinion on Finland's application for

membership will be sent to Parliament for its information .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2285 / 92

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

C ) OJ No L 395, 30 . 12 . 1989 . ( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 27 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2284 / 92

Subject : Harmonization of legislation on industrial
property — copyright

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Can the Commission indicate the main points of its

of the European Communities proposal for a Directive as regards harmonization of the

September 1 992 ) duration of protection afforded by copyright and certain

( 93 / C 86 / 26 ) related rights ?

( 1 September 1 992 )

Subject : Finland's application for accession to the EEC

What view does the Commission take of Finland's
application for accession to the European Economic
Community under Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome as
amended ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1992 )

On 4 November 1992 the Commission presented its
opinion on Finland's application for membership to the
Council, in accordance with Article 98 of the ECSC
Treaty, Article 23 7 of the EEC Treaty and Article 205 of
the Euratom Treaty .

In its conclusion, the Commission stated that ' The Union
will on the whole benefit from the accession of Finland,
which would widen the circle of countries whose

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 October 1 992 )

In its working programme in the field of copyright and
neighbouring rights — Follow-up to the Green Paper ('),
the Commission set out the four main principles by which
it intended to be guided in preparing a proposal for a
Directive on harmonizing the duration of the protection
afforded by copyright and certain neighbouring rights
( point 8.2.5, pp, 33—34 ).

The Commission has abided by these principles in its
proposal . The principles are :

— the harmonization achieved should be total ;

— the duration proposed should provide a high level of

protection for authors and other holders of rights ;

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 17

— harmonization must not prejudice rights acquired

under existing national legislation ;

— the balance between copyright and neighbouring

rights should be preserved without the solution
proposed being too complex .

O COM(9Q ) 584 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2293 / 92

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 28 )

Subject : Stride programme

What proportion of the projects currently ( 1 ) funded and

( 2 ) under consideration for funding under the EC science
and technology for regional industrial development in
Europe ( Stride ) Programme are in the fields of
( a ) environment, ( b ) nuclear power and ( c ) forestry
products development ? Will the Commission make a
statement on the implementation of Stride to date and the
future directions of the Stride programme ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1 992 )

As the Honourable Member will be aware, Stride is a
Community initiative under the Structural Funds aimed at
strengthening the capacity for innovation and
technological development in areas eligible under
Objectives 1 and 2 of the Funds .

25 programmes have been adopted under Stride, more or

less evenly distributed among the Objective 1 and 2
regions . Most of the resources ( 81 % ) have been allocated
to Objective 1 regions which have used 60 % of the funds
to strengthen their research capacity and 40 % for research
projects, technology transfer or innovative measures .

It is not possible at this stage to give a breakdown of
expenditure under the programmes in each of the three
sectors mentioned by the Honourable Member . This is
because, firstly, a significant number of projects are

plurisectoral, especially in the area of technology transfer ;
and, secondly, a number of the Stride programmes do not
make mention of specific projects . The programmes lay
down specific criteria for the selection of projects, these
criteria being applied subsequently by the national or
regional authorities concerned .

Nonetheless, the Commission is already beginning to
evaluate the progress to date of Stride . As part of this
process, a conference was held, with the European
Parliament's participation, at the end of October last . The
conference, attended by representatives of all Member
States, concentrated its attention on examining the
problems affecting the promotion of linkages between
research centres and firms, in particular in Objective 1
and in Objective 2 regions . The proceedings of the
conference will be available in 1993 and they will include
summaries of the presentations on several Stride projects
under implementation .

With regard to the future of Stride and other Community
initiatives, the Honourable Member's attention is drawn
to COM(92 ) 2000 and COM(92 ) 84 which set out the
Commission's view .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2294 / 92

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 29 )

Subject : Transfrontier movement of nuclear materials

What meetings have Commission experts attended, since
August 1990, with counterparts from the International
Atomic Energy Agency, to discuss the transfrontier
transport of nuclear materials and wastes and the
verification of agreements and protocols pursuant to this
matters ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 992 )

The Commission and the International Atomic Energy
Agency ( IAEA ) signed a cooperation agreement (*) in
December 1975 . On the basis of this agreement
Commission officials regularly participate in IAEA
activities on subjects of interest for the Commission
which include notably transport of radioactive materials,

No C 86 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

nuclear safety and radiation protection . Reciprocally, the
IAEA is invited to take part in activities organised by the
Commission, when such activities are not restricted to the
Community .

The subject of transfrontier movement of radioactive and

nuclear material is tackled from various points of view
notably :

— physical protection,

— safeguards,

— safety of transport,

— control of sources for the aims of radiation protection .

As regards the last point, the Commission actively
cooperated in the establishment of the IAEA Code of
Practice on the transfrontier movement of radioactive
waste of 1990 whose principles are made mandatory in the
Community by the Council Directive 92 / 3 / Euratom on
the supervision and control of shipment of radioactive
waste between Member States and into and out of the

Community ( 2 ).

o OJ No L 329, 23 . 12 . 1975 .
O OJ No L 35, 12.2 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2305 / 92

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 8 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 30 )

Subject : Euratom

What reports have been received from the French nuclear

authorities by the Commission or Euratom concerning
the cause, basis and outcome of the incidents that resulted
in the closure of two workshops on 11 March which
handle radiotoxic highly enriched uranium and plutonium
fuels at the Cadarache nuclear research centre ? Will the
Commission make a statement on any communications it
has had with the Commissariat a l'energie atomique
( CEA ), Cogema, and the French nuclear regulatory
agency DSIN, over the incidents ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1992 )

The events referred to by the Honourable Member were

described by the French safety authorities in the
publication ' Sûreté nucléaire ' No 86 of June 1992 .

The events were caused by a breach of internal
procedures, but did not have any radiological
consequences . The Commission has not received any
special communication .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2315 / 92

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 31 )

Subject : Substantial divergences between Japan and
France and the rest of the OECD in the field of
nuclear energy

According to the annual report just published by the NEA

( the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency ), electricity
produced by nuclear power stations in the OECD
countries now accounts for 23,5 % of their total electricity
production, having increased by 2,1 % between 1990 and

1991 .

Despite forecasts of a fall in the percentage for 1995
( estimated at 22,4%, with a likely further fall to 21 % by
the year 2000 ) for the OECD countries as a whole, in the
specific case of Japan the proportion is expected to rise,
from 26,2% in 1991 to 30,9% in 1995 . Of the 21 nuclear
power stations under construction at the end of 1 99 1, 11
were in Japan .

Can the Commission undertake an assessment of the
consequences of a comparative reduction in energy costs
in Japan, given that the only Community Member State
not affected by such a reduction would be France, which
is also expected to increase its already extremely high
proportion ( from 72,7% in 1991 to 7 5,5% in 1995 ) and
which has five new stations under construction ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 992 )

It is true that by the year 2000 the proportion of electricity
generated by nuclear power stations will fall in all the
OECD countries, with the exception of Japan, which is
the only country implementing a sustained nuclear
power-plant construction programme in order to meet
increased demand for electricity .

Nuclear energy can make a significant contribution
towards containing the damaging consequences of the
greenhouse effect .

Nuclear energy, unlike other fuels, contains a high
proportion of domestic value added and uses an
abundant, cheap and easily storable fiiel ( uranium ) which
has little effect on electricity-generating costs . It will
therefore permit growing energy self-sufficiency, provide
additional protection against any further world energy
upheavals and crises, and thus limit expenditure of

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 19

foreign currency . It will hence provide the Japanese
economy with a guaranteed source of energy at a price
which is relatively insensitive to cyclical fluctuations .

It is, however, difficult to carry out a quantitative
evaluation of the above considerations, as this depends on
relative movements in energy raw material prices,
particularly oil prices .

programme in ACP ( African, Caribbean and Pacific )
States . A similar programme in non - ACP countries in
financed from heading 7-5046 of the Community budget
and this year received Ecu 5,2 million : the proposed
amount in the 1993 preliminary draft budget is Ecu
6 million . The financing under Lomé IV represents an
increase of Ecu 1 1 million or 28 % on the Ecu 39 million in
Lomé II and III . The increase next year for non-ACP
countries is 15% . There is no Community financial
support as such for international organizations like the
WHO as such support is provided directly by the Member

States . In 1991, total contributions to the WHO
for its ' Global programme on Aids ' ( GPA ) came to
$ US 82 216 041 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2319 / 92 Contribution from Member States were as follows :

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 8 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 32 ) Belgium 279 392

Denmark 3 264 860

France 1 201 351

Subject : The fight against Aids : dwindling budgets

The Eighth International Aids Conference was held in
Amsterdam this summer .

Dr Jonathan Mann, the co-chairman, warned that there
was a growing disparity between the rapid spread of the
epidemic and the national and international responses to
it .

In 1991 the World Health Organization had only $ 50
million at its disposal — 40% of the figure for the
previous year .

The Conference also revealed the enormous discrepancies
between rich and poor countries as regards the resources
allocated to prevention ; in 1990 / 91, developing countries
accounted for little more than 5 % of expentiture . As far as
treatment is concerned, the inequality is infinite, given the
cost of a one-year course of AZT ($ 2 500 ) and the facj
that mean GNP per capita in all the underdeveloped
countries is barely $ 7 00 .

