30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/1
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1599/83 two countries of the Treaty and the derived legislation. by Mr James Moorhouse (ED - GB) No exception to that rule has been discussed with respect to air transport or the aeronautical industry. For the to the Commission of the European Communities aeronautical industry close cooperation with the (4 January 1984) Community has been in evidence for a long time in many (84/C 200/01) aspects. 2 and 3. The Commission does possess generally Subject: Effect of enlargement on air transport available information but has not needed to ask the Governments of the two applicant countries for exact 1. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the information. Under these conditions the Commission is European Communities in the near future will increase not in a position to furnish a reply to these questions for the need for a common air transport policy. Has the time being. agreement been reached in the negotiations with Spain and Portugal on the application of the provisions in the 4. The question of State aid to airlines, aeronautical EEC Treaty concerning transport, with particular industries and airports will be taken up upon accession reference to air transport? Has any agreement been and examined under the relevant provisions of the EEC reached concerning the Spanish and Portuguese Treaty, i.e. Article 93 (1). Until the time of accession, aeronautical industries upon accession? rules under the Treaty do not apply in any way.
2. Which Portuguese and Spanish airlines operate international services and what is the percentage of public shareholding in each of these enterprises? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1655/83 3. With which Member States do Spain and Portugal by Mr Thomas von der Vring (S - D) currently operate bilateral air transport agreements? to the Commission of the European Communities (17 January 1984) 4. Is the Commission aware of any State aid currently granted to Spanish and Portuguese airlines, aeronautical (84/C 200/02) industries and airports, and what measures have been agreed with the two applicant countries to end such aids Subject: Animal feed or to bring them into line with the Community rules on 1. What amounts of individual types of animal feed the granting of State aids? are currently being imported, and what proportion of each is imported from the developing countries? 2. What are the prices in ECU of imports of such feed? Answer given by Mr Contogeorgis on behalf of the Commission 3. What are the equivalents in feeding value of these (8 June 1984) amounts? 4. What is the breakdown of these types of feed in 1. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the respect of the following end products: beef, pork, European Communities indicates the acceptance by these poultry, eggs and milk? No C 200/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
5. What are the average quantities of feed units total and unit values of products from all non-member required to produce 1 kg of beef, 1 kg of butter and 1 kg of countries and quantities from developing countries. skimmed milk powder? However, certain products listed in this table, in 6. How does the cost of imported types of feed particular cereals and molasses, are not used solely as compare with prices obtained on the world market for animal feed. Community surpluses of the same products? 3. Overall these imports represent about 57 000 million FU (Feed Units).
Answer given by Mr Dalsager 4. Generally speaking these feedingstuffs are on behalf of the Commission incorporated in varying doses in compound feedingstuffs. No statistics exist at Community level giving a (28 May 1984) breakdown of imported feedingstuffs according to their intended use in livestock farming. However, the 1 and 2. The table below sets out imports of Commission has carried out some research and has feedingstuffs into the Community in 1982: quantities, obtained the following estimates:
Poultry Cattle Total Imported Pig Products (%) Meat Eggs Meat Milk % '000 (%) (%) (%) (%) tonnes
Manioc 60-70 6-9 9-11 5-6 10-14 100 8,1 Corn gluten feed 10-15 2-4 3-6 20-25 55-60 100 2,8 Fruit waste 4-6 1-2 1-2 25-30 60-70 100 1,4 Bran 30-40 4-9 6-11 10-20 30-40 100 2,0 Soya 40-45 10-13 18-20 7-10 17-20 100 20,9
5. On average: — 4 to 6 FU are required to produce 1 kg live weight of beef; — 0,4 to 0,45 FU are required to produce 1 kg of milk (in addition, one should take into account that the basic feed requirement of a cow is 4,5 to 5 FU per kg of live weight). Nine kg of skimmed-milk powder or 4,45 kg of butter can be produced from 100 kg of milk. 6. The total value of imported feedingstuffs in 1982 was approximately 11 000 million ECU; exports of livestock products (livestock, meat, offal, milk products and eggs) totalled 22 000 million ECU, whilst imports of livestock products amounted to 20 000 million ECU.
