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^ » ^ / * / * •  - _A_ " W *| ISSN 0378-6986
# Orncial Journal C272

# # Volume 33
of the European Communities 2, o«.b.r mo

Engi«h edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with answer_

90/C 272/01 No 643/89 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Community encouragement for the production of nuclear energy 1

90/C 272/02 No 752/89 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission
Subject: Publication of works on the history and culture of Europe 1

90/C 272/03 No 762/89 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject: Organization for the Control of Olive Oil Subsidies 2

90/C 272/04 No 813/89 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject: Drinking water quality standards 3

90/C 272/05 No 968/89 by Mrs Marie-Claude Vayssade to the Commission
Subject: Position of the holders of dual nationality with regard to the freedom of movement for
students and the equivalence of diplomas 3

90/C 272/06 No 1076/89 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject: EEC import ban on seal pup furskins 4

90/C 272/07 No 1105/89 by Mr Pol Marck to the Commission
Subject: Food and drug administration 4

90/C 272/08 No 1295/89 by Mr Juan Gangoiti Llaguno to the Commission
Subject: Measures for the benefit of the Community textile industry 5

90/C 272/09 No 93/90 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject: Raisins 6

90/C 272/10 No 101 /90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: Victims of the drug tobacco in the EEC 7

2 (Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C272/11

90/C272/12

90/C272/13

90/C272/14

90/C272/15

90/C272/16

90/C272/17

90/C272/18

90/C272/19

90/C 272/20

90/C272/21

90/C 272/22

90/C 272/23

90/C 272/24

No 104/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Imprisonment of a neurosurgeon in Malawi 7

No 105/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Imprisonment of a student leader in Myanmar 7

No 203/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: French embassy in Kabul 8

No 242/90 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission

Subject: Civil defence and prevention of forest fires 8

No 259/90 by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission
Subject: Baggage inspection at Community airports 9

No 1178/90 by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission

Subject: Baggage inspection at Community airports 9

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 259/90 and 1178/90 9

No 280/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Foreign Ministers of the Member

States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Further violation of human rights in Burkino Faso 9

No 282/90 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Teaching material defining Germany in terms of its 1937 borders, published in
conjunction with the Federal German Government's Press and Information Office 10

No 324/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject: Embargo on trade in arms with China 10

No 325/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject: Independent observers at trials in China 10

No 326/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council
Subject: Martial law in Tibet 11

No 353/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Symposium in Paris on the disposal of nuclear waste 11

No 359/90 by Mr Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject: Euratom and South African uranium 11

No 382/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject: Facilitating the retroactive payment of family allowances to migrant workers 12

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 272/25 No 397/90 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject: Application in the Autonomous Community of Asturias (Spain) of the Directives fixing
water quality objectives 13

90/C 272/26 No 414/90 by Mr Maxime Verhagen to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States
of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Unlawful killings in Liberia 14

90/C 272/27 No 423/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation

Subject: The detention of Protestants and Catholics in China 14

90/C 272/28 No 438/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: The Atlantic and European Tourism Year 15

90/C 272/29 No 442/90 by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject: Alzheimer's disease 15

90/C 272/30 No 443/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Assessment of the value of research into medication 16

90/C 272/31 No 450/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis in Italy 16

90/C 272/32 No 472/90 by Mrs Maria Santos to the Commission
Subject: Termination of pregnancy 17

90/C 272/33 No 502/90 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject: Postal charges in the European Community 17

90/C 272/34 No 563/90 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject: Environmental impact of lorries 17

90/C 272/35 No 573/90 by Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission

Subject: Unchecked exports of toxic and harmful waste to Romania 18

90/C 272/36 " No 618/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: VAT on used cars 19

90/C 272/37 No 633/90 by Mr Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Ivory trade 19

90/C 272/38 No 646/90 by Mr Luigi Moretti to the Commission

Subject: Registration with the Italian vehicle licensing authorities of vehicles imported from
Community Member States 20

90/C 272/39 No 658/90 by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira to the Commission
Subject: Oil slick affecting Madeira 20

90/C 272/40 No 659/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject Waste policy implications of the incineration of waste? 21

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

90/C 272/41 No 660/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Waste policy implications of waste incineration 21

90/C 272/42 No 666/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject: Waste policy implications of the incineration of waste 21

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 659/90,660/90 and 666/90 21

90/C 272/43 No 662/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject: Nuclear fusion 22

90/C 272/44 No 663/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Future fusion reactor 22

90/C 272/45 No 664/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject: Funds for the ITER programme 23

90/C 272/46 No 677/90 by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: CSCE conference in Bonn 23

90/C 272/47 No 702/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject: Indigenous propagation project 24

90/C 272/48 No 703/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject: Universality of use of tinted glass in car windows 24

90/C 272/49 No 713/90 by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Water pollution 25

90/C 272/50 No 718/90 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Admission to the professional body of surgeons in the Netherlands 25

90/C 272/51 No 738/90 by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann to the Council
Subject: Recognition of foreign qualifications acquired by German nationals, for entry into
higher education 25

90/C 272/52 No 747/90 by Mr James Janssen van Raay to the Commission

Subject: Financial assistance to enable smaller and weaker Member States to participate fully in
the establishment of European standards 26

90/C 272/53 No 753/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject: Progress on the action plan for the monk seal drawn up by the States party to the Treaty
of Barcelona 27

90/C 272/54 No 776/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject: Coordination of activities to protect the monk seal 27

90/C 272/55 No 798/90 by Mr Carlos Carvalhas and Mr Joaquim Miranda da Silva to the

Commission

Subject: Pinaster project 28

Notice No

90/C 272/56

90/C 272/57

90/C272/58

90/C 272/59

90/C 272/60

90/C 272/61

90/C 272/62

90/C 272/63

90/C 272/64

90/C 272/65

90/C 272/66

90/C 272/67

90/C 272/68

90/C 272/69

90/C 272/70

90/C 272/71

90/C 272/72

Contents (continued) Page

No 818/90 by Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto and Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage to the
Commission

Subject: Events in eastern Europe and their effects on the Community 28

No 875/90 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject Complete ban on all asbestos within the EEC 29

No 889/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Dangerous 'tattoo' targeted on children 29

No 917/90 by Mr George Patterson to the Commission
Subject: Market for medicinal products 30

No 918 /90 by Mr George Patterson to the Commission
Subject: VAT on educational activities 30

No 948/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Shortage of paramedical staff in the Italian health services 31

No 972/90 by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject: Protection of Lake Managua (Nicaragua) 31

No 985/90 by Mrs Anna Hermans to the Commission
Subject: The pesticide Atrazine 31

No 988/90 by Mrs Anna Hermans to the Commission

Subject: Complaint lodged by the Commission with regard to thePlemish Cable Decree 32

No 1038/90 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Council

Subject: Second Chamber for the European Community 32

No 1079/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Tourism Year — funding for Scottish projects 33

No 1089/90 by Mrs Lissy Grdner to the Commission
Subject: Legal sums of women in marriages between different nationalities 33

No 1120/90 by Mrs Anna Hermans to the Commission

Subject: Article 40 of the Fourth Convention of Lome 33

No 1122/90 by Mr Ben Fayot to the Commission

Subject: Installations of the Societe lorraine de recuperation on the frontier between France,
Belgium and Luxembourg 34

No 1133/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States
of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: CSCE Conference on the human dimension 35

No 1152/90 by Mr Eugenio Melandri and Mr Alexander Langer to the Commission
Subject: Sale of children in Sierra Leone 35

No 1156/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject: Franco-German diplomatic cooperation 36

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No

90/C 272/73

90/C272/74

90/C 272/75

90/C 272/76

90/C272/77

90/C 272/78

90/C 272/79

90/C 272/80

90/C272/81

90/C 272/82

90/C 272/83

90/C 272/84

90/C272/85

90/C 272/86

90/C272/87

90/C 272/88

Contents (continued) Page

No 1170/90 by Mr Maxirae Verhagen to the Commission
Subject: War in Ethiopia 36

No 1193/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: Aid to Eritrean and Somali refugees 37

No 1215/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Council
Subject: Enlargement of the European Monetary System 37

No 1235/90 by Mr Eugenio Melandri to the Commission

Subject: Trade in conventional weapons set aside as the result of the Vienna agreements 38

No 1241/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission
Subject: Discriminatory measures and sanctions against conscientious objectors in Europe 38

No 1255/90 by Mr Enrico Falqui, Mr Gianfranco Amendola, Mr Paul Lannoye,
Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes, Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr Didier Anger to the
Commission

Subject: Contributions by the European Community for the study and/or use of pesticides in
the Member States 39

No 1274/90 by Mr Jesus Cabezdn Alonso, Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mrs Maria
Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject Low utilization rate of Item 9651 of the 1988 budget 39

No 1278/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Problems of investment in the United States 39

No 1282/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Japanese duty on EEC leather imports 40

No 1302/90 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject: Customs signs at internal frontiers in the Community 40

No 1341/90 by Mrs Dorothy Piermont to the Council

Subject: Endorsement of the FRG's non-nuclear status at the Dublin Council meeting of
28 April 1990 41

No 1374/90 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Foreign Ministers of the Member
States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation
Subject Encouragement of democratization in Mexico 41

No 1418/90 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission

Subject: Jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between
the Member States of the European Community and the EFTA countries 42

No 1419/90 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission

Subject Jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between
the Member States of the European Community 42

No 1441/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject Malfunctioning of the national health services in the Member States 42

No 1482/90 by Mr Friedrich Merz to the Commission

Subject Free travel within the European Community for persons accompanying the disabled .. 43

(Continued on inside back cover)

Notice No

90/C272/89

90/C 272/90

90/C 272/91

90/C 272/92

90/C 272/93

90/C 272/94

90/C 272/95

90/C 272/96

90/C 272/97

90/C 272/98

90/C 272/99

90/C272/100

90/C272/101

90/C272/102

90/C272/103

Contents (continued) Page

No 1561/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject: Creation of a European Stock Exchange 43

No 1591 /90 by Mr Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject: Financial aid to Wallonia from the structural funds 43

No 1610/90 by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Josep Pons Grau, Mr Jesus Cabezon
Alonso, Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Diez de
Rivera Icaza and Mr Francisco Sanz Fernandez to the Commission

Subject: Creation of a Euro-Mediterranean development bank 44

No 1658/90 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: A Euro-Mediterranean Bank 44

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1610/90 and 1658/90 44

No 1639/90 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Council

Subject: Europe against cancer programme 1990—1994: prevention of tobacco consumption . . 44

No 1645/90 by Mr Joachim Dalsass to the Council

Subject: Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of 30 May 1989, Article 7 (3) — infringement of
Community rules on freedom of movement 45

No 1660/90 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject: Occupation of premises belonging to the Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem 45

No 1680/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Commission
Subject: The training of Latin American civil servants 45

No 1710/90 by Mrs Dagmar Roth-Behrendt to the Commission
Subject: Criteria for the European institutions' selection procedures 46

No 1713/90 by Mr Rolf Linkohr to the Council
Subject: Employment of disabled people in the European institutions 46

No 1724/90 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Community support for guides for persons seeking employment 47

No 1727/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Political-military situation in Ethiopia and the aid programme 48

No 1729/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: UN programme for the environment and protection of the ozone layer 49

No 1756/90 by Mr Pol Marck to the Commission

Subject: Agricultural areas under vegetables 49

No 1839/90 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject: Family policy 50

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/1

I

_(Information)_

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 643/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 272/01)

_Subject:_ Community encouragement for the production
of nuclear energy

The report for 1987 produced by the French atomic
energy commissariat stressed the need to consider nuclear
energy as an essential factor in the relaunching of the idea
of European integration, from the point of view of
self-sufficiency in energy, technological progress,
economic competitiveness and environmental protection.
By pursuing this policy France has managed to become a
net exporter of electricity to its neighbours.

In view of this, does the Commission not consider that it
should encourage balanced development of the nuclear
sector throughout the Community, in order to ensure that
this sector plays a key role in European integration, and
so that the Community may enjoy the fundamental
independence it needs in the energy sector, whilst
remedying the present imbalances within the Community?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 January 1989)_

The Commission is convinced that the clean and safe use

of nuclear energy for generating electricity is a factor in
the Community's energy self-sufficiency and contributes
to the competitiveness of European undertakings without
causing atmospheric pollution, as set out in its
communication on energy and the environment ( [l] ).

With regard to the radioactive waste and effluents from
nuclear energy production, the Commission would point
out that these are covered by the health protection
provisions of the Euratom Treaty. It would also refer the
Honourable Member to its communications on the

Illustrative Nuclear Programme for the Community
(PINC) O .

(') COM(89) 369 final.
O COM(85) 401 final and COM(89) 347 final. '

WRITTEN QUESTION No 752/89

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 272/02)

_Subject:_ Publication of works on the history and culture
of Europe

The major project which five European publishinghouses intend to carry out, involving the simultaneous
publication of 14 works on the history and culture of
Europe, has aroused a great deal of interest among
pro-Europeans who share the project's aim, in the words
of one of its instigators, of adopting many different
approaches to cope with a diverse, contradictory Europe
whose pluralism of conflict must grow into a pluralism of
harmony.

Since the project's instigators have expressed an interest
in presenting their project to the Community institutions,
does the Commission consider that it would be fitting to
give Community backing to this project, which is written
by Europeans for Europeans?

No C 272/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

The Commission welcomes the various plans under way
to publish works on the history of European culture in
response to the appeal made in the solemn declaration of
Stuttgart (19 June 1983) on raising the general level of
European consciousness.

The Commission can only encourage European
publishers to embark on projects of this kind and is
gratified to note the growing collaboration between
European publishers prompted by the approach of the
internal market in 1992.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 762/89

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 272/03)

_Subject:_ Organization for the Control of Olive Oil
Subsidies

The Organization for the Control of Olive Oil Subsidies,
which has been set up in Greece and is currently being
funded by the Community (initial financing of Drs
1 000 million), has been assigned a very important task,
which it has just begun to fulfil. It has not, however, been
able to extend its monitoring activities to the bottling of
olive oil.

I have been informed by reliable sources that this
organization is being hampered and obstructed in its
work for various reasons, which are not always clear. As a
result, the allocation of olive oil subsidies is not always
transparent and is very probably unfair to many small
producers. At the same time, it is not clear who benefits
from this unfair system of allocation.

What measures does the Commission intend to take:

1. to ensure that this organization is able to operate
without delay under normal conditions and expand its
operations to all aspects of olive oil production,

2. to help guarantee the genuine operational and
organizational independence of this body,

3. to ensure that the organization continues to be
financed from Community funds alone for a certain
period of time,

4. to ensure that the failure of the Greek authorities to

comply with the applicable rules does not penalize
Greek producers, who cannot be considered

responsible for the problem being encountered by this
organization.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 March 1990)_

1. and 2. The Commission is aware of obstacles

imposed recently by the Greek authorities on the proper
functioning of the control agency for olive oil. These
concerned mainly interference by the authorities in
certain administrative procedures of the agency, which
finally resulted in a number of delays mainly in the
recruitment of additional staff and the supply of goods
(data processing material, service cars, etc.). It has to be
noted, however, that no interference has been noticed in
the main control activities of the agency, which appear to
be carried on in accordance with the approved scheme.

The Commission immediately asked the Greek
authorities to strictly respect the agency's administrative
and operational autonomy, as provided for by
Community legislation. Bilateral discussions have also
been planned for the near future between the Commission
and the Greek authorities to clarify the situation.

The Commission agrees that the scope of the agency's
activities should be extended as soon as possible to cover
all main areas of EAGGF Guarantee expenditure in the
olive oil sector. In this context, the Council has recently
adopted Regulation (EEC) No 200/90 (') in order to
extend the agencies' competence in producer Member
States to carrying out checks on consumption aid and
storage operations.

3. The contribution and the period of financing of the
agencies' expenditure by the Community Budget in
producer Member States up to 31 October 1992 are
provided for by Article 1 (5) of Regulation
No 2262/84 ( [2] ), as last amended by Regulation
No 3888/88 ( [J] ). In accordance with that article, the
Commission will submit in due time a proposal for the
financing method from the 1992/93 marketing year
onwards.

4. The Commission has not been informed of any
complaints concerning unfair treatment of small olive oil
producers in Greece. It should be noted, moreover, that
the problems facing the agency can in no way prejudice
the granting of Community aids to the beneficiaries;
Member States are always responsible for ensuring that
the appropriations available under the EAGGF Guarantee
section are used without delay and solely for the purposes
laid down. In any case, where a Member State fails to
meet its obligations under Community Regulations, the
Commission can initiate infringement procedures against
it under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty.

O OJ No L 22, 27. 1.1990.
O OJ No L 208, 3. 8. 1984, p. 11.
(') OJNoL346, 15. 12. 1988, p. 12.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 813/89

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 November 1989)_

(90/C 272/04)

_Subject:_ Drinking water quality standards

There are differences between the drinking water quality
standards under Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15

July 1980 O and those in the World Health
Organisation's (WHO) guidelines for drinking water
quality and those which apply in the United States.

In particular, the USA and WHO have limits for
radionuclides; the EEC has no limits.

The USA has limits on asbestos; the EEC has no limits.

The USA and WHO have limits for vinyl chloride; the
EEC has no limits.

How does the Commission account for these

discrepancies?

O OJNoL229,30.8. 1980, p. 11.

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

_(15 January 1990)_

The protection of the population against the dangers of
ionizing radiation is the subject of a Council Directive
adopted for the first time in 1959 and subsequently
amended several times to take account of the scientific

progress in the field ('). This Directive lays down, in
particular, admissible limits of intake by ingestion
(including through drinking water) for each radionuclide,
which have to be respected in relation to any activity
involving the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. These
limits apply in normal circumstances.

In the event of a radiological emergency, Council
Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87, amended by Council
Regulation (Euratom) No 2218/89 ( [2] ) empowers the
Commission to render applicable a set of pre-established
maximum permissible levels of radioactive contamination
of foodstuffs.

The levels will apply to foodstuffs placed on the market.
As drinking water is not _stricto_ _sensu_ placed on the market,
the Regulation makes plain that the values established for
liquid foodstuffs should be applied to drinking water
supplies at the discretion of competent authorities in
Member States.

The Commission has as yet proposed no limit for asbestos
in drinking water because it has considered that available
data are insufficient to assess the magnitude of risk
associated with ingestion of.asbestos.

Although the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has now indicated a limit value, other
major health protection organizations (such as the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Canadian Health
and Welfare Authorities) question the validity of this
limit.

The WHO will be reassessing asbestos during its current
review of its guidelines for drinking water quality and the
Commission will certainly give careful consideration to
the results of this reassessment.

Concerning vinyl chloride, this is covered by parameter 32
of Annex I of Council Directive 80/778 ( [3] ). This indicates
a guide level of 1 u.g/1 for all organochlorine compounds
(other than those used as pesticides) and stipulates that
concentrations must be as low as possible. This value was
originally proposed by the Commission in 1975 as a
maximum admissible concentration (MAC), but was
modified to a guide value during Council discussions.

The Commission notes that the US EPA has indicated a

maximum limit of 2 ug/1 for vinyl chloride, but is not
aware of any limit fixed by the WHO.

O OJ No L 246,17.9. 1980 and OJ No L 265, 5. 10.1984.
O OJ No L 371, 30.1. 1987 and OJ No L 211,22. 7.1989.
(») OJNoL229,30.8. 1980, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 968/89

by Mrs Marie-Claude Vayssade (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 December 1989)_

(90/C 272/05)

_Subject:_ Position of the holders of dual nationality with
regard to the freedom of movement for students
and the equivalence of diplomas

A young man who holds both French and German
nationality is faced with the following problem: he has
obtained a French baccalaureate from the French section

of a Franco-German lycee in the Federal Republic of
Germany, where he wishes to pursue his university
studies. While his French fellow students are eligible to
enter a German university with their French
baccalaureate, the student in question is treated as a
German national, which means that he is also required to
sit a 'nostrification' examination in order to obtain a

grading for the _numems_ _clausus_ system. Students with dual
nationality who have not studied under the German
system are therefore placed at a disadvantage which may
mean that they will be denied access to German
universities.

No C 272/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

What view does the Commission take of this anomalous

situation?

What measures does it intend to take in order to ensure

that the possession of dual nationality, which is a source
of cultural enrichment, does not penalize those
concerned?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 March 1990)_

Discrimination on the grounds of nationality is prohibited
by the Treaty of Rome. Member States are accordingly
required to ensure that all other Community nationals are
treated in the same way as their own citizens, failing
which the Commission may intervene and request the
Member State concerned to comply with Community law.