What measures does the Commission intend to take to
bridge this gulf between industrialized and
underdeveloped countries, and what changes have there
been in the level of European contributions to the Aids
budgets of international institutions such as the WHO ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 992 )

Under the Lomé IV Convention ( 1990 — 1995 ) Ecu 50
million has been earmarked for continuing the anti-Aids

Germany 2 205 355

Italy 476 190

Netherlands 4 294 012

United Kingdom 11 394 415

23 115 575

Member States contributed 28 % of the total .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2362 / 92

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

( 23 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 33 )

Subject : Newsprint restrictions

Does the Commission not believe that the present
customs duty of 9 % above the current duty-free quota of
650 000 tonnes for countries other than EFTA countries,
protects a number of large Scandinavian companies
unfairly ?

Would the Commission be prepared to raise the
GA IT - bound quota of 650 000 tonnes immediately, in
line with increased newsprint usage since 1983 ?

No C 86 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Answer given by Mr Andnessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1992 )

The current tariff-free quota of 650 000 tonnes ( of which
600 000 tonnes is reserved for Canada ) for imports of
newsprint is bound under the GATT . The duty of 9%
which applies after the exhaustion of the tariff-free quota
is intended to protect the Community industry . Although
part of this industry is owned by Scandinavian companies,
it must be borne in mind that it employs Community
workers and uses Community wood . Furthermore, there
is no production deficit in the Community ; in fact mills
are producing well below their capacity .

The Community would be prepared to reduce the duty

and / or increase the tariff-free quota in the Uruguay
Round negotiations, if Canada made appropriate
concessions on products of interest to the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2384 / 92

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

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 34 )

Subject : Establishment of a European Post Office Bank

Having regard to the development of all the activities and
services currently undertaken by post office banks, does
the Commission intend to promote the idea of
establishing a single banking institution recognized as the
European Post Office Bank to cover all the financial
services undertaken by post offices in the Member States
of the Community ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1 992 )

The situation of post office banks differs enormously
between Member States . In some of them they are private
banks, in others they are public institutions, while in yet
others they are departments of central government . These
differences of legal form are accompanied by quite
substantial differences in the range of services offered .

As a result, it would probably be difficult to establish a
European Post Office Bank .

The Commission is unaware of any such plan and does
not consider it expedient to launch any initiative of its
own in this field .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2408 / 92

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

( 6 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 35 )

Subject : Austrian neutrality

In view of the Austrian Government's request for its
country to become a member of the European
Community, has the Council considered the possible
future implications of the 1955 State Treaty, which is,
according to the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mr
Vranitsky, 'a Cornerstore of the Second Republic '? Does
the Council share his view that ' there are no reasonable
grounds for scrapping either the Treaty or neutrality ',

( quoted from an article by the Foreign Minister in
' L'Autriche présente ', no . 1 / 92, p . 5 ).

Does the Council feel that Austria's commitment to
neutrality, apparently supported by 82% of the Austrian
population, could prove incompatible with the creation of
a common foreign and security policy, as envisaged by the
Treaty of Maastricht and towards which European

Political Cooperation has gradually been trying to move ?

Answer

(2 March 1993 )

In accordance with the conclusions of the Edinburgh
European Council, enlargement negotiations with
Austria, Sweden and Finland started on 1 February 1993 .
These negotiations will be transformed into negotiations
under Article 0 of the Treaty on European Union once
that Treaty enters into force and can only be concluded
once the Treaty on European Union has been ratified by
all Member States . The conditions for admission will be
based on acceptance in full of the Treaty on European
Union and the ' acquis ', subject to possible transitional
measures to be agreed in the negotiations .

The Edinburgh European Council also adopted a set of
arrangements, also covering defence policy, which are
fully compatible with the Treaty on European Union, are
designed to meet Danish concerns and therefore apply
exclusively to Denmark and not to other existing or
acceding Member States .

Furthermore, the general negotiation framework for the
Union which was submitted to the applicant States at the
Ministerial meeting opening the negotiations on 1
February 1993, specifies inter alia that, where common
foreign and security policy is concerned, the following
principles will apply :

— enlargement should strengthen the internal cohesion

of the Union and its ability to take effective action in
the fields of foreign and security policy ;

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 21

— applicant States must be prepared, on accession, to

take a full and active part in the common foreign and
security policy as defined in the Treaty on European
Union and be in a position to do so ;

— applicants must, on accession, espouse unreservedly

all the objectives of the Treaty, the provisions of
Title V thereof and the relevant declarations annexed

thereto ;

— applicants should be prepared to support the specific

policies of the Union in force at the time of their
accession and be in a position to do so ;

— before their accession, to enable applicants to align

their foreign and security policies on those of the
Union, in-depth discussions on these policies should
be held between the Union and the applicants during
the accession negotiations .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2414 / 92

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

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 36 )

Subject : Environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) for the

Ml 1 east of London ( United Kingdom )

Having regard to the development plan for the link to the
Mil east of London,

having regard to EIA Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ('),

whereas the said Directive entered into force in the
United Kingdom on 3 July 1988,

whereas according to the documents supplied by the
British authorities, the project was authorized after the
entry into force of the Directive,

whereas the documents supplied by the British
authorities, the project was authorized after the entry into
force of the Directive,

whereas the documents supplied by the British authorities
enabled the Commission to establish that the project fell
into the category referred to in Annex I to the Directive,
which does not include changes to projects already
initiated ( which are listed in Annex II ),

1 . What new information was supplied by the British

authorities to justify the error of judgment committed
by Commission staff and the Commissioners — who
discussed the possibility of initiating an infringement

procedure on 20 March 1991 — in classifying the
projects as falling under Annex I to the said Directive ?

2 . What new information supplied by the British
authorities made it possible to regard as incorrect the
date of authorization of the project previously
supplied, which would have required the application
of the said Directive ?

3 . By virtue of what criteria was the environmental
impact of the project not deemed sufficient to
necessitate an EIA ( even if the project were regarded
as an altered version of a project and thus as falling
under Annex II ) ?

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

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1 992 )

1, and 2 . The A12 Hackney Wick to Ml 1 Link Road is
intended in part to be motorway, and as such falls within
the class of projects listed in Annex 1.7 of Directive
85 / 337 / EEC . Environmental impact assessment is
compulsory for Annex I projects for which development
consent is given after 3 July 1988 .

Development consent for the project was originally
granted in October 1986 . Amendments to the project were
granted development consent in October 1988 . The
Commission was informed that the amendments
authorized were sufficiently substantial as to mean that a
new, revised project was effectively under consideration .
Indeed, documents supplied by the United Kingdom
authorities in their reply to the Letter of Formal Notice
referred to changes in the horizontal and vertical
alignment of the road as substantial .

However, the documents supplied in the reply
demonstrated that the consent given in October 1988 in
fact authorized amendments to the scheme which were

not sufficiently substantial as to mean that a new, revised
project was under consideration . These amendments did
not therefore require assessment under Annex I.
Documents demonstrating this included a Statement
Explaining A Proposed Modification of the Line at the
Green Man Leytonstone dated December 1985, a
Department of Transport Brochure of February 1987
showing proposals, for revised interchanges, and a
Statement of the Department of Transport's
Representative on the Hackney Wick to Mil Link Road,
produced in 1987 .

As modifications to a project of a class listed in Annex I,
the alternations would, nevertheless, require assessment,
in accordance with Articles 2 and 4.2 and Annex 11.12 of
the Directivè, if they were likely to have significant effects
on the environment . The documents supplied, and in
particular those listed above, demonstrated that the
modifications were not likely to have significant effects

No C 86 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

on the environment . They did not therefore require
assessment under Annex II . 1 2 .

The Commission rejects the Honourable Member's
statement that it made an error of judgment . The
documents on which the decision not to continue the
formal proceedings was based were not in the hands of
the Commission when the decision to open formal
proceedings was taken . Nor did the Commission have any
knowledge of their existence at that time .

3 . Competent authorities have a discretion in deciding
whether to require assessment of Annex II projects . The

documents supplied to the Commission, and in particular
those listed above, did not suggest that the decision of the
competent authority not to require assessment of the
environmental impact of the modifications authorized in

1988 constituted an abuse of that discretion .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2415 / 92

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

(6 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 37 )

Subject : Environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) for the

M3 in southern England ( UK )

Having regard to EIA Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ('),

having regard to the projected extension of the M3
between Bar End and Compton in southern England,
which is recognized as falling under Annex I to the above
Directive,

having regard to the procedure initiated by Commissioner
Ripa di Meana for infringement of the Directive,

having regard to the interest expressed by the English
public in safeguarding the areas through which the
project is to pass and the impact of the Commission's
decision as reflected in many British newspaper in the
days following the announcement of the decision to close
the procedure,

1 . What new documents were supplied by the British

authorities in response to the formal notice from the
Commission ?

2 . To what extent did the new documents not

correspond to the documentation required pursuant
to Article 5 of the Directive, and in accordance with
what criteria and on what grounds were these
documents deemed equivalent ?

3 . Has a public inquiry been held between 1989 and the

present in accordance with Article 6 ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) ? If so,

when, and did the Commission take it into account in

accordance with Article 8 of the Directive ?

4 . Was the stage reached in the project taken into

account in the assessment underlying the Commission
decision, arid if not, why not ?