Imports of feedingstuffs into the Community in 1982
Quantity
Of which, Non-member Goods developing countries countries (million tonnes) (million tonnes)
Common wheat grain 3,0 Grain barley 0,5 Grain maize 7,2 0,4 Other cereal grain 0,2 0,1
Total A: cereal grain 10,9 0,5
Soya beans and soya cake 20,9 5,6 Other oilseeds and oilcake 7,2 4,7 Meals of animal origin 0,7 0,6 Other high-protein feedingstuffs 0,3
Total (a): high protein feedstuff's 29,1 10,9 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/3
Quantity
Non-member Of which, Goods developing countries (million tonnes) countries (million tonnes)
Manioc 8,1 7,7 Corn gluten feed and starch residues 2,8 0,1 Citrus pellets and fruit waste 1,4 0,7 Bran and cereal sharps 2,0 1,3 Molasses 2,8 2,1 Other high-energy feedingstuffs 0,5
Total (b): high-energy feedingstuffs 17,6 11,9
Total B: (a) plus (b) 46,7 22,8
Overall total: A plus B 57,6 23,3
Imports of feedingstuffs into the Community in 1982
Goods Total value Unit value million ECU ECU/tonnes Common wheat grain 588,3 196 Grain barley 73,2 151 Grain maize 975,1 136 Other cereal grain 37,4 207
Total A: cereal grain 1 674,0 154
Soya beans and soya bean oilcake 5 237,2 250 Other oilseeds and oilcake 1 717,0 239 Meals of animal origin 276,4 387 Other high-protein feedingstuffs 38,5 140
Total (a): high protein feedingstuffs 7 269,1 250
Manioc 1 010,5 125 Corn gluten feed and starch residues 504,5 178 Citrus pellets and fruit waste 204,5 147 Bran and cereal sharps 256,4 131 Molasses 217,6 78 Other high-energy feedingstuffs 126,5 237 Total (b): high-energy feedingstuffs 2 320,0 132
Total B: (a) plus (b) 9 589,1 205
Overall total: A plus B 11 263,1 196
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1661/83 strictly controlled, as recommended in paragraph 14 of by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED - GB) the resolution on Southern Africa adopted by Parliament on 9 February 1983 (*)? to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities 0) OJ No C 68, 14. 3. 1983, p. 43. meeting in political cooperation (17 January 1984) (84/C 200/03) Answer (25 June 1984) Subject: Arms sales to Republic of South Africa and front-line States This question has not been discussed in the context of What action have the Foreign Ministers taken to ensure European political cooperation. that arms sales by the Member States to States neighbouring on the Republic of South Africa should be No C 200/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1679/83 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1702/83 by Mr Alfred Lomas (S - GB) by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) to the Council of the European Communities to the Council of the European Communities (17 January 1984) (23 January 1984) (84/C 200/04) (84/C 200/05)
Subject: Return to democracy in Argentina Subject: Persecution of Turkish citizen, Ismet Imset Eight years of military dictatorship, massive violations of human rights, an economy in ruins - that is the dramatic In 1978, Mr Ismet Imset, a Turkish correspondent of picture of Argentina today. United Press International, was charged with illegal ownership of a pistol, a charge he admitted to under The holding of free elections at the end of October 1983 torture. He has been out on bail for five years and the signalled the return to democracy. charge has now been upgraded to 'running an armed The European Community should not only welcome the gang', for which he could be sentenced to 10 years in gaol, democratization process; we must actively support it. if found guilty. No new evidence has been presented against him. The United States Embassy carried out a Will the Council state how it intends to assist this security check on Mr Imset and found him to be development? completely clear.
Answer by the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States Mr Imset has also had a special ban on travelling abroad put on him. He has been harassed by the police and of the European Communities meeting in the framework frequently told not to publish certain stories. In addition of political cooperation (*) to this, he now risks being drafted into the army as a (25 June 1984) private. After applying for a passport, Mr Imset was beaten up by the police and complained. No action was The new Argentine Government, democratically elected taken against the police and the UPI has not supported on 30 October 1983, has inherited an extremely difficult him at all. situation from all points of view. Nevertheless, since taking office, President Alfonsin has made determined efforts to tackle the roots of the problem by taking a series Would the Council of Ministers use their influence to of measures to punish those responsible for the acts of persuade the Turkish Government to intervene with the compulsion committed under the military regime and by police and insist that the harassment of Mr Imset initiating international negotiations to find a solution to ceases? the country's economic and financial problems. As long ago as 7 December 1983 the Ten expressed their support for the new authorities and reiterated the importance they attached to casting light on the question of those who have disappeared. Since then, they have been following developments attentively, with all due Answer by the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States regard to Argentine sovereignty. of the European Communities meeting in the framework of political cooperation (x) (^ This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the (25 June 1984) question came.
