Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

^ ^ / * / * •  - *| T "I ISSN 0378-6986
# Orhcial Journal C125

# # Volume 33
###### 21 M> mo
### of the European Communities y

#### English edition Information and Notices

Notice N o Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

9 0 / C 125/01 N o 665/88 by Lord O ' H a g a n to the Commission

Subject: Dairy inspection charges (supplementary answer) 1

9 0 / C 125/02 N o 375/89 by M r Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission

Subject: Legal arrangements for the operation of taxis in Greece 2

9 0 / C 125/03 N o 409/89 by M r Edward Newman to the Commission

Subject: Liability of carrying companies bringing in 'illegal/undocumented passengers' 2

9 0 / C 125/04 N o 419/89 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Potential or real risk of certain baby creams 2

9 0 / C 125/05 N o 558/89 by M r Thomas Maher to the Commission

Subject: Injuries and fatal accidents on the land 3

9 0 / C 125/06 N o 574/89 by M r Guiseppe Mottola to the Commission

Subject: US reprisals against Italian tomato exports 5

9 0 / C 125/07 N o 575/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Conditions on the Greek island of Leros 5

9 0 / C 125/08 N o 585/89 by M r Jose Barros Moura to the Commission

Subject: Child labour 6

9 0 / C 125/09 N o 636/89 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Child labour in the Portuguese footwear industry 6

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 585/89 and 636/89 6

2 (Continued overleaf)

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Contents (continued)

No 588/89 by Mr Jose Moura to the Commission

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Subject: The Vocational Training Centre for the Footwear Industry in Felgueiras 7

N o 632/89 by M r James Fitzsimons to the Commission

Subject: Freedom of contract for professional soccer players 7

N o 640/89 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: Community coordination of development cooperation with Latin America 7

N o 664/89 by M r Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission

Subject: Rule of priority to the right at road intersections in Member States 8

N o 705/89 by M r Dimitrios Dessylas to the Commission

Subject: Last year's unsold stocks of sultanas and measures to dispose of this year's crop 9

N o 728/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Harmonization of legislation concerning use of polyurethane foam 10

N o 729/89 by M r Michael Welsh to the Commission

Subject: Compensation for victims of crime while travelling abroad 10

N o 731/89 by M r Carlos Carvalhas and M r Joaquim Miranda da Silva to the

Commission

Subject: Criteria for the Erasmus programmes 10

N o 741/89 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Information about the insurance sector in the European Community 11

N o 746/89 by M r Dieter Rogalla to the Commission

Subject: Exhaust standards for diesel-powered vehicles 12

N o 750/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Comparative letter costs 12

N o 751 /89 by M r Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Harmonization of welfare aid in the Member States 13

N o 767/89 by Mrs Marie Jepsen to the Commission

Subject: Failure to comply with Directive 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the
quality of bathing water 13

N o 778/89 by M r Gerhard Schmid to the Commission

Subject: Danger of cancer from azo dyes 14

N o 786/89 by M r Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Health problems due to water pollution 15

N o 792/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: European Cultural Foundation and Charter 15

N o 815/89 by M r Carlos Carvalhas to the Commission

Subject: Specific aid for housing in Portugal 16

N o 819/89 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Trade in human organs 16

Notice N o Contents (continued) Page

9 0 / C 125/28

90/C125/29

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 0

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 1

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 2

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 3

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 4

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 5

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 6

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 7

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 8

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 3 9

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 4 0

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 4 1

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 4 2

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 4 3

9 0 / C 1 2 5 / 4 4

N o 820/89 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Donation of organs after death 16

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 819/89 and 820/89 16

N o 832/89 by M r Francois de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Infringement proceedings for failure to inform the Commission of national implementing measures - _*•'_

N o 836/89 by M r Francois de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Award of Erasmus grants *'

N o 8 3 8 / 8 9 by M r Ingo Friedrich to the Commission

Subject: Directive on the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal qualifications in architecture *'

N o 842/89 by M r Floras Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Building of golf courses - 1 _°_

N o 843/89 by M r Ian White to the Commission

Subject: Physical and social environment 1 °

N o 852/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: The European cancer information campaign 19

N o 871/89 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Collecting tanks for water contamined while extinguishing fire in chemicals plants . . . 20

N o 881/89 by M r William Newton D u n n to the Commission

Subject: Intensive feedlot method of cattle farming 20

N o 887/89 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Food regulations 21

N o 891/89 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Proposed municipal waste water directive 21

N o 902/89 Barbara Duhrkop Duhrkop to the Commission

Subject: The Commission report on implementation of the Council Directive of 25 July 1977 on
the education of the children of migrant workers _'•_ 22

N o 905/89 by M r James Fitzsimons to the Commission

Subject: Funeral directors - 22

N o 912/89 by M r Yves Verwaerde to the Commission

Subject: External policy on animal protection 23

N o 921 / 89 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Community Directive on the legal protection of computer programs 23

N o 925/89 by M r H e m m o Muntingh to the Commission

Subject: Liineburg Heath nature reserve 23

N o 929/89 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Design for Recyclability 24

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No

90/C125/45

90/C125/46

90/C125/47

90/C125/48

90/C125/49

90/C125/50

90/C125/51

90/C125/52

90/C125/53

90/C125/54

90/C125/55

90/C125/56

90/C125/57

90/C125/58

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90/C125/61

90/C125/62

Contents (continued) Page

No 943/89 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject: Coast Watch Europe project . 25

No 963/89 by Mr Rolf Linkohr and Mr Mauro Chiabrando to the Commission

Subject: Early retirement arrangements for officials employed at the Joint Research Centre,... 25

No 974/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Sealice prevention in farmed salmon 25

No 983/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Curtailment of haddock fishing .. 26

No 984/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Flexible fish quota system ., 26

No 985/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Single species fish quotas ;. 26

No 988/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Scientific evidence on haddock catches 26

No 989/89 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject: Food aid programme for the underprivileged 27

No 990/89 by Mr Peter Beazley to the Commission
Subject: The European car industry and the single market programme 28

No 992/89 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject: Tied aid ... 28

No 1008/89 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: The position with regard to environmental protection projects submitted by Spain ... 29

No 1011/89 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Progress made under the specific common measure to encourage the development of
agriculture in certain regions of Spain adopted by the Council in 1988 29

No 1020/89 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: A Directive on arms sales 30

No 1028/89 by Mr Pierre Lataillade, Mr Alain Pompidou and Mr Jacques Vernier to
the Commission

Subject: Nutritional labelling of food 30

No 10 51 / 8 9 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: European charter for the conservation of animal species ; . . 30

No 1053/89 by Mr Bernhard Salzer to the Commission

Subject: Import duties on glass inners for vacuum flasks or other vacuum vessels under the
combined nomenclature code 70 12 00 900 31

No 1054/89 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Extended list of less favoured farming areas 31

No 1082/89 by Mrs Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject: Foods treated with ionizing radiation 32

Notice N o Contents (continued) Page

9 0 / C 125/63 N o 1090/89 by M r Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Community aid for the setting up of libraries for the blind 32

9 0 / C 125/64 N o 1092/89 by M r Gary Titley to the Commission

Subject: Minimum wage provision within the Community 33

9 0 / C 125/65 N o 1094/89 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject: Emission controls 33

9 0 / C 125/66 N o 1095/89 by M r Herrnjose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Number of copies issued of the fficial Journal of the European Communities 33

9 0 / C 125/67 N o 1101/89 by M r Maxime Verhagen and M r Arie Oostlander to the Commission

Subject: National legislation on the media 34

9 0 / C 125/68 N o 1102/89 by M r Maxime Verhagen to the Commission

Subject: Threat of famine in Northern Ethiopia .. 34

9 0 / C 125/69 N o 1103/89 by M r Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Comett programme 35

9 0 / C 125/70 N o 1106/89 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Council

Subject: Community aid for Latin America 36

9 0 / C 125/71 N o 1115/89 by M r Niall Andrews to the Commission

Subject: Notification of the technical regulations by Member States in respect of the obligations

to the Commission 36

9 0 / C 125/72 N o 1120/89 by Mrs Raymonde Duty to the Commission

Subject: Ways of reducing polution from car exhausts 37

9 0 / C 125/73 N o 1125/89 by Mrs C.Tongue to the Commission

Subject: Human rights violation in Turkey 37

9 0 / C 125/74 N o 1128/89 by M r Jean-Claude Martinez to the Commission

Subject: Agricultural expenditure in the 1990 budget 38

9 0 / C 125/75 N o 1133/89 by M r Paul Staes to the Commission

Subject: European quality standards for wine with a view to the 1992 single market 38

9 0 / C 125/76 N o 1134/89 by M r Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject: The right to enter the territory of a Member State 39

9 0 / C 125/77 N o 1140/89 by M r Lyndon Harrison to the Commission

Subject: 'Turnover tax' (Umsatzsteuer) on foreign coaches 39

9 0 / C 125/78 N o 1143/89 by Mrs Pauline Green to the Commission

Subject: Investment in the Northern part of Cyprus 40

9 0 / C 125/79 N o 1144/89 by Mrs Pauline Green to the Commission

Subject: Aid to Nicaragua 40

9 0 / C 125/80 N o 1163/89 by M r Proinsias de Rossa to the Commission

Subject: Homeless crisis in Europe 40

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued) p age

9 0 / C 125/81 N o 1166/89 by M r David Moris to the Commission

Subject: EC medicines exports to developing countries 41

9 0 / C 125/82 N o 1175/89 by Ms Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina, Mrs Adriana

Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent, Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and

M r Rinaldo Bontempi to the Commission

Subject: Council of Ministers and family affairs 42

9 0 / C 125/83 N o 1176/89 by Mrs Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina, Mrs Adriana

Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent, Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and

M r Rinaldo Bontempi to the Commission

Subject: Women and the single market: new action programme 42

9 0 / C 125/84 N o 1187/89 by M r Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission

Subject: Aid for the construction and modernization of fishing vessels and for aquaculture in
Cantabria, Spain 43

9 0 / C 125/85 N o 1188/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Provisions to regulate night-work by young people 43

9 0 / C 125/86 N o 1196/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Choice for workers between a trial period and an aptitude test 43

9 0 / C 125/87 N o 1203/89 by M r Lyndon Harrison to the Commission

Subject: Passive smoking 44

9 0 / C 125/88 N o 1207/89 by M r H u g h M c M a h o n to the Commission

Subject: Attendance of Members of the Commission at part-sessions of Parliament 44

9 0 / C 125/89 N o 1223/89 by M r Ingo Friedrich to the Commission

Subject: ECSC audits — Societe Fiduciaire Suisse _. 44

9 0 / C 125/90 N o 1228/89 by M r Ingo Friedrich to the Commission

Subject: ECSC audits pursuant to Article 60 of the ECSC Treaty 45

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1223/89 and 1228/89 45

9 0 / C 125/91 N o 1224/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Colombian economy 45

9 0 / C 125/92 N o 1237/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: Protection of parrots threatened with extinction . . . . : 46

9 0 / C 125/93 N o 1240/89 by Lord Inglewood to the Commission

Subject: Freedom of movement for disabled persons 46

9 0 / C 125/94 N o 1244/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Child abuse 46

9 0 / C 125/95 N o 1245/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Child abuse 47

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1244/89 and 1245/89 47

9 0 / C 125/96 N o 1247/89 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: The common fisheries policy 47

(Continued on page 60)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C125/97

90/C125/98

90/C125/99

90/C125/100

90/C125/101

90/C125/102

90/C125/103

90/C125/104

90/C 125/105

90/C125/106

90/C125/107

90/C125/108

90/C125/109

90/C125/110

90/C125/111

90/C125/112

90/C125/113

90/C125/114

No 1248/89 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject: Child care 4/

No 1249/89 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission
Subject: Development of the European high speed train network 48

No 1250/89 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission

Subject: European Social Security Card 48

No 1255/89 by Mr Anthony Simpson to the Commission
Subject: Footwear and leather industry trade with Japan 48

No 1275/89 by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana to the Commission

Subject: Child abuse 4"

No 1298/89 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Cleaning up Galicia's estuaries .• 49

No 1325/89 by Mr Claude Desama to the Commission
Subject: Restricting the effect of dairy quotas 49

No 1329/89 by Mrs Marie-Claude Vayssade to the Commission
Subject: European Schools - [>u ]

No 22/90 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject: Date on fisheries quotas and catches 50

No 34/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject: Draining of the Bois-Dieu marshes (communes of Maillezais, Mailledoix and SaintPierre-le-Vieux) Vendee, France . . . . . 50

No 41/90 by Mr Brian Simpson and Mr Edward Newman to the Commission

Subject: Cabin safety in aircrafts 5 _*•_

No 47/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Distortion of competition with regard to advertisements in Commission publications 51

No 114/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Application of directives on public contracts by the SDRB (Brussels Regional Development Company

No 116/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: Tax advantages for the Dunkirk region 52

No 129/90 by Mr Marc Galle to the Council
Subject: Representation in the Council 53

No 141 /90 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject: Equal opportunities and the Phare programme 54

No 172/90 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject: Donnelly report - • • • 54

No 194/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject: Compact disc pricing

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No Contents (continued)

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90/C125/125

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90/C125/127

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 No 197/90 by Mr James^Ford to the Commission

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Subject: Commissioners' attendance at Strasbourg 55

N o 236/90 by M r Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: Completion of the internal market — electrical connectors 55

N o 255/90 by M r j a a k Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Europe's industrial heritage 55

N o 351/90 by Mrs Christiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Creation of instruments to meet the needs of thje disabled 56

No'354/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing, M r j a a k Vandemeulebroucke, M r Neil Blaney,
M r Juan Garaikoetxea Urriza, M r Max Simeoni, Mrs Birgit Bjornvig and Mrs

Dorothee Piermont to the Commission

Subject: Protection of the coastal and aquatic environment of Moray Firth and of rare species of
1 flora and fauna 56

N o 374/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council

Subject: Consultation of the regions on the Tempus programme 57

N o 375/90by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council

Subject: Comments following the i'Heure de Verite' programme with the Commission
President 57

N o 383/90 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: Repetition of the reports of serious threats to the Donana National Park 57

N o 572/90 by M r Alonso Puerta to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of Community law in the Donana National Park 57

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 383/90 and 572/90 58

N o 471/90 by Mrs Maria Santos to the Commission

Subject: Democratization process in South Africa; 58

N o 505/90 by Mrs Christiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Measures to combat poaching 58

N o 547/90 by M r Francesco Speroni to the Commission

Subject: Poaching in southern Italy 58

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 505/90 and 547/90 59

N o 570/90 by M r jean-Marie* Le Chevalier to the Council

Subject: Immigration policyiin the Community . 59

21. 5. 90 ' Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/1

I

_(Information)_

##### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 665/88

by Lord O'Hagan

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(30 June 1988)_

(90/C 125/01)

_Subject:_ Dairy inspection charges

In the United Kingdom, dairy inspection charges have
recently been introduced for farmers.

1. Was the Commission notified of the imposition of this
charge?

2. What information does the Commission possess about
the existence and level of such charges in other
Member States?

3. Does not the imposition of these charges distort
competition between farmers in different Member
countries?

4. Are not such charges against the spirit of 1992?

5. Will the Commission now take steps to make its views
known to the British Government?

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

_(19 September 1989)_

Further to its answer pf 30 June 1988 (') the Commission
can now inform the Honourable Member of the results of

its investigation.

The decision to introduce charges for work in connection
with the enforcement of the Milk and Dairies Regulations
was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food in November 1985 following a review of the
services provided to the farming industry by the
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. The
decision reflected not only the need to reduce public
expenditure but also the view that producers derive real
benefit from the milk and dairies work as the controls

over the actual conditions under which milk is produced
on farms help to ensure that the hygienic quality of milk is
maintained at a high standard. This in turn helps to
maintain liquid milk consumption and thus benefits
producer returns.

The object of charging for milk and dairies work is to
recoup the costs incurred in administrating the Milk and
Dairies Regulations on farms. These costs cover not only
those related to the actual farm visit but also various

overheads and administrative costs. All these costs were

carefully calculated and there is no intention either to
operate at a profit to the Ministry or to cross-subsidize
other services. The charges are not a levy. They are
payable as and when farm visits place and do not vary with
the volume of milk.

The legal basis for the charges is the Milk and Dairies and
Milk (Special Designation) (Charges) Regulations 1987
(SI No 212). Following consultations with interested
parties, these were laid before Parliament on 17 February
1987 and came into operation on 30 March 1987. Details
of the scope and amount of charges are set out in these
regulations.

O OJ No C 103,24. 4. 1989.

No C 125/2 Official'Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 375/89

by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7September 1989)_

(90/C 125/02)

_Subject:_ Legal arrangements for the operation of taxis in
Greece

According to reports in the press, the legal arrangements
governing the operation of taxis in Greece are to be
amended to enable large companies to set up in this area.

Can the Commission confirm these reports?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

The Commission is not aware of the reports in the Greek
press referred to by the Honourable Member.

The management of taxi services is largely a matter for the
Member States. Additionally, the Commission is
conducting an examination of the sector to see whether
action should be taken at Community level.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 409/89

by Mr Edward Newman (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/03)

_Subject:_ Liability of carrying companies bringing in
'illegal/undocumented passengers'

What EEC Member States presently have legislation
fining or otherwise penalizing carrying companies for
bringing in 'illegal/undocumented passengers' ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 November 1989)_

As regards maritime shipping, the problem of passengers
is covered by the Brussels Convention of 10 October 1957
on clandestine passengers. This convention contains
provisions concerning maintenance expenses at the port
of disembarkation and the cost of returning the
clandestine passengers, which must be borne by the owner

of the vessel. This convention is yet to be applied,
although three Member States (Belgium, Denmark and
Italy) have ratified it and included it in their national
legislation.

With regard to air transport, the Commission has no
information whatsoever on international conventions or

national legislation providing for sanctions against
airlines who carry passengers without documents or with
fake travel documents.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 419/89

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/04)

_Subject:_ Potential or real risk of certain baby creams

An analysis of the composition of eight baby creams
carried out for the Swiss Consumer Protection

Foundation has shown that certain baby creams contain
active agents liable to cause allergies or serious illness,
including cancer. The agents concerned are formaldehyde
(found in creams such as Aponti produced by Nestle and
Fissan produced by Beecham) PHB-ester, cathon, lindane
and dieldrin.

What is the Commission's opinion of the real risks
involved in the use of such products. More specifically, do
the labelling and indications of ingredients satisfy the
requirments for products marketed in the Community?

Has the Commission received any assurances from the
manufacturers (Nestle, Beecham, Semabad, etc.) and, if
so, what assurances? Is the export of such products
unrestricted?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 December 1989)_

Formaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, its salts and
esters, and chloro-5-methyl-2-isothiazoline-4-one-3 +
magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate (Kathon CG)
are authorized as preservatives in cosmetic products,
subject to the conditions laid down in Directive
76/768/EEC 0).

In addition, all finished products containing
formaldehyde or any of the substances listed in Annex VI
and emitting formaldehyde must have the warning
'Contains formaldehyde' printed on the label, if the

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/3

formaldehyde concentration in the finished product
exceeds 0.05 %.

The Scientific Committee on Cosmetology has delivered
favourable opinions on the use of these preservatives in
cosmetic products.

As far as lindrane and dieldrin are concerned, Directive
76/768/EEC prohibits the use of these substances in
cosmetic products. They are listed in Annex II under the
serial Nos 195 and 196. The presence of traces of these
substances is tolerated, if this is unavoidable in line with
the conventions of good manufacturing practice, and
subject to compliance with Article 2 of Directive
76/768/EEC.

Needless to say, the highly sensitive analysers will be
capable of detecting the presence of even the slightest
trace (normally expressed in ppm) of various
contaminants in cosmetic products.

O OJNoL262,27.9. 1976,p. 169.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 558/89

by Mr Thomas Maher (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/05)

_Subject:_ Injuries and fatal accidents on the land

Would the European Commission please provide
comparative figures from the different Member States
concerning the extent of accidents, fatal or otherwise, to
those who work on the land?

How do these figures compare with similar statistics for
other work environments ?

Can the Commission indicate the main cause of

injuries/fatalities on the land e.g. electricity, farm
machinery etc?

Answer given by. Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

Precise comparative figures for those who work on the
land are not available. This is due to the lack of detailed,
harmonized statistics in the Member States. At present,
information collected at national level in application of
relevant national legislation, or following standard
practice, includes:

(a) For Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany and
Luxembourg: Data on fatal and non-fatal agricultural accidents in which self-employed farmers
as well as agricultural workers are involved.

(b) For France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain:
Data on fatal and non-fatal accidents involving agricultural workers.

(c) For the United Kingdom and Ireland: Data on fatal
accidents for agricultural workers and self-employed
farmers.

Data are not systematically collected in Greece and
Portugal.

A study conducted by the Commission concerning
existing accident prevention regulations regarding farm
buildings, resulted in the compilation of a comparative
table shown below.

Attention is drawn to the fact that almost 90 % of persons
who work on the land are self-employed farmers or
members of farmers' families. If, on this basis, an
extrapolation of available data is attempted in order to
arrive at global estimates for the whole of the Community
concerning fatal as well as non-fatal accidents, the figures
obtained vary between 3 000 and 5 000 for fatal.accidents
and between 1.4 to 1.2 million for non-fatal accidents.

These estimates were obtained using German agricultural
accident coefficients which took account of work

duration and land surface involved and were presented at
a seminar concerning safety in agriculture, in December
1987.

Analysis of agricultural accident data indicates that the
main causes of accidents are broadly similar in all
Member States (table 2).

These include:

— use and operation of farm machinery and farm
equipment;

— handling of animals;

— falling (e.g. from stairs, ladders, walkways, etc.);

— being struck by falling or abruptly released objects;

— work on farm structures such as silos, manure pits,
greenhouses, etc.;

— carrying loads and execution of manual labour;

— forestry work, work in vineyards, etc.

Relevant information is also provided for the use of
pesticides, use of electricity (mainly fire damage),
respiratory and occupational diseases due to adverse
working conditions in animal husbandry (farmers' lung,
zoonoses, respiratory infections caused by animal dust or
particles).

The abovementioned data for agriculture, albeit not
precise, indicate that this sector is one of the high risk
sectors comparable in accident consequences to the
construction or deep sea fishing sectors. A recent study
published by the OECD ('Employment Outlook', July
1989), clearly demonstrates this last point.

No C 125/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

Table 1

Accident data for the agricultural sector in EC Member States

Fatal accidents

not available

22

597

—

90

99

22

501

8

not available

—

69

Non-fatal accident

4 141

370

198 000

—

49 000

80 442

not available

158 500

1474

2 500

—

not available

Member State

Belgium ( [4] )

Denmark ( [2] )

Federal Republic of Germany (')

Greece ( [5] )

Spain 0

France ( [2] )

Ireland

Italy 0

Luxembourg (')

Netherlands ( [3] )

Portugal (')

United Kingdom ( [3] )

Statistical

year

1979

1981

1981

—

1986

1982

1981

1983

1982

1982

—

1982

_Source:_

All data are based on official statistics reported to the Commission in 1984 or 1987.

