Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 268
# Official Journal

Volume 37

### of the European Communities

###### English edition Information and Notices

26 September 1994

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

94 / C 268 / 01 E-2532 / 90 by Birgit Bjørnvig to the Commission
Subject : Tropical rain-forests 1

94 / C 268 / 02 E-2533 / 90 by Birgit Bjørnvig to the Commission
Subject : Tropical rain-forests 1

94 / C 268 / 03 E-2534 / 90 by Birgit Bjørnvig to the Commission
Subject : Tropical rain-forests 1

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2532 / 90, E-2533 / 90 and E-2534 / 90 1

94 / C 268 / 04 E-l 93 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Vessels setting sail in heavy seas 2

94 / C 268 / 05 E-413 / 93 by Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission
Subject : Completing the internal market : measures to combat money laundering 3

94 / C 268 / 06 E - 573193 by Rogério Brito to the Commission
Subject : Democratic representation, partnership, transparency and monitoring of allocations
under, and the application of, the Structural Funds ( Supplementary answer ) 3

94 / C 268 / 07 E-l 023 / 93 by Christos Papoutsis to the Commission
Subject : Infringement of Community law 4

94 / C 268 / 08 E-l 082 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Contradictory policy on Lake Kastoria 4

94 / C 268 / 09 E-1212 / 93 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Disabled people — passenger facilities 5

2 ( Continued overleaf )

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94 / C 268 / 10 E-1563 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Article 3(f ) of the Treaty of Rome

94 / C 268 / 11 E-l 626 / 93 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Unfair competition from eastern European vessels on the Community market

94 / C 268 / 12 E-1636 / 93 by Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Proposal for a Regulation on operations to promote tropical forests

94 / C 268 / 13 E-1862 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Funding of Greek cooperative organizations

94 / C 268 / 14 E-l 867 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The ' lamb price war ' in Greece

94 / C 268 / 15 E-1938 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Reduction in use of fertilizers and pesticides

94 / C 268 / 16 E-l 946 / 93 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : Schengen agreements / common transport policy

94 / C 268 / 17 E-l 980 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Acceptance of professional pilot 's licences within the EC

94 / C 268 / 18 E-1992 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Advertising companies and large-scale distribution

94 / C 268 / 19 E-20 15 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission

Subject : Disclosure of information

94 / C 268 / 20 E-2023 / 93 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Investment in the United States by the Community 's big chemical companies

94 / C 268 / 21 E-2102 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Racism in Europe

94 / C 268 / 22 E-2 117 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Amfissa olive grove

94 / C 268 / 23 E-2 129 / 93 by Reinhold Bocklet to the Commission
Subject : Malt export licences

94 / C 268 / 24 E-2161 / 93 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Infringement of the law governing driving and rest periods in Germany

94 / C 268 / 25 E-2262 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Aid for the countries of central and eastern Europe

94 / C 268 / 26 E-2272 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Strengthening of the single market

94 / C 268 / 27 E-2278 / 93 by Bruno Bossière to the Commission
Subject : Decline in shops and services centres in rural areas ( especially the new German
Länder )

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94 / C 268 / 28 E-2425 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Community standardization and hygiene rules on fish catches .... 15

94 / C 268 / 29 E-2427 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Research and training in the fishing industry 15

94 / C 268 / 30 E-2430 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : End to the use of the trawl for fishing in the Mediterranean i . . 16

94 / C 268 / 31 E-2522 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Historical research and the envisaged ' support actions ' 16

94 / C 268 / 32 E-2523 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Adoption and implementation of programmes to encourage systematic contacts and
cooperation between historical research bodies 16

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2522 / 93 and E-2523 / 93 17

94 / C 268 / 33 E-2546 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Number of people employed in agriculture to 1999 17

94 / C 268 / 34 E-2685 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Introduction of assent procedure for cohesion 17

94 / C 268 / 35 E-2699 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Trans-European networks and the Copenhagen summit 18

94 / C 268 / 36 E-2790 / 93 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : EC Directive on recognition of higher education diplomas 19

94 / C 268 / 37 E-2843 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Curtailment of discharges of ozone-damaging chemicals 20

94 / C 268 / 38 E-2881 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Changes to the system for subsidizing processed tomatoes 20

94 / C 268 / 39 E-2889 / 93 by Enrico Falqui to the Commission
Subject : Community funding for the planned reorganization of a penal establishment in Italy 21

94 / C 268 / 40 E-2923 / 93 by Francois Guillaume to the Commission
Subject : Shoe imports from third countries 21

94 / C 268 / 41 E-2992 / 93 by Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Assessment of policy of optimal use of woodlands in rural areas in the Community 22

94 / C 268 / 42 E-2993 / 93 by Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Assessment of the work of the European Forestry Information and Communication
System ( Efics ) 23

94 / C 268 / 43 E-3065 / 93 by Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : EC requirement concerning removal of price discrimination 23

( Continued overleaf )

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94 / C 268 / 44 E-3082 / 93 by Paul Howell to the Commission
Subject : Tacis Programme 24

94 / C 268 / 45 E-3111 / 93 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Spanish participation in the Interreg Programme 25

94 / C 268 / 46 E-3133 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Absence of a common organization of the market for floricultural products 26

94 / C 268 / 47 E-3200 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Competitiveness and tax relief 26

94 / C 268 / 48 E-3213 / 93 by Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission
Subject : Commission programme for crossborder regions 26

94 / C 268 / 49 E-3231 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Subsidization of the Transport Undertakings ( S.EP ) in Greece 27

94 / C 268 / 50 E-3232 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : ' Moonlighting ' in the Community 27

94 / C 268 / 51 E-323 9 / 93 by Marie Isler Beguin to the Commission
Subject : Failure to comply with EC Directives 28

94 / C 268 / 52 E-3250 / 93 by Agostino Mantovani, Franco Borgo, Nino Pisoni, Giuseppe Mottola and
Felice Contu to the Commission

Subject : Health standards of milk from the Länder of the former East Germany 28

94 / C 268 / 53 E-3252 / 93 by Agostino Mantovani, Franco Borgo, Nino Pisoni, Giuseppe Mottola and
Felice Contu to the Commission

Subject : Unjustified differences in the prices of heating fuels and electricity for agricultural
production 29

94 / C 268 / 54 E-3265 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Intervention buying of olive oil in Greece 29

94 / C 268 / 55 E-3269 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The lack of a fish-wharf in Mytilene on the island of Lesbos 30

94 / C 268 / 56 E-3273 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Electricity production in the Community 30

94 / C 268 / 57 E-3292 / 93 by Robert Delorozoy to the Commission
Subject : Environmental protection 30

94 / C 268 / 58 E-3294 / 93 by Astrid Lulling to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against Luxembourgish companies operating in Belgium 31

94 / C 268 / 59 E-3301 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Unfair competition in Spanish public television 32

94 / C 268 / 60 E-33 12 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Reducing disparities in development in western Greece 32

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94 / C 268 / 61 E-3328 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Brown sugar racket 33

94 / C 268 / 62 E-3341 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Hereditary diseases in Greece 33

94 / C 268 / 63 E-3350 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Disasters caused by bad weather 34

94 / C 268 / 64 E-3358 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Deficit in agricultural raw materials 34

94 / C 268 / 65 E-3369 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Studies to undertake on-going assessment of programmes in Spain 34

94 / C 268 / 66 E-3373 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Hemp growing in the province of Seville ( Andalusia ) 35

94 / C 268 / 67 E-3375 / 93 by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Telephone sex lines approved by Belgacom 35

94 / C 268 / 68 E-3391 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Regional development plan submitted by the Greek authorities 36

94 / C 268 / 69 E-3398 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Training for specialists in industrial medicine in Greece 36

94 / C 268 / 70 E-3399 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Failure of the Greek State to recognize the contribution made by specialists in industrial
medicine 37

94 / C 268 / 71 E-3420 / 93 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : United States — Domestic content requirement for cigarettes 37

94 / C 268 / 72 E-3429 / 93 by Christian Rovsing to the Commission
Subject : Register of Eur Ing 38

94 / C 268 / 73 E-3430 / 93 by James Ford to the Commission
Subject : UK car road tax 39

94 / C 268 / 74 E-3439 / 93 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Efforts to combat drugs at the workplace 39

94 / C 268 / 75 E-3441 / 93 by Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Fiscal and financial harmonization among the three major blocs 40

94 / C 268 / 76 E-3449 / 93 by Juan Ramirez Heredia to the Commission
Subject : Social exclusion 40

94 / C 268 / 77 E-3452 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Community legal regulation of children 's rights 41

94 / C 268 / 78 E-3460 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery . . 41

( Continued overleaf )

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94 / C 268 / 79 E-3466 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Institute for Prospective Technology in Seville ( Andalusia ) 42

94 / C 268 / 80 E-3474 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Safety of Irish fishermen 42

94 / C 268 / 81 E-3481 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Motor car production in Worcestershire 42

94 / C 268 / 82 E-3499 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Future of the combined transport sector 43

94 / C 268 / 83 E-3524 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of wetlands in Europe 43

94 / C 268 / 84 E-3531 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Restoration of democracy in Nigeria 44

94 / C 268 / 85 E-3544 / 93 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Employment of ex-offenders 44

94 / C 268 / 86 E-3550 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Structural Fund allocation 1993 — Ireland 45

94 / C 268 / 87 E-3558 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Structural Fund allocation — Ireland 45

94 / C 268 / 88 E-3559 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Structural Fund allocation — Ireland 45

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3550 / 93, E-3558 / 93 and E-3559 / 93 45

94 / C 268 / 89 E-3571 / 93 by Diego Santos Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Payment of pensions to Andalusian workers in Gibraltar 45

94 / C 268 / 90 E-3575 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : The Envireg Programme and Corsica 46

94 / C 268 / 91 E-3581 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : The Prisma Programme and Corsica 47

94 / C 268 / 92 E-3583 / 93 by Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : The Interreg Programme and Corsica 47

94 / C 268 / 93 E-3591 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to protect pets 48

94 / C 268 / 94 E-3592 / 93 by Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Early retirement and reintegration into the labour market of the unemployed aged 55 and
above 48

94 / C 268 / 95 E-3601 / 93 by Raymond Chesa to the Commission
Subject : Table wine exports to non-Community countries 49

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 268 / 96 E-36 13 / 93 by Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Undischarged T forms — moratorium

94 / C 268 / 97 E-3620 / 93 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : LIFE — selection of co-financed projects for 1993 and the progress of the 1992
projects

94 / C 268 / 98 E-3621 / 93 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Action to combat the laundering of money earned from the illegal trafficking of narcotics
in Portugal — 2

94 / C 268 / 99 E-3628 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Documentary evidence of driving and rest periods in road transport

94 / C 268 / 100 E-3631 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Abolition of checks on the movement of persons within the Community

94 / C 268 / 101 E-3650 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Results of Community tropical forest conservation policy

94 / C 268 / 102 E-3658 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Fate of new-born babies in Belgrade

94 / C 268 / 103 E-3672 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Guidelines for the creation of a single market in natural gas

94 / C 268 / 104 E-3675 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Opening of the Japanese rice market

94 / C 268 / 105 E-3681 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Lifting of the ' consolidated tax ' on imports into Turkey

94 / C 268 / 106 E-3692 / 93 by Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Uniform price list for restoration work on works of art

94 / C 268 / 107 E-3694 / 93 by Mauro Chiabrando to the Commission
Subject : Recognition of diplomas

94 / C 268 / 108 E-3739 / 93 by Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject : Environment

94 / C 268 / 109 E-3743 / 93 by Carole Tongue to the Commission
Subject : Views from experts and specialists

94 / C 268 / 110 E-3780 / 93 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Recognition of professional degrees : medicine, pharmacy and dentistry

94 / C 268 / 111 E-3790 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Evaluation of ESF measures in Spain

94 / C 268 / 112 E-3791 / 93 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Persons responsible in Spain for assessment of structural policies

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26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2532 / 90

by Birgit Bjernvig ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 16 November 1990 )

( 94 / C 268 / 01 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2534 / 90

by Birgit Bjernvig ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 16 November 1990 )

( 94 / C 268 / 03 )

Subject : Tropical rain-forests

Subject : Tropical rain-forests W7, . c . ~ . .
What specific action does the Commission propose to take
to promote the management of tropical-forest products,
including timber, on a viable basis ?
Does the Commission propose to help to impose a binding
code of conduct on Community firms that would prevent
further destruction of tropical forests and respect forest
dwellers ' way of life and culture ? Joint answer to Written Questions
E-2532 / 90, E-2533 / 90 and E-2534 / 90

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2533 / 90

by Birgit Bjornvig ( ARC )

to the Commission

( 16 November 1990 )

( 94 / C 268 / 02 )

Subject : Tropical rain-forests

Is the Commission planning to set up a special unit,
comprising ecologists and anthropologists, to ensure that
Commission-assisted projects promote conservation of
tropical forests rather than contribute to their rapid
destruction ?

The fifth Community programme of policy and action in
relation to the environment and sustainable development,
adopted on 1 February 1993, refers explicitly to the need to
broaden the range of instruments used to attain nature
conservation goals . In addition to legislative measures, other
instruments of Community policy are envisaged, such as
voluntary agreements between economic players, horizontal
information and education measures and financial

assistance . With this in mind the Commission is looking into
the possibility of introducing a voluntary scheme for
marking timber produced in a sustainable manner, in
preference to binding legislative measures .

In addition to these discussions on the possibility of devising
either a code of conduct or a system of labelling timber, the
Commission, in the context of the Community Regulation
on the Washington Convention, proposed measures to
monitor trade in endangered woods .

No C 268 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

The Commission is also involved in discussions at a wider

level on the relationship between international trade and the
environment in organizations such as GATT, the OECD,
Unctad and the ITTO .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 93 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 04 )
The Commission continues to advocate the negotiation of a
legally-binding international convention on forests which
would make all forests — tropical, temperate and boreal —

Subject : Vessels setting sail in heavy

subject to equivalent conservation, management and trade
arrangements, thus ensuring that the target of sustainable
management of all types of forests by the year 2000 could be Recently the small freighter ' Koty I '
the negotiated ' Target in 2000 a balanced ' strategy, worldwide must be context considered . In any as a event step, in Greece the Mirtoan at least, bans Sea and on setting several sail in
forward for the member countries of the ITTO

Subject : Vessels setting sail in heavy seas

year Recently the small freighter ' Koty I ' sank in stormy weather
the negotiated ' Target in 2000 a balanced ' strategy, worldwide must be context considered . In any as a event step, in Greece the Mirtoan at least, bans Sea and on setting several sail people in heavy lost seas their apply lives only . In
forward for the member countries of the ITTO

to passenger vessels and freighters of less than 500 tons,

( International Tropical Timber Organization ). whereas bigger vessels are allowed to sail on the captain 's

responsibility . In view of this will the Commission ask the
governments of the Member States to review this policy in
It is vital to ensure effective implementation of the target for order to improve protection for seafarers on Community
the year 2000 agreed in principle by the ITTO in 1990 in vessels and to prevent environmental disasters at sea ?
Quito, namely to confine trading in tropical timbers from all
sources to timber which has been produced in sustainable
conditions .

( International Tropical Timber Organization ).

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

Furthermore, the Commission is preparing an evaluation of
the measures referred to in its communication of 16 October (8 December 1993 )

1989 on the conservation of tropical forests ( 1 ).

Following the introduction by Parliament of a budget
heading for the protection of tropical forests, the
Commission sent a proposal for a Regulation to the Council
and Parliament on operations to promote tropical
forests ( 2 ), which will also benefit the indigenous
populations dependent on the forests .

Finally, the Commission would draw the attention of the
Honourable Member to the answers given recently to
Questions 326 / 93 from Mr Muntingh ( 3 ), 460 / 93 from Mr
Raffin ( 4 ), 1252—1253 / 93 from Mr Muntingh ( 5 ), 1475 / 93
from Mr Staes ( 6 ), 1636 / 93 from Mr Muntingh ( 7 ), and

1751 / 93 from Mr Goedmakers ( 8 ) concerning the
protection of tropical forests .

The Commission apologizes for the delay in replying to this
question .

(!) OJ No C 264, 16 . 10 . 1989 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 53 final .

( 3 ) OJ No C 258, 27 . 9 . 1993 .

( 4 ) OJ No C 25, 28 . 1 . 1994 .

( 5 ) OJ No C 32, 2 . 2 . 1994 .
( 6 ) OJ No C 333, 8 . 12 . 1992 .

( 7 ) See page 6 of this Official Journal .

Safety of navigation for all ships is covered by international
rules, in particular within the Solas and Colreg Conventions .
In addition to applying the international rules, Member
States may regulate maritime traffic in their own waters in
the light of specific local conditions, including weather
conditions .

With regard to the subsidiarity principle there would seem
to be no reason to intervene in this area at Community level .
As announced in its communication on safe seas (*) the
Commission intends, however, to promote at Community
level coherent and harmonized development of navigational
aids and traffic surveillance infrastructure and

procedures .

In the light of this, the Commission would draw attention to
its proposal for a Directive on the minimum health and
safety requirements for transport activities and workplaces
on means of transport ( 2 ), which includes rules and
procedures for organizing work in this area .

Point 2.1 of Annex III requires the employer to work out a
route and how long it will take given the load and the
weather conditions . If necessary, one or more alternative
routes must be suggested to the driver .

( 8 ) OJ No C 219, 8 . 8 . 1994, p . 34 . (M COM(93 ) 66 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 25, 28 . 1 . 1993 .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 13 / 93

by Vincenzo Mattina ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 05 )

Subject : Completing the internal market : measures to

combat money laundering

International organized crime is taking increasingly
aggressive forms and in some countries could act as a
destabilizing factor within the democratic system .

— The forth-coming completion of the internal market

could open the floodgates to illicit trafficking unless
appropriate measures are taken to coordinate the fight
against crime .

— Money laundering, which enables the proceeds of illegal

operations to be reused, is the key to the criminal system
and the main driving force behind the spread of crime
and the resulting corruption of numerous legal
activities .

— In practice, free movement of capital could make it easier

even now for criminal organizations to channel dirty
money into countries whose laws are less strict when it
comes to investigating the source of the money .

— According to reports in the magazine Der Spiegel, as

much as Lit 60 000 bn originating from Colombian,
Turkish, and Italian drugs cartels has flooded into
Germany .

— In tax havens outside the Community virtually no checks

are carried out to determine where money has come
from .

Can the Commission therefore say

— whether it considers that the provisions of Directive

91 / 308 / EEC I 1 ) are still sufficient to prevent the
proceeds of unlawful activities from being put to fresh
use ?

— whether it does not believe that measures should be

adopted to restrict trade and financial flows to and from
third countries which are failing to fight money
laundering with the necessary rigour ?

(*) OJ No L 166, 28 . 6 . 1991, p . 77 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 November 1993 )

The Commission believes that the implementation of the
Directive on money laundering will make a substantial
contribution to preventing the use of the European financial
system for laundering the proceeds of criminal activities .

Under the terms of the Directive, money laundering will
become illegal and punishable throughout the Community,

a series of preventive measures covering the whole financial
system are to be introduced in order to prevent money
laundering operations and bank secrecy is to be lifted
through a system of compulsory reporting of suspicious
transactions .

Recital 13 in relation to Article 5 of the Directive will oblige
financial institutions to ' pay special attention to
transactions with third countries which do not apply
comparable standards against money laundering to those
established by the Community or to other equivalent
standards set out by international fora and endorsed by the
Community '.

Like other international legal instruments, the Directive
does not provide for the adoption of restrictive measures on
commercial and financial flows from and towards third

countries which do not have appropriate anti-money
laundering standards . Such measures could affect legitimate
business and private interests not involved in money
laundering operations and could only be adopted, in very
exceptional cases, at a wider international level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 73 / 93

by Rogério Brito ( CG )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 06 )

Subject : Democratic representation, partnership,
transparency and monitoring of allocations under,
and the application of, the Structural Funds

On 12 January 1993, on the basis of the EC Structural
Funds, a financial support scheme was set up in Portugal to
channel funds to socio-professional organizations involved
in measures and projects relating to agricultural training
infrastructure .

The legislation establishing the scheme states that
applications from organizations must be submitted to the
Portuguese Farmers ' Confederation ( CAP ). The latter will
then forward the documents, together with an opinion and a
reasonal proposal, to the Institute for Employment and
Professional Training ( IEFP ). Investments will be monitored
and supervised by a representative of the IEFP and one from
the CAP .

The government is thus unilaterally subordinating to the
CAP the other national confederation — the CNA — all
socio-professional organizations not affiliated to the CAP
and the Confederation of Farm Cooperatives ( Confagri ).
These bodies have not been consulted nor have they
delegated their representative powers or their rights . Apart
from the institutional problems and lack of democracy this
measure entails, it is rendered even more unacceptable by
the fact that the CAP faces serious accusations of

No C 268 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

involvement in the incorrect use and misappropriation of
Community funds and subsidies as well as involvement in
cellulose factories from which it has received large amounts
of money, and the use and abuse of privileges granted by the
government to the clear detriment of its sister
organizations .

In the light of the above, does the Commission believe this
situation to be compatible with the principles it upholds of
democratic representation and participation, partnership
and transparency in the channelling, application and
monitoring of the Structural Funds ?

This illegal activity has allegedly been a considerable drain
on the resources of the Greek State and the Community
budget, which is jointly funding these projects .

In view of this :

1 . What measures has the Commission taken so far to

verify the above allegations ?

2 . How and when does it intend to intervene in the event of

any infringement of Community law on competition,
public procurement contracts or other related
provisions ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

Supplementary answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1993 )
( 25 January 1994 )

Further to the answer given on 14 June 1993 to Written
Question 573 / 93 C ), the Commission is now able to give the
following information .

According to the latest information received, the national
authorities confirm that no application was received from
any farmers ' socio-professional organization on 19 October

1993 to use the budget line provided for in point 1 of the
' Despacho ' of the Ministry of Employment and Social
Security of 21 December 1992, published in ' Diario da

'
Republica — II Serie No 9 of 12 January 1993 .

Furthermore, the national rules laying down the deadlines
for the submission of applications for assistance no longer
allow for training measures to be funded under the current
CSF .

The national authorities also stress that the loans allocated

are to be funded solely from the budget of the IEFP ( Institute
for Employment and Vocational Training ).

( J ) OJ No C 207, 30 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1023 / 93

by Christos Papoutsis ( PSE )

to the Commission

(4 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 07 )

Subject : Infringement of Community law

On 21 December 1992 the Commission received
information that certain departments and agencies in Greece
were infringing Community law in the awarding of
contracts for road construction and irrigation projects in the
prefecture of Serres .