The Ten have on many occasions expressed their concern about the internal situation in Turkey, which they continue to follow with the greatest attention. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1731/83 by Mrs Ien van den Heuvel (S - NL) The particular case of Mr Ismet Imset, against whom to the Foreign Ministers of the action has been taken by the Turkish authorities, has not 10 Member States of the European Communities been raised by the partners and has not therefore been discussed. meeting in political cooperation (23 January 1984) (!) This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers (84/C 200/06) meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the question came. Subject: Stockholm disarmament conference Can 10 Foreign Ministers state as soon as possible whether they are prepared to take the initiative at the 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/5 forthcoming disarmament conference in Stockholm, in Keeping to the traditional approach of the Ten, their conjunction with one or more East European countries delegations will examine on their own merits the and one or more of the 'neutral' countries, in reviving the proposals made during the first stage of the CDE, which process of detente between East and West? should cover confidence-building measures in accordance with the Madrid mandate. These proposals should represent progress in themselves. They will deal with the prevention of suprise attacks and of the use of force for intimidation. They will help to avoid dangerous interpretations of military movements and activities affecting the whole of Europe. Answer They should also aim at facilitating gradual progress to (25 June 1984) the second stage, that of controlled reductions of arms.
As stated by Mr Cheysson, speaking on behalf of the 10 The Ten considered that the Stockholm Conference had Member States of the European Community at the before it an important and difficult task. It should avoid opening of the Stockholm Conference on 17 January the extremes: it should not turn into a discussion on 1984, the aim of the CDE is threefold: security by experts, neither should it aspire to be the nucleus of a system of collective security in Europe. Quite — firstly to continue, together with the 35 countries simply, it should define what is possible today in the which signed the Helsinki Final Act, efforts to enable present dangerous circumstances to stimulate a new each culture and each society in Europe to develop dialogue between the 35 States directly concerned by without constraint and fully in keeping with its own security in Europe, having the understanding for the identity. Because our continent is divided, it is problems and the situation of every one of them. It should necessary to work steadily and patiently towards thus, at its own regional level, open up the path to future policies of cooperation between States and of reductions by agreement. In that way it may help to lessen openness between societies. the risk of conflict being triggered off.
The search for greater security in Europe cannot overlook these essential aspects of the CSCE process of which the Stockholm Conference is an integral part.
This last point, which appears in the Madrid mandate and in the decisions of the preparatory meeting for Helsinki, was reaffirmed by most speakers at the opening WRITTEN QUESTION No 2082/83 of the conference, especially by the Ministers of the by Mr David Curry (ED - GB) neutral and non-aligned States. to the Commission of the European Communities — the second aim is to seek new prospects for improving (21 February 1984) security in Europe. (84/C 200/07)
In this respect the Ten stressed that it was essential to act Subject: Forage rape seed gradually; under present circumstances this is a realistic approach. 1. How much forage rape seed was imported into the EEC in each of the last three years for which figures are Indeed, the mandate approved in Madrid takes a phased available? approach: the first stage would be to reduce secrecy in order to avoid surprise and then lessen and remove fears 2. Which countries were the leading suppliers of this of unexpected and unforeseeable attacks while also product and what was the tonnage, and value, for each of attempting to prevent shows of force aimed at the above years coming from the major exporting intimidation; then, in a second stage, there would be an countries? attempt to achieve a balance of armaments by means of significant and duly controlled reductions. 3. What levy/tariff/quota conditions apply to such — finally, if possible by the spring of 1986, i.e. before imports? the CSCE meeting due to be held in Vienna in the autumn of that year, the aim is to achieve tangible 4. What is the price per tonne of the imported product results in Stockholm. at the principal EEC ports of entry? No C 200/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
5. What progress is being made by the Commission in 6. What is the degree of self-sufficiency of the EEC in its review of the aid for cruciferous species of forage rape this commodity and which are the main supplying seed? countries?
Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission (S June 1984)
1. Unfortunately the Commission has no figures at EEC level available. The Commission's services do have figures concerning the United Kingdom only. These are as follows:
(a) Fodder rape: Brassica napus L. Ssp. oleifera (Metzg) Sinsk
1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 Imports (100 kg) 370 940 430 Exports (100 kg) 14 420 12 920 8 080
(b) Swede: Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica Peterm.
1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 Imports (100 kg) 630 90 550 Exports (100 kg) 460 660 610
(c) Fodder kole: Brassica napus oleracea L. Convar. acephala (DC)
1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 Imports (100 kg) 2 000 590 270 Exports (100 kg) 990 1420 540
(d) White mustard: Sinapis alba L.
1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 Imports (100 kg) 20 10 10 Exports (100 kg) 2 670 3 510 4 970
(e) Fodder radish: Raphanus sativus L. Ssp. oleifera (DC) Metzg
1977/78 1978/79
Imports (100 kg) 230 40 Exports (100 kg) 40 50
Since the 1979/1980 harvest no figures are available.