By contrast, the principle of non-discrimination between
nationals is a basis right provided by the constitutions of
all the Member States. If it is violated, citizens have the
right to take legal action in the national courts.

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that such discrimination should not be allowed but it is

unable to act, as the Community has no jurisdiction in this

matter.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1076/89

by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 272/06)

_Subject:_ EEC import ban on seal pup furskins

Will the Commission state what action has been taken to

open infringement proceedings against Member States
which are refusing to implement the Community-wide
ban on the import of seal products into the EEC?

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

_(22 January 1990)_

As indicated in the answer to Written Question No
768/89 by the Honourable Member ('), Eurostat figures
on imports into the Community of complete raw furskins
(heading 4301.22) and of tanned or dressed furskins
(heading 4302.22) of whitecoat pups of harp seals and
bluebacked pups of hooded seals show that:

— the Federal Republic of Germany imported 1 135 raw
skins of hooded seals from Greenland (exempted
from the Directive) and 1 640 skins from Norway in
1986.

Since the request of the Commission for confirmation
with the competent German authorities that the import of
1 640 skins from Norway also concerned skins exempted
from the Directive went unanswered, the Commission
sent a letter of formal notice (pursuant to Article 169 of
the Treaty) to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The answer by the German authorities to this letter is at
present being examined.

[O OJNoCll7.il. 5.1990,](http://OJNoCll7.il) p. 5.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1105/89

byMrPolMarck(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 272/07)

_Subject:_ Food and drug administration

In the report by its Committee of Inquiry into the
Problem of Quality in the Meat Sector, and in other
reports, the European Parliament has consistently pressed
for the setting up of a European equivalent to the US
Food and Drug Administration.

1. Has the Commission already made a start on
responding to the resolutions concerned?

2. Does the Commission take the view that, in the light
of the single market, such a European agency is vital,
with a view, _inter alia,_ to ensuring that national
assessments do not diverge?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1990)_

On the basis of experience acquired in the field of
Community procedures for the coordination of national
decisions on the issuing of marketing authorizations in
respect of medicinal products, the Commission has
embarked on intensive consultations with all interested

parties in the pharmaceutical sector on ways of achieving
a single system of assessment meeting the highest possible
scientific standards. As announced in its programme of
work for 1990, it intends to propose a system combining a
central licensing procedure for new medicinal products
with a decentralized procedure for the mutual recognition
of other medicinal products. The future system would
also entail the setting-up of a European agency
responsible for assessing medicinal products and
preparing, in close liaison with the Member States,
decisions applicable in the Community.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/5

As far as the food sector is concerned, there is a need for
closer cooperation between the Member States in a
number of areas, most notably the following:

— scientific assessment of the health implications of the
substances and processes used and also of the
residues and contaminants,

— official inspections, including veterinary inspections.

The Commission is currently looking into suitable ways
and means of ensuring such cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1295/89

by Mr Juan Gangoiti Llaguno (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 272/08)

_Subject:_ Measures for the benefit of the Community
textile industry

There have been reports that the Commission may adopt
measures for the benefit of the Community textile
industry in response to the liberalization of trade resulting
from the Uruguay Round.

The Commission has also decided to set up a monitoring
body during the transitional period leading up to the
dismantling of the Multifibre Agreement, which will
decide on safeguard measures, the duration of
transitional periods and the detailed procedures for them.

It is quite clear that the entry into force of the Uruguay
Round agreements and the dismantling of the Multifibre
Agreement will weaken the competitive position of the
Community textile industry because of the resulting
'invasion' by large-scale firms from outside the
Community.

What measures is the Commission considering
introducing in order to promote the competitiveness of
the Community textile sector?

What funds will be used to finance these measures?

Is the Commission considering the possibility of relaxing
or even suspending the ban on national and/or regional
aid to textile firms?

Might it be appropriate to start lifting this ban via the
sector of the textile industry involved in industrial
applications, e.g. the motor vehicle accessories industry?

Has the Commission drawn up a timetable for the
adoption of measures for the benefit of the textile sector
and lifting the ban on aid to the sector?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 June_ _1990)_

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and the Secretariat-General of Parliament a copy
of its two last reports on the situation in the textiles and
clothing industry. These contain an overview of the
economic and political factors regarding the
developments observed in this sector and the action to be
taken.

With regard more especially to the Commission's policy
on State aid to the textile sector, this was the subject of a
communication to the Member States in February 1977.
The charges that have taken place in the situation and
structures of the markets and industry since then have not
been such as to suggest that the terms of the support have
been relaxed: on the contrary.

It should furthermore be noted that the discipline in force
does not prohibit aids, but makes them subject to a set of
conditions which must be complied with in order to
ensure an acceptable level of proportionality between the
advantages which the aids may provide in certain
undertakings and regions and the negative effects they
may have in other Member States whose undertakings are
in direct competition with the former.

As for the particular sector of man-made fibres, the
discipline originally introduced in July 1977 has recently
been extended for a further period of two years, expiring
on 19 July 1991, and is now covering both clothing and
industrial final uses of synthetic fibres. The position of
the Commission on this matter was communicated to the
Member States in July 1989. No relaxation of the policy is
envisaged in the short term, but a re-evaluation of the
general conditions of the sector will be carried out by the
expiry time of the present discipline in July 1991.

The industrial final use for synthetic man-made fibres has
recently been included within the industrial sectors
covered by the Commission's restrictive discipline for
State aids to this sector; no relaxation of such policy is, at
present, envisaged.

No schedule has been laid down for the relaxation of the
Commission's present policies concerning the textile
sector and man-made fibres.

The creation of a textiles and clothing industry
observatory is a solution considered to improve, as
requested by the Council, the information currently
available from the subsectoral and regional viewpoints.
The development and implementation of strategies by
firms in response to the challenges of the single market
and competition from abroad and the development and
implementation of policies to support the changes in the
textiles and clothing sector make it necessary today to

No C 272/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

have a more detailed analysis of the situation and of
changes in the structures and the markets in this sector.

This solution is currently the subject of a feasibility study
assigned to a consultant and of contacts with the trade
groups and administrations which should be associated
with its operation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 93/90

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/09)

_Subject:_ Raisins

The Commission is proposing to modify the common
organization of the market by replacing present
arrangements for the support and management of raisin
production with a different system, many details of which
remain unclear. It proposes abolishing guaranteed prices
for producers and aid towards production (processing),
limiting intervention and separating the tasks of storage
agencies and processors (which Would be a disadvantage
for cooperatives). In general, it leaves a number of
questions unanswered, making it difficult to put a figure
to producers' incomes. It has also been announced that a
system of aid to producers based on the area under
cultivation is to be introduced. At the same time the

Commission is obviously endeavouring to free the
Community of any responsibility for the management of
this product.

What prompted the Commission to propose such a radical
review of the CAP?

Is the Commission testing reactions to changes in policy it
intends to extend to other products covered by the CAP
by applying them as an experiment to raisins, since Greece
is the only Community Member State which produces and
exports them and has relatively little influence on public
opinion in the Community with regard to agricultural
issues?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 March 1990)_

The Commission's proposals to significantly change the
market organization for dried grapes are based on the

conclusions of its evaluation of the present system
(Commission report on the market organization for dried
grapes (')). The major conclusion of this evaluation is that
the present system does not provide producers with the
necessary incentives that would involve them to some
extent in the marketing of their product. Producers
receive the same minimum grower price whether their
product is sold in the market or bought at intervention.
Under this system the competitiveness of Greek sultanas,
measured both in terms of price and of quality relative to
the price and quality of the product of other major EEC
suppliers, has deteriorated in recent years.

The Commission's proposals aim at initiating the
necessary changes that would make the Greek product
competitive again in EEC markets. This requires a
significant improvement in the quality of Greek sultanas
(so that they can compete at the higher quality end of the
market), and the introduction of a level of
co-responsibility on the part of producers in marketing
their product. The latter aspect is in line with recent
developments in CAP.

In order to allow producers to adjust to the new system,
the Commission has proposed a transitional period of
three years. During this period, aid per hectare will be
fixed so as to compensate producers for the reduction in
the minimum grower price (Proposal for Council
Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) 426/86 ( [2] )). All
other elements of the present system (production aid,
minimum import price) will also be retained during the
transitional period, while new measures to improve
quality will be introduced. The Commission has not
proposed to change the multiple role of storage agencies.
It has only proposed that, in accordance with the
recommendation of Report No 2/89 of the Court of
Auditors ( [3] ), strict criteria are introduced so that different
functions of these agencies be transparent.

At the end of the transitional period, the Commission will
re-examine the operation of the new system with a view to
retaining the aid per hectare as the key element to the new
regime for dried grapes. The Commission will still be
responsible for the management of the sector, as
intervention for a specific level of stocks at a guaranteed
price will be retained. However, producers will also share
responsibility for the marketing of their product, with the
aid per hectare providing a minimum level of support.

(') COM(89) final - Vol. I.
O COM(89) 660 final - Vol. Ill, p. 169, Article 6a (3).
O OJ No C 128,24. 5.1989, p. 44.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of

WRITTEN QUESTION No 101/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/10)

_Subject:_ Victims of the drug tobacco in the EEC

According to a United States newspaper, tobacco is
responsible for more than 2,5 million deaths. More
Colombians die from the effects of American tobacco

than Americans from the effects of Colombian cocaine;

more Thais die of American tobacco than Americans of

South-East Asian heroin.

Are there reliable statistics in the EEC on annual deaths

caused by tobacco, whether or not of US origin? How do
the figures compare with those for deaths from cocaine
and heroin in the Community?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 March 1990)_

According to epidemiologists, 30% of all deaths from
cancer can be attributed to tobacco use. Tobacco is also

responsible for 25% of deaths from ischaemic cardiac
diseases and 75% of deaths from respiratory diseases such
as bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

On the basis of these figures and the latest data on
mortality from the WHO, it can be deduced that about
440 000 people die each year in the European Community
from the effects of tobacco.

The Commission does not have any figures for deaths
resulting from cocaine or heroine, but figures available in
the United States show that the number of deaths caused

by tobacco is 200 times higher than the number caused by
cocaine.

The Commission is sending tables and a list of sources to
both the Honourable Member and Parliament's

Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 104/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/11)

_Subject:_ Imprisonment of a neurosurgeon in Malawi

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation take up the case of the only neurosurgeon in

European Communities No C 272/7

Malawi, D r George Mtafu, aged 46, who has been held
without charge or trial in Blantyre Central Prison since
February 1989, after refusing to apologize for expressing
disagreement with statements by the President for Life of
the Republic criticizing high-ranking civil servants in
Northern Malawi?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

On 20 June 1990, the Representative of the Presidency in
Lilongwe carried out a demarche to the Malawian
authorities in order to convey the concern of the
European Community and its Member States at the
human rights situation in that country.

The Presidency called for the release of those in detention
and expressed concern about reports of maltreatment and
even death of detainees and prisoners, as well as at the
failure to hold public enquiries into such events.

The representative of the Presidency in Lilongwe will
continue to monitor the situation closely.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 105/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/12)

_Subject:_ Imprisonment of a student leader in Myanmar

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation take up the case of the 26-year-old
engineering student Aung Din, leader of the Burmese
National Federation of Student Unions, who was arrested
by the authorities on 24 April 1989 under martial law?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

Although the particular case to which the question refers
has not been discussed in European Political
Cooperation, the Community and its Member States used
a number of different means, including public statements,
to convey to Burma's military rulers in the period
preceding the elections on 27 May that anti-democratic

No C 272/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

policies, including the detention of political leaders, were
having a grave impact on relations between them and
Burma.

In their recent statements on 6 June and 2 August, the
European Community and its Member States welcomed
the manner in which the people of Burma exercised their
right to vote in the May elections. The Community called
on the present rulers of Burma to respect the results of the
elections, _inter alia_ by immediately releasing political
leaders in detention.

The Twelve are continuing to follow closely the
development of the situation in Burma.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 203/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/13)

_Subject:_ French embassy in Kabul

While the Western powers are still refusing to re-open
their embassies in Kabul, in order not to give indirect
support by such a political move to the regime of Mr
Najibullah, France has unilaterally decided to. send a
charge d'affaires to tha Afghan capital.

What is the Ministers' view of the French decision?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The question asked by Mr Glinne does not fall within the
competence of European Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 242/90

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/14)

_Subject:_ Civil defence and prevention of forest fires

What measures does the Commission intend to take,
particularly in the fields of civil defence, the environment
and agriculture to deal with the problem of forest fires
which, in addition to damaging the earth's 'green lungs',
place so many lives at risk?

What instruments could the Commission use to finance
European industrial projects which, having a social or
environmental purpose, are unable to finance themselves
(for example, the Advanced Aero-Amphibian (AAA)
project, involving Italy, Germany, Greece, Yugoslavia
and Denmark, which is not of a purely commercial or
military nature and is therefore classified as having a
social and humanitarian aim) ?

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

_(22 May_ _1990)_

Over the last ten years the Community has funded a series
of measures designed to reduce the risk of forest fire in
southern Europe under Regulation (EEC) No 269/79
establishing a common forestry programme in certain
Mediterranean areas of the Community ( [l] ), Regulation
(EEC) No 1975/82 on the acceleration of agricultural
development in certain regions of Greece ( [2] ), the
integrated Mediterranean programmes (Regulation
(EEC) No 2088/85 ( [3] )), the specific programme for the
development of agriculture in Portugal (Regulation
(EEC) No 3828/85 (")), the specific common programme
for the promotion of agricultural development in certain
regions of Spain (Regulation (EEC) No 1118/88 ( [s] )) and
Regulation (EEC) No 3529/86 on the protection of
forests against fire ( [6] ), as recently amended by Regulation
(EEC) No 1614/89 0

The Commission is aware that fire is a serious problem in
the forests of southern Europe, particularly as the major
fires in 1989 brought to light certain shortcomings in the
fire-protection measures. The standing forestry
committee set up by the Council Decision of 29 May
1989 (*) decided at its first meeting, therefore, to set up a
working party to consider the question of protecting
forests against fire as part of the coordination of measures
undertaken pursuant to Regulations (EEC) No 3529/86
and (EEC) No 1614/89.

At the beginning of 1990 the Commission therefore
embarked on a series of studies in conjunction with the
Member States to arrive at Community solutions
designed to make the policies for the protection of forests
against fire more consistent.

The Commission is aware of the effort of some Member
States to develop a new aircraft to fight major menaces to
the environment. It is important to introduce
technological improvements in this field. Such efforts
should benefit from collaboration in Research and
Development within the new framework programme, in
particular in the field of aeronautics and, combined with
the study mentioned above, should enhance the
contribution that the Commission can make in this field.

With regard to the AAA project mentioned by the
Honourable Member it should be pointed out that

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/9

projects of this type, while of interest in view of their
environmental aspects and from the point of view of
international industrial collaboration, are not at present
covered by the Community support frameworks recently
adopted by the Commission. Moreover, the size and
specific nature of the financial aid earmarked for
environment policy are inadequate to provide support for
such projects.

;') OJNoL38, 14.2. 1979.
; [2] ) O J N o L 214,22. 7. 1982.
; [J] ) OJNoL 197,27.7.1985.
4
; ) OJNoL372,31.12.1985.
5
; ) OJNoL 107,28.4. 1988.

_[*)_ OJNoL326,21.11.1986.
7
; ) OJNoL 165, 15.6. 1989.
8
; ) OJNoL 165, 15.6. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 259/90

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/15)

_Subject:_ Baggage inspection at Community airports

The US firm, Science Applications International
Corporation and the French firm, Sodern, have developed
equipment capable of detecting explosives* such as
Semtex, in baggage, with a' 95% success rate, using
neutron radiation to analyse the contents of cases and
sealed containers at a rate of ten units per minute.

What steps are the Commission and airports' authorities
in the Community taking to bring about early
commercialization of equipment capable of detecting
explosives and drugs in passengers' baggage and air
freight?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1178/90

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/16)

_Subject:_ Baggage inspection at Community airports

In the light of continuing threats to passenger safety from
the concealment of explosives in airline passengers'
baggage and air freight, and the technological
achievements of firms such as Science Applications
International Corporation in the USA and Sodern in
France in developing thermal neutron analysis (TNA)
systems to detect explosives such as Semtex, what steps is
the Commission taking to promote investment in TNA

equipment at Community airports and. at airports in the
Lome Convention States, in the light of the recent
destruction of a second UTA airliner in Chad ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 259/90 and

1178/90 given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1990)_

The Commission takes the problems of security of air
transport very seriously and organized a conference on
security and safety for airports and aircraft two years ago.

However, the Community's competence in this field is
limited.

It is for national authorities to take the appropriate steps
tojensure that checks are carried out on passengers and
their luggage.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 280/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/17)

_Subject:_ Further violation of human rights in Burkino
Faso

On 25 December 1989 the Government of Burkino Faso

announced the failure of another attempted coup d'etat.
On the same day the national human rights league
announced that more than fifty people had been arrested
and that others were likely to be arrested subsequently.

Further to the question of 20 November 1989, can the
Foreign Ministers meeting in EPC investigate the
situation in this country and the treatment of detainees?
Can they ascertain whether the non-recoverable grant of
ECU 1 400 000 earmarked from the European
Development Fund on 4 October 1989 is being used for its
intended purpose of rural development and film
documentation or whether it is simply being used for
propaganda purposes? Similarly, can they ascertain
whether the amount of ECU 31 500 000 earmarked on 5

June 1989 to combat desertification is being used for this
purpose or whether the danger exists that it will be used to
consolidate a government which does not appear to
respect human rights?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The Community and its Member States follow closely the
human rights situation in Burkina Faso in the context of

No C 272/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

their regular review of developments in Sub-Saharan
Africa.

At its meeting held in Dublin on 25 and 26 June, the
European Council stressed the importance of progress in
the observance of human rights and in sound government
management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Commission follows closely the implementation of
all cooperation programmes under the Lome Convention
and makes sure that they are implemented in strict
conformity with their objective.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 282/90

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont (ARC)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/18)

_Subject:_ Teaching material defining Germany in terms of
its 1937 borders, published in conjunction with
the Federal German Government's Press and

Information Office

In December 1989 the publishing house 'Zeitbild-Verlag
GmbH', Mainzer Strasse 255, D-5300 Bonn 2, in
conjunction with the Federal German Government's
Press and Information Office, issued a leaflet for
distribution to schools. Responsibility for the contents of
the leaflet is claimed by the 'Study Group for Topical
Education. W. Martin.'

This leaflet refers to the GDR as _Mitteldeutschland_

(Central Germany) and states that Germany does not end
at the Oder and Neisse but continues to exist within its

borders of 31 December 1937, encompassing the old
German territories of Eastern Prussia, Pomerania,
Eastern Brandenburg and Silesia. For details of the
definitive borders, reference is made to a non-existent

peace treaty.

1. What view do the Ministers meeting in EPC take of
such leaflets being issued, particularly among
schoolchildren in the Federal Republic of Germany,
following the opening of the Berlin Wall?

2. What view do they take of the fact that the German
Government's Press and Information Office is helping
to produce such documents ?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The Honourable Member's question does not fall within
the competence of European Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 324/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/1-9)

_Subject:_ Embargo on trade in arms with China

Is the Council aware of the fact that the United Kingdom
Government has broken the terms of the Madrid

European Council Declaration on China in the following

ways:

— by issuing permits to GEC Marconi on 14 September
1989 to sell radar equipment for China's fighter
planes, and

— by endorsing high level links with China through the
visit of three MPs who went to China in late October?

Both of these actions contravene the Declaration which .

called for an arms trade embargo and a 'suspension of
bilateral ministerial and high level contacts.'

Answer ( [!] )

_(20 September 1990)_

While the specific questions raised by the Honourable
Member have not been discussed in the framework of

European Political Cooperation, the Honourable
Member can rest assured that the Community and its
Member States consult closely on the measures taken with
regard to China. As the Honourable Member will be
aware, the then Foreign Secretary announced the terms of
the ban on United Kingdom arms sales to China on 6 June
1989.

(') This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers
meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the
question came.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 325/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/20)

_Subject:_ Independent observers at trials in China

The Madrid Council Declaration on China agreed to
raise the issue of human rights in the international fora
and to ask for admittance of independent observers to
attend the trials and visit the prisons.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/11

Is the Council aware that on 30 November 1989, 11
Tibetan men were arrested for distributing
counter-revolutionary propaganda and five received
sentences of over 17 years, and did the Council make any
formal requests for independent observers to attend these
trials?