_Remarks:_

(') Fatal and non-fatal accidents to self-employed farmers and agricultural workers.
( [2] ) Fatal and non-fatal accidents to agricultural workers.
(*) Non-fatal accidents to agricultural workers (NL) — Fatal (UK).
( [4] ) Non-fatal accidents to self-employed farmers (also tp agricultural workers of the Brabant region).
(') Not available.

Table 2

Main causes for non-fatal agricultural accidents

Percentage of total

Main causes

Use and operation of mobile farm machinery

Use and operation of stationary equipment,
installation

Handling of animals

Slips and falls on even floors

Slips and falls on elevated floors,
stairs, etc.

Handling tools, repair work

Chips and splinters, etc.

Handling loads, manual transportation

Falling and ejected objects

Forestry work

Use of pesticides or chemicals generally

Use of electricity

Occupational diseases

Traffic on public routes

Divers

Total

Federal Republic of
Germany

23

11

15

11

5

7

4,3

4,5

6,5

7

0,5

0,5

0,8

2,0

1,9

100

France

10

8

5

43

5

2,5

8,5

7,5

4,5

0,3

0,1

5,6

100

Luxembourg

15

17

17

9,5

5

13

6

5

_7,7_

0,4

0,4

0,5

  - 1»9

1,2

100

Belgium

19

25

30

13

13

100

21. 5. 90 Officlal Journal of the European Communities No C 125/5

WRITTEN QUESTION No 574/89

by Mr Guiseppe Mottola (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/06)

_Subject:_ US reprisals against Italian tomato exports

Is the Commission aware that the 100% surcharge on
European exports of canned peeled tomatoes was
introduced by the United States as a retaliatory measure
following the EEC's freeze on imports of US meat treated
with special hormones?

Does the Commission not agree that this measure should
have been repealed as a result of its Decision of 13
September 1989 to propose to the Council that a
moratorium enter into force until 31 December 1990 to

allow further scientific research to be conducted into the

effects of using cattle growth hormones?

Does the Commission not consider, moreover, that this
surcharge is discriminatory, in particular for one EEC
Member State (Italy) which is the main exporter of this
product to the United States?

Can the Commission therefore state what immediate steps
it intends to take to ensure that Italy is not left to bear the
brunt of a dispute which will have severe economic and
social consequences?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable

Member regarding the retaliatory measures against the
Community taken by the United States since 1 January
1989, following the application of the Directive on
hormones to imports of meat from third countries. It
should be added that the Community measures reflected
the concern expressed by Parliament. The retaliatory
measures taken by the United States, which involve a
100% increase in customs duties on serveral Community
products, are affecting the trade of several Member States
with the United States. Other products besides the canned
tomatoes mentioned by the Honourable Member have
been hit: fermented drinks, certain fruit juices, soluble or
instant coffee extracts, pet food, intestines for the
manufacture of sausages, and boned beef.

The Community is continuing with its action under the
GATT in order to get the retaliatory measures
withdrawn; so far, the United States has resisted this,

although there is nothing in the General Agreement which
can possibly justify the imposition of discriminatory
import duties.

At the same time, the Commission has arranged with the
United States authorities for a certification procedure to
be introduced, allowing American producers who are
prepared to comply with the Directive on hormones to
export to the Community.

The resulting recovery in trade has persuaded the
American Government to withdraw hams and tomato

sauce, of which Italy is the main Community exporter,
from its retaliatory list; these initial results have
encouraged the Commission to continue along this path.

As regards biosomatotropins for beef cattle, the
Commission considers that this is a dossier which is not

related to the above problems, which is why the
Community decision was taken having regard to the
specific merits of the case.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 575/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/07)

_Subject:_ Conditions on the Greek island of Leros

In the light of the reported conditions of patients at the
mental institution on the Greek island of Leros, would the
Commission say what action is being taken to regularize
this reprehensible manner of treating mentally ill patients,
and what undertakings have been sought from the Greek
Government, both for own-initiative improvements and
to allow other interested humanitarian agencies to assist?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 January 1990)_

The Commission has approved up to now for the
psychiatric institutions of Leros in the context of EEC
Regulation 815/84 ( [x] ) five projects of a total cost of ECU
3,8 million (of which ECU 2,1 million Community's
contribution). Their purpose was to support new small
rehabilitation and vocational training units designed to
act as catalysts for change in the process of de-institutionalization of the inmates of the hospital. This forms part
of a global programme which envisages the rapid

No C 125/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

upgrading of the conditions of living and treatment
within the hospital with the help of Greek and foreign
teams of mental health professionals. The Commission
considers that any individual project to have a reasonable
chance of success must indeed form part of a coherent
global strategy to remedy the situation.

This programme, submitted to the Commission in
December 1987, has not been implemented up to now as
initially envisaged and serious delays have been incurred
in the five projects approved by the Commission.

While the Commission has at all times pressed for an early
solution for Leros, offered its help towards this end and
will continue to do so, it must be emphasized that the
operation of health institutions of the Community is the
exclusive responsibility of the Member States concerned.

O OJNoL88,31.3. 1984,p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 585/89

by Mr Jose Barros Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/08)

_Subject:_ Child labour

Child and adolescent labour is a serious and widespread
phenomenon in Member States of the Community such as
Portugal and in non-Community countries which export
to the EEC. The Community, however, leaves the
problem to national legislation and refuses to envisage
action by the Community, as advocated by Parliament
(see Resolution of 16 June 1987, Doc. A 2-67/87 (*) and
_the_ answer to my Oral Question No H-1035/87 ( [2] )).

In the light of the proceedings and conclusions of the
conference 'An end to child labour', organized by the
'ConfederacaQ Geral dos Trabalhadores PortuguesesIntersindical NacionaP (CGTP-IN) on 20 September
1989 in Lisbon and chaired by the president of the
Portuguese Republic Dr Mario Soares, and even though
the Commission believes that, from a social point of view,
the matter can be left to national regulations and
authorities which have failed to prevent a sharp increase
in the use of child labour — does it not think that this

phenomenon distorts the rules on competition and does it
regard it as compatible with the economic provisions laid
down in the Treaties ?

(') OJ No C 190, 20. 7. 1987.
O Debates of the European Parliament, No 2-364 (April 1988).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 636/89

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/09)'

_Subject:_ Child labour in the Portuguese footwear
industry

On 5 September 1989, RTBF1 broadcast a documentary
entitled _The children of Felgueiras: from school to factory._
This report was filmed in Portugal at Eastertime 1989 by
Mr Roger Beeckmans and Mrs Francine Lewis, and deals
with the working lives of children in the mining town Jean
Paul II, to the north of Oporto. Over 300 shoe factories
have been established in the region, whose population —
adults and children — provide a veritable reservoir of
docile, unorganized cheap labour. The average price for
making a pair of shoes is between Esc 30 and 40 (Bfr 10 to
15). Portuguese law allows children to seek work from the
age of 14 upwards, but there are no checks carried out on
work done at home, and children are set to work from
early age, as soon as they return from school at lunchtime
and at night. Their school results suffer as a result;
children of 12 can scarcely read or write, which means
that not only are they being robbed of their childhood,
but their future is reduced to the single prospect of
working in a shoe factory.

I would refer to my Question No 1755/87 (*) concerning
child labour in the Portuguese textile industry, and repeat:

What measures, both present and future, has the
Commission devised to combat this most serious problem
in conjunction with the Portuguese authorities?

O OJ No C 195, 25. 7.1988, p. 10.

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 585/89 and 636/89

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 February 1990)_

Protection of children against working at too early an age
and against excessively arduous working conditions in
general is regarded as an essential task. Children may not
be allowed to take up employment before reaching a
suitable minimum age and under no circumstances may
they enter an occupation or employment which damages
their health.

For this reason, in its action programme implementing the
Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/7

Workers the Commission has provided for a Council
Directive on the harmonization of Member States'

legislation concerning the protection of young people. At
the same time we should not lose sight of the fact that the
protection of children is a task which above all is the
responsibility of the Member States.

In the Commission's view increased controls on the

application of the rules should be accompanied by
coordinated action between the campaign to combat
poverty, efforts to improve employment opportunities,
measures to raise the standard of living and to develop
educational structures within the more general
framework of action and initiatives designed to increase
economic and social cohesion.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 588/89

by Mr Jose Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/10)

_Subject:_ The Vocational Training Centre for the
Footwear Industry in Felgueiras

Can the Commission state whether the construction of

the Vocational Training Centre for the Footwear Industry
in Felgueiras has been included by the Portuguese
Government in any programme eligible for EEC funding?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 December 1989)_

The building of vocational training centres may be
co-financed by the ERDF as part of the assistance it
provides. However, the Commission is unable at this
point to say whether the buildings of the vocational
training centre for the footwear industry at Feigueiras will
be among the programmes put before it by the Portuguese
Government.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 632/89

by Mr James Fitzsimons (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/11)

_Subject:_ Freedom of contract for professional soccer
players

The Football Association of Ireland is extremely
concerned at recent developments in regard to freedom of
contract for professional soccer players. At present, when
a player completes his contract with an Irish club and

wishes to sign for a foreign club, a compensation fee is
payable to the club in Ireland. If the provisions of the new
proposals are carried, the Irish clubs will no longer be
entitled to compensation, and this will endanger the
survival of many of them.

Will the Commission support the view that the current
transfer system is not an obstacle to the freedom of
movement of players as it simply serves to ensure that
clubs which have developed players' skills receive due
compensation for their efforts?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 February 1990)_

Whilst the Commission can reassure the Honourable

Member that it has no current intention of introducing
new specific legislation dealing with professional football,
it is a fact that Community law in general does apply to
this complex field.

The Commission is currently considering multiple aspects
pertaining to the organization of professional football
within the Community, where the European Parliament
in particular has called for action, and will shortly meet
with the authorities responsible for its regulation for
discussions on this subject.

Thereafter, as soon as its examination is completed, the
Commission will, as promised, be reporting back to the
Parliament on its findings.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 640/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 125/12)

_Subject:_ Community coordination of development
cooperation with Latin America

Spanish aid to development cooperation totalling more
than Pta 3 000 million, allocated to various Latin
American countries in the current financial year,
combined with funds from the European Development
Fund, will enable the recipient countries to carry out
various measures which will be evidence of Spain's
presence in Latin America. Other Community countries
are contributing even larger amounts and the
collaboration offered by the Community as such is far
from negligible.

Assuming that it is desirable to coordinate the aid for
Latin America provided by the various Community
countries, it seems obvious that the Commission should
know both the amounts given by the Member States and

No C 125/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

how the funds are used, so as to obtain the best results
from its collaboration in larger-scale and more ambitious
cooperation projects.

Does the Commission have the relevant information on

the aid granted by the Member States of the Community
to the Latin American countries and how such aid is

actually used?

Does the Commission try to ensure that the contributions
in question coincide with Community policies in the area?
Finally, can the Commission say whether it has made its
priorities in this area known?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

  - " _(13 February 1990)_

' The Commission shares the Honourable Member's

sentiments with regard to a coordination of Community
aid and Member States' aid to Latin America as well as

other beneficiaries.

Annual Member States' data aid at their early or _ex-ante_
stages of definition are not available in Brussels. There
exist unstructured ways for the Commission to be aware
of the volumes of _ex-ante_ aid and their specific
destination:

— the Commission's country desks in Brussels are in a
position to know, when necessary, what other
donors, including Member States, may do or are
doing in a particular country and sector because they
must dovetail Commission aid proposals to those of
other donors. The Commission's delegations are
regularly informed on Member States' aid regularly;

— the European ambassadors, the EC representative
and the ambassadors of other donors meet regularly
in beneficiary countries and exchange data and
experiences on their respective aid.

It is acknowledged that the _ex-ante_ information
available to the Commission is at times incomplete
and untimely. The Commission is willing to begin the
process of systematizing and computerizing Member
States' aid flows to the Community's beneficiaries.

With a one-year time-lag, _ex-post_ aid by Member States is
known to the Commission, broken down by country and
project, and by commitments and disbursements. The
Community, as a formal member of the OECD's
Development Aid Committee, exchanges information
with the Committee's members on such _ex-post_ aid (which
includes Member States' aid).

The Community does not have a mandate to make
Member States' aid coincide with the Community's
policies on its own aid. A distinction should be made
between overall aid policies of the Member States and of

the Community, and specific policies affecting sectors or
projects. In the last two cases, during the presentation of
projects to the Council, the Commission exchanges
detailed views with the representatives of Member States,
asks about the experiences of Member States' aid in
similar projects, and often suggests to them possibilities
for co-financing, if this has not already been arranged.

The issue of aid coordination, and the pragmatic ways in
which such coordination proceeds, has been examined by
the Commission and by the Council in its meeting of 5
June 1984.

The Commission takes into account Member States' aid

policies in preparing its own aid policies. _De facto,_ the
overall Community aid policies are issued annually and
reflect past experiences of Community aid as well as the
Commission's perception of where future aid should go
and how it should be managed. The Commission's policy
proposals must be approved by the Council.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 664/89

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/13)

_Subject:_ Rule of priority to the right at road intersections
in Member States

Will the Commission list the Member States in which the

rule of priority to the right at road intersections is applied
homogeneously throughout their territory? Will the
Commission list the Member States in which the rule of

priority to the right at road intersections is not applied
consistently, or where the local or regional authority can
determine priority to the right, leading to a different rule
applying on a single stretch of road passing between one
authority applying the rule and another authority which
does not apply the rule? Will the Commission list the
Member States which do not apply the rule of priority to
the right at road intersections? Do any Member States
apply a rule of priority to the left at road intersections,
and if so, which Member States do so ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 January 1990)_

The internationally agreed traffic rules, signs and signals
are regulated by the Vienna Convention of 1968 on Road
Signs and Signals, the Geneva European Agreement of
1971 supplementing that Convention, and the 1973

21. 5.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/9

Protocol on Road Markings, supplementing this
Agreement, administered by the Economic Commission
for Europe of the United Nations in Geneva.

The principle provided in the Vienna Convention is that
in States where traffic keeps to the right, the driver of a
vehicle shall give way to traffic from the right at
intersections. Such a general rule may be exempted by
States by means of traffic lights or other signs, taking into
account traffic management necessities.

For the States where traffic keeps to the left this
Convention provides that the right of way at intersections
shall be regulated by road signs.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 705/89

by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/14)

_Subject:_ Last year's unsold stocks of sultanas and
measures to dispose of this year's crop

The fact that 30 000 tonnes of last year's stocks of
sultanas are being held by cooperatives in Crete
(Community stocks) is already creating severe problems
as regards the harvesting of this year's crop and export of
the product in the new marketing year that began on 1
September 1989.

As Greece is the only Member States producing sultanas
for the extremely undersupplied Community market, the
following essential measures must be taken to support the
product:

1. immediate relocation of last year's stocks and full
cover of all the related costs incurred by cooperatives
(transport, labour, rents for new storage facilities
etc.);

2. authorization for stocks to be used to distil alcohol,

for animal feed and aid to third countries and not to

be exported in the new marketing year;

3. immediate drawing-up of a new EEC regulation on
sultanas on the basis of a firm commitment by the
Commission before the Council of agriculture
ministers;

4. increase in export subsidies;

5. granting of the latter for all non-Community
purchasing countries (e.g. the EFTA countries,
Yugoslavia etc.);

6. increase in processing subsidy;

7. stringent measures to control imports from outside
the Community (strict observance of the minimum
import price, fixing of import quota);

8. Community funding for the national grubbing-up
programme to eradicate phylloxera in sultanas in
Crete, as promised by Commissioner Andriessen
during his visit to the island last year.

Does the Commission propose to take the above
measures, and, if so, when?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission is fully aware of the problems created by
the existence of 24 500 tonnes of sultana stocks (1988
crop), with respect both to the disposal of these stocks
and to the normal marketing of the new crop.

These problems, and their cause, are the subject of a
report prepared by the Commission. The Commission
proposal will be included in the new Regulation for dried
grapes, which is in its final stage of preparation.

In addition, the Commission would like to state the
following:

The relocation of stocks with coverage of expenses by the
Community is not foreseen by existing Regulations.

Regulation (EEC) No 2918/89 (*) provides for the sale of
stocks at prices fixed in advance. The disposal of stocks
for distillation or animal feed is envisaged only after
procedures of stock disposal for human consumption are
exhausted.

The Commission does not consider that granting export
refund in the beginning of the marketing year is the most
suitable way of promoting sultana exports. Forecasts for
the present marketing year, furthermore, indicate that
world consumption will exceed world supply, and thus
exports should not face any difficulties.

Processing aid has been increased, for the current
marketing year 1989/90, by 9% in ecu terms and by 32%
in drachma terms. This percentage is significantly greater
than respective increases in other agricultural products.

It should further be noted that, during the last four years,
the increase in processing aid has been 117% in drachma
terms, compared to an inflation rate of 85% for the same
period.

The fact that, despite this significant aid, sultana exports
are exhibiting a downward trend should lead to the
conclusion that the decline in the competitiveness of the
product is related to the deterioration of its quality with

No C 125/10 Official Journal of th«

respect to the quality of the same product of competitior
countries.

Measures to tighten up the control of the minimum
import price (MIP) applying to third country imports of
dried grapes have already entered into force under
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2054/89 ( [2] ).

Community funding of the national programme for the
combating of phyloxera in sultana plants in Crete was
already approved on 5 July 1989 ( [3] ). The programme
totals ECU 54.8 million for the period 1 January 1989 to
31 December 1993, and 70 % of the cost will be funded by
the EAGGF.

O OJNoL280,29.9.1989, p. 40.
( [2] ) OJNoL195,11.7.1989, p. 14.
O OJNoL188,25.7.1989, p. 6.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 728/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/15)

_Subject:_ Harmonization of legislation concerning use of
polyurethane foam

On the understanding that the prevailing British safety
standards relating to the manufacture of polyurethane
foam are more stringent than those applying in the rest of
Europe, has the Commission yet decided to harmonize
existing European standards upward to the level presently
obtaining in Britain in preparation for the single market?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 December 1989)_

The Commission has up to now no evidence that the
prevailing British safety standards relating to the
manufacture of polyurethane foam are more stringent
than those applying in the rest of Europe.

The Commission is preparing a draft directive (based on
Article 100A of the EEC Treaty), on the approximation of
laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States relating to the fire behaviour of
upholstered furniture, related articles and constituent
products; they are consulting the competent departments,
industries and other interested parties in the Member
States. As to the preparation of harmonized standards, a
subcommittee of the CEN T.C. 207 'Furniture' which

held its first meeting on 23 and 24 November, will be in
charge of the problems of fire behaviour.

European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 729/89

by Mr Michael Welsh (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/16)

_Subject:_ Compensation for victims of crime while
travelling abroad

1. What steps does the Commission plan to take in the
light of Parliament's Resolution on compensation for
criminal injuries adopted during the September
part-session?

2. What counselling services are available in the
Member States for victims of crime who are travelling
outside their own country?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 December 1989)_

Following the judgment of the Court of Justice of the
European Communities on 2 February 1989 in the _Cowan_
case O, the Commission decided to initiate infringement
proceedings under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty against
those Member States whose legislation on compensation
for the victims of acts of violence discriminates against
nationals of other Member States and is thus contrary to
Article 7 of the EEC Treaty.

The Commission is aware that this step does not
constitute a complete solution to the problem since the
legislation of certain Member States makes no provision
for the State to intervene as a last resort where the

perpetrator of a deliberate act of violence is insolvent or
has fled.

Accordingly, and in view of Parliament's resolution, the
Commission has undertaken to consider all questions
relating to action in this field, including that of
Community competence.

The Commission has no information which could enable
it to answer this question.

.(-) Case 186/87 (not yet reported).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 731/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas (CG) and Mr Joaquim Miranda da
Silva (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/17)

_Subject:_ Criteria for the Erasmus programmes

The criteria for the Erasmus programmes, which are
intended to promote cooperation between universities in
the Member States., have not in all cases facilitated

^ 1 ^ 0 Official ]ournal of the European Communities ^oCn^Bdt

mobility for students from the peripheral member States^
suchasRortugal.

EOoestheCommissionintend^when drawing up Erasmus
ILtointroduce criteria designedto compensate for the
problems of the peripheral member States^ such as
^geographical distanced and cost-of-living differentials
between member States^ or^ furthermore^ differences

arising from the nonexistent or inadequate facilities for
receiving students at certain universities^

Answer givers by IvirsPapandreou
on behalf of the Com^ssion

rarticipation by rortuguese students in the first phase of
the Erasmus programme was by no means negligible if we
take into account the si^e of that country and of its
student population. E o r t h e l ^ B ^ O academic year^OO
students received an Erasmus grant to carry outaperiod
ofstudies in another Communityuniversity,

Lender the Council foecision of t^ December 1 ^ ^ on the

second phase of the Erasmus programme the two criteria
referred to by the honourable member r^i.e. the distance
betweentheunive^sityoforigmandthehost university
and the difference inthe cost of living betweenthe two
member States inquestion^ were added to the criteria
already applying. Thus^ the new formula for the
allocation to the member States of funds for COperation^
^student grants^which will come into force in l^O^will
be as follows^

^ a minimum of ECU^OO 000 will be allotted to each

member State and

^ the amount of the residual allocation will be allotted

in line with the following criteria^

^ total number o f y o u n g p e o p l e ^ t o ^ y e a r s of age^

^ total number of students in higher education
establishments^

— averagecostof theiourr^eybetwee^thecou^try of
the university of origin and that of the host
university^

— difference between the cost of living at the university
of origin and at the host university.

The Commission takes the view that with this new

formula the peripheral member States^ such as Rortugal^
will be able to step up theiTB participation in the Erasmus

programme.

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

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European Community

The series of complaints lodged with the Bank of Spain by
the Spanish Ceneral Council of Insurance Agents against

various Spanish banks for what it considers to be
irregular and unorthodox practices^ has once again
drawnattentiontothefactthatin Spainthemonetary
authorities must lay down limits for the activities ofbanks
and savings banks in the sale and distributionof insurance
and that at the same time advertising for the sale of this
kind ofproductshould be made more comprehensible.

The Councils complaints are directed against certain
specific banks and savings banks and it has called on the
Bank of Spain to clarify the situation and establish order
inthe sector.

In view of the volume and impact of Community
legislation on the subiect^ could the Commission supply
information on the subject and thereby help to clarify the
situations in accordance with the request made by the
Spanish insurance agents^

AnswergivenbySirLeor^Brittan

on behalf oftheCorrnr^ssion

Mirectives ^B^^BEEC^ coordinating direct insurance
other than life a s s u r a n c e s ^ d ^B^D^BEEC^

coordinating direct life assurance^providethat^ besides
havingaspecificlegalform^ insurancecompaniesmust
limit their objects to the business of insurance and
transactions arising directlytherefrom^ to the exclusion of
all other commercial activity^The purpose ofthis rule is to
prevent one and the samelegalentityfromcarrying on
simultaneously insurance business and other commercial
activities^ be theybanking activities or whatever.Acredit
institution may not^therefor^carry on simultaneously the
business of insurances as governed by the
abovementionedLoirectives^ and the business ofbanking.

As regards the sale and distribution ofinsurance products^
directive ^ B ^ B E E C ^ lays down provisions and
transitional measures aimed at facilitating the taking^up
and pursuit of the activities of insurance intermediaries by
nationals of the member States^ both through
establishment and through freedom to provide services.