2. The Commission can only confirm that the most 5. Three years ago, the United Kingdom asked for the important exporting countries of fodder rape are New inclusion of certain species of Brassica in the annex of Zealand and Hungary among third countries: however Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71. Difficulties arose in the substantial quantities are imported from the Netherlands discussions because these species can be utilized for both also. Other information concerning tonnage and value is extraction of the oil, and for utilization of green not available because these products are not covered by forage. the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 on the common organization of the market in seeds (1). Therefore the question is still open and the Commission will re-examine the matter in the near future. 3. The imports of this seed are carried out under 6. The figures concerning the self-sufficiency of the position 10.01: Exemption of levy. No quotas are EEC are not available. The main supplying countries applied. have already been mentioned in point 2. (») OJNoL246, 5. 11. 1971, p. 1. 4. These figures are not available for the same reason due to the lack of common organization. 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/7
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2097/83 Answer given by Mr Tugendhat by Mr Robert Jackson (ED - GB) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (15 May 1984) (24 February 1984) (84/C 200/08)
Subject: Community budget The number of occasions since the full application of own resources on which Member States failed to make Will the Commission list the occasions on which Member payments on the due dates to finance the adopted States have failed to make payments of own resources to Community budget are shown in the following table, finance the adopted Community budget, giving the time grouped for each budget year and accompanied by the period and amounts involved? amounts involved.
(in million ECU)
Amount of Interest Budget No of own resources Paid up to Outstanding occasions paid after Claimed the due dates 31 March 1984 at 31 March 1984
1980 7 190,77 0,17 0,17 — 1981 9 173,87 3,31 3,31 — 1982 8 116,66 1,48 1,48 — 1983 6 222,14 3,58 0,04 3,54
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2107/83 It appears from the information in their possession that by Mr Jas Gawronski (L -1) the problem raised by the withdrawal of Professor Jan Prokop's passport is in the process of being resolved. to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities meeting in political cooperation (24 February 1984) (84/C 200/09)
Subject: Return of Professor Jan Prokop's passport by WRITTEN QUESTION No 2178/83 the Polish authorities by Mr Alan Tyrrell (ED - GB) Jan Prokop of Cracow, professor of Polish language and to the Commission of the European Communities literature in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Turin, (12 March 1984) returned to Poland in autumn 1982 to visit his family. (84/C 200/10) During this visit, the Polish authorities took away his passport and thus prevented him from returning to Italy. Subject: Competition policy - distribution agreements between manufacturers of competing goods To date, Professor Jan Prokop continues to be detained in Poland and is in danger of losing his chair; meanwhile the From time to time, the Commission publishes settlements students reading Polish in the University of Turin have reached in competition matters which appear to support been waiting for him to return for more than a year so that particular aspects of its competition policy. However, the they can graduate. published reports do not always give sufficient information to enable undertakings to understand the Do the Foreign Ministers believe that an approach could significance, if any, which the settlement may have for be made by the Community to the Polish Government their own activities. One example is the reporting of the with a view to their returning Professor Prokop's passport abandonment of a proposed distribution arrangement and allowing him to resume his teaching in Turin? between SNEAP and Cansulex (see Europe of 16 February 1982 and Bulletin of the European Communities No 2 - 1982, p. 22). Answer Will the Commission please state: (25 June 1984) 1. How intensive is interbrand competition in the The Ten have taken note of the question put by the Community in crude sulphur, and in particular how Honourable Member. many distributors of crude sulphur were operating in No C 200/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
the Community at the time of the settlement of this had been tolerated, SNEAP would have been able to case and what proportion of total crude sulphur sales strengthen its position to an unacceptable degree by in the Community were handled by: extending its control over the sales of a competitor with a considerable economic potential and an increasingly (a) SNEAP, important role on the European market. (b) Cansulex's current sole distributor? 2. What deterioration has recently taken place in the 3. Under Article 85 (3) (b) of the EEC Treaty, an market structure for crude sulphur in the exemption cannot be granted if the agreement in question Community, and what are the grounds for believing affords the undertakings the possibility of eliminating that ensuring that sulphur produced by Cansulex is competition in respect of a substantial part of the relevant sold in the Community by a distributor other than products. Such a danger was in fact present in this case, SNEAP is the only way in which 'the danger of a and the Commission was therefore prevented from taking further deterioration of the market structure' could be a favourable decision with respect to the proposed averted (see Bulletin of the European Communities agreement. Under the given circumstances, the question No 2 - 1982, p. 22)? as to whether or not the parties envisaged a horizontal market-sharing agreement was without any relevance. 