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

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1992 )

1 . The Commission alleged in the Letter of Formal
Notice notified to the United Kingdom that the Secretary
of State for Transport, as developer, had failed to supply
a non-technical summary of environmental information
as required by Article 5.2 of the Directive . It was not
alleged, nor do the documents supplied to the
Commission suggest, that there was otherwise a failure to
meet the requirements of Article 5 .

The United Kingdom enclosed with its reply to the Letter
of Formal Notice a substantial number of documents . Of
these the Statement of Reasons dated May 1985 and
produced by the Departments of Transport and the
Environment constituted a non-technical summary as
required by Article 5.2 . .

2 . The document was not entitled ' non-technical
summary '. However, it contained, in non-technical
language, a summary description of the project and of the
measures envisaged in order to reduce and remedy
significant adverse effects, and a summary of the data
required to identify and assess the main effects which the
project was likely to have on the environment . It therefore
fulfilled in this case the requirements for a non-technical
summary in Article 5.2 .

3 . A public enquiry was held in the summer of 1 9 8 5 and
reopened between autumn 1987 and spring 1988 . There is
no requirement to carry out a public consultation after the
implementation date of the Directive, if consultation
carried out previously meets the requirements of the
Directive .

Article 8 of the Directive, in requiring the results of the
consultation to be taken into account in the development
consent procedure, imposes obligations on the competent
national authority and not on the Commission . It has not
been alleged, nor do the documents supplied to the
Commission suggest, that the competent national
authority failed to take the results of the public
consultation into account in the development consent
procedure .

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 23

4 . The state of advancement of works on a project is a second Community language ' as specified in
not relevant to the question of whether the requirements Section 4 of all notices ?
of the Directive have been met, except, of course, where
the point in dispute is whether the works have been
initiated before an environmental impact assessment has
been completed . It was not, therefore, a factor relevant to Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
the Commission's decision . on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1992 )

The closing date for application for EUR / D / 24,
EUR / D / 25, COM / D / 754 and COM / D / 755 was 30
September . The information requested is therefore not
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2424 / 92 yet available .

by Mr Elmar Brok ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 6 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 38 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2449 / 92

Subject : Job descriptions for the care of the elderly

1 . Does the Commission believe there is a need for
harmonization in the field of care of the elderly ?

2 . If so, how should the job description be drawn up ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 40 )

Subject : The ' Wild Birds ' Directive

Can the Commission provide a list of the infringement
procedures it has taken against Member States for
non-implementation of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC (').

C ) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .

The Commission is not contemplating any harmonization
in the field of care for the elderly nor any establishment of
job descriptions . Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2426 / 92

by Mr Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 December 1 992 )

For information on infringement procedures in relation to
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC, the Honourable Member is
referred to Annex C of the Ninth annual report to the
European Parliament on Commission monitoring of the
application of Community law — 1991 (').

(6 October 1992 ) O OJ No C 250, 28.9 . 1992 .

( 93 / C 86 / 39 )

Subject : Notice of open compétitions : EUR / D / 24,
EUR / D / 25, COM / D / 754 and COM / D / 755

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2490 / 92

How many United Kingdom citizens :

1 . Were sent details of these competitions ?

2 . Returned their application forms ?

3 . Were permitted to take the open competitions ?

4 . Were successful in being included on the list ?

5 . Were not permitted to take the open competition

because they did not have 'a satisfactory knowledge of

by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 41 )

Subject : Hospital waste in Europe

What is the annual volume of radioactive hospital waste
produced in Europe ? Does Community legislation lay

No C 86 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

down provisions on the method of identifying and storing
such waste, and what is its final destination ?

Is this type of waste imported into or exported from
Europe ?

Where does it come from and go to ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 992 )

The Council Directive laying down the basic safety

standards for the health protection of the general public
and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation (*)
applies to all activities involving a risk of exposure to
ionizing radiation . It therefore applies, inter alia, to the
management of radioactive waste issued from medical
practices . The Directive requires especially that the
abovementioned activities be subject to a system of
reporting or in cases decided upon by Member States, of
prior authorization .

The Commission believes that it would be very difficult
systematically to collect consistent data on the amount of
medical radioactive waste produced throughout the
Community . Such waste is generally short-lived and its
radioactivity vanishes naturally within weeks or months
of its production . According to the internal organization
of the medical centre concerned, it is equally acceptable,
from the radiation protection point of view, that some
waste is stored for decay within the centre, or is
transported to specialized storage and disposal units .

Data is available on radioactive waste which is not suitable
for unrestricted release, and which is collected by bodies
and institutions having a license to collect, treat, store and
dispose of the waste . For the EC Member States, the
annual volume received by the collecting agencies has
been estimated to be some tens of cubic meters per million
inhabitants . This amount includes waste not only from
the medical sector, but also from industry and research
outside the nuclear fuel cycle .

More information on waste streams and management
routes may be found in a report (' An approach to the
exemption from regulatory control of radioactive waste
not linked to the nuclear fuel cycle in the European
Community ', EUR 14520, Office for Official
Publications of the European Communities,
Luxembourg ).

As regards the import and export of radioactive waste,
these are regulated by the Council Directive on the
supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste
between Member States and into and out of the
Community ( 2 ) which will be brought into force by 1
January 1994 . Article 18 of this Directive provides for the

preparation of reports and their transmission to the
European Parliament .

In addition, the fourth Lomé Convention ( 3 ) and the
Council Decision of 25 July 1991 on the association of
overseas countries and territories with the European
Economic Community ( 4 ) prohibit the export of
radioactive waste from the Community to the ACP
countries party to the Lomé Convention and to the
overseas countries and territories referred to in the
Council Decision respectively .

The situation as regards all categories of radioactive waste

is also permanently monitored by the Commission within
the Community plan of action in the field of radioactive
waste, which started in 1980 and will be updated and
extended to 1999, following a Council Resolution of 15
June 1992 ( 5 ).

O OJ No L 246 . 17 . 9 . 1980 and OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .
O OJ No L 35, 12.2 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 229, 17 . 8 . 1991 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 263, 19.9 . 1991 .
O OJ No C 158,25.6 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2494 / 92

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 42 )

Subject : Drought in southern Africa

UN agencies, Governments of southern Africa and
NGOs have reported an exceptionally widespread
drought in the region and the urgency of an international
relief operation, principally food aid . More than 17
million people are at risk and nearly 12 million tonnes of
food will have to be imported .

I would like to ask the Commission :

1 . What aid, and for what volume and amount, has the

Commission committed so far for the current
emergency situation in southern Africa, specified by
country ?

2 . What calendar of shipment and delivery has been

established for the pledged assistance ?

3 . How far is the Commission liaising with the Regional

Task Force and corridor groups, and is it prepared to
offer additional transport means or other logistical
support if so required ?

4 . Is the Commission, in the light of the ongoing armed
conflict in Mozambique, prepared to include an aid

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 25

component for safeguarding the transport of relief
supplies in Mozambique ;

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1992 )

The Community has reacted swiftly to the emergency
situation in southern Africa . A special programme was
adopted by the Council and Parliament in May this year .

Under the programme, totalling Ecu 220 million, an
additional 800 000 tonnes of cereals equivalent will be
delivered to eighteen countries in east Africa, southern
Africa and other parts of the world .

The programme provides for the delivery of 371 500
tonnes ( 47 % of the total amount ) of maize, wheat, rice,
legumes and vegetable oil for nine countries in southern
Africa, at an estimated cost of Ecu 90,23 million . Of the

allocations for these countries 93 % ( 344 342 tonnes ) is
being mobilized now .

At 1 October, under the standard 1992 programme,
360 000 tonnes had been allocated to southern Africa,
85 % of which is being mobilized .

There are serious difficulties in mobilizing aid in southern
Africa . The Commission mobilizes deliveries according to
the information provided by international and
non-governmental organizations responsible for
distribution in respect of the products and quantities
needed, the means of transport and possible arrival dates .
There are very few viable unloading and internal
transport facilities .

Liaison with the Task Force is ongoing . Account is taken
of the Task Force's opinion, particularly with regard to
transit ports, before any mobilization . In addition, each
week the Commission sends the lastest information on aid
which is on its way . Experts in strategic locations are
responsible for providing logistical support .

With regard to the fighting in Mozambique, the
Commission, in agreement with the NGOs in charge of
distributing humanitarian aid, has decided to transport
and distribute the aid by air . In the current circumstances
this is the safest means of transport . Following the recent
signing of the peace agreements between the government
and Renamo, however, the conditions for distributing
humanitarian aid in Mozambique should improve
significantly .

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable

Member and the Parliament Secretariat a copy of the
Commission decision on the Special Programme, with the
breakdown by country and a table showing the progress
made in implementing the two programmes .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2524 / 92

by Mr Francesco Speroni ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 43 )

Subject : Car tax as a means of avoiding a reduction in the

VAT rate

The Italian finance minister, Giovannia Goria, has

announced the introduction, in January 1993, of a tax on
certain types of motor cars to avoid a drop in the total tax
take following the reduction in the VAT rate as a step
towards achieving Community harmonization . Does the
Commission consider that this cunning move by the
Italian minister is compatible with the spirit and letter of
Community law ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1992 )

In accordance with Article 3(3 ) of Council Directive
92 / 12 / EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general
arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on
the holding, movement and monitoring of such
products ( x ), Member States retain the right to introduce
or maintain taxes which are levied on products other than
mineral oils, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, and
manufactured tobacco provided that those taxes do not
give rise to border-crossing formalities in trade between
Member States .