Answer (')

_(20 September 1990)_

The Community and its Member States have requested
the Chinese authorities to allow observers to attend trials

and visit prisons, as specified in the Madrid Declaration,
but the Chinese authorities have turned down this request
on the ground that it constituted interference in the
internal affairs of China. No separate request was made in
the particular instance to which the question refers. They
have raised with the Chinese authorities the human rights
aspects of the situation in Tibet, and as has been stated to
Parliament on previous occasions, have used all suitable
opportunities to seek to persuade the Chinese authorities
to respond to the Community's concern, and
international concern generally, about violations of
human rights in China.

(') This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers
meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the
question came.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 326/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/21)

_Subject:_ Martial law in Tibet

Will the Foreign Ministers put pressure on the Chinese
Government to lift martial law in Lhasa, Tibet since it is
clear that no acceptable political process can function
under these circumstances?

Answer (')

_(20 September 1990)_

The Honourable Member will have noted the

announcement by the Chinese authorities that martial law
has been lifted in Tibet.

(') This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers
meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the
question came.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 353/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/22)

_Subject:_ Symposium in Paris on the disposal of nuclear

waste

Is the Commission prepared to make a statement on the
conclusions of the symposium in Paris (8 to 13 October
1989) on the long-term safety aspects of nuclear waste
disposal?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1990)_

The symposium in Paris (9 to 13 October 1989) was
jointly sponsored by the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), the, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
(NEA), which also acted as the coordinator of the
symposium, and the Commission of the European
Communities, in collaboration with the French
_Commissariat d I'Energie Atomique._ The aim was to enable
experts from all over the world to discuss the long-term
safety of the final storage facilities of radioactive waste
and to review the various storage concepts.

The Commission agrees with the conclusions expressed in
the communique of the NEA of 16 October 1989, namely:
'The experts confirmed that progress has been made and
that the knowledge now available provides a firm basis for
reliable long-term assessments of future disposal sites.
Uncertainties in making performance assessments are
now well identified and provide guidance for future
research. In particular, additional R&D will require field
and _in situ_ investigations at specific sites in order to collect
data and refine the estimation methods.' The Commission

will be sending both the Honourable Member and the
Secretariat of the Parliament the full text of the

conclusions of the Symposium held in Paris from 9 to 13
October 1989.

It would also point out that these conclusions are in
agreement with those of the Pagis Information
Conference it organized in Madrid on 30 June 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 359/90

byMrPaulStaes(V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/23)

_Subject:_ Euratom and South African uranium

It is reported that the Nukem company has supplied
TVO-Finland with South African uranium in defiance of

the first UN decision on the matter. This should be

No C 272/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

investigated by Euratom, particularly since the uranium in
question came from stocks held in the European
Community. Although the uranium was officially
registered as coming from Niger, because of an
origin-swap it really originated in South Africa.

Although this has been denied by TVO, the Hesse
criminal investigation department in Wiesbaden has
documentary evidence (testimony by Dr Horst Keese,
Director of Nukem-Luxembourg) that this illegal
transaction took place. Dr Keese also maintains that it
took place with Euratom's approval.

At 5.30 p.m. on 17 November 1989 a spokesman, Ilkka
Mikkola, openly admitted on Finnish radio that TVO had
been duped by Nukem. In fact, both the Finnish and
Russian governments had been deceived. In addition,
Euratom is not empowered to authorize origin swaps.

Is Euratom aware that the TVO claimed to have Euratom

approval (certificates) for this transaction?

If so, did it immediately take the matter up with TVO and
the Finnish Government? What measures will Euratom

take, since it has been established that Nukem has
wrongfully claimed to have its approval? Will it institute '
proceedings?

Why is it that neither the Commission nor Euratom
reacted to our statements to the European Parliament's
Committee of Inquiry into the Handling of Nuclear
Material? The matter has since been proven and valuable
time has been lost.

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May 1990)_

The text to which the Honourable Member refers is

Decree No 1 of the United Nations Council for Namibia

and only concerns uranium of Namibian origin.

The Honourable Member should refer to the.

Commission statement to the European Parliament on
this and other matters in July 1988 (*) in which the
Commission stated that, well before the Transnuklear
affair, it had taken steps to prevent origin swaps
sometimes erroneously referred to as flag swaps, even
though this type of transaction is not contrary to the
Euratom Treaty. No transaction of this kind has been
referred to the Community authorities since then.

It should also be noted that Euratom does not issue any
sort of certificate.

(') European Parliament debates No 2-367 (July 1988).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 382/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 272/24)

_Subject:_ Facilitating the retroactive payment of family
allowances to migrant workers

The fact that die Council of Ministers of Social Affairs

has decided to adopt the new Regulation on social
security systems will put an end to the discrimination to
which migrant workers used to be subjected if their
families continued to live in the Community country of
origin.

According to the Regulation, certain migrant workers in
Community countries may be paid family allowances
backdated to 15 January 1986, the quantities varying
according to individual cases. However in some cases, for
example that of Spaniards, the allowances may be 50 or
100 times greater than in the country of origin.

In view of the large amounts to be paid to these workers,
how does the Commission consider that the relevant

information campaign should be carried out so as to
ensure that the payment of the back-dated family
allowances is made easier for the workers concerned?

Does it also consider that those responsible for payment
should be asked to make the payments automatically
without waiting for the recipients to make their claims ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 March 1990)_

The Honourable Member's question concerns the
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3427/89 ('),
which entered into force on 15 November 1989.

This Regulation introduces a uniform arrangement for
payment of family benefits to workers in cases where the
members of the worker's family reside in another Member
State, whereby the benefits are paid by the Member State
in which the worker is employed in accordance with the
legislation of that State. The Regulation applies
retrospectively from 15 January 1986.

The Honourable Member wishes to know ( [J] ) how it is
proposed to organize the information campaign to help
those concerned (mainly Spanish and Portuguese
workers) to obtain the benefits, backdated to 15 January
1986, to which they are entitled, and ( [2] ) whether these
benefits should be paid automatically without those
concerned needing to submit claims.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/13

The Administrative Commission on Social Security for
Migrant Workers is currently considering the necessary
arrangements for implementing the Regulation, including
the points raised by the Honourable Member. First and
foremost, it remains to be established whether the

'uniform solution' referred to in Articles 60 and 220 of the

Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal entered into force
with retrospective effect from 15 January 1986 for all
employed and self-employed workers, including those of
Spanish and Portuguese nationality. This is a purely legal
question that needs to be studied in depth.

At this stage it would seem that, for practical reasons,
backdated payment of benefits should be made at the
request of those concerned.

A working party has been set up in the Administrative
Commission to discuss arrangements for applying the
Regulation.

Work done so far has already made it possible for the
Administrative Commission to adopt a decision
determining the date on which the new system will take
effect (1 April 1990). This will be published shortly in the
_Official Journal of the European Communities._ A decision
will be taken later on payment of arrears of benefit.

Finally, the French delegation on the Administrative
Commission has announced that the French authorities

are now looking into a variety of means of informing
x those concerned of their rights, including posters and
information brochures to be sent to those families that

can be traced.

In the case of workers who were employed in France for a
limited period in 1986, 1987 or 1988, and who have
returned to their Member State of origin or gone to
another Member State, it would seem that only the States,
in which they are now resident can provide them with the
necessary information on this matter.

(*) OJNoL331, 16.11. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 397/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/25)

_Subject:_ Application in the Autonomous Community of
Asturias (Spain) of the Directives fixing water
quality objectives

In principle the Member States are supposed to ensure the
implementation of Community Directives (Article

130r(4) of the EEC Treaty) and the Commission is
responsible for ensuring that they are correctly applied.
However, a directive cannot be implemented if it has not
yet been incorporated into the internal legal systems of
the Member States.

1. Can the Commission ascertain whether the following
directives are actually being applied in the
Autonomous Community of Asturias:

— Directive 75/440/EEC (') concerning the quality
required of surface water intended for the
abstraction of drinking water in the Member
States,

— Directive 76/160/EEC ( [2] ) concerning the quality
of bathing water,

— Directive 78/659/EEC ( [3] ) on the quality of fresh
waters needing protection or improvement in
order to support fish life,

— Directive 80/68/EEC _(*)_ on the protection of
groundwater against pollution caused by certain
dangerous substances,

— Directive 80/778/EEC ( [s] ) relating to the quality
of water intended for human consumption?

2. I should be grateful if the Commission could let me
have all the information it manages to obtain on this
subject.

( [l] ) OJ No L 194,25. 7.1975, p. 26.
O OJNoL31,5.2.1976, p. 1.
O OJNoL222, 14.8. 1978, p. 1.
O OJNoL20,26.1.1980, p. 43.
O OJNoL229,30.8.1980, p. 11.

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

_(30 April 1990)_

The Commission has at its disposal the following
information on the effective application of the Directives
mentioned below by the Autonomous Community of
Asturias:

— Directive 75/440/EEC: the Spanish authorities have
not so far designated surface water by categories (Al,
A2, A3), not put forward any plans for purification,

— Directive 78/659/EEC: the Spanish authorities have
not yet designated waters capable of supporting fish
life,

— The Commission has received a petition denouncing
the activities of a mining company which is polluting
the water of the River Vega (Conseil de Ribadesella,
Asturias) which is said to have resulted in the death of
a large number of fish in October 1989,

— Directive 76/160/EEC: the Spanish authorities have
designated water suitable for bathing for the whole of
its national territory. With respect to Asturias, and
according to the report on the quality of water for
bathing for 1,988 sent to the Commission by the
Spanish authorities, there are 35 seaside bathing
zones and 59 sampling points, of which six are not in

No C 272/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

conformity with the coliform parameter of Directive
76/160/EEC. Moreover, no information has been
supplied on a number of the parameters laid down in
the Directive for any of the Asturias bathing zones,

— Directive 80/68/EEC: the Commission has no

information on how the Directive is being applied in
Asturias,

— Directive 80/778/EEC: no reply from the Spanish
authorities has been received in response to two
letters requesting information sent by the
Commission in 1989.

The Commission will be sending a letter to the Spanish
authorities requesting information on the aspects where it
is lacking.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 414/90

by Mr Maxime Verhagen (PPE)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(5_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 272/26)

_Subject:_ Unlawful killings in Liberia

1. Are the Foreign Ministers aware of reports that in
Nimba County (north-east Liberia) and in the capital
Monrovia hundreds of unarmed citizens have been killed

by rebels and government troops?

2. Are the Foreign Ministers also aware that during the
invasion of 24 December 1989 government troops burned
the villages of Butuo and Karnplay to the ground and
killed a large number of the inhabitants?

3. Are the Foreign Ministers prepared to express their
concern and call on the Liberian Government to bring an
immediate halt to these unlawful killings?

4. What other steps will the Foreign Ministers take in
order to put a stop to these alarming developments in
Liberia?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The Community and its Member States are following
events in Liberia with deep concern. They have made two
demarches to the Liberian government concerning events

in Nimba County and have also made various appeals to
both the government and rebel forces deploring the loss
of life and calling for an end to the killings. They have
condemned the actions against the innocent populations
and called on the parties in conflict to safeguard from
violence embassies and places of refuge such as churches,
hospitals, etc. where defenceless civilians have sought
shelter. They have additionally urged all parties involved
to seek a solution by peaceful means. In particular the
Presidency refers the Honourable Member to the
Twelve's statements on Liberia on 25 July and 2 August.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 423/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/27)

_Subject:_ The detention of Protestants and Catholics in
China

Would the Foreign Ministers meeting in European
Political Cooperation take an early opportunity to
interest themselves in the fate of the Catholic bishops Liu
Guangdong, of the Yixian diocese, and Habei Li Side, of
the Tianjin diocese, neither of whom are members of the
official Patriotic Catholic Association and who were

detained on 26 November and 8 December 1989,
respectively? Would they also take an interest in the fate
of the Protestant leaders who were detained in early
October 1989 in Henan province and who have possibly
still not been released?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

As has been stated to Parliament on many occasions, the
Community and its Member States have consistently
raised the question of human rights observance in China
both directly with the Chinese authorities and in the
appropriate international fora. In particular since the
Madrid Declaration, EEC-China relations have been
adversely affected by China's failure to ensure full respect
for human rights. Although not all of the individual cases
to which the question refers have been discussed in
European Political Cooperation and raised in Beijing, I
can inform the Honourable Member that respect for
religious freedom and the predicament of Rome-affiliated
Catholics are among the specific concerns of the
Community and its Member States in the context of
human rights in China.

29. 10.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 438/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/28)

_Subject:_ The Atlantic and European Tourism Year

The Atlantic provides a cultural and geographical link
between the Americas and Europe.

What measures does the Commission intend to take, as
part of European Tourism Year, to bring Europe to public
attention among the various peoples of North and South
America?

What specific tasks could be fulfilled by the Atlantic
regions as part of a programme for the promotion of
Europe on the American continent?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

Measures to promote European tourism in the United
States and Canada have been taken for a number of years
by the Commission's department responsible for tourism,
in cooperation with the European Tourism Commission
(which groups the national tourist organizations of 24
European countries), in the form of publicity campaigns
in newspapers and magazines. The aim of these
campaigns is to make the general public, more aware of
Europe's tourist attractions. Certain projects presented in
the course of European Tourism Year, in particular by
Spain and Portugal (in connection with the discoverers of
the New World) and by the United Kingdom and France
(Channel Tunnel), are also likely to reawaken American
tourists' interest in the Atlantic side of Europe.

New measures to promote European tourism are also
being undertaken, including in Latin America, as part of
European Tourism Year.

_In the United States,_ a publicity campaign is to be carried
out in eight quality magazines chosen for their wide
national circulation.

_In Canada,_ emphasis will also be placed on wide national
coverage for the information campaign in magazines.
Readers will be able to obtain on request a brochure
entitled 'Travel Planner on Europe' which sets out
information on travel agencies in west European
countries.

_In_ _Latin_ _America,_ the attraction and increasing
accessibility of the United States, to both young people
and adults, make it necessary to highlight the values and
competitiveness of European countries, of which the
public is not sufficiently aware. Since it would prove too
costly to target each of the fragmented markets in the

hemisphere, the most effective approach would appear to
be to attend the next Congress of COTAL (the Latin
American Confereration of Tourism Organizations), to
be held in 1990 at Mar del Plata, Argentina. Some 2 500
travel agents from all over Latin America will take part in
the event. The President of Cotal has given his official
approval for a 'European avenue' with national stands
and the European Tourism Year logo to be set up at the
exhibition.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 442/90

by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 272/29)

_Subject:_ Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease which results in a general and
progressive decline in intellectual faculties caused by the
irreversible and continuous loss of brain cells, affects
approximately 4,5% of the over-60s and is the disease
which most frequently leads to dementia.

In various Community Member States associations have
been set up to assist the families of those affected by this
disease. Thes associations make a valuable contribution to

caring for the victims of Alzheimer's disease and
informing the public about it.

In what way can the Commission promote the activities of
these civic organizations ?

Is the Community running or participating in any
programmes relating to Alzheimer's disease?

Does the Commission intend to initiate measures in this

area?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1990)_

On 28 March 1990 the Commission presented a
'Communication on the Elderly'('), which lays the
foundation for an evolving series of actions by the
Commission for the benefit of elderly people over the
next few years. These will include the organization of
studies and conferences and the establishment of a

European database on issues of relevance to the elderly.

While it is still too early to say exactly which issues should
be addressed by the individual actions, it is nevertheless to
be expected that Alzheimer's disease, as a major concern
of the elderly, will receive attention within the framework
now proposed.

No C 272/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

In addition, research on dementia, and in particular on
Alzheimer's disease, has been included since 1982 in the
Medical and Health Reserach Programme of the
Commission. Coordination of research on this disease is

covered through epidemiological and biological research
and, indirectly, through the development of relevant
technology. The Commission is currently financing four
collaborative research projects (concerted actions) related
to Alzheimer's disease, and it is foreseen that research on
ageing will also be undertaken during the third
Framework Programme (1990 -1994).

(') COM(90) 80 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 443/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 272/30)

_Subject:_ Assessment of the value of research into
medication

In support of demands for extensions of patents the
pharmaceutical industry cites the need for research
financing. However, it would appear that not all types, of
research lead to innovations. In the United States research

is classified in accordance with its therapeutic value (no
value, limited value, great value).

Does the Commission not consider that a similar

classification could be introduced and implemented in
Europe?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _May 1990)_

Research, especially in the pharmaceutical field, is a very
costly and high-risk activity. Adequate funding is clearly
one of the inevitable requirements of any policy to
promote and strengthen research.

While it is true that research does not necessarily lead to
innovation, the uncertainty of the outcome is inherent in
the very nature of the activity. As regards innovation, the
advisability of taking the therapeutic value of a new
medicinal product into account can only be assessed in the
light of the various objectives pursued.

On the question of a new criterion for determining the
patentability of a medicinal product, it should be recalled
that the generally accepted criteria of patentability are

neutral in this respect and are concerned only with the
process of creativity applied to the industry in the broad
sense (novelty and invention). This is in fact the only
possible approach, since the therapeutic value of a
medicinal product cannot be assessed before it has been
placed on the market, i.e. a long time after the patent
concerned has been filed and applied for.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 450/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/31)

_Subject:_ Increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis in
Italy

There are more than 25 000 cases of tuberculosis in Italy
every year. The disease mainly affects elderly people and
seropositive AIDS victims.

Because of the availability of effective drugs on the
market, this illness does not cause major concern.

However, there has been a reversal of the past trend with
a gradual increase in the number of cases.

This phenomenon has taken health workers by surprise,
as the health reform in Italy involved dismantling the
health and epidemiological monitoring network which
had contributed so much to the fight against tuberculosis.

Would the Commission of the European Communities
provide statistics for tuberculosis cases in the Member
States?

Would the Commission of the European Communities
say what initiatives it intends to take in this connection?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1990)_

The Commission does not have any statistics on
tuberculosis in Member States. The World Health

Organization, however, does have figures on the
incidence of tuberculosis in the Community for the period
1980 to 1987, and these are being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

It is not the Commission's intention to take any action in
this area at present.

29. 10. 90 Officialjournal of the European Communities No G 272/17

WRITTEN QUESTION No 472/90

by Mrs Maria Santos (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/32)

_Subject:_ Termination of pregnancy

Given the hardship suffered by women in various
situations where they are unable to terminate a pregnancy
that entails problems; given that, in certain Member
States, the relevant legislation, though adequate, is not
applied, as is the case in Portugal, where the minimum
conditions to enable people to benefit from this
legislation do not exist:

1. Does the Commission intend to take legislative action
on the matter?

2. Does the Commission have up-to-date statistics on
the application of legislation in Portugal?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 May 1990)_

1. The Honourable Member is referred to the reply
given by the Commission to oral questions No 49/90 by
Mrs Lehideux and No 147/89 by Mrs Vayssade during
the plenary session of Parliament in February 1990 (').

2. The Commission has no statistics on abortion in

Portugal.

( [l] )Debates of the European Parliament No 3-374 (February
1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 502/90

by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/33)

_Subject:_ Postal charges in the European Community

Is the Commission aware that the cost of sending a 15 kg
parcel from Freiburg to Kehl is DM 11, while to send the
same parcel to Strasbourg, which is only one kilometre
away but on the other side of the border, costs DM 40?

What is the Commission doing to ensure that the
objectives of the common market are respected with
regard to parcel postage charges?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

The sending and delivering of parcels is one of the public
services offered by the 12 postal services of the European
Community. These services are not monopolies. Postal
services are also offered by private operators in some parts
of Europe, chiefly in the major cities of the Community.

Postal charges are set freely by each of the 12 postal
services, which have sole responsibility for both national
and international charges.

The major difference in the charge (DM 40 to France but
only DM 11 within Germany) for sending a 15 kg parcel
over the Franco-German border (Freiburg to Strasbourg)
arises chiefly from the fact that the parcel has to pass
between two different administrations. The fact that each

administration has sole responsibility over its own
territory means that a charge has to be set to cover the
distribution costs (final-stage costs) to l>e borne by the
postal service in the country of destination (the French
post).

Compared with national deliveries, the cost of sending
parcels via international centres makes the cost of sending
parcels through the post to other Member States
considerably higher.

The abovementioned difference in charges (DM 29/ECU
14,2, i.e. 2,63 times the German national rate) would seem
to be clearly in excess of the difference normally arising
from the existence of the frontier between Germany and
France. At present the German postal service has sole
responsibility for fixing these postal charges.