C^therwise^ it is for the member States to regulate such
activities and determine the conditions under which they
may be taken up and pursued^ paying due regard to the
provisions ofL^irectiveBU^B^BEEC.

The Commission is currently consideringwhetherfurther
Community measures on the distribution of insurance
products are called for as part of the drive to complete the
internal market.

C ^ ] ^ o L ^ t D ^ m ^
^ 0 0 ] ^ O L D ^ t ^ ^ ^ ^ .
C^oO]^oL^^tmm^^

No C 125/1,2 Official Journal of the European Communities 21.5.90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 746/89

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/19)

_Subject:_ Exhaust standards for diesel-powered vehicles

It is well known that diesel-powered vehicles produce
high emissions of nitrogen oxides and soot. When will the
Commission submit proposals for EC diesel exhaust
standards?

How stringent will such standards be in comparison with
those which have long been in force in California?

At what point will new diesel-powered vehicles in the EC
have to meet the forthcoming exhaust standards?

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

_(22 December 1989)_

As part of the programme of action by the Community
relating to the Environment, further efforts are currently
being made to reduce the levels of harmful emissions from
motor vehicles, including diesel-engined vehicles.

1. _Cars (diesel- and petrol-engined)_

The permitted levels of carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide (HC + NOx) emissions
from petrol- and diesel-engined vehicles have been
reduced several times since they were first laid down in
Directive 70/220/EEC. Most recently, Directive
89/458/EEC laid down new limits for CO and HC +

NOx emissions from cars with an engine capacity of less
than 1.4 1.

The Council has instructed the Commission to present,
before the end of 1989, a new proposal for a consolidated
Directive under which the CO and HC + NOx emission

standards for small engines (less than 1.4 1 capacity) will
be applicable to the other two categories of engine (1.4 to
2.0 1 and more than 2.0 1 capacity). These new limits
should, however, be based on the new European Test
Cycle (urban and extra-urban driving with a maximum
speed of 120 km/h). Accordingly, the emission limits for
cars with an engine capacity of less than 1.4 1 are also to be
adapted to this new test procedure.

Directive 88/436/EEC sets limits for particulate pollutant
emissions from diesel-engined cars. The proposed
consolidated Directive referred to above will also lay
down new, stricter standards for particulates (second
stage) on the basis of the European Test Cycle.

The CO, HC + NOx and particulate emission standards
will apply to new models from 1 July 1992 and to all new
vehicles from 31 December 1992.

The prospective standards for diesel- and petrol-engined
cars will be fixed in such a way that the best available
technology will have to be used in order to comply with
them. In future, European standards should be of
comparable strictness to those applied in the United
States.

It should be noted that the US limits currently in force for
particulate emissions cannot be complied with — or only
with great difficulty — in the present state of technology
and the US market for diesel cars has therefore practically
disappeared.

2. _Lorries_

CO, HC and NOx emission standards for motor vehicles
with a total mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes were first laid
down in Directive 88/77/EEC. This Directive will be

amended to provide stricter standards for gaseous
emissions. At the same time, a limit value for particulate
emissions (first stage) will be introduced for the first time.
The Commission wants to put a proposal to this effect
before the Council by early 1990.

The standards laid down in Directive 88/77/EEC are

equivalent to those currently in force in the United States.
The future standards for gaseous emissions (second
stage) and particulates (first stage) to be proposed by the
Commission will be similar in stringency to those to be
introduced in the United States in 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 750/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/20)

_Subject:_ Comparative letter costs

Can the Commission provide details of the costs of
sending a standard class letter within the EC from each
Member State?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

The table below compares the postal rates charged in the
Community for standard-class letters sent from one
Member State to another. It shows that these rates vary by
as much as 100%.

In the Community context, six out of the twelve Member
States have not yet extended their domestic rates to
destinations throughout the Community.

On a more general level, the Commission is currently
preparing a Green Paper on postal services, which will
give an update on the situation in the Community and

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/13

present proposals with an eye to completion of the
internal market. The question of postal charges will also
be raised.

Furthermore, in order to assist it in preparing the Green
Paper, the Commission convenes regular meetings of a
working party of senior civil servants in the postal sector;
it is also looking closely at the results of the recent
Universal Postal Union Conference in Washington.

Comparison of charges in ecu for letters up to 20 grams

International

destinations

(Europe)

0,29

0,39

0,67

0,33

0,35

0,31

0,36

0,50

0,27

0,32

0,34

0,28

Country

Belgium

Denmark

Federal Republic

Greece

Spain (')

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

of Germany

0

Domestic

destinations

0,29

0,39

0,48

0,17

0,06

0,31

0,36

0,43

0,27

0,32

0,16

0,28

(') The rate of ECU 0.06 applies to letters within the same town; the rate

for letters between two towns is ECU 0.15.
( [2] ) The domestic rate of ECU 0.28 applies to letters up to 50 grams.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 751/89

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/21)

_Subject:_ Harmonization of welfare aid in the Member
States

The legal dispute between the Spanish Caritas
organization and the Socialist Government, which
refused funding for 145 programmes costing Pta 1 481
million — instead of which the organization received a
grant of only 63 million — once again underlines the need
for welfare activities in the Community to be detached
from the political ups and downs involved in a change of
government, and for both the drawing up of programmes
and their implementation to be suitably rationalized and
given appropriate resources.

Does the Commission consider that more of the range of
welfare activities in the EC should be carried out at

Community level in order to guarantee an independence
and objectivity which national politics often make it

difficult to achieve, and to enable welfare in Europe to
underpin respect for the principles of religious freedom
and equality and for society's duty to help bring about the
conditions which are necessary for genuine, effective
equality between its citizens?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Direct assistance to the poorest members of society is the
responsibility of individual Member States, where the
appropriate institutions exist to guarantee due respect for
the rights and principles of equality and freedom, when
appropriate, as set out in their respective national
legislations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 767/89

by Mrs Marie Jepsen (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

            _(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/22)

_Subject:_ Failure to comply with Directive 76/160/EEC of
8 December 1975 concerning the quality of
bathing water

The objective of Directive 76/160/EEC 0 of 8
December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water is
to ensure protection of the environment and public
health.

Rumour has it that only two Member States, Denmark
and Ireland, comply with the provisions of Article 6 of the
Directive on thorough and regular sampling of bathing

water.

Can the Commission confirm this rumour and, if so, will
it take steps to ensure that the provisions of the Directive
are respected in all the Member States and, at the same
time, ensure that users (tourists) are provided with
comparable information concerning the quality of
bathing water in the Member States?

O OJ No L 31, 5. 2.1976, p. 1.

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

_(9 January 1990)_

The Commission has been making every effort to ensure
full compliance with all of the provisions of Directive
76/160/EEC on the quality of bathing waters. In pursuit
of this objective, the Commission has to date either
initiated or decided to initiate infraction - procedures
against all of the Member States except Portugal (where
the compliance deadline is 1 January 1993) in respect of
one or more aspects of the Directive. Article 6, which

No C 125/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

deals not only with the frequency of sampling, but also
with the location of sampling points, investigations of
ambient conditions and the need for additional sampling
in certain circumstances has been or is in course of being
cited in the case of all procedures except that for
Luxembourg.

With regard to the dissemination of information, the
Commission publishes an annual report on the quality of
bathing waters throughout the Community., Reports in
respect of the years up to and including 1987-have been
published so far; a report in regard to 1988 is at present
being prepared.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 778/89

by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/23)

_Subject:_ Danger of cancer from azo dyes

On 2 May 1989 the West German radio programme
'Monitor' reported new findings about the harmful
effects of azo dyes made from aromatic amines on
workers in the textile industry and consumers. Whilst
hitherto cancer of the bladder was linked only to
benzidine-based azo dyes, other azo dyes are now
suspected of causing the disease. Fifty per cent of all dyes
used by the textile industry are supposed to contain azo
dyes. Sweat can cause the dye to run. According to
'Monitor', the Institute of Technology in Cambridge,
Massachusetts has recently produced a study which
demonstrates that azo dyes can enter the bloodstream
through the skin.

1. Are there any legal provisions in the Member States of
the Community concerning the use of azo dyes in
relation to the health of workers in the textile

industry?

2. Are there any legal provisions in the Member States of
the Community concerning the quality of textile
dyeing in relation to the health of consumers,
especially children?

3. If not, does the Commission not consider that it
should submit proposals for the prevention of further
harmful effects on the health of workers and

consumers?

4. Has the Commission included the causes of cancer of

the bladder in its programme to combat cancer and, if
not, will it do so?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

Azo dyes fall within a very broad category of synthetic
dyes made from aromatic amines. They are widely used in
several industrial sectors (textiles, paper, plastics, etc.).

Generally speaking, this category displays relatively low
toxicity. On the other hand, increasing attention is being
paid to its carcinogenic potential.

The International Cancer Research Centre in Lyon has
examined azo dyes on serveral occasions.

— three (Direct Black 38, Direct Blue 6 and Direct
Brown 95) were classified as 'probably carcinogenic
to humans'

— eight, as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans',

— twenty-three were not classified as regards their
carcinogenic properties.

The Centre states that there seems to be evidence of an

increase in the likelihood of bladder cancer in workers

who produce the intermediate products leading to these
dyes, but not in consumers.

According to the information available to the
Commission there are no specific laws in the Member
States on the protection of worker health in the part of the
textile industry that uses such dyes.

Nevertheless, the use (and production) of several of the
basic components of these dyes is in most of the Member
States of the European Economic Community subject to
requirements that are intended to protect the workers
exposed to them.

Of the components aminoazobenzene, azobenzene,
chrysoidine and 2-naphtylamine and benzidine, the latter
two in particular have in fact been used in this part of the
industry in the past.

Between 1980 and 1988 respectively, two directives were
adopted by the Council on Community law relating to the
protection of workers exposed to dangerous chemicals.

The 1980 Directive (80/1107/EEC) O broadly concerns
workers protection by asking the Member States to adopt
an entire sequence of measures, including the laying down'
of limit values, when they adopt provisions in this area.

The 1988 Directive (88/364/EEC) ( [2] ) requires Member
States to ban the production and use of four chemical
agents including benzidine and its salts and
2-naphtylamine and its salts. Member States may
authorize exemptions for highly specific cases such as
their use as an intermediate product. This Directive
should have been transposed into national law before 1
January 1990.

It must also be taken into account that a proposal for a
Directive aimed at protecting workers from all known
carcinogens is in its final stage of adoption. The
provisions of this Directive should apply in cases where
workers are exposed or are very likely to be exposed to
agents in category 'R45' ('may cause cancer') in Directive
67/548/EEC ( [3] ) and its amendments.

No C 125/15
21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities

The Commission would draw the attention of the

Honourable Member to the fact that at the moment 80

substances have been classified as carcinogenic under that
Directive 67/548/EEC on the classification and labelling
of dangerous substances.

Those substances include benzidine and its salts, which
act as an intermediate product in the production of azo
dyes. Azo dyes themselves are still under discussion.

Priority is given to the classification as carcinogenic of
azo dyes based on benzidine and other carcinogenic
aromatic amines.

The list of substances classified is being constantly
updated and azo dyes will be added as soon as possible.

It must first of all be borne in mind as regards the safety of
consumers and above all of children that the risk of cancer

at issue could have two possible causes:

— the use of carcinogenic azo dyes;

— the resistance of the dyes to perspiration, but an ISO
standard on the relevant tests in this area is already in
existence.

Owing to the size of the problem, the Commission will as
soon as possible examine in depth the study published by
the Institute of Technology in Cambridge (USA) in order
to assess the priorities in this area.

O OJNoL327,3.12.1980.
( [2] ) OJ No L 179, 9. 7.1988.
( [3] ) OJNoLl96,16. 8.1967.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 786/89

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/24)

_Subject:_ Health problems due to water pollution

"What medical provision does the Commission require
from Member States in the event of damage to the health
of a citizen of the Community by unnecessary exposure to
sewage effluent in surface water, when that effluent is in
the water unconsented ?

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

_(22 December 1989)_

The existing provisions contained in Community
directives concerning water do not cover the particular
question raised by the Honourable Member.

More generally, however, there are two directives which
primarily aim to safeguard the health of Community
citizens from pollutants which may occur in potable

waters:

— 75/440/EEC O concerning the quality of surface
water intended for the abstraction of drinking water
in the Member States;

— 80/778/EEC ( [2] ) relating to the quality of water
intended for human consumption.

These set mandatory limits and guide values for a wide
range of potentially polluting substances in water. Sewage
effluent itself is not included in either directive. However,
certain substances which frequently occur in sewage are
e.g. fecal coliforms and streptococci, nitrates and
ammonia.

Finally, the Commission has completed a Directive on
Municipal Waste Waters ( [3] ), which is now to be
considered by the Council. If this can be agreed, then it
should significantly strengthen existing provisions in the
Member States with regard to sewage treatment works
effluents.

O OJNoL194,25.7.1975, p. 26.
O OJNoL229,30.8.1980, p. 11.
O OJ No C 300,29.11.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 792/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Mum (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(9Q/C 125/25)

_Subject:_ European Cultural Foundation and Charter

What stage has been reached in the moves to set up the
European Cultural Foundation and European Cultural
Charter referred to in the Communication from the

Commission (COM(87) 603 final/2) and in the European
Parliament's resolution of 13 April 1988 O?

O OJNoCl22,9.5.1988, p. 38.

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 March 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 502/88 by Mr
Garaikoetxea Urriza (').

As regards the European Cultural Charter he mentions,
what the communication from the Commission proposed
was an Audiovisual Charter ( [2] ). This was in fact adopted
by the European Federation of Audiovisual Producers at
their meeting in Delphi on 25, 26 and 29 September 1988.

O OJNoC195, 31.7. 1989.
O COM(87) 603 final.

No C 125/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 815/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/26)

_Subject:_ Specific aid for housing in Portugal

At the recent world meeting of the International
Association for Housing Science (IAHS) held in the
Exponor centre in Matosinhos, Portugal, on the theme
'Improved housing with innovative financing and
technology', mention was made, once again, of the severe
housing shortage and the appalling state of the existing
housing stock in Portugal, especially in the urban centres
of Lisbon and Oporto — a situation unparalleled in other
Member States of the Community.

In the face of this situation and in the context of the single
market, can the Commission state whether it has plans for
a substantial reinforcement of regional arid structural
policies over the 1990s, including, in particular, their
extension to areas such as housing which are of vital
importance for social cohesion, especially in the case of
Portugal?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 January 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the existence of serious

social problems associated with housing and arising in
particular from poverty and the various kinds of urban
decline in certain built-up areas, notably in Portugal. In
general terms the Commission is seekings to make a
contribution to the study and solution of these special
problems under the Community's anti-poverty
programme and measures to combat social exclusion.
Fact-finding work is in hand at the Commission to
determine the significance of housing as a factor in
integration in an urban environment. Within this broad
framework, studies and pilot projects directed at finding
solutions to the problems of built-up areas may be
financed by the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF). In the case of Lisbon, a special study has just
been launched on the protection of the historical and
architectural heritage, funded from a special budget
heading (Article 554) created on Parliament's initiative.

However, the principle of concentrating ERDF financing
-on certain categories of infrastructure, as referred to in
Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88
relating to the ERDF ( [x] ), and on productive investment —
a fundamental principle of the reform — rules out any
direct help with the financing of housing projects.

O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 819/89

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/27)

_Subject:_ Trade in human organs

1. Can the Commission give information concerning
legislation or, in the absence of legislation, the practices
followed in the Member States concerning the giving or
sale of organs by live donors?

2. If there are major discrepancies between the
practices followed by the various Member States, should
not European Community directives be issued to prevent
abuses?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 820/89

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/28)

_Subject:_ Donation of organs after death

1. Can the Commission give information concerning
the practices followed in the 12 Member States in the
donation and transplantation of organs? In which
Member States is it assumed that, in the absence of
instructions to the contrary, an individual has no
objections to the removal of his or her organs after death?
In which Member States is specific authorization required
for the medical use of organs after death (for
transplantation or scientific research) ?

2. What is the legal status of donor cards in the
Member States?

3. What provisions govern the conduct to be adopted
by medical teams if organs are offered?

4. Do legal provisions exist for supervision and
sanctions in respect of hospital practice*

5. Given the increasing mobility of individuals and the
international supply and demand situation in respect of
donor organs, does the Commission not consider that this
question should be tackled at European level, if it emerges
that major discrepancies do exist between the practices
followed in the individual Member States?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 819/89 and 820/89

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 January 1990)_

An up-to-date overview of legislation in Member States is
not yet available but the Commission has requested a
report by experts on this matter.

21. 5.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/17

Consequently the specific questions asked by the
Honourable Member, in particular on practices in
Member States, donors' consent, donor codicils, conduct
of medical teams and internal rules in hospitals, will have
to be dealt with at a later stage.

Concerning the question whether legislation at
Community level is appropriate, the Commission is
examining the possibility of a Community-wide ban on
the sale of organs, which is already in force in some
Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 832/89

by Mr Francois de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/29)

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

measures

In June 1989, the Commission delivered a reasoned
opinion in respect of the Belgian Government's failure to
inform it of the national measures implementing
Directives 85/433/EEC of 16 September 1985 0 and
85/584/EEC of 20 December 1985 ( [2] ) concerning the
mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications in pharmacy.

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

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

matter?

0) OJNoL253,24.9.1985, p. 37.
( [2] ) OJNoL372,31.12.1985, p. 42.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 January 1990)_

It is a fact that Belgium has not as yet incorporated in
national law Directives 85/433/EEC of 16 December

1985 and 85/584/EEC of 20 December 1985 on the

mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications in pharmacy. The
Commission is investigating this case under Article 169 of
the EEC Treaty. The delays noted in the incorporation in
national law of Directives relating to mutual recognition
of diplomas appears in general — as in the case in
question — due to the lengthy nature of the legislative
procedures involved.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 836/89

by Mr Francois de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/30)

_Subject:_ Award of Erasmus grants

Could the Commission give the regional distribution
(Brussels — Wallonia — Flanders) of Belgian students
who have received Erasmus grants for the 1989/90
academic year, specifying the number selected and the
total amount allocated to each region?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

The regional distribution of Belgian students receiving an
Erasmus grant is in the hands of the two national agencies
for the administration of student grants appointed by the
Belgian Government.

As regards the 1989/90 academic year, some 1 380
Belgian students (750 Dutch-speaking and 630
French-speaking) took part in 222 inter-university
cooperation programmes-developed by 38 Belgian higher
education establishments with other establishments

located throughout the Community.

The overall amount allocated to Belgium for Erasmus
student grants in the 1989/90 academic year was ECU
809 500, distributed as follows between the two regions:

— French-speaking region ECU 351 715

— Dutch-speaking region ECU 457 785.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 838/89

by Mr Ingo Friedrich (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/31)

_Subject:_ Directive on the mutual recognition of diplomas,
certificates and other evidence of formal

qualifications in architecture

Having regard to Council Directive 85/384/EEC ('), can
the Commission say what necessary measures the
individual Member States have introduced in order to

meet the requirements laid down in Article 31 of this
Directive?

Can the Commission confirm that through the
implementation of these measures in the individual
Member States the objectives of the directive —

No C 125/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

facilitating the effective exercise of the right of
establishment and freedom to provide services in the field
of architecture — have been achieved?

0) OJNoL223,21.8.1985, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 January 1990)_

Pursuant to Article 31 of Directive 85/384/EEC, several
Member States have adopted the necessary measures to
ensure freedom of movement and mutual recognition of
formal qualifications in the field of architecture.

The Commission is closely monitoring progress and the
incorporation of the Directive into national legislation. It
has noted that some Member States have not or have

incompletely incorporated the Directive and has
consequently initiated proceedings under Article 169 of
the Treaty against Belgium, the Federal Republic of
Germany, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and
Portugal.

Although incomplete incorporation does not prevent
freedom of movement — except in Spain and Italy as
indicated by complaints on this subject lodged against
these two countries — the Commission nevertheless

believes that full and formal incorporation is necessary to
guarantee the individual rights of Community architects
complying with the conditions in the Directive and
wishing to become established or provide services in a
Member States other than the one in which they acquired
their qualifications.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 842/89

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/32)

_Subject:_ Building of golf courses

In its answer to Written Question No 1502/87 (*) the
Commission maintains that a golf course can be regarded
as more favourable to the environment than intensive

farming. In view of this, does the Commission not
consider that the building of golf courses might be a
useful means of restoring the ecological balance in
regions affected by the rural exodus?

Given the great tourist attraction of this sport, for
example in the Algarve and the south of Spain, does the
Community intend to encourage the building of golf
courses as part of its regional development policy,
particularly in regions such as Sicily, the south of Italy
and Greece, where such infrastructures are almost
non-existent?

Has the Commission already provided funding for the
construction of golf courses or does it intend to do so?

O OJNoCl54, 13.6.1988,p. 12.

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

As indicated in its answer to Written Question
No 1502/87, the Commission considers that, under
normal circumstances, the building of golf courses does
not present any particular environmental problems.
However, the Commission does not believe that this form
of land use can in itself provide a significant response to
the ecological problems of regions affected by rural
depopulation.

In appropriate circumstances the building of a golf course
can enhance the tourist and economic potential of an area
or region and the Commission has already helped to
finance the building of golf courses. It is willing to
examine any applications submitted to it relating to
tourist development in rural areas eligible for support
under the Structural Funds.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 843/89

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/33)

_Subject:_ Physical and social environment

What is the numerical size of each Member State's

working population, and

1. What is the numerical size of each Member State's

working population region by region
(Land/departement, etc.)?

2. What is the ratio of Environmental Officers per 1 000
employees?

3. What is the ratio of Public Health Inspectors per 1 000
employees?

4. What is the ratio of Industrial/Commercial Health

and Safety Inspectors per 1 000 employees?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 January 1990)_

Figures on the working population and unemployment
are regularly published by Eurostat in the statistical
yearbook 'Regions'.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/19

As to the number of officers carrying out inspection
duties in the fields mentioned, the organization of public
services is so different from one Member State to another

that the Commission has no comparable information on
this subject.