3. Whether it had any evidence in this case that the parties intended to enter into a market-sharing 4. The Commission is not opposed to cooperation agreement (i.e. intended that SNEAP would refrain between competing manufacturers in the distribution of from distributing vigorously imports of Cansulex their products provided all the conditions of Article 85(3) crude sulphur in the Community and would, in are fulfilled. The Commission's experience has shown, return, refrain from competing vigorously with however, that agreements of this type between large Cansulex in some other market outside the undertakings having strong market positions will Community) and, if so, why the existence of such normally not result in such improvements in distribution evidence was not referred to in the reports? and benefits to consumers as to outweigh the disadvantages for competition which are involved. 4. Whether it is true that, as is suggested by the report in (J) Point 2-1-20. Europe, the Commission opposes any form of 2 ( ) Point 81. cooperation between large competing manufacturers in the distribution of their goods, even if such cooperation is intended to and does in fact result in an improvement in distribution and benefit consumers?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2184/83 Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission by Mr Brian Hord (ED - GB) (12 June 1984) to the Commission of the European Communities (12 March 1984) 1. The Community market in crude sulphur is (84/C 200/11) characterized by a very tight oligopolistic structure in which the leading three suppliers represent more than Subject: Restrictions announced by the United Kingdom two-thirds of total sales. Government on the British pharmaceutical industry For reasons of confidentiality, the Commission cannot disclose the respective, market shares of SNEAP and Cansulex. It can, however, confirm that at the time of the Will the Commission give a formal statement on its settlement referred to by the Honourable Member, and as attitude to the recent proposals by the United Kingdom regards the Community market, SNEAP was the leading Government to impose twofold restrictions on the supplier in this sector and Cansulex was a competitor pharmaceutical industry as follows: with a relatively small market share. (a) reduction of profit by 4% on capital employed which will have the effect of substantially reducing 2. As described in Bulletin of the European returns on investment in this high-risk industry, as J Communities No 2-1982 ( ) and in the Twelfth Report compared with other, non-risk, industries; on Competition Policy (2), a deterioration in the relevant market structure had already taken place before the (b) reduction in promotional spending in the form of a settlement of this case, as a result of SNEAP's acquisition 100% tax levied by the Department of Health and of its competitor Texas Gulf, by which SNEAP had Social Security payable on any promotional substantially enhanced its existing leading position. If the spending for informing doctors which exceeds the sole distributorship agreement envisaged by the parties existing allowance? 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/9
The reduction in profit will have a direct effect on the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2190/83 prices of medicines, which would appear to disqualify by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S - D) medicines from free access to all Member States and to the Commission of the European Communities prevent legal parallel importation. (12 March 1984) In addition, the 100% tax on information/promotion (84/C 200/12) would seem to be contrary to the attempts of the EEC to move towards harmonization of taxation. Subject: Customs union - customs signs at so-called Since these changes alter the conditions of business internal frontiers competition, will the Commission confirm that they are contrary to the Treaty of Rome? 1. How can the Commission justify - materially or legally - the presence of customs signs at arbitrary locations within the customs union of the European Communities having regard to Article 9 of the EEC Answer given by Mr Narjes Treaty and the single customs area existing pursuant on behalf of the Commission thereto? (25 May 1984) 2. Has the Commission taken steps to remove these material and legal anomalies, and if so, what are they, The Commission has not been informed of the proposals when were they taken and with what success? to which the Honourable Member refers.
However in the recent judgment in Roussel Laboratoria (J) the Court of Justice has reaffirmed that price regulations do not constitute in themselves measures of equivalent effect to quantitative restrictions, but they Answer given by Mr Narjes may produce such an effect when the prices are fixed at a on behalf of the Commission level which makes the marketing of imported products (14 June 1984) impossible or more difficult in comparison with national products. 1 and 2. The Commission can only explain the 2 presence of customs signs at internal frontiers as the Similarly in another recent case ( ) the Court stated that it expression or outward sign of an incomplete internal has to be recognized that Community law does not affect market. This does indeed reflect a state of affairs which is the competence of Member States to manage their social incompatible with the objectives of the EEC Treaty. security systems and to take, in particular, measures in order to regulate the consumption of pharmaceutical products in the interest of financial balance in their health The Commission has no legal grounds for initiating care systems; nevertheless measures adopted by Member infringement proceedings in respect of the above signs States for the control of prices and the payment for since these cannot in themselves be considered as having pharmaceutical products should respect objective, an adverse effect on intra-Community trade. It will, verifiable and non-discriminatory criteria so as to ensure however, be forwarding relevant proposals to the Council that imported products are not placed at a in due course. disadvantage.
On the basis of the information furnished by the Honourable Member it would not seem that the British measures to which the question refers are discriminatory.