According to the information initially supplied to the
Commission, none of the works in question exceeded the
threshold fixed by the Directive concerning the
coordination of procedures for the award of public works

contracts .

Nevertheless, the Commission has asked the Greek
authorities for further particulars in order to establish
whether the Directive should not in fact apply to some of
these works inasmuch as they may form part of a larger
project .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1082 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 08

Subject : Contradictory policy on Lake Kastoria

The local authorities in Kastoria seem to be pursuing a
totally contradictory policy . Allegations have been made in
the Greek Parliament that the local council is dumping
rubble into the town 's picturesque lake — with the aid of

Community subsidies — at the same time as asking for a
million or so from the Delors II package to remove sludge
from the bottom of the lake .

Will the Commission investigate whether there is any
substance to these allegations ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 1994 )

The operations concerning Lake Kastoria financed under
the operational programme for the western Macedonia
region are :

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 5

— a study of ways of cleaning up and exploiting Lake

Kastoria, currently nearing completion ( budget : Dr 50
million, i.e. about ECU 185 000 ); and

— a project for the construction of a road and the

development of the lake shores, proposed and carried
out by the Kastoria municipal authorities as part of the
' local development ' sub-programme ( budget : Dr 160
million, i.e. about ECU 600 000 ).

According to information recently provided by the local
authorities, embarking work undertaken as part of the
project has caused the bottom of the lake to ' rise ' in the area
near the shore . The municipal authorities have already
initiated works to assess the mud situation so that the

bottom of the lake can be restored to its natural level .

The Commission will examine with care any proposals
regarding Lake Kastoria that are submitted by the Greek
authorities on the basis of the results of the abovementioned

study and the operations already carried out .

Conference ( ECAC ), they will cover access to airports by rail
and within airports ( including between air terminals ),
airport design, harmonization of information, international
signs, passenger information before and during flight, and
training of airport, airline and travel agency personnel .

The action programme provides for rules concerning
accessibility to and within passenger ships and ports,
including emergency procedures for evacuation .

It also recommends the establishment of guidelines for taxis,
including accessibility to taxi ranks .

In addition, the action programme provides for a training
course on disability awareness and needs as part of the
formal qualifications required for architects, transport
planners, tour operators and travel agents .

Moreover, on 11 February 1991 the Commission
forwarded to the Council a proposal for a Directive on
minimum requirements to improve the mobility and safe
transport to work of workers with reduced mobility (*).
One of the main aspects covered by this proposal is the
accessibility to workers with reduced mobility of all modes
of transport and related infrastructure .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1212 / 93 ( x ) CC)M(90 ) 588 final — SYN 327 .

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 09 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1563 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

Subject : Disabled people — passenger facilities

Does the Commission support the principle that disabled
people should be able to travel throughout the EC utilizing
transport, and transport-related facilities, with the same
ease of access as non-disabled people . What specific plans
are there to ensure that all European airports, and their
facilities, are fully accessible to disabled passengers ? What
specific plans are there to ensure that all seaports, and their
passenger facilities, are fully accessible to disabled
people ?

to the Commission

( 17 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 10

Subject : Article 3(f ) of the Treaty of Rome

What representations has the Commission made to ( a ) the
United Kingdom and ( b ) other Member States of the
Community under Article 3(f ) of the Treaty of Rome in
regard to

1 . employment, and

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission 2 . energy legislation ?

(7 March 1994 )

Yes, on 26 November 1993 the Commission adopted an
action programme regarding the accessibility of transport to
persons with reduced mobility .

Part of this action programme relates specifically to the
establishment of rules concerning all aspects of accessibility
to and within airports and aircraft . Based on the recent
recommendations of the European Civil Aviation

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 November 1993 )

The Commission regularly makes representations to
Member States, including the United Kingdom, about
distortions of competition arising from employment and
energy legislation . Such representations mainly occur in

No C 268 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

connection with the work of controlling restrictive business
practices and State aid . The Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to its annual reports on Competition
Policy .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1626 / 93

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 11 )

Subject : Unfair competition from eastern European vessels

on the Community market

The Community inland waterway sector has repeatedly
complained of unfair competition from certain eastern
European vessels on the intra-Community market, which is
undermining the benefits of the Community inland
waterway vessel scrapping scheme ( Council Regulation
( EEC ) No 1101 / 89 ) ( J ).

Eastern European countries are effectively engaging in both
economic and social dumping .

What steps will the Commission take to bring to an end
these social and economic dumping practices, which could
seriously endanger this sector at Community level ?

countries to carry goods or persons from Germany to other
Member States (' Drittlandsverkehr '). Following
intervention by the Commission, the German authorities
have been applying the principle of the ' Community
preference ' when issuing such permits since 1 January
1993 .

Consequently, inland waterway operators in the Member
States are treated in the same way as carriers from Germany
when the latter country receives an application for a permit
for ' Drittlandsverkehr ' from a Polish or Czech firm . In

practice, Community operators can find out by telephone
about the transport contracts on offer in Germany in which
Polish or Czech operators have expressed an interest .

In a wider context, the problem of eastern European vessels
operating on Community waterways will be solved through
negotiations begun by the Community on 2 March 1993
with the Danube countries and Poland following the
Council Decision of 7 December 1992 . These negotiations
will also lay down the rules governing participation of the
fleets belonging to the parties to the agreement in the
respective inland waterway markets .

í 1 ) OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 280, 22 . 10 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1636 / 93

(!) OJ No L 116, 28 . 4 . 1989, p . 25 . by Hemmo Muntingh ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 June 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Matutes ( 94 / C 268 / 12 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 January 1994 )
Subject : Proposal for a Regulation on operations to
promote tropical forests ( ] )

A number of national and Community measures have been
implemented recently to tackle the concerns of the inland
waterway sector . The chief objective is to prevent the
benefits of restructuring that sector from being jeopardized
by unfair competition from vessels from central and eastern
European countries .

For this purpose, Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3921 / 91 (*), which entered into force on 1 January

1993, restricts eligibility for the national transport of goods
or persons (' cabotage ') to vessels belonging to the fleet of a
Member State . Here it is also worth mentioning that
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2919 / 85 ( 2 ) stipulates that
vessels from third countries ( except Switzerland ) are barred
from transporting merchandise or persons between two
points of the Rhine .

The presence of vessels from eastern European countries on
Community waterways is partly due to bilateral agreements
concluded by Germany with Poland and Czechoslovakia .
These allow Germany to authorize vessels from these third

Although five Directorates-General are involved in the
implementation of tropical forest policy ( DGs I, VI, VIII, XI
and XII ), practically no coordination takes place between
them .

1 . Since the proposal for a Regulation has a dual legal basis

( Articles 130s and 235 ), Can the Commission say which
DG is responsible for coordinating tropical forest
policy ? Should it not be DG XI, since the main objective
of the Regulation is nature conservation ?

2 . How will coordination be organized within the various
DGs, for example in DG I where the ' country desks '
influence the choice of those carrying out the policy,
while the ' environment unit ' ( I-K-2 ) has more factual
knowledge ?

3 . How will account be taken of the expertise and opinion
of forestry specialists in DG XI in selecting projects and
those responsible for implementing them ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 7

4 . What will be the procedures for consulting experts from

EC Member States for the purposes of selection and
assessment ?

Will the Commission consult the Working Party on
Developing Countries in Latin America and Asia for the
purposes of selection and assessment ?

Does the Commission not consider that, given the
specialized nature of a subject such as the conservation
of tropical forests, it would be best to set up a new
advisory group of tropical forest experts ?

5 . What view would the Commission take of an advisory

committee consisting of tropical forest experts from the

developing countries concerned ?

6 . What role will the European Parliament play in the

The draft Regulation provides for the establishment of an ad
hoc Advisory Committee constituted by Member State
experts and chaired by the Commission .

The Commission is considering the feasibility of establishing
a network of resource and contact points for use in the
various stages of the project cycle, including NGO expertise
from developing countries .

The Commission takes into account the concerns expressed

by the Parliament on tropical forest issues, namely, with
respect to the active involvement of local populations,
NGOs and associations of indigenous peoples . In addition,
the draft regulation provides that the Commission shall
submit a report annually to the Parliament specifying the
actions that have been financed and summarizing their
progress and conclusions .

selection of projects and those implementing them,
given that it was instrumental in creating a budgetary
heading for tropical forests ? (') OJ No L 165, 15 . 6 . 1993 .

(!) COM(93 ) 53 final .

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 862 / 93

( IS November 1993 ) by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

Three DGs ( I, VIII, XI ) are directly involved, although
others are consulted as necessary . There is close
coordination among those DGs .

DGs I and VIII are involved inasmuch as they are
responsible for cooperation with the tropical forest
countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America and DG XI is
involved to ensure consistency from an environmental
policy standpoint . The main objective reflected by the two
legal bases is to conciliate development and environment
issues .

On particular subjects relating to tropical forest, which have
or may have an impact on forestry at a global level, and as a
consequence, on the forestry sector within the Community,
Member States keep each other and the Commission
informed within the Standing Forestry Committee, under
Article 2 of Council Decision 89 / 367 / EEC, setting up a
Standing Forestry Committee ( 1 ). This committee is chaired
by a representative of DG VI .

Within DG I, Unit I / K / 2 in the North-South Directorate is
responsible for setting general policy orientations in
coordination with DGs VIII and XI . Programming is
organized by I / K / 2 in consultation with the country desks .
The latter have primary responsibility for project
preparation and implementation in consultation with
I / K / 2 .

As indicated above, DG XI 's role is to help ensure general
policy coherence . DG XI may also provide specific expertise
in project implementation .

( IS July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 13

Subject : Funding of Greek cooperative organizations

On the question of the funding of Greek cooperative
organizations, the Chairman of Paseges ( the Pan-Hellenic
Confederation of Agricultural Cooperative Unions ) recently
complained that cooperatives in the tertiary sector did not
receive funding and that, furthermore, the other cooperative
organizations received funding on a selective basis, resulting
in the fragmentation and malfunctioning of the cooperative
movement and distortion of competition .

Is it possible for the Commission to provide assistance for
the funding of all Greek cooperative organizations ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1993 )

The problem raised by the Honourable Member falls within
the exclusive competence of the Member State .

In this field, the Commission recently received a proposal
from the Irish Cooperative Organization Society Ltd, asking

No C 268 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

for the co-financing of a survey on the economic recovery
and restructuring of the co-operative movement in Greece .
The possibility of financing is currently being studied .

that certain operators were able to set more attractive prices
for consumers can be seen as an infringement of the rules of
free competition of the EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1938 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 867 / 93

to the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 15 )
( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 14 )

Subject : Reduction in use of fertilizers and pesticides

Subject : The ' lamb price war ' in Greece

The lamb price war between supermarkets and butchers in
Greece a few days before the Greek Easter revealed
distortions in the operation of ' the free market '.

The General Confederation of Greek Craft Industries and

Traders believes that the recent cases of underpricing of
meat supermarkets, particularly in Athens, are a form of
concerted attack by ' big business ' against SMEs, with the
complicity, if not actual assistance, of the Greek authorities .
It points out that the ' lamb war ' is not a sign of free
competition at work but of a blatant distortion of it, since
profits are diverted from other products and meat prices are
being brought down artificially to below cost price .

What steps does the Commission intend to take to guarantee
free competition and protect SMEs from ' big business '?

On what conditions does the Community provide financial
aid for efforts to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides,
retain abandoned land for reafforestation, environmental
protection etc .?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1994 )

The measures accompanying reform of the CAP cover both
promotion of production methods compatible with
environmental protection and maintenance of the
countryside ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 (*)), including
reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and encouragement
of afforestation of agricultural land ( Regulation ( EEC )
No 2080 / 92 ).

Upkeep of abandoned farmland and woodland is also
covered .

(!) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1946 / 93

Although the Commission does not know what prices the
supermarkets set, according to the information at its
disposal the prices paid to producers ( for lambs with a
carcass weight between 12 and 16 kg ) in 1993 followed a
seasonal trend comparable to that of 1992 . In particular, it
should be noted that the traditional price increase did occur
during the Orthodox Easter period .

Therefore, even if the supermarkets set relatively low
loss-leader prices for lamb during the Easter festivities, the
impact on producers was limited .

Furthermore, on the basis of the points raised by the
Honourable Member alone, it does not seem that the fact

by Anne André-Léonard ( LDR )

to the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 16 )

Subject : Schengen agreements / common transport policy

In view of the opinion delivered by the Court of Justice on

19 March 1993 on the competence of the Community to
conclude international agreements, to what extent is
Article 26 of the Implementing Convention on the Schengen
agreements compatible with the existence of a common
transport policy ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 9

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 April 1994 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to the oral question H-0895 / 93 by Mrs Ernst de la
Graete, which it gave during question time at Parliament 's
November 1993 part-session (*).

(*) Debates of the European Parliament No 438 ( November
1993 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 980 / 93

criteria used in Resolution 13.5 of the European Civil
Aviation Conference concerning mutual recognition of pilot
licences, adopted in 1989 .

Article 4(3 ) of the abovementioned Directive also makes
provision for licences held by less experienced pilots to be
accepted, provided, for reasons of safety, that there is no
serious doubt as to the equivalence of the licence submitted
for acceptance .

It is therefore untrue to say that acceptance has become
more difficult than before . By defining the conditions under
which Member States must recognize licences obtained in
another Member State, the Directive has reduced the scope
for refusing to accept licences .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1992 / 93

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission
to the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

( 19 July 1993 )
( 94 / C 268 / 18 )

( 94 / C 268 / 17 )

companies and large-scale

Subject : Acceptance of professional pilot 's licences within

the EC

Why has Directive 91 / 670 / EEC (*) made the acceptance of
EC professional pilot 's licences more difficult than was
previously the case, by its insistence on 1 500 flying hours
and an ATFL ( Capain 's Licence ) in order to work as a
co-pilot ( CPL normally required ) on JAR 25 aircraft, when a
CPL will suffice in the original issuing State ?

(M OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1991, p . 21 .

Subject : Advertising

distribution

Can the Commission say whether it is true that
arrangements have been made between large-scale
distribution chains and advertising companies whereby
firms which supply supermarkets or hypermarkets are not
taken on as regular customers unless they agree to negotiate
an advertising budget, the reason being that, under the guise
of different companies, monopolies have been created
which own both large-scale distribution chains and
advertising interests ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 ) The Commission is following very closely developments
regarding advertising companies and large-scale
distribution chains in the Member States, to which the
Honourable Member refers .

Article 32 of the Chicago Convention stipulates that the
members of the flight crew of aircraft must hold licences
issued or validated by the State of registration, and that each
Contracting Party has the right not to recognize licences
issued to its nationals by another contracting State .

Directive 91 / 670 / EEC introduces the requirement of mutual
recognition by Member States and sets a limit on the
requirements which a Member State may impose on very
experienced pilots . The distinction between very
experienced and less experienced pilots is based on the

However, since the details given by the Honourable
Member do not make it possible as yet for the Commission
to carry out the necessary investigation into the matter, the
Commission is unable to answer her question .

Accordingly, the Commission would ask the Honourable
Member if she could provide further details ; any such details
would, of course, receive its full attention .

No C 268 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-20 15 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 19 )

Subject : Disclosure of information

What organizations were consulted by the Commission in
its preparation of its paper on openness and information
disclosure, prepared for the Copenhagen summit, released
on 2 June 1993 ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

decided to close its plant in Couillet in Belgium and
Heilbronn in Germany . More than 500 jobs are at stake .

One of the chemical industry 's complaints is the
unrestrained competition from producers in the United
States taking advantage of the weakness of the dollar .

Is it possible to have figures on the size of the investment
which Community firms have nonetheless been making in
the United States chemical industry, broken down by sector

( production, processing, agri-chemicals, . . .) and by
company ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
(3 December 1993 ) on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1993 )
The communication on openness in the Community ( ) is
made up of three parts :

— a section giving the state of play on implementation of

the open approach and of the measures concerning
special interest groups advanced in December 1992 . A
number of representatives of special interest groups were
informally consulted during the preparation of these
December communications .

— a section expanding on the basio principles and
minimum requirements for a policy of improved access
to documents that were originally laid down in the
communication on public access to the institutions '
documents ( 2 ). A number of experts on the subject of
access to documents were consulted in the preparation
of this communication .

— a section on openness and transparency as they relate to

the general public . The initiatives put forward were
based on a critical analysis of the relevant Commission
policies and a number of comments from a wide variety
of sources outside the Commission .

t 1 ) OJ No C 166, 17 . 6 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 156, 8 . 6 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2023 / 93

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 20

Subject : Investment in the United States by the
Community 's big chemical companies

The European Community 's chemical industry is in a state
of crisis . Solvay, the largest Belgian chemical company, has

In the United States the chemical and allied industry

( including pharmaceuticals ) is one of the industries with the
largest foreign presence, with foreign subsidiaries ' total
assets amounting in 1990 to US$ 136,4 billion, i.e. 41,7 % .
Their share of the US market ( sales or consignments ) was

38 % . Community firms held a 22,5 % share of total assets
and a market share ( estimated at ) 22,6 % . It is not possible
to obtain more detailed sectoral statistics compiled by
country of origin of the investment .

It emerges from the reference survey conducted in 1987,
some results of which were published inl 992, that foreign
subsidiaries then accounted for a 23,8 % market share . The
shares by subsector were as follows :

non-organic : 25,2 %
pharmaceuticals : 23,6 %

paints : 20,3 %
agricultural use : 22,8 %
plastics : 34,2 %
detergents : 16,1 %
organic : 24,7 %
other, miscellaneous : 13,9%

It should, however, be noted that under the heading of
mining there is the subsector for potassium, soda and borate
minerals, for which the foreign subsidiaries ' market share
was 48,6% in 1987 .

According to the US Department of Commerce definition, a
firm at least 10 % of which is controlled by a non-resident

( natural or legal person ) is regarded as a foreign
subsidiary .

Data on individual groups is confidential . Owing also to the
fact that the chemical sector is highly concentrated at world

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 11

level, detailed statistical tables either cannot be published or
cannot be used .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 102 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 21

made it less productive . The olive growers of Amfissa believe
that even if the Community does not yet support such
traditional, less productive but visually attractive forms of
agriculture, it could make up part of the income they have
lost since the olive grove has been classified as part of the
Delphi site . What action could the Commission take to
satisfy the local olive growers and to support this historic
olive grove ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )
Subject : Racism in Europe

After the recent examples of racist attacks on Turks and
other immigrants living in Germany, many people have said
that racism, which is such an affront to our civilization, will
assume uncontrollable proportions if the Community does
not speedily deal with the problem of economic refugees
seeking asylum in the Member States of the Community .

A uniform Community approach is now needed to the
granting of asylum, the inclusion of all immigrants holding
residence and work permits in collective agreements,
language teaching and study at all educational levels for the
children of refugees .

The fact that an olive grove has been classified as part of the
national heritage does not necessarily result in loss of
productivity .

On the contrary, it is well known that tending an olive grove
appropriately not only helps to preserve it and make it more
attractive, but also increases its productivity .

Furthermore, the Amfissa region, and its olive grove in
particular, can be included in various structural
programmes, such as Envireg, which already provides for
the irrigation of some parts of the region .

What is the Commission 's position on this important The Commission therefore does not consider that there is
issue ? any call for it to take any measures in addition to those

already being implemented to assist olive growers in this
historic region .
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2129 / 93

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
communication to the Council and the European by Reinhold Bocklet ( PPE )
Parliament on immigration and asylum policies ( x ), which to the Commission
sets out the Commission 's position on this question .

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

f 1 ) COM(94 ) 23 final . ( 94 / C 268 / 23 )

Subject : Malt export licences

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 11 7 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

94 / C 268 / 22

Subject : The Amfissa olive grove

The Amfissa olive grove is the oldest in the world . It is a
marvel of nature, an integral part of the site of Delphi,
references to it stretching from the present day back to
Pausanias . The Greek Ministry of Culture has listed the olive
grove as part of the national heritage and a continuation of
the site of Delphi, and many of the resulting restrictions have

The Commission 's reply to my first question about the
period of reflection before the issue of malt export licences
( Written Question No 595 / 93 ) ( a ) was inadequate .

Precisely in the case of malt export licences, until
10 September 1992 there was no provision for a period of
reflection, by agreement between the Commission, the
Management Committee for Cereals and the export sector,
as a series of other measures, e.g. linking the refund for malt
to that for barley, non-transferability of the 1 + 11 - month
licences and large deposits, effectively protected the
Commission against mass speculative applications for
licences .

The fact that the measure in question was valid only until

1 January 1993 did nothing to reduce the uncertainty it

No C 268 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

occasioned in the sector, as virtually all licences are taken
out in September / October, in accordance with the timing of
the harvesting season .

In view of the attitude of the main malt-exporting countries
in the Management Committee, did not the Commission
feel compelled to discuss its measure in advance with the
parties concerned ?

(!) OJ No C 258, 22 . 9 . 1993 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

The following information can be added to the
Commission 's answer given on 27 April 1993 :

1 . The period of reflecton for the issue of malt export

licences must be seen essentially as a management tool to
avoid mass speculative applications .

This is a real danger given the long period of validity of
the licences ( current month + 11 ), monetary instability
at both Community and world level and the difficulty of
forecasting barley prices on the world market months in
advance .

During the 1992 / 93 marketing year, this management
tool was not used but served to impose some
inter-branch discipline on operators with a view to
ensuring a regular flow of applications for malt
licences .

2 . The Commission must observe budgetary discipline and
maintain a balance between exports of the different
cereals and between exports of processed cereal and
processed products .

The reflection period improves management at this level
and ensures equal treatment of all Community
exporters . No one exporter or group of exporters
should be allowed to gain a monopoly position on the
export market, since this would be damaging to the
European malt sector as a whole .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2161 / 93

by Florus Wiisenbeek ( LDR )

to the Commission

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 24 )

Subject : Infringement of the law governing driving and rest

periods in Germany

1 . Is the Commission aware that the past year has seen a
steady increase in the infringements of the legislation on

driving and rest periods in Germany and that it is primarily
German lorry drivers who do not keep to the rules ?

2 . Is the Commission also aware that these infringemens
are frequently concealed through tampering with the
tachograph ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that the new proposal to
replace the tachograph with a ' black box ' for heavy goods
vehicles should be put into practice as soon as possible ?