The Commission, aware of the importance of this issue, is
planning to publish a Green Paper on the postal service
market in the Community before the end of the year. The
Green Paper will examine the issues involved and suggest
ways of working towards an internal postal service market
without frontiers for all the inhabitants of the

Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 563/90

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/34)

_Subject:_ Environmental impact of lorries

What is the impact of one tonne-kilometre of freight
carried in lorries with diesel engines of the size normally
used in international journeys, on the following:

— primary energy consumption,

— carbon dioxide emissions,

No C 272/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

— nitrogen dioxide emissions,

— carbon monoxide emissions,

— polynuclear (polycyclic) aromatic hydrocarbon
emissions (PAHs),

— particulate matter,

— accidents,

— land use?

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

_(14 June 1990)_

According to Council Decision 85/338/EEC (') the
Commission developed a system for the collection of
EEC-wide data about the emissions of air-pollutants. In a
summary report of the Corinair working group ( [2] ), the
emissions of CO, NOx and volatile organic compounds
(VOC) from road traffic (based on the year 1985) were
estimated and listed for the different Member States and

the following vehicle classes:

— vehicles < 3,5 tonnes: gasoline, diesel, LPG;

— vehicles > 3,5 tonnes: gasoline, diesel 3,5 -16 tonnes,
diesel > 360 tonnes.

Specific statistics based on tonne-kilometre freight,
transported in international traffic by diesel-trucks of
'normal size' are not available.

The Statistical Office of the European Communities
(Eurostat) is assessing the possibilities to extend the
environmental statistics, particularly in the area of traffic.

(') OJ No L 176,6.7. 1985, p. 14.
( [2] ) The Commission is sending a copy of this report directly to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 573/90

by Mr Alexander Longer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_           

(90/C 272/35)

_Subject:_ Unchecked exports of toxic and harmful waste-to
Romania

According to detailed press reports, a thriving trade has
been going on since at least 1987 whereby many Italian,

West German, Dutch and Swiss firms have been disposing
of their toxic and harmful industrial waste by exporting it
practically unchecked and more or less legally to
Romania, mainly to Black Sea ports (especially Sulina)
where it constitutes a serious public danger as there are no
adequate treatment or disposal plants. The Romanian
firm Kimika Ice, the Swiss-British company Metrode IDT
registered in Cardiff and with an office in Viganello
(Lugano), the Italian company Sirteco and the Romanian
bank Manufactora Nova Ovn Trust seem to be among
those involved.

What is the Commission's reaction to this and how does it

intend to ensure compliance with the necessary safety and
legal criteria to prevent the recurrence or institutionalization in a different guise of this criminal trade which
has been possible hitherto thanks to poverty, corruption
and a lack of democracy and transparency?

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

_(22 May 1990)_

The Commission has no knowledge of the press reports to
which the Honourable Member refers, and would be
grateful to receive any information in his possession. The
Commission will then write to the Member States from

which these exports allegedly took place, namely Italy, the
Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands asking
them for information.

The Commission would point out to the Honourable
Member that it is contrary to Community law to export
waste to non-member countries if it is not certain that it

will be disposed of without endangering human health or
the environment.

Pursuant to Council Directive 84/631/EEC of 6

December 1984 on the supervision and monitoring within
the European Community of transfrontier movements of
hazardous waste (*), as amended by Directive
86/279/EEC ( [2] ), the competent authority of the
exporting country has to check whether this condition is
satisfied (Article 3 (3)). In addition, exports can be
authorized only if the non-member country gives its
written consent. However, the Directive, which should

have entered into force in all Member States on 1 October

1985, was only recently incorporated into national law by
most of them.

Under the Basle Convention of 22 March 1989 on the

control and disposal of transfrontier movements of

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/19

hazardous waste, the control arrangements will be
tightened up even further. In this connection, the
Commission is proposing to draw up a regulation
replacing the abovementioned Directive which could
enter into force without involving the Member States.

O OJNoL326,13.12.1984,p. 31.
O OJNoL 181,4.7.1986, p. 13.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 618/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/36)

_Subject:_ VAT on used cars

In certain EEC Member States undertakings subject to
VAT are entitled to full or partial deduction of VAT on
new cars (Twelfth Directive). In most countries private
individuals are not entitled to deduct VAT. The proposed
amendment to the Sixth VAT Directive poses problems
for the automobile industry in cases where cars which are
traded in or sold by private individuals are offered for sale
by a garage to other private individuals or purchasers
subject to VAT. On certain vehicles the VAT deduction
would be excessive (deduction on the new car and a
further partial deduction on the used car). In the
Netherlands, there is the additional problem of how the
car should be priced in the showroom.

Is the Cominission aware that the proposed amendment
of the VAT Directive in the automobile sector could cause

major administrative problems and increase the scope for
tax fraud?

What measures does the Commission envisage to prevent
or limit these unfavourable consequences?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 July 1990)_

In its proposal relating to special arrangements for
second-hand goods, works of art, antiques and collector's
items O, presented to the Council on 11 January 1989,
the Commission advocates the introduction of an

arrangement whereby VAT is charged on the taxable
dealer's margin.

This arrangement makes it possible to determine the true
value added by the taxable person and to avoid double
taxation. It has been discussed on numerous occasions

with the trade interests concerned, who are generally in
favour. A majority of the Member States currently
applying a special arrangement to second-hand cars have
opted for taxation of the margin.

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that care must be taken to see that the introduction of a

uniform system of taxation for second-hand goods does
not create scope for fraud and does not cause
administrative complications. It remains convinced that
those concerns can be dealt with effectively in applying
the special arrangements proposed.

O OJNoC76,28.3.1989, p. 10.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 633/90

byMrMarcGalle(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/37)

_Subject:_ Ivory trade

In Lausanne in October 1989, 105 countries decided to
end the ivory trade. This ban led to a fall in the price of
ivory of between 30 and 50 %.

In January 1990, however, the Thatcher government
decided to re-establish the ivory trade in the Crown
Colony of Hong Kong. How does the Commission view
the prospect of Hong Kong's stock of 670 tonnes of ivory
being offered for sale on the world market within six
months?

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

_(8 May 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the reservation entered by
the United Kingdom on behalf of Hong Kong against the
transfer of the African elephant from Appendix II to
Appendix I of the Convention on International trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The reservation will be in force for a period of six months
from 18 January 1990 and will not apply in respect of the
United Kingdom or any other of its Dependant
Territories. Imports of ivory into Hong Kong will
continue to be prohibited and only ivory currently held
legally in Hong Kong will be permitted to be re-exported
during the period of the reservation.

Hong Kong is not covered by Community legislation and
is for all purposes of Cites implementation considered as a
third country. Furthermore, under the terms of the
Convention, the re-export of ivory, legally acquired

No C 272/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

before 18 January 1990, can continue to be traded
internationally even in the absence of such a reservation.

The Commission should like to point out, however, that
any imports of ivory into the Community from third
countries are prohibited under Council Regulation (EEC)
No 3626/82 ( [l] ).

O OJ No L 384, 31.12.1982, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 646/90

by Mr Luigi Moretti (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/38)

_Subject:_ Registration with the Italian vehicle licensing
authorities of vehicles imported from
Community Member States

For the purposes of registering a car with the Italian
vehicle licensing authorities it is necessary to produce a
notarial deed of purchase.

This also applies to vehicles purchased abroad with
provisional road licences and plates issued by the customs
authorities and imported directly by the purchaser.

Since, in many Community Member States, the sale of an
automobile does not require a notarial deed and since the
Italian authorities do not accept as a valid substitute
purchase documents issued abroad, this requirement
causes administrative problems for the purchaser, making
it extremely expensive and burdensome to complete the
procedure.

Does the Commission consider these requirements by the
Italian authorities to be in conformity with provisions
concerning the free movement of goods within the
Community and, if not, do they intend to make every
effort to ensure that these requirements are lifted? What
measures do they intend to take to achieve this?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

As explained by the Commission in its communication on
the procedures for the approval and registration of
vehicles previously registered in another Member
State O, it follows from the Judgment of the Court of
Justice of 17 June 1987 in Case 154/85 Commission v.
Italy ( [2] ) that, if the documents drawn up in the Member
State of export contain the information needed for the
registration of vehicles in the Member State of import, the
latter is required to accept those documents if they are

legally valid in the Member State in which they were
drawn up.

In particular, Member States cannot require such
documents issued in other Member States to be

authenticated or to comply with a model determined by
the Member State of import.

In March 1989 the Commission received the text of a

circular from the Italian Transport Ministry dated 24
February 1989 which, referring to the abovementioned
Commission communication, stipulates that documents in
support of a registration application do not have to be
authenticated.

However, as it received complaints in the course of. 1989
about the fact that the Italian authorities are apparently
still requiring documents to be produced by applicants for
registering vehicles in Italy imported from other Member
States drawn up in the latter to be authenticated, the
Commission has asked the authorities to explain their
actions.

The Commission will information the Honourable

Member of the outcome of its enquiries.

C) OJNoC218,4.11.1988, p. 9.
O European Court reports [1987] 2717 to 2739.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 658/90

by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/39)

_Subject:_ Oil slick affecting Madeira

On Monday, 15 January an enormous oil slick (20 km
long and 2 km wide and approximately 50 cms thick)
originating from a _spill_ at sea of thousands of tonnes of
crude oil reached the Portuguese Archipelago of the
Autonomous Region of Madeira, and notably the island
of Porto Santo which has the cleanest beaches in the

Community. The maritime flora and fauna have suffered
irreparable damage and the water supply of this island is
severely jeopardized, given that 80 % is obtained through
desalination. Enormous damage has also been done to
tourism, the principal source of revenue in the region, and
to the economy in general and there is a danger that the
very rare colony of sea lions will disappear from the Ilhas
Desertas.

Will the Commission say:

(a) Whether it intends to provide technical and financial
assistance to the Portuguese Government and the
Autonomous Region of Madeira in view of this
disaster?

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/21

(b) What does it intend to do to ensure that other
Community islands do not suffer a similar fate,
incapable as they are of dealing with oil slicks of this
kind?

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

_(1 June_ _1990)_

The Commission was very concerned about the recent oil
pollution incident affecting the island of Porto Santo. The
EEC task force has been fully involved in the operations
for combating the major oil spill in the Madeira
archipelago. The permanent, active presence of several
task force experts in the islands for more than two months
and the efficient coordination from the crisis team in
Brussels provided the Portuguese Administration with a
high level of technical assistance.

The cost of clean-up operations and other possible claims,
will be covered by the polluter in accordance with the
international compensation schemes for oil pollution.
Representatives of the insurers have followed the
operations in close cooperation with the Portuguese
authorities and the EEC task force experts on the scene
for this purpose.

The Commission will analyse, within the framework of
the Advisory Committee for the Control and Reduction
of Pollution caused by the Discharge at Sea of
Hydrocarbons and other Harmful Substances (ACPH),
the technical aspects of the recovery of oil and coast
clean-up operations, in order to improve the existing
techniques and arrangements for combating this kind of
pollution.

The Commission will also support any initiative for the
establishment of an operational organization to prevent
accidents in the area and to combat pollution in cases
where an accident occurs.

In addition there is the possibility, under the Community
initiative, Envireg, of financial assistance in eligible areas
for the provision of small-scale.equipment to minimise the
effects of accidental discharges from ships.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 659/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 272/40)

_Subject:_ Waste policy implications of the incineration of
waste?

1. What is the percentage of water in domestic waste ?

2. What quantitiy of combustion residues remain after
the incineration of waste?

3. What is the energy balance for domestic waste
incineration plants, when every effort has been made to
alter products, and to prevent and recycle waste?

4. What quantitites of organic carbon compounds are
emitted at present by domestic waste incineration plants?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 660/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 272/41)

_Subject:_ Waste policy implications of waste incineration

At present some 450 domestic waste incineration plants
are planned in the Community. In the Federal Republic of
Germany alone 120 new incineration plants are planned.

1. What is the calorific value of domestic waste after the
removal of all potentially useful materials by
comparison with unsorted waste?

2. When a medium-sized waste incineration plant (about
150 000 tonnes per year) is built what quantity of
waste is generated ?

3. What useful materials or harmful substances can be
removed from domestic waste by appropriate
adjustment of production?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 666/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23_ _January 1990)_

(90/C 272/42)

_Subject:_ Waste poKcy implications of the incineration of
waste

1. To what extent can organic carbon compounds be
avoided in incineration plants by appropriate measures
such as flue gas cleaning and post oxidation?

2. How much more expensive does waste disposal
become for citizens if an orderly system of selective
dumping is used as opposed to waste incineration?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 659/90, 660/90 and

666/90 given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

_(11 June 1990)_

As part of the preparations for Directives 89/369 (*) and
89/429 O on new and existing plant for the incineration

No C 272/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

of household waste, which were adopted by the Council
in June 1989, the Commission had a number of technical
studies carried out. However, it should be noted that the
composition, calorific value and degree of humidity of
household waste and the quantity of residues following
incineration, the pollutants given off, the energy balance,
and, indeed, the cost of incineration vary considerably as
a function of the equipment, the origin of the waste (rural
or urban), and the various Member States. For any project
of this kind decided on by any local organization, an
examination of its compatibility with possible selective
waste collection must be carried out and the local values
of the parameters mentioned above assessed.

O OJNoL63,14.6. 1989, p. 32.
O OJ No L 203, 15.7. 1989, p. 50.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 662/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/43)

_Subject:_ Nuclear fusion

1. What nuclear fusion research and development
programmes exist at European level?

2. What organizational and financial contribution does
the Community make to these programmes ?

3. How large are the financial contributions made by
the Member States?

4. How are the activities divided between the
participating countries?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May_ _1990)_

1. All research carried out in the European Community
in the field of controlled magnetic thermonuclear fusion
is integrated into the Community Fusion Programme.
Two EFTA countries, Sweden and Switzerland, are fully
associated with the programme.

The Commission is responsible for the overall
management of the programme.

2 and 3. Total annual spending on fusion research in
the Community has been between ECU 400 and
450 million in recent years. About 45 % is financed

through the Community budget, the balance being borne
by the respective national organizations.

4. The programme is executed principally through
contracts of association which bind the specialized fusion
laboratories* of the Member States into the Community
Fusion programme through the JET (Joint European
Torus) joint undertaking, through the NET (Next
European Torus) agreement, and through the Joint
Research Centre. Work _is_ shared between the laboratories
in a fully coordinated manner (for this the Consultative
Committee for the Fusion Programme assists the
Commission in an advisory capacity), which takes account
of the relative expertise and resources of the laboratories
involved and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 663/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/44)

_Subject:_ Future fusion reactor

A fusion reactor is to be developed from the JET (Joint
European Torus) and NET (Next European Torus)

programmes.

1. Does the Commission take the view, like Mr
Riesenhuber, the German Research Minister, that a
fusion reactor will be operational by 2001 ?

2. Where does the Commission plan to locate such a
fusion reactor?

3. What are the plans for disposing of the medium and
high-level radioactive waste from this fusion reactor?

4. What percentage of the Community's primary energy
consumption does the Commission think can be
covered by energy from nuclear fusion in the year
2001.

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May_ _1990)_

1. An experimental test reactor, NET at European level
and ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor) at world level, is currently in the conceptual
design phase. If it were decided to start the construction
of such a device in the mid 1990s, which is considered
possible from a purely technical point of view, it would be
operational about eight years later.

2. A construction site has yet to be decided.

3. Technical aspects of the activation likely to arise in
the device are already under study as part of the
conceptual design activities. A quantitative assessment of
wastes cannot be undertaken until the engineering details
of the device are available. However, it can already be

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C _2711 lb_

stated that, unlike fission, fusion will produce no
high-level repository waste. The management of wastes
(at medium- and low-level) will be subject to the national
regulations of the country in which the device is to be
sited.

4. Fusion has the potential to become a major source of
electricity in the middle of the next century. In the
experimental test reactor, however, the power produced
(larger than one GW thermal) will not be converted into
electricity as the experimental nature of the device would
not justify the additional investment involved in energy
conversion plant.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 664/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/45)

_Subject:_ Funds for the ITER programme

According to press reports the costs for ITER will be in
the region of DM 5 billion.

1. At present what level of funding does the Commission
think will be required for the ITER programme?

2. What will be the Community's share?

3. Will additional funds be required from the Member
States and if so, how much?

4. What are the main findings of the interim report on
ITER by the International Atomic Energy Agency
which was completed a few months ago?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

Under an agreement between four parties, the European
Community (including Sweden and Switzerland), Japan,
the USA and the USSR, the ITER Conceptual Design
Activities, which will be completed at the end of this year,
take place under the Auspices of the IAEA (International
Atomic Energy Agency). Community participation in
ITER activities is conducted within the framework of

successive Fusion Programme Decisions. Whether to
continue into the engineering design activities of an ITER
and eventually towards construction will depend on
technical assessments and will also require further
agreements between the parties.

The preliminary estimate of the capital cost for
constructing an ITER facility, in January 1989, is US$
4 900 million (*).

The sharing of construction costs would be fixed in the
corresponding agreement. The cost of the ongoing
Conceptual Design Acitivities is, however, being shared
equally between the four parties.

No decision has been taken on how the contribution of

the European Community could be shared between the
Community Budget and the Member States.

An important result of the _ITER_ _Conceptual Design_
_Interim Report_ (IAEA, Vienna, October 1989) is that the
ITER Council has decided that, from a purely technical
point of view, the next step should be the engineering
design and that it would be highly desirable to avoid any
unnecessary hiatus in the technical work after completion
of the Conceptual Design Activities at the end of 1990.
The results are published in ITER documentation series
No 7 _ITER Conceptual Design: Interim Report_ and No 9
_ITER Activities Status Report: December 1989_ (IAEA,
Vienna, 1990). A final report on the ITER conceptual
design activities will be issued by the ITER Council at the
end of 1990.

O ITER Documentation Series No 9 _Iter Activities Status_

_Report: December 1989(IAEA,_ VIENNA, 1990).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 677/90

by Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(23 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/46)

_Subject:_ CSCE conference in Bonn

The next CSCE conference, which will be held in Bonn,
will deal with economic cooperation in Europe. This
conference is being held at a time when the political and
economic reforms being introduced in Central and
Eastern Europe are providing a new boost for economic
cooperation and opening up encouraging new prospects.
The Community has a key role to play in these economic
reforms. Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in EPC
therefore say precisely what position the Community will
adopt at the conference in Bonn?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The Special Meeting of the European Council in Dublin
on 28 April noted, as stated in the Presidency

No C 272/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Conclusions, that the Community had made a major
contribution to the success of the Conference and that the

Bonn Document, which acknowledges the link between
political pluralism and market economies, provides a basic
orientation for future economic relations and cooperation
in Europe.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 702/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 19907_

(90/C 272/47)

_Subject:_ Indigenous propagation project

In order to preserve the ecological integrity of poor rural
areas, particularly in Turkey, from trade inside the
Community in wild-collected flower bulbs sold as
cultivated bulbs, will the Commission confirm that it is
giving priority to the Fauna & Flora Preservation
Society's Indigenous propagation project currently before
the Commission?

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

_(4 July 1990)_

Trade in wild-collected cyclamen, galanthus and
sternbergia specimens is subject to the provisions of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82 (*) on the
implementation in the Community of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (Cites). Imports of Cyclamen tubers are subject
to Community import quotas agreed with the Turkish
Government in 1985. Galanthus and sternbergia
specimens have been covered by Cites Appendix II since
18 January 1990.

Contacts made by the Turkish Government and exporters
with botanists of the United Kingdom, Dutch and
German Cites scientific authorities and Dutch importers
have led to projects by Turkish exporters aiming at the
cultivation of the species concerned. The first quantitites
of tubers of an exportable size are expected to enter trade
in 1991.

The project submitted to the Commission by the Fauna
and Flora Preservation Society is currently being
examined. Due to the extremely high number of projects
proposed for funding under budget line 946, it is as yet

unknown whether or not this interesting project can be
funded by the Commission.

O OJ No L 384, 31. 12.1982, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 703/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/48)

_Subject:_ Universality of use of tinted glass in car windows

The Commission, in its reply to my Written Question No
726/89 (*), is content to show an increase in the
percentage of cars produced with tinted glass as 5 % of
sales in the year 1987 to 1988, and conclude that 'the car
industry is still far from extending the use of tinted glass
to all of its production . . . is not yet fitted . . . (as) . . .
standard . . . unless the customer so requests.'