As far as point (b) of the question is concerned the 100 % levy imposed on excess promotional expenditure by the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2195/83 pharmaceutical industry forms part of the price fixing by Mr Francois-Marie Geronimi (DEP - F) arrangements and is not, contrary to the terminology to the Commission of the European Communities used by the Honourable Member, a tax; it does not therefore raise any problems regarding the harmonization (12 March 1984) of tax legislation within the Community. (84/C 200/13)
(*) CJEC Case 181/82 (Roussel Laboratoria) - Judgment of 29. 2. 1983. Subject: Allocation of EAGGF resources to Corsica (2) CJEC Case 238/82 (Duphar) - Judgment of 7. 2. 1984. What amount has Corsica received from the EAGGF each year over the last 10 years? No C 200/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1984)
The following aid was granted from the Guidance Section of the EAGGF to Corsica over the period 1973 - 1983 in the context of direct actions:
Year Aid granted (FF)
Regulation No 17/64 (*) 1976 5 450 000 Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 (2) 1981 265 569 Regulation (EEC) No 1760/78 (3) 1980 2 365 934 1981 1 423 997 1982 871 040 1983 1 164 007 Regulation (EEC) No 269/79 (4) 1980 580 421 1981 9 141 510 1982 11 839 180 1983 8 723 925 Regulation (EEC) No 458/80 (5) 1983 21102 301
(]) OJ No 34, 27. 2. 1964, p. 586. (2) OJ No L 51, 23. 2. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No L 53, 25. .2 1977, p. 30. (3) OJ No L 204, 28. 7. 1978, p. 1. (4) OJNoL38, 14. 2. 1979, p. 1. (5) OJ No L 57, 29. 2. 1980, p. 27.
With respect to reimbursements from the Guidance Section of the EAGGF between 1973 and 1983 for actions carried out pursuant to different Directives and Regulations, the overall statistics are the following:
EAGGF, Guidance Section reimbursement of expenditure on indirect action submitted by France in respect of Corsica (in FF):
Title 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
Directive 72/159/EEC: 62 397 67 790 Modernization (!) Directive 72/160/EEC: Cessation of farming (2) Directive 72/161/EEC: 2 083 5 344 15 643 36 770 59 209 197 514 Socio-economic guidance (3) Directive 75/268/EEC: 1 567 655 2 038 528 2 137 165 2 197 258 Less-favoured areas (4) Directive 79/173/EEC: Irrigation works in Corsica (5) Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72: Fruit and veg. producer groups (6) Regulation (EEC) 101 565 50 783 — 10 656 No 1353/73: Beef and veal premium (7) Directive 77/391/EEC: 351 Cattle diseases (8) 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/11
Title 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
Regulation (EEC) 4 535 983 4 489 015 No 1163/76: Conversion in the wine sector (9) Regulation (EEC) No 456/80: Abandonment of areas under vines (10) Regulation (EEC) 910 550 346 825 802 885 304 645 No 2511/69: Citrus fruit (n)
Total 2 083 5 344 2 595 413 2 472 906 7 597 639 7 267 229
Title 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Total
Directive 72/159 EEC: 63 814 45 577 39 370 102 897 381 845 Modernization (J) Directive 72/160/EEC: 375 313 2 792 3 026 6 506 Cessation of farming (2) Directive 72/161/EEC: 178 260 149 482 103 585 261 390 1 009 280 Socio-economic guidance (3) Directive 75/268/EEC: 2 264 728 3 573 016 4 343 664 4 652 502 22 774 516 Less-favoured areas (4) Directive 79/173/EEC: 1 500 000 5 736 000 4 276 583 5 216 519 16 729 102 Irrigation works: in Corsica (5) Regulation (EEC) 124 000 - 29 260 - 153 260 No 1035/72: Fruit and veg. producer groups (6) Regulation (EEC) 36 297 666 - - 199 967 No 1353/73: Beef and veal premium (7) Directive 77/391/EEC: - - - - 351 Cattle diseases (8) Regulation (EEC) 4 457 486 755 956 286 249 - 14 524 689 No 1163/76: Conversion in the wine sector (9) Regulation (EEC) 23 701 907 31 747 627 55 449 534 No 456/80: Abandonment of areas under vines (10) Regulation (EEC) 48 365 69 250 - - 2 482 520 No 2511/69: Citrus fruit (n)
Total 7 173 325 6 094 260 34 242 827 41 044 025 5 216 519 113 711 570 OJNoL 96, 23.4 . 1972, p. 1. OJNoL 96, 23.4 . 1972, p. 9. OJNoL 96, 23.4 . 1972, p. 15. OJNoL 128,19 . 5. 1975, p. 1. OJNoL 38, 14.2 . 1979, p. 15. OJNoL 118, 20. 5. 1972, p. 1. ') OJNoL 141, 28 5. 1973, p. 18. ') OJNoL 145,13 6. 1977, p. 44. ') OJNoL 135,24 . 5. 1976, p. 34. (10) OJNoL 57, 29.2 . 1980, p. 16. OJNoL 318, 18. 12. 1969, p. 1. No C 200/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2207/83 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2233/83 by Mr Leonidas Kyrkos (COM - GR) by Mr Pierre-Bernard Couste (DEP - F) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (12 March 1984) (12 March 1984) (84/C 200/14) (84/C 200/15)
Subject: Community aid to floods victims in Subject: Community loans for the NCI Rhethimnon, Crete Can the Commission list the various loans it has obtained The recent floods which ravaged Rethimnon in Crete to fund the NCI, from whom it has obtained them and caused damage estimated at more than 2,5 million ECU subject to what conditions? or 200 million drachmas to shops, warehouses and dwellings belonging to the people of Rethimnon. Such Is it true that all the resources of NCI III have already been damage comes under the list of natural disasters approved allocated? To whom have they been allocated and for by the European Parliament last year. what operations?