If the Italian Government decided to exercise that right
and if the decision it took complied with the above
condition and with the conditions laid down in Article 95
of the Treaty, the tax in question could not, subject to an
examination being carried out, be regarded as being in
breach of the Community's tax provisions .

o OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2526 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 44 )

Subject : Dumping of bicycles on the EC market

For some time now the bicycle market has been under
great pressure owing to the mass import of bicycles from

No C 86 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3.93

third countries, chiefly developing countries benefiting
from tariff preferences on the basis of Article 1 1 3 of the
EEC Treaty .

Is it true that some countries actually no longer satisfy the
conditions of the Community's generalized preferences
scheme ?

Is the Commission considering introducing a quota
system for the import of bicycles ?

Are there any signs in this industry of dumping practices ?

Does the Commission consider that anti-dumping
measures are required ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1992 )

Following a complaint introduced by the European
Bicycle Manufacturers Association ( EBMA ), an
anti-dumping investigation concerning bicycles
originating in the People's Republic of China and Taiwan
is currently in progress .

With respect to the General System of Preferences ( GSP )
concerning the bicycles originating in China, the
conventional customs duty of 17% has been reimposed
from 12 May 1992 ( Commission Regulation ( EEC )
No 1193 / 92 (')). This duty will be in force until 31
December 1992 .

From 1 January 1993, the GSP will be reinstated . This
preferential regime ( GSP ) can be withdrawn, at any given
time, if the conditions provided for in Article 8 of Council
Regulation No 3822 / 90 are fulfilled ( 2 ).

It should also be noted that a proceeding is pending with a
view to re-establishing a duty of 17% regarding imports
of bicycles originating in Thailand and Indonesia .

O OJ No L 124, 9 . 5 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 366, 29 . 12 . 1990 .

How were the planned subsidies distributed, how many
projects were submitted, what level they were and how
much was held back, per Member State ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 992 )

The Community action plan to assist tourism was

approved by Council Decision 92 / 42 1 / EEC (').

It is to run for three years from 1 January 1993 .

The Honourable Member's questions are, therefore,
premature and cannot be answered in detail at this stage .

The Commission has, however, convened the inaugural

meeting of the management committee provided for in
Article 3(2 ) of the Decision and which is to assist it in
implementing the action plan .

It expects the meeting to produce precise guidelines as to
how the specific measures envisaged under the plan are to
be implemented .

The Commission will be sure, particularly in the light of
the outcome of that meeting, to keep the Honourable
Member informed as regards the matters he has raised .

O OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992, p . 26 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2537 / 92

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2528 / 92
( 27 October 1992 )
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
( 93 / C 86 / 46 )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 45 ) .

Subject : EC action programme on tourism

To what extent is the EC action programme on tourism

already being implemented ?

What is the position with regard to the various specific

measures involved ( cultural tourism, tourism and the
environment, lowland tourism, promotion in third
countries, staggering of holidays, better knowledge of the
sector and supranational action )?

Subject : 1995 World Ski Championships in Granada

In 1995 the World Ski Championships are to be held in
Granada requiring substantial infrastructural works and
development . Since the events are to be held in the Sierra
Nevada Natural Park are likely to have a major impact on
the ecological balance of this area .

What Community investment will be made in this area ?

Does the Commission consider that it would be possible
for the Spanish Government to request a global study on

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 27

possible co-financing by the Community from the
Structural Funds in the context of an integrated operation
in Granada ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 7 December 1 992 )

The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) is
not part-funding investments in the Sierra Nevada
Natural Park and has not as yet received any applications
relating to it .

The Commission provides assistance only at the request

of the appropriate authorities in the Member State and in
the context of the Community Support Frameworks
( CSFs ). The Commission would therefore suggest that
the Honourable Member should contact the Spanish
Government on the issue of applying for part-funding of
a general study on a possible integrated development
programme as part of the forthcoming CSF .

As regards ERDF assistance under the current CSF in the

province of Granada, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to the information provided in reply
to his Written Question No 2622 / 92 ( 1 ).

O OJN0C6I, 3 . 3 . 1993, p . 39 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2565 / 92

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 47 )

Subject : Sea forum in Trégastel ( Côtes d' Armor, France )

Have Community funds ( Bfrs 5,7 million ) been
earmarked for the Trégastel Sea Forum ( Côtes d'Armor )
and for what environmental impact study are they
intended ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 7 December 1 992 )

The part-financing of the Sea Forum at Trégastel by the

European Regional Development Fund was approved in

principle by the Monitoring Committee of the regional
and social conversion programme ( Objective 2 ) for the
Brittany region .

The prefectural authorities, responsible for the
management of the programme in question, have
confirmed that :

— the project complies with the rules in force ( building

permit, legality check, registration on the commune's
land occupancy plan ) ;

— the project specifications do not, under the national

nature protection legislation, call for an
environmental impact study .

The project does not fall within the scope 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 O ­

O OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2574 / 92
by Mr Gerardo Fernândez-Albor ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 48 )

Subject : Introduction of a Community vehicle
registration plate

While the Commission has still to adopt the necessary

criteria for harmonizing and standardizing European
vehicle registration, to make it the same in all the Member
States, an increasing number of countries are adopting
regulations, on their own initiative, regarding the
individual use of the European emblem .

This demonstrates the interest, both among countries and
citizens of the Community, in having a vehicle
registration plate common to all the Member States,
serving, among other things, as a symbol of the union
among our Community countries, as is already the case in
other unions of states around the world, whether
federations or confederations .

Can the Commission therefore say what the state of play
is regarding the planned uniform Community vehicle
registration plate for all the^Member States, and how it
views the measures introduced by those Member States
which have already adopted their own legislation in this
field ?

No C 86 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1992 )

Technical specifications for a standard design of
Community registration plate have been drawn up by a
working party of government experts under the
chairmanship of the Commission .

These specifications, which will not be further amended,

have been sent to the relevant national authorities in each

Member State .

In line with the principle of subsidiarity, it is up to each
Member State to adopt this design if it so wishes . Ireland
and Portugal have already done so .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2614 / 92

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

( 27 October 1992 )

services to which the reduced rate may optionally be
applied does not include those of tailors .

In principle, therefore, tailors will be subject to the
normal rate of not less than 15% from 1 January 1993 .
However, this same Directive lays down that Member
States which at 1 January 1991 applied a reduced rate to
supplies of goods and services not on the list referred to
above may apply a reduced rate during the transitional
period, on condition that it is not lower than 12 % . It is for
the Member States to decide whether or not to make use
of this provision .

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the fact
that the Directive provides that the Council will, on the
basis of a report from the Commission, starting in 1994,
review the scope of the reduced rates every two years .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2615 / 92

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 93 / C 86 / 49 ) ( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 50 )
Subject : New VAT bracket for tailors

In August 1992 the Greek Ministry of Finance imposed a
new VAT bracket for tailors and their suppliers,
increasing the rate of VAT from 8% to 18% . It justified
this move by saying that it was thereby implementing the
Directive on the harmonization of the legal provisions
governing this branch . Since, according to the relevant
Commission services, this Directive is still only a proposal
which has not yet been adopted and since this is a
traditional craft industry which is currently undergoing
difficulties, can the Commission :

1, confirm the above information and assertions, in
particular that it has proposed, or will accept, an
increase in VAT for tailors from 8 % to 18 %, and, if

so,

2, give the reasons and an economic justification for this
proposal, and

3, say whether it intends to review its position and, at all
events, help this sector survive in the present,
particularly harsh economic climate and state how it
intends to do this ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 992 )

On 19 October 1992 the Council adopted the Directive on
approximation of VAT rates . The list of goods and

Subject : The EC's role in the ITTA renegotiations

The Commission can play an important role in the
renegotiations on the International Tropical Timber
Agreement ( ITTA ) which begin this year . The ITTO, the
executive body of the ITTA, is not concerned solely with
tropical wood as a raw material, but is increasingly
engaged in long-term forest management in tropical
countries . The ITTO boasts a number of important
achievements, such as the guidelines on long-term forest
management accepted by producer and consumer
countries and the objective of achieving a forest
management policy by 2000 which would ensure that all
tropical wood traded on the international market
originated in properly managed forests . The EC's
contribution up to now has been insufficient in quality
and quantity and is limited to thé raw material aspects .
This is preventing several Commission services from
making a contribution to the debate on the environment
and the management of natural resources ( tropical
forests ).

1 . What preparations is the Commission making for full

participation in the ITTA renegotiations, including
the environmental aspect ?

2 . Is the Commission prepared to allow all its services
which are concerned with tropical forests, without
exception, to play an active part in the preparations for
the ITTA renegotiations ?

3 . When will the Commission inform Parliament of its
position with regard to the future of the ITTA ?

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 29

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 December 1 992 )

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that the International Tropical Timber Agreement is one
of the most important instruments for achieving the
sustainable management of tropical forests .