However, the following information was provided by the
countries concerned:

1. Belgium: 172 inspectors (1987), comprising:

— 33 civil engineers

— 29 doctors

— 47 industrial and technical engineers

— 21 health inspectors

— 42 technical inspectors

2. Denmark: 254 inspectors (1988)

3. Federal Republic of Germany

— 3 009 'Gewerbeaufsichtsamt' (trade supervisory
office) inspectors (1987)

— 1 915 'Berufsgenossenschaft' (trade association)
inspectors (1988)

4. Greece: 170 inspectors (1989)

5. Spain: 606 labour and social security inspectors
(1988)

6. France: 451 inspectors and 2 322 supervisors (1987)

7. Ireland: 45 inspectors (1988)

8. Italy: 692 inspectors (1988)

9. Luxembourg: 17 inspectors and supervisors (1988)

10. Netherlands: 273 inspectors (1989)

11. Portugal: 305 inspectors (1989) comprising:

— 3 medical inspectors

— 3 engineering inspectors

— 19 legal inspectors

— 18 senior technical inspectors

— 42 technical inspectors

— 220 deputy inspectors

12. United Kingdom: 1 165 inspectors (1988)
comprising:

— 592 factory inspectors

— 158 in agriculture

— 217 specialists

— 74 in mining and quarrying

— 124 in the nuclear industry

For several reasons these figures do not allow a reliable
percentage calculation as requested by the Honourable
Member:

— in principle, the figures given are for the number of
people responsible, at least partially, for inspection
duties in the field of industrial/commercial health

and safety;

— therefore they do not include all officers employed by
a labour or industrial inspectorate. At the same time
administrative structures vary so much from one
Member State to another that it is difficult to define

the very concept of 'persons responsible for
inspection work';

— the great diversity of duties performed by industrial
inspectors in the 12 Member States makes any serious
comparison virtually impossible, especially between
countries which have a 'specialist' structure
(inspectors specializing in health and safety
questions) and those which have a 'generalist'
structure (in some states, the percentage of time given
by 'general' industrial inspectors to matters of health
and safety may be no greater than 20 %);

— conversely, it is probable that the figures supplied to
the Commission by the Member States do not
incorporate all those with inspection duties, either
within or outside an industrial or labour inspectorate,
relating to health and safety matters (e.g.
environmental inspectors, doctors, social insurance
inspectors, etc.).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 852/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/34)

_Subject:_ The European cancer information campaign

Given the political importance of the anti-cancer
campaign, aimed at achieving a 15% reduction in the
number of deaths from cancer by the year 2000, can the
Commission:

1. provide a breakdown of the distribution of the 10 000
posters on the European Code against cancer among
the more than 8 000 municipalities in Italy

2. which cities received most of the posters;

3. indicate how many posters were displayed in each of
the cities in which the anti-cancer publicity was
concentrated?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The distribution of most of the European posters in Italy
was carried out by the Italian League against Cancer. It is
the only structure which operates directly throughout

No C 125/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

Italy, through its 95 provincial sections, in the field of
preventing and combating cancer. A small number of
posters was used by the European School of Oncology
during the seminar for scientific journalists in Venice in
May 1989 and for the 'Europe against Cancer' exhibition
(Venice—Palermo—Florence).

The headquarters of the League sent to each provincial
section more or less the same amount of material for

schools, barracks, pharmacists, local health departments,
public health centres, doctors' private surgeries, hospitals,
i.e. everywhere where the message could be perceived
more easily.

At present, the League still has a stock af around 3 000
posters for distribution to general practitioners or to
certain sections for measures winding up European cancer
information year.

More materials were distributed in those towns where the

League has most facilities and most volunteers: Milan,
Bari, Consenza, Palermo, Matera. The sections in these
towns, which are provincial capitals, also assumed the
task of passing on materials to the municipalities in their
province.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 871/89

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/35)

_Subject:_ Collecting tanks for water contamined while
extinguishing fire in chemicals plants

Following the fire at the Sandoz chemicals plant which led
to toxic chemicals escaping into the Rhine, some plants
have built collecting tanks to catch water contaminated
while being used to extinguish fires.

Could the Commission state which Member States have

made such a measure compulsory and whether it plans to
introduce a similar regulation at Community level?

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

_(22 December 1989)_

At the present time Council Directive 82/501/EEC ( [x] ) of
24 June 1982 on the major accident hazards of certain
industrial activities obliges manufacturers to establish
preventive safety measures to limit the consequences of a
major accident. However, this Directive does not lay
down any prescriptive technical measure to be taken by
manufacturers such as bunding or fail-safe systems. In the
Member States themselves the national authorities, by

means of the safety reports on industrial installation
submitted by the manufacturers, evaluate the safety
measures taken on a case-by-case basis.

The Commission does not intend to propose specific
legislation on this issue. Nevertheless the Commission is
in the process of carrying out a complete review of the
Directive and this issue may be addressed in a broader

context.

In the context of the International Convention for the

Protection of the Rhine, to which France, the Federal
Republic of Germany, the Netherlands and the
Commission are contracting parties together with
Switzerland, the safety of industrial installations has also
been examined. The Communique from the 10th Council
of Ministers on the Rhine mentioned the obligation on
the part of the manufacturer to take the appropriate safety
measures where there is a risk of an accidental discharge
of substances dangerous to water, for example this would
cover general retention basins. In the Rhine Commission's
report on the safety of warehouses that have in storage
substances dangerous to water, the technical measures
prescribed include the siting of retention basins where
there is storage of liquid substances and bunding for
water contaminated while extinguishing a fire.

O OJ No L 230, 5. 8.1982, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 881/89

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

 - ' to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 125/36)

_Subject:_ Intensive feedlot method of cattle farming

Is there any evidence that the intensive feedlot method of
rearing cattle (so that the cattle do not graze in fields) is
undesirable on public health, environmental, ecological or
animal welfare grounds ?

Is the Commission considering any legislation either to
outlaw this method of farming or to ensure that it is
carried out to the strictest standards, taking into account
the grounds listed above?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Cattle farming in intensive feedlots means that thousands
of steers are fattened, over a period of three to five
months, in large enterprises, on the basis of feedstuffs not

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/21

produced on the farm, but bought in from the feed
industry. The animals are housed in open-air
confinements. The fattening in feedlots is, in general, the
last operation in a beef production chain, starting with
calf-producing, followed by store cattle raising and
terminating by finishing operations in feedlots, with cattle
moving from one farm to another for each specialized
stage of production.

With the exception of some units which may be found in
northern Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom and which
represent only a very small part of total production, beef
production in the Community does not take place in
feedlots. It is true that not all beef in the Community is
fattened on grass; however, fattening units in the
Community producing beef on the basis of homegrown
cereals or maize silage, the most popular method of
production of beef, especially for young bulls in all
Member States except Ireland and the United Kingdom,
cannot be regarded as feedlots and,, therefore, do not
represent the same risk identified in the Honourable
Member's question.

In view of the very small number of feedlots in the
Community, the Commission has no basis for assessing
and judging this type of beef production. It seems,
therefore, unnecessary to introduce specific Community
legislation with regard to intensive feedlot methods. The
Commission would like to underline, however, that in its
policy regarding beef production, no steps are taken to
encourage farmers to produce beef in large fattening
units. In this regard, it should be noted that the special
beef premium for beef producer, granted in the
framework of the common marked organization for beef
and veal, is limited of structural policy, special restrictions
are applied in the beef sector: above a cattle-stocking rate
of three livestock units per hectare of total forage area,
aids are not allowed for investment entailing an increase
in production capacity.

With regard to the problem of manure, the Commission
would like to inform the Honourable Member that its

proposal for a Council Directive concerning the
protection of fresh, coastal and marine waters against
pollution caused by nitrates from diffuse sources (')
would require Member States to control, in specific areas,
the storage and disposal of manure. In some Member
States, national legislation with regard to the disposal of
manure exists already, which would make the
establishment of feedlots difficult, if not impossible.

O COM(88)708 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 887/89

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/37)

_Subject:_ Food regulations

Many food products including cooked chicken are now
undergoing a new process called 'thermal zone cooking'.

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce
regulations relating to this new technology process?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1990)_

The Commission is preparing a proposal that will cover
novel foods and novel food processes, resulting from new
technologies.

According to the current draft, novel processes would
have to be examined when they substantially alter the
metabolic behaviour of the components of the food or
otherwise significantly after their nutritional value. If this
condition is met by the thermal zone cooking process then
it would have to be examined to see whether the changes
in the food were acceptable.

It is proposed that novel processes will be notified under a
Community procedure and if there would be an effect on
public health the process would be examined by the
Scientific Committee for, Food.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 891/89

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/38)

_Subject:_ Proposed municipal waste water directive

Could the Commission inform me whether under a

proposed new directive municipal waste water (sewage)
discharge into the sea via a long outfall pipe will be
outlawed and will Member States be required to treat
sewage biologically before discharging it into the sea?

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

_(22 December 1989)_

In the view of the Commission, discharge via a long
outfall pipe (long sea outfall) is only a means of
discharging the waste water, just as a short sea outfall is
another way to do it. The question is which kind of
treatment is ; given to the waste water before discharge
through the long sea outfall.

The proposed directive on municipal waste water (') lays
down requirements for secondary treatment or an

No C 125/22 „ Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

equivalent process for all discharges from municipalities
bigger than 10 000 P.E. discharging to coastal waters. For
discharges to sensitive areas, more stringent treatment is
required and for discharges to less sensitive areas, less
stringent treatment may be given if comprehensive studies
indicate that such discharges will not adversely affect the
environment, and the discharge receives at least primary

treatment.

It follows from all this that long sea outfall will not be
outlawed by the proposed directive but that waste water
shall receive appropriate treatment, as laid down in the
directive, before being discharged through the outfall.
Discharge of raw, untreated sewage through a long sea
outfall is not allowed.

O COM (89) 518 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 902/89

Barbara Duhrkop Diihrkop (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/39)

_Subject:_ The,Commission report on implementation of
the Council Directive of 25 July 1977 on the
education of the children of migrant workers

In view of the fact that the relevant data has been available

to the Commission since late 1985, why did it wait until
1989 to submit its report on the implementation in the
Member States of Directive 77/486/EEC ( [x] ) on the.
education of the children of migrant workers (COM(88)
787 final)?

In its report, the Commission accuses four Member States
of not complying with the Directive. Does the
Commission intend to initiate proceedings against these
countries under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty and, if so,
when?

O OJ No L 199,6. 8.1977, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 January 1990)_

Although the Commission's report on the implementation
in the Member States of Directive 77/486/EEC is based
on data concerning the academic year 1984/85, it was
only some time after the end of the calendar year 1986
that the Commission had all the relevant information at
its disposal.

Also, we are in fact dealing with 22 different situations
which needed to be examined individually. Because of the
degree of autonomy which the German Lander enjoy in
educational matters, the mass of data which needed to be
treated was more than twice as big as would have been the
case with a directive outside the sphere of any regional
autonomy.

In March and April 1989, the Commission sent letters to
all Member States, requesting them to update the
information where necessary, and to indicate possible
changes in provisions which might affect the
Commission's appreciation of the way in which, and the
extent to which, this Directive is or is not implemented.

As soon as the Commission has received all the

information requested from the Member States, it will
then consider whether any action is appropriate to ensure
that Community legislation is respected.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 905/89

by Mr James Fitzsimons (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/40)

_Subject:_ Funeral directors

Can the Commission state whether there are any
Community laws relating to funeral directors and if there
are likely to be any changes as a result of preparations for
the completion of the internal market?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

There are no Community laws directly relating to funeral
directors. Generally speaking the provisions of the EEC
Treaty, especially those on free provision of services
within the European Community, are applicable as well as
those relating to competition, as the Court of Justice
stated in a preliminary ruling in its judgment of 4 May
1988 ('). There are no transport licence requirements for
funeral transport as laid down in the first Council
Directive on the establishment of common rules for
international transport ( [2] ).

The Commission does not intend to elaborate a proposal
for Community legislation relating to funeral directors.

0) Case 30/87 — Bodson V./P.F.R.L. not yet published.
O OJ No 70,6. 8.1962, p. 2005.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/23

WRITTEN QUESTION No 912/89

by Mr Yves Verwaerde (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/41)

_Subject:_ External policy on animal protection

What measures does the Commission intend to take to

promote the protection of species of wild animals
threatened with extinction throughout the world,
particularly in Africa?

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

_(4 January 1990)_

In order to further the conservation of wild animals and

plants, both within and outside the Community, the
Commission will continue _'_ to closely monitor the
implementation and effectiveness of existing Community
legislation on this subject, adaptation of which has also
taken place regularly in the past.

A major revision of Council Regulation (EEC)
No 3626/82 on the implementation in the Community of
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( [x] ) will take place in
1990. The Commission further intends to continue to

fund priority wildlife conservation projects out of its
appropriate budgetary means.

O OJNoL384,31.12.1982, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 921/89

by Mr Joaquin Sis6 Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/42)

_Subject:_ Community Directive on the legal protection of
computer programs

The proposal for a Council Directive presented by the
Commission (COM(88) 816) on the legal protection of
computer programs has coincided with the adoption of
intellectual property legislation in certain Community
Member States such as Spain, where the Intellectual
Property Act was promulgated in November 1987, in
order to fill the existing gap in this area.

This Spanish law received the full support of the
professional circles involved who therefore fully
approved of the above legislation.

However, the Commission's proposal contains a number
of ideas which, in the opinion of these professional
circles, require modification.

Does the Commission therefore think that it should bring,
the contents of its proposal into line with the ideas put
forward by the European Computing Services Association
(ECSA) in order to obtain the full support of the relevant
professional circles in the Community, as was the case in
Spain?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 5 January 1990)_

In October 1988, before drafting the proposed Directive
on the legal protection of computer programs, the
Commission held a hearing with interested circles and
conducted an extensive consultation process. The
organization ECSA is one of a very large number of
representative bodies and it has met with the Commission
on a number of occasions to express its viewpoint and,
together with many others, has sent written comments on
the Directive. All points of view, including those of
organizations such as ESCA, have to be taken into
account by the Commission.

In respect of the relationship between the proposed
Directive and the Spanish law on the legal protection of
computer programs, the Commission has received useful
comments from SEDISI, the organization representing
the profession in Spain, on this subject.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 925/89

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 198 9)_

(90/C 125/43)

_Subject:_ Liineburg Heath nature reserve

The Liineburg Heath nature reserve is situated in the
Pispingen district (Lower Saxony, Federal Republic of
Germany). A large leisure centre, including 400
bungalows, is projected for construction in this district, in
the immediate vicinity of the nature reserve. In
preparation for this, 64 hectares of land adjoining the
Liineburg Heath have been deforested and the first
foundations are being laid.

Both the nature reserve itself and the area in which the

construction has now commenced have, until now, been
characterized by a markedly agrarian landscape, and
many tourists have been attracted to this area because of
its rural nature. No cars are allowed into the nature

reserve and it is a sanctuary for rare summer birds such as
the black stork _(Ciconia nigra)_ and the crane _(Grusgrus)._

The planned activities connected with the leisure centre
would lead to major infrastructural changes connected

No C 125/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

with the large expected influx of visitors and cars, which
would fundamentally change the character of this area.

1. Is the Commission aware of these activities ?

2. Has an environment impact survey concerning the
projected leisure centre been drawn up?

3. What is the present status of the Liineburg Heath
nature reserve under the Bird Directive?

4. Has the Commission received a request for subsidies
for the construction of the planned leisure centre?

5. Does the Commission consider these activities to be in

conflict with Community policy for the protection of
nature as laid down for example in the Directive on
the protection of habitats ?

6. What instruments does the Commission intend to use

to limit the adverse effects of such projects on
important nature reserves ?

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

_(31 January 1990)_

1 and 2. The Commission is not aware of the matters

raised in the question. It will therefore ask the German
authorities for detailed information, especially with
regard to the environmental impact assessment which
should have been carried out under Directive
85/337/EEC ( [x] ).

3. The Liineburg Heath nature reserve is not yet part
of the network of areas designated under Article 4 of
Directive 79/409/EEC ( [2] ).

4. The Commission has received no request for
subsidies from the European Regional Development
Fund for the construction of this leisure centre.

5. In accordance with the objectives of the proposal for
a Directive on the conservation of natural habitats ( [3] ) it is
clear that suitable measures will have to be taken if it

becomes clear that the species or types of habitat cannot
withstand, or are very vulnerable to, a massive influx of
tourists and motor vehicles.

6. The Commission believes that the environmental

impact assessment procedure is an adequate preventive
instrument for detecting the possible negative effects of a
project situated in an area which is environmentally
sensitive and for identifying the measures needed to
safeguard the conservation potential of the area in
question.

O OJ No L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
( [2] ) OJ No L 103,25. 4.1979, p. 1.
O OJNoC247,21.9.1988, p. 3.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 929/89

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/44)

_Subject:_ Design for Recyclability

Is the Commission aware of the work 'Design for
Recyclability' by Michael Henstock of the University of
Nottingham, which shows that three-quarters of the
components on a motor car are scrapped rather than
reused when the car is scrapped? Has any research been
instituted into seeing whether this percentage might
practicably be reduced?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1990)_

The Commission has knowledge of the study carried out
by M.E. Henstock, published in 1988, and is also aware
that only a limited number of components and parts of a
motor vehicle are reused when a vehicle is scrapped.

This situation is the result of technical, commercial,
economical and legal constraints attached to the
production and trade of motor vehicle parts. From a
technical and economical point of view, the reutilization
of parts in a vehicle (either new or in use) would entail a
systematic process of the 'salvaging', 'reconditioning' and
possibly the 'remanufacturing' of these parts. Besides the
fact that the industry is not sufficiently organized to
proceed with the 'recuperation' of such parts, the overall
process is not always technically possible, nor is it
economically feasible for components which do not have
a high intrinsic value. From the commercial and legal
point of view, the reutilization of parts poses problems
related to branding and product liablity to the original
manufacturers of the parts, as well as to the subsequent
intervening parties. In this respect, several professional
associations have already brought to the Commission's
attention the difficulties with which they are being faced
when trading 'remanufactured' products. Examples of
currently reused products are starter motors, alternators,
clutches, radiators, brakes, engines, tyres, shock
absorbers and hydraulic components. All these products
are destined for the replacement trade.

The Commission is currently investigating certain aspects
related to the issues mentioned above and does not, at this
time, have any specific opinion on how this particular
market will evolve and whether it should or should not

intervene in certain legal matters related to this business
activity.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/25

WRITTEN QUESTION No 943/89

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7December 1989)_

(90/C 125/45)

_Subject:_ Coast Watch Europe project

What result is the Commission getting from the Coast
Watch Europe Project? Is this project adequately funded
to fulfil its aims? If not, which areas of the project are
underfunded?

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

_(25 January 1990)_

Coast Watch Europe is a campaign to increase awareness
about the state of the environment along the coasts of
Europe and to encourage involvement in coastal
protection. It is run by environmental and scientific
research/education groups.

It is based on a coastal zone survey, carried out on a
voluntary basis simultaneously in several countries — 10
in 1989 — by the general public, scientists, school and
college students, coastal planners and local authorities,
depending on countries.

The Commission is satisfied that Coast Watch Europe is
succeeding in its goal of arousing interest and active
involvement, especially by the general public and school
classes, in monitoring the state of the environment along

our coast.

The Commission granted a subsidy of ECU 25 000 both
in 1988 and 1989 (budget line 6630) towards the
international coordination of the campaign. It plans
further to support Coast Watch Europe, although the
amount of its support will depend on the annual review of
priorities and on the funds available.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 963/89

by Mr Rolf Linkohr (S) and Mr Mauro Chiabrando (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/46)

_Subject:_ Early retirement arrangements for officials
employed at the Joint Research Centre

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1857/89 of 21 June
1989 (*) introducing special and temporary measures to

terminate the service of officials of the European
Communities, the Commission has begun to introduce
early retirement arrangements for officials employed at
the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The measure being considered concerns early retirement
for 100 officials, although the number of volunteers is
much greater.

The European Parliament has been informed that the
Commission intends to oblige an additional eight officials
to take early retirement, although they did not request it.
Given the administrative position occupied by the eight
officials, such a measure clearly contradicts the spirit of
the fourth recital and the letter of Article 2 of the

Regulation.

Can the Commission say whether it really intends to
introduce mandatory early retirement as referred to
above?

If so, does it not consider that it is disregarding and
infringing the spirit and letter of the above Regulation
and the guarantees requested in this connection by the
European Parliament?

O OJNoL181,28.6.1989, p. 2.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 February 1990)_

Before taking a [(] decision the Commission is waiting for
the opinion of the Joint Committee, as stipulated in
Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1857/89 of 21
June 1989.

The Commission will respect both the letter and the spirit
of the Regulation in question, i.e. application of the
compulsory measure is not a disciplinary measure and
involves only a very limited number of staff.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 974/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/47)

_Subject:_ Sealice prevention in farmed salmon

Given that fact that there are some environmental risks

attached to the use of Nuvan 500 in the treatment of

sealice in farmed salmon, will the Commission study the
work being done in Norway with a small fish called
Wrasse, a 'cleaner fish' which pecks sealice off salmon as
this could prove to be a safer alternative to the use of
chemicals?

No C 125/26 Official Journal of

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

The Commission is fully aware of the research in Norway
and Ireland on the use of Wrasse to remove sealice from

farmed salmon. When the results of this work have been

evaluated, it will be possible to decide if this type of
biological control is practical alternative to the use of
Nuvan 500.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 983/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/48)

_Subject:_ Curtailment of haddock fishing

Will the Commission reconsider the timing of any
curtailment of fishing and bear in mind that around April
haddock stocks are at their poorest?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

It is not the responsibility of the Commission but of the
Member States to manage the quotas allocated to them. In
so doing, they may if they wish take account for example
of seasonal, biological and marketing considerations.

In respect of North Sea haddock, the Council and the
Commission agreed in the Council (Fisheries) on 19
December 1989, that Member States whose quota exceeds
10% of the Community share of this stock will reduce
fishing for haddock in the North sea by 30 % in 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 984/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities,

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/49)

_Subject:_ Flexible fish quota system

Will the Commission consider a more flexible fish quota
system to enable a quota to be borrowed from one to
another?

European Communities 21. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 January 1990)_

Article 5 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 25
January 1983 (') provides that Member States may
'exchange all or part of the quotas in respect of a species
or group of species allocated to them under Article 4
provided that prior notice is given to the Commission'.
The Council has also instituted arrangements in some
cases for fish to be taken in certain circumstances in an

area other than that to which the quota in question
applies.

O OJ No L 24,27.1.1983, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 985/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/50)

_Subject:_ Single species fish quotas

Does the Commission accept that single species quotas
are counter-productive and that in fact as a direct result of
the haddock closure more haddock will actually be
caught?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

The Commission does not share the view of the

Honourable Member. It is the responsibility of the
Member States in managing the quotas allocated to them,
and of the fishermen themselves, to minimize the
unnecessary discarding of fish. This can be done by
strictly managing the fishing activities of the fleets. The
Commission regrets that its recent proposals (') in favour
of better quota management have not been adopted by the
Council.

_0_ COM(89) 630 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 988/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/51)

_Subject:_ Scientific evidence on haddock catches

Will the Commission look at the accuracy of the scientific
evidence with regard to North Sea haddock catches? Is it

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/27

not the case that the figures on which the scientists'
evidence was based were obtained from 300 tows per year,
nbn of which lasted longer than half an hour and all of
which were from approximately the same spot? Does the
Commission not agree that research should be obtained
from a variety of areas ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 January 1990)_

The scientific advice for all fish stocks is based on all

relevant information available at the time of giving the
advice. Such information consists of:

— catch and landing statistics;

— the result of scientific surveys, and

— sampling of landings to obtain length and age data.
This type of sampling is carried out by all the coastal
States of the North Sea.

For the roundfish species in the North Sea, the landing
statistics are available for all countries exploiting these
resources. This information is completed by estimates of
the discards in the fishery based on a sampling
programme carried out by the United Kingdom on board
commercial vessels. For example, in 1988 under this
programme 75 000 haddock were measured and the age
determined of 4 300 of these. In the future, information
on discards will also be collected by Denmark and the
Netherlands.

The annual scientific survey specifically designed to
obtain information on the roundfish stock in the North

Sea are:

— the International Young Fish Survey, in which eight
or nine vessels from Denmark, France, Federal
Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden and the United Kingdom participate. This
survey covers the entire North Sea where every
statistical rectangle of 30 square nautical miles is
sampled by two different countries, resulting in 500
hauls;

— the English groundfish survey, covering the whole of
the North Sea and consisting of 70 to 80 hauls;

— the Scottish groundfish survey in which each
statistical rectangle in the northern North Sea is
sampled, resulting in 80 hauls;

— the Dutch groundfish survey covering the southern
North Sea, resulting in 90 hauls.