Does the Commission, using the opportunities open to it Can the authorized ceiling for the NCI in fact be raised under the budget, and in a spirit of Community solidarity, and if so, when? intend to examine the extent of the damage and give appropriate assistance to the townspeople of Rethimnon, most of whom are workers or small shopkeepers?
Answer given by Mr Ortoli on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1984) Answer given by Mr Thorn on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1984) The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission's six-monthly report to the Council and to Parliament on operations under the New Community After considering the information it had obtained about Instrument for borrowing and lending (NCI), of the floods in Rethimnon last February referred to by the 25 January 1984 (*). Honourable Member, the Commission decided not to grant emergency aid under Article 690 of the budget. The amount of loans disbursed under NCI III stood at 84 540 175 ECU on 21 December 1983 (at the rate The extremely limited funds available under this Article obtaining on 31 December 1983). mean that the criteria for such aid - that it can be granted only in the cases of natural disasters which have an On the same date, a total of 370 508 640 ECU (rate exceptionally widespread and serious impact on the local obtaining on 31 December 1983) had still to be disbursed population - must be observed very strictly. under contracts signed.
In this case, however, it appears that the floods affected Approximately 1 045 000 ECU have therefore still to be chiefly infrastructure, farm land and businesses. allocated from the first tranche of NCI III.
The following table provides a breakdown by Member State of loans disbursed and signed: 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/13
Loans disbursed Loans signed (ECU) (ECU)
France 64 213 661,29 United Kingdom 878 276,52 Ireland 19 448 237,95
Total 84 540 175,76
Denmark 52 061 119,27 Greece 48 913 329,25 Italy 247 815 217,32 United Kingdom 16 649 141,25 France (amount not yet paid out from 5 069 833,33 loans already partially disbursed)
Total 370 508 640,42
When the borrowing ceiling authorized for the NCI III (3 000 million ECU) has been reached, it will be necessary for the Council to adopt a new decision on a proposal from the Commission (under Article 235 of the EEC Treaty). (•) Doc. COM(84) 30 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2240/83 the national authorities (see Case 6/60 Humblet v. by Mr Jens-Peter Bonde (CDI - DK) Belgian State/ 1960/ECR, 559), the Commission does not intend to propose an amendment. to the Commission of the European Communities (12 March 1984) (84/C 200/16)
Subject: Amendment of employment terms for officials WRITTEN QUESTION No 2242/83 by Mr Jens-Peter Bonde (CDI - DK) Will the Commission propose an amendment of the terms of employment for officials, so that Community officials to the Commission of the European Communities in Denmark, for example, are placed on the same footing (12 March 1984) as Danish civil servants and pay tax in Denmark like other (84/C 200/17) Danes? Subject: Public's access to Commission letters to Danish authorities
Answer given by Mr Burke Will the Commission give permission for its letters to the on behalf of the Commission Danish authorities to be made accessible to members of the Folketing and/or the Danish public? (4 June 1984)
In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 13 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Answer given by Mr Thorn European Communities, officials and other servants of on behalf of the Commission the Communities are liable to a tax for the benefit of the (7 May 1984) Communities on salaries, wages and emoluments paid to them by the Communities; under the second paragraph of By its very nature, correspondence is always the private this Article, officials and other servants are exempt from concern of the sender and the recipient. The Commission national taxes on salaries, wages and emoluments paid by therefore feels that in ordinary circumstances it should the Communities. not make public its correspondence with national authorities. Since the aim of these provisions is to strengthen the independence of the Community's administration from No C 200/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2243/83 It is difficult to answer the second part of the Honourable by Mr Jens-Peter Bonde (CDI - DK) Member's question since there are too many unknowns to make any extrapolation reliable. to the Commission of the European Communities (12 March 1984) (84/C 200/18)
Subject: Rejection by the Commission of critical contributions for publication WRITTEN QUESTION No 2257/83 by Mrs Sylvie Le Roux (COM - F) On 27 January 1984, the newspaper Notat reported that to the Commission of the European Communities the Commission has refused to print critical contributions in a number of instances. Does the Commission approve (12 March 1984) of these particular decisions to reject critical (84/C 200/20) contributions or does it dissociate itself from any form of censorship in the Commission's publications? Subject: Vaccination of swine
1. Can the Commission give details of vaccination techniques for swine other than injection? Answer given by Mr Natali on behalf of the Commission 2. How does it regard the technique known as 'aerosol treatment' which has proved to be particularly effective in (12 June 1984) combating swine erysipelas and swine fever?