Would the Commission care to re-examine the

implications for consumer choice more seriously in the
light of Volkswagen's introduction of tinted glass
windows fitted as standard from their basic model Polo

on this year's new ranges?

(') OJNoC97,17.4.1990, p. 18.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

The Commission has just sent the Council a proposal for
a Directive on glass for use in motor manufacture ('). This
draft, which replaces the 1972 version, is currently under
discussion in the European Parliament for an opinion.

The latest draft also contains requirements to be met by
manufacturers for tinted and non-tinted glass so as to
ensure good visibility on the road under all conditions.
The choice made by the manufacturers will depend in the
end on what the customer demands, and this more and
more often means tinted glass. The example of
Volkswagen mentioned by the Honourable Member
supports this view. However, the customer who wishes
not to opt for standard specifications will always be able
to have what he specifically wants.

(') COM(89) 653 final.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/25

WRITTEN QUESTION No 713/90

by Mr Yves Verwaeide and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/49)

_Subject:_ Water pollution

The pollution of numerous groundwaters has been the
subject of media attention in recent weeks in France.
Coming after the Perrier affair, this situation once again
raises the problem of water pollution.

Does the Commission intend to introduce new rules,
especially concerning fertilizers, to ensure that such
situations do not recur?

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

_(24 April 1990)_

At the beginning of 1989 the Commission presented a
proposal for a Council Directive concerning the
protection of fresh, coastal and marine waters against
pollution caused by nitrates from diffuse sources ('). The
Council has not yet acted on this proposal.

The Commission would remind the Honourable

Members that the proposal provides for the establishment
of rules governing the application of chemical fertilizers
in certain 'vulnerable' zones.

(') OJ No C 54, 3. 3. 1989, p. 4.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 718/90

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/50)

_Subject:_ Admission to the professional body of surgeons
in the Netherlands

1. Is the Commission aware of a gentleman's
agreement entered into by the Concilium Chirurgicum
(the professional body representing Dutch surgeons) to
the effect that no doctors or surgeons who have
undergone special training in another Member State are
admitted to this body? This also applies to Dutch
nationals who were forced to qualify elsewhere because of
the very limited training facilities which the Netherlands
is known to offer (see the article by G. Kootstra and J. N.
Keeman _Trends in the Netherlands_ from _Der Chirurg, BDC_
Volume 28, Supplement 1/1989).

2. Does not the Commission not consider this to be in

breach of Directive 75/362/EEC (*) ?

3. Do similar rules exist for other professional bodies
which have for years been covered by EEC Directives on
the recognition of diplomas and access to professions for
example, veterinary surgeons, dentists, nurses, midwives
and architects?

4. Is the Commission prepared to launch an inquiry
into the above agreement of the Concilium Chirurgicum
and, possibly, take measures to put an end to this unusual
and discriminating policy?

(') OJ No L 167, 30.6.1975, p. 1 and later amendments.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ _5_ _June 1990)_

1,2 and 4. As far as the Commission is aware, surgeons
who have qualified in another Member State are allowed
to pursue their profession in the Netherlands.

The Commission does not, therefore, feel that Directive
75/362/EEC has been infringed. Information obtained by
the Commission would suggest that there is an agreement
not within the Concilium Chirurgicum but within the
_Nederlandse_ _Vereniging_ _voor_ _Heelkunde_ (Dutch
Professional Association of Surgeons) aimed at restricting
access to the profession in the case of surgeons who
qualified in the other Member States. In order to assess
the situation in the light of Community law, and in
particular Article 52 of the EEC Treaty, the Commission
must first obtain information on the nature of the said

agreement and on the powers of both the _Nederlandse_
_Vereniging voor Heelkunde_ and the Concilium.

3. The Commission is not aware of similar rules being
applied by other professional bodies covered by
Directives on the mutual recognition of diplomas.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 738/90

by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(2 7 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/51)

_Subject:_ Recognition of foreign qualifications acquired
by German nationals, for entry into higher
education

How does the Council view the fact that German

nationals resident in Germany who have qualified abroad
to enter higher education are required to take a verifying
examination? Can the legal position in this instance be
reconciled with the Directive on the recognition of
diplomas?

No C 272/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

The question concerns recognition of a secondary
school-leaving certificate for the purposes of entrance to
higher education (Hochschulreife), i.e. for academic
purposes. However, Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21
December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of
higher-education diplomas (') and the proposal of 26 July
1989 for a Council Directive on a second general system
for the recognition of professional education and
training ( [2] ), which is currently being examined by the
Council's subordinate bodies, relate to recognition of a
diploma for access to or pursuit of a regulated occupation.

(') OJNoL 19,24.1. 1989, p. 16.
O OJNoC263,16. 10.1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 747/90

by Mr James Janssen van Raay (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27_ _March_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/52)

_Subject:_ Financial assistance to enable smaller and weaker
Member States to participate fully in the
establishment of European standards

Following the Council resolution of 7 May 1985 on a new
approach to technical harmonization and standards, the
scope of European standardization such as that carried
out by CEN and Cenelec has increased enormously.

The members of CEN and Cenelec are required to
implement the European standards adopted by the
majority. It is therefore in the interests of all member
countries to take an active part in the process of drawing
up these standards so that maximum account is taken of
their national interests. This is a particularly heavy burden
for the smaller Community Member States, which have
relatively small standardization institutes.

While it is true that the Community provides funds for the
drawing-up of the necessary standards these cover
administrative costs only. In addition to these, very
substantial costs are incurred in establishing national
positions and actively participating in technical
committees and working parties.

The entire process is currently dominated by the three
major industrialized Member States of the Community.
Balanced participation of all Member States would be
promoted if Community funds were also made available
for participation in the process of drawing up the
necessary European standards. Such assistance could

consist of specific contributions to the smaller
standardization institutes or the reimbursement of
experts' travel expenses.

It is also important to note that the CEN uses three
official languages, English, French and German. As a
result, these three countries can submit their national
standards and documents directly for discussion while the
other Community Member States are obliged to translate
their documents (or have them translated).

The Community is currently providing funds for
translation of the standards finally adopted into the
'minority languages'. This arrangement does not,
however, apply to working documents and proposals,
whereby the other Member States are placed at a further
disadvantage.

Does the Commission acknowledge these inequalities?

Is the Commission prepared to provide financial aid to the
smaller and weaker Member States to enable them to
participate fully in the drawing up of European
standards (')?

(') OJNoC136,4.6.1985, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June_ _1990)_

Against the background of the White Paper on the
Internal Market 1992, a number of technical
harmonization directives based on the new approach, as
set out in the Council Resolution of 7 May 1985, have
either been adopted or are in the process of being
adopted. In view of the considerable progress made in the
area of Community legislation, the Commission has been
prompted, following consultations with the committee
responsible for the implementation of Directive
83/189/EEC 0> to entrust CEN and Cenelec with the
task of drawing up a number of European standards. In
order to cope with this significantly increased workload,
CEN and Cenelec have embarked on a series of measures
to improve European standardization structures and
procedures, including the adaptation of certain rules of
procedure. These rules stipulate the use of three working
languages (English, French and German). The use of
other languages within CEN and Cenelec, which also
include among their members the EFTA standardization
bodies, would entail the risk of slowing down, or even
paralysing, the functioning of these bodies.

The Commission is fully aware that this imposed
restriction of three working languages will mean a
relatively heavy translation workload, thus adding to the
disadvantages suffered by countries that are
geographically remote from CEN/Cenelec headquarters.

In the case of the newly adopted European standards, the
Commission is meeting the costs of translation into the
non-working languages, in order to facilitate their

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/27

transposition and implementation at national level. To
this end, it is using the appropriations allocated for the
full range of European standardization actions entered in
line 7750 of the budget (actions relating to the completion
of the internal market). Furthermore, at the meeting held
on 14 December 1989 of the enlarged committee
responsible for the implementation of Directive
83/189/EEC, the Commission again drew the attention
of members to the existence of this form of financial

assistance.

On the question of selective aid for certain standards
bodies to enable them to participate in European
standardization activities, the Commission has already
made provision, on an experimental basis, for financial
contributions designed to compensate the poorest
countries for their geographical remoteness. This applies
particularly in the case of Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

O OJ No L 109,26.4.1983, p. 8.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 753/90

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/53)

_Subject:_ Progress on the action plan for the monk seal
drawn up by the States party to the Treaty of
Barcelona

An action plan for the monk seal was drawn up in the
context of the Treaty of Barcelona. The meeting of States
party to the Treaty of Barcelona in Athens at the end of
1989 and contacts which the Coordinating Unit of the
Mediterranean Action Plan in Athens have shown that

this action plan has come to a standstill. In general, the
States party to the Treaty have failed to honour their
commitments with regard to the action plan, and they
appear to take little interest in the protection of the monk
seal. Moreover, the coordinating unit of the
Mediterranean Action Plan is frustrated by the
comparative uncooperativeness of the Community as
regards active assistance with the implementation of the
action plan and reporting on its own activities.

1. How is the Commission cooperating with the
coordinating unit of the Mediterranean Action Plan to
implement the action plan for the monk seal?

2. Why has the Commission failed to report to the
coordinating unit of the Mediterranean Action Plan
on Community activities for the protection of the
monk seal?

3. What can the Commission do to ensure that the action

plan for the monk seal is implemented?

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

_(29 June 1990)_

1. In September 1989 the Council of Europe organized
a meeting to coordinate national and international
programmes for the conservation of the Mediterranean
monk seal (Monachus monachus) in cooperation with the
United Nations Environment Programme/
Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and

Natural resources (IUCN) and the Secretariat of the
Convention on the conservation of migratory species of
wild animals. The Commission informed the meeting of
the action it had taken.

A copy of the recommendations made by the participants
is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament'a Secretariat.

These included a request that the UNEP Mediterranean
Action Plan coordinate conservation activities in close

collaboration with the Council of Europe and the
Secretariat of the Bonn Convention and that the

organizations concerned contact the national authorities
direct, as and when necessary, with a view to improving
conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal.

2. Within the framework of the Mediterranean Action

Plan, the Commission will continue to represent the
Community at meetings on the subject organized by the
Coordinating Unit.

3. The Commission recently approved a proposal for a
Council Regulation on action by the Community relating
to nature conservation ('). The plan is to give financial
support to projects for the conservation of biotopes and
habitats of importance to the Community and projects for
the preservation of endangered species.

(') COM(90) 125 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 776/90

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/54)

_Subject:_ Coordination of activities to protect the monk
seal

Numerous governmental and non-governmental
organizations are actively involved in protecting the monk
seal. Recent contacts with a number of individuals and

organizations playing an active role in protecting the
monk seal have revealed that there is little or no

coordination of protection activities.

No C 272/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

1. Is the Commission prepared to develop or support
activities which may result in more effective
coordination of efforts to protect the monk seal?

2. In this connection, is the Commission prepared to
have genetic studies conducted to establish whether
there are genetic differences between the Atlantic and
the Mediterranean monk seal ?

3. Does the Commission believe that certain colonies can

be strengthened by introducing animals which have
been caught in other, larger colonies ?

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

_(29 June 1990)_

1. Yes.

2. The Commission is examining the feasibility of such
a study.

3. At present the Commission is not planning to assist
in operations of this kind, the feasibility of which has yet
to be examined.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 798/90

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

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 March 1990)_

(90/C 272/55)

_Subject:_ Pinaster project

As part of the Eclair Programme — agro-industrial
research designed to encourage pre-competitive research
— France, Spain, Italy and Portugal (National Forestry
Institute, Castelo Branco Higher Agricultural College)
submitted to the Communities a project on the pinaster
(Mediterranean pine).

Can the Commission say what its reaction is to this
project?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(1_ _June 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to-the Eclair (') proposal No 0171 entitled:

'Evaluation, modelization and improvement of wood
production from pines of South West Europe _(Pinus_

_pinaster, pinus_ _radiata):_ consequences for the quality of the
final products'.

This proposal is more relevant to the subprogramme
Forest, of the Raw Materials and Recycling
Programme ( [2] ), than to Eclair.

It was therefore transferred to Forest and is now being
evaluated under this programme. The Commission will
inform the Honourable Members of the outcome as soon

as possible.

C> OJ No L 60, 3. 3.1989.
O OJNoL359,8.12.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 818/90

by Mr Eusebio Cano Pinto and Mrs Ana Miranda de Lage

< [s] )
to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 272/56)

_Subject:_ Events in eastern Europe and their effects on the
Community

On 7 March the President of the Commission, Mr Jacques
Delors, met the Secretary-General of NATO, Manfred
Worner and the Secretary of the Assembly of the Western
European Union (WEO) Mr Van Eekelen. They met to
obtain information about the events in Eastern Europe, in
particular in the German Democratic Republic, and their
repercussions on the Community and on the structure of
security in Europe.

Would the Commission be kind enough to say what the
outcome of these talks was ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(31_ _May 1990)_

The President of the Commission did indeed meet the

NATO and WEU Secretaries-General on 7 March. The

purpose of the meetings was to exchange views on current
events in central and eastern Europe.

These meetings are part of the President's routine
procedure for keeping himself informed and do not call
for any particular comment.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/29

WRITTEN QUESTION No 875/90

by Mr Peter Crampton (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9April1990)_

(90/C 272/57)

_Subject:_ Complete ban on all asbestos within the EEC

The Federal Republic of Germany and the United States
of America have declared their intention to impose a
complete ban on all asbestos by the mid-1990s.

Will the Commission consider and approve the
implementation of a complete ban on the importation,
manufacture and use of all asbestos and so achieve the
same objective for all Member States of the EEC?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 July_ _1990)_

The Commission began a number of years ago to draw up
proposals for legislation on the subject of asbestos, whiph
have resulted in the adoption of several Directives by the
Council. These are:

— Council Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of
workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos
at work (')

— Council Directive 83/478/EEC relating to
restrictions on the marketing and use of asbestos ( [2] )

— Council Directive 85/610/EEC relating to
restrictions on the marketing and use of asbestos ( [3] )

— Council Directive 87/217/EEC of 19 March 1987 on
the prevention and reduction of environmental
pollution by asbestos (*)•

The Commission will shortly be putting before the
Council a proposal for a Directive amending Council
Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of workers from
the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.

The Commission is also preparing a new proposal for a
Directive which will seek to restrict or prohibit the
marketing and use of a whole series of products
containing asbestos.

All these initiatives reflect the Commission's concern to
protect human health and safety and the environment
from the dangers of asbestos.

A total ban on asbestos along the lines of the intentions
announced by the Federal Republic of Germany and the
United States is not considered advisable since it would
entail the use on a massive scale of a very wide variety of
substitute fibres whose long-term effects are unknown.
For the moment, the Commission's approach is geared to

the controlled use of asbestos, taking specific initiatives in
those areas where there is a perceived need to restrict or
ban asbestos.

Nervertheless, the Commission does not rule out the
possibility of further extending the scope of these bans in
the light of information on the toxicology or safety of
substitute products.

O OJ No L 263, 24.9.1983.
( [2] ) OJ No L 263,24. 9.1983.
O OJ No L 375, 31.12.1985.
O OJ No L 85, 28. 3.1987, p. 40.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 889/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/58)

_Subject:_ Dangerous 'tattoo' targeted on children

'A type of "tattoo" for children is being distributed in the
USA under the brand name of "Blue Star", and could
easily spread throughout Europe.

It comes as a sheet of white paper covered in little stars
about the size of a piece of chewing gum.

Each star is impregnated with LSD (a derivative of
lysergic acid and a powerful hallucinant drug), and can be
removed and placed in the mouth. It cal also be absorbed
throught the pores of the skin by rubbing the paper to
transfer the "tattoo". The "tattoos" come as pictures of
Mickey Mouse, Superman or butterflies, and look like
postage stamps.

These LSD stamps are in brilliant colours, and are
packaged in a red cardboard container with a picture of
Mickey Mouse and wrapped in a resealable plastic bag. A
pack contains five sheets, 100 stamps in all. This is the
latest method of peddling drugs.

A child in possession of these stamps could fall victim to a
fatal trip. It is also suspected that some older children are
giving tattoos away to younger ones to derive amusement
from seeing how they react to the acid.

It is essential for all parents to be alert to the danger of
their children coming into contact with these stamps.

Pass this message on to all the people you know with
children.'

The above warning has been issued by a Liege based
association at rue des Croisiers 24 (staff of the SMAP).

I should like to know the Commission's reactions to this
message, having regard to the responsibilities of the

No C 272/'30 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Member States, the need to coordinate their activities,
and the role incumbent upon the Commission.

If this is a false alarm or a sick joke what arrangements
have since been made to alert the public?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 May 1990)_

The Commission has no information on the availability in
Europe of such stamps containing illicit drugs such as
LSD.

In the field of drugs, the Commission participates actively
in the work of the Comite Europeen de la Lutte
Anti-Drogue (CELAD), which was created in December
1989 to coordinate the Community's and the Member
States' action in the struggle against drugs. This
Committee examines all aspects of the drug problem
including the question of demand, on which the
Commission is drawing up a programme of action at
Community level, which will be in line with previous
resolutions from the European Parliament and the Health
Council. This programme will include information and
education for the general public.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 917/90

by Mr George Patterson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C 272/59)

_Subject:_ Market for medicinal products

What steps has the Commission taken on proposals to
abolish the imbalances in market conditions within the

European proprietary medicinal products sector, referred
to in Article 9 of Directive 89/105/EEC (')? What form
will they take?

(') OJNoL40, 11.2. 1989, p. 8.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1990)_

The Commission has not yet taken any further steps in
relation to Directive 89/105/EEC ( [l] ).

Article 9 of Directive 89/105/EEC provides for the
Commission to submit to the Council a proposal
containing appropriate measures for the abolition of any
remaining barriers to, or distortion of, the free movement
of proprietary, medicinal products.

The Commission will examine in detail the current

situation in the Community regarding the pricing and
reimbursement of medicines, within the framework of the
Consultative Committee set up in Article 10 of Directive
89/105/EEC. In the light of experience and in
consultation with Member States, the Commission will
prepare and submit to the Council a proposal not later
than 31 December 1991, as foreseen in the Directive.

O OJNoL40, 11.1.1989, p. 8.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 918/90

by Mr George Patterson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C 272/60)

_Subject:_ VAT on educational activities

Where a company provides equipment or funds for
educational purposes, for example a Chair at a University,
and where that Chair bears the funding company's name,
according to the sixth VAT Directive and other
Community law, are the national governments acting
according the Community law by requiring VAT to be
paid? What is the exact status of such an educational
supply: VAT at the full rate, zero-rated or exempt?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1990)_

Under Article 5 (6) of the sixth VAT Directive ('), the
disposal of goods, free of charge, by a taxable person, is
to be treated as supplies made for consideration, and
therefore subject to tax, provided that VAT was wholly or
partly deductible on the acquisition of the goods. Only
gifts of small value and samples are not subject to tax.

The level of the rate of taxation is set by the Member
States. It is only in particular circumstances that they may
avail themselves of a transitional provision of the sixth
Directive permitting zero-rating.

However, the provision of funds as a financing operation
does not fall within the scope of VAT, since it could not
be considered as consideration for a taxable transaction.

O OJNoLMS,!}.*. 1977, p. 1.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/31

WRITTEN QUESTION No 948/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/61)

_Subject:_ Shortage of paramedical staff in the Italian
health services

The shortage of nurses, laboratory technicians,
rehabilitation and operation-room staff and paramedical
staff in general in Italy is upsetting the necessary balance
between medical and paramedical staff on which
medical/hospital activities are based.

Could the Commission say whether any European
programmes exist or are under consideration for
high-level training with a view to upgrading the activities
of paramedical staff and giving them professional status?

Can the Commission indicate the present ratio of hospital
inmates and those undergoing courses of treatment to
paramedical staff employed in the health services in each
of the Community Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 May_ _1990)_

The Ministers of Health, meeting within the Council on
13 November 1989, exchanged views on the conclusions
of the seminar organized by the Presidency of the Council
on 11 October to consider the growing number of doctors
and shortage of nurses and the Community. The Council
asked that discussions should be continued in the

Committee of Senior Officials on Public Health.

The statistics requested by the Honourable Member are
not available to the Commission.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 972/90

by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/62)

_Subject:_ Protection of Lake Managua (Nicaragua)

Using Italian technology, the Government of Nicaragua
has built a geothermal power station at the foot of a
volcano, Mount Momotombo, which is already
producing 30 % of the country's energy.

As a result of financing problems, sulphur-rich waste is
being dumped in Lake Managua, causing serious damage
to flora and fauna.