This makes a total of the order of 750 hauls covering the
whole of the North Sea at varying times of the year.

Data from the market sampling programmes are available
from Denmark and Norway for the by-catches of
roundfish in the industrial fishery and from Belgium,
Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United
Kingdom for the roundfish landed for human
consumption. Under this sampling programme, 159 000
haddock were measured in 1988 by Scotland alone and
the age of 19 000 of these determined.

Scientific sampling of the landings by commercial vessels
can be likened to having a research vessel fleet of a size
equivalent to the number of commercial vessels involved,
monitoring throughout the year all the areas where fish
are being caught.

In that context the Commission would refer the

Honourable Member to its answer to her Written

Question No 1399/88 C).

O OJNoC255,9.10.1989, p. 4.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 989/89

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/52)

_Subject:_ Food aid programme for the underprivileged

In its report on poverty among the citizens of Europe and
the fourth world (the poor in Europe) the European
Parliament stressed that it was in the Community's
interest to undertake the distribution of foodstuffs from

agricultural stocks on a long-term basis.

What are the Commission's plans for distributing food
products from the stocks which still exist to the most
disadvantaged social groups?

What volume of foodstuffs will be distributed to

charitable associations such as the 'Restaurants du Coeur'

(charity restaurants) or the CPAS (public social welfare
centre) in 1990?

What procedure will have to be followed to obtain access
to such assistance?

What is the current situation with regard to agricultural
stocks?

What use will be made of the economies achieved in view

of the reduction and abolition of stocks?

Who will be entitled to benefit (groups, individuals, etc.)?

No C 125/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 January 1990)_

The Commission is required to submit to the European
Parliament and to the Council a report of the operation of
the Tree Food' (*) programme after information on its
first two years of operation is available. The end of this
two-year period was December 1989. Provided the
necessary information is available in a timely manner, it is
expected that this report will be made in the spring of
1990. In this report the Commission intends to include an
indication of the future role it considers the programme
should play.

The quantity of food which may be made available is
subject to the limit of the appropriations entered in the
relevant part of the budget. For 1990, the budget contains
ECU 150 million for the plan for that year.

No changes in procedure at Community level are
envisaged by the Commission relating to the allocation of
this aid for 1990. The Member States are responsible for
designating the organizations charged with the task of
distributing the food and determining the conditions of
eligibility of potential beneficiaries. The Commission has
no information concerning any possible changes in
procedures or conditions of access which any Member
States may make for 1990.

For the main products released from interventions for this
programme — butter and beef — Community stocks at
the end of 1989 were significantly lower than when the
measure was introduced. For butter the reduction was

from some 860 000 tonnes to 36 000 tonnes. The

corresponding figures for beef are 780 000 tonnes and
130 000 tonnes.

O OJNoL352,15.12.1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 990/89

by Mr Peter Beazley (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/53)

_Subject:_ The European car industry and the single market

programme

What steps are being taken by the Commission (in line
with the Single European Act, European competition
policy and European external trade considerations):

1. to negotiate with Member States with the goal of
removing barriers to the European market in motor
vehicles on the same basis as for other products? What
will the situation be with regard to

(a) established EC manufacturers (of whatever
nationality)

(b) Japanese companies established within the single
market

(c) direct imports from outside the EC?

2. to establish global quotas for the import of Japanese
vehicles into the single market from all sources? If the
Commission considers that the appropriate steps are
being taken will they please indicate at what levels
quotas will be set and will they undertake that any
transitional period be as short as is practicable?

Will the Commission please indicate as soon as possible
the likely timetable for the implementation of the above
market strategies? Is the Commission aware that the lead
time planning requirements of the motor vehicle
manufacturers must take likely market conditions on a
five to seven year advance-report on the stage of
negotiations presently reached with the Japanese
Government and with Japanese and other motor vehicle
manufacturers?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

On 6 December 1989, the Commission transmitted a
Communication to the Council on a single motor vehicle
market (').

In this Communication, the Commission expresses the
point of view that it is necessary _td_ complete a single
market for motor vehicles as for other products; all
relevant aspects should be included, and as strict a
timetable as possible followed.

The answers to the different points raised by the
Honourable Member are largely given in this
Communication which has also been forwarded to

Parliament. In defining its position, the Commission has
taken full account of the Resolution adopted by
Parliament on 23 January 1987, based on a very
comprehensive report by the Honourable Member.

O SEC(89) 2118 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 992/89

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/54)

_Subject:_ Tied aid

Currently a number of Member States operate a
restrictive procurement policy, whereby aid projects are

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/29

tendered openly only to contractors within the Member
State itself.

This form of restriction appears to be contrary to the
completion of the internal market. In addition, the
Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in its last
report specifically criticized the practice of tied aid, which
runs the risk of diverting aid away from higher priority
development programmes to priorities determined more
by the needs of companies in the aid-giving countries.

What plans does the Commission have for the
liberalization of public aid procurement?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 March 1990)_

The Commission is in favour of continued and increasing
provision of aid by Member States to developing
countries, alongside Community aid. At the same time,
the conditions under which such aid is provided must
respect the EEC Treaty and applicable Community rules
on public procurement.

The Commission is studying the practice of tying bilateral
aids, with a view to ensuring that these different ends are

met.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1008/89

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/55)

_Subject:_ The position with regard to environmental
protection projects submitted by Spain

Regulation No 1760/87/EEC (*) provides for the
granting of aid in areas which are particularly sensitive
from an environmental and natural resources point of
view or from the point of view of the preservation of the
countryside and the landscape.

What projects have been submitted by Spain under this
Regulation? Of the projects submitted, which have been
deemed eligible by the Commission, for Community
financing, and of the measures notified under other
projects, which have been approved as national aids?

O OJ No L 167, 26.6.1987, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

Spain has not so far presented any programmes for
sensitive areas either for the protection of the
environment and natural resources or for the preservation
of the landscape and the countryside (Regulation (EEC)
No 1760/87 amending Title V of Article 19 of Regulation
(EEC) No 797/85).

The Commission, acting under Regulation (EEC)
No 1760/87, has approved 21 United Kingdom
programmes, 9 German programmes and 1 Dutch
programme as eligible for Community financing through
the EAGGF.

Some 25 programmes were found by the Commission not
to be eligible under Article 19 of Regulation No 797/85.
Most were cleared for State aid under Article 92 and 93 of

the Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1011/89

by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/56)

_Subject:_ Progress made under the specific common
measure to encourage the development of
agriculture in certain regions of Spain adopted
by the Council in 1988

In April 1988 the Council adopted a specific common
measure to encourage the development of agriculture in
certain regions of Spain (Official Journal No L 107, 28
April 1988). The measure was to last for five years, with a
total cost of ECU 420 million. What projects have been
adopted and what is their regional distribution and overall
cost?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 February 1990)_

The contribution by the Guidance Section of the EAGGF
to measures under Regulation (EEC) No 1118/88 on
encouragement for the development of agriculture in
certain regions of Spain amounts, for the period from 1
May 1988 to 31 December 1989, to Pta 8 390 479 000, of
which Pta 4 424 345 000 represents reimbursement in
respect of 1988 and Pta 3 966 134 000 is the advance
payment for 1989.

The Commission is sending a table showing how this
amount breaks down to the Honourable Member and to

Parliament's Secretariat.

No C 125/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1020/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/57)

_Subject:_ A Directive on arms sales

What is the Commission's view of the proposal recently
made by the German Member, of the European
Parliament, Mr Linkohr, that in the light of scandals such
as that involving the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro the
Commission should submit as soon as possible a proposal
for a Directive requiring the judicial authorities of the
Member States to cooperate in penal matters, with a view
to establishing a unified and highly restrictive policy on
arms sales?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1990)_

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council
Directive on control of the acquisition and possession of
weapons ('), which it has recently amended ( [2] ). The
proposal seeks to harmonize national legislation
governing the acquisition and possession required for the
movement of weapons in the Community, with
information regarding transfers of weapons being
exchanged between the authorities of the Member States.

As regards the sale of arms, munitions and war material,
however, Article 223 of the EEC Treaty makes a special
provision: any Member State may take such measures as it

                                         considers necessary for the protection of the essential
interests of its security which are connected with the
production of or trade in these goods, provided that such
measures do not adversely affect the conditions" of
competition in the common market. It should be noted,
too, that the arrangements governing criminal penalties in
this sphere are a matter entirely for the Member States.

O OJNoC235,1.9.1987, p. 8.
O OJNoC299,28.11.1989, p. 6.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1028/89

by Mr Pierre Lataillade, Mr Alain Pompidou
and Mr Jacques Vernier (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/58)

_Subject:_ Nutritional labelling of food

The proposal for a Directive on the nutritional labelling
of food recommends that for consumer health reasons

sodium contents should be shown on labels despite the
fact that:

(a) at the present time the medical profession has no
epidemiological evidence to indicate that sodium
consumption is a risk factor for healthy subjects
(increased blood pressure), as the Intersalt study has
shown,

(b) no scientific study has ever been carried out into the
adverse effects of reducing salt consumption across
an entire population

(c) consumers have no way of calculating easily and
accurately the number of mg of sodium that they are
likely to consume on a daily basis.

In view of this, can the Commission state what scientific
and economic criteria justified the inclusion of sodium
within the scope of the proposal for a Directive?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1990)_

The proposal concerning the nutritional labelling of
food ( [x] ) aims, among other things, to enable the consumer
to make an informed choice of foodstuffs to suit his or

her individual needs.

Concerning the nutrients to be declared, the modified
proposal of the Commission ( [2] ), which was submitted to
the Council on 5 September 1989, has taken into account
comments expressed by a very wide spectrum of interested
parties and is entirely in line with the opinion expressed by
the European Parliament on May 1989.

O OJNoC282,5.11.1988,p. 8.
O COM(89)420.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1051/89

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/59)

_Subject:_ European charter for the conservation of animal
species

Having regard to the following: Written Question
No 469/89 on the conservation of animal species and, in
particular, protected species; the fact that, to date, no
European charter has been drawn up on animal's rights or
the conservation of protected species; the fact that a wolf
cub was recently killed in Italy, whereas Professor Messi

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/31

has obtained the support of the President of the Italian
Republic for an association set up to protect the Italian
wolf, will the Commission at least draw up a common list
of protected species and call on the Member States to
penalize offenders severely?

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

_(14 February 1990)_

Directive 79/409/EEC (') on the conservation of wild
birds gives general protection to all species of wild birds in
the Community with the exception of 72 which may be
hunted.

The new draft Directive ( [2] ) on the protection of natural
and semi-natural habitats of wild fauna and flora

includes, _inter alia,_ three Annexes on protected species.
The first Annex concerns a list of species whose _habitats_
need protection, the second is a list of species requiring
careful protection and the third concerns species whose
exploitation, whether commercial or otherwise, should be
subject to a management plan. These three Annexes are
part of a set of Annexes that form part of the draft
Directive.

With regard to the introduction of Community rules on
penalties for offenders, as referred to by the Honourable
Member, the Commission believes this is a problem which
should be looked at in general terms before proposals for
directives are made concerning certain sectors.

O OJ No L 103, 25.4.1979.
O OJ No C 247,21.9.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1053/89

by Mr Bernhard Salzer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/60)

_Subject:_ Import duties on glass inners for vacuum flasks
or other vacuum vessels under the combined

nomenclature code 70 12 00 900

Double walled silver-coated glass containers from which
the air has been evacuated and which are used as inners

for vacuum flasks or other vacuum vessels (combined
nomenclature code 70 12 00 900) are not being
manufactured in sufficient quantities. Despite this, import
duties are being levied on these products.

Does the Commission consider it possible for these glass
inners, which are imported mainly from India, to be
exempted from customs duty within the framework of the
generalized system of tariff preferences accorded to
developing countries?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 March 1990)_

Glass inners for vacuum flasks or for other vacuum

^ vessels (CN code 7012) have been put on the list of
sensitive products under the scheme of generalized tariff
preferences. In practice, this means that these products
can generally be imported into the Community free of
duty. Duties may, however, be reintroduced by a
Commission Regulation as soon as the ceiling has been
reached.

The Commission is aware that this product is mainly
imported from India, a low-income country. It therefore
ensured that the 1989 ceiling was almost doubled; it will
be seeking a similar improvement in the GSP scheme for
the years 1991 to 2000.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1054/89

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/61)

_Subject:_ Extended list of less favoured farming areas

In October the European Community published a list of
177 communes in the French Department of Deux-Sevres
for inclusion on the extended list of less-favoured farming
areas (Directive 75/268/EEC) 0).

Two communes, Doux and La Couarde, have been
omitted, although they belong to the same geographical
area as those included on the list.

What steps will the Commission take to remedy this
injustice?

O OJNoL128,19.5.1975, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 February 1990)_

No application was made to the Commission for
classification of the communes of Doux and La Couarde

in the department of Deux-Sevres as less-favoured areas.

It is not within the Commission's power to classify as
less-favoured areas communes not proposed by a Member
State.

No C 125/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1082/89

by Mrs Kirsten Jensen (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/62)

_Subject:_ Foods treated with ionizing radiation

What measures does the Commission intend to take

concerning the proposal for a Directive on foods treated
with ionizing radiation, following the adoption by
Parliament on 11 October 1989 of the amendments tabled

by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and
Consumer Protection?

Will the Commission support Parliament's position?

If so, how does it consider that the Directive can be
complied with?

If not, what measures does it intend to take concerning
the proposal for a Directive?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 February 1990)_

In the light of the opinion delivered by Parliament in
October 1989 on the proposal for a Directive on foods
treated with ionizing radiation, the Commission
transmitted a modified proposal ( [x] ) that takes account of
certain amendments proposed by Parliament. This is
currently being discussed within the Council in the
context of the cooperation procedure (Article 100a).

The proposal provides for strict controls on the use of
ionizing radiation in the food production chain. This will
be enforced by the supervisory authorities in the Member
States, in conformity with the provisions of the impending
Directive and of the Directive on the official control of
foodstuffs adopted on 14 June 1989 ( [2] ).

0) COM(89)576.
O OJNoLl96, 30.6.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1090/89

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/63)

_Subject:_ Community aid for the setting up of libraries for
the blind

The initiatives undertaken by certain associations in the
Community with a view to promoting welfare aid for the

blind have had a very positive effect on the creation of
sound libraries for the sightless, enabling them to listen to
books which they would otherwise have no means of
experiencing.

The main difficulty faced by this important welfare
initiative is that of finding voices to bring to life the
contents of the publications to be recorded. This entails
engaging professional speakers, generally at considerable

cost.

Can the Commission say whether, in the context of the
welfare aid provided for in the budget, it is possible to
obtain Community grants to overcome the financial
problems involved in producing sound libraries for the
blind?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

On 18 April, the Council adopted the Helios programme
for the 1988 to 1991 period aimed at the economic and
social integration of disabled persons and the promotion
of their ability to look after themselves (*).

In applying the Helios programme with its limited budget,
the Commission may grant subsidies to external
European cooperation activities, especially conferences,
seminars and study visits in which representatives of at
least three Member States take part. Priority is given to
activities which take place within the framework of an
annual programme submitted by European
non-governmental organizations and which are in line
with the aims of the Helios programme.

To achieve improved coordination at Community level of
activities on behalf of disabled persons, the Commission
has supported, and continues to support, the setting up of
European bodies with an appropriate structure with
members drawn from representative non-governmental
organizations at national level. These bodies have been set
up by type of disability and by sector of activity relating to
disabled persons.

Among the tasks to be carried out by these European
bodies is, for example, the delivery of opinions to the
Commission on the grant of subsidies to activities with a
European dimension. The request for a subsidy will
therefore be sent by the Commission to the European
Blind Union (224 Great Portland Street, London WIN
6AA, United Kingdom), which will carry out an initial
examination of the application and give the Commission
its opinion on its merits. Obviously, it is up to the
Commission to make the final decision, taking particular
account of policy guidelines at European level, of
priorities laid down by Community bodies and the
limitations of the financial resources available.

O OJNoL104,23.4.1988, p. 38.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1092/89

byMrGaryTitley(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/64)

_Subject:_ Minimum wage provision within the Community

Would the Commission list references for all the studies

they are aware of which assess the economic implications
of minimum wage provision:

1. in each Member State,

2. throughout Europe?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 January 1990)_

The Commission has not undertaken a systematic
examination of the economic implications consequent
upon the setting-up of a guaranteed minimum wage.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1094/89

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/65)

_Subject:_ Emission controls

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce
proposals for improving the quality of diesel fuel by
reducing the sulphur content further and what are its
views on this area of pollution control?

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

_(31 January 1990)_

Article 6 of Council Directive 87/219/EEC of 30 March

1987 on the approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to sulphur content of certain liquid fuels (*)
requires that the Commission shall monitor the effects,
applying this Directive. Three years after the notification
of this Directive, the Commission is obliged to submit a
report to the Council accompanied by an appropriate
proposal with a view to the establishment of a single value.
At moment the Commission is working on this proposal
and it will be submitted to the Council by about 1 April
1990.

(') OJNoL91,3.4.1987, p. 19.

European Communities No C 125/33

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1095/89

by Mr Herrn Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/66)

_Subject:_ Number of copies issued of the _Official Journal of_
_the European Communities_

Since it is essential to encourage and ensure the provision
of information on the workings of the European
Communities and above all facilitate access to the _Official_
_Journal of the European Communities_ for all Community
citizens, in view of the fact that legal provisions such as
regulations are directly applicable to and binding on
them, can the Commission say what the total number of
copies issued is and how many are distributed in each
country?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 January 1990)_

The information on the Official Journal requested by the
Honourable Member is set out below.

Number of copies printed ('L' series)

Spain

Denmark

Federal Republic of Germany

Greece

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

Total

Number of copies distributed
(against payment and free of charge)

_Breakdown by country_

Belgium

Denmark

Ferderal Republic of Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

Rest of world

3 000

900

2 700

800

3 600

5 000

3 100

1650

1250

22 000

2 682

542

1 761

386

2 206

2 221

187

2 360

542

720

700

1609

15 916

873

16 789

No C 125/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5.90

_Breakdown by language_

Denmark

Federal Republic of Germany

United Kingdom

Spain

France

Greece

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

Total

598

2111

2 866

2 470

3 831

431

2 475

1225

782

16 789

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1101/89

by Mr Maxime Verhagen and Mr Arie Oostlander (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/67)

_Subject:_ National legislation on the media

1. "Within the Community, too, what practical
expression can be given to the stance by Commissioner
Bangemann, during the discussions with the US on a
European television-production quota, that there is a
qualitative difference between cultural products and
industrial goods and that, for this reason, a different
policy approach which also incorporates safeguards is
called for in respect of cultural products?

2. Is it in keeping with this stance for cultural products
to be protected under Community policy against an
unregulated market economy, in particular by ruling out
the surreptitious legal manoeuvrings which make it
difficult to safeguard cultural diversity?

3. The recently adopted Directive on the media
includes an Annex which should rule out an indirect

approach to broadcasting.

Does the Annex enable a government to legislate to
require a national commercial broadcasting organization
or a commercial broadcasting organization targeting a
particular Member State:

(a) to be established in that Member State,

(b) to be owned exclusively by shareholders established
in the Member State concerned?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(1 March 1990)_

1. In presenting its proposals to Parliament and the
Council, the Commission has always sought to ensure
that Community measures covering cultural products and

services take account of the specific characteristics of the
sector. Accordingly, the 'Television without Frontiers'
Directive (*), recently adopted by the Council, contains a
chapter on the promotion of the distribution and
production of television programmes.

2. The objective of Commission policy is to establish a
'European Audiovisual Area' and thus create the
conditions for fair competition and a legal and economic
framework to encourage the production and distribution
of cultural products and services in Europe. In so far as
the Community Directives required for this purpose have
not yet been introduced, Member States remain free to
maintain and develop, in accordance with Community
law, policies aimed at preserving and encouraging cultural
diversity in Europe.

3. During the discussions in the Council preceding the
adoption of the 'Television without Frontiers' Directive,
the Commission stated that in carrying out its appointed
duties and in interpreting the law, it would ensure that the
case law of the Court of Justice of the European
Communities regarding avoidance of national rules was
respected. As one judgment states, 'a Member State
cannot be denied the right to take measures to prevent the
exercise by a person providing services whose activity is
entirely or principally directed towards its territory of the
freedom guaranteed by Article 59 for the purpose of
avoiding the professional rules of conduct which would
be applicable to him if he were established within that
State; such a situation may be subject to judicial control
under the provisions of the Chapter relating to the right
of establishment and not of that on the provision of
services ( [2] ).

However, the Court's judgments do not allow Member
States to maintain or introduce restrictions on grounds of
nationality, such as measures preventing nationals of
other Member States from holding shares in broadcasting
companies under the conditions laid down by the laws of
the country of establishment for its own nationals.

.O OJNoL298,17.10.1989, p. 23.
( [2] ) ECR 1974, p. 1299,1309, Ground 13.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1102/89

by Mr Maxime Verhagen (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/68)

_Subject:_ Threat of famine in Northern Ethiopia

1. Has the Commission noted the remarks made by an
official of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on the

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/35

threat of a repetition of the large-scale famine which hit
Northern Ethiopia in 1984?

2. Does the Commission agree with the WFP official
concerned (David Norton) that one of the few ways of
preventing a recurrence of the 1984/85 disaster is to
arrange for the free passage of food convoys to the areas
at risk?

3. Does the Commission believe that it is feasible to

appeal to all concerned to arrange for free passage?

4. Does the Commission agree with the WFP official
that, given the situation anticipated, the food aid already
pledged by Western countries and international aid
organizations is totally inadequate?

5. What measures for countering the threatened
famine are under consideration by the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 February 1990)_

1. Through its Delegation in Ethiopia, the
Commission has been alerted to the renewed threat of

famine in Northern Ethiopia.

2. It is clear that access to all those affected is vital if we

are to prevent it reaching the proportions seen in previous

years.

3. The Community as a whole has recently made its
intention to help famine victims clear to the parties
concerned on several occasions, notably in a statement at
the European Council meeting in Strasbourg of 8 and 9
December 1989 followed by a _demarche_ in Addis Ababa. It
asked them to facilitate rather than hinder the transport
and distribution of humanitarian aid and emergency relief
in the areas affected.

In this connection, the Commission is closely monitoring
the situation and is seeking ways of gaining access to the
affected communities.

4. Northern Ethiopia's needs for 1990 are put at
around 565 000 tonnes of cereals and 66 000 tonnes of

stop-gap product. Community food aid operations
already under way have so far provided 175 000 tonnes of
cereals and 5 400 tonnes of stop-gap products. In
addition, emergency aid of ECU 10 million was granted
on 14 December 1989. Community aid to date totals ECU
53,6 million, plus an estimated ECU 40,9 million in aid
from the Member States.

5. The Commission therefore takes the view that at

present the donors' response is in line with needs and is
ready for any new internationally coordinated operation
which might prove necessary.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1103/89

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/69)

_Subject:_ Comett programme

With regard to the projects implemented during the first
phase (1987 to 1989) of the Comett programme, could the
Commission indicate:

1. the number of projects involving Belgian companies
and universities, the cost of these projects and the
number of students involved?