It also believes that Target 2000 — aimed at ensuring that
tropical wood for commercial purposes comes from
sustainably managed forests — should be among the
major goals of the next agreement, the negotiation of
which begins shortly .

The Commission is preparing the way by ensuring the

most open discussion possible between its departments
and national governments so that a common position can
be reached on behalf of the Community .

Initial discussions between consumers and producers, and
at Member State and Community level, highlight the need
to remain within the legal framework of the existing
Agreement, i.e . a commodity agreement to be negotiated
under the aegis of Unctad . However, the environmental
aspect must be retained and if possible given more weight .
One way of doing this would, we hope, be the inclusion of
Target 2000 in the new goals .

As usual, the Commission is preparing for this negotiation
by involving all the relevant departments .

It will inform Parliament in the usual way . At this stage it
would seem appropriate to report after the first round of
negotiations, which have been set for the second half of
November at the headquarters of the International
Tropical Timber Organization in Yokohama .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2627 / 92

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1 992 )

The Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on
packaging and packaging waste (') adopted contains the
two principles of Environmental Protection and Free
Movement of Goods .

Since existing national provisions set different targets for
recovery and minimization of final disposal, the proposal
lays down quantified targets to be attained within a fixed
period of time, with provision for review at the latest six
years after entry into force of the Directive .

It must be emphasized that one of the objectives of the
Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on
packaging and packaging waste concerns the removal of
90 % by weight from the total amount of waste, for the
purpose of recovery ( this does not mean that 90 % of all
packaging waste has to be recovered ). ' To be removed
from ' means, to be returned ( for instance, collected
separately ) and sorted out if necessary .

As there are a variety of solutions and alternatives for the
setting up of waste management systems, both at the level
of return ( collection ) and final recovery, the Commission
has never had the intention to put forward specific
proposal in these fields .

The Member States will be requested to take the

appropriate measures and Trade and Industry will be
expected to shoulder responsibility and to undertake
specific actions .

o COM(92 ) 278 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2630 / 92

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

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 52 )

Subject : State subsidy for shipyards

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

Does the Commission agree that it is grossly unfair to

of the European Communities allow State subsidy of 36 % to shipyards in the former East

October 1992 ) Germany, whilst limiting this to 9 % in other EC

countries ?
( 93 / C 86 / 51 )

( 27 October 1992 )

Subject : Recycling of packaging

What new practical proposals does the Commission have
to effect its objective that within 10 years 90% of all used
packaging will be recycled or incinerated to produce
energy ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1 992 )

The Commission proposal for a derogation to the
Seventh Directive on aid to shipbuilding as regards the

No C 86 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

East German shipbuilding industry, adopted by the
Council ( Council Directive 92 / 68 / EEC (')), represents a
balanced consideration of on the one hand the urgent and
pressing social and economic needs safeguarding a certain
industry structure in the East German region and on the
other hand the effects of the accompanying aid on
competition inside the Community's shipbuilding
industry . This is reflected in the proposed 36% aid
derogation during a limited period and the 40 % capacity
reduction required as a counterpart .

The effects of the aid on the EC yards will be mitigated
not only by the 40 % capacity cut, but also by :

— the expected improvement during the nineties in the

world demand for ships forecasted by all shipbuilding

experts .

— the fact that these yards are likely to continue to

obtain part of their orders in the former Comecon
countries, i.e . in markets where other Member States
have hardly been present .

Moreover, in order to ensure that the aid to the former
East German yards will not affect trading conditions to an
extent contrary to the common interest, a new
Article 10a ( 3 ) was introduced .

Finally, the general aid policy of the Seventh Directive,
which was unanimously approved by all Member States,
ensures fair conditions for intra - Community competition
and contributes furthermore not only to the maintenance
of a sufficient level of activity in European shipyards but
also to the survival of an efficient and competitive
European shipbuilding industry on the world market . The
limited derogation, which allows the extra aid only up to

1993 in order for the yards to restructure and become
viable, is in line with this policy and with temporary
derogations previously allowed for other Member States .

o OJ No L 219, 4 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2660 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ÂRC )

manufacturing industry we read : ' One of the primary
goals of the Community's industrial policy is to create the
framework and conditions for a strong, innovative and
competitive industrial sector, thereby ensuring the
competitivity and sustainability of Europe's industries in
the global market-place .'.

How does the Commission intend to combine and
coordinate the expansive objective of creating the
framework and conditions for a strong, innovative and
competitive industrial sector with the concepts of
sustainability and sustainable development ?

(') COM(92 ) 23 final, Volume II .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2661 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 54 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — aspects overlooked

In the Fifth Action Programme a whole series of
important aspects are mentioned only in passing . Some
are not discussed at all . Many examples can be given : the
precautionary principle, international trade and the
influence of the GATT negotiations on sustainable
development, the development of a product policy to
complement and replace traditional waste management,
and the common fisheries policy .

1 . Why are the abovementioned aspects not mentioned

in the draft of the Fifth Action Programme ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to supplement the Fifth
Action Programme with a discussion of the
abovementioned areas of policy ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2662 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European

( 27 October 1 992 ) ( 27 October 1 992 )

( 27 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 53 ) ( 93 / C 86 / 55 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — selected target groups / industry

Chapter 4 of the Fifth Action Programme (') takes a close
look at five target sectors . In the discussion on

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — precautionary principle

Although the Fifth Action Programme mentions the
precautionary principle, it is not discussed at any length .

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 31

The precautionary principle is not recognized as one of
the most important guidelines in integration, with major
importance for the development of a sustainable society
and economy . It is, after all, absolutely essential for the
precautionary principle to be actively applied if the
present curative and defensive environmental policy is to
be replaced .

1 . How does the Commission intend to remedy this

shortcoming ?

2 . How does it intend to ensure that the precautionary

general . This at least is one of the statements made in a
study for the European Parliament carried out by the
Institute for European Environmental Policy .

A study financed by the European Parliament suggests the
setting up of a coordinating committee for the
environment within the Commission . This committee

would consist of the Commissioners and the Directors of
the DGs responsible for the target sectors and for
programmes qualifying for financial support .

principle joins the concepts of ' integration ' and
' shared responsibility ' as a guiding principle ? Does the Commission agree with this statement ? If so,

what steps has it so far taken to integrate the
Community's official environmental policy into the
activities and policy-formulation of all the Community's
directorates-general ? Can it also state how it views the
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2663 / 92 setting up of a coordinating committee ?
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 56 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
' '
sustainability — definition of ' sustainability

In the Fifth Action Programme the Commission opts for
the term ' sustainability '. A major shortcoming of the Fifth
Action Programme is that it defines the term ' sustainable

development ', but not ' sustainability ' as such . In the
absence of an adequate definition of ' sustainability ' it is
unclear precisely what the Commission's objectives are .

What precisely does the Commission mean by
' sustainability '?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2664 / 92

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 57 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
sustainability ' — integration within the
Commission

The success of integration will largely depend on whether
the Commission succeeds in making its own services
aware of the concepts of ' sustainability ' and ' sustainable
development '.

A Community environmental policy can succeed only
if the Directorate-General for the Environment concludes
binding agreements with all the other directorates ­

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2665 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 58 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — democratic deficit

COM(92 ) 23 final sets out the European Community's
programme of policy and action in relation to the
environment and sustainable development . Major
requirements for the success of this programme will be
candour, public participation and willingness to listen and
discuss . Yet this Commission document was drawn up in
an atmosphere of considerable secrecy . A study carried
out by the Institute for European Environmental Policy
for the European Parliament describes the lack of
participation by ' the people in the field ' ( local and
regional authorities, environmental organizations,
economic actors, etc .) as a serious shortcoming .

1 . Can the Community say how this proposal for an

action programme was drawn up and how it held
discussions with the various parties concerned ?

2 . Is it prepared to incorporate in the current debate on
the Fifth Action Programme procedures for
consulting local, regional and national policy-makers,
NGOs active in the environmental sphere and
representatives of the sectors of the economy referred
to in the Action Programme with a view significantly
increasing their participation ?

No C 86 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2666 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 59 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — compatibility of the concepts of
sustainability and sustainable development with
the nuclear energy option

Section 4.2 of COM(92 ) 23 final describes the objectives
of the Fifth Action Programme for the energy sector . As it
must be ensured that economic growth, efficient and
secure energy supplies and a clean environment are
compatible objectives, energy policy will be, according to
the Action Programme, a key factor in the achievement of
sustainable development . However, this section does not
define the concept of sustainability in the energy sector .
In fact, the Commission refers to a steady rise in energy
consumption and says that the growing demand for
energy cannot be met ' unless there is a different approach
to nuclear power, to greater use of waste related energy
sources or unless there is a breakthrough in the
development and penetration of alternative energy
technologies '.

1 . How does the Commission define sustainability in

relation to the energy sector ?

2 . Does it believe that further encouragement of the

nuclear energy sector is compatible with the concepts
of sustainability and sustainable development ?

3 . Does it not in fact believe that an energy policy geared

to sustainability must be designed to reduce the
demand for energy drastically by encouraging energy
conservation, by taking sweeping measures to permit
the change to renewable energy sources and by
outlawing nuclear energy as soon as possible ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2667 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 60 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — the EC's position on nuclear

energy

1 . What is the Commission's reaction to scientific

studies which show that, when all factors are taken into

account, using nuclear energy to generate electricity
requires more energy than it produces ?