Could the Commission sponsor a programme to recycle
this waste and thereby prevent further deterioration of the
water of Lake Managua?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July_ _1990)_

The Commission has received no request for financing
for the case described by the Honourable Member. If it
did, it would appraise the request on the basis of the
dossier presented and the resources available.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member
that the ECU 8 million allocated to budget heading 946
for 1990 for all ACP, Mediterranean, Latin American and
Asian countries does not in principle make it possible —
for obvious reasons of availability of funds — to provide
financing for high-investment projects, but rather for
preparatory studies, pilot projects or technical assistance.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 985/90

by Mrs Anna Hermans (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/63)

_Subject:_ The pesticide Atrazine

Atrazine is widely used, at least in Belgium, to kill weeds
in fields of maize and also as a general herbicide for
car-parks, industrial land and so on.

One of the characteristics of this product is that it is
virtually indestructible. It may be washed into the surface
water and may even gradually penetrate deeper layers of
water. This obviously constitutes a threat to public heakh
in the long term.

Can the Commission say:

1. in which Member States atrazine is used?

2. in which Member States atrazine is found in surface
and/or ground water?

3. whether it does not consider that the limit value of 0,1
micrograms per litre is too high?

No C 272/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

4. what measures the Member States must adopt to
prevent the risk of seepage if the limit value is
unacceptably high?

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

(3 _July 1990)_

Atrazine is in use throughout the Community. However,
in its efforts to determine the extent to which water

supplies are polluted by this and other substances, the
Commission has been hindered by the fact that Council
Directive 80/778/EEC (') relating to drinking water does
not require Member States to report to the Commission
on the quality of their water supplies.

Although the Commission has requested the Member
States to report to it on drinking water quality and, in
particular, on problems encountered in achieving
compliance with the limit value for pesticides, few
Member States have replied in any detail. On the basis of
the replies received however, certain drinking water
supplies in northern Italy, in Luxembourg, France and the
UK are said to contain atrazine. In Ireland, since in the
majority of water supplies pesticides are presumed not to
be present, only limited monitoring for pesticides is said
to be carried out. Belgium is said to have begun
monitoring for pesticides in 1989, but has since submitted
results of any such monitoring to the Commission.
Analysis results submitted by Greece have shown that
drinking water supplies are not widely monitored for
pesticides.

In addition to this information, certain media reports
which have come to the Commission have indicated the

presence of atrazine in water supplies in the Netherlands
and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Commission has no information on the extent, to
which water supplies are monitored for pesticides in
Denmark, Spain and Portugal, or on the results of any
such monitoring in these countries.

The Commission considers that the maximum admissible

concentration of 0,1 ug/1 for any pesticide in water
supplied for human consumption, is a sufficient
precautionary limit value for the pesticide atrazine. No
other body has in fact set so low a limit value for this
particular pesticide. It further considers that Member
States should ensure that atrazine and other persistent
pesticides which are harmful to human health be used in
such a way that drinking water sources are not affected. If
necessary, alternative substances should be used and
application rates should be reduced.

(') OJNoL229,30. 8. 1980, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 988/90

by Mrs Anna Hermans (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _5_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 272/64)

_Subject:_ Complaint lodged by the Commission with
regard to the Flemish Cable Decree

At the beginning of 1989 the Commission informed
Belgium in a 'lettre de mise en demeure' that the Flemish
cable Decree and the relevant implementing decisions
contain a number of points which are in conflict with the
Treaty of Rome.

Can the Commission say what the Flemish Government's
reaction has been so far?

If it can, can it say on what points the Flemish
Government has declared itself willing to adapt its
legislation?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

The Commission has not yet received a reply from the
Belgium authorities to the letter of formal notice which it
sent them on 8 March concerning the incompatibility with
the EEC Treaty of certain aspects of the Flemish
Community's Decree of 28 January 1987 on the
transmission of radio and television programmes via cable
networks and the official approval of private television
companies.

In any event, the Commission takes the view that it should
not divulge the contents of letters and documents
exchanged during the administrative phase of proceedings
under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty, the aim of which is
precisely to arrive at a settlement with the Member State
concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1038/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 272/65)

_Subject:_ Second Chamber for the European Community

Has the Council given any consideration to the proposal
made by various European politicians that a Second
Chamber consisting of representatives of national
parliaments be established in the near future?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

Under the heading of 'Democratic legitimacy', the
European Council Meeting in Dublin on 25 and 26 June

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/33

1990, invited the Ministers for Foreign Affairs 'to ensure
that the principle of democratic accountability to which
all Member States of the Community subscribe should be
fully respected at Community level'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1079/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/66)

_Subject:_ Tourism Year — funding for Scottish projects

Will the Commission state what percentage of the total
United Kingdom's quota of ECU 250 000 for Tourism
Year projects has been allocated and will be available to
Scotland? Will the Commission also provide the names of
each project and amount of funding provided ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso E Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 June 1990)_

At the meeting of the European Year of Tourism Steering
Committee in July 1989 it was unanimously decided to
divide the budget of ECU 2 million amongst each of the
twelve Member States. In this way a total of ECU 250 000
was made available for United Kingdom national
projects. As agreed by the Steering Committee it was the
responsibility of each national committee to put forward
national projects for cofinancing. The Commission then
examined each of the proposals, taking into account the
regional distribution of projects, as well as the criteria set
down in the Council Decision of December 1988 ( [1] ). As
far as the United Kingdom projects were concerned the
Commission saw no reason to modify the projects
proposed by the national committee and the sum of ECU
18 223 has been allocated to national projects from
Scotland, which represents 7% of the total United
Kingdom quota.

The projects concerned are as follows:

National projects

It should be noted that a further ECU 10 000 from the

pan European project fund will be of immediate
importance to Scotland. Other pan European projects
may also be applicable to a greater or lesser extent.

O OJNoC 10,21.12.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1089/90

by Mrs Lissy Grdner (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities.

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/67)

_Subject:_ Legal status of women in marriages between
different nationalities

Can the Commission say what action it feels needs to be
taken within the European Communities with regard to
the legal status of women who are married to

— nationals of other Member States

— nationals of third countries,

in particular as regards bigamy, right of residence and
custody of children?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

The Commission does not intend to take any action with
regard to the legal status of married women whose
husbands are of different nationality.

The Community rules on free movement of persons make
no distinction between men and women.

Bigamy and custody of children are matters of national
law .and lie outside the Community's present field of
competence. As regards the problem of 'legal kidnapping',
the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 952/90 by Mr
Glinne ( [l] ).

(') OJNoC233,17.9.1990, p. 44.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1120/90

by Mrs Anna Hermans (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/68)

_Subject:_ Article 40 of the Fourth Convention of Lome

Under Article 40 of the Fourth Convention of Lome,
ACP States may, on request, obtain technical information

Amount
(ecus)

5 723

7 500

'5 000

EC

0144

0210

0214

Project / organizer

KM 150 International Cycling Festival

International Festival of Music and

Dance Inverness, Scotland

Paisley International Organ Festival

No C 272/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

and assistance concerning the use and elimination of
pesticides and chemical products.

1. What rules will apply in this respect ?

2. Has such assistance been provided in the past?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 July 1990)_

1. The detailed implementing rules for Article 40 are
currently being drawn up, but the underlying principle
remains the strict application of Article 4 of Regulation
(EEC) No 1734/88 of 16 June 1988 ('). At the request of
the countries concerned, appropriate means such as
information or awareness-raising and/or demonstration
campaigns can be carried out depending on the individual

case.

2. Many rural development projects financed by the
EDF and users of this type of products receive advice
from the extension services (using expatriate technical
assistants as agricultural extension workers/advisers) to
ensure correct use of the products, thereby minimizing
risk factors.

(') OJ No L 155,22. 6.. 1988, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1122/90 

by Mr Ben Fayot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/69)

_Subject:_ Installations of the _Societe lorraine de recuperation_
on the frontier between France, Belgium and
Luxembourg

The proposals by the _Societe lorraine de recuperation_ to
install facilities for the processing and discharge of
industrial waste near Longlaville, almost exactly on the
frontier between France and Luxembourg and in the
immediate vicinity of the European development pole, are
causing considerable concern in both countries, given the
inevitable damage these projects would entail to both the
environment and to the health of the local population.

Does the Commission not consider that the time has come

to take rigorous action to regulate the procedures for the

installation of undertakings involving pollution in
frontier areas, and the implementation of such
procedures?

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

_(29 June 1990)_

According to the Commission's information, the French
authorities have issued an operating licence for the
installation referred to by the Honourable Member.
Under the provisions of Council Directive
75/442/EEC (*) of 15 July 1975 on waste, a licence is
required for this type of installation. Council Directive
85/337/EEC ( [2] ) of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment refers to this type of plant and provides, in
particular, for public consultations. In the case of this
installation, such consultations were held in January and
February 1990.

For the rest, and in the absence of specific provisions,
installations for the disposal of toxic and dangerous waste
may be covered by Directive 82/501/EEC ( [3] ) on the
major-accident hazards of certain industrial activities, if
the quantities of dangerous substances stored, handled or
potentially produced on site exceed the prescribed
thersholds. Under this Directive, Member States must
require the manufacturer to take all measures necessary
for the prevention of serious accidents the consequences
of which could extend beyond the confines of the plant,
or could even cause transfrontier damage.

The Commission is currently drawing up proposals for
directives relating, on the one hand, to the discharge of
waste and, on the other, to the incineration of industrial
waste. These proposals will seek to ensure a high level of
environmental protection, notably by proposing the use
of the best technologies available. The proposals,
however, do not envisage any specific measures for
frontier zones.

In September 1989, on the other hand, the Commission
transmitted to Parliament ( [4] ) a document on a
Community strategy for waste management advocating,
in particular, minimization of the movement of waste and
ensuring uniform distribution of waste disposal plants in
the territory of the Community as well as inter-regional
cooperation on waste management. In order to make it
easier for this last principle to be applied, the Commission
is financing a study on the implementation of an
inter-regional plan for the disposal of industrial waste
involving the province of Luxembourg in Belgium, the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Saarland and Lorraine.
This study is currently being carried out in conjunction
with the competent local authorities specified in Directive
75/442/EEC.

O OJ No L 194,25. 7.1975, p. 39.
O OJ No L 175,5.7. 1985, p. 40.
O OJ No L 230, 5. 8.1982.
O SEC(89) 934 final.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/35

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1133/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/70)

_Subject:_ CSCE Conference on the human dimension

What preparations are the Foreign Ministers making for
the CSCE Conference on the Human Dimension which

will be held in Copenhagen in June 1990 in order to
highlight the injustices that still exist towards Jewish
refuseniks in the Soviet Union ?

Will the Foreign Ministers take the opportunity to
demand that the following refuseniks be allowed to leave
the Soviet Union:

Mr Lazer _Rulyov-Kagan_ address:

USSR/RSFSR Gorkovskaya Oblast Stantsiya
Burlopolom P/Ya. U 3-62—4M

Lev (born 1939) and Shellya (born 1941) _Alexandrovsky,_
first refused 1979

Boris _Chernobilsky_

Vladimir _Raiz_ first refused May 1973 23 February 1990
refusal reconfirmed Mr Raiz is from Vilnius.

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

In the Final Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the
Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE, held
in June, the participating States reaffirm that 'they will
respect the right of everyone to leave any country,,
including his own, and to return to his country, consistent
with a State's international obligations and CSCE
commitments'. Restricting on this right will have the
character of very rare exceptions, will be considered
necessary only if they respond to a specific public need,
pursue a legitimate aim and are proportionate to that aim,
and will not be abused or applied in an arbitrary manner.

As the Honourable Member is aware, it has been the
practice of the Twelve to avail of suitable opportunities to
convey to the Soviet authorties the position of the Twelve
on human rights questions, including as necessary specific

cases.

The Soviet authorities are fully aware of the concerns of
the Twelve on the question of Jewish emigration.

The Honourable Member will be also aware that Mr

Alexandrovsky, Mr Chernobilsky and Mr Raiz have
already left the Soviet Union.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1152/90

by Mr Eugenio Melandri and Mr Alexander Langer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/71)

_Subject:_ Sale of children in Sierra Leone

Haring regard to the recent revelations in the influential
English daily newspaper _The Independent to_ the effect that
hundreds of children in Sierra Leone are literally sold or
'hired' to rich English and Lebanese families and given
underpaid work, thus establishing a trading system
reminiscent of slavery — which was abolished in Sierra
Leone in 1807, what steps does the Commission intend to
take _vis-a-vis_ the Government of Sierra Leone to induce it

to respect the provisions on human rights contained in
Lome IV, in particular in Article 5 ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 July 1990)_

The EEC Delegation in Freetown, Sierra Leone, has
discussed with representatives of Government the reports
in the 16 and 17 April editions of the British newspaper,
_The Independent,_ concerning the use of children from
Sierra Leone for work overseas, notably in Lebanon,
under very poor conditions, likened by the article to
slavery.

The main points arising from these discussions are:

(a) The Sierra Leone Government is taking the reports
seriously and its Cabinet has set up an ad-hoc
Committee to look at the issues raised in more detail.

The Committee is chaired by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr A.K. Koroma, and also includes
the Minister of Social Welfare and the Inspector
General of Police. The Committee has not yet issued
any statement, but it was agreed that the Delegation
would be informed of its findings and
recommendations in due course.

(b) Among the possible courses of action being
considered is the setting up of formal procedures to
examine all service contracts for the overseas

employment of Sierra Leoneans under 18 years of
age, and to ensure that the terms of such contracts
comply with certain minimum standards yet to be
determined. Such arrangements would be backed up
by a more rigorous control procedure for the issue of
passports to children under 18.

(c) Leaders of the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone
are expected to assist the Committee is carrying out
its work. It should be noted that there are a

No C 272/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

considerable number of ethnic Lebanese living in
Sierra Leone and holding Sierra Leone nationality.
The Lebanese are of course concerned to ensure that

they are not dubbed as 'slave traders' and that
existing tensions between Africans and Lebanese are
not unnecessarily inflamed. The political dimension
of this issue should not be overlooked.

In general, while Government spokesmen were fully
aware that a number of young Sierra Leoneans do go
overseas to work as domestic servants, they felt that the
article exaggerated the extent of abuse suffered by such
people, by using the terms 'slave contracts' and by
implying that all those who went suffered the same
miserable fate as the two particular cases reported in
detail by the newspaper. They nevertheless agreed that it
should be possible to find ways to eliminate, or at least
greatly reduce, the risks of such situations recurring.

The Commission, through its Delegation in Sierra Leone,
will keep a close watch on developments. In the meantime,
the attention of the National Authorizing Officer has
been drawn to the provisions of Article 5 of the Lome IV
Convention, and particularly the possibility of assistance
being provided under the indicative Programme to help
the government prevent such abuses of human rights.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1156/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/72)

_Subject:_ Franco-German diplomatic cooperation

The Franco-German summit of February 1986 decided to
set up an exchange of diplomatic officials from the two
countries. In accordance with this agreement, the French
diplomat Mr Michel Connan spend almost a year at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of
Germany while his German counterpart did the same in
France. Summing up his experience, Mr Connan said: 'It
is good form to say that Europe is not making progress,
that it is proving impossible to overcome short-term
interests'. He added: 'But the example of Franco-German
relations and an experience such as my own show that
much has been done' _{Le Monde,_ 21 January 1990).

Shortly after, France and Germany tried another joint
diplomatic experiment. The French Minister for Foreign

Affairs, Mr Roland Dumas, described it as follows: 'As far
as Franco-German cooperation is concerned, it is
constantly being strengthened. In fact, I have proposed to
Mr Genscher that a joint embassy be set up, on an
experimental basis. If this experiment succeeds, we shall
repeat it, possibly together with other Community
countries'. He added: *We chose Mongolia because
neither the FRG nor France had an embassy there'. The
Minister even described how this Franco-German

embassy would probably be organized _{Le Figaro,_ 24
October 1988).

Both experiments may have major implications for the
common foreign policy to which the united Community
must aspire. Can the Ministers report on their progress?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

This question concerning relations between two Member
States is not dealt with in the framework of the EPC.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1170/90

by Mr Maxime Verhagen (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/73)

_Subject:_ War in Ethiopia

1. Is the Commission aware of the reports on the
intensification of the conflict between the Ethiopian
Government and the Eritrean rebels?

2. Is the Commission aware that the port of Massawa
can no longer be used as a point of entry for the necessary
food supplies and that it has been reported that many
tonnes of food (intended to relieve the famine) have been
destroyed by bombardment?

3. Can the Commission say how much food has been
lost as a result of the bombardment and what impact this
will have on the food situation in Ethiopia?

4. What steps will the Commission take to ensure that
past and furure food supplies delivered by the
Community and its Member States reach their
destination?

5. Does the Commission foresee any possibilities,
apart from the UN plan, of calling in NGOs to assist the
Ethiopian people and, if so, what?

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/37

6. Can the Commission provide further information
about the meeting with NGOs concerning aid to
Ethiopia?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 July_ _1990)_

1. and 2. The Commission follows all events in
Ethiopia very closely, including all developments which
could lead to the use for humanitarian purposes of the
port of Massawa, recently accepted in principle by the
Ethiopian Government.

3. No precise information is available on the amount of
food aid lost as a result of hostilities in the port of
Massawa.

However, various sources indicate that there were some
45 000 tonnes of food aid at Massawa in February 1990
and that the bulk of it was saved; it would appear that the
food in question has since been distributed to the people
of Eritrea.

4. The Commission has participated in various
demarches and statements in the framework of political
cooperation aimed at ensuring safe access to all
population groups concerned. In line with its usual policy,
the Commission channels its humanitarian aid through all
available intermediaries and routes, notably the 'Southern
Corridor' opened up by the Joint Relief Partnership, a
consortium of non-governmental organizations.

5. For a long time the Commission has channelled
much of its humanitarian aid to Ethiopia through a large
number of non-governmental organizations, the main
aim being to reach all population groups concerned. The
Commission will continue to follow this policy in order to
meet the various needs arising in Ethiopia.

6. The Commission is not aware of a general meeting
of NGOs specifically concerning aid to Ethiopia.
However, the Honourable Member may be referring to
the last General Meeting of European development
NGOs, which did indeed adopt a recommendation on
Eritrea and Tigray. The resolution calls on:

— the Commission to continue to assist NGOs in their
relief work and to increase this support in Ethiopia,
and to facilitate humanitarian emergency aid to the
people in the areas;

— the Ethiopian Government and liberation movements
in Tigray and Eritrea to find a peaceful solution to
the conflicts and allow relief supplies safe access to
the conflict zones.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1193/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/74)

_Subject:_ Aid to Eritrean and Somali refugees

What monitoring systems are used to ensure that
medicinal and food aid for the people of Eritrea and
Somalia is not diverted and used, as has often happened,
to purchase war material to help the Menghistu
Government to pursue its campaign of genocide against
Eritrean and Somali rebels?

Should not official representatives of the Community be
sent to check on what really happens to this aid and to
report back to the Community?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 July_ _1990)_

The operations referred to by the Honourable Member
are generally implemented through the intermediary of
international bodies (World Food Programme, Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
Red Cross) and various non-governmental organizations,
in agreement with the national authorities. The
experience and reputation of these institutions constitute
a guarantee that funds will be used properly, and there are
also regular implementation reports.

Some humanitarian aid is channelled through the
Government-run Relief and Rehabilitation Commission:
it is covered by specific, detailed agreements, and
implementation is monitored on the ground by the
Commission's Delegation in Ethiopia and by means of
periodic reports.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1215/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22 May_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/75)

_Subject:_ Enlargement of the European Monetary System

At the informal meeting in Galway, the economic and
financial ministers decided to give further consideration
to requests by certain European countries to associate
their currencies with EMS.

No C 272/38 Official Journal of the

1. Has the Council received any official requests for
association with the EMS from European countries
that are not members of the Community?

2. What specific provision has the Council made for the
examination of such requests? Has a timetable already
been established?

3. Does the Council intend to include this issue in the

current negotiations between the EEC and EFTA with
a view to creating a European Economic Area ?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

At their informal meeting in Galway the Finance Minsters
discussed the possibility of certain third countries
associating their currency with the EMS. They agreed to
continue this discussion. No official request on this
subject has been received.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1235/90

by Mr Eugenio Melandri (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/76)

_Subject:_ Trade in conventional weapons set aside as the
result of the Vienna agreements

According to recent reports in the American press, the
superpowers are preparing to put on the" world market
those conventional weapons which have become surplus
to requirements under the USA/USSR Vienna
agreements on conventional weapons.