2. the regional breakdown (Brussels, Wallonia and
Flanders) in respect of projects costs and number of
students involved?

3. the type and scale of any assistance provided, for
project implementation, by national, regional or
community authorities in Belgium?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 February 1990)_

1. There were 90 projects accepted from Belgian
promoters in Comett I (out of a total of 1 300 projects).
The cost of the projects was approximately ECU 23
million. However, it should be added that the total
number of projects involving Belgian participation was
approximately 250. It is not possible to indicate a total
number of students who benefited from all projects.
However, the number of student placements involving
Belgium was around 125.

2. The Commission does not have any figures
involving the regional breakdown within Belgium. The
only statistics available in this regard are that there were
four university-enterprise training partnerships set up in
French-speaking Belgium and three in the
Dutch-speaking area.

3. To the best knowledge of the Commission, there
was no Belgian Government financial contribution to any
of these projects.

No C 125/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1106/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/70)

_Subject:_ Community aid for Latin America

On the same day (20 November 1989) two Spanish
newspapers published contradictory accounts of the
special European Council meeting which had been held
on the previous Saturday (18 November 1989).

According to one ('ABC'), the European Community had
restated its willingness to ensure that aid to Eastern
European countries would not affect Latin America.
According to the other ('El Pais'), such aid might indeed
have a detrimental effect on other very important areas of
the world, such as Latin America and the non-European
Mediterranean countries. The latter attributes this

pessimistic view to the current acting Prime Minister of
Spain, Mr Gonzalez, making express reference to his
remarks to the effect that Spain would fight very hard in
an attempt to prevent.such harm.

Given the implications of this matter for the Community
as a whole, and of course for the non-European countries
expressly referred to, can the Council say which of the
two versions is accurate and, if it is the second account
which is correct, what efforts could be made to gauge the
extent to which the non-European countries referred to in
both items would be adversely affected?

Answer

_(10 April 1990)_

The Council recognizes the importance of the profound
political changes which have occurred in Central and
Eastern Europe and will support the essential economic
reforms which are being carried out in the countries
concerned, which are moving towards democracy and
respect for human rights.

Nevertheless, it considers that this effort of solidarity
must not be at the expense of other Community partners,
including the Third World countries. The effort proposed
therefore for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
must be in addition to the efforts currently being made by
the Community in favour of developing countries,
including those of Central America.

In accordance with the principles set out at the Rhodes
and Madrid European Councils and reaffirmed at the
Strasbourg meeting, the Community will extend its role
and that of its Member States on the political and
economic scene, on an international scale, in a spirit of

openness, solidarity and cooperation. It will exercise to
the full its responsibilities _vis-d-vis_ countries with which it
maintains all manner of historical and geographical links
and relations.

In this spirit, the Community will strengthen its
cooperation with Latin American countries. It must in
particular give its backing to the efforts of the Andean
Pact countries to combat drugs, sustain its efforts in
Central America to help relaunch the process of regional
peace originating in the Esquipulas agreements and
support the efforts of the countries of South America to
restore freedoms and strengthen democracy.

It is to be noted here that at its meeting in Strasbourg the
European Council also reiterated its resolve to contribute
to the economic and social development of a democratic
Chile, in particular within the framework of a future
cooperation agreement between the Community and that
country.

Similarly, the Commission has successfully completed, on
the basis of directives adopted by the Council in
December 1989, negotiations for a trade and economic
cooperation agreement with Argentina.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1115/89

by Mr Niall Andrews (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/71)

_Subject:_ Notification of the technical regulations by
Member States in respect of the obligations to
the Commission

Has the Commission any statistical data concerning the
respect from the Member State of the notification
procedures laid down by the Directives 83/189/EEC (*)
and 88/182/EEC ( [2] ).

How is the Commission going to ensure a full application
of the above Directives, especially in the perspective of the
completion of the internal market?

O OJ No L 109, 26.4.1983, p. 8.
O OJ No L 81, 26. 3.1988, p. 75.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

In order to improve the monitoring of compliance by the
Member States with the obligations laid on them by
Directive 83/189/EEC, as last amended by Directive

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/37

88/182/EEC, the Commission has concluded a contract
with a private institute which, since 1 September 1988, has
been responsible for carrying out a systematic search of
the official publications of all Member States (official
journals, ministry bulletins, etc.). A monthly report on the
technical regulations adopted by Member States is sent to
the Commission departments, which analyse the texts in
question.

Furthermore, in January 1989 the Commission adopted
the requisite internal measures to enable it rapidly to take
proceedings against Member States under Article 169 of
the EEC Treaty for failing to fulfil the obligations laid
down in the above Directives, irrespective of the
subsequent examination into whether or not the substance
of the national regulations thus adopted is compatible
with Community Law.

Analysis of the monthly reports for the period from 1
September 1988 to 30 September 1989 resulted in 46
infringement proceedings being initiated against Member
States. In 14 cases the Member States concerned rectified

the situation after receivng the letters of official notice
from the Commission and complied with their duty of
notification. Infringement proceedings in those cases
were therefore closed; the remainder are still in progess.

As at 20 December 1989 the Commission's departments
were still examining 67 contentious national regulations.

In order to put these figures, and the extent of Member
States' observance of the notification requirements, into
proper perspective, the Commission would point out that
157 notifications were received from the Member States

in 1988 and 319 in 1989.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of Directive

83/189/EEC still further, the Commission has decided, in
pursuance of its communication of 1 October 1986 on the
consequences arising, in its view, from failure to fulfil the
obligations laid down in that Directive (*), to publish on a
regular basis in the _Official Journal of the European_
_Communities_ a list of the notifications it has received

under the Community information procedure. This will
enable private individuals, when confronted with national
technical regulations, to ascertain whether the Member
States have fulfilled their Community obligations.

The Commission wishes to stress — as the Honourable

Member has done — the fundamental role played by
Directive 83/189/EEC, as last amended, in the
completion of the internal market. Under the terms of a
parliamentary amendment which it approved ( [2] ), the
Commission reports annually to Parliament and the
Economic and Social Committee on the operation of the
Community information procedure.

0) OJNoC245,1.10.1986, p. 4.
O Article 1 (10) of Directive 88/182/EEC. The first report, for
the period 1984 to 1987, was forwarded to Parliament in
December 1988. The report on 1988 will be forwarded to it
shortly.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1120/89

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 125/72)

_Subject:_ Ways of reducing pollution from car exhausts

In its campaign against pollution the Commission seems
to be contemplating measures affecting road traffic.

In California, every company employing over 25 people is
required to draw up and operate a plan to reduce the
number of vehicles used by its staff to travel to and from
work. The aim is to encourage commuter car pools (Time
Magazine, 27 November 1989).

Has the Commission thought of introducing this
Californiah rule in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

The regulations in force in California, to which the
Honourable Member refers, will certainly reduce energy
consumption and pollution caused by vehicle exhausts.

Measures of this type are to be applauded but are not
likely to be taken at Community level. The Commission
none the less plans to encourage initiatives of this type by
national, regional and local authorities, which are in a
position to draw up regulations suitable for the areas
under their administration.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1125/89

by Mrs C. Tongue (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/73)

_Subject:_ Human rights violation in Turkey

In the light of recent incidents where EC subjects living in
Turkey, such as Alison Burch of Bakirkoy, Istanbul, have
been harassed and arrested for taking part in Christian
services, what reassurances can the Commission give that
Turkey's application for EC membership will not proceed
while violations of human rights continue?

No C 125/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1990)_

In the Opinion adopted on 18 December 1989 on
Turkey's formal request to become a full member of the
European Community, the Commission stated that it
considered it would not be wise to open negotiations for
the accession of any candidate country until the
Community could be assured that the objectives of
strengthening its internal integration, envisaged in the
Single European Act, had been attained i.e. until 1993 at
the earliest — apart from exceptional circumstances.

In the particular case of Turkey, the Commission also
gave its assessment that not merely was there at present an
insurmountable gulf between the EC and Turkey in levels
of economic and social development, but that certain
political problems could not be overlooked, amongst
which was respect for human rights and the rights of
minorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1128/89

by Mr Jean-Claude Martinez (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/74)

_Subject:_ Agricultural expenditure in the 1990 budget

The decisions taken at Fontainebleau concerning
budgetary discipline and multiannual ceilings for
agricultural expenditure have achieved a reduction in the
agriculture budget.

1. Does the Commission envisage any transfers between
the EAGGF Guidance and Guarantee Sections?

2. Given the agricultural surplus in the 1989 budget
(ECU 4 million) and the optimistic outlook for 1990
(almost ECU 9 billion), does the Commission plan to
ease the budgetary and economic constraints on
Community farmers and use part of these surpluses to
assist small farmers adversely affected by quotas and
other stabilizers?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 February 1990)_

The Decisions taken by the European Council in Brussels
on 11 and 12 February regarding budgetary discipline and
the financial perspectives, which replaced those of

Fontainebleau, introduced expenditure ceilings for the
various Community policies.

The appropriations for the EAGGF Guidance Section
now fall within the maximum amounts laid down for the

structural Funds and must be viewed separately from
EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure and estimates.

Provisional expenditure for the EAGGF Guarantee
Section in 1989 is about ECU 4 billion below the

agricultural guideline. But the Honourable Member
should not overlook the fact that the appropriations
lapsing in the 1989 budget totalled no more than about
ECU 1.3 billion, particularly because of transfers to the
monetary reserve. It is estimated that, in relation to the
agricultural guideline, the 1990 budget margin is ECU
4 108 billion.

The fact that EAGGF Guarantee expenditure in 1989 and
1990 has been below the maximum amounts laid down in

the financial perspectives is due partly to the reform of the
CAP undertaken in recent years and partly to cyclical
factors (world prices, ECU/$ parity) which have helped
to keep agricultural spending down.

For small farmers the Community has introduced several
measures to lessen the impact of quotas and stabilizers;
some income aid programmes for rural areas have been
adopted. Finally, the Commission included a specific
programme of measures for rural development in its
recent farm price proposals. Their purpose is to ease the
economic constraints to which the Honourable Member

refers.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1133/89

by Mr Paul Staes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/75)

_Subject:_ European quality standards for wine with a view
to the 1992 single market

I have been informed that discussions are currently being
held at which proposals are circulating, with regard to the
European wine sector and the 1992 single market, that the
minimum number of vinestocks per hectare should, for
reasons of quality, be set at 4 500. Producers failing to
meet this requirement will no longer be entitled to their
appellation.

Are these reports true and, if so, what connection can
there possibly be between a minium number of vinestocks
per hectare and quality standards given that, for many
years, wine producers have had no difficulty in obtaining
appellations for their wines on the basis of anonymous
tests?

No C 125/39
21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1990)_

The Commission has no knowledge of any intention by
Member States to set a minimum of 4 500 vinestocks per
hectare in connection with the advent of the 1992 single
market.

Under Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 823/87 O the
Member States are responsible for adopting provisions on
the wine-growing methods required to ensure that quality
wines produced in specified regions are of optimum
quality. It is in fact more practical for wine-grbwing
methods to be determined by the Member States rather
than by Community provisions, since it is necessary to
take account of regional and local factors such as the
nature of the soil.

O OJ No L 84, 27. 3.1987, p. 59.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1134/89

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 19990)_

(90/C 125/76)

_Subject:_ The right to enter the territory of a Member

State

Which Member States operate schemes whereby airlines
or shipping lines may be penalized for transporting
passengers without valid entry documentation?

In the Commission's view, are such schemes compatible
with Community and international law, bearing in mind
that the operation of these schemes can result in the
exercise of the right by a Community national to enter a
Member State (including his own) being subject to the
decision of an airline employee located on the territory of
the Member State of departure ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 February 1990)_

For information on the national laws of the Member

States in this field, the Honourable Member is asked to
refer to the Commission's answer to Written Question
No 409/89 by Mr Edward Newman (').

The Commission considers that any national provision of
a Member State which penalizes shipping lines, airlines or
other carriers for transporting to the frontiers of that
State persons not in possession of the required travel
documents is compatible with Community law.

It should be noted in this connection that the Community
law in force (Article 3 (1) of Directive 68/360/EEC ( [2] );
Article 3 (1) of Directive 73/148/EEC ( [3] )) requires
Member States to grant those entitled to move freely right
of entry to their territory simply on production of a valid
identity card or passport. Member States may therefore,
at their frontiers, require one of those documents to be
produced and refuse entry to anyone not in possession of
the necessary documentation.

(') See page 2 of this Official Journal.
O OJNoL257,19.10.1968, p. 13.
O OJNoL172,28.6. 1973, p. 14.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1140/89

by Mr Lyndon Harrison (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(IV January 1990)_

(90/C 125/77)

_Subject:_ 'Turnover tax' (Umsatzsteuer) on foreign
coaches

In the Federal Republic of Germany a 'Turnover tax'
(Umsatzsteuer) is imposed on foreign motor coaches
using roads in the territory of the FRG and West Berlin.
This tax is not only time consuming but is also financially
punitive to coach operators many of whom try to provide
budget travel for schools.

Could the Commission inform the Parliament whether

any such tax is imposed by any other EC Member State? Is
the Commission of the opinion that this tax is both
contrary to the principle of free movement within the
Community and a breach of fair competition between
alternative forms of travel in the EC?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _March 1990)_

The place where transport services are supplied is defined
by Article 9 (2) (b) of the Sixth VAT Directive O as the
place where transport takes place, having regard to the
distances covered.

Under that provision, Member States have the right to
charge VAT on passenger transport services supplied for
payment on their territory.

However, Article 28 (3) (b) of the Sixth Directive
authorizes the Member States to continue to exempt the
activities set out in Annex F under conditions existing in
the Member State concerned. Point 17 of Annex F covers

passenger transport.

Accordingly, the measure referred to by the Honourable
Member is in conformity with Community law.

No C 125/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

At present a number of Member States apply the same
provisions as the Federal Republic of Germany, in
conformity with the Sixth VAT Directive. The definitive
arrangements to be adopted in the internal market are
referred to in Article 28 (5) of the Sixth Directive, which
specifies that passenger transport will be taxed in the
country of departure for that part of the journey taking
place within the Community according to the detailed
rules of procedure still to be adopted by the Council.
Hence transport within the Community will be taxed on
the same basis as national transport. Article 28 makes no
distinction between different modes of transport.

O OJNoLl45,13.6.1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1143/89

by Mrs Pauline Green (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/78)

_Subject:_ Investment in the Northern part of Cyprus

Will the Commission issue advice to Member States and

firms within the European Community as regards
investments or work projects out for tender for or on
behalf of the so-called Turkish Cypriot State?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 February 1990)_

The Financial Protocols between the Community and
Cyprus benefit the whole population of the island but are
signed with the only legitimate government of the
Republic of Cyprus. Moreover, all the financing
agreements for specific projects (even those containing
actions to be implemented in the occupied territories) are
signed and approved only by the Community and the
Republic of Cyprus.

Within this framework, the Commission follows its
normal tender procedures for investments or work
projects in third Mediterranean countries.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1144/89

by Mrs Pauline Green (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/79)

_Subject:_ Aid to Nicaragua

Can the Commission detail the breakdown in European
Community aid in absolute amounts to Nicaragua for

1990? In particular, the amounts to be devoted to
development aid; support for refugees and support in
terms of food aid ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

Funds from the budget intended for cooperation with
Central American countries are allocated during the year
on a case-by-case basis according to project feasibility,
not broken down indicatively by country. However, the
Commission sees that the allocation of funds by country
is balanced out over a given period, rather than annually.

It would therefore be premature at this stage to supply
estimated figures by country for 1990.

For 1989, however, the main items of Community
spending on cooperation with Nicaragua (') are: food aid
(ECU 11,5 million), repatriation aid for refugees or
displaced persons (ECU 1,49 million), aid through NGOs
(ECU 4,4 million), trade promotion (ECU 0,2 million)
and support for preparations for elections (ECU 0,5
million), i.e. a total of ECU 18,1 million).

There was no bilateral financial and technical cooperation
with Nicaragua last year, though the country was
included in regional operations, such as support for small
businesses or other regional projects still underway,
including food security, combating infant mortality and
health cooperatives. It will also be involved in the project
to revive regional trade in Central America, approved by
the Commission in November 1989, the first part of
which takes the form of a Central American regional
payments system and will enter into force this year.

(') Provisional estimates.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1163/89

by Mr Proinsias de Rossa (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/80)

_Subject:_ Homeless crisis in Europe

In the light of the growing numbers of homeless people in
the EC (now put at three million by Feantsa — the
European Federation of National Organizations working
with the Homeless) and the increasing dilution of citizens'
rights in successive drafts of the Social Charter, can the

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/41

Commission state what steps it is taking to draft minimal
legal entitlement to shelter and food in Member States?

Can the Commission state how many Member States
already have legislation enshrining these rights?

Can the Commission state what reports, if any, it has
drawn up on homelessness in the light of the 1987 report
of the European Parliament on the rights of the homeless
and in the light of the information supplied from EC
funded seminars held on the homeless problem in Cork,
1985, Vierset 1986, Turin 1987 and Paris 1989?

Finally, can the Commission state what arrangements, if
any, have been made to arrange funding for Feantsa once
its current allocation runs out on 31 December 1989?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission is giving particular attention to the
question of the homeless and, more generally, of persons
in major difficulties, especially by the promotion of
operations such as the third programme for the economic
and social integration of disadvantaged economically and
socially disadvantaged persons.

The rights referred to by the Honourable Member fall
within the competence of the Member States. However,
the Council meeting on social affairs adopted, on 29
September 1989, a Resolution ( [x] ) on social exclusion in
which it stressed that 'the existence of a series of measures

guaranteeing adequate aid and resources adapted to the
situation of each individual is a fundamental factor in

combating social exclusion'.

Furthermore, the Community Charter ( [2] ) of fundamental
social rights of workers states that 'persons who have
been unable either to enter or re-enter the labour market

and who are no longer eligible for unemployment benefit,
must be able to receive a minimum income and

appropriate social assistance'.

In its action programme relating to the implementation
of the Charter ( [3] ), the Commission included a
Recommendation on joint criteria relating to adequate
resources and benefits in social protection schemes,
taking the view that it is necessary that at least one
Community initiative be aimed, in a spirit of solidarity, at
the Community's most disadvantaged citizens.

The Commission has no information on national

legislation specifically concerned with the right to shelter
and food for the most disadvantaged.

The Commission has held several seminars on the

question of the homeless, the reports on which represent a
significant contribution to the improvement of knowledge
about the size of this problem in Europe.

At the same time, the Commission has undertaken a
feasibility study on observation of the situation of the
homeless in Europe, the report on which will be available
in the near future, and recently financed a hearing and a
seminar of homeless young persons. The question of the
homeless will also be tackled in the final report which the
Commission will present to the Council and to Parliament
at the end of 1990 at the conclusion of the second

European programme to combat poverty.

More generally, this question is also examined as part of
exploratory thoughts about low-cost housing.

The Commission granted aid to Feantsa for the period
from 15 December 1988 to 28 February 1990. Future
support for this body is currently under study by the
departments concerned in conjunction with officials of
that Federation as part of a specific work programme and
in relation to other activities supported by the
Commission in the context of the programme for the
economic and social integration of the economically and
socially most disadvantaged groups of persons.

O OJ No C 277, 31.10.1989, p. 1.
O COM(89) 471 final.
O COM(89) 568 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1166/89

by Mr David Moris (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/81)

_Subject:_ EC medicines exports to developing countries

Pharmaceutical products which fail to reach the
Community's own standards of safety and efficiency are
regularly exported from EC Member States to the Third
World.

The previous European Parliament sought to amend
legislation on proprietary medicinal products in order to
prevent this exploitation of Third World nations. The
Commission in refusing to accept the amendments, said
that they could not 'accept within the framework of the
internal market provisions which concern exports'.

1. Does the Commission recognize the shameful double
standards employed by some drug manufacturers in
their dealings with developing nations?

2. Does the Commission intend to introduce new

legislation to prohibit the export of products which
are banned, withdrawn or subject to special restriction
within the Community unless authorities within the

No C 125/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

importing country specifically request the product,
having been first fully informed of the controls on its
use in Europe?

3. Does the Commission intend to take any other action
to ensure that the European drug industry does not
profit by providing the peoples of the Third World
with second class standards for medicines?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Council Directive 89/341/EEC of 3 May 1989 O
contains several provisions relating to the quality of
pharmaceutical products exported from the Community
and the certification of the approved conditions of use of
these products within the Community.

These requirements are intended to implement new
arrangements agreed by the World Health Organization
into Community legislation.

During its second reading in April 1989, the Parliament
approved this Directive without amendment. During the
5th International Conference of Drug Regulatory
Authorities, held in Paris on 12 and 13 October 1989,
these new provisions were welcomed by representatives of
the developing countries.

The Commission does not consider that any further
legislative initiative is necessary at present, although it will
keep the situation under review in the light of practical
experience resulting from the implementation of these

measures.

O OJNoL142,25.5.1989, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1175/89

by Ms Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina,
Mrs Adriana Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent,

Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and

Mr Rinaldo Bontempi (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/82)

_Subject:_ Council of Ministers and family affairs

Can the Commission confirm that a meeting is soon to be
held by the Council of Ministers on questions relating to
the family? If so, will it submit proposals of its own and
what will be the content of these proposals?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

On the basis of the Commission's Communication on

family policies ('), of 8 August 1989, the Council and the

Ministers for family affairs meeting within the Council
have adopted — on 29 September 1989 — a number of
conclusions concerning family policy ( [2] ).

On the basis of these guidelines a working programme
will be drawn up together with a group of senior officials
responsible for family affairs and bodies representing
family interests at Community level, who will be regularly
consulted under the abovementioned conclusions.

In view of the above it is therefore up to the Council to
decide when the next Council meeting on family affairs
should take place.

O COM(89) 363 final.
O OJ No C 277, 31.10.1989, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1176/89

by Mrs Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina,
Mrs Adriana Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent,

Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and

Mr Rinaldo Bontempi (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/83)

_Subject:_ Women and the single market: new action

programme

When will the Commission present to the Committee on
Women's Rights the guidelines on which it intends to base
the new action programme, with particular reference to
the establishment of the single market?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

The Commission is currently preparing its third Action
Programme and the main outline of its strategy for
priority actions in favour of equal opportunities. This
third programme will reflect the new context of the
internal market, as well as the Commission's
Communication on the charter of fundamental social

rights ('). Meetings will be held in the first six months of
1990 with all interested parties.

As soon as this programme has been drawn up — in the
course of 1990 — it will of course be submitted to the

appropriate Parliamentary bodies.

O COM(89) 568 final, Article 8 (b), p. 36.

21. 5.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/43

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1187/89

by Mr Jesus Cabezdn Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/84)

_Subject:_ Aid for the construction and modernization of
fishing vessels and for aquaculture in Cantabria,
Spain

In early November 1989 the Commission granted
financial aid for 452 projects for the construction and
modernization of fishing vessels and aquaculture projects.

Do any of these projects apply to the Autonomous
Community of Cantabria, Spain?

If so, which specific projects have received financial aid,
and how much?

If not, which projects have requested financial aid and on
what grounds has such been refused?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 of 18
December 1986 (') five projects in Cantabria were
selected for assistance from the second tranche for 1989,
the total aid amound approved being ECU 186 492.