2 . Does it agree that the generation of nuclear energy
is incompatible with the concepts of sustainability and
sustainable development, as argued in a study financed by
the European Parliament and carried out by the Institute
for European Environmental Policy ( cf . IEEP,
Assessment of the Fifth Environmental Action
Programme, pp . 11 ff .) ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2668 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 61 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
sustainability ' — implementation and
enforcement

Chapter 9 of COM(92 ) 23 final provides for the
establishment of a number of dialogue groups to ensure
better preparation of the measures covered by the Fifth
Action Programme, including improved consultation

arrangements, more effective integration, better
follow-up and stricter compliance checking and
enforcement . Specifically, it is proposed that there should
be a consultative foruni, an implementation network and
an environment policy review group .

1 . Does the Commission agree that the European

Parliament should be able to appoint representatives
to these fora ?

2 . To what extent will non-governmental environmental

organizations be represented in these fora ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2669 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 62 )

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
sustainability ' — instruments for measuring
environmental damage / definition of growth

Section 7.4 of COM(92 ) 23 final recognizes that
valuations, pricing and accounting mechanisms have a
pivotal role to play in the achievement of sustainable
development . The action programme provides for the
extension and adaptation of the traditional tools of

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 33

economic statistics on the basis of research at national and
European level, including modification of key economic
indicators, such as GNP, so as to reflect the value of
natural and environmental resources in generating
current and future incomes and to account for
environmental losses and damage on the basis of assigned
monetary values .

1 . How does the Commission intend to overcome this
major shortcoming of the action programme ?

2 . Is it prepared to learn from the experience that various
countries have of ' national environmental plans ',
which are designed to integrate the policy into various
government departments ?

3 . How does it intend to integrate national, regional and

Unfortunately, the Commission continues ' — in its local at European environmental level which policies govern into policies such areas formulated as the
document ' Towards sustainability as ' elsewhere — to use economy, transport and agriculture ?
such terms as ' economic growth in the sense most
commonly used today . In many respects this results in
proposals for forms of policy that are conducive to
traditional growth, which is often incompatible with the
concept of ' sustainability '. Joint answer to Written Questions

Although Chapter 15 of the Fifth Action Programme
provides for pilot projects from 1995 and for the formal
introduction of environmentally adjusted national
accounts by the year 2000, it cannot be denied that more
drastic measures are needed .

1 . Is the Commission prepared to take more drastic and
earlier action to introduce ' environmental measuring
instruments ' and so take account of possible
environmental losses and damage in the formulation
of its policy at an earlier stage than provided for in the
Fifth Action Programme ? If so, what action ?

2 . Is it prepared to redefine the term ' growth '? If so,
how ?

Nos 2660 / 92 to 2670 / 92

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 January 1993 )

The document referred to by the Honourable Member,

' Towards Sustainability ', was discussed in detail by the
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and
Consumer Protection during its discussion on Mrs C.
Diez di Rivera Icaza's draft report . It was also discussed
by the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural
Development, the . Committee on Transport and Tourism,
the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology and
the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and
Industrial Policy . During these discussions, officials from
the Commission's Directorate-General for the
Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection
answered all questions on the contents and approach of
the document . The Commission would therefore refer the

Honourable Member to those discussions .

The European Parliament also discussed this subject
during its November part-session on the basis of the
report which the Environment Committee adopted
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2670 / 92 unanimously on 7 October 1992 .
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 63 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2672 / 92

Subject : Fifth Action Programme, ' Towards
'
sustainability — integration

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

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 64 )
One of the main elements of the Fifth Action Programme
is ' full integration of environmental and other relevant
policies through the active participation of all the main Subject : Commission age limits for
actors in society ( administrations, enterprises, general
public ) through a broadening and deepening of the Does the Commission believe
instruments for control and behaviourial change unrelated to abilities for the task in
including, in particular, greater use of market forces '
( Introduction, p . 19 ). Nowhere in the Fifth Action Could the Commission explain
Programme is a detailed discussion of this important applicants to Commission posts is
concept to be found . the ability, health and suitability

Subject : Commission age limits for applicants

Does the Commission believe in age discrimination
unrelated to abilities for the task in question ?

Could the Commission explain why the age limit for
applicants to Commission posts is set at 35, regardless of
the ability, health and suitability of applicants for jobs ?

No C 86 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1992 )

The Commission does not, of course, believe in
discrimination, either on the grounds of age or for any
other reason .

For recruitment purposes it has, however, set an age limit
of 35 for the basic recruitment grades in all categories and
32 for recent graduates at A8 level . There are derogations
for those who have taken time off to look after children,
who have done compulsory military service, or who are
registered as handicapped . The age limit is also raised
when the Commission is seeking to fill posts at a more

senior level . As a result of these and other factors, 36 % of
present staff were over 35 when recruited .

Experience shows that increasing the age limits would not
bring the Commission any noticeable advantages but
would instead raise even further the already relatively
high average age of its staff and aggravate the problem of
geographical balance .

The Commission would also point out that places for

experienced and specialist staff are available through
competitions for temporary agents who are often
recruited at a senior level and for whom the age limit may
be raised to 50 .

The Commission believes that its current policy provides

a balanced approach . It acknowledges the advantages that
the experience of older citizens can bring the Community .
Being aware of its responsibilities in adjusting promptly to
social trends and being conscious of the importance of
this issue in the context of the 1993 Year of Older People
it will be keeping its position under review .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2673 / 92

by Mr Feraand Herman ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 65 )

Subject : Sixth VAT Directive

Council Directive 77 / 3 8 8 / EEC (') on the harmonization
of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover

taxes contains the phrase ' the supply . . . of buildings or
parts of buildings and the land on which they stand ' in
Articles 4(3 ) and 1 3(B ) ( g ) . Can the interpretation and
meaning of this phrase differ, depending on whether it
relates to taxable activity ( Article 4 ) or VAT exemption
( Article 13 )?

O OJ No L 145, 13.6 . 1977, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

There is no contradiction between Article 4(3)(a ) and
Article 1 3(B ) ( g ) of the Directive, as the Honourable

Member's question implies . These two provisions relate to
entirely different concepts . The first is designed to enable
Member States to treat as a taxable person anyone, e.g . a
private individual, who supplies a new building, a taxable
person being anyone who carries out an economic
activity, irrespective of the arrangements ( taxation or
exemption ) which otherwise apply to his activity . The
second provision merely exempts the supply of buildings
no longer considered to be new, where such buildings are
supplied by taxable persons .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2689 / 92

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

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 66 )

Subject : The European Financial Engineering Company

( EFEC )

On 8 July 1992 Mr Christophersen, on behalf of the
Commission, was kind enough to answer my Written
Question No 742 / 92 ( x ) on the European Financial
Engineering Company .

I fully understand that the Commission cannot deliver
any opinion on the fortunes and misfortunes of a private
company, although the fact that the Commission
supported the creation of this company undoubtedly gives
it something of a Community character .

- As the liquidation of this company must inevitably be seen

as a setback for the policy of support for SMEs, the
matter is worthy of consideration by Parliament . Can the

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 35

Commission therefore give the names of those persons
who could provide the information requested on the short
history of the EFEC and the reasons for its collapse ?

o OJ No C 309, 26 . 11 . 1992, p . 22 .

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1992 )

Because of its nature, the Commission is mailing the
information requested direct to the Honourable Member .

notably market access, anti-dumping, anti-subsidy,
safeguard action and intellectual property .

2 . The Commission does not share the Honourable
Member's view that textile quotas should be frozen at

1992 levels . Such a freeze would imply a generalised
cutback in the annual growth rates laid down in the
Community's current bilateral agreements which its
trading parties would be perfectly justified in attacking as
incompatible with the Community's obligations under the
MFA .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2714 / 92

by Mr Lyndon Harrison ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2690 / 92

Mr Dieter S ( 29 October 1992 )

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

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 67 )

Subject : Commission proposal on transitional
arrangements in respect of the international
textile agreement

1 . How does the Commission intend, in its proposal
for two-year transitional arrangements in respect of the
international textile agreement ( uplift or maintenance of
status quo ), to prevent any attempt to pre-empt the
outcome of the Uruguay Round negotiations which
should ensure that any concessions by importing
countries are conditional upon reciprocal concessions by
the supplying countries ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that the quotas for the
two year transitional arrangements should be frozen at

1992 levels from 1 January 1993 as this would be in the
interests of the European textile industry and those
employed in this sector and would strengthen the
Community's negotiating position ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 992 )

1 . The Commission considers that the negotiating
Directives adopted by, the Council at its meeting on 6
October 1992 for the extension of the MFA and of the
Community's bilateral agreements do not provide for
concessions which would undermine the Community's
position in the Uruguay Round to be made to
non-member countries . However, the Council hs
reaffirmed the importance, for the assessment of the
Uruguay Round results, of achieving satisfactory
progress in other areas relevant to trade in textiles,

( 93 / C 86 / 68 )

Subject : River Acheloos diversion scheme

Does the Commission consider that it has had adequate
and accurate information about the water resources of the

Acheloos and Evinos basins to make decisions about EC
funding for this scheme ?