4 . Does the Commission intend to submit any additional
proposals regarding driving and rest periods which are more
practical than those currently in force ? If so, when ? If not,
why not ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1994 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the BAG statistics for

Germany ( Bundesanstalt fur den Giiterfernverkehr ) which
show that 587 199 vehicles were checked in 1992, of which
47 % were of foreign origin . The checks found 1 1,2 % of the
German and 13,3 % of the foreign vehicles to be infringing
the rights of drivers, more specifically, in 47,8 % of these
cases, the legislation on driving and rest periods ( 48,6 % for
national and 46,9 % for other drivers ). Thus for this type of
infringement the proportion of German drivers was indeed
slightly higher than that of other nationals . However, it is
not possible to draw significant conclusions from these
observations as the reverse was true in 1991 .

At all events, there is no evidence whatsoever at present that
German drivers break the rules more often than their

European counterparts .

2 and 3 . Tampering with the tachograph, which is not
always detected during checks, can make it possible to
conceal infringements of the rules on driving time and rest
periods .

The Commission is therefore studying the possibility of
replacing the current tachograph by an electronic system
which would make fraud more difficult and surveillance

easier .

This would not, however, involve a ' black box ' of the type
used in civil aviation, which would be much to costly, ill
suited to road transport and above all highly impractical for
use in roadside checks .

The Commission also considers that the current equipment
should be replaced as quickly as possible . To this end, as
provided for in the 1993 legislative programme ( fourth
quarter ), a proposal to amend the existing rules is being
prepared, but in view of the complexity of the matter,
possible adoption is not envisaged until sometime in 1994 .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 13

The administrative and industrial problems to be overcome economic and social indicators, reform efforts and Phare
in preparing and developing an innovatory system should programmes generally .
not be underestimated .

The new equipment will also have to meet a number of
technical specifications guaranteeing systems compatibility,
reliability of the data supplied and their accessibility and
legibility in order to permit roadside checks on international
transport, and maximum inviolability to guard against
fraud .

4 . New proposals on driving times and rest periods could
result from current studies and work at the Commission

aimed at defining working time in road transport .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2262 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 25 )

Subject : Aid for the countries of central and eastern

Europe

According to international press reports, western aid for the
countries of central and eastern Europe is distributed among
the recipient countries in a very uneven manner . Hungary,
for example, has received ECU 892 in international aid per
head of population, compared with Lithuania which has
received only ECU 122 ; ECU 529 per head of population
have been granted to the Visegrad countries compared with
only ECU 186 to the Balkan countries (a ratio of 1:3 ).

Given the objectively greater needs of the Balkan countries,
will the Commission say what specific measures it intends to
take to ensure that the Balkan countries receive a fair share

of Community and international aid ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1993 )

Out of this year 's total of ECU 1,005 million in Community
assistance for the countries of central and eastern Europe

( Phare ), ECU 800 million has gone on national programmes
in line with the Commission 's decision .

A breakdown of aid per capita and per country gives ECU
6,9 for Bulgaria and Romania, ECU 5 for Slovenia and ECU
6,5 for the Visegrad countries .

These figures are a reflection of the goal, set out in the new
Phare guidelines for 1993 — 1997, of maintaining aid at
previous levels, while making a special effort to boost

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2272 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 26 )

Subject : Strengthening of the single market

During the recent European summit meeting in Copenhagen
on 21 / 22 June 1993, the President of the Commission issued
a communique on the economic revival of the Community
on the eve of the 21st Century . He said inter alia that a single
currency would help strengthen the single market and create
the indispensable preconditions for fair and productive
competition .

Will the Commission say to what extent it can support this

statement by clear, balanced and expert analyses which are
comprehensible to the general public ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

On numerous occasions, the Commission has emphasized
the benefits of a single currency for the internal market
process, most extensively in the Study ' one market, one
money ' published in European Economy No 44 . The
benefits may be divided into those at the micro-economic
level, those at the macro-economic level and those at the
international level .

The micro-economic importance of a single currency for the
single market derives from the following considerations :

— the internal market implies an increase in cross-border

transactions related to trade, investment and travel that
involve exchanging one currency for another . This
exchange is costly due to transaction costs ( commission
spreads between buying and selling ) on the spot .
Furthermore, enterprises that have to make or receive
payments in the future have additional costs in order to
protect them against exchange rate losses . All these
additional costs make it less profitable to engage in
cross-border transactions, thus impeding the working of
the internal market . This applies, in particular, to small
and medium-sized enterprises, for which such costs can
be substantial in comparison with their profits ?

— one of the main benefits from the internal market comes

from enhanced competition between firms . For this

No C 268 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

competition to be efficient prices of similar goods and
services need to be easily compared internationally . If
prices are expressed in different currencies which,
moreover, fluctuate, comparisons are made more
difficult . A single currency will, therefore, enhance price
transparency and thus competition, leading to the lowest
prices for consumers ;

— a single currency provides the financial service sector

with the large financial area ( without actual or potential
capital controls ) which it needs in order to develop a full
range of financial products that can be sold — due to the
liberalization of financial services — throughout the
Community . Small, local, protected financial markets do
not have the liquidity to develop all products and allow
monopolists to charge excessive margins . A single
financial area would also give the Community a
competitive edge against other large financial
market-places . The liquidity of the market would, by
itself, ensure lower margins on financial products .

— uncertainty about the evolution of exchange rates,

— with a single currency, countries cannot mask their loss

of competitiveness through devaluations . This will lead
to attention being targeted on the structural problems
which are at the root of the Member States ' declining
competitiveness, and pave the way for an improvement
in long-term economic performance .

— a single currency means a gain for the tax payers and the

business sector because investors will no longer ask for a
risk premium in interest rates on public or private debt
due to the uncertainty about the exchange rate . This
gives governments more room to engage in sound fiscal
policies that create the stable, growth-enhancing
environment in which the internal market can flourish,
and makes it cheaper for enterprises to finance their
investment, leading to a higher capital stock and output
potential .

A final gain from a single currency for the internal market
arises at the international level if, through its economic and
monetary weight, the Community is able to cooperate on
equal terms with its main trading partners in creating a more
stable international monetary system in line with underlying
economic fundamentals and thus give enterprises a fair
opportunity to trade their goods and services in accordance
with the advantages offered by international trade .

especially if caused by large speculative capital
movements, causes traders and investors to be more with the advantages offered by international
cautious about their cross-border transactions because

they cannot cover the related payments against future
currency movements, notably those in the long term .
This implies that part of the mutual benefit from more
trade and an optimal investment portfolio ( as stimulated
in the internal market by the elimination of technical
barriers to trade and the free movement of capital ) will WRITTEN QUESTION E-2278 / 93
not be realised .

by Bruno Bossière ( V )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

— without a single currency, there is the risk that countries
94 / C 268 / 27

may try to undercut each other through so-called
' competitive devaluations '. Such devaluations, if they
are not warranted by underlying economic performance,
in fact are tantamount to an export subsidy ( from the
point of view of an exporter ) and a tariff ( from the point
of view of an importer ), thus distorting the normal
working of the price mechanism that should bring about
the gains from the internal market . They could also lead
to protectionist reflexes and trade-distorting forms of
assistance to industry .

Subject : Decline in shops and services centres in rural areas

( especially the new German Lander )

1 . Is the Commission aware that in a growing number of
small villages in the Community, for example in France and
Germany ( especially the new German Lander ), shops,
services centres and post offices are being closed on
economic grounds and that in many villages there are now
no shops at all ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that this reduces the scope
for development of these rural regions and promotes the
exodus from the countryside ?

3 . Does it agree that this causes serious problems,
especially for the elderly and for people who have no
alternative to public transport ?

4 . Would it be possible to use the Community 's
Structural Funds to support the opening of shops and

There are also a number of macro-economic benefits for the

single market which derive from having a single

currency :

— creating a stable, growth-enhancing economic climate

that is not hampered by speculative capital movements
makes possible higher investment and stronger
economic growth . The latter, in their turn, create an
environment that facilitates the adjustment process and
industrial restructuring that has to take place in order to
reap the benefits from the internal market .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 15

services centres in rural areas and to provide temporary
subsidies for them ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2425 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

5 . Does the Commission agree that, as a rule, in ( 27 September 1993 )
allocating funds to rural areas it is advantageous to support ( 94 / C 268 / 28 )
small projects ( grouped together by the national
authorities ), and that they should have priority over large
projects ?
Subject : Implementation of Community standardization

and hygiene rules on fish catches

Does the Commission intend in the near future to seek the

implementation of Community standardization and hygiene
Answer on behalf given of the by Commission Mr Steichen rules governing fish catches ?

( 14 December 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

The Commission is familiar with the problems raised by the
Honourable Member . The structural changes that have been
affecting the new German Lander to a large extent explain
the substantial fall in the number of commercial

establishments and service centres in rural areas . However,
the Commission does not currently have precise figures on
the scale of this phenomenon .

Like the Honourable Member the Commission considers

that this trend is detrimental to the quality of life in the
countryside and particularly penalizes elderly people and
those dependent on public transport .

In the context of Structural Funds operations, the
Commission has expressly set itself the task of contributing
to the stimulation or revival of the economy in rural areas . It
feels that an important aspect of such development or
revival is the supply of certain basic goods and services to the
rural population .

The Regulations governing Structural Funds operations
allow for Community participation in the financing of
national programmes designed to promote this objective .

Among existing integrated concepts for rural development
there are already some first elements of a response to the
problems raised in this case (' Grocer 2000 ', ' Service
Centre '). For the next phase of structural operations, which
will commence in 1994, the Commission will take pains to
pursue this line of development in cooperation with national
and regional decision-makers .

It is not possible to give a single answer to the question of
whether small projects should be given priority over
large-scale projects, since this depends entirely on the
particular case and circumstances .

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1994 )

Under Article 6 of Directive 91 / 492 / EEC and Article 8 of

Directive 91 / 493 / EEC, to the extent that it is necessary for
the uniform application of these Directives, the Commission
may carry out on-the-spot inspections with the coopertion
of the authorities of the Member States .

To carry out these inspections, among others, the
Commission has created a Veterinary and Phytosanitary
Inspection Office ( VPIO ), for which staff are currently being
recruited in certain sectors, including fisheries . However, for
budget reasons, recruitment of staff specializing in fisheries
products has been temporarily suspended .

For this reason, the VPIO has only been able to carry out a
very limited number of inspections in non-Member
countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2427 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 29 )

Subject : Research and training in the fishing industry

In view of the tremendous importance of research and
training in the fishing industry, will the Commission take
any Community measures to provide financial support for
such activities and, in particular, to promote experimental
fishing and implement programmes for biological and
ecological studies of the main species of fish caught ?

No C 268 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

The measures to be taken to attain the objectives of the
common fisheries policy, and in particular for ensuring a
rational and responsible exploitation of aquatic marine
resources on a sustainable basis, are based on available
biological, ecological, socio-economic and technical
analyses .

Under Regulation ( EEC ) No 4028 / 86, the Commission can
finance experimental fishing voyages designed to evaluate
the commercial viability of exploiting a particular area or a
particular species using fishing gear or techniques which are
innovative in the Community .

Every year as part of its scheme of research funding, the
Commission publishes a call for research proposals relevant
to various fields in the Official Journal of the European

Communities . In 1993, for example, there were three major
areas : ' Biological and Economic Analysis in support of the
Common Fisheries Policy ', ' Protection of Marine Species ',
and ' Specific Actions in the Mediterranean '. All experts,
research institutes and other competent organizations may
apply for funds .

must be sought between different fishing techniques . To this
end the Commission has already drawn up a proposal for
technical measures putting very strict limits on trawling in
coastal waters and setting minimum mesh sizes to protect
juvenile fish . Under the MGP ( multiannual guidance
programme ), it has also proposed reducing bottom trawl
fishing capacities . The debate must be continued as the new
basic Regulation is applied and in the context of the
management of fishing effort .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2522 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 31 )

Subject : Historical research and the envisaged ' support

actions '

Thus, the Commission is encouraging research by funding
study projects which will improve the existing information
to frame the regulatory provisions needed in the Knowledge of the history of the European peoples could
development of the common fisheries policy . contribute to improving communications between them and

to developing their common cultural physiognomy . In view
of the fact that the Treaty on European Union provides for
the development of a common cultural policy, will the
Commission include historical research in the envisaged
' support measures '?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2430 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 30 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2523 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

Subject : End to the use of the trawl for fishing in the

Mediterranean

It is an open secret that trawling could be ended in the
Mediterranean provided there were incentives to give up this
method of fishing or replace the trawl with other acceptable
fishing gear . Does the Commission intend to take any action
to encourage this ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )

Measures to abolish the use of the trawl for fishing in the
Mediterranean do not seem justified . However, a balance

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 32 )

Subject : Adoption and implementation of programmes to

encourage systematic contacts and cooperation
between historical research bodies

Modern historical research provides an understanding of
the history of all European peoples together with their
complex cultural heritage . In view of this, is the Commission
willing to support the adoption and implementation of
programmes to increase systematic contacts and
cooperation between historical research bodies situated in
the Member States ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2546 / 93

Joint answer to Written Questions WRITTEN QUESTION E-2546

E-2522 / 93 and E-2523 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

E-2522 / 93 and E-2523 / 93

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

( 11 November 1993 ) (1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 33 )

' The improvement of the knowledge and dissemination of
the culture and history of the European peoples ' is one of the
doors opened by the Treaty on European Union for
Community action .

This general objective covers a large number of fields,
including the conservation of the cultural heritage, cultural
exchanges and artistic creation .

The Community endeavours to give priority to the
knowledge and dissemination of the history of the European
peoples through cultural exchanges in the broad sense
( seminars, symposia, etc .).

Historical research in the strict sense is carried out mainly in
the universities and research institutes, and the Commission
is concerned to support projects and initiatives on the study
of the history of Europe .

The Honourable Member should be informed of two

Community projects : the Liaison Group of European
Historians and the Jean Monnet Project .

The Liaison Group of European Historians with the
Commission of the European Communities, which was set
up in 1982 with Commission support, responds to the
wishes of teachers to organize themselves to include the
problem of the history of European integration in training
and research programmes . It is a vital partner for the
Commission and has a consultative and study role for the
Community archives and historical research based on these

sources .

The activities of the Liaison Group include the organization

of scientific symposia every two years, the publication of a
Newsletter to provide information for historians of
contemporary Europe and the carrying-out of a huge
research project on the factors which, during the 20th
Century, contributed to the emergence of a European
identity and an adequate European consciousness to give
birth to the construction of Europe . This project mobilizes
over a hundred teachers and research workers throughout
the Community and will be the subject of an important
general symposium in Paris from 10 to 13 November this

year .

The Jean Monnet Project was launched in 1990 . Eighteen

Chairs of History focusing on teaching and research in the
history of European integration have been established under
it .

Subject : Number of people employed in agriculture to

1999

What are the Commission 's estimates of the number of
people who will be employed in agriculture per Member
State up to 1999, following implementation of the
preliminary agreement between the USA and the EEC ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )

The Commission has not carried out any forecasts of
employment trends in agriculture in individual Member

States .

Such trends depend, at a national level, on a vast number of
factors, some specific to the development of agriculture, and
others external to the sector, such as overall economic
trends and employment trends within the economy, as well
as rural development .

However, in studies carried out by academic institutions it is
estimated that employment in agriculture ( expressed in
annual work units ) at Community level is likely to follow
the trend that has been registered over the last decades,
during which it fell by about 3 % a year .

The Commission also considers that the reform of the CAP,
which it believes to be compatible with the Blair House
outline agreement, will make it possible to keep more jobs
than would have been the case if the previous policies had
been continued .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2685 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 34 )

Subject : Introduction of assent procedure for cohesion

Is the Commission satisfied with the measures taken to

introduce an assent procedure for cohesion in regard to

No C 268 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

proposals for legislation, Community policies and
individual programmes ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1994 )

The assent procedure was introduced into the
decision-making procedures for Community legislation in
the area of economic and social cohesion by the Treaty on
European Union which entered into force on 1 November
1993 . The most recently adopted Community legislation in
the field of cohesion concerns the revision of the Structural

Funds . The new rules, consisting of five revised Regulations
and one new Regulation, were adopted on 20 July 1993 in
accordance with the procedures laid down for each of the
Regulations in the Treaty in force at that time . However, the
Presidents of Parliament, the Council and the Commission
agreed from the outset of the negotiation to treat the six
draft Regulations on a single package . This arrangement
required in practice that Parliament undertake two readings
of all the Regulations, although from a legal standpoint the
cooperation procedure applied to only two of them .

The Commission was pleased that this arrangement was
agreed by the three institutions, as it made it possible to
complete the revision of the Structural Funds Regulations
within the extremely short deadline imposed by the
European Council in Copenhagen at the same time as
allaying the serious concerns of each of the institutions
regarding the provisions contained in those Regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2699 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 35

Subject : Trans-European networks and the Copenhagen

summit

At the Copenhagen summit EC President Jacques Delors
presented his plan for ' Entering the 21st century ', section 4
of which talks about stimulating European industry
( transport, construction and public works etc .) involved in
infrastructure networks over a period of 10 years . The plan
says that ' an overall total of ECU 30 billion a year seems to
be a realistic minimum target for expenditure in this
field '.

1 . Assuming that it is the EC 's intention that the Member
States should advance the 10 times ECU 30 billion, does
the Commission feel that the Member States are able

and willing to invest such sums ?

2 . How, and to what extent, will the EC contribute
towards this sum ? How will this be presented in the
Community budget ?

3 . How is the EC going to encourage the Member States to

invest these large sums ? What is the significance of the
' Declaration of Community interest ' referred to in
section 1 of the conclusions of the Presidency ?

4 . If the Community is to help with all these investments
through an interest subsidy of a few percentage points,
the annual sum involved will run into hundreds of

millions of ECU . Does the Commission believe that this

money can be found for the Community budget ?

5 . The Council has requested the Commission to submit a

white paper on the medium-term strategy . Does this
white paper cover all the financing and budgetary
aspects of these measures to stimulate industry ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 February 1994 )

The overall estimates worked out for the Copenhagen
Council have been further refined in the White Paper on
growth, competitiveness, employment ( 1 ). ECU 30 billion a
year is still a realistic target for large trans-European
networks projects in the areas of transport and
telecommunications . The White Book highlights a first list
of priority projects individually identified which amount to
ECU 162 billion in six years — or ECU 27 billion a year . If
investment in environmental infrastructure is also included,
the figure rises to 31 billion a year . These amounts are
comprised within a much larger list of projects adding up to
ECU 574 billion ( environment included ) by the end of the
century or some ECU 96 billion a year during six years .

On the specific questions raised, the Commission can give
the following answers :

1 . The Commission is not assuming that Member States
should advance through national budgets ECU 30
billion a year to finance trans-European network
infrastructure .

The private sector has a leading role in the development
of telecommunications and energy transport
infrastructure . As to the transport sector, where
Member States have traditionally borne the bulk of the
investment, there are an increasing number of cases of
public-private partnership in various degrees .

2 . The Community 's financial role is restricted to
supporting the financial efforts of the Member States, as
laid down in the Treaty on European Union, and to help
in mobilising capital .

The Community will contribute to the annual amount to
be spent on the networks by using grants from the
budget lines for trans-European networks ( about ECU
0,50 billion ), from the Structural Funds ( about ECU

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 19

1,35 billion ), from the Cohesion Fund ( about ECU 1,15
billion ), and from the Research & Development
budgetary endowments ( about ECU 0,55 billion ). In
total, the Commission expects to spend during the

1994 — 19 99 period an average annual amount of ECU
3,55 billion in budget grants for trans-European
networks and ECU 1,75 billion in budget grants for
environment-related infrastructure . The Community
will also contribute through loans and guarantees from
its financial instruments . The EIB is expected to lend
about ECU 7 billion a year for trans-European networks
and environment-related infrastructure, with the former
receiving more than ECU 4 billion a year .

Though not directly providing funds, once up and
running the new European Investment Fund ( EIF ) will
be granting guarantees amounting to a total of 6 to 10
billion ECU, a majority of which facilitating the
financing of TENs . A further enlargement of that
volume of guarantees to ECU 16 billion will be possible
to the longer term .

Only the TEN budget lines will cover exclusively
expenditure directly related to the trans-European
networks . The other budget expenditure will be covered
by the provisions applying to the separate budgetary
lines concerned .

3 . At the European Councils of Edinburgh and
Copenhagen, Member States already pledged to switch
— to the extent possible — their public expenditure
priorities towards infrastructure and other capital
investment .

The declaration of European interest is aimed at projects
run and mainly financed by private initiative . It will
stimulate private initiative by confirming the political
support given to those projects by the Community . The
fact that a project has been awarded such a declaration
will no doubt be taken into account by the national
authorities . It should also make it easier for access to

Community funds to be considered .

4 . The Cohesion Fund and the Structural Funds will

normally support investment through direct capital
contributions . Only the TEN budget line — just
endowed with ECU 209 million in 1993 — are

specifically envisaged to provide assistance in the form
of interest subsidies, along with guarantees and the
funding of feasibility studies .

The terms of any loan can be softened on a larger or
smaller scale depending on the resources available . In
any case, the amounts to be used in interest subsidies
have not yet been decided .

5 . The White Book total of ECU 20 billion a year between

1994 and 1999 for Community finance includes, in
addition to the budget provisions, both EIB loans and
ECU 8 billion of loans by the Community itself financed
through Community borrowings ( Union Bonds ).

(M COM(93 ) 700 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2790 / 93

by Hugh McMahon ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 36 )

Subject : EC Directive on recognition of higher education

diplomas

Following on the Commission 's response to Written
Question No 2826 / 92 (*), does the Commission consider
that, after a Member State has implemented the Directive

89 / 48 / EEC ( 2 ), the relevant competent national authority
must take into account periods of study or practical study
undertaken in the host State, in view of paragraph 20 of the
decision of the Court in the ' Vlassopoulou ' case ( 3 ) and can
the Commission advise what is the position in other
Member States in this regard, particularly France ?

( 1 ) OJ No C 185, 7 . 7 . 1993, p . 16 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989, p . 16 .

( 3 ) C-340 / 89, 7 . 5 . 1991, ECR 1-2357 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 December 1993 )

Council Directive 89 / 48 / EEC of 21 December 1988 on a
general system for the recognition of higher-education
diplomas, imposes upon the host Member State a duty to
recognize the migrant 's ' diploma ' as defined in Article 1(a ).
This definition is framed in terms of education and training
completed in the Member State of origin . Neither Article 3
which enshrines the principle of recognition, nor Article 4,
which permits Member States to impose an adaptation
period or an aptitude test in the event of substantial
differences between the migrant 's education and training
and that required in the host Member State for the pursuit of
the same profession, make reference to periods of study or
professional experience in the host Member State .