Four of the five projects are for the modernization of
fishing vessels and the fifth for the modernization of an

- aquaculture unit.

The Commission will send the Honourable Member and

Parliament's Secretariat a detailed list of the projects in
Cantabria approved for financing in 1989 (both tranches).

O OJ No L 376, 31.12.1986, p. 7.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1188/89

by Mr Jos6 Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/85)

_Subject:_ Provisions to regulate night-work by young
people

Does the Commission consider it necessary to establish a
legal instrument to prohibit night-work by young people
below the age of 18 ?

Answer given by Ms Papandreou
on behalf of the Community

_(9 February 1990)_

As announced in its action programme of 29 November
1989 (') the Commission will present a proposal for a
Directive on approximation of the laws of the Member
States on the protection of young people. In this context,
it will deal with the ban on night work for young people,
with the exception of a number of specific occupations.

O COM(89) 586 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1196/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/86)

_Subject:_ Choice for workers between a trial period and an
aptitude test

Does the Commission not feel that, because of differences
in the duration and content of vocational training courses
between the Community countries, migrant workers
should be offered the choice between a trial period and an
aptitude test?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

The Honourable Member appears to be referring to the
position of the Commission regarding the choice of a
Community worker exercising his/her right to free
movement within the Community, between a trial period
and an aptitude test with a view to furnishing proof and
training required for taking up a regulated occupation.

If this is indeed the object of the Honourable Member's
question we would refer him to the Council Directive on a
general system for the recognition of higher educaton
diplomas awarded on completion of professional
education and training of at least three years duration (')
which was adopted on 21 December 1988. This Directive
— which defines the concept of trial periods and aptitude
tests — will take effect on 4 January 1991.

Article 4 (1) (b) deals with the worker's choice between a
trial period or aptitude test where the host Member State
offers this choice under certain conditions.

O OJ No L 19, 24.1.1989.

No C 125/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1203/89

by Mr Lyndon Harrison (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/87)

_Subject:_ Passive smoking

Tobacco smoke affects not only people who smoke but
also people who are exposed to the combustion products
coming from others' tobacco. Such people are referred to
as passive or involuntary smokers.

That passive smoking gives rise to an increased risk of
cancer is now well accepted, and supported by
epidemiological studies, though the size of the effect
under different circumstances of exposure remains to be
estimated accurately.

In view of these findings and the unacceptable situation
that people should become unhealthy and/or increase the
risk of death by other people's negligence, will the
European Commission be presenting any proposals aimed
at reducing passive smoking in EC Member States?

Such proposals would best be presented by 1992, the year
in which the WHO's second five-year Action Plan is
expected to commence.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission is well aware of the problem of
involuntary or passive smoking. It has taken the initiative,
within the framework of the Europe Against Cancer
Programme, of proposing some guidelines for a
recommendation on the subject ( [x] ).

On 18 July 1989, a Resolution of the Council and the
Ministers of Health meeting within the Council ( [2] ) on the
banning of smoking in places open to the public was
adopted on the basis of the Commission's proposal.

The Resolution invites the Member States to:

— ban smoking in the public and private establishments
listed in the Annex;

— extend the ban to all forms of public transport;

— reserve clearly-defined areas for smokers;

— establish a general principle: in the case of conflict,
the right to health of non-smokers prevails over the
right of smokers to smoke.

Member States should inform the Commission every two
years of actions taken in response to the Resolution. The
Commission will ensure an attentive follow-up of the
national dispositions to be implemented on the subject, as

is already manifested to the European Parliament on 15
September 1989 ( [J] ).

O COM(88)647final.
O OJNoC 189,26.7.1989, p. 1.
( [3] ) Debates of the European Parliament No 2-380 (September
1989).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1207/89

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/88)

_Subject:_ Attendance of Members of the Commission at
part-sessions of Parliament

Can the President of the Commission inform the House

of the attendance record of individual members of the

Commission at each part-session of the European
Parliament in 1989 and can the President give an
assurance that members of the Commission will not

indulge in 'foreign travel' during part-sessions and that
Commissioners will be generally available to answer
questions of the democratically elected representatives of
Europe's citizens?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 February 1990)_

The Commission does not have the exact information

requested by the Honourable Member but can assure him
that its Members consider it their duty to attend all
Parliament debates on subjects for which they have
special responsibility. Conflicting engagements
sometimes prevent attendance and on odd occasions
unforeseen changes in Parliament's agenda make it
impossible for a Member of the Commission to be
present. In these cases, the Commission as a body is
always represented by another Member who speaks on its
behalf.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1223/89

by Mr Ingo Friedrich (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/89)

_Subject:_ ECSC audits — Societe Fiduciaire Suisse

Can the Commission supply any information as to how
many of the employees of the Societe Fiduciaire Suisse
responsible for carrying out the auditing referred to in
Article 60 of the ECSC Treaty in 1989 are qualified as
auditors — comparable to those with the German
professional qualification?

21. 5.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/45

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1228/89

by Mr Ingo Friedrich (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/90)

_Subject:_ ECSC audits pursuant to Article 60 of the ECSC
Treaty

Can the Commission confirm that sections of the

European steel industry are objecting to employees of the
Societe Fiduciaire Suisse taking part in the price audits
referred to in Article 60 of the ECSC Treaty? If so, can
the Commission also confirm that the Societe Fiduciaire

Suisse, apart from carrying out auditing activities for the
Commission of the European Communities, also carries
out or has carried out auditing for competing steel firms
on the basis of civil law contracts?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1223/89

and 1228/89 given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

_(1_ _March 1990)_

The Commission may have the necessary checks referred
to in Article 47 of the ECSC Treaty carried out by any
person whom it considers competent for the work ( [1] ).
Employees of the Societe Fiduciaire Suisse fall into this
category.

A national association of steel producers has requested a
meeting to clarify its position on the participation by
employees of the Societe Fiduciaire Suisse in price audits
under Article 60 of the ECSC Treaty.

According to the Commission's information, since the
Societe Fiduciaire Suisse has been carrying out audits of
steel prices on behalf of the Commission, it no longer
performs audits for steel companies in the Community.

O Case 67/69 Simet v. Commission (1971) ECR 197, at 207,
ground 7.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1224/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/91)

_Subject:_ Colombian economy

In view of the difficulties facing the Colombian economy,
and the desirability of assisting Colombia in her attempts

to stimulate economic activities which may provide her
people with realistic alternatives to the production and
distribution of illegal narcotics, why does the Community
continue to impose:

1. a discriminatory tariff on Colombian flowers, varying
from 15 to 20%, which is not imposed on similar
products from Israel and Kenya,

2. a tariff on imports of bananas (to all Member States
with the exception of the Federal Republic of
Germany) of 20 °/o ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

1. Due to the extremely difficult situation of certain
Community producers, the Community applies a tariff on
imports of various types of cut flowers from third
countries.

The duty does not apply to ACP countries nor to Israel,
because the EC has contractual obligations towards these
countries.

In the Tropical Product Negotiations in the Uruguay
Round the Community has already reduced
most-favoured nation duties on cut flowers once in the

initial package of results at the mid-term review.
Negotiations are continuing with the aim of further
liberalization at the end of the Round, scheduled for

December 1990.

2. The Commission is in the process of examining the
banana market in the Community with a view to replacing
existing national arrangements with a Community one, in
line with the objective of completing the single market by
1992.

At this stage the Commission has not yet taken a position
on this difficult question. The objective is to find a
solution that will take into account all the interests at

stake in this sector, including those of:

— the ACP states, which supply around 20% of EC
consumption and towards which the EC has
contractual obligations;

— Community producers, which supply around 30 % of
EC consumption; and

— third country producers, predominantly Latin
America, which supply the balance, 50 %.

The Commission is none the less aware of the concerns

expressed by the Honourable Member.

Accordingly, the Commission welcomes Colombia's
special cooperation Plan and is currently looking into
ways of providing a positive response to it.

No C 125/46 Official Journal of the

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1237/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/92)

_Subject:_ Protection of parrots threatened with extinction

The International Council for Bird Preservation has

launched a campaign to protect parrots, since it claims
that no fewer than 100 species of parrot (about one third
of the world population) are endangered. 200 000 parrots
are imported into the Community every year and about
800 000 parrots die when being captured or transported.

Can the Commission say:

1. Whether it intends to submit a proposal to ban the
importation of at least those species which are
threatened with extinction ?

2. Whether it intends to prevail upon the Cites to include
parrots in the list of endangered species contained in
Appendix I (total ban on trade?)

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

_(14 February 1990)_

All parrot species are covered by the provisions of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82 on the implementation in
the Community of the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( [!] ).
Species considered to be endangered are included in Cites
Appendix I and therefore imports into the Community
are not authorized.

The remaining 311 species are listed in Annex C Part 2 of
Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82 and are subject to the
strict import conditions of its Article lO.l.b). For most
these species, the Community has adopted either total or
partial import restrictions based on their conservation
status in the countries of origin. The measures concerned
are kept under permanent review and adapted to new
scientific information. As a result, imports of parrots into
the Community only take place from populations which
are considered by the joint Scientific Authorities of the
Member States to be able to withstand commercial

exploitation, i.e. where the capture in the wild does not
have a harmful effect on the conservation of the species or
on the extent of the territory occupied by its populations.

Community proposals for the transfer of species to
Appendix I of Cites have been and will be submitted to the
Cites Conference of the Parties for consideration in

compliance with the criteria adopted for such proposals.

O OJNoL384, 31.12.1982, p. 1.

European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1240/89

by Lord Inglewood (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/93)

_Subject:_ Freedom of movement for disabled persons

Will the Commission state whether it has completed or is
planning comparative research with respect to legislation
governing the eligibility rules of disabled people, residing
in a Member State other than his own, for social security
and medical assistance schemes in the host Member State?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and No 574/72 ('), based
on Article 51 of the EEC Treaty, apply to disabled
persons who have worked in a Member State. These
Regulations aim at coordination of national systems. The
terms for the grant of benefit are thus defined by each
Member State.

Pursuant to Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71,
persons residing on the territory of one of the Member
States and to which the provisions of the aforementioned
Regulation are applicable, are subject to the obligations
and entitled to the advantages of the laws of any other
Member State on the same terms as the nationals of that

Member State.

Furthermore, as regards disabled persons who have not
worked in a Member State, the Commission stated in its
communication on its action programme relating to the
implementation of the Community Charter of the
fundamental social rights of workers ( [2] ) its intention of
presenting a proposal for a Regulation extending these
Regulations to all insured persons.

O _O]_ No L 230, 22. 8. 1983 as last amended by Regulation

(EEC) No 3811/86, OJ No L 355,16.12. 1986.
O COM(89) 568 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1244/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/94)

_Subject:_ Child abuse

What facilities exist, or are planned, for the exchange of
information where a citizen of one Member State applies
for a post in another Member State and where the
prospective employee is seeking employment with
children?

21.5.90 Official Journal of

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1245/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/95)

_Subject:_ Child abuse

In view of the Community's intention to ease the
movement of citizens across the national frontiers of the

Twelve, does the Commission know of any plans to
facilitate the exchange of information by police or social
service authorities regarding either children at risk of
abuse or individuals whose previous conduct makes it
reasonable to regard them as potentially dangerous to
children?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1244/89

and 1245/89 given by Ms Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission is not aware that any initiative has been
taken in connection with the question put by the
Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1247/89

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/96)

_Subject:_ The common fisheries policy

What types of financial assistance ar given to the
Community's fishermen under the CFP and how much
has been paid out to fishermen of each Member State
since the accession of Spain?

Answer given by Mr Marin

on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Under the common fisheries policy, financial assistance to
Community fishermen is provided in the form of capital
grants for investment projects such as the construction of
new fishing vessels, the modernization of existing vessels, exploratory fishing voyages, and temporary joint
ventures. The amount of the assistance varies between

20 % and 35 % of the eligible investment. In addition, the
Community partially reimburses the expenditure incurred
by Member States in respect of measures to encourage
the definitive and temporary withdrawal of vessels from
fishing.

Since 1987, all the measures have been covered by Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 O and, as regards 1986,
they were covered by Regulations (EEC) No 29^8/83 ( [2] )
and 2909/83 ( [3] ).

European Communities No C 125/47

The following table summarizes the amount of Community assistance granted directly to fishermen since
19 8 6, by Member State.

Community assistance granted for investment projects concerning
the renewal and modernization of the fishing fleet, exploratory

fishing voyages and temporary joint ventures

_(ECU million)_

Total

1986—1989

1,4

7,8

11,7

12,2

81,0

36,1

6,3

40,4

1,8

36,5

23,0

258,2

1989

0,7

3,4

3,6

4,0

36,3

12,5

2,2

15,2

0,2

10,1

4,1

92,3

1988

0,1

1,7

0,1

0,4

6,6

2,9

0,9

7,5.

0,7

9,8

2,2

32,9

1987

0,3

0,7

3,5

3,6

23,3

11,7

0,4

12,9

0,3

9,0

9,7

75,4

_-_

Belgium

Denmark

Federal Republic of
Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

Total

1986

0,3

2,0

4,5

4,2

14,8

9,0

2,8

4,8

0,6

7,6

7,0

57,6

O OJNoL376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7.
O OJNoL290,22. 10. 1983, p. 1.
( [3] ) OJNoL290,22.10.1983, p. 9.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1248/89

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/97)

_Subject:_ Child care

Following the Consolidated Report on Child Care in the
Member States produced by the Commission in 1987,
which outlined the great gaps in existing provisions,
particularly in the UK, will the Commission prepare a
'framework directive on child care — and what other

proposals will it make as part of the Action Programme on
the Social Charter?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

Point 19 of the European Social Charter stresses the need
to develop provisions likely to enable the persons
concerned to reconcile more readily their family and
occupational obligations.

In the action programme intended to implement the
European Social Charter the Commission has included
the drawing-up of a recommendation on child-minding.

No C 125/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

At the same time, the Commission will draft during 1990
the third action programme on equal opportunities for
women, one of the main issues of which will be
child-minding.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1249/89

by Mr Adrien Zeller (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/98)

_Subject:_ Development of the European high speed train
network

The Commission recently adopted a number of priority
measures on Community action on support for transport
infrastructure, with particular reference to the European
high speed train network.

A TGV-EST project to link Paris and Strasbourg,
connecting with the German rail network north of
Strasbourg towards Karlsruhe is currently being
examined in France. This line would also have a southern

extension linking Mulhouse and the Swiss network.

In view of the European significance of this TGV-EST
project, linking Strasbourg both with the north and the
south, at what point and under what conditions does the
Commission plan to provide financial support for it?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 March 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to his Oral Question H-571/89, which it gave
during question time at Parliament's January 1990
part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1250/89

by Mr Adrien Zeller (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/99)

_Subject:_ European Social Security Card

The Council of Ministers for Social Affairs has asked the

Commission to investigate the possibility of issuing a
'European Social Security Card'.

1. When does the Commission intend to begin its
investigations ?

2. How does the Commission plan to involve
Parliament?

3. What timetable has the Commission set itself for

completing the investigations and forwarding the
results to the Council?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 January 1990)_

1. and 3. In response to the request made by the
Council on 29 September 1989, the Commission is
currently examining, within the limits of the
appropriations set for 1990, the possibility of having a
study carried out on procedures for recognition by the
Member States of national social security cards issued by
other Member States. It is not at present able to set any
date for this.

2. The Commission will inform the European
Parliament of the findings of this study in good time.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1255/89

by Mr Anthony Simpson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/100)

_Subject:_ Footwear and leather industry trade with Japan

Bearing in mind the present serious problems of the
European leather and footwear industries, will the
Commission state what guidelines it is proposing to adopt
as regards the future trading regime with Japan in the
fields of leather and footwear?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 February 1990)_

Given the fact that in the Community there is a
considerable level of import penetration in the leather and
footwear sector, the Commission insists on having in
principle similarly open markets amongst its major
trading partners. The Japanese market is still very much
restricted by a tariff quota system. At the same time,
because of the high purchasing power and the
competitivity of the Community industry, the Japanese
market holds great potential for European products and
therefore is of special interest to our producers. The
Commission will begin its talks with Japan on the future
trading regime for leather and shoes starting from this
background, and will aim at the fullest degree of
liberalization attainable.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/49

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1275/89

by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/101)

_Subject:_ Child abuse

Press reports on child abuse and the number of deaths
caused by such acts of violence are dreadful. Information
is incomplete, however, because of an unwillingness to
speak out and the difficulties involved in obtaining
comparative statistics, by Member States, and in
establishing the reasons for such violence.

Could the Commission request the Governments of the
12 Member States of the Community to supply
information and subsequently draft a directive on what is
so worrying an issue?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission has received a great deal of information
revealing the seriousness of the problem of child abuse.
While sharing the concerns of the Honourable Member,
the Commission is not at present planning any measures
on this matter, which is in principle outside its field of
competence.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1298/89

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/102)

_Subject:_ Cleaning up Galicia's estuaries

One of the traditional aspirations of the Galicia region of
Spain is one day to have all its estuaries cleaned up, thus
not only giving the final touch to their natural beauty but
also making the latter go hand in hand with the renewal of
life and environmental quality.

For the population as a whole, belonging to the European
Community means, along with all sorts of other hopes,
that something is guaranteed to be done to fulfil this
traditionial aspiration.

Would the Commission state whether, with the
instruments currently available under the environmental
policy which the Commission has promoted, a special
plan could be drawn up to clean up Galicia's estuaries,
thus enabling the latter to enjoy a protection which they
have lacked for a very long time?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 February 1990)_

The Community support framework (CSF) negotiated
with Spain for the regions covered by Objective 1 makes
specific provision in the case of Galicia for measures
aimed at rehabilitating and regenerating beaches and
rivers by conducting a thorough clean-up of coastal areas,
whose socioeconomic importance in the region had been
stressed.

Those measures fall within the scope of environmental
protection and improvement, which ranks as one of the
main priorities of the CSF for Spain and towards which
ERDF assistance of ECU 19 million will be made

available in the period 1989 to 1993 under the regional
section of the CSF.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1325/89

by Mr Claude Desama(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/103)

_Subject:_ Restricting the effect of dairy quotas

In order to avoid an excess of output over demand for
products such as butter or milk powder, the European
Community has obliged producers to comply with dairy
quotas.

This is at present causing considerable social problems in
milk processing companies which, for lack of raw
materials rather than orders, are being compelled to lay
off staff.

Could not the Commission consider a compensation
system to halt this flood of redundancies, which will
invetably result in social conflict?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 February 1990)_

Quotas were introduced because the milk market
situation had deteriorated as a result of trends which

began to take shape at the start of the 1970s. The quota
system was preceded by the application of other measures
to curb output. Although these did not achieve their
purpose they clearly signalled the direction of
Community policy and should have been taken into
account by the processing industries concerned.

Apart from this, the present state of the markets is not
entirely due to the quota system. A very coherent package

No C 125/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

of measures have been applied to improve demand and
facilitate disposals, especially of butter and milk powder,
both on the Commission markets and elsewhere.

Therefore the orders to which the Honourable Member

refers are largely stimulated by Community intervention
(aid schemes, export refunds).

The available figures do not show any shortage in the
milk sector. On the contrary, public intervention had to
be reauthorized because of a drop in the price of butter.
This does not rule out the possible occurrence of isolated
problems in one region or another. I should be feasible to
resolve these by adjusting the policy on supplies to the
processing industry.

The Commission is very sensitive to employment
problems in rural areas and has undertaken to stimulate
viable activities in the regions most affected by changes in
the farming sector. But such problems must be tackled in
an overall context, in a spirit of partnership between the
national and regional authorities and the Community.
The recent reform of the structural Funds goes a long way
towards this objective. An action under the structural
Fund will be backed by other initiatives, some of them
included in the 1990/91 price proposals. In the case of
milk, for instance, it is proposed that additional quotas be
authorized for small-scale producers in areas where the
conditions of production are difficult but dairy farming is
essential to the rural economy and provides typical
products of high quality.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1329/89

by Mrs Marie-Claude Vayssade (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/104)

_Subject:_ European Schools

In paragraph 9 of its resolution of 7 April 1987 (PEUS
report — Doc. A2-244/86 (')) the European Parliament
calls for 'recognition of the principle of trade union
representation of the staff of the European Schools on the
Board of Governors'.

The Board of Governors is currently undertaking a
revision of the Regulations for members of the teaching
staff, without consulting any trade union at either
Community or national level.

Can the Commission say:

1. why the Board of Governors has not yet responded to
the request made by the European Parliament?

2. what steps it has itself taken, as a member of the Board
of Governors, to gain acceptance for Parliament's
demands?

O OJNoCl25,11.5.1987, p. 63.

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

_(6 February 1990)_

1. Representation of staff interests is ensured within
the Board of Governors of the European Schools by the
Staff Committee, on which trade union representation is
possible and effective. For this reason the Board of
Governors did not feel it necessary to set up specific trade
union representation within the Board.

2. The Commission has recommended to the Board of

Governors the advantages of specific trade union
representation on the pattern of that existing within its
own departments.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 22/90

by Mr Neil Blaney (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/105)

_Subject:_ Date on fisheries quotas and catches

Will the Commission make available figures, broken
down by country and by variety of fish, comparing total
authorized catch and tonnages actually fished for the
years since the system of total authorized catches came
into effect?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _April 1990)_

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 34/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/106)

_Subject:_ Draining of the Bois-Dieu marshes (communes
of Maillezais, Mailledoix and SaintPierre-le-Vieux) Vendee, France

How can the Commission justify the funding it has
already granted and the further funding it is proposing to
grant for the draining of wetlands of major importance to
the survival of European birds in the Poitou marshes,
given that these areas are covered by Directive

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/51

79/409/EEC (') and that the work which is either under
way or being projected fails to comply with Directive
85/337/EEC ( [2] ) on the assessment of the impact of
certain public and private projects on environment?

O OJNoLl03,25.4. 1979, p. 1.
( [2] ) OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(4_ _April 1990)_

Since the Commission does not have the information it

would need to investigate the problem referred to by the
Honourable Member, it is not at the moment in a position
to answer his question. It would therefore ask the
Honourable Member to provide more details.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 41/90

by Mr Brian Simpson and Mr Edward Newman (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/107)

_Subject:_ Cabin safety in aircrafts

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a
report on cabin safety in commercial aircraft, in particular
inclusive tour and charter aircraft in the light of the
failure of many airlines to respond quickly and positively
to safety regulations made by various national bodies and
safety organizations.,

Would the Commission, in particular be prepared to
examine:

1. the number of seats carried on IT and charter aircraft

which not only means seat pitches of less than 30"
and hinders evacuation but also treats passengers like
cattle;

2. that seats by overwing exits should have space
enough to ensure quick evacuation;

3. the widening of aircraft aisles;

4. the widening of the exit gap between galley and
passenger compartments;

5. the compulsory introduction of smoke hoods and the
speeding up of the discussions on the technical
specifications of such hoods;

6. the compulsory introduction of sprinkler/spray
systems by 1 January 1995;

7. the regulation of hand baggage so that only one item
per person be allowed and that it must be stowed in
overhead lockers;

8. the purchase of duty-free goods be made in-bound
until such facility is removed between Member
States;

9. that aerosol cans with high hydrocarbon should be
treated in the same way as other cylinders of
flammable gas and not be carried in the cabin;

10. that cabin interiors be made of non-toxic material;

11. that portable oxygen bottles carried on commercial
aircraft are filled with pressure relief valves and
stowed in thermally protected areas?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

The Commission has studied the report into the
Manchester accident in which most of the points
mentioned by the Honourable Members identified and is
currently assessing their implications in a European

context.