The USA alone is about to conclude contracts worth over

US$ 30 000 million dollars with Third World countries in
particular. These weapons are often given instead of
economic aid that has been promised but never actually
granted, as in the case of the Philippines.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 14
March 1989 on arms exports.

In the light of the above considerations:

1. does the Commission not consider that such measures

run counter to the spirit of detente established by the
international disarmament agreements in that they
concentrate lethal and sophisticated weapons precisely
in those regions of the world where tension is highest
and the risk of conflict most extreme, thereby
undermining progress towards peace or, what is
worse, actually increasing the likelihood of conflict?

European Communities 29. 10. 90

2. does the Commission intend to make representations
to the Governments of the United States and the

Soviet Union (in view also of the declarations by
Soviet Government spokesmen that the Soviet Union
is willing to cooperate in this matter), stressing the
further risks to peace that this trade in death entails?

Answer given by Mr Delors

t [ on behalf of the Commission ]

_(26 July 1990)_

There is no Community policy covering the question of
arms control raised by the Honourable Member. Such
matters are mainly the Member States' responsibility.

The Commission has, however, taken note of the
resolution on European arms exports adopted by
Parliament on 14 March 1989.

Acting under the Community's commercial policy powers
and in accordance with Articles 223 and 224 of the

Treaty, of which the Commission gave its interpretation
during the debate in Parliament on 14 March, the
Commission is prepared to propose such measures as
would be called for if trade to or from the Member States

of the kind referred to by the Honourable Member
should develop. The adoption of the Regulation of 20
February 1989 concerning the export of certain chemical
products demonstrates one of the means of action open to
the Community.

However, this type of measure, as shown by UN General
Assembly Resolution 43/75 referring to international
arms transfers, will be effective only if the Community's
industrial and newly industrialized partners take similar
action simultaneously.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1241/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/77)

_Subject:_ Discriminatory measures and sanctions against
conscientious objectors in Europe

On 7 February 1983 the European Parliament adopted a
resolution on conscientious objection and in October
1989 the Schmidbauer report (Doc. A 3—0015/89).

Nevertheless, since then the European Parliament has
received a large number of petitions reporting instances of

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/39

discrimination and sanctions against conscientious
objectors in Greece in particular, but also in other
Member States such as France or Italy.

In view of this situation, what position does the
Commission intend to adopt? In particular, does it intend
to take steps to guarantee the status of conscientious
objectors and protect them against the measures to which
they are subjected?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _June 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the political nature of the
problem and of the impact on citizens of the Member
States of differences in national legislation relating to the
status of conscientious objectors.

However, as it has stated on many occasions, the
Commission has no competence in this field and cannot
take any steps to guarantee the status of conscientious
objectors and protect them against the measures to which
they are subjected.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

of the recommendation to the Member States on

conscientious objectors to compulsory military service,
adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of
Europe on 9 April 1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1255/90

by Mr Enrico Falqui, Mr Gianfranco Amendola, Mr Paul

Lannoye, Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes, Mr Vtrginio

Bettini and Mr Didier Anger (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(9'0/C 272/78) •

_Subject:_ Contributions by the European Community for
the study and/or use of pesticides in the Member
States

In view of the fact that the European Community is
financing from its budget measures by third countries to
promote the use of pesticides;

1. Is such financing also granted to Member States of the
Community?

2. If so, which Member States receive funds, how much
and for what precise purposes ?

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

_(3_ _July 1990)_

The Commission does not grant this type of financing to
Member States of the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1274/90

by Mr Jesus Cabezdn Alonso, Mr Josep Pons Grau and
Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/79)

_Subject:_ Low utilization rate of Item 9651 of the 1988
budget

Why were the appropriations available under Item 9651 of
the 1988 budget (Third Financial Protocol with the
southern and eastern Mediterranean countries) not fully
utilized?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

The payment appropriations allocated in 1988 to the
implementation of the third Financial Protocols
concluded with the Southern Mediterranean countries

(budget heading 9851) totalled ECU 15 million. Of this
amount, ECU 10 800 000, or 72%, has been disbursed.
The first projects financed under the third Financial
Protocols got off the ground in the second half of 1988. It
was because the start-up stage was slightly slower than
expected that all the funds available were not used up
before the end of the year.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1278/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/80)

_Subject:_ Problems of investment in the United States

The report on trade barriers and unfair trade practices in
the United States, published by the Commission on 18
April 1990, provides evidence of the growing
fragmentation and heterogeneity of the American market.

What practical measures has the Commission taken to
ensure that it is informed of measures decided by

No C _272/40_ Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

individual States and how does it plan to forward such
information to European industrial operators?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 July 1990)_

The Commission, both in Brussels and through the
Commission Delegation to Washington and the San
Francisco Office, is giving increasing attention to the
problem of growing fragmentation of the American
market.

Contacts between the Community and the United States,
both at bilateral level and in the context of current

multilateral talks (GATT, OECD), are being exploited to
obtain a more detailed understanding of the problem.

Several studies are to be quickly launched to
systematically and accurately identify and record barriers
to trade with the Union's individual states.

Frequent contacts are maintained with trade associations
represented at European level to establish a two-way flow
of information.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1282/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/81)

_Subject:_ Japanese duty on EEC leather imports

The current 60 % duty imposed by Japan on imports of
EEC leather, coupled with very small quotas, seriously
affects our trade with Japan in this sector.

Will the Commission give an assurance that when these
trade agreements are renegotiated for March 1991 EEC
negotiators settle for nothing less than a reduction in
Japan's basic tariff to no more than 10 % and abolition of
the quota system ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

The present Japanese tariff quota system for EEC leather
goods does indeed seriously affect our trade with Japan in
this sector. The Commission will insist on a significant
opening of the market, both in the GATT Uruguay
Round negotiations and in bilateral talks with Japan, in
order to benefit European industry. The Honourable

Member may rest assured that the Commission will seek a
substantial reduction in Japanese tariffs in leather and
shoes, as well as the abolition of the quota system itself.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1302/90

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 272/82)

_Subject:_ Customs signs at internal frontiers in the
Community

1. Is it true that the Member States agreed, in a
decision taken in November 1986, to remove all customs
signs at the Community's internal frontiers?

2. Is the Commission aware that customs road signs
are still in place at a large number of internal frontiers,
e.g. at the Belgian-Dutch frontier crossing on the
motorway between Antwerp and Venlo?

3. Can the Commission provide a list of the other
crossing points at internal frontiers in the Community
where such signs are still in place?

4. Can it say when it expects these signs to be removed ?

5. Does it share my view that monitoring the
implementation of this decision would be a very suitable
task for an urgently needed administrative arm of the
Community's custom union and why is the Commission
hesitating to provide the common customs union, set up
pursuant to Article 9 of the EEC Treaty, with its own
Community administration?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 July 1990)_

Land 2. Yes.

3. and 4. The Commission is continuing to strive for
the full implementation of the Resolution of the Council
and the Governments of the Member States, meeting
within the Council, of 13 November 1986 on the
introduction of appropriate signboards at the
Community's external frontiers and internal borders (').

It has recently again asked the competent authorities in
the Member States for information on the true situation

in this respect and the way in which the Resolution is
being implemented.

5. The Commission has engaged the European
Institute of Public Administration, which has its seat in
Maastricht, to undertake a study on the organization of
the customs services of the Community and its Member

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/41

States in the context of 1992 and the completion of the
internal market. The Institute's report is due to be
submitted in the latter half of the year.

O OJNoC 303,27.11.1986, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1341/90

by Mrs Dorothy Piermont (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/83)

_Subject:_ Endorsement of the FRG's non-nuclear status at
the Dublin Council meeting of 28 April 1990

_Canard Enchaine_ of 2 May 1990 indicates that, at the EEC
Council in Dublin on 28 April 1990, the West German
Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, accepted the conditions of the
other eleven Member States for their agreement to
'reunification', including the commitment to remain a
non-nuclear State.

1. What were the conditions laid down by the other
eleven Member States?

2. How were they formulated?

3. In what form did Chancellor Kohl give his agreement
(orally, in writing)?

4. Are these agreements which are binding under
international law?

5. When and how will they be made known to the
international public?

Answer

_(19September 1990)_

The Council is not in the habit of commenting on
newspaper articles.

The position expressed by the European Council at the
special meeting on 28 April 1990 concerning German
unification was reflected in the Presidency conclusions
which were conveyed to the European Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1374/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(11 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/84)

_Subject:_ Encouragement of democratization in Mexico

The _successes_ of the economic policy being followed by
the present Mexican administration, leading to a

reduction in inflation and the public deficit and an
increase in non-petroleum exports, will be underpinned
by the reprivatizatibn of banks, a measure which has just
been announced by President Salinas de Gortari.

This encouraging economic development is being
accompanied by an agreement with the United States
concerning the Mexican foreign debt and by certain signs
of democratization, for example recognition by the
institutional revolutionary party (PRI) of the opposition
victory in the State of Baja California and the recent
publication by a section of the PRI leadership of a
document calling for more rapid democratization of this
party. In addition, the attitude adopted by the authorities
during the visit by His Holiness the Pope reflected
genuine recognition of the spiritual convictions of the
Mexican people.

Do the Ministers consider that appropriate measures by
the Community could encourage this development in
Mexico and the general tendency in Latin America to
make qualitative progress towards coexistence in genuine
freedom?

Answer

_(20 September 1990)_

The policies followed by the present Mexican
administration are a matter of close interest to the

Community and its Member States, who have consistently
sought to encourage democracy, respect for human
rights, and economic and social progress in Latin
America. In this framework, they have pursued a political
dialogue with the Rio Group of democratic Latin
American countries of which Mexico is a member. Since

1975, the European Community has had a cooperation
agreement with Mexico, and in 1989 Commissioner
Matutes officially opened the office of the Commission
representative in Mexico City.

The Community and its Member States are determined to
ensure that progress towards the strengthening of
democratic structures as well as economic and social

progress be encouraged in every possible way by the
Community, making use of the mechanisms referred to
above. It is also our objective that such progress in Mexico
and other Latin American countries will lead to closer ties

of cooperation with the Latin American region as a whole.

At the occasion of the European tour of President Salinas
in January 1990, and in particular during its visit to the
Commission, Mexico has formally requested the revision
of the cooperation agreement of 1975. The Commission
will propose shortly to the Council a mandate to negotiate
with the aim of up-dating this agreement and to take into
account the present circumstances.

No C 272/'42 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1418/90

by Mr Adrien Zdler (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/85)

_Subject:_ Jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in
civil and commercial matters between the

Member States of the European Community and
the EFTA countries

Can the Commission say what progress has been made
with the signing and ratification of the Lugano
Convention of 16 September 1988?

Will this Convention enter into force in the near future?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 July 1990)_

Unlike the Brussels Convention of 27 September 1968,
the Lugano Convention of 16 September 1988 makes
provision for the Swiss Federal Council, and not the
Community, to act as depositary for the ratification
instruments. Furthermore, the Community is not
specified in Article 67 as the body to which notification of
those instruments and other documents is to be sent. This

is why the Commission is not officially notified when
countries sign or ratify the Convention.

However, the Commission is able to inform the
Honourable Member that, as far as it is aware, the
Convention has been ratified only by the Netherlands.
There are some indications that it will also be ratified this

year by a Member State of EFTA. Pursuant to Article 61,
the Convention would then enter into force between

those two countries. It is impossible to say when it will
enter into force between all the Member States of the

Community and of EFTA.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1419/90

by Mr Adrien Zeller (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/86)

_Subject:_ Jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in
civil and commercial matters between the

Member States of the European Community

In Written Questons Nos 1132/83 ('), 462/84 ( [2] ),
895/84( [3] ), 1092/84 O, 2171/84 ( [s] ), 328/86 _("),_
2467/86 0, 1041/87 O, 1445/87 0, and 1082/88 ( [,0] ),
the Commission of the European Communities has
received regular requests for information on the extension

of the Brussels Convention of 27 September 1968 to the
six non-founder Member States of the European
Community.

Can the Commission update its answers to these
questions, in particular:

— with regard to relations between Greece and the
United Kingdom, and

— with regard to the San Sebastian Convention of 26
May 1989 on the accession of Spain and Portugal to

the Brussels Convention?

O OJNoC24,30.1.1984, p. 27.
O OJNoC243,12.9.1984, p. 18.
O OJNoC71,18.3.1985, p. 10.
O OJNoC71,18.3.1985, p. 10.
(*) OJ No C 189,29.7.1985, p. 41.
(') OJNoC306,1.12. 1986, p. 27.
O OJ No C 157,15.6.1987, p. 42.
(•) OJNoC42,15.2.1988, p. 55.
O OJ No C 86,4.4.1988, p. 62.
O OJNoC95,17.4.1989, p. 30.

Answer given by M r Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

_(6 July_ _1990)_

The Convention of 25 October 1982 on the accession of

Greece to the Brussels Convention of 27 September 1968
entered into force:

— on 1 April 1989 as regards the Netherlands, France,
Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland,
Greece and the Federal Republic of Germany;

— on 1 October 1989 as regards the United Kingdom.

Accordingly, the 1968 Convention, together with the
amendments made by the Convention of 9 October 1978
(accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom)
and by the Convention of 25 October 1982 (accession of
Greece), now applies as between all Member States with
the exception of Spain and Portugal.

The San Sebastian Convention of 26 May 1989 on the
accession of Spain and Portugal has been ratified by the
Netherlands. Pursuant to Article 32 of the Convention,
the latter will enter into force once it has been ratified by
two Member States one of which must be Spain or
Portugal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1441/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13_ _June 1990)_

(90/C 272/87)

_Subject:_ Malfunctioning of the national health services in
the Member States

The Italian judiciary has initiated an investigation into the
operation of the Local Health Offices and into possible
cases of corruption or neglect of offical duties on the part
of the heads of the management committees of these

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/43

Offices. In many Member States there are blatant
instances of malfunction in the health service, which mean
that public health, one of the most important assets of the
State, is not adequately safeguarded.

Can the Commission press for a thorough investigation
into the management of the health service and ways in
which public health is safeguarded in the various Member
States? Can it also call for sanctions against States which
do not comply with Community directives and which by
their actions have prejudiced the rights of their citizens?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 July 1990)_

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the
question asked by the Honourable Member, which is a
matter solely for the national authorities concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1482/90

by Mr Friedrich Merz (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/88)

_Subject:_ Free travel within the European Community for
persons accompanying the disabled

Is the Commission seeking to introduce standard free rail
travel within the European Community for persons
accompanying those whose disability is such as to severely
restrict their mobility? Does it have any plans to lay down
standard European criteria to determine which categories
of disabled are entitled to be accompanied free of charge?
Will it introduce a standard disabled person's identity
card and provide for compensation payments to be made
to the railway undertakings?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 August 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 791/89 by Mr
Topmann (').

(') OJ No C 145,14.6.1990, p. 4.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1561/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 June 1990)_

(90/C 272/89)

_Subject:_ Creation of a European Stock Exchange

The rapid political and economic developments-which are
taking place in Europe have awakened interest in the idea
of investing in European shares, which may prove to be
the most attractive investment of the decade. However,
the creation of an investment portfolio made up of
European shares poses problems because of exchange
rates. The major European stock exchanges are therefore
aiming to create a single European securities market, with
an overall value of around US$ 3 trillion, with a view to
simplifying procedures and promoting Euro-investments.

What is the Commission's position on the creation of a
European Stock Exchange?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 July 1990)_

The Commission is in favour of closer cooperation
between EEC stock exchanges, as such cooperation will
help realize the aim of creating a single securities market
for the Community. This is a goal which the Commission
is seeking to bring about with various Directives in the
securities markets field based on the principle of mutual
recognition of home Member State authorizations. The
Commission is in close touch with the Federation of

European Stock Exchanges as regards the stock
exchanges' current proposals to promote cross-border
price information systems (the Pipe project) and
suggestions for the creation of pan-European retail and
wholesale trading markets.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1591/90

by Mr Gerard Deprez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 July 1990)_

(90/C 272/90)

_Subject:_ Financial aid to Wallowa from the structural
funds

Can the Commission provide figures on the amount of
structural fund aid (European Social Fund, European
Regional Development Fund and the European

No C 272/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund) granted to
Wallonia over the last five years ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 August_ _1990)_

In view of the length of its answer, which includes a
number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1610/90

by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Josep Pons Grau, Mr
Jesus Cabezon Alonso, Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mr

Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza

and Mr Francisco Sanz Fernandez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/91)

_Subject:_ Creation of a Euro-Mediterranean development
bank

The European Council in Strasbourg in December 1989
backed the French Government's proposal for the
creation of a European reconstruction and development
bank for the countries of Eastern Europe.

Subsequently, leading authorities in the Community have
put forward the idea of setting up a Euro-Mediterranean
development bank with a view to assisting the economic
development of third countries in the Mediterranean.
This proposal offers a real opportunity for intensifying
cooperation with third countries in the Mediterranean,
which the European Council itself is in favour of.

In view of this proposal, would the Commission be willing
to back a project or action plan for the creation of a
Euro-Mediterranean development bank?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1658/90

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muni (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/92)

_Subject:_ A Euro-Mediterranean Bank

How does the Commission view the idea put forward by
the EP Delegation for relations with the Maghreb
countries, of setting up a Euro-Mediterranean Bank
similar to the Berd?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1610/90 and

1658/90
given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 July 1990)_

The Commission believes that the ideas put forward
concerning the possibility of setting up a financial
institution specifically for the Mediterranean, along the
lines of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) for the Eastern European
countries, merit further consideration.

In particular, consideration must be given to determining
whether the necessary increase in financing for
non-member Mediterranean countries requires the
establishment of a new institution or whether it can take
place in the framework of the existing institutions.

It should be noted that six Mediterranean countries —
Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Turkey and Yugoslavia
— are founder members of the EBRD. Yugoslavia wil be
eligible for EBRD loans.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1639/90

by Mr Aryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/93)

_Subject:_ Europe against cancer programme 1990—1994:
prevention of tobacco consumption

In _Official_ _Journal_ _of_ _the European Communities_ No L 137
of 30 My 1990, four steps are outlined to achieve this
objective. In the same issue of the Official Journal, a
temporary derogation to the Directive on Tar Values
permits the consumption of high tar cigarettes until 31
December 2006 in Greece.

Are not these two notices in the same issue of the Official
Journal contradictory?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

As indicated in the last recital of the Directive to which
the Honourable Member refers (Directive 90/239/EEC),
the introduction of maximum tar yields will result in
particular socio-economic difficulties for the Hellenic
Republic; those difficulties, which concern that Member
State's tobacco growers, are the basis for the temporary
derogation to which the Honourable Member refers.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/45

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1645/90

by Mr Joachim Dalsass (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 272/94)

_Subject:_ Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of 30 May
1989, Article 7 (3) — infringement of
Community rules on freedom of movement

Article 7 (3) of the Italian Presidential Decree No 223 of
30 May 1989 contains the following provision:

'Foreigners registered with the registration office are
obliged to renew annually the declaration of their
usual domicile in the municipality and to enclose their
residence permit. The registrar shall in any event make
the relevant enquiries, take the necessary measures and
inform the Prefect thereof.'

In view of the fact that this provision also applies to
citizens of Community countries, and is patently
inconsistent with the completion of the single market and
the existing provisions governing freedom of movement
for persons, can the Council say:

1. whether it knows about Italy's issuing of this
provision, which restricts freedom of movement?

2. whether it is not also convinced that this provision
contravenes the rules governing the free movement of
persons within the Community in so far as it also
applies to Community citizens ?

3. what steps it intends to take to ensure that freedom of
movement for citizens is completely reestablished in
Italy?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

The provision to which the Honourable Member refers in
his question has not been brought to the Council's
attention.

It is, however, for the Commission of the European
Communities to ensure that the Treaties and the

provisions adopted pursuant thereto are applied, and to
propose to the Council any measures that may be

necessary.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1660/90

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Mora (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 272/95)

_Subject:_ Occupation of premises belonging to the
Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem

Following the European Parliament's condemnation of
the occupation of premises belonging to the orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem of Jewish settlers, and
Parliament's recommendations concerning the survival of
the Holy City's Christian communities, has the
Community received any satisfactory response from the
Government of Israel?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 July 1990)_

~ The occupation of a building belonging to the Orthodox
Patriarchate by a group of Israeli settlers during the
Christian Holy Week has been noted with grave concern
by the Community.

The Community has made representations to the Israeli
. Government expressing its concern over this issue. The
matter is now being considered by the Israeli courts.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1680/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(90/C 272/96)

_Subject:_ The training of Latin American civil servants

Education and the training of human resources have a
fundamental role to play in strengthening democracy and
the economic and social development of the Latin
American countries.