However, as the Honourable Member rightly points out, the
Court of Justice in its decision in Case C-340 / 89
Vlassopoulou imposed upon the national authorities a duty
to consider whether knowledge acquired in the host
Member State, either during a course of study or by way of
practical experience, is sufficient to establish possession of
knowledge which was lacking in the migrant 's initial
education and training .

The Commission is of the view that the obligation to take
into consideration periods of study and practical experier\ce
in the host Member State, which flows directly from
Articles 5 and 52 EC Treaty, should be incorporated into the
examination of the migrant 's qualifications which the
competent national authorities are required to carry out by
Article 3 of Directive 89 / 48 / EEC . In particular, periods of
study and practical experience in the host Member State

No C 268 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

may reduce or obviate the need for an adaptation period or
aptitude test . The Commission will take appropriate steps to
ensure that the principles laid down in the Vlassopoulou
judgment are respected by all the Member States in dealing
with requests for recognition made under Directive
89 / 48 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2843 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 37 )

Subject : Curtailment of discharges of ozone-damaging

chemicals

The international science journal ' Nature ' reported in its
issue of 26 August 1993 on the work of the American
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 's
Climate Diagnostics Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado,
which had identified a substantial slow-down in the

previous increasing trend in release of industrial chemicals,
especially CFC-11 and CFC-12, which damage the ozone
layer .

Has the Commission examined this study and what
proposals has it to further curtail discharges of
ozone-depleting chemicals ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

It is proposed that consumption of HCFCs — a transitional
substance which can be used as a less harmful substitute for

CSCs — should be frozen at the level of consumption of
CFCs and HCFCs in 1989 plus 2,5 % and should be phased
out by 2014 . In the case of methyl bromide, the proposed
regulation requires a 25 % cut in 1991 production levels by

1996 .

The new measures were designed to implement in the
Community the approach agreed in the 1992 Copenhagen
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and as a response to a
wealth of scientific evidence which demonstrates annually
increasing ozone depletion .

In accordance with the principle of Article 6 of the Montreal
Protocol, measures for the control of ozone depleting
substances are periodically reviewed by the UNEP Scientific
Assessment Panel . The results of this regular re-examination
will determine the development of further measures on the
international level under the Montreal Protocol .

0 ) COM(93 ) 202 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 67, 14 . 3 . 1991 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 405, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2881 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 December 1993 ) (4 October 1993 )

( 94 /C 268 / 38 )

The Commission welcomes the decline in the growth rate of
atmospheric CFC levels . Undoubtedly, the strict controls on
the production of ozone depleting substances, that have

been introduced in the Community and around the world,
are proving to be effective .

The Commission is aware of the work referred to in the

written question . The results of research work supported
under the Environment Research Programme are consistent
with the decrease of growth rates of the atmospheric
abundance of CFCs, reported by J. W. Elkins et al in Nature
364, 780 ( 1993 ).

The Commission continues to pursue a policy of firm
control in this area and proposed a new Regulation on
substances that deplete the ozone layer in June of this
year (*). The Regulation, if adopted by the Council, will
consolidate the current controls on ozone depleting
substances ( Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 594 / 91 ( 2 ) and
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3952 / 92 ) ( 3 ), render the
recovery of used ozone depleting substances mandatory in
certain cases, and external controls to two further harmful
chemicals : hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFCs ) and methyl
bromide .

Subject : Changes to the system for subsidizing processed

tomatoes

Under the present system tomato processors are entitled to
receive Community aid providing they have paid the
minimum price to the producer . The subsidy is thus passed
on to the producer in the form of the lowest price . However,
in practice, processors abuse the present system to their own
advantage and fail to pay the minimum price to the producer
in advance, — the condition for receipt of the subsidy,
pleading financial difficulties, they issue forged payment
invoices to the producers and thereby avoid taking out bank
loans . After receiving Community aid, they pay the
producers the minimum price, although frequently they fail
even to do this .

Will the Commission say to what extent it intends to amend
this system by granting aid directly to producers so as better
to safeguard their interests ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 21

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1994 )

Under the Community scheme for products processed from
tomatoes, governed by Regulation ( EEC ) No 426 / 86 i 1 ), the
authorities of the Member States are responsible for
checking that producers are paid the minimum prices .

Such checks, and the corresponding penalties, are provided
for in Articles 15 to 17 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1558 / 91 ( 2 ).
Specifically, Article 16(2)(b ) provides for random checks on
the signatures on the invoices presented by processors in
support of their aid applications, and on the correctness of
these invoices, for example by bringing together the
interested parties .

In addition Member States must take all necessary steps to
prevent and punish fraud relating to the production aid
system and ensure correct application thereof

( Article 16(4 )).

The Commission considers that the current rules are

sufficient to prevent the problems referred to by the
Honourable Member . It does not intend to amend the

Regulation .

However, the Commission is prepared to examine any
individual case which the Honourable Member wishes to

submit to it, on the basis of additional information .

( x ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 144, 8 . 6 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2889 / 93

by Enrico Falqui ( V )

to the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 39

Subject : Community funding for the planned
reorganization of a penal establishment in Italy

There is currently a plan for the comprehensive
reorganization of the penal establishment on the island of
Gorgona, in the Tuscan archipelago . The plan, which
includes inter alia measures to encourage ' social tourism ' on
the island and the recommissioning of the Demanio
buildings, which are of major historical and architectural
importance, is the subject of a Protocol of Understanding
initialled in 1990 by the Tuscany Region, the Province and
Municipality of Livorno and the Ministry of Justice .

Did the Commission receive any funding applications in
respect of this plan from the Tuscany Region in the last years
of the IMPs relating to Italy and, if so, how much did the

Commission allocate for Community co-financing of the
plan ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

The Commission has not received any request from the
Italian authorities for part-financing, under the Community
programmes for Tuscany, of the project to which the
Honourable Member refers .'

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2923 / 93

by Francois Guillaume ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 40 )

Subject : Shoe imports from third countries

Given the accelerating growth in imports of shoes and
manufactured products from third countries, particularly
South-East Asia, the Community is involuntarily abetting a
situation which is jeopardizing a sector in serious difficulty
and indirectly condoning the social dumping practised by
manufacturers in these countries, some of which use
prisoners among their workforce .

Does the Commission not think that it would therefore be

appropriate to introduce a variable levy on imports of this
type, with the possibility of providing compensation in the
form of development aid for well-defined projects ?

Answer given by Mr Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

The Commission is fully aware of the problems faced by the
European footwear industry and is taking a range of
measures to help boost competitiveness and to find new
markets .

One of the main aims of the Commission 's commercial

policy in the sector is to obtain the opening of third
countries ' markets which are protected . Besides the
Commission helps explore and exploit new markets .

No C 268 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

For example the Commission has launched an export
promotion scheme ( Exprom ) which helps the industry to
develop new markets for Community textile, leather and
footwear products . The budget for 1993 is 680 000 ECU
and part of this has been used to support footwear
exhibitions in Singapore and Budapest .

A surge of low-price footwear imports was one of the
reasons for the Commission 's proposal of 10 November

1992 to impose Community restrictions on certain types of
footwear from China, Vietnam, and North Korea (*). The
Council has recently agreed on the broad outlines of the
Community 's commercial policy instruments, including the
need for a limited number of quantitative restrictions
vis-a-vis imports from China, although the specific products
have not been defined yet . It should also be remembered that
an anti-dumping duty still applies on certain categories of
Chinese footwear ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1812 / 91 ) ( 2 ).

The Commission attaches great importance to the inclusion
of a social clause in the Community 's scheme of generalised
preferences . Nevertheless, the Commission has decided for
the time being not to propose the use of such a clause in the

1994 scheme . This will give the Commission time to
consider various technical and legal questions in greater
detail and also to take into account the outcome of the

Uruguay Round .

(!) COM(92 ) 455 final .

( 2 ) OJ No L 166, 28 . 6 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2992 / 93

by Virginio Bettini ( V )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 41 )

Subject : Assessment of policy of optimal use of woodlands

in rural areas in the Community

Having regard to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1609 / 89 (*) on the
afforestation of agricultural land ;

having regard to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1610 / 89 ( 2 ) on the
scheme to develop and optimally utilize woodlands in rural
areas in the Community ;

given that the ongoing summer scourge of forest fires
causing regions, especially in the Mediterranean, to become
even more arid, calls for a large-scale reafforestation
policy ;

will the Commission carry out and publish an assessment of
the reafforestation policy, specifying in particular

— how many hectares have so far between reafforested ;

— what proportion of the reafforested land had been

affected by fires ;

— what proportion of the reafforested land was damaged

by fire after the entry into force of the abovementioned
Regulation ;

— what proportion of the reafforestation work was based

on indigenous flora and not based solely on productive
criteria ?

t 1 ) OJ No L 165, 15 . 6 . 1989, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 165, 15 . 6 . 1989, p . 3 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1994 )

The forestry measures provided for under Regulation ( EEC )
No 1609 / 89 fall within the scope of ' afforestation of
farmland ' implemented in accordance with Regulation

( EEC ) No 2328 / 91, which will be replaced, for the purpose
of forestry measures on agricultural holdings, by Regulation

( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 . The forestry measures provided for
under Regulation ( EEC ) No 1610 / 89 are part of
wide-ranging regional programmes on the development of
rural areas in the Community .

The Commission does not at present have any analytical
data on reafforestation carried out within this framework .

The following figures give an estimate of the total areas
affected by reafforestation :

afforestation of farmland ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 797 / 85,
No 1609 / 89, No 2328 / 91 ): 69 775 ha afforested between

1986 and 1992 ( EC total );

afforestation under operational programmes pursuant to
Objectives 1 and 5(b ) of the reform of the Structural Funds :
226 548 ha ( EC total );

Information about the forestry sector in the Community and
the afforestation of farmland is given in the Annual Report
on the Situation of Agriculture in the Community .
Information on regional programmes is given in the reports
on the implementation of the reform of the Structural
Funds .

No data is available at Community level concerning the
percentage of reafforested area damaged by forest fires or
the percentage of reafforested area damaged by forest fires
since the entry into force of the abovementioned
Regulations . The exact percentage of reafforestation work
based on indigenous flora cannot be established .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 23

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2993 / 93

by Virginio Bettini ( V )

to the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 42 )

Subject : Assessment of the work of the European Forestry

Information and Communication System ( Efics )

Having regard to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1615 / 89 ( a )
establishing a European Forestry Information and
Communication System ( Efics );

given that this Regulation provided for a four-year
experimental stage ( 1989 — 1992 ) by the end of which the
Commission was to submit a report to the Council and then
proposals for the future of Efics ( Article 5 );

1 . Will the Commission provide the European Parliament

with the report, drawn up by the Commission for the
Council ( Article 5 ), on the implementation of Efics and
the initial results obtained, as well as, the proposals
concerning the future development of Efics ?

2 . will the Commission state in particular what
contribution Efics has made to combatting forest
fires ?

0 ) OJ No L 165, 15 . 6 . 1989, p . 12 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

1 . Regulation ( EEC ) No 1615 / 89 is an integral part of the
Forestry Action Programme adopted in May 1989 . The
purpose of this Regulation, which expired on 31 December

1992, was to create a European Forestry Infomation and
Communication System ( Efics ). Unfortunately, it was not
possible to implement the system within the deadline laid
down by the abovementioned Regulation because of the
complexity of the task .

The programme proved particularly ambitious because of
the insufficient harmonization of forestry statistics and the
absence of data for many related activities .

It was necessary to launch a number of preliminary surveys
to determine what statistical data was available on forestry
in the different Member States .

In addition, during the past four years of implementation of
the Forestry Action Programme, priority has been given to
measures to develop, increase the return on and protect
woodlands .

It has therefore not been possible to comply with the
deadlines laid down, and there was consequently no point in
writing the report as planned .

A proposal has been presented to extent Regulation ( EEC )
No 1615 / 89 in order to continue implementation of the
system . The procedure is currently under way .

The system must be implemented in close collaboration with
the Member States . An Efics working group has therefore
been set up within the framework of the Standing Forestry
Committee, in which the officials responsible for forestry
statistics from Eurostat and the FAO / ECE in Geneva are

also participating .

This working group has met twice to date and has

demonstrated the unanimous agreement of the Member
States on the need to implement the Efics .

2 . Within the framework of the coordination and
monitoring of the Community 's action to protect forests
against fire, introduced by Regulation ( EEC ) No 2158 / 92, a
pilot project is currently under way to prepare an
information system on forest fires, particularly with a view
to encouraging the exchange of information on fires,
making an ongoing assessment of the impact of the
measures taken by the Member States and the Commission
in this area, assessing the periods, degrees and causes of risk
and preparing strategies for protecting forests against fire .
This work is being carried out in close cooperation with the
working group on forest fires of the Standing Forestry
Committee .

Clearly, the common elements defined in the context of the
system of information on forest fires will be integrated into
the Efics as soon as it is operational .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3065 / 93

by Dieter Rogalla ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 43 )

Subject : EC requirement concerning removal of price

discrimination

1 . Can the Commission confirm press reports ( e.g. in the
business section of ' Neue Zeit'of 1 1 September 1993 ) that it
has called for the removal of price discrimination with
regard to the use of phonecards in Germany ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that competition is
beneficial and should, as a matter of principle, be
encouraged in the area of phonecards also ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that competition would
be encouraged if charges for phonecards were lower than
those applied by State undertakings for example ?

No C 268 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

4 . What legal basis can the Commission see for WRITTEN QUESTION E-3082 / 93
intervening in areas of national competition, e.g. by Paul Howell ( PPE )
phonecards which do not operate on an internal market, i.e.
to the Commission
cross-border, basis ?

(5 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 44 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Tacis Programme
( 24 February 1994 )

1 . In March 1993, the Commission asked Deutsche
Bundespost Telekom to provide information about the
tariffs structure in their phonecard services . DBP Telecom
replied that there is a difference between the tariffs applied
to chargecards (' Telekarten ') and to credit cards
(' Kooperationskarten ') which will be abolished from
January 1, 1994 .

2 . The Community encourages the application of the
principles of competition to the provision of phonecards as
it encourages competition in other areas of
telecommunication services ( see resolution of the Council of
22 July 1993 on the review of the situation in the
telecommunications sector and the need for further
development in that market ( J )).

3 . The Community encourages the introduction of the
principle of cost orientation in the field of
telecommunication tariffs . This policy objective has been
confirmed by the above mentioned Regulation urging the
Member States :

' to promote the progressive rebalancing of tariffs towards
cost-orientation together with the continuing development
of universal service to all users at reasonable charges '.

Furthermore, the Commission has submitted a
communication to the Council entitled ' towards cost

orientation and the adjustment of pricing structures ;
telecommunications tariffs in the Community ' in order to
promote tariffs rebalancing in the Member States . Whether
such rebalancing would result in a reduction of phonecard
charges is not predictable . In any event, tariffs for services
for which the telecommunications organizations still have
exclusive rights must be objective, transparent and
non-discriminatory .

4 . The appropriate basis for the Commission to intervene
in national markets is Article 86 EC Treaty . Although trade
between Member States may not be directly affected, there
can be repercussions on the competitive structure of the
internal market ( see item 121 of the guidelines on the
application of EEC competition rules in the
telecommunications sector ( 2 )).

(') OJ No C 213, 6 . 8 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 233, 6 . 9 . 1991 .

1 . What standard for measurement is the Commission
applying to determine which Tacis Programmes are
successful and which programmes need to be reworked ?

2 . Has the Commission simplified the administrative
procedures that accompany each Tacis grant ? Has the
Commission improved its record for timely payments of
Tacis grants to respective recipients ?

3 . Has the Commission plans to increase the staff it
employs to work on the Tacis and Phare Programmes ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 February 1994 )

1 . The Commission is using a regular reporting and
monitoring system in order to determine which Tacis
Programmes are working satisfactorily and which need to be
redirected . The system is based on the Logical Framework
method .

2 . The Commission 's administrative procedures have to
comply with the Tacis Regulation ( which sets certain
compulsory requirements e.g. regarding the award of
contracts and the approval of programmes by Member
States represented at the Tacis Committee ) and with the
Commission 's general Financial Regulations . Within these
constraints, the Commission has made every effort to
streamline its procedures . The Tacis procedures are still
speedier than those of many other donors . For larger
programmes all donors have to follow a similar cycle,
consisting of sectoral programming and project
identification . The Commission is no exception to that, but
has cut the cycle to less than one year, whereas other donors,
such as the World Bank, require nearly 18 months .

For smaller projects, especially preparatory operations,
short-term missions, etc ., the Commission procedures allow
quick decisions ( less than one month if necessary ). The
Commission continues to seek further simplification and
acceleration of procedures .

As regards payments, they follow more or less automatically
from the contracts signed with the firms executing the
technical assistance . Each contract includes a payment

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 25

schedule . There have been delays in paying invoices sent by
contractors to the Commission due to the massive sudden
growth of the payments case load under Tacis, but this is
now under control, so unless there is a problem invoices are
paid within the contractual period ( usually 60 days ).

3 . Unfortunately, Tacis and Phare staff capacity is
limited by constraints of the administrative budget of the
Commission, and no further expansion of staff can be
envisaged . The ratio between the volume of the Tacis and
Phare Programmes and the Commission 's staff capacity is
still very unfavourable . Under these circumstances the
Commission will have to seek further possibilities of
rationalization and decentralization in order to cope
adequately with these programmes .

The units at present responsible for implementing Tacis and
Phare now have a total staff of about 220, 105 of whom are
in-house staff ( including 59 Grade A officials ) backed up by
about 115 outside staff .

The Commission gave these departments more staff in 1992
when it obtained 415 headquarters posts from the budget
authority specially to cope with the additional workload
arising for all the Directorates-General from the expansion
of relations in this geographical area .

The Commission will endeavour in 1 994 to continue, within
the limits of the posts which it can obtain by converting
appropriations into posts, the strategy of restoring the
balance between in-house staff and outside staff in a

politically sensitive area of activity .

It will not fail to take the rationalization or expansion
measures it considers necessary to make the implementation
and management of these programmes more efficient .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1994 )

Spain receives assistance under two Interreg Programmes,
one concerning the border areas between Spain and France,
the other the areas between Spain and Portugal .

1 . The programme of cross-border cooperation between
Spain and France, adopted on 14 July 1992, covers the
entire border area between the Atlantic and the

Mediterranean . On the Spanish side the areas concerned
are Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre and the Basque
Country .

The Community contribution towards the programme
is ECU 31,22 million, or 50 % of the total cost ; funding
is shared equally between the two sides of the
border .

All three Structural Funds are involved in the

programme, which covers economic diversification,
improvement of transport and telecoms networks and
the development of environmental and cultural

assets .

At present the entire budget appropriation is accounted
for . On the Spanish side more than 60 projects have
received funding for operations to be implemented
before 31 December 1995 . The main beneficiaries are

the regional authorities, local chambers of commerce,
industry and agriculture and individual private firms .

2 . The programme of cross-border cooperation between

Spain and Portugal, adopted on 18 June 1991, covers all
border areas . On the Spanish side the regions concerned
are Galicia, Castile-Leon, Extremadura and
Andalusia .

The Community contribution is ECU 384 950 million,
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3111 / 93 or 70% of total cost .

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 45 )

Subject : Spanish participation in the Interreg Programme

Can the Commission give any information on the objectives
and duration ( and / or dates ) of, and the number and type of
participants in, the programmes submitted by Spain within
the framework of the Interreg initiative, as well as on the
funding allocated to each of them ?

The parts of the programme concerning Spain are being
funded to the tune of ECU 223 385 million, of which
ECU 217 455 million is from the ERDF and ECU

5 930 million from the EAGGF Guidance Section . There

are six subprogrammes focussing on development of the
road network, water conservation and land drainage .

All the funding has been committed . Payments can be
made until December 1994 .

The main beneficiaries are local and regional
authorities .

No C 268 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

3 . The Green Paper on Community initiatives suggests that
this type of cooperation should be continued in the next
programming period ( 1994 — 1999 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 133 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 46 )

Subject : Absence of a common organization of the market

for floricultural products

Will the Commission say why a common organization of the
market has not yet been established for floricultural
products as part of the CAP ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1994 )

The overall level of taxes and hence their burden on the

economy are generally matters of exclusive national
competence . They are thus essentially the result of national
policy decisions in which the scope for Community
involvement is strictly limited .

The Community interest does however come into play
whenever a Member State seeks to provide an advantage
limited to certain operators through fiscal or financial
incentives . Such measures would constitute State aid under

Article 92 paragraph 1 of the EC Treaty . 1

The measures suggested by the Honourable Member seem
to be forms of incentives which would both be State aid and

furthermore be contrary to the rules of the common
organisations of the markets for the products concerned .
They would consequently not be acceptable under
Community provisions .

on behalf of the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-32 13 / 93

(1 February 1994 ) by Ursula Braun-Moser ( PPE )

to the Commission

Flowers are covered by the common organization of the ( 23 November
market in live plants and floricultural products governed by ( 94 / C 268 / 48
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 234 / 68 of 27 February
1968 (*), as last amended by Regulation ( EEC ) No 3336 / 92
of 16 November 1992 ( 2 ). Subject : Commission programme

( 23 November 1993 )

Subject : Commission programme for crossborder regions

(!) OJ No L 55, 2 . 3 . 1968, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 336, 20 . 11 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3200 / 93

by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 47 )

Subject : Competitiveness and tax relief

If the agricultural sector 's inability to compete is in good
measure to the heavy burden of direct and indirect taxation
which it has to bear ( some 36 % of total production costs,
excluding labour ) and to the hidden dumping practised by
other producer countries, why is tax relief not offered on a
selective basis for non-surplus priority products and
financial incentives provided for areas which can make a
successful speciality of crops with a future, such as maize,
nuts and dried fruit, garden produce, paper-pulp and energy
crops, etc .?

We have heard of the Commission 's special programmes for
crossborder regions but no precise details have so far been
given . The border region on the Oder, which exists in effect
as a result of the activity of the population on both sides of
the frontier, might well be considered for support measures,
as might the region around Stettin .

1 . What measures are planned for these regions, in

particular the extension of Stettin harbour, which would
have a sizeable impact on the region, to both the East

( Poland ) and the West ( Western Pomerania ) of the
Oder ?