In particular, does the Commission accept that the
Environmental Impact Assessment for the Acheloos
diversion scheme, carried out in 1989, wrongly quoted
figures for river flow of 5 x 1 0 9 m 3 per year, when in fact
the average flow since 1966 has been only 72% of this
figure and since 1985 has been 60% ?

Does the Commission accept that evaporative losses from
the reservoirs will be around 3,6% of the flow in the river
in wet years and 6% in dry years, and that the EIA
neglects to mention this ?

Do these new figures alter the Commission's earlier view
that the diversion project would not result directly, or
indirectly, in significant adverse effects on the Mesolongi

- wetlands, and if not, on what basis ?

And, is the Commission aware that the Greek Parliament

is shortly to approve a contract for the works, prior to a
decision on structural funding being made ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1992 )

The Commission considers that accurate information on

water flow in the Acheloos river is essential in the
consideration of the Acheloos project .

No C 86 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

The Commission has been informed by the Greek

authorities that it is their intention to submit any draft
contract concluded on the Acheloos project to the Greek
Parliament for approval .

This, however, does not in any way pre-empt the

Commission's decision on financial assistance for the
Acheloos project, should the Greek authorities make a

formal application for assistance .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2717 / 92

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 69 )

Subject : Night work

Despite the judgment of the Court of Justice of 25 July

1991 in the Stoeckel case, and the resolutions adopted by
the European Parliament at its April part-session on night
working and the denunciation of ILO Convention No 89,
there has still been no attempt at either Commission or
Council level to clarify the situation with regard to night
work .

1 . t Does the Commission not agree that the absence of

night working legislation at Community level incurs
the risk of deregulation of night work, since Member
States are no longer required to respect minimum
international standards ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to urge Member States
to ratify ILO Convention No 171 as soon as possible,
and as requested by the European Parliament ?

3 . What further measures will be proposed to resolve this

highly unsatisfactory situation ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

The denunciation of ILO Convention No 89 by six

Member States still bound by it only comes into effect one
year after being lodged ; however, it does not create a legal
vacuum insofar as the regulation of night work within the
Community is concerned .

In the first place, Convention No 89 does not regulate
night work in general but simply stops women from
working at night . Whether to have recourse to night work

and what conditions that work must meet are for the time
being regulated by the domestic legislation of the

Community's Member States . In the light of the judgment
of the Court of Justice in the Stoeckel case, Member
States whose domestic legislation still retains the principle
of women not working at night will have to amend it to
remove any discriminatory element .

In the second place, several Member States have already
announced that they expect to ratify ILO Convention
No 171 of June 1990 on improving night working
conditions for workers of both sexes .

In September 1990, as part of its efforts to improve
working conditions, the Commission made a proposal for

a Directive on the reorganization of working time setting
minimum requirements at Community level for protecting
the health and safety of workers . The provisions of this
proposal for a Directive as they relate to night work seek
to ensure the protection at Community level of all
employees working at night, irrespective of whether they

are men or women .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2729 / 92

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

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 70 )

Subject : Imports of newsprint

Community quotas for imports of newsprint favour
Scandinavian producers and strongly penalize the final
consumers, that is to say newspaper publishers, since no
customs duties are imposed on northern European
producers, who dominate the entire Community market,
thereby preventing free competition .

Can the Commission propose measures to remove
existing restrictions on imports of newsprint from third
countries outside northern Europe and increase the
Community tariff quota for these countries from
650 000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes ?

. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2749 / 92

by Mr Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 71 )

Subject : Importation of newsprint — discrimination and

unfavourable impact on consumers

Following agreements with the former EFTA ( European
Free Trade Association ) countries, no customs duties are

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 37

imposed on newsprint entering the European Community
from northern European countries . On the other hand the
Community applies a zero duty quota of 650 000 tonnes
to newsprint from other third countries ( 600 000 tonnes
from Canada and 50 000 tonnes from other third
countries ). A 9 % duty is payable on quantities in excess of
this quota .

Clearly this is discriminatory, since the duty results in
additional profit for northern European producers at
great expense to European consumers .

In view of this does the Commission not consider it
essential to lift current restrictions as a matter of urgency
or at least increase the Community tariff quota from
650 000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes, in order to loosen the
northern European hold on the market and allow
competition a free rein ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 2729 / 92 and 2749 / 92

given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

(1 5 December 1 992 )

The Honourable Members are referred to the answer
given by the Commission to Written Question
No 2362 / 92 by Mrs Banotti ( x ).

(*) See page 19 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2730 / 92

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

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 72 )

Subject : Failure to implement the Seventh Directive in

Italy

The National Association of Private Shipyards has
complained of the disastrous and untenable situation of
the national shipbuilding sector caused by the State's
failure to apply its own laws implementing EC Directives .

Under Law No 234 of 14 June 1989 implementing the
Sixth Directive the Italian Parliament undertook to
earmark funds for the sector for the period 1987 — 1990 .

Two years later a large number of vessels have been or are

about to be completed . The Italian Government, however,
has failed to use the funds earmarked for this purpose

which have now been frozen under Decree-Law No 333
of 11 July 1992 .

In addition, the failure to implement the Seventh
Directive places Italian shipyards at a serious
disadvantage vis-à-vis those of other Member States
which are paying the relevant aid regularly and promptly .

The Italian Government's persistent failure in this respect,
together with the insuperable bureaucratic and
administrative difficulties, means that Italian shipyards
are not receiving the funds to which they are entitled and
are therefore crippled by their debts to banks which are
increasingly reluctant to provide further credit .

In view of this, will the Commission take appropriate
steps to protect the Italian shipbuilding industry and draw
the attention of the Italian Government to its obligations
in this respect ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

In reply to the Honourable Member's question, the
Commission would point out that the matter at issue does
not fall within its competence .

The sixth and seventh Council Directives on aid to

shipbuilding provide that Member States may grant aid
within the ceilings fixed annually by the Commission, but
this is not an obligation . Member States notify to the
Commission the procedures for applying the aid to be
granted . In the case in point, the instrument concerned is
Law No 234 / 89, which was approved by the Commission .

Since the aid in question does not contain any
contribution from Community funds, it is for the Italian
Government alone to ensure payment .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2755 / 92

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

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 73 )

Subject : Greek raki

Greek producers of bottled raki have made strong
complaints about discrimination vis-à-vis ouzo
producers, who, they claim, are privileged, in that the tax

No C 86 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

on alcohol contained in ouzo is only half the normal rate
( Dr 868,4 per litre of absolute alcohol for ouzo, compared
with Dr 1 736,8 for raki ). Given the disastrous impact on
raki sales of such discrimination, what steps will the
Commission take to support this popular Greek drink ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1 992 )

Council Directive 92 / 84 / EEC (') permits Greece to apply
a reduced rate of excise duty on ouzo . It is, however, a
matter for the Greek Government to decide, whether it
wishes to apply this provision and thus give rise to the

situation described by the Honourable Member .

O OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2949 / 92

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

/ 24 November 1 992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 74 )

( b ) Article 1 of Commission Regulation 2294 / 92 ( x ) on

the detailed rules for oilseeds fixes the
abovementioned date at ' 15 May prior to the
marketing year '.

( c ) Article 12 of Regulation 1765 / 92 specifies in its

seventh indent that detailed rules shall be adopted by
the Commission for ' allowing the dates in
Article 11(3 ) to be varied in certain areas where
exceptional climatic conditions render the normal
dates inapplicable '.

( d ) Article 2.2 of Regulation 2294 / 92 lays down that ' In

the event that climatic conditions prevent the oilseeds
from being sown prior to the date mentioned in
Annex I, the area satisfying the conditions referred to

in paragraph 1 above shall not be eligible until
confirmation of sowing is lodged with the competent
authority . The zones to which this provision shall
apply and the time limits for lodging the
confirmation of sowing shall be fixed in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 38 of Council
Regulation No 136 / 66 / EEC ( 2 ).

Member States may request that the Commission delay
the final sowing date for certain zones because ' climatic
conditions prevent oilseeds from being sown prior to 15
May '. The Member State should forward to the
Commission the relevant supporting information . The
Commission may then adopt, through the Management
Committee procedure, a Regulation specifying for which
zones a Member State may set a later date for sowing .

Subject : Compensatory payment for soya production O OJ No L 221, 6 . 8 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 172, 30 . 9 . 1966 .

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (') on arable
crops ( cereals, oilseeds ) provides that compensatory
payments shall not be made in respect of crops sown after

15 May . Given that this frequently penalizes soya
producers, does the Commission intend to change the
date so as to ensure that they are always able to claim this
payment ?

O OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2966 / 92

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

( 24 November 1992 )

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry ( 24 November

on behalf of the Commission

( 93 / C 86 / 75 )

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1993 )

The legal framework for the time limits for sowing and
the lodging of applications for oilseeds support is as
follows .

( a ) Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 lays down in
Article 1 1 ( 3 ) that ' In order to qualify for an advance
payment a producer must, by the date specified for
the region in question, have sown the seed and have
lodged with the competent agency of the Member
State a detailed cultivation plan . . .'