In many Latin American countries the civil service
urgently needs to be changed and restructured to make it
efficient and democratic. Unfortunately, in many cases
senior civil servants and administrators do not receive

adequate training.

Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs and, if so,
what measures has it adopted or will it propose in the

No C 272/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

sphere of development cooperation to enable these
countries to train senior civil servants and administrators?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 July 1990)_

The Commission is quite aware of the difficulties faced by
many Latin American countries in modernizing and
rationalizing their civil services and of the importance of
an efficient civil service for consolidating democracy and
for economS progress.

It also shares the Honourable Member's opinion of the
importance of training civil servants in order to achieve
these objectives.

For this reason the Commission has already carried out a
whole series of training operations for Latin American
civil servants, including study trips (Europe Visitors'
Programme), administrative training periods at the
Commission and training at Community institutions and
institutions in the Member States. These operations have
often been carried out with the assistance of specialized
European bodies, such as the European Institute of Public
Relations in Maastricht and the Institute for
European—Latin American relations. The Commission
intends to continue and, where possible, step up its work
in this field. Indeed, it believes that cooperation between
the Community and the countries of Latin America on
civil service matters, including technical assistance and
training, should become a key part of their overall
cooperation, and it has proposed that this field be
expressly referred to in future cooperation agreements
between the Community and these countries.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1710/90

by Mrs Dagmar Roth-Behrendt

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/97)

_Subject:_ Criteria for the European institutions' selection
procedures

1. Can the Commission provide information on the age
limits for competitions or participation in selection
procedures for posts in the European Community's
institutions and how the age limits apply to the various
career brackets and categories?

2. Does the Commission have plans in for positive
discrimination in selection procedures on behalf ofwomen
whose life patterns and experience are different

and who, for family reasons, often have to withdraw from
the labour market temporarily, by waiving fixed age limits
for a certain number of years to allow for child rearing?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 July 1990)_

1. The Commission cannot provide information on the
age limits applied by other Community institutions. With
respect to the Commission, the situation is as follows:

Age limit

50 years
50 years
50 years
50 years

35 years
35 years
35 years

32 years

Career

bracket

A3(')
A5/A4 O

B3/B2 0

C3/C2 0

A7/A6

B5/B4

C5/C4

A8

Experience after obtaining the required
qualification

15 years
12 years
12 years
12 years

2 years
2 years
2 years

—

(') Most competitions are for recruitment to the starting career bracket of
a category.

For the D3/D2 career bracket, a single open competition
was organized requiring five years' work experience and
was subject to an age limit of 30 years.

2. Commission notices of competition allow for
exceptions to the age limit in the case of men and women
who have been out of paid employment for one year or
more in order to bring up a young child. They may be
granted extensions of one year for each child, up to a
maximum of three years.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1713/90

byMrRolfLinkohr(S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/98)

_Subject:_ Employment of disabled people in the European
institutions

In Recommendation No 86/379/EEC ('), the Council
proposed a series of measures to the Member States to
help the disabled.

How many disabled people work in the administrative
services of the Council?

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/'47

Does the Council think it is in a position to apply the
recommendation to the Member States to its own

administration and would it consider it appropriate to set
an example in this respect? If not, why not?

What positive measures to help the disabled has the
Council incorporated into its staffing policy?

(') OJNoL225, 12.5. 1986, p. 43.

Answer

_(19 September_ _1990)_

The Medical Service of the Council General Secretariat

does not compile any statistics on the numbers of disabled
staff. When recruiting staff, the General Secretariat takes
on disabled people provided that their disability does not
prevent them from carrying out the duties for which they
are being recruited.

The Council General Secretariat believes it is acting in
accordance with the Council Recommendation, taking all
applications for a post into consideration without
discriminating between disabled and able-bodied
applicants. Only where the medical examination revealed
a specific incompatibility between a particular activity
forming part of a job and a particular disability would the
disability be taken into account for the purpose of
declaring the applicant unfit for the post.

In the context of its recruitment procedures, the Council
General Secretariat has included a provision in its
competition rules allowing for exceptions to the age limits
for disabled people.

Where candidates make known their disability when
applying for a post, special steps are taken at the time of
the tests to enable disabled people taking part in a
competition to compete on an equal footing with other
applicants.

The mobility arrangements in force at the Council
General Secretariat make express provision for an official
or other servant who has suffered a disability preventing
him from continuing to perform his duties to be
transferred as a matter of priority to any vacant post,
without the transfer being specifically advertised.

Furthermore, an internal working party is currently
studying various measures, particularly relating to
infrastructure, which should make it easier for disabled
people to be integrated into the working life of the
Council General Secretariat.

Finally, retirement of an official or another servant on
grounds of disability is always regarded as a last resort
which is used only where there is clearly little or no
likelihood of a person recovering sufficiently to carry out
his duties.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1724/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/99)

_Subject:_ Community support for guides for persons
seeking employment

The publication by the Basque Government in Spain of a
guide for persons seeking employment, geared basically
towards young people, has surpassed all expectations and
all 15 000 copies have been exhausted.

This demonstrates the need to provide young people
seeking employment with a useful means of information
to help them find their first job, since they are often
unaware of the possibilities open to them while numerous
factories and undertakings are looking for suitable young
people to work for them.

For this reason, does not the Commission consider that it
should promote and sponsor the publication of guides
like the one published by the Basque Government with a
view to helping young people in their search for their first
job?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 July_ _1990)_

Studies have demonstrated the extent to which guidance
and counselling are essential aspects of job-seeking. If it is
made available on completion of a training programme or
before losing a job, information concerning labour
market needs, organizations to assist in job-seeking or
vocational training centres can play a vital role.

If it is to be effective, the information disseminated must
be well targeted. In this field the appropriate level of
action is usually the employment area, sometimes the
region, the country or the whole Community.

Community action to promote the occupational
integration of young people is usually taken by the
European Social Fund, under objective 4. In the context
of technical assistance or the promotion of innovative
projects, the provision of information, counselling or
guidance may receive Community support.

However useful such measures may be, they need to be
incorporated in wider-ranging machinery that can offer
individual solutions, including advice, information,

No C 272/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

guidance, training and placement, to help young people
develop real job-seeking strategies.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1727/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5 July 1990)_

(90/C 272/100)

_Subject:_ Political-military situation in Ethiopia and the
aid programme

Once again, a million Ethiopians are threatened with
starvation. The civil war has changed the balance of
power against the regime of Lieutenant-Colonel
Mengistu: more than 85% of the population are now
living in areas controlled by the Eritrean and Tigre
liberation movements, while the port of Massawa is no
longer under government control. Massive Israeli military
aid, in the form of equipment and advisers, given 'to
prevent the Red Sea becoming an Arab sea' is not
succeeding in altering the course of the civil war in favour
of Colonel Mengistu, while Soviet arms supplies to the
regime (US$ 800 million in 1989) will cease in 1991.

Moreover, under the Mengistu regime human rights
violations have increased sharply: some 40 high-ranking
military personnel have been put to death for not giving
the dictator their full support, and more than 200 civil and
military administrators have been arrested.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. The Eritrean Popular Liberation Front has offered the
use of the port of Massawa as an entry and
distribution point for aid provided by the
international community. The Tigre Liberation
Movement has made similar proposals. Why does the
European Community persist in keeping the
hardpressed Addis Ababa government supplied by air
without any guarantee that the aid is channelled to the
people?

2. If the proposals of the liberation movements are not
taken up, should not the various forms of Community
aids be suspended until such time as a representative
government is installed in Addis Ababa?

3. Can the Twelve still condone the continuation of the

Israeli military aid programme to Colonel Mengistu?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

1. The Community and its Member States are doing
everything possible to obtain the cooperation of the

parties concerned and to ensure that humanitarian aid can
be provided to the regions threatened by drought and
famine. After launching appeals to this end in their
statements of 23 January, 20 February and 15 March, the
Community and its Member States approached the parties
concerned and were in direct contact with Western donor

countries.

On 24 April, the representatives of the Community and its
Member States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United States of America issued a joint statement
in New York calling upon all parties to the conflict to
observe strictly the following principles:

— to suspend hostilities immediately to facilitate relief
operations, bearing in mind that the situation of
internal conflict is a major obstacle to the
humanitarian relief effort;

— to guarantee the safe passage and facilitate
distribution of humanitarian relief supplies via land,
sea and air through neutral channels such as
international organizations, churches or other
NGOs;

— to ensure the availability of the relevant ports and
airfields and the associated road links for

humanitarian relief activities; and

— to refrain from military attack on aircraft, ships and
road vehicles delivering humanitarian supplies, thus
ensuring the safe passage of food deliveries through
all possible channels.

All humanitarian relief efforts by the international
community would be undertaken fully respecting the
principles adopted by the United Nations to govern such
operations.

All donors were called upon to respond generously to all
elements of the humanitarian relief programme, including
measures necessary to re-establish normal functioning of
port and airfield facilities and associated road links.

Recalling that this situation of conflict was a major factor
in the serious humanitarian situation in Ethiopia, the
countries and country grouping mentioned above
solemnly appealed most strongly to all parties to resume
their efforts for peace and national reconciliation and, to
that end, to resolve outstanding procedural difficulties on
the basis of flexibility, and to proceed to substantive
negotiations with a view to achieving a lasting political
settlement.

At the ministerial meeting (European Political
Cooperation) held in Luxembourg on-18 June 1990, the
Community and its Member States welcomed the recent
announcement by the Ethiopian Government that it was
prepared to accept in principle the use of the port of
Massawa for the delivery of relief supplies.

29. 10. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 272/49

They regarded this as an important step in facilitating the
international relief effort aimed at averting famine in
Northern Ethiopia. They appealed most strongly to all
parties to cooperate actively in bringing about the early
re-opening of the port and to facilitate the delivery and
distribution of humanitarian relief through all available
channels.

The Asmara air bridge was established, under the auspices
of the United Nations, by an international group of aid
donors, including the Community. The goods
transported via this air bridge are distributed to the
drought and civil war victims in Asmara and the
surrounding region by a non-governmental organization,
the Joint Relief Partnership (JRP). The United Nations is
also responsible for carrying out and monitoring these
operations.

2. With regard to suspension of the various forms of
Community aid, the Honourable Member will
understand, from the above that such a measure can only
be to the ultimate detriment of a population which has
already suffered much, and would therefore be. counter
productive.

The Community and its Member States have always
regarded its aid (whether in the form of food aid, medical
aid or other types of relief) as being primarily
_humanitarian_ aid designed to help the victims of natural or
other similar disasters, wherever they may be and
whatever the political regime.

3. The question of the Israeli military aid programme
for the authorities in Addis Ababa has. not been discussed
in the framework of European Political Cooperation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1729/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/101)

_Subject:_ UN programme for the environment and
protection of the ozone layer

Mr Mustafa K. Tolba, Director of the UN programme for
the environment, has proposed that the industrialized
countries provide Third World countries with the
economic and technical means needed to eliminate

chemical waste emissions such as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) which are destroying the ozone layer. Mr Tolba
has also drawn up a wider-ranging proposal aimed at
tightening up the definition and implementation of
international law in this matter.

Can the Community state its attitude towards these
proposals?

Answer

_(19 September 1990)_

The Community took an active part in the UNEP
negotiations for the revision of the Montreal Protocol.

At its meeting on 7 June 1990 the Council fully backed the
UNEP Director's initiatives to support the request by
developing countries for additional financial and
technical resources to assist them in implementing the
Protocol.

The second Conference of the Contracting Parties which
took place in London from 20 to 29 June 1990 agreed to
establish a financial mechanism, based on the following
points, to assist the developing countries in implementing
the Protocol:

— the mechanism would cover certain additional costs
of the developing countries' compliance with the
Protocol;

— funding would be through a mixture of multilateral
and bilateral channels. As regards the multilateral
aspect, the Parties agreed to establish a multilateral
fund financed by contributions from the Contracting
Parties calculated on the basis of the United Nations'
assessment scale;

— the multilateral fund would be implemented by an
executive committee acting under the aegis of the
Parties and in co-operation with existing institutions,
i.e. the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP;

— the transfer of technology to developing countries
Parties to the Protocol would be facilitated, _inter_ _alia,_
by means of financing under the financial mechanism,
where appropriate.

At a special on-the-spot Council meeting in London the
Council agreed (subject to completion of the
Community's internal procedures) to this decision, which
was in accordance with the guidelines it had adopted on 7
June.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1756/90

byMrPolMarck(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/102)

_Subject:_ Agricultural areas under vegetables

Can the Commission give me the figures, broken down by
variety and by Member State, for vegetables being grown:

1. under glass;

2. under plastic;

3. in the open?

No C 272/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 10. 90

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 August_ _1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the
information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1839/90

by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE)

to the Commission of die European Communities

_(20 July_ _1990)_

(90/C 272/103)

_Subject:_ Family policy

What is the length of maternity leave granted in the
various Member States of the European Community?

Is paid maternity leave granted? If so, what level of
remuneration is received?

What day-nursery facilities, if any, are provided?

Is any form of assistance in cash or kind provided with
government and/or private-sector support?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 September 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the
information requested.

##### _The pillars of vocational_
###### _training_

_Who are they?_

_What_ _is_ _their role?_

_What_ _do_ _they do_ _for_
_vocational training?_

_The reports and studies_ _carried out_
_on_ _behalf_ _of_ _CEDEFOP provide_ _in-_
_formation on the working methods_
_and forms_ _of_ _organization_ _of_ _the_
_social_ _partners_ _at_ _Community level_
_and in the_ _Member_ _States,_ _in particular with regard_
_to:_
_—_ _institutions_ _of_ _the_ _Community;_
_—_ _structures_ _of_ _cooperation_ _and the social_ _dia-_
_logue,_ _i.e._ _the involvement_ _and_ _participation_ _of_ _the_
_trade unions and_ _employers'_ _organizations_ _at_ _re-_

_gional_ _level_ _and in the_ _various sectors_ _of_ _the_ _eco-_
_nomy,_ _and recent developments_ _in_ _this_ _field._

_If_ _you_ _wish to_ _order the_ _studies,_ _please_ _write_
_to_ _us._ _The following versions are_
_currently_ _available:_

## ~l

III
o

I k
O

_As a_ _Community_ _organiza-_
_tion,_ _CEDEFOP_ _also has_
_a contribution to make_
_towards the_ _achievement_
_of the internal_ _market._
_Through_ _its_ _research,_
_comparative_ _studies,_ _its_
_information and_ _documen-_
_tation_ _service_ _and its work_
_on the comparability of_
_training qualifications,_
_CEDEFOP plays_ _its part_
_in promoting the social_
_dimension of the_ _1992_
_objective._

_CEDEFOP_
_European_ _Centre_
_for the_ _Develop-_
_ment of_ _Vocatio-_
_nal_ _Training_
_D-1000_ _Berlin 15_
_Bundeaallee_ _22_
_Tel:_ _(030)_ _88 4120_
_Telex:_ _184183_
_Telefax:_
_(030)88412222_

_Please_ _detach and_ _send_ _to_ _CEDEFOP:_

rn _Employers'_ _organizations_ _— their_
_Involvement_ _In tho_ _development_ _of_ _a_
_European vocational_ _training policy_
_Languages:_ _DDE_  - _EN_  - _FR_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

[~1 _Employees'_ _organizations_ _and their_
_contribution_ _to_ _the_ _development_ _of_
_vocational_ _training policy In the_
_European Community_
_Languages:_ DOE • _EN_  - _FR_
_Price:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

rn _The_ _role_ _of_ _the social_ _partners_ _in_ _vocatio-_
_nal_ _education_ _and training In Belgium_
_Languages:_ _O_ _EN_ D _NL_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

[~] _The_ _role_ _of_ _the social_ _partners_ _In youth_
_and adult_ _vocational education_ _and_
_training In_ _Denmark_
_Languages:_ _D_ _DA_ _O_ _EN_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

Q _The_ _role_ _of_ _the social_ _partners_ _In_
_vocational_ _training and further training_
_In tiie_ _Federal Republic_ _of_ _Germany_
_Languages:_ DDE • _EN_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

- _The_ _role_ _of_ _unions_ _and_ _management_ _In_
_vocational training In_ _France_
_Languages:_ D _EN_ _O_ _FR_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

_Name,_ _first name_

_Street,_ _no._

Q _The_ _role_ _of_ _the social_ _partners_ _In_
_vocational education_ _and training,_
_Including continuing_ _education_ _and_
_training In_ _Ireland_
_Languages:_ _D_ _EN_
_Price:_ _ECUS;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

Q _The_ _role_ _of_ _the social_ _partners_ _In_
_vocational training In Italy_
_Languages:_ _O_ _EN_ _O IT_
_Price:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

n _Social_ _partners_ _and_ _vocational_ _education_
_In the_ _Netherlands_
_Languages:_ DOE _D_ _EN_
_Price:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

- _The_ _role_ of _the social_ _partners_ _In_
_vocational education_ _and training In the_
_United_ _Kingdom_
_Languages:_ D _DE_  - _EN_
_Price:_ _ECU_ _10;_ _IRL7.80;_ _UKL7.00;_ _USD11_

Q _Le rdle des_ _partenalres_ _soclaux dans_ _la_
_formation_ _professlonnelle_ _au_ _Portugal_
_Languages:_ D _FR_  - _PT_
_Price:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

- _The_ _social_ _dialogue_ _In the_ _Member_
_States_ _of_ _the_ _European Community_ _In_
_the field_ _of_ _vocational_ _training and_ _conti-_
_nuing training -_ _Synthesis_ _report •_
_Languages:_ _D_ _DE_ _D_ _EN_ _D_ _ES_  - _FR_

_HIT_
_Price:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.50;_ _USD5.50_

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- 

- 

- _**Postal**_ _code,_ < _town_

I _Occupa_ _Occupation,_ _function, organization_
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_ung people in_

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/ _investment_

_The new CEDEFOP manual_ _is_ _concerned with the social and vocational_
_integration_ _of_ _young_ _people._ _The experience and opinions_ _of_ _competent_
_practitioners_ _and_ _the examples provided_ _by_ _selected local projects and_
_initiatives are_ _a_ _source_ _of_ _ideas_ _and_ _advice_ _for_ _organizational planning_
_for ail_ _those_

 - _who are searching_ _for_ _new forms_ _of_ _general_ _and_ _vocational training_
_provision;_

 - _who wish to_ _adapt this provision_ _to local and_ _individual_ _needs._

_Jeremy Harrison_ _and_ _Henry McLeish_ _Catalogue_ _number_ _HX-46-86-581-EN-C_
_1987,_ _182_ _pp._ _Price (excluding VAT)_ _in_ _Luxembourg:_
_Languages:_ _ES,_ _DE,_ _GR,_ _EN,_ _FR,_ _IT,_ _NL_ _ECU_ _4;_ _IRL_ _2.90;_ _UKL_ _2.50;_ _USD_ _4_
_ISBN 92-825-6877-6_

#### i

_As a_ _Community_ _organi-_
_zation,_ _CEDEFOP_ _also has_
_a contribution to_ _make_
_towards the_ _achievement_ _of_
_the Internal_ _Market._
_Through_ _its_ _research,_ _com-_
_parative_ _studies,_ _its_ _infor-_
_mation and_ _documentation_
_service_ _and its_ _work_ _on the_
_comparability of training_
_qualifications,_ _CEDEFOP_
_plays its part in promoting_
_the social_ _dimension_ _of the_
_1992_ _objective._

_CEDEFOP_
_European Centre_
_tor the_ _Develop-_
_ment of_ _Vocational_
_Training_
_D-1000_ _Berlin_ f 5
_Bundeaallee 22_
_Tel.:_ _(090)884120_
_Telex:_ _184183_
_Telefax:_
_(030)88412222_

          -           - •

         -         

I / _should like_ _to_ _order the manual_

» _Young people_ _in transition_

—
_the local_ _investment*_

_in_ O _German_
O _English*_
O _Spanish_
O _French_

O _Italian_
O _Dutch_
O _Greek_

_Cat-Nr.:_ _HX-4&86-581-EN-C,_ _ISBN 92-825-6877-6_ _at a price of_
_ECU_ _4;_ _IRL_ _2.90;_ _UKL_ _2.50;_ _USD_ _4 plus VA_ _T and postage_

_Name,_ _first_ _name_

Street no. .

_Postal_ _code,_ _town_

_Occupation,_ _function, organization_

_Please detach and send_ _to_ _CEDEFOP_

_cc_
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