2 . How much special support does the Euroregion of

Pomerania, which was founded last year, receive from
the Commission ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )

The setting-up of a crossborder development concept for the
Euroregion Pomerania was partly cofinanced by the
European Regional Development Fund under technical
assistance in the Community Support Framework

( 1991— 1993 ) for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 27

The new Länder have been designated as Objective 1 regions
for the period 1994 to 1999 and as such will participate in
Community Initiatives to be adopted from 1994 onwards .
One of these programmes will be Interreg, designed to
promote cross border cooperation at internal and external
borders of the Community .

Specifically for the areas of Stettin and Pomerania, the
border crossing improvements in Kolbaskowo / Rosow,
expected to receive financing by both Interreg and Phare,
should facilitate traffic and trade between the regions and
permit the port of Stettin to develop further .

It has been agreed that a new line should be included in the
Community budget from 1994 to provide funding for
measures in border areas of neighbouring Phare countries
which would complement Interreg measures in Community
regions along the external borders .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3231 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 49 )

Subject : Subsidization of the Transport Undertakings

( S.EP ) in Greece

The Greek Government recently decided to enter Dr 7 600
million in the Public Investment Programme and to
subsidize the shareholders of the Transport Undertakings

( S.EP ) to the tune of Dr 13 million for each bus up to 12
metres in length and Dr 21,7 million for each articulated
bus .

The Opposition has called this decision scandalous and
illegal, given that :

1 . There are restrictions on the use of these funds :

investments may be made only to cover State
expenditure, and in public undertakings and local
government organizations ; the S.EPs are not covered .

2 . The regulations governing the S.EP provide for a State
guarantee only in respect of loans contracted by
shareholders to buy buses ;

3 . The subsidy is also in breach of Community rules .

How does the Commission view this decision of the Greek

Government to enter Dr 7 600 million in the Public

Investment Programme and to subsidize the shareholders of
the S.EP ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1994 )

In accordance with Article 93(3 ) of the EC Treaty, the
Commission must be informed, in sufficient time to enable it
to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter
aid .

However, the Greek authorities have failed to inform the
Commission of this programme of aid to passenger
transport companies . In view of this, they will be sent a letter
asking them to inform the Commission within a strict
deadline .

In the light of their reply, the Commission will decide
whether the decision of the Greek authorities referred to by
the Honourable Member must actually be considered a
non-notified State aid and therefore subject to the
procedures laid down for such aid .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3232 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 50 )

Subject : ' Moonlighting ' in the Community

Given that ' moonlighting ' is flourishing throughout the
Community, what specific measures does the Commission
propose to contain this problem in the short term ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1994 )

From the information available to the Commission it is clear

that the problem of undeclared work is complex and its
extent is difficult to quantify . In the Commission 's opinion it
is important to tackle both the causes of the demand for and
supply of undeclared work and the enforcement of the rules
which are infringed . In view of the nature of the problem,
the Commission considers that it is generally better tackled
at national or local level .

No C 268 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3239 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-3250 / 93

by Marie Isler Beguin ( V )

to the Commission

by Agostino Mantovani ( PPE ), Franco Borgo ( PPE ),

Nino Pisoni ( PPE ), Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )

and Felice Contu ( PPE )
( 23 November 1993 )

to the Commission

( 94 / C 268 / 51 )

Subject : Failure to comply with EC Directives

The former military air base of Aéroville-Zweibrücken,
which never received proper official authorization, is to be
converted into an airbase using EC funds from Konver by
means of a simplified procedure, thereby flouting
Community Directives on crossborder impact studies . The
base is also the subject of a complaint lodged with the
Commission by Naturschutzbund Landesverband
Rheinland-Pfalz .

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 52 )

Subject : Health standards of milk from the Länder of the

former East Germany

Accurate laboratory analyses carried out by private
concerns has shown that the health standard of milk from

the former East Germany ist not in line with the regulations
in force .

This milk passes through the West German Länder and is
sold on the Community market, particularly in Italy, within
inevitable consequences for people 's health .

Is it possible to convert a site which has no real existence in Accordingly, can the Commission say :
law ?

1 . whether it is aware of these facts ;

2 . whether it may not be necessary to increase Community
Is the Commission aware of this problem ? checks on origin in these areas, which are not yet fully
integrated ;

Does it plan to call for a further inquiry into the matter ?

3 . what other steps it intends to take to ensure the

observance of Community standards and to protect
something as important as people 's health ?

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

(4 March 1994 ) (2 March 1994 )

The Commission examined the German authorities '

proposals for funding from the Konver initiative for 1993 .
These included the Aéroville project in Zweibrücken . With
its decision of 22 December 1993 on the Rheinland-Pfalz

Konver programme, the Commission approved a support
for the Aéroville concept because of the pilot character of
the project .

The Commission has not of course entered into any further
commitment for help for this project . If help is requested
under the proposal Konver Community Initiative for
1994 / 1997 it will be considered on its merits .

1 . The Commission has not been informed of any
particular health problems regarding milk from the new
German Länder .

2 . Until Council Directive 92 / 46 / EEC of 16 June 1992
laying down the health rules for the production and placing
on the market of raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk-based
products ( l ) is transposed, the German authorities must
ensure that thermally treated milk products released for
intra-community trade conform to the provisions of
Council Directive 85 / 397 / EEC of 5 August 1985 on health
and animal health problems affecting intra-Community
trade in heat-treated milk ( 2 ). The latter Directive provides
in particular for the approval of production establishments
placed under the supervision of the competent authorities

( checks at source ).

3 . In the light of the answers given under 1 . and 2 . above,
unless new information is submitted, in particular by the

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 29

Italian authorities following checks carried out at Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
destination, the Commission does not intend to take any on behalf of the Commission
specific initiative regarding milk produced in the new (3 February 1994 )
German Lander .

(!) OJ No L 268, 14 . 9 . 1992, p . 1 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 226, 24 . 8 . 1985, p . 13 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3252 / 93

by Agostino Mantovani ( PPE ), Franco Borgo ( PPE ),

Nino Pisoni ( PPE ), Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )

and Felice Contu ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 53 )

Subject : Unjustified differences in the prices of heating fuels

and electricity for agricultural production

Nursery gardeners and cattle and poultry farmers incur huge
costs in order to light and heat premises intended for
productive activity where they use a great deal of diesel and
electricity .

This expenditure has a significant impact on total
production costs but cannot be forgone or reduced in any

way .

What is significant in this connection is that the price of
heating diesel and electricity differs widely from one
Member State to another : the gap can be as much as 25 % or
30% . This situation is mainly caused by differences in
taxation between one country and another .

The distortion of competition which this causes on the
markets is very clear : businesses with higher costs are
definitely disadvantaged .

In these circumstances, can the Commission say :

1 . whether it does not consider that the imposition of taxes

lower than the Community average by a Member State
on essential productive resources in fact represents an
aid to production ;

2 . what steps it intends to take to persuade Member States

to harmonize taxation on the heating diesel and
electricity used for agricultural / industrial production ;

3 . what other measures are in train with a view to

harmonizing the prices of heating diesel and
electricity ?

In order to avoid potential distortion of competition in the
internal market, the Commission originally proposed to
Council a system of harmonized excise duty rates for
mineral oils . However, neither Council nor Parliament were
in favour of this approach and, consequently, the
Commission amended its proposal to provide for a system
of minimum and target rates .

The Council finally adopted only the minimum rates
proposed by the Commission for mineral oils, leaving it up
to individual Member States to set the exact rate of duty on
those products whilst, of course, respecting the agreed
minimum rates . It is currently therefore a matter for
Member States to judge whether their national businesses
are disadvantaged as a result of the levels at which they set
their rates of indirect taxation .

The Commission is required, during the course of 1994, to
examine the various rates laid down in the relevant
Community directives governing the application of excise
duties, to ascertain whether they are compatible with the
proper functioning of the internal market . The Commission
will, at that time, put forward any proposals which it
considers necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3265 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 54 )

Subject : Intervention buying of olive oil in Greece

Many people working in the olive oil sector in Greece have
reported serious delays in the intervention buying of olive
oil . Can the Commission explain why the procedure for
intervention buying of olive oil has been held up ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1994 )

The delays that occurred in the opening of intervention in
Greece during the 1992 / 93 marketing year resulted,
according to the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, from
difficulties encountered by the Greek authorities in the
procedure for selection of storage agencies .

No C 268 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3269 / 93 Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Matutes

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission (8 March 1994 )

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 55 ) The Commission encourages the production of electricity
using renewable and alternative sources of energy through
its Altener and Thermie programmes, as well as its research

Subject : The lack of a fish-wharf in Mytilene on the island programmes .

of Lesbos

The lack of a fish-wharf in Mytilene is disastrous for
fishermen on the island of Lesbos . In view of the fact that the

island 's annual fish production amounts to 6,5 thousand
tonnes, does the Commission intend to take any action, by
providing appropriate funding for the creation of a
fish - wharf in Mytilene in the near future ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

The Treaties do not contain any specific rules on electricity
production . However, this sector is covered by the
legislation relating to environmental protection, public
procurement, nuclear safety and, of course, the completion
of the internal market .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3292 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Robert Delorozoy ( LDR )
(3 March 1994 ) to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88 on the tasks of the
Structural Funds (*) ( as amended by Regulation ( EEC )
No 2081 / 93 ( 2 )) lays down the general objectives and tasks
of the Structural Funds and the Financial Instrument for

Fisheries Guidance ( FIFG ). Under the terms of the
Regulation laying down the criteria and arrangements
regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries
sector ( 3 ), the FIFG may aid the measures listed in the said
Regulation, including those undertaken by the Member
States in respect of fishing port facilities .

The Greek authorities have not as yet submitted an aid
application to the Commission for the port at Mytilene .

f 1 ) OJ No L 185, 15 . 7 . 1988 .

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

( 3 ) OJ No L 346, 31 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3273 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 56 )

Subject : Electricity production in the Community

Can the Commission state what practical steps the
Community is taking to encourage the production of
electricity, not by using conventional fuels which are
environmentally damaging and uneconomical but by using
clean technology ? Are there, or will there be in the future,
any Community Regulations governing electricity
production ?

( 94 / C 268 / 57 )

Subject : Environmental protection

In recent years a number of Directives have been adopted on
environmental protection .

They should now be coordinated with a view to drawing up
an action plan to resolve the most urgent problems .

What measures are envisaged :

1 . to ensure that the Basle Convention on management of
industrial waste is ratified and implemented ?

2 . to back up an information campaign in the various
Community Member States ?

3 . to ensure the cooperation agreements with eastern
European countries always include provisions on
environmental protection and allow the new
democracies of central and eastern Europe to have
access to all the necessary information to take part in the
transition programmes currently being prepared ?

What progress has been made in setting up the European
Environment Agency whose establishment was approved by
a Council Decision .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

1 . The Basle Convention of 22 March 1989 on the

control of transboundary movements of hazardous waste

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 31

and their disposal has been signed by the Community . The
Convention entered into force in May 1992 .

The instrument which transposes the Basle Convention at
Community levels is Regulation ( EEC ) No 259 / 93 on the
supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into
and out of the European Community adopted by the
Council on 1 February 1993 (*).

This Regulation will be applicable on 6 May 1994, i.e. 15
months after the date of publication, which allows the
Member States to set up the required notification and
control systems .

The Community ratified the Basle Convention on
7 February 1994 . Thus, for the Community, the entry into
force ( 90 days after ratification ) of the Convention will
coincide with the date of application of the Regulation .

2 . As regards an information campaign in the Member
States, the Commission is taking action at various levels .

On 1 February 1993, the Council approved a Community
policy and action programme on the environment and
sustainable development presenting a new strategy for
solving environmental problems . Informing and educating
the public is an essential part of this programme ( chapter
7.5 ). To promote these ideas, the Commission has set up a
communication network with regional and local authorities
and non-governmental organizations . In addition, every
year it finances general awareness-raising campaigns .
Lastly, by setting up the general advisory Forum the
Commission will benefit from the advice and experience of
people from various sectors for in-depth discussion of the
Community 's environmental policy .

As regards awareness-raising in general, the Commission
has just adopted new measures to ensure that the public and
the groups particularly concerned are better informed .
Within the framework of this new approach, information
on Community policy and the environment will occupy an
important place, targeted towards political and economic
decision-makers as well as the general public .

3 . The cooperation established with the countries of
central and eastern Europe provides for measures to help
these countries develop and strengthen their capacity to deal
effectively with existing sources of pollution .

( a ) The Phare Programme has had a strong environmental
component from the beginning, which has been
developed on the basis of a strategy prepared by the
Commission and then approved by G-24 . The activities
supported by the Phare Programme are directly related
to the implementation of the environmental policy of

the countries of central and eastern Europe with special .
attention being given to the development of
environmental management capability, including the
strengthening of institutions, training and the
preparation of a coherent policy .

This also applies at regional level . The Community has
actively participated in the Dobris and Lucerne
pan-European conferences and made a substantial
contribution to the preparation of the action
programme for the environment developed in this

context .

( b ) The European agreements between the Community

and the countries of central and eastern Europe all have
a substantial environmental section in which it is clearly
indicated that the two parties will develop and
strengthen their cooperation in this field, which they
consider a priority . The cooperation aims to combat the
deterioration of the environment and is concerned with

the Various aspects of environmental protection, the
exchange of information and experts, training, the
organization of joint research activities, the
approximation of legislation, cooperation at regional
and international level, etc . The European agreements
concern, to date, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic,
the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Romania .

The Regulation concerning the European Environment
Agency entered into force on 30 October 1993 . The Agency
will be set up in accordance with the schedule laid down in
the Regulation . A document describing the progress made
during the intermediate period will be sent directly to the
Honourable Member and Parliament 's Secretariat .

( 1 ) OJ No L 30, 6 . 2 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3294 / 93

by Astrid Lulling ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 58 )

Subject : Discrimination against Luxembourgish companies

operating in Belgium

In its reply to my question ( No 770 / 93 (*)), the Commission
stated that it agreed with my analysis, namely that the
Belgian State should not require Luxembourgish
undertakings operating on its territory with employees
insured in Luxembourg to pay social security contributions
in the form of ' attendance ' or ' bad weather ' stamps . The
Commission added that it would accordingly take the

necessary measures .

Has the Commission taken such measures ? If so, what

measures ?

No C 268 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Is the Commission aware of the note sent by the ' Office
Patronal d'Organisation et de Controle ' ( employers '
organizational and supervisory office ), a non-profit-making
Belgian organization, to foreign companies intending to
operate in Belgium with employees on secondment ?

Does the Commission share the Belgian organization 's view
that the completion of the European internal market as from

1 January 1993 has in no way altered the obligations of
Belgian and foreign building companies as regards the
granting of ' bad weather ' and / or ' attendance ' stamps in
Belgium to construction industry workers because the
collective agreement of 28 April 1988 on rules governing
these stamps ( 2,1 % of wages for bad weather and / or
9,12% for attendance ) still applies to foreign companies
and their workers involved in construction work in

Belgium ?

Does the Commission agree that requiring foreign
companies operating with their workers in Belgium to pay
contributions amounting to 1 1,22 % of wages in addition to
those which they pay in their own countries, where their
workers are insured against the same risks, is a form of
discrimination and a distortion of competition that is
incompatible with the Single Market ?

f 1 ) OJ No C 288, 25 . 10 . 1993, p . 34 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni ' Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

television stations, in view of the fact that they enjoy a dual
source of financing : abundant public funds and advertising

contracts .

What information can the Commission give concerning this
clear case of unfair competition ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

As was stated in reply to Written Question No 2726 / 92 by
Mr Alonso Puerta ( 1 ), the Commission, too, has received
complaints from private television broadcasters in Spain . It
has not yet completed its examination of these complaints
and therefore cannot yet express any opinion on the
allegations .

(») OJ No C 127, 7 . 5 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-33 12 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission
(8 February 1994 )

( 24 November 1993 )

As the Honourable Member has already been informed, the
Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against
Belgium in this connection under Article 169 of the EC
Treaty . It has sent a letter of formal notice to the Belgian
authorities and, if necessary, it will move on to the next stage
in the procedure, which would be to deliver a reasoned
opinion .

On the substance of the matter, the Commission would refer
the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written
Question No 1160 / 90 ( 1 ).

( J ) OJ No C 309, 10 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3301 / 93

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 59

Subject : Unfair competition in Spanish public television

The Spanish private television sector has been complaining
to the government about unfair competition from public

( 94 / C 268 / 60 )

Subject : Reducing disparities in development in western

Greece

In the context of drafting the regional operational
programme for western Greece and the national proposals
for the second regional development plan, particular
attention should be given to tackling the isolation and
relative backwardness of the prefectures of Ilia and
Aitolo-Akarnania . **

These two prefectures have specialized in the primary sector
which has had an adverse impact on employment and
development in general . Their contribution to the gross
regional product is relatively insignificant and there is
therefore considerable room for improvement . Clearly an
effort must be made to diversify and enrich the economic
activity in these prefectures by developing primary-sector
related processing industries and by making fuller use of
their considerable potential for tourism, both within the
country and from abroad .

What practical measures does the Commission intend to
take to exploit more fully the existing potential of these two
prefectures for development and, in particular, to reduce the
unacceptable disparities in this regard within the regions of
western Greece ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 33

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

It is for the national authorities to identify priorities when
drawing up a regional development plan and to define the
development areas which should receive emphasis in the
regional programmes .

When it comes to the implementation of the regional
programmes and the elaboration of the national section of
the Community Support Framework the Commission
naturally attaches great importance to the harmonious and
balanced development of all the regions and to the reduction
of intraregional disparities . This will be its approach when
examining the proposals put to it by the Greek Government
for the prefectures of Ilia and Aitolo-Akarnania for the
purpose of drawing up the 1994 / 99 CSF .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3328 / 93 v

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

and the Netherlands ) was needed in order to investigate the
matter, the Commission took the initiative of organizing
several coordination meetings . Thanks to coordinated
surveillance of a consignment it was possible to catch the
criminals in the act, arrest the ring leaders ( two in the
Netherlands, one in France and one in Italy ), and obtain
confessions from them about crimes already committed . It
appears that one hundred and twenty lorries were diverted
from their destination in this way between January and
September 1993 . Investigations are being pursued in Italy to
establish the exact destination of the sugar .

The loss to the Commission, equivalent to the duties that
would have been paid on import, totals approximately ECU

1,3 million . Action is being taken to recover this sum .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3341 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

to the Commission ( 94 / C 268 / 62 )

( 24 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 61 )

Subject : Brown sugar racket

According to medical sources there are 6 000 hereditary
diseases in Greece . The incidence of Mediterranean

anaemia, the most widespread hereditary disease, is highest
in Achaia, Ilia and Rhodes . Crete and Corfu are top of the
table for hereditary mental illnesses . Is it possible for the
Commission to fund a public information campaign
designed to curb the incidence of hereditary disease ?

Subject : Hereditary diseases in Greece

According to press reports the leader of a gang running an anaemia, the most widespread hereditary
illegal business in brown sugar, Mr Claudio Fino, a in Achaia, Ilia and Rhodes . Crete and Corfu
high-ranking member of the Naples Camorra, was arrested table for hereditary mental illnesses . Is it
in Turin on 27 September ; four days previously, on Commission to fund a public
23 September, three members of the gang had been arrested designed to curb the incidence of hereditary
in France and two in Holland . In the light of this, can the
Commission provide details concerning the racketeering in
brown sugar which is exploiting Community Regulations to
collect compensatory payments ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 February 1994 ) As stated in its communication on the framework for action
in the field of public health (*), the Commission intends to
present proposals for future Community action in the area

According to information submitted to the Commission by of rare diseases, as well as on health information and
the Belgian authorities, quota C sugar for export only, education . The Commission will take due account of the
without any form of aid, was purchased after customs existence of certain hereditary diseases in particular
clearance by a Dutch dealer for dispatch to Croatia and Member States when drawing up relevant action plans, but
Slovenia, but was in fact diverted to Italy and resold on the it is premature at present to say whether they will cover the
Community market, discharge of the transit documents hereditary diseases mentioned by the Honourable
having been forged . It later transpired that the Dutch dealer Member .
was only a part of a smuggling organization directed from
Italy and the south of France . (M COM(93 ) 559 .

Since collaboration among the authorities of the several
countries concerned ( Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg

No C 268 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3350 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3358 / 93

Muscardini ( NI ) by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

( 24 November 1993 )

( 941 C 268 / 63 ) ( 94 / C 268 / 64 )

Subject : Disasters caused by bad weather

The bad weather this season has caused serious damage in
many regions of the Community .

Subject : Deficit in agricultural raw materials

Some groups of European farmers argue that the reform of
the CAP and EEC policy in general ignore the deficit in
agricultural raw materials for industrial processes, which
amounts to over $34 000 million . What is the Commission 's
reply to this ?

In Valchiavenna landslides have destroyed access roads and
completely cut off the Alta Valle Spluga, causing offices and
schools to be closed in Madesimo, Campodolcino, Isola and
Pianazzo . Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Will the Commission make up for the lack of action by the (8 February 1994 )
local authorities by drawing up an emergency aid plan to
deal with this emergency situation ?

The future of agricultural products for non-food uses
depends in the long term on the development of agricultural
products which meet these specific needs at competitive
prices using environmentally friendly farming methods .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

Pursuant to Council resolution of 8 July 1991 ( ) on
improving mutual aid between Member States in the event
of natural or technological disaster, the Commission has
worked closely together with the governments of the
Member States to introduce a system of effective rapid
response cooperation between the emergency services of the
Member States in the event of a disaster . High-level
Community experts can now be swiftly deployed on the spot
at the request of a Member State in the event of floods, forest
fires or earthquakes .

Emergency aid of ECU 800 000 has been granted to the
victims of the storms which lashed the north-west of Italy
starting in September 1993 . It took the form of
humanitarian aid and was distributed on the spot by the
Italian Red Cross as a demonstration of the Community 's
solidarity with the people affected by this disaster . However,
since it is a symbolic gesture, the aid will not be able to
contribute to repairing the damage caused to the region 's
infrastructure and its economic and production

structures .

(!) OJ No C 198, 27 . 7 . 1991 .

The reform of the CAP, by reducing cereal prices and
providing for the possibility of growing crops for non-food
uses on set-aside land, aims at making an effective
contribution to the creation of such a situation in the

future .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3369 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 65 )

Subject : Studies to undertake on-going assessment of

programmes in Spain

In its third annual report on the implementation of the
reform of the Structural Funds, the Commission mentioned
the launch of ' ten studies to undertake an on-going
assessment of programmes in progress '. Moreover, the
Spanish authorities undertook to carry out similar
complementary assessments .