Subject : Xenophobic attack by German neo-Nazis
against a Greek school in Wuppertal

In Germany even Community nationals are now being
subjected to xenophobic attacks . According to reports
which appeared in the Greek press on 6 October 1992,
German neo-Nazis forced their way into, a Greek school
in Wuppertal on 5 October, committing acts of vandalism
and chanting slogans such as ' foreigners out of Germany '

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 39

and ' Germany for the Germans '. What measures does the
Commission intend to take to stem this rising tide of
violence, racism and xenophobia in Germany and in the
European Community in general ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(4 January 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
the reply to the oral question H-1020 / 92 by Mr
Papayannakis, which it gave during question time at
Parliament's October 1992 part-session ( x ).

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-423 ( October

1992 ).

environmental policy, there are no plans to introduce such
rules in the area of the use of animals for fighting
purposes . As the protection of animals is not in itself an
explicit objective of the EEC Treaty, the Commission can
only repeat its earlier call upon the governments of the
Member States to do all in their power to eliminate these
disgraceful practices .

(') Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2536 / 87 and 2546 / 87

by Mr Glinne — OJNo C 303, 28 . 11 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3123 / 92
by Mr Jean-Marie Alexandre and Mr Bernard Frimat ( S )

to the Council of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2995 / 92 ( 93 / C 86 / 77 )

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

( 30 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 86 / 76 )

Subject : Organization of dog fights

Is the Commission aware that, in some towns, clandestine
betting on dog fights is organized ? In Noto, Vittoria and

Catania in particular, over 500 dogs have been stolen in
recent months in order to ' train ' pit-bull terriers before
their fights ? As a result dogs for combat which have been
drugged and bred to be particularly aggressive tear to
pieces dozens of ' normal ' dogs every week . Betting on this
barbarous and clandestine sport is organized by a large
number of individuals with underworld or Mafia
connections, the sums involved amounting to
approximately Lit . 1 000 billion for Italy alone .

What steps will the Commission take concerning this
problem in particular and the ill-treatment of animals in
general ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1992 )

The Commission is aware of reports that the barbaric
practices referred to by the Honourable Member take
place in several Member States . As it has stated on a
previous occasion (*), the Commission deplores all forms
of cruelty to animals and has, in its proposals concerning
the welfare of animals, consistently sought to provide for
the highest possible standards of welfare .

While the Community has introduced common rules

on animal welfare pursuant to agricultural and

Subject : GATT negotiations in Chicago

Can the Council give the reasons for European
negotiators travelling to Chicago to seek agreement with
American representatives ?

More specifically, is it true that one of the reasons for this
relates to the American elections ?

Is it true that the European negotiators were forced to
wait under uncomfortable conditions out of keeping with
the nature of their visit ?

Finally, is it not more customary and more likely to reflect
the determination of Community representatives to
consider such matters in a location whose neutrality is
recognized by all the States concerned, that is to say
Geneva ?

Answer

(2 March 1993 )

The conduct of the GATT negotiations, and therefore
also the practical arrangements associated with them,
being the Commission's responsibility, it is not
appropriate for the Council to comment on the questions
posed by the Honourable Member .

No C 86 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3141 / 92

by Mr Manfred Vohrer ( LDR )
to the Council of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 86 / 78 )

were received from qualifying candidates, how many were
invited to the written tests and interviews, how many were
subsequently put on the reserve list, and how many have
since been offered employment by the Council ?

Could the Council provide a breakdown, by nationality,
Subject : Differences in the treatment of refugees in EC of those initially candidates and those subsequently

Member States employed ?

Are there any differences in the treatment of refugees in
the individual EC Member States and what information is
available concerning :

— numbers of refugees admitted and admission criteria,

— availability of legal assistance,

— subsistence allowances,

— average period of stay and deportation policy ?

Answer

(2 March 1993 )

At the moment the Community has no competence on
questions relating to asylum matters and the different
methods of treatment concerning applicants for asylum in
the Member States of the Community . Currently this is a
matter for intergovernmental cooperation and thus the
Council has no information on the specific matters raised
in the question .

Moreover, within the intergovernmental context,
Ministers responsible for immigration matters are
working towards a harmonized approach on asylum
policy . At their meeting in Lisbon on 11 / 12 June 1992
they adopted a decision on the creation of a clearing
house ( CIREA — Centre d'information, de réflexion et
d'échanges en matière d'asile ) which would allow for
increased exchanges of information between EEC States
resulting especially from the obligations arising out of the
Dublin Convention .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3314 / 92

by Mr James Moorhouse ( PPE )
to the Council of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 86 / 79 )

Subject : Open competitions for recruitment of officials

Can the Council indicate, for each of the last four open
competitions for A grade officials, how many applications

Answer

(2 March 1993 )

In reply to his question, the Honourable Member will find
attached a table summarizing the A Grade open
competitions organized by the General-Secretariat of the
Council since 1984 .

This table shows for each competition :

— the number of valid applications submitted to the

selection boards ;

— the number of candidates invited to the written tests ;

— the number of candidates invited to the oral tests ;

— the number who passed the tests ;

— the number recruited :

— at the General-Secretariat of the Council ;

— in another institution of the European
Community ;

— the breakdown by nationality of those recruited .

A second table gives for each competition the breakdown
by nationality of the candidates and of those recruited .

26 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86 / 41

' A ' grade open competitions organized since 1984

Statistics on participation and breakdown by nationality of persons recruited to the EC Institutions following those

competitions

Candi ­

dates

admitted

written

test

Candi ­

dates

admitted

oral test

Number

who

passed

Recruited

other

Insts .

Number recruited by nationality

B DK D GR E F IRL I L NL P GB Total

Recruited

to the

Council

Compe ­
tition No

Year of

­
publi
cation

Post

­
Applica

tions

received

v

A / 319 1989 Administrator

( A7 ) 4 431 2 908 164 75 26 12 2 1 7 1 7 6 3 7 1 1 2 38

A / 281 1988 Administrator

­
data-pro
cessing (A 7 ) 1 023 613 28 19 6 4 7 1 2 10

A / 290 1986 Head of Div.

E / P ( A3 )

A / 289 1986 Prin . Admin.

E / P ( A5 )

A / 288 1986 Administrator

Doctor

E / P ( A5 )

A / 276 1985 Administrator

E / P ( A7 )

A / 268 1984 Administrator

427 E

403 P

317 E

343 P

148 E

74 P

993 E

519 P

89 E

54 P

90 E

94 P

86 E

25 P

804 E

444 P

67 E

47 P

19 ES

23 PT

8 E

4P

25 E

16 P

15 E

15 P

11 E

10 P

4 E

2 P

11 E

8 P

6

7

3

2

6

3

1 — — — — 7 — — — — — 4 — 11

1

— — — — 3 — — — — — 2 — 5

1 - 1 1

1

1 — — — — 7 — — — — — 8 — 15

( A7 ) 5 089 2 546 91 55 17 9 1 2 2 4 — 6 3 3 — 2 — 3 26

' A ' grade open competitions organized since 1984

Comparison between valid applications received and number of persons recruited

( Situation at 1 December 1992 )

Competition No A / 319 A / 281 A / 290 A / 289 A / 288 A / 276 A / 268

Year 1989 1988 1986 1986 1986 1985 1984

Post A7 - General A7-Data
processing

A3 ­ E / P A5 ­ E / P A5-E / P O A7 ­ E / P A7 - General

Re ­

cruited

Re ­

cruited

­
Applica

tions

Re ­

cruited

Re ­

cruited

­
Applica

tions

Re ­

cruited

­
Applica

tions

Re ­

cruited

­
Applica

tions

­
Applica

tions

­
Applica

tions

Re ­

cruited

­
Applica

tions

B 949 2 221 7 8 1 196 1

DK 55 1 12 — — — — — — — — — 86 2

D 477 7 93 — — — — — — — 2 — 552 2

GR 388 1 132 — — — — ' — — — 2 — 398 4

E 408 7 148 — 427 3 317 7 148 1 971 7 — —

466

171

6

3

105

15

— — — - — — — — 9 — 579

352

6

3

Nationality

F

IRL

I 859 7 192 1 — — — — — — 2 — 1 010 3

L 29 — 7 — — — — — — ' — 1 — 27 —

NL 164 1 46 — — — — — — — — — 336 2

P 216 1 28 — 403 2 343 4 74 — 515 8 — —

GB 249 2 24 2      -      -      -      -      -      - 2      - 553 3

Total 4 431 38 1 023 10 830 5 660 11 222 1 1 512 15 5 089 26

J 1 ) doctor .

No C 86 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 3 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTIONS TO WHICH NO ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN (*)

( 93 / C 86 / 80 )

This list is published pursuant to Rule 62 ( 3 ) of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament,
which states : ' Questions to which no answer has been given within one month by the Commission, or
within two months by the Council of the Foreign Ministers, shall be recorded, pending an answer, in

the Official Journal of the European Communities .'

No 3029 / 92 by Virginio Bettini and Eugenio Melandri ( V ) to the Council ( 14 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Marketing rules for bananas and the situation in Somalia

No 3058 / 92 by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V ) to the Council ( 14 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Italian milk quotas

No 3121 / 92 by Mr Alex Smith ( S ) to European Political Cooperation ( 14 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Proliferation controls

(*) The answers will be published as soon as they are received from the institution concerned . The full text of these questions appeared in the Bulletin of the

European Parliament No 29 / C-92 to No 31 / C-92 .