The Commission recognizes the actions taken, in
particular by the British CAA, which broadly address the
problems raised by the Honourable Member, and is
concerned that these actions have not been adopted by the
other Aviation Authorities of the Member States.

The Commission is currently preparing a draft Directive
which will seek to harmonize the technical standards for

certification and operational approval (which includes
these cabin safety issues), for both scheduled and charter
aircraft, within the Member States.

In the meantime the Commission is planning to hold
discussions with the interested parties to determine what
other actions need to be taken in this area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 47/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 125/108)

_Subject:_ Distortion of competition with regard to
advertisements in Commission publications

In a questionnaire published by the Commission in the
_Bulletin of the European Communities_ potential advertisers
are invited to place advertisements in its publications.

No C 125/52 Official Journal of th<

It is specified that the Publications Office reserves the
right to select the advertisements to be published.

Does it not thereby expose itself to accusations of
distortion of competition by advertisers who are rejected,
especially since it states that 'the decision of the
Publications Office shall be final' ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 February 1990)_

The right to reject advertisements to which the
Honourable Member refers is standard practice among
publishers for whom advertising constitutes a peripheral
activity, particularly those in the public sector.

The main aim is to avoid a situation of pollicitation or
permanent offer vis-a-vis potential advertisers, which
would oblige publishers to accept any advertisements,
even those damaging to their dignity or incompatible with
their function.

The same applies in the case of Commission publications.
By making this qualification, the Office, which acts in
such matters on behalf of the Commission is able to refuse

advertisements for products or services that could be
detrimental to the Community's image or incompatible
with its policies.

Obviously, within a given category of 'acceptable'
advertisement (e.g. for legal works) there will be not
discrimination between advertisers and no risk of

distortion of competition.

The apparently arbitrary wording of the right of
rejection, also standard practice, is justified on the
grounds that it is impossible to predict with any accuracy
which categories of advertisement will be 'acceptable' and
which will not.

It is designed to protect the Commission's interests and,
by extension, the Community's interests as widely as
possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 114/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/109)

_Subject:_ Application of directives on public contracts by
the SDRB (Brussels Regional Development
Company)

1. In view of its articles of association and its sphere of
activity, must the SDRB (Brussels Regional Development

European Communities 21. 5. 90

Company) abide by all the provisions of European
directives on public contracts? If not, to what exemptions
is it entitled, and why?

2. Is it true that the Commission has asked the

Kingdom of Belgium for explanations regarding SDRB's
behaviour as regards the awarding of public contracts?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 March 1990)_

1. According to the information in the Commission's
possession, the Brussels Regional Development
Corporation (SDRB) is subject to the Community's
Directive on the coordination of procedures for the award
of public works contracts (71/305/EEC) (') and public
supply contracts (77/62/EEC ( [2] ) and 88/295/EEC ( [3] )).

2. Yes, the Commission has asked the Kingdom of
Belgium for an explanation of the SDRB's policy on the
award of public contracts. It wrote to the Belgian
authorities, by letter dated 27 December 1989, following
statements made at a press conference by the Chairman of
the SDRB in connection with the award of public works
contracts among other matters. Mention was made of a
list and privately negotiated contracts. The statements
were reported in the press.

Depending on the reply from the Belgian authorities,
which has not yet been received, the Commission will
decide whether or not to initiate an infringement
procedure pursuant to Article 169 of the EEC Treaty.

O OJNoL185, 16.8.1971, p. 5.
O OJNoL13, 15.1.1977, p. 1.
O OJNoLl27,20.5. 1988,p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 116/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_ _'_

(90/C 125/110)

_Subject:_ Tax advantages for the Dunkirk region

According to an article in the publication FNV-Magazine
on 28 January 1989 the French Government is offering
new companies which are set up in Dunkirk exemption
from tax on profits and land tax for a period of 10 years.

According to a press release issued by the Commission on
11 October 1989, the French authorities have undertaken
to exclude the investment by Pechiney in the construction
of a new aluminium smelting plant from the tax
concessions for new businesses in the Dunkirk region.

1. Can the Commission say why the French Government
had to promise it to exclude the new smelting plant
from these tax advantages?

^n^o Official journal of the European communities ^oC^n^B^

^. LOoes the commission not considerthatthe conditions

for setting up business in the channel area are
exceptionally fa^ourable^ since the ChannelTunnel is
being built^ and that therefore tax incentives are not
needed in the context of regional policythere^

^5 lOoes the commission not consider that these tax

advantages for LOunkirkmustbe regarded as measures
whichdistort competition and that action shouldbe
taken against them^

Answer^venby^irLeonBrittan
or^ behalf of the C^o^m^sio^

P TheC^ommission^sF0ecisionof^l]anuaryl987on
enterprise zones^ under whichfirms setting up in such
areas qualify for exemption fromcorporationtaxfora
period of lOyears^ stipulates that after the first year of
application of the measurem,e,froml^ February 1988 in
the case of FOunkirk^ only firms withaworkforce of less
than ^00willqualify,The new Fechiney smelting plant in
fOunkirk was built after that date and its planned
workforce exceeded the ceiling of ^00 employees,
consequently^ in accordance with the Commissions
decisions the tax relief available in enterprise zones could
not be granted. The French authorities informed the
C^ommissionthatnotaxrelief wouldbegrantedto the
newsmeltingplant,

^, .FheC^ommission^sappro^alof the enterprise zone
scheme is based on its recognition of the difficulties which
the crisis in shipbuilding and the measures taken by the
French authorities regarding the company formed would
create in the areas concerned. The commission took

particular account of job losses resulting from the closure
of certainshipyards^ and theselosses wereexpected to
reach 1D00 in the FOunkirk area according to figures
supplied bythe French authorities,It also tooknote of the
particularly high unemploymentrate in the area.

The construction of the channel Tunnel is likely to
improve the socioeconomic situation in the area,
Flowe^er^ the commission hasnot as yet obser^edany
improvement which might justify a reappraisal of the
status of the lOunkirk enterprise zone. In the e^ent of any
such improvements it would not fail to propose
appropriate measures to the French authorities^ pursuant
toArticle93^oftheFF^Treaty,

Be that as it may^ the commissions FOecision of ^1
January 1987stipulates that the French enterprise zones
will cease to existonce the numberof jobs lostin the
shipbuilding industry has been matched by the number of
new jobs created in the areas concerned. In the case of the
FOunkirk enterprise zone^ that date may not be later than
l^February!99^i,e,fi^e years after itwas set up,

^, The commission does indeed consider that such tax
exemptions constitute aid which distorts competition

within the meaning of Article 9 ^ ^ o f the FFC^Treaty,
Flowe^ermt takes the ^iewthat^ for the reasons outlined

in the first paragraph at^abo^e^ the aid is eligible for the
derogation provided f o r i n A r t i c l e 9 ^ ^ ^ o f the Treaty^
particularly in^iew of the restrictions and conditions to
which the French authorities ha^e agreed.

bylvuu^arcC^dle^

to the C^ou^ci^ofthe European C^o^i^^ues

^9eB^l^Blll^

^ ^ c r, representation in the council

Is it correct that only members of the national
governments of the member states are acknowledged as
full members of the C^ouncil^

If a member ^tate is represented by a member of a
regional government or a cultural community^ for
example ataC^ouncil of culture or Education ministers
whentheyha^esoleresponsibility for this area in the
member ^tate is that member gratefully represented in
the Councils

oean members of the regional government or ofacultural
community chair councils of culture or Education
ministers during the presidency ofa^iember^tatemf the
region or the cultural community has sole powers in these
fields^

Answer

Lender the terms of Article^of the BrusselsTreatyof8
April 1 9 ^ establishing a single council and a single
Commission of the European communities^

^The council shall consistof representatives of the
member states. Each C^o^ernment shall delegate to it
one of its members.

The office of president shall be held foraterm of six
monthsbyeachmemberoftheC^ommissioninturn,,,

It follows from these provisions that the members of the
council are members of national governments and that it
is for the government of each member ^tate to appoint
one of its members to represent it at each council
meeting. Each member ^tate must therefore be
representedintheC^ouncilby amemberof itsnational
go^ernment^whate^erthe internal distribution of power
within the member ^tate in questionbetween national
government and local or regional authorities.

No C 125/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

However, Article 4 of the Council's Rules of Procedure
provides that:

'Subject to the provisions of Article 5 on the delegation
of voting rights, a member of the Council who is
prevented from attending a meeting may arrange to be
represented'.

Where, for one reason or another, it is impossible for the
government of a Member State to delegate one of its
members to a particular Commission meeting, it is
therefore possible for that government to be represented
by a person whom it designates. That person will then
intervene in the Council meeting on behalf of the Council
member he represents, that is on behalf of the national
government of the Member State in question.

Where a vote is taken, the person in question may put
forward the position of his government pursuant to
Article 150 of the EEC Treaty and Article 5 (3) of the
Rules of Procedure (').

It follows from the combined provisions of the two
paragraphs of Article 2 of the 1965 Treaty that the
Council is chaired by a member of the government of the
Member State holding the office of President. Where no
member of the government of that Member State can be
present, it is customary that the office of President is held
by a member, who is present, of the government of the
Member State which is due to hold the office of President

during the following six-month period.

(') Article 150 of the EEC Treaty: 'Where a vote is taken, any
member of the Council may also act on behalf of not more
than one other member'. Article 5 (3) of the Rules of
Procedure: 'Delegation of the right to vote may only be made
to another member of Council'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 141/90

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/112)

_Subject:_ Equal opportunities and the Phare programme

What specific measures are in preparation to ensure that
the Communities' commitment to equal opportunities is
incorporated in some way within the Phare programme
and other similar initiatives taken with regard to Eastern
Europe?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 March 1990)_

The Commission is aiming to incorporate an equal
opportunities dimension into the Phare programme
particularly as regards training measures. It is already
explicitly foreseen, for instance, in the proposed Tempus

programme (Trans-European Mobility Programme for
University Studies (') recently submitted for opinion to
the European Parliament.

(') COM(90)16.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 172/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/113)

_Subject:_ Donnelly report

What is the position with regard to the conciliation
procedure currently in hand in terms of the Donnelly
report?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

On 14 February 1990, Parliament adopted the Donnelly
Report on the draft Council Decision amending Council.
Decision 64/300/EEC (') on cooperation between the
Central Banks, and proposed four amendments.

Two of these (Nos 1 and 3), aiming at broadening the
objectives of the Committee of Governors, have not been
accepted by the Commission. However, President Delors
declared before Parliament on 13 February that all
institutions of the Community must, each in its own area
of responsibility, contribute to the general objectives of
the Community. These objectives include
non-inflationary growth, a high level of employment, and
external equilibrium.

One amendment (No 4) raises the issue of the location of
the monetary policy institution. This problem will have to
be tackled in the forthcoming negotiations on the EMU

process.

Last, Amendment No 2, which gives the European
Parliament the right to invite the Chairman of the
Committee of Governors to appear before Parliament
when he presents the annual report and to appear before
the responsible parliamentary committee, when
circumstances so warrant, is fully accepted by the
Commission.

The Commission presented a modified Recommendation
on 2 March 1990, on the basis of Article 149 (3) of the
EEC Treaty, with a view to the adoption of the Decision
by the Council.

0) OJNoC283,9.11. 1989, p. 8.

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/55

WRITTEN QUESTION No 194/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/114)

_Subject:_ Compact disc pricing

Does the Commission consider that the Treaty of Rome is
being breached in terms of the retail price of compact
discs in the United Kingdom where it appears,
considering that in many non-European Community
States compact discs are the same price as vinyl records,
that a cartel is being used to fix compact disc retail prices
at a third more than vinyl records ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 March 1990)_

A price-fixing cartel in compact discs such as that
described by the Honourable Member, could be contrary
to European Community Competition Rules.

However, so far, the Commission does not have evidence

of such practices.

Should it become apparent that a compact-disc price
cartel is being operated in the United Kingdom, the
Commission will not hesitate to take the necessary steps
to investigate it.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 197/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/115)

_Subject:_ Commissioners' attendance at Strasbourg

Can the Commission give, in the form of a league table,
the number of days' attendance by each Commissioner at
Strasbourg during plenary sessions since the present
Commission was set up?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

. _(8 March 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1207/89 by Mr
McMahon ( [1] ).

O See page 44 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 236/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/116)

_Subject:_ Completion of the internal market — electrical

connectors

Will the Commission outline its proposals for a uniform
electrical connector — or plug — for use within the
domestic sector? In its answer, will the Commission
outline any proposed or agreed timescale, together with
any details of the actual design of such a plug?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 2592/88 by Mr
Vanlerenberghe and others ( [x] ).

O OJ No C 208,14. 8.1989, p. 33.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 255/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/117)

_Subject:_ Europe's industrial heritage

In its answer to my Written Question No 1485/88 (') the
Commission said it recognized the need to preserve,
display and exploit Europe's industrial heritage.

The European Monuments and Landscape Fund, set up in
1984, can be called upon to help preserve the industrial
and technological heritage and assist in its protection. I
should like to have a list of all the projects assisted since
then by the Fund, with details of the type of project
involved, the region and the level of assistance given.

O OJNoC 151, 19.6.1989, p. 21.

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April 1990)_

The Commission will send direct to the Honourable

Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a computer
print-out containing the information requested.

No C 125/56
Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 351/90

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/118)

_Subject:_ Creation of instruments to meet the needs of the
disabled

One of the top priorities of the Community institutions is
to provide for the needs of Community citizens
disadvantaged by handicap. In this context the creation of
tape libraries for the blind is an indispensable means of
enabling them to meet their legitimate need for study,
reading and social contact.

Are tape libraries for the blind being provided and in
which Member States?

Where these tape libraries do exist, what is the ratio
between the number of tape libraries and the number of
blind persons in the country concerned?

What short and medium-term measures have to date been
taken to ensure that the blind participate in the world of
employment?

Finally, what aid can be granted to organizations which
have taken the necessary measures in any areas where the
Member States have been found wanting, by setting up
tape libraries or buying and training guide dogs?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April 1990)_

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
answer the Honourable Member's questions.

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 354/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing, Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke,

Mr Neil Blaney, Mr Juan Garaikoetxea Urriza,

Mr Max Simeoni, Mrs Birgit Bjornvig and

Mrs Dorothee Piermont (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/119)

_Subject:_ Protection of the coastal and aquatic
environment of Moray Firth and of rare species
of flora and fauna

A. Having regard to plans to construct a sewage outfall
in Inverness, which would result in excessively large

quantities of untreated sewage being discharged into
the ecologically vulnerable waters of Moray Firth in
northern Scotland,

B. whereas the local ecological movements have
mounted a vigorous campaign to draw public
attention to the consequences which such a project
could have on the aquatic and coastal environment of
Moray Firth and the danger to many rare species of
flora and fauna, particularly bottle-nosed or
white-nosed dolphins and porpoises,

C. whereas hotel, fishing and other trades in the region
are seriously concerned by the impact of such a
project on the environment and the effect of the
resulting chain reaction on their means of existence,

D. whereas the local authorities (Inverness District
Council) are opposed to the project, while the
authorities behind it (the Highland Regional Council)
would have preferred a coastal purification plant to be
constructed; noting also that the curbs imposed by the
British Government on local government spending
are discouraging the Regional Council from pursuing
this option,

E. whereas the Council appears to have responded
favourable to requests for Community funding for
the construction of this sewage outfall discharging
untreated sewage, despiteahe Community's current
policy of protecting the coastal environment:

1. Can the Commission give its assurance that
Community financing for this project will be deferred
until an environmental impact study has been carried
out by an independent body on behalf of the
Community?

2. Does it agree that Moray Firth and the rare species of
dolphin inhabiting it are an important part of Europe's
ecological heritage and does it acknowledge that it has
a duty to ensure that the Community's environment
policy in this area complies with the most rigorous
standards?

3. Can the Commission confirm that it is not inclined to

. endorse the British Government's moves to cut

spending, thereby withholding essential funds which
could be used for environmental protection purposes,
and does it intend to regard this as a test case in its
dispute with the British Government on the issue of
clean water standards?

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

_(6 April 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to the reply to the Oral Question H-173/90 by Mrs

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/57

Bjornvig, which it gave during question time at
Parliament's March 1990 part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 374/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/120)

_Subject:_ Consultation of the regions on the Tempus

programme

Can the Council ask the Commission to consult regional
representative bodies on drawing up the Tempus
programme?

The regions will necessarily be involved in the practical
implementation of this East-West programme for the
trans-European mobility of students.

Answer

_(10 April 1990)_

Any proposal regarding the suggestions made by the
Honourable Member must come from the Commission.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 375/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/121)

_Subject:_ Comments following the THeure de Verite'
programme with the Commission President

Following the appearance of the Commission President in
the programme THeure de Verite' on the French channel
Antenne 2, a member of the French Government said: 'He
talks like a head of government, even though he's just a
superofficial.'

How did the Council react to this restrictive

interpretation of the role of the Commission of the
European Communities?

Answer

_(10 April 1990)_

The Council does not express opinions on statements
made in other fora.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 383/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 125/122)

_Subject:_ Repetition of the reports of serious threats to the
Donana National Park

The most famous natural park in Spain is in grave danger.
A scientific report, drawn up by one of the most renowned
international experts, talks about the serious threat to the
Donana, where there are plans to build holiday villages
which are likely to deplete the water supply in an area
where water is of vital importance.

A great deal of criticism has already been levelled at the
plans for the park, including a WWF report unequivocally
warning about the grave danger facing this natural park,
which is of great importance for the whole of Europe,

Since a complaint has been lodged with the European
Community alleging infringement of Community
legislation, could the Commission say what response has
been made and whether it considers that it must intervene

in the matter in order to avert the grave dangers
threatening this national park which is valued by people
all over the world?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 572/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C125/123)

_Subject:_ Implementation of Community law in the
Donana National Park

Donana is the most important and the largest of the
Spanish national parks. It is a nature reserve of 75 765
hectares situated at the mouth of the Guadalquivir and
consisting of three different types of natural habitat, salt
marshes, Mediterranean scrub and dunes.

The Donana National Park has suffered such serious

environmental damage and, in certain respects, the
situation is so critical that it is essential for the

Commission to take urgent measures to ensure that the
Spanish authorities effectively implement Community law
on the protection of nature reserves.

The serious situation facing the Donana National Park
has been aggravated by the announcement that a large
hotel and residential complex known as Costa Donana is
to be built in an area adjoining the national park.

No C 125/58 Official Journal of the

Since, from the biological point of view, Donana is one of
the most important nature reserves in Europe and of great
significance for the protection of wild birds:

1. Does the Commission not consider that it should

make urgent representations to the Spanish
authorities to ensure that Directives 85/337/EEC (')
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment and
79/409/EEC ( [2] ) on the conservation of wild birds are
respected in connection with the 'Costa Donana
Project'?

2. What measures will the Commission adopt to prevent
further ecological damage to the Donana National
Park?

O OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40.
O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 383/90 and 572/90
given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _April 1990)_

The Honourable Members are referred to the

Commission's answer to Oral Questions H-169/90 put by
Mr Pacheco Herrera and H-280/90 put by Mr Valverde
Lopez during question time at Parliament's March 1990
part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 471/90

by Mrs Maria Santos (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_ _i_

(90/C 125/124)

_Subject:_ Democratization process in South Africa

President De Klerk recently took a number of measures
aimed at abolishing apartheid, including the long-awaited
release of Nelson Mandela and the legalization of the
ANC and other political movements and parties.

Despite these positive steps, genuine political
normalization and the establishment of a non-racial

democracy cannot be achieved as long as human rights
continue to be violated.

Does the" Commission intend to continue to apply
political pressure and, above all, appropriate economic
sanctions until free and democratic elections are held, the
state of emergency is lifted and all political prisoners are
released in South Africa?

European Communities 21. 5. 90

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 April 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to the Oral Question H-222/90 by Mr
Papoutsis, which it gave during question time at
Parliament's March 1990 part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 505/90

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 125/125)

_Subject:_ Measures to combat poaching

The Bern Conventions have been infringed in many
Community Member States including Italy, especially as
regards the poaching of birds of prey, storks and
protected species during the migration period, despite the
many reports which have reached the Community from
citizens, parliamentarians and environmental
associations. In many cases, hunting wardens have failed
to carry out their duties, as many reports have testified,
for example in the Italian province of Reggio Calabria
and Messina, and in some areas of the Community the
persistence of poaching means that individuals are able to
go around carrying firearms more or less legitimately and
that poachers' hides (wooden or concrete huts) remain in
place and could be used for other illegal purposes.

Does the Commission intend to press for more active
intervention by national forestry guards and ministries of
the environment? Does it intend to set up a Community
education programme to combat poaching and a centre
for gathering information on the situation as regards the
capture or killing of animals belonging to protected
species?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 547/90

by Mr Francesco Speroni (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 125/126)

_Subject:_ Poaching in southern Italy

Poaching in the provinces of southern Italy adjoining the
Straits of Messina is largely concentrated on birds of prey
and other migrant birds, amounting to a serious attack on
European fauna since, frequently, more than 50% of
migratory birds belonging to protected species are killed.

Since poachers of this kind operate mainly from fixed
sites which are actually concrete bunkers, efforts to curb

21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 125/59

this deplorable practice could be very effective, if only the
authorities had the necessary motivation.

However, the authorities fail to act, coming up with
various excuses which merely serve to mask their
complicity with a despicable tradition which shows no
sensitivity towards nature, so that the poachers are free to
carry on this slaughter with impunity.

What steps does the Commission have in mind to end
such uncivilized and illegal practices?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 505/90 and 547/90
given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

The Commission is currently carrying out a detailed study
of the problem referred to by the Honourable Members
and will inform them of the result of its research as soon

as possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 570/90

by Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevalier (DR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 125/127)

_Subject:_ Immigration policy in the Community

With a view to the establishment of a single market in
1993 and the opening up of the Community's internal
borders, in particular as a result of the Schengen

agreements, will the Council of Ministers publish a
document on Community immegration policy?

Does the Council intend to combat illegal immigration, to
put restrictions on visas and residence permits for
immigrants from outside the Community and to step up
controls at the Community's external borders?

What measures will it take to this effect?

Answer

_(10 April 1990)_

At their meeting in Paris on 15 December 1989 the
Ministers concerned with immigration adopted a
declaration which constitutes the general framework for
the immigration policy pursued by those Ministers. The
declaration falls within the public domain, and is available
to the Honourable Member if he has not yet examined it.

In the declaration the Ministers expressed their intention
to preserve the open attitudes of our States towards the
rest of the world. They also affirmed that our States have
the right and duty to combat illegal immigration in their
respective territories and in the territory of the Twelve as
a whole.

It should also be noted that at its Strasbourg meeting the
European Council expressed its wish that an inventory of
national positions on immigration be prepared with a view
to a discussion of the issue within the Council.

The time required for such an inventory to be prepared
precludes such a discussion from being held until the
second half of this year.