Can the Commission give details of the progress of these
studies and state whether they are available for anyone
wishing to consult them ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 35

Answer given by Mr Millan Where are the records referred to in Article 11 of the
on behalf of the Commission abovementioned Regulation kept in Spain ?

(7 February 1994 )

(') OJ No L 38, 16 . 2 . 1993, p . 12 .

The ten studies to which the Honourable Member refers

concern on-going assessments of the following
programmes : Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

— the Salamanca-Zamora Integrated Operational ( 28 January 1994 )
Programme

— the Isla de La Gomera Integrated Operational
Programme

— the Murcia Operational Programme

— the Galicia Operational Programme

— the Ciudad Real Operational Programme

— the Almeria-Levante Operational Programme

— the Autovias Operational Programme

— the Extremadura Operational Programme

— the Asturias Operational Programme

— Training needs of public authorities on environmental

matters in Spanish Objective 1 regions .

The abovementioned studies have been completed and the
Honourable Member can obtain them by requesting them
from the Directorate-General for Regional Policies .

Article 12 of Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 334 / 93
requires Member States to forward information on the areas
containing each species and variety of raw material
including kenaf, various yields accepted under the
' non-food ' set aside scheme, the quantities of each type of
end product, by-product and co-product obtained, the type
of raw material used being also indicated ( amongst other
information needed to assess the scheme ), within three
months of the end of each marketing year .

As the scheme took effect from the harvest of the 1993 / 1994

cereals marketing year, the Commission will not receive this
information until October 1994 .

The Spanish authorities have informed the Commission that
certain elements of the scheme governed by Commission
Regulation ( EEC ) No 334 / 93 are to be carried out by
Servicio Nacional de Productos Agrarios ( SENPA )
c / Beneficencia, No 8, 28010 Madrid .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3375 / 93

by Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3373 / 93 ( 26 November 1993 )

by Diego Santos López ( ARC ) ( 94 / C 268 / 67 )

to the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

Subject : Telephone sex lines approved by Belgacom
( 94 / C 268 / 66 )

Subject : Hemp growing in the province of Seville

( Andalusia )

Regulation ( EEC ) No 334 / 93 ( ! ) lays down implementing
rules for the use of set-aside land, as part of the support
system for producers of arable crops, for growing products
for the provision of materials not primarily intended for
human or animal consumption . The products which may be
grown on such land include hemp ( hibiscus cannabinus ).

Can the Commission give details of the number of claimants
from the province of Seville who have decided to grow
hemp, and of the first processors and collectors ?

In May 1992 measures to liberalize telephone sex lines were
approved by Belgacom . Some of the messages used
encourage the sexual exploitation of children, either because
children are featured in them or because children themselves

can call up the service by dialling 077 .

Telephone subscribers who do not want access to sex lines
are currently charged a fee by Belgacom .

Is this practice in accordance with Community
telecommunications legislation ?

Can the Commission and the Court of Justice initiate
proceedings to oblige Belgacom to charge fees to subscribers

No C 268 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

who want access to certain services rather than the other

way around ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

If not, will the Commission propose legislation requiring
European telecommunications companies to charge a fee for
access to such services and when will it do so ? A regional development plan has indeed been submitted by
the Greek authorities and is at present under consideration .
After the elections on 10 October the new Government
officially notified its intention to amend the plan . The
amendments were sent to the Commission on 17 December

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi but have not yet been examined .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

At present, Community law does not prevent telecom
operators from providing a service that prevents access to
certain telephone lines against remuneration . It follows,
therefore, that such practices are not incompatible with

Community law and that no procedure against such
practices is currently envisaged .

In addition, as the Honourable Member has indicated in his
question, there are currently no obstacles to free circulation
of services . There could be no justification for
harmonization of the national rules in this area . It therefore

falls to the Member State concerned, in accordance with the
principle of subsidiarity, to decide on action in this area .

It should, however, be noted that the Commission
recognises the need to protect youth from exposure to
services of an offensive nature . It has foreseen in the current
proposal for a Directive on voice telephony ( x ) that Member
States may undertake measures in the areas of consumer
protection, data protection and promulgation of
information of an offensive nature ( Recital 42 ).

(*) Common position adopted by the Council on 30 June 1993

with a view to adopting a Directive on the application of open
network provision ( ONP ) to voice telephony .

It is therefore premature to make any statement in this
connection .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-33 98 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 69 )

Subject : Training for specialists in industrial medicine in

Greece

The Greek State is violating Community law in failing to
recognize the need for specialists in industrial medicine .
Greek Law No 2071 of 15 July 1992 on the modernization
and organization of the national health system provides that
doctors who have been practising medicine for more than
five years and have followed a special course for six months
may be granted a certificate of specialization in industrial
medicine .

Given that Community legislation provides that such a
certificate may only be given after four years ' study, what
action does the Commission intend to take to bring Greek
legislation into line with Community legislation as soon as
possible ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3391 / 93 on behalf of the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) ( 22 March 1994 )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 68 )

Subject : Regional development plan submitted by the

Greek authorities

Can the Commission say whether the Community has
expressed serious reservations in respect of the Regional
Development Plan submitted by the Greek authorities,
notably as regards a number of projects, the objective of
additionality and, in general, the question of whether the
projects as a whole are in the Community 's interest ?

With regard to Article 134 of the Greek law No 2071 / 92 of
the 15 July 1992 which entitles a doctor to receive a
specialist qualification in occupational medicine after
having attended a special seminar of between six months
and one year, the Commission is awaiting the comments of
the Greek authorities on the compatibility of the Greek law
with the requirements of Articles 24 and 27 of the Doctors
Directive 93 / 16 / EEC (*) which stipulate a minimum of four
years in respect of the training for the specialist qualification
in occupational medicine .

(!) OJ No L 165, 7 . 7 . 1993 .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3399 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 70

Subject : Failure of the Greek State to recognize the

contribution made by specialists in industrial
medicine

There are a total of 20 posts for specialists in industrial
medicine in the Greek Ministry of Labour ( three of which
are attached to the Centre for Health and Safety at Work in
Athens ). Given that so far not even one of these posts has
been advertised, it is clear that the Greek State is unaware of
— or is deliberately refusing to recognize — the contribution
made by specialists in industrial medicine in increasing the
productivity of workers and in providing them with more
effective health care . Will the Commission call on the Greek

authorities to recognize the contribution made by specialists
in industrial medicine ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 )

The manner in which a Member State organizes specialist
medical services and distributes specialist posts in its health
care services is a matter wholly withtin its competence . The
Commission does not intend to contact the Greek

authorities in respect of this question .

Community exported leaf tobacco to the United States with
a total value of nearly $ 100 million . Based upon current US
import levels, it is estimated that compliance with the new
law will reduce total US leaf tobacco imports by close to
50% .

Under the Punta del Este declaration, the United States made
a commitment to either reduce or not expand existing
restrictive trade practices . During the Uruguay Round
negotiations, the United States has consistently taken the
position that local content requirements should not be
permissible under international trade law .

1 . Can the Commission assess the likely impact of the new
legislation on European tobacco exports to the US and
indicate which Member States will be affected most ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that the domestic content
requirement violates Article 3 of GATT ? If so, what has
the Commission done about the matter to date, and
what type of action in GATT is planned for the
future ?

3 . How will US enactment of this protectionist law affect
the Commission 's ongoing efforts with the United States
to reach a successful conclusion to the Uruguay
Round ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

1 . For 1992, industry sources indicate that total US

QUESTION E-3420 / 93 imports of cigarette leaf tobacco amounted to $ 1,3 billion .

Gijs de Vries ( LDR ) Of this total, $ 100 million ( or 7,7% ) came from the

to the Commission Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3420 / 93

by Gijs de Vries ( LDR )

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 71 )

It is thought that, currently, approximately 50% of the
tobacco used in the manufacture of cigarettes in the US
derives from imports . The new legislation reduces the

Subject : United States — Domestic content requirement for maximum permissible level of imported tobacco to 25 % i.e.

cigarettes it would have the effect of halving the percentage of

imported tobacco used . Thus, the potential effect on
On August 10 1993, President Clinton signed into law the Community exports of tobacco could be estimated to be
1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act which includes about $ 50 million .
provisions requiring cigarette manufacturers to use a
minimum of 75 % domestic tobacco leaf in all cigarettes
manufactured in the United States . The penalties for using The Member States which export most cigarette leaf
more than 25 % imported tobacco ( including oriental ) are tobacco to the US are Greece ( 76% of total Community
generally regarded as excessive and prohibitive . in 1992 and 17% followed

Subject : United States — Domestic content requirement for

cigarettes

The Member States which export most cigarette leaf
tobacco to the US are Greece ( 76% of total Community
exports in 1992 ) and Italy ( 17% ), followed by Portugal
( 2% ) and Spain ( 1% ).

Enactment of the protectionist domestic content law for US
manufactured cigarettes represents a serious threat to the
continuation of European Community tobacco exports to
that country . In 1992, tobacco growers of the European

2 . The Commission, in a diplomatic note to the US
Department of State ( sent also to the US Department of

No C 268 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Agriculture and the US Trade Representative ) in July 1993,
expressed its serious concerns regarding the compatibility of
these measures ( at this time still draft legislation ) with the
GATT and, in particular, regarding infringement of GATT
Article III . The Head of the Commission Delegation in
Washington also signalled his concerns by letter to the
appropriate Congressmen .

The EU subsequently requested consultations with the US
on this issue under GATT Article XXIII . The first round of

consultations was held in mid October 1993 . The EU

presented a paper which stated that it considered that the US
measures infringe the provisions of the GATT and, in
particular, Article III and requested further information
with regard to some of the provisions of the legislation . The
US did not comment on the compatibility of the measures
with the GATT but promised to reply to the Community 's
questions before the end of the consultation period

( 30 November 1993 ). The EU considers that the US reply is
unsatisfactory and has stated its intention of intervening in a
GATT Panel requested by Brazil et al, established at the
meeting of the GATT Contracting Parties on 25 January

1994 .

The requirements are thus higher than the requirements laid
down in the general Directive .

Applicants for registration must be recommended by their
National Association and accepted by the European
Monitoring Committee before obtaining the FEANI title
Eur Ing ( European Engineer ).

More than 16 000 engineers have ( October 1993 ) received
the title Eur Ing .

Does the Commission feel that this kind of initiative, the
only one so far among the professions concerned in the
general directive, may facilitate the free circulation of
professionals in the EEC countries, and to what extent could
the FEANI title facilitate the recognition of national
diplomas among Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission
3 . The issue of the domestic content requirement for
tobacco was not raised in the context of the Uruguay ( 10 March 1994 )
Round .

The Commission has followed the work of the FEANI

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3429 / 93

by Christian Rovsing ( PPE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 72 )

Subject : Register of Eur Ing

FEANI, the European Federation of National Engineering
Associations has set up a ' Register of Eur Ing ' with the aim
of facilitating free movement of engineers by means of
mutual recognition of professional qualifications .

The minimum requirements for admission to the register

are :

— full secondary education,

— training extended over 7 years, including at least 3 years '

theoretical education at university level in an
establishment recognized by FEANI and two years of
assessed engineering professional experience .

( The European Federation of European Engineering
Associations ) and in particular, its creation of the Eur Ing
register with great interest over the years . The Commission
considers that the FEANI scheme is an excellent example of
selfregulation by a profession at European level and it
provides a model for other professional groups in the
technical and scientific sector, such as chemists and
physicists .

The FEANI register recognizes and builds upon the diversity
of forms of engineering education which exist in the
Community and can adapt to any changes which may be
decided upon at national level . The procedures for dealing
with applications for registration also provide a good
example of national and European bodies harnessing their
respective expertise .

Although the Eur Ing title cannot itself be considered as a
' diploma ' within the meaning of Article 1(a ) of Council
Directive 89 / 48 / EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general
system for the recognition of higher education diplomas (*),
it may nevertheless be of assistance to the competent
national authorities when they examine a request for
recognition under Article 3 of the Directive . Registration on
the FEANI register indicates that, whatever the duration or
content of his or her initial training, the engineer has reached
a certain level of professional competence, certified by his or
her peers both at national and European level . Bearing in
mind that Member States are required by the caselaw of the
Court ( 2 ) to take post-diploma professional experience ( 3 )
into consideration, when reaching their decision on

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 39

recognition, the Commission considers that an engineer
who has obtained the title of Eur Ing should not normally be
required to undertake an adaptation period or sit an
aptitutde test, as provided for in Article 4 of Directive

89 / 48 / EEC .

(M OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

( 2 ) Cf . Case C-340 / 89 Vlassopoulou ( 1989 ) ECR-I-2357 .

proposals would not, however, affect Member States ' rules
on registration and the collection of annual road taxes or
their rules on temporary use .

( 3 ) Cf. reply to Written Question No 2790 / 93 . See page 19 of this

Official Journal . WRITTEN QUESTION E-3439 / 93

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 74 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3430 / 93

by James Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 73 )

Subject : UK car road tax

If UK nationals working in Belgium, and also working
regularly for long periods in several of the EC Member
States, visit their homes in the UK, do their cars require a UK
tax disc ?

Does the Commission have plans in hand to regularize the
various car tax systems ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 1994 )

National rules on car registration normally require the
owner of a vehicle used for business or private purposes to
register it and pay the annual road tax in his country of
residence . However, where cars are used temporarily in
another Member State, the latter grants tax exemption in
accordance with Directive 83 / 182 / EEC on tax exemptions
within the Community for certain means of transport
temporarily imported into one Member State from another .
Article 3 of the Directive lays down the conditions for such
exemption in the case of temporary use for private purposes,
which may not exceed six months in any twelve-month
period, while Article 4 lays down similar conditions for
business use . The situations in Belgium and the United
Kingdom appear to be compatible with these rules, so that if
the annual road tax has been paid in Belgium, a UK national
who is ordinarily resident there on account of his
employment would not be liable for road tax in the United
Kingdom provided that he does not stay in the UK for longer
than the period laid down in Article 3 .

In its legislative programme, the Commission has
announced that it will look into the possibility of
harmonizing the structure of annual road taxes and, where
appropriate, put forward suitable proposals . Such

Subject : Efforts to combat drugs at the workplace

The considerable losses suffered by companies as a result of
the negative impact on productivity caused by drug
addiction at the workplace has prompted national
authorities to consider taking political action, including
measures to provide greater information and prevention,
welfare assistance, reintegration into the workforce and
early diagnosis .

As a result, efforts are being made to promote tripartite
agreements between employers, trade unions and
governments in an effort to combat drug addiction at the
workplace effectively through measures which would also
focus on the question of returning to work .

Does the Commission consider that it should make a
contribution, notably by offering to coordinate national
measures to combat drug addiction at the workplace, with a
view to promoting tripartite cooperation agreements of the
kind mentioned above by combining Community efforts in
this sphere ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the problems drug and alcohol
consumption could cause for worker safety and company
productivity, and has undertaken a joint study with the
International Labour Office in the 12 Member States .

It has also recently proposed setting up an ad hoc group
within the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and
Health Protection at Work to examine the results of the

study and prepare a seminar with the participation of all
parties concerned .

The results of the study and the seminar will be available for
consultation by the Honourable Member .

No C 268 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3441 / 93

by José Lafuente Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 75 )

Subject : Fiscal and financial harmonization among the

three major blocs

In accordance with its traditional economic policy
coordination objectives, with particular reference to
monetary policy and exchange controls, the Trilateral
Commission has drawn up an important document
proposing that governments should proceed with the fiscal
and financial harmonization of the three major blocs,
namely the United States, Japan and Europe .

Given the importance of this document and the leading role
played in drawing it up by figures such as the President of the
Union of Industries of the European Community ( UNICE ),
the President of the Japanese Employer 's Organization,
' Keidahven ', and the United States presidential adviser, it
should be analyzed in detail and consideration given to the
recommendations it contains .

Does the Commission intend to take account of this
document in its future political planning and, where
appropriate, to comment on the conclusions it draws ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

The Commission too is aware of the Trilateral

Commission 's report on fiscal and financial harmonization
between the United States, Japan and the Community .
Account will be taken of the report in the Community 's
future work .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3449 / 93

by Juan Ramirez Heredia ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 76 )

Subject : Social exclusion

With reference to the opinion which has recently been
adopted by the Economic and Social Committee relating to
the Commission communication on social exclusion and in

which regret is expressed at the fact that the problem of
unjustified discrimination ( prejudices, intolerance,
fanaticism, segregation, etc .) against certain groups of the
socially excluded has not been tackled, what is the
Commission 's view of this accurate assessment by the
Economic and Social Committee ?

Is the Commission to consider the Economic and Social

Committee 's recommendation that a charter be drawn up
which includes a set of guaranteed rights for all citizens of
the European Union, such as non-discrimination in
employment matters on the grounds of sex, race,
nationality, etc .?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 April 1994 )

The Commission has repeatedly expressed its views on the
problem of discrimination against particularly vulnerable
individuals or groups . In its communication on social
exclusion i 1 ), the Commission refers explicitly to
' discrimination ' and ' segregation ' ( paragraph 11 ), to
' attitudes and ideologies of rejection ', ' racism ',
' xenophobia ' and ' various forms of extremism '
( paragraphs 5 and 13 ) suffered by individuals or certain
population groups . In the report annexed to this
communication, the Commission also reiterates its
conviction that preventing and combating exclusion calls
for ' general improvements in policy on employment,
education, training, housing, health etc ., concentrating
particularly on removing the discrimination and segregation
which are the side-effects of the original policies '.

Two further points are :

— At a conference on exclusion held in Copenhagen on

4 June 1993, President Delors proposed that the
Commission should draw up a solemn inter ­
Institutional declaration on social exclusion based on a
belief in equal rights and duties and a commitment by
society as a whole to re-establishing its social ties .

— In the Green Paper on European Social Policy ( 2 ), the

Commission raised the question of how to ' stimulate a
kind of consolidated statement of citizens ' rights within
the Union, which would make explicit existing rights
and seek to shift the existing " labour market
orientation " to a more general people-oriented
approach on the basis of values common to Member
States '.

Finally, the Commission has recently approved a
communication on immigration and the right of asylum,
presenting a framework within which the twelve Member
States can develop a global response to this problem through
integration policies to help legal immigrants while avoiding
all forms of discrimination .

0 ) COM(92 ) 542 final .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 551 final .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 41

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3452 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 77 )

Subject : Community legal regulation of children 's rights

The adoption by the Spanish Senate, at the request of its
Peoples ' Group, of a motion requiring the Spanish
Government to submit to Parliament a draft law on

children 's right has once again higlighted the need for the
Community to acquire a legal instrument to regulate the
rights of minors and also, as a consequence, the
responsibilities of parents, public authorities and society as a
whole, so as to ensure full protection for and the balanced
development of children .

Since there is no shortage of news about crimes involving
minors and the harmful effects which the publicity given to
such occurences has on their personal development, it seems
obvious that such protection must apply both to health and
to education or safety .

Does the Commission therefore think that it should
promote regulation, by means of an appropriate
Community legal instrument, of the rights and duties
relating to children ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1994 )

The Commission is fully aware of the problems caused in the
Member States by crimes against children and of the need
for legislation on children 's rights .

As Community law stands at the moment, the legislation on
matters connected with children 's rights referred to by the
Honourable Member falls essentially within the jurisdiction
of the Member States .

The Commission does, however, acting on the conclusions
of the Family Affairs Ministers meeting within the Council
of 29 September 1989, organize exchanges of experience
and information on various topics concerning children . In
March and November 1993, for example, it provided
support for conferences of researchers, legal experts and
practitioners on the topics of adoption and children 's rights .
As part of the International Year of the Family, it is assisting
with the organisation of a conference on mobility and
children 's rights, to be held in Athens in April 1994 . These
events provide an opportunity for those involved with

children 's affairs in the Member States to exchange
information and experience . The published reports on the
conferences, which are widely distributed, also contribute to
increasing awareness at European level of the topics referred
to by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3460 / 93

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 78 )

Subject : Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery

Surgeons ' professional associations in all the Member States
take the view that a degree in medicine and surgery entitles
its holder to perform any type of operation .

A growing number of surgeons are accordingly carrying out
plastic and cosmetic surgery .

These two branches of surgery need to be explicitly defined
in order to avert fundamental misunderstandings resulting
not least from the fact that the purpose of plastic surgery,
according to national laws, is not to bring about a
transformation, but rather to correct the effects of disease or
deformity, whereas in the case of cosmetic surgery, the
surgeon 's task is couched in far more complex, detailed
terms . Can the Commission therefore issue a directive
defining the specific characteristics of plastic surgery and
cosmetic surgery, clearly identifying the differences between
the two, and laying down uniform criteria and requirements
to be met in each instance in order to obtain the appropriate
specialist qualification ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

Directive 93 / 16 / EEC ( ) concerns the free movement of
doctors, including specialists and the mutual recognition of
their diplomas . Qualifications in plastic surgery obtained in
all the Member States, exept in Germany, are covered by the
scheme of automatic mutual recognition ( see Article 7 § 2 of
the Directive ). The training leading to the qualification in
plastic surgery in all eleven Member States meets the
requirements in Articles 24, 25 and 27 of the Directive .

The migrant plastic surgeon from any Member State would
however have to abide by the rules and conditions which
govern the practice of the speciality in the host country . It
will be seen from Article 7 § 2 that the qualification in
plastic surgery issued by France is one described as ' chirurgie
plastique, reconstructrice et esthetique ', whereas in Italy the
qualification is referred to as ' chirurgia plastica '. The
scheme of automatic recognition imposed by the Directive

No C 268 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

means that the Community specialist who holds a French
qualification has the right to practise in the same area of
activity and subject to the same conditions in Italy as the
holder of the Italian qualification .

This Directive does not delineate any area of practice of any
speciality, neither does it affect national rules which govern
the practice of the speciality in any Member State . There is
no proposal to amend the Directive in this respect .

(!) OJ No L 165, 7 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3466 / 93

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 79 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3474 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 80 )

Subject : Safety of Irish fishermen

Recent reports ( Irish Times 11 September 1993 ) have
indicated that Irish fishermen lawfully engaged in tuna
fishing in Atlantic waters have been subject to attack and
threats from Spanish fishermen .

Would the Commission confirm that these attacks took

place and, if so, could it outline what immediate steps it has
taken and proposes to take in order to ensure that there is no
repetition of such incidents ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Institute for Prospective Technology in Seville on

( Andalusia ) (3 March 1994 )

( Andalusia )

The communication of 27 July 1993 O states that the
Commission has decided to set up Joint Research Centre 's
Institute for Prospective Technology in Seville, while a
recent note on bursaries offered by the Community already
mentions Seville as sharing the seat with Istria .

On what date is the Seville Institute to commence

operations ?

What is the breakdown of the funding by the Commission
and by the Spanish Government ?

What stage has the project currently reached ?

(M COM(93 ) 374 final .

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )

The Commission is awaiting imminent completion, by the
Spanish authorities, of the procedures needed for signature
of the agreement between the Community and Spain which
lays down the respective rights and obligations of those
parties resulting from the location of the Institute in
Seville .

Provided that this agreement is signed quickly it is intended
that the Institute will gradually take up its activities in Seville
during the first half of 1994 .

Spain will pay for the Institute 's installations and
infrastructures . Subject to the provisions adopted by the
Council and Parliament, the Commission will defray the
Institute 's payroll and scientific operating costs .

The Commission is aware of the press report to which the
Honourable Member refers .

As no complaints have been made by either the Irish
authorities or by the owners or the skippers of the Irish
vessels alleged to have been the subject of attack or threat
the Commission is not in a position to confirm or deny the
validity of the report .

The Commission can confirm that its Fishery Inspectors
who accompanied both French and Spanish patrol vessels
engaged in control activities with respect to French and
Spanish fishing vessels did not report any incidents between
fishermen from different Member States .

In August 1993 during the peak of the tuna season, the
Commission requested Member States to take all
appropriate steps to ensure that all tuna fishing activities
were conducted in compliance with safety rules at sea
thereby minimising the risk of the type of incident reported
in the press .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3481 / 93

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 81

Subject : Motor car production in Worcestershire

What particular measures is the Commission considering
which would benefit the production of motor cars in
Worcestershire ? Will it give specific examples ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 43

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1994 )

The Commission does not pursue any policies which would
a priori aim at benefiting any specific industrial sector in a
particular region . Such a policy would conflict with the
Community 's approach to industrial policy ( J ) intended to
create a business environment in which industry increases its
competitiveness and the economy in general can further
flourish .

Possible policy measures of the Community institutions and
the Member States, such as those in the fields of training,
research and technological development, will be laid down
in a communication by the Commission to the Council on
the car industry, to be published early in 1994 .

Furthermore, in the framework of the Structural Funds and
in the context of Community initiatives, the Community can
intervene in favour of areas or groups of population which
are severely affected by industrial change, in the automobile
as well as in all other industries . Such measures may, to a
limited extent as far as regional intervention is concerned,
also be applicable outside areas normally eligible under
Objectives 1,2 and 5b of the Structural Funds .

(*) Communication of the Commission to the Council —
CC)M(90 ) 556 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 82 )

Subject : Future of the combined transport sector

Combi-Delta, a Dutch-Belgian combined transport joint
venture, has folded . The Netherlands branch was making,
excessively heavy losses, partly as a result of high terminal
hire charges in the Netherlands .

The ' Kombiverkehr ' combined transport service between
Hanover and Poznan was ended because capacity utilization
was only 20%, partly as a result of excessively high
tariffs .

These reports appeared in the same edition of the
' Nieuwsblad Transport ', the Dutch transport periodical ( 26
October 1993 ), and illustrate the situation in the combined

transport sector .

1 . What view does the Commission take of current

developments in the combined transport sector ?

2 . To what extent does the Commission consider that the
currently unfavourable situation in the combined
transport sector can be ascribed to tariff structures ?

3 . Does the Commission consider that steps can be taken in
the short term to adjust freight transport tariff
structures, which are so unfavourable to combined
transport ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what steps can be taken to
prevent the total collapse of the combined transport
sector and ensure that, in the longer term, its full
potential can be realized, in accordance with general
demand ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 )

The Commission is concerned about the current

developments in the combined transport sector .

Firstly, positive action schemes have been launched and are
starting to bear fruit, in particular the pilot actions on
quality ( PACT programme ) and the creation of the
European combined transport network . These two schemes,
in particular the PACT, should lead to a reduction in the cost
of combined transport and an improvement in the quality of
services .

Secondly, combined transport is suffering at the moment
from the effects of the economic crisis . In this context, the
Decision recently adopted by Council Directive 93 / 89 / EEC
on road taxes will help to boost combined transport . For the
future, the Commission is currently considering a series of
measures, in particular with regard to terminals and the
development of PACT projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3524 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 83

Subject : Protection of wetlands in Europe

In order to protect European wetlands, will the Commission
call on the national authorities of the Member States to set

their boundaries not on the basis of their present state but on
their restoration in accordance with ecological criteria ?

No C 268 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

Insofar as the protection of wetlands results from the
application by the Member States of Council Directive
79 / 409 / EEC 0 ) on the conservation of wild birds or Council
Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( 2 ) on the conservation of natural
habitats and wild fauna and flora, these Directives oblige ( 3 )
the Member States to ensure, where appropriate, the
reestablishment of these areas in favourable state of

conservation . Commission intervention would thus

consitute needless duplication of Community legislation on
the matter .

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

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

( 3 ) Member States have to implement the second Directive by June

1994 at the latest .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3531 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 84 )

Subject : Restoration of democracy in Nigeria

Following the annulment of the results of the presidential
elections of 12 June by the army and the announcement of
new elections to be held on 19 February 1994 Nigeria has
been in a state of chaos . Further to the pressure brought to
bear by the Community for the restoration of democracy,
what developments does the Commission foresee in this
country ?

On the same occasion, he announced the abolition of the
ING and, moreover, of local councils on federal and State
level . There are however some positive signs : of the eleven
members of the new Provisional Ruling Council three are
civilians who are known to be in favour of democracy . The
33 members of the Federal Executive Council, sworn in on
27 November, are — with three exceptions — all civilians
and known for their outspoken criticism of previous regimes
and their support for the democratic process . The
participation of civilians of weight and importance in both
councils may be considered an indication of the military
leadership 's readiness to share the burden of governing the
country with civilians before handing it over eventually to a
democratically elected government . The announcement by
General Abacha of 30 military State governors however
leaves no doubt of his intention to keep a tight grip on the

government process .

The European Union has condemned General Abacha 's
coup and has taken measures to limit contacts with the
Nigerian military . It will insist that the Nigerian
Government take appropriate steps for an early return to
democratic rule . The attitude of the European Union
vis-a-vis the present government will depend on the progress
it makes in this respect . The latest formal position of the
European Union as presented to the Nigerian authorities by
the Troika on 2 December 1993, is forwarded direct to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-general of the
Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3544 / 93

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 85 )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek Subject : Employment of ex-offenders

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1994 ) Does the Commission realize that the prison population of
Member States is respectively :

Future political development in Nigeria after the coup d'etat
by General Abacha deposing the Interim National
Government ( ING ) are hard to predict . The military
leadership is still in the process of consolidating its

power .

In his first public statement after the coup General Abacha
called for national reconciliation, but stressed that he was
not yet in a position to offer a timetable for democratization
as this would depend on the National Constitutional
Conference . The date for convening this conference had
still to be announced as had the means of selecting
participants .

Belgium : 7 500, Denmark : 3 797, France : 53 000, Germany :
59 579, Greece : 7 000, Ireland : 2 130, Italy : 51 120,
Luxembourg : 427, Netherlands : 7 400, Portugal : 9 610,
Spain : 45 783, United Kingdom : 51 000 ?

Is the Commission further aware that 85 % of prisoners are
without training or without a job and a large proportion of
these are prisoners awaiting trial or on remand ?

What steps will the Commission take to assist with the
training and rehabilitation of ex-offenders ?

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 45

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3559 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )
(1 March 1994 ) to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

The Commission has no responsibilities in the field of penal ( 94 / C 268 / 88 )
policy and therefore has no information on the size and
nature of prison populations . Subject : Structural Fund allocation — Ireland

It would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her
Written Question No 15 / 91 ( 1 ).

Having regard to the conclusions of the Edinburgh Summit
Part C / B / iii, Structural Actions, which makes certain
commitments with regard to total structural funding and the
proportion to go to the ' Cohesion ' countries over the period

(!) OJ No C 137, 15 . 5 . 1993 .

, 1993 — 1999 inclusive, thus necessitating the separate

calculation of 1993 CSF and Community Initiative
allocations, will the Commission specify, in ECU at 1992
prices, what was the combined Northern Ireland and
Republic of Ireland allocation from Interreg for 1993 and
the Commission 's estimate of the percentage breakdown
between the two States ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-3550 / 93, E-3558 / 93 and E-3559 / 93

( 94 / C 268 / 86 ) given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1994 )
Subject : Structural Fund allocation 1993 — Ireland

The Irish Government 's National Development Plan,
currently under consideration by the Commission
preparatory to agreeing a new Community Support
Framework, assumes receipts of £ 638 million at 1993
prices, ECU 7,86 million from Community Initiative
programmes over the life of the plan . Can the Commission
state whether this is a realistic and achievable figure and can
it indicate a range within which Ireland 's allocation can be
excepted to fall ?

No decision has yet been taken on the allocations to
Member States from the Community Initiatives proposed
for the period 1994 — 1999 .

Ireland 's 1993 instalment under the existing Community
Initiatives ( excluding Interreg ) is 125 MECUs at 1993
prices .

The combined Ireland / Northern Ireland 1993 allocation

fall ?

under Interreg is 49,3 MECUs at 1993 prices . The Initiative
is operated jointly and therefore no breakdown is given by
Member State, but approximately one third can be taken as
attributable to Ireland .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3558 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 87 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3571 / 93

by Diego Santos López ( ARC )

to the Commission

Subject : Structural Fund allocation — Ireland ( 14 December 1993 )

94 / C 268 / 89

Having regard to the conclusions of the Edinburgh Summit
Part C / B / iii, Structural Actions, which makes certain
commitments with regard to total structural funding and the
proportion to go to the ' Cohesion ' countries over the period

1993 — 1999 inclusive, thus necessitating the separate
calculation of 1993 CSF and Community Initiative
allocations, will the Commission specify, in ECU at 1992
prices, what Ireland 's Community Initiatives allocation

( excluding Community Initiatives ) was for 1993 ?

Subject : Payment of pensions to Andalusian workers in

Gibraltar

The Government of Gibraltar has announced that the

payment of retirement pensions to Andalusian workers who
have worked all their lives in Gibraltar will be under threat

with effect from January 1994 .

No C 268 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

If introduced, such a measure would have very serious
consequences for the approximately 10 000 Andalusian
pensioners from Campo de Gibraltar and would be an
unprecedented violation of Community social law and
specifically of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 O on the
application of social security schemes to employed persons
and their families moving within the Community, as well as
subsequent Regulations, particularly Regulation ( EEC ) No
3427 / 89 ( 2 ).

Taking account also of Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome,
Article 60 of the Act of Accession of Spain to the European
Communities and the Brussels Declaration of 27 November

1984, what measures does the Commission plan to adopt in
order to compel the Government of the United Kingdom to
comply with its obligations with regard to the protection of
the social rights of workers ?

In view of the gravity of the crisis, who will guarantee the
payment of these pensions ?

Will the Commission bring proceedings before the Court of
Justice against the United Kingdom Government for failure
to comply with Community law ?

(!) OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971, p . 2 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 331, 16 . 11 . 1989, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1994 )

The measure for upgrading waste water treatment plants
and networks has been particularly successful because of the
large number of projects that were already in place when the
programme was adopted and the intercommunal nature of
the operations involved . This prompted the Monitoring
Committee to increase the funding for this measure by ECU
1 777 million taken from the Interreg programme for
Corsica and Sardinia . By contrast, the measure for solid
waste disposal encountered more difficulties since this
sector is very behind in Corsica, and funding for the measure
was therefore reduced . The Envireg programme also made it
possible to launch studies of departmental waste disposal
schemes as well as studies regarding infrastructure creation
possibilities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3575 / 93

by Francois Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 90 )

Subject : The Envireg Programme and Corsica

Can the Commission provide details of the implementation
of the Envireg Programme in Corsica, including the amount
of funding earmarked for and the amount actually allocated
to the programme ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

In mid-November 1993 all the operations in Corsica
covered by the Envireg Programme had already been started
with the exception of one, which is now being started up,
concerning the Paravo waste water treatment plant .

On 8 February 1993, the Spanish authorities sent a note to
the Administrative Commission on Social Security for The amounts earmarked and actually allocated to the
Migrant authorities Workers ' plan to abolish concerning Gibraltar the 's insurance United fund Kingdom and programme are indicated below :
to set up a new system from 1 January 1994 . ( in million ECU )

The amounts earmarked and actually allocated to the
programme are indicated below :

Community funds

actually allocated

ERDF ( 2 ) ERDF ( 3 )

This matter, which was dealt with initially on an exclusively
bilateral basis, was the subject of discussions within the
Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant
Workers held in Brussels on 2 December 1993, during
which the United Kingdom delegation was asked for specific
information .

The Commission ensures that the fundamental principles of
Community law on the subject are respected, in particular
the principles of retention of the rights acquired and in the
process of being acquired . However, given that several
points have yet to be settled, and pending a reply from the
United Kingdom authorities, the Commission ist unable at
the present time to give an opinion on the subject of possible
infringement of Community law by the United Kingdom .

Studies on solid waste

and sewage disposal 0,458 0,554 0,848

Sewage disposal :

wastewater treatment
plants and networks 7,194 10,593 10,522

Solid waste disposal 2,318 0,490 0,558

Biotope protection 0,702 0,913 0,812

Total 10,672 12,550 12,740

Decision C(92 ) 532 of 3 . 4 . 1992 approving programme ( at 1992
prices ).
Amending Decision C(93 ) 2674 of 6 . 10 . 1993 ( at 1993 prices ).
Following the Corsica CSF Monitoring Committee meeting of
15 October 1993, at which it was decided to transfer ECU 0,190 million
from the Stride Programme to the Envireg Programme .

Envireg

Community

funds

earmarked

ERDF (')

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 47

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3581 / 93

by François Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 91 )

Subject : The Prisma Programme and Corsica

Can the Commission provide details of the implementation
of the Prisma Programme in Corsica, including the amount
of funding earmarked for and the amount actually allocated
to the programme ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( IS February 1994 )

The purpose of the Prisma Programme is to create a network
of laboratories by providing assistance to bring them into
line with the AFNOR 45000 standards . The programme has
progressed in line the initial objectives . The financial
resources have been fully committed to three separate
projects : the departmental analysis laboratory for Southern
Corsica, the laboratory of the ' Office d'équipement
hydraulique de la Corse ' and the CRITT laboratory .

The ERDF assistance initially allocated to the programme
amounts to ECU 0,1 million ( 1 ). The funds actually
committed to the programme correspond to the amount
provided for .

(M Decision C(92 ) 833, 5 . 5 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3583 / 93

by François Musso ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 92 )

Subject : The Interreg Programme and Corsica

Can the Commission provide details of the implementation
of the Interreg Programme in Corsica, including the amount
of funding earmarked for and the amount actually allocated
to the programme ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

Interreg Programme met only twice in 1993 . At its first
meeting, held in Ajaccio on 12 July 1993, it noted that
certain projects, such as the Propriano and Bonifacio
harbours, had been abandoned and replaced by road
construction projects to facilitate access to the Bonifacio
harbour and bypass Porto-Veccio . The Committee also
decided to transfer ERDF assistance worth ECU 1,777
million to the Envireg Programme and reduce ESF assistance
by 25 % to take account of the real possibilities for
committing the funds at local level .

The Committee 's second meeting was held in Cagliari on

16 November 1993 . On that occasion it made technical

adjustments amounting to ECU 1,125 million, which it
liberated mainly from the subprogramme concerning the
exploitation of the maritime zone . Most of that sum was
allocated to two new measures, one concerning the
opening-up of the Propriano harbour and the other
concerning the production of a series of television
programmes on the Corsica-Sardinia area .

The Community assistance provided for and actually
granted to the programme is shown below :

( in million ECU )

Community assistance

actually granted

Interreg
( the part concerning

Community

assistance

provided

Corsica only ) for (') ( 2 ) ( 3 )

for (')

Opening up 5,126 3,307 3,922

Exploitation of the
maritime zone 1,325 1,262 0,525

Encouraging
cross-border exchanges 1,125 0,933 0,867

Scientific cooperation 0,905 1,017 1,017

Developing cross-border
exchanges 0,750 0,750 1,090

Implementation of
programme for technical
assistance and

monitoring 0,125 0,272 0,120

Total 9,356 7,541 7,541

(') Decision C(92 ) 948, 21 . 5 . 1992 ( in 1993 prices ).
( 2 ) Decision C(93 ) 2492, 1 . 10 . 1993 ( in 1993 prices ).

( 3 ) After the Monitoring Committee meeting of 16 . 11 . 1993 .

These amounts are divided amongst the three Funds as
follows :

( 22 February 1994 ) ERDF EAGGF ESF

Original Decision 8,076 0,480 0,800

programme As a result of, the the joint delay Monitoring in adopting Committee and launching for the the Present Decision 6,446 0,487 0,608

No C 268 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3591 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 93 )

Subject : Measures to protect pets

In Athens and other areas in Greece a number of incidents

have occurred in which stray animals have been poisoned or
tortured to death . Local people report that on Likavittos hill
alone 13 animals have been killed in the last month,
culminating in the mutilation and flaying of a puppy .
Although the Community is a signatory to the Council of
Europe Convention on the protection of pets and Greece has
ratified that Convention, the Greek authorities have taken
no action to implement its provisions dealing with stray
animals . These provisions include appropriate means for
reducing uncontrolled reproduction, setting up of special
animal refuges and compulsory preparation of information
and training programmes for anyone dealing with pets .

1 . What action will the Commission take to ensure that

Community law protects pets and treats them as and
living creatures rather than as ' agricultural products '?

2 . Has it drawn up a special report on the situation and
status of pets as Parliament requested in its resolution on
animal rights ? What is the situation in the other Member
States ?

3 . Is the Greek Government accountable for its failure to

take practical measures to deal with stray animals in
accordance with the spirit of the above Convention and
of Community law ?

4 . In what way has Greece implemented Directive
92 / 117 / EEC, in particular the provisions on national
facilities ( designated laboratories ), in determining
priorities for preventive action in connection with the
effects of zoonoses on humans, domestic animals,
animal feed and wild animals ?

Convention does not contain any provision for its signature
or approval by the Community .

That protection of pet animals is not a responsibility of the
Community, so it is for the Member State concerned to
regulate the matters to which the Honourable Member
refers .

Directive 92 / 117 / EEC concerning measures for protection
against specified zoonoses in animals came into force on 1
January 1994 . Greece has not communicated any measures

for implementing the Directive .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3592 / 93

by Filippos Pierros ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 94 )

Subject : Early retirement and reintegration into the labour

market of the unemployed aged 55 and above

The problems created by industrial decline are particularly
acute at local level ; local economies are collapsing and local
communities are suffering the repercussions ( e.g. in the form
of unemployment etc .).

Part of the work force cannot be covered by the range of
measures to get people back to work ; because of their age

( 55 and above ) they are unable to adjust to the new
requirements of the labour market . Measures to help this
section of the workforce should take the form either of early
retirement, compensation for lost earnings or other
measures ( e.g. of the ECSC type ).

How can the Commission help that section of the workforce
in crisis regions suffering industrial decline who cannot be
brought back on to the labour market because of their age
and inability to adapt ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen (6 April 1994 )

on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1994 )
In the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and
unemployment, the Commission draws attention to social
and demographic changes and particularly to the fact that
the increasing age of the population has not yet brought
The Community is not a signatory to the European with it an increase in the age of the active population . This
Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, and the will be the case after the year 2000 . In the meantime,

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 49

innovative job creation efforts, particularly the
encouragement of growth in labour-intensive areas, should
include new reintegration measures appropriate to
unemployed people of 55 and over .

starting up and structural measures against surpluses are
being introduced .

- v Is soften the the Commission impact of considering the fall in refunds any specific ? measures to

In 1993, the European Year of Older People and Solidarity
between Generations, the Commission took steps to
promote consideration of the position of ageing workers
and the effects of an aging of the population on the labour
market . It provided financial backing for a report by a
network of independent experts analysing the extent of age
discrimination in employment in the Community Member
States .

Where the European Social Fund is concerned, in addition
to help for the young and the long-term unemployed, aid
under the new Objective 3 has been extended to workers
threatened with longterm unemployment and exclusion
from the labour market . This particularly affects people of a
certain age who do not necessarily have the qualifications
required to find a job in a changing environment . The
European Social Fund will support reintegration measures
such as the following :

— Vocational training, pretraining to improve, for
example, basic qualifications, guidance and advice

— assistance with temporary work ( e.g. recruitment aid

and aid to encourage geographic and professional
mobility )

— the creation of structures for training, employment and

support, e.g. by training the necessary staff and
organizing services to care for dependents .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3601 / 93

by Raymond Chesa ( RDE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 January 1994 )

On the basis of economic factors ( fall in representative
prices on certain production markets in the Community,
trade flows, etc .), the Commission adopted Regulation ( EC )
No 3196 / 93 (*), which reduced the level of export refunds
for wine products by 20% .

This was a normal market management measure . Export
refunds must be in line with market assessments, pursuant
to the Community rules in that area .

The abovementioned Regulation, which took effect eight
days after its publication, was a result ot the initial
information which the Commission had already supplied at
the Management Committee meeting of 30 September

1993 . The Committee did not issue a formal opinion until
14 October 1993 .

The time lag of around two months should have allowed
existing contracts to be adapted and current deliveries to be
channelled to their planned destinations . Of course, in the
event of a change in the trends of the economic factors taken
into account, the Commission will not fail to adjust the
measures in question .

(!) OJ No L 284, 19 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3613 / 93

( 17 December 1993 ) by Christopher Jackson ( PPE )

( 94 / C 268 / 95 ) to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

94 / C 268 / 96 )
Subject : Table wine exports to non-Community
countries

Subject : Undischarged T forms — moratorium

The Management Committee for Wine has just decided to
cut the refunds on table wine exports to non-Community
countries by 20% .

Since the beginning of November refunds have in fact fallen
from F 165 to F 132 . While this may be explained by the
fluctuations in the currencies of certain Member States, it
does penalise French exports, at the very time when the
forthcoming common organization of the market in wine is

The closing down of customs posts thanks to the completion
of the internal market has caused a backlog in undischarged
' T ' forms, making the final clearance of documents
impossible in many cases, and causing severe hardship to
companies awaiting these discharges .

In light of this, will the Commission consider declaring a
moratorium on undischarged ' T ' forms ?

No C 268 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3621 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )
( 28 January 1994 ) to the Commission

s ? ( 17 December 1993 )

A Commission proposal for an administrative arrangement ( 94 / C 268 / 98 )
between Member States to deal with the backlog of ' T '
forms has regrettably been blocked by one Member
State . Subject : Action to combat the laundering of money earned

The Commission will continue its attempts to persuade
Member States to adopt a pragmatic solution .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3620 / 93

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

94 / C 268 / 97

Subject : LIFE — selection of co-financed projects for 1993

and the progress of the 1992 projects

In October the Commission decided to co-finance a third

series of projects under the LIFE regulation .

The 22 projects ( involving the conservation of natural
habitats and wild fauna and flora ) selected for co-financing
are spread over nine Member States .

Can the Commission indicate whether the three countries

which did not obtain co-financing ( Belgium, Luxembourg
and Denmark ) submitted projects and, if so, why these were
not selected ?

Can the Commission also give details of the progress of the
projects which it decided to co-finance during the first ( 42
projects ) and second ( 49 projects ) stages ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

from the illegal trafficking of narcotics in Portugal
— 2

On 10 August 1993, in reply to my question of 21 April
1993, Commissioner Vanni d'Archirafi, after saying that
Portugal had not yet notified the Commission of its national
implementing measures, added that the Commission would
initiate the procedure laid down in Article 169 of the EEC
Treaty .

Has the Commission already drawn up the ' reasoned
opinion on the matter after giving [ the Portuguese
Government ] the opportunity to submit its observations ', as
stipulated in the abovementioned Article 169 of the Treaty
of Rome ? What period has been laid down for the ' State
concerned ' to comply with the opinion, and is it possible to
have access to the opinion and the procedure ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

On 10 November 1993 Portugal officially notified to the
Commission the implementation of Directive 91 / 308 / EEC
on prevention of the use of the financial system for the
purpose of money laundering . The Commission will
consequently close the infringement procedure .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3628 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

(4 March 1994 ) ( 94 / C 268 / 99 )

The proposals submitted by Belgium, Denmark and
Luxembourg under LIFE-Nature 1993 did not correspond
to the priority actions established for the fields in
question .

As far as projects committed in 1992 are concerned, these
run over several years and, in most cases, only started in

1993 . The state of progress in their implementation can,
therefore, only be evaluated when the Commission receives
the annual reports concerning 1993 .

Subject : Documentary evidence of driving and rest periods

in road transport

Regulation ( EEC ) No 3821 / 85 ( l ) states that, when an
inspection is carried out, a driver must be able to produce
record sheets for the current week, and in any case for the
last day of the previous week on which he drove .

Member States may also request evidence relating to longer
breaks in work ( owing to sick leave or for other reasons ) in
respect of which it is not possible to produce record
sheets .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 51

However, information from Transport en Logistiek
Nederland shows that, in practice, various European
inspection authorities, in addition to requiring production
of the tachograph discs referred to, also require production
of written explanations, drawn up in advance, by
employers, stating that a driver has not driven during the
period in question, owing to illness or holiday . A situation
has now been reached where written explanations are even
required concerning daily / weekly rest periods and
kilometres that are ' missing ' from the discs . This means that
employers have to explain what their drivers have been
doing in their free time . The ' missing ' kilometres may be the
result of another driver having used the vehicle in question,
something which is becoming increasingly common in
current business practice, e.g. in the postillion system .

In the Netherlands alone, the requirement for drivers at all
times to carry explanations with them concerning their
weekends, days off and sick leave necessitates the drawing
up of approximately 3 million documents per year ! Neither
employees nor employers in the road haulage business know
properly where they stand any longer, and the paperwork
just continues to mount up .

1 . What are the Commission 's views on the state of affairs
described above with regard to inspections and the
resulting mountain of red tape ? Would it not be sensible
to revise Regulation ( EEC ) No 3821 / 85 ?

2 . What are the Commission 's views on the fact that

' evidence ' is now required in respect of breaks in work
other than those referred to in Article 15(7 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3821 / 85 ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that Article 3(5 ) of
Directive 88 / 599 / EEC ( 2 ) provides an effective
alternative to the ' explanations of absence '? ( The said
article provides for requests for information or
assistance to be made to the inspection authority of the
country in which the employer is established .)

4 . What are the Commission 's views with regard to the

practice whereby fines of approximately FL 300 are
imposed without there being good reasons for
suspecting an infringement, if drivers cannot explain on
the spot why there is no tachograph disc for a given
day ?

H OJ No L 370, 31 . 12 . 1985, p . 8 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 325, 29 . 11 . 1988, p . 55 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1994 )

Furthermore, the Commission takes the view that :

— the organization of controls is for the most part the

responsibility of the Member States, which must comply
with the objectives of the Community rules ;

— initially, updating of the Community legislation from

the technical viewpoint might indirectly help to improve
its application in the Member States ;

— the mutual assistance procedure used by the competent

authorities of the Member States concerned should

continue to be used as it is a good way of preventing
abuse . With this in mind, a letter dated November 1992
containing an interpretation of Article 15(7 ) of Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3821 / 85 of 20 December 1985 on
recording equipment in road transport based on the
case-law of the Court of Justice in its ruling of 13
December 1991 in Mario Nijs, C-158 / 90, has been sent
to all Member States ;

— generally, it is for the Member States to determine the

penalties applicable in case of infringement . The
Commission ensures that the principles of
non-discrimination and proportionality of the penalty to
the seriousness of the incident are always complied
with .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3631 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 100 )

Subject : Abolition of checks on the movement of persons

within the Community

The checks on the movement of persons within the
Community should already have been removed, as this was
one of the single market measures which came into force on

1 January 1993 . However, the Member States have
appeared reluctant to implement this aspect of the Single
Act . The UK, Irish and Danish Governments in particular
have emphasized that they are playing no part in the process
of abolishing border controls on principle . In view of this,
and of the implementation of the Schengen Agreement from
February 1994 onwards, does the Commission intend to
exert pressure on these three countries in this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1994 )
The facts referred to by the Honourable Member are being
examined by the Commission to determine whether the
implementing measures adopted by the national authorities In 1993 the Commission followed a two-stage approach in
and the practices in force conform to Community tackling the objective set out in Article 7a ( formerly
legislation . The Honourable Member will be informed Article 8 a ) of the EC Treaty with respect to the free
separately of the outcome of this study . movement of persons :

No C 268 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

— during the first stage, while continuing to take political

initiatives, the Commission greed to exert constant
pressure in order that steps announced by the Member
States would be translated into practice ;

— during the second stage, without relaxing the political

pressure, it reviewed the measures already undertaken
and decided which measures, particularly those of a
legislative nature, were still needed .

The entry into force of the Treaty on European Union made
it easier for the Commission to act as planned during the
second stage . Indeed, the Treaty offers the Commission new
possibilities for action, both at Community level and, under
Title VI of the Treaty, in areas previously covered by
intergovernmental cooperation .

In exercise of its new powers, the Commission presented on

10 December 1993 a proposal for a Decision based on
Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union with a view to
drawing up a convention on controls on persons crossing
the Community 's external borders and a proposal for a
Regulation based on Article 100c of the EC Treaty and
determining the countries whose nationals must be in
possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of
the Member States .

These two proposals from an integral part of a
comprehensive and consistent approach to eliminating
controls on persons crossing internal Community borders
and will be followed, at the appropriate time, by other
initiatives and proposals aimed at resolving any other
remaining problems .

It is in this framework that the Commission, without
wishing to prejudge the form its initiative will take, will be
endeavouring in particular to secure approval for a common
interpretation of Article 7a of the EC Treaty .

At international level, the Community took an active part in
the Unced conference, and in drawing up the Statement of
Forest Principles which emerged from it . It also supported
the reform of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan ( TFAP )
within the FAO, and is lending its active support to ' Target
2000 ' for sustainable management of tropical forests within
the International Tropical Timber Organization .

As regards assistance to countries with tropical forests, the
Commission has played an important role in preparing the
pilot programme for the conservation of the Amazonian
rainforests in Brazil, in collaboration with the Brazilian
authorities and the World Bank . The first projects on the
ground will commence during 1994 .

The Community has also for the last two years been running
a major programme of cooperation with the countries of
Africa, Latin America and Asia, particularly in the context
of the specific budget heading on tropical forests which was
created on a proposal from Parliament .

There is still great scope for error in estimating the rate of
tropical deforestation . While in certain parts of the globe
deforestation became more severe during the 1980s, there
has very recently been a slo wing-down of the process in
other regions . However, it would be premature to attribute
this phenomenon to any political decision, or to regard it as
an irreversible trend .

The Commission will be sending a communication to the
Council and Parliament in mid - 1994 assessing the results
obtained so far .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3650 / 93 to the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) ( 17 December 1993 )

to the Commission

( 94 / C 268 / 102 )

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 268 / 101 )
Subject : Fate of new-born babies in Belgrade

Subject : Results of Community tropical forest conservation

policy

Have Community measures produced any tangible results in
regard to the conservation of tropical forests and, if so, what
are they ?

In the first six months of 1993, 140 babies perished in
Belgrade because of lack of medicines . In view of this, will
the Commission endeavour to ensure that Serbia receives

sufficient medicines as soon as possible, in order to save
young human lives at least ?

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

on behalf of the Commission
(4 March 1994 ) ( 21 March 1994 )

The measures taken by the Community in recent years relate
both to international policies and to funding activities to
promote the conservation of tropical forests .

In recent decisions allocating a total of ECU 175 million for
victims of the conflict in former Yugoslavia ( ECU 72,1

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 53

million on 22 October 1993, ECU 16,9 million on
16 November 1993 and ECU 86 million on 6 December

1993 ), the Commission, wishing to be even-handed in its
treatment of the inhabitants of former Yugoslavia 's various
republics, expressed its readiness to devote considerable
resources to victims in Serbia and Montenegro .

The grants will cover food, medical and sanitation projects
to be carried out by UN specialized agencies, the IFRC,
ICRC and NGOs .

The people of Serbia and Montenegro will receive a quarter
of Community humanitarian aid under the winter 1993 / 94

programme .

The Commission has also asked the Member States to

encourage the UN sanctions committee in New York to find
some way of setting up an emergency procedure that would
allow the humanitarian aid to be delivered immediately .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3672 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

94 / C 268 / 103 )

Subject : Guidelines for the creation of a single market in

natural gas

When does the Commission envisage publishing guidelines
for the creation of a single market in natural gas ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3675 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 104 )

Subject : Opening of the Japanese rice market

Can the Commission say if and when Japan intends to open
up its rice market ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

Under the auspices of the recent GATT agreement the
Japanese Government has agreed to take the first steps in

opening its domestic market to imports of rice from
abroad .

The agreement, which is due to come into effect from April

1995, sets overall quotas for minimum foreign access to the
market over a six-year period . The overall quota will be
increased in equal steps from 4 % of domestic consumption
in the first year of operation to 8 % of domestic
consumption in the sixth year . Domestic consumption is
approximately 10 million tonnes per annum . Individual
quotas will be fixed for each country which may export rice
to Japan, within the overall quota .

In 1999 further talks will be held with the US and other rice

exporting countries to discuss foreign access to the rice
market after the initial six year period . This may result in the
tarification of Japanese imports of rice .

Emergency imports of rice, amounting this year to
approximately 2 million tonnes, are, however, already
possible under existing market regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3681 / 93

on behalf of the Commission by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

(2 March 1994 ) to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 105 )
Following Parliament 's opinion of 17 November 1993, on
8 December 1993 the Commission adopted an amended
proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Subject : Lifting of the ' consolidated
Council concerning common rules for the internal market in Turkey
gas ( 1 ).

Subject : Lifting of the ' consolidated tax ' on imports into

Turkey

(M COM(93 ) 643 final .

Last year, in response to pressure from the European Union
Turkey lifted levies in imported products from the Twelve
but proceeded to replace them with a ' consolidated tax ',
thereby infringing the customs union agreement . What steps
is the Commission taking to ensure that the ' consolidated
tax ' is lifted ?

No C 268 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1994 )

On 1 January 1993 the Turkish authorities did, as the
Honourable Member notes, consolidate all import charges
hitherto levied to provide special funds for certain economic
and welfare programmes, in response to a Commission
request and in a bid to make their customs tariff clearer .

By that date, the only remaining charge, apart from normal
customs duties, was for the ' Mass Housing Fund '.

Overall, last year 's Turkish customs tariff showed an
estimated 6% reduction on 1992 in protective customs
charges on Community goods . The figure includes both the
fall in customs duties and the consolidation of import
charges mentioned above .

On 1 January this year, further reductions were made when
the Mass Housing Fund charge was abolished on many
imports and reduced on most others, while customs duties
have continued to fall in line with the annual 10 % or 20 %
drop ( depending on the product ) provided for in the
Additional Protocol . Initial Commission estimates indicate

that duties on manufactured goods fell by 6% from

1 January this year and now average between 12% and
13% where the Community is concerned .

Further, harmonization of the Turkish tariff with the CCT
has continued at the pace set out in the Additional
Protocol .

In discussions on implementation of this 1973 Protocol, the
Commission will continue to work for the total abolition of

duties and charges having equivalent effect on Community
imports .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3692 / 93

by José Lafuente Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 106 )

Subject : Uniform price list for restoration work on works

of art

Freedom of movement for the liberal professions has given a
good many Community citizens the option to travel freely
across any Community boundary to offer their services and
pursue their profession under the protection of the relevant
Community law .

One of the professions to benefit is that of restorers of works

of art, whose activity has grown considerably with the
freedom to provide services throughout the Community .

Since the main aspiration of workers in this profession is to
be able to refer to a uniform price list for restoration work
throughout the Community, would the Commission be
prepared to support the introduction of such a list, to
encourage the moblity of professionals in this category
throughout the Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

The Commission does not intend to propose any measures
for harmonization in this area . In any event, if national rules
on the pricing of restoration work restrict the freedom of
establishment ( Article 52 of the EC Treaty ) or the freedom
to provide services ( Article 59 ), the case-law of the Court of
Justice constitutes a sufficient basis on which to decide

whether they constitute an unjustified restriction and are,
therefore, contrary to the EC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3694 / 93

by Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

94 / C 268 / 107

Subject : Recognition of diplomas

Would the Commission indicate the state of implementation
of Directives 89 / 48 / EEC ( J ) and 92 / 51 / EEC ( 2 ) on the
recognition of diplomas and, in particular, ' geometri '

[ surveyors '] qualifications in the case of Italy ?

Italian ' geometri ', and the author of this question, consider
the ' geometra ' diploma awarded in Italy, with its two-year
training period laid down under Italian law, to fulfil all the
requirements for inclusion in Directive 89 / 48 / EEC .

Failure to include this diploma in the above Directive
prevents Italian ' geometri ' from working in Europe ( as all
others are able to do ), thus creating inequality within the
profession in question .

At the same time this diminishes the professional standing of
Italian ' geometri ', which is on a par with that of executives,
experts and people of similar status .

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 55

The author of this question supports the right of Italian WRITTEN QUESTION E-3

' geometri ' to be recognized under the terms of Directive by Llewellyn Smith ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 739 / 93

' geometri ' to be recognized under the terms of Directive
89 / 48 / EEC and calls on the Commission to say what stage
has been reached in the procedures to implement the
Directives in question .

to the Commission

( 3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 108 )

(!) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989, p . 16 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 25 .
Subject : Environment

What attempts have been made by the Commission to
collate information on environmental impact assessment
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi carried out in Member States under Directive

on behalf of the Commission 85 / 337 / EEC i 1 )}

( 17 March 1994 )

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

Council Directives 89 / 48 / EEC and 92 / 51 / EEC together
establish a general system for the recognition of diplomas
and professional qualifications which encompasses all
professions, including that of surveyor, which are not
covered by sectoral directives . The general system enables
each Member State to decide whether the taking up and
pursuit of a professional activity should be made subject by
law to the possession of a diploma and if so, what level of
education and training should be stipulated for the award of
the diploma .

Although most Member States which regulate the
profession of surveyor require a ' diploma ' within the
meaning of Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( i.e. a qualification
awarded on completion of a course of education and
training of at least three years ' duration at higher level ),
others, such as Italy and Belgium require a qualification
falling within Directive 92 / 51 / EEC . The Italian course of
training for building surveyor (' geometra ') is included in
Annex C of Directive 92 / 5 1 / EEC and is therefore classed as

a ' diploma ' within the meaning of Article 1(a ) of that
Directive . The inclusion of the Italian qualification in
Directive 92 / 51 / EEC does not mean that Italian surveyors
will be excluded from the profession in other Member
States . On the contrary, Directive 92 / 51 / EEC contains, in
Articles 3 and 4, bridging mechanisms which entitle a
migrant who holds a ' diploma ' within the meaning of that
Directive to obtain recognition, and thus access to the
profession, in a Member State which requires a ' diploma '
within the meaning of Directive 89 / 48 / EEC . Member States
are required to implement Directive 92 / 51 / EEC at the latest
by 18 June 1994 . Until then, Italian surveyors may rely on
the caselaw of the Court of Justice ( Cases C-340 / 89
Vlassopoulou (*) and C-104 / 91 Newman ( 2 )) when seeking
recognition of their diplomas in those Member States where
the profession falls within Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ; this
case-law obliges Member States to examine qualifications
obtained elsewhere in the Community in order to determine
to what extent they are equivalent to those required by
national law .

(!) 1991 ECR 1-2357 .

C 2 ) 1992 ECR-I-3003 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1994 )

The Commission adopted the report on implementation of
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the basis of Article 11 thereof ( 1 ).
This report contains the main results and a comparative
analysis of implementation of the Directive in each Member
State .

It also comprises annexes for the Member States, prepared
with the assistance of consultants specialized in the
application of EIA in the Member State concerned, which
cover in particular the degree of formal conformity of the
transposing legislation with the Directive, the criteria and
thresholds adopted for the selection of Annex II projects, the
nature and degree of practical conformity with the Directive
and specific aspects of transposal .

This analysis has given the Commission a fairly accurate
picture of the effectiveness of application of the Directive in
the individual Member States .

(!) COM(93 ) 28 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3743 / 93

by Carole Tongue ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 109 )

Subject : Views from experts and specialists

Is the Commission satisfied with the arrangements which
currently exist to encourage and receive views from experts
and specialists with an interest in the development of EC
policies affecting the employment opportunities open to
visibly different minorities who are legal residents in EC
Member States ?

No C 268 / 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 26 . 9 . 94

What arrangements currently exist to encourage and receive
views from experts and specialists for the purpose
mentioned above ?

Council Directive 75 / 363 / EEC ( ) before permitting
establishment or further training in the abovementioned
professions in a Member State other than the one in which
studies were completed ?

Is that practice compatible with the EC provisions on the
freedom of establishment ?
Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission
(!) OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975, p . 14 .
( 28 March 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

A large part of the Commission 's activities in the fields of
employment, vocational training, initial employment and
job-seeking for immigrants and ethnic minorities is
undertaken with the support, advice and expertise of
specialists from the relevant ministries, the social partners,
universities and non-governmental organizations active in
this field and concerned with the situation in the Member

States, non-discrimination and equal opportunities .

Furthermore, some networks consist mainly of experts on
immigration, ethnic minorities, integration and the fight
against racism and xenophobia . This applies, for example,
to certain programmes under the European Social Fund,
such as Horizon, Eures, Rimet, the programmes to combat
social exclusion, Elaine and other specific initiatives and
studies for which the Commission issues public or restricted
calls for tender so as to encourage the leading specialists to
offer their expertise .

On 23 February 1994 the Commission also approved a
communication on immigration and asylum, which will be
transmitted to the Council and Parliament . This

communication emphasises the importance of a global
approach to this problem, taking account of the need to
develop integration policies to assist legal immigrants . To
this end, the Commission 's proposal calls for immigrants to
be provided with sufficient resources ( knowledge of the
country 's language, accommodation, education, vocational
training, etc .) to enable them gradually to achieve parity
with nationals .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 780 / 93

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 110 )

Subject : Recognition of professional degrees : medicine,

pharmacy and dentistry

Why do some Member States require, in addition to
university degrees or diplomas, special certificates showing
that authorization to practice medicine has been granted on
the basis of the training standards laid down in Article 1 of

on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1994 )

A host Member State is obliged to recognise without further
ado qualifications listed in Directive 93 / 16 / EEC (*)
( doctors ), Directive 85 / 433 / EEC ( 2 ) ( pharmacists ) and
Directive 78 / 686 / EEC ( dentists ) ( 3 ) when presented on
application by a Community national wishing to pursue the
relevant professional activities of a doctor, pharmacist or
dentist .

The respective Directives do permit, in the event of justified
doubts, a host authority to seek confirmation, from another
Member State, of the authenticity of the qualifications and
of the fact that the applicant has fulfilled all the training
requirements laid down in the relevant Directives ( see
Article 22 of the doctors ' Directive, Article 16 of the
pharmacists ' Directive and Article 21 of the dentists '
Directive ).

(!) OJ No L 165, 7 . 7 . 1993 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 235, 24 . 9 . 1985 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 233, 24 . 8 . 1978 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 790 / 93

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 111 )

Subject : Evaluation of ESF measures in Spain

The evaluation exercises conducted by the Commission into
the application of the Structural Funds include evaluations
of ESF measures for the long-term unemployed, women,
assistance for contracting and setting up businesses and the
disabled .

Could the Commission give details of the evaluation reports
pertaining to Spain ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

National evaluation reports are normally available from the
national European Social Fund missions, which decide
whether or not it is of interest to distribute them . The

26 . 9 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 268 / 57

synopses of the national reports are distributed directly by
the Commission following their approval .

In response to the Honourable Member 's question, and
taking account of the code of conduct agreed with the
Commission, copies of the reports mentioned are being sent
to him and to the Secretariat-General of the European
Parliament .

network of persons responsible for assessment of the
structural policies in the Member States (' Means ').

Who are the persons responsible under this network in

Spain ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3791 / 93 ( 28 February 1994 )

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 268 / 112 )

Subject : Persons responsible in Spain for assessment of

structural policies

In its third annual report on the reform of the Structural
Funds the Commission refers to the establishment of a

The task of implementing the Means programme was given
to five European scientific research centres involved in
providing a whole range of assessments : Cepp — Brunei
University, London ( United Kingdom ); Prognos AG, Basel

( Switzerland ); Università Bocconi, Milan ( Italy ); Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona ( Spain ); Ceops — Entpe, Lyon
( France ), which was also the programme coordinator .
Professor J. Subirats provided the input from the Universitat
Autonoma de Barcelona .