EF Avisen does sometimes accept articles not favourable 3. Can this method be used for other animals? to the European Community. Its publications are edited according to normal press rules and it has of course the right to decide what is relevant and important. Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1984)
Vaccination has been carried out using the aerosol technique in pigs against classical swine fever, esysipelas WRITTEN QUESTION No 2246/83 and aujeszky's disease in some countries such as the by Mr Alan Tyrrell (ED - GB) German Democratic Republic, the USSR and Hungary. Independently of a study which should be made to the Commission of the European Communities concerning its safety and innocuity, this system of (12 March 1984) vaccination in pigs seems to have certain drawbacks such (84/C 200/19) as cost and uncertainty that the animal has been vaccinated.
Subject: Commission staff of British nationality The use of the aerosol technique for vaccination against several diseases in poultry is widespread throughout the How many Commission staff of British nationality have world. served for over seven years, and what percentage is this of all British staff?
On present trends of recruitment and retirement what are the corresponding likely numbers and percentages in 1988 and 1993? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2264/83 by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S -B) to the Council of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Burke (12 March 1984) on behalf of the Commission (84/C 200/21) (18 June 1984) Subject: Singapore Government's new education policy 531 officials and other staff of British nationality have served for over seven years in the Commission. They With its new education policy, the Singapore represent 53 % of all British staff. Government under Lee Kuan Yew has taken a further step 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/15 along the dangerous road towards what a member of the 1. Does the Commission regard the licensing conditions parliamentary opposition, Mr Jeyaretnam, recently for citizens of other Member States laid down in called 'social engineering'. Section 20 of Danish Law No 250 of 8 June 1978 on gas fittings, etc., as compatible with the EEC Treaty, Working-class children will be refused access to good in particular Article 59 et seq., thereof? schools and working-class women forced to undergo sterilization, while women with university degrees will be 2. If not, what measures does the Commission consider practically forced to bear a large number of children who appropriate to eliminate these infringements of the will, moreover, be automatically entitled to enter the best EEC Treaty? schools.
This reprehensible 'reproduction policy' with strong racist overtones is strongly reminiscent of practices current during the Nazi era. Answer given by Mr Narjes on behalf of the Commission Can the Council state whether the Community - which, (8 June 1984) after all, wishes to strengthen its links with the countries of Asia - does not consider that it should say what it thinks of this reprehensible policy which violates the 1 and 2. Paragraphs 20 et seq., of the order fundamental human rights of equality and liberty? (bekendtgorelse) of 10 April 1979, according to which the conditions laid down in law No 250 concerning the setting up of installation firms apply in the case of nationals and companies of other Member States, do not Answer by the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States discriminate on the basis of nationality and consequently of the European Communities meeting in political do not infringe the principle of freedom of establishment cooperation (*) embodied in Article 52 of the EEC Treaty. (25 June 1984) Neither do these conditions create any obstacle to the The Ten, meeting in political cooperation, have not so far freedom to provide services afforded by Article 59 of the discussed the Singapore Government's education policy. EEC Treaty. With regard in particular to the requirement They consider it, quite naturally, to be a matter for mentioned by the Honourable Members that such firms national sovereignty. However, if the proposals referred should have a permanent place of business in Denmark to by the Honourable Member, which are in the main equipped with a telephone, which could constitute an merely a subject of discussion at this stage, were obstacle, this does not apply in the case of the provision of translated into laws or regulations affecting human services by virtue of the express provisions of subsection rights, the Ten would have to consider what attitude to 22 (c) (nationals) and subsection 23 (b) of the order adopt. (societies). i1) This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the question came.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2280/83 by Mr Alfred Lomas (S - GB) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2273/83 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE - D) (16 March 1984) and Mr Dieter Rogalla (S-D) (84/C 200/23) to the Commission of the European Communities (16 March 1984) Subject: Medical treatment for British pensioners (84/C 200/22) Is the Commission aware that following a meeting of the Subject: Licensing of Community craftsmen's businesses World Health Authorities in Vienna, it has been reported in Denmark under Law No 250 of 8 June 1978 that doctors who were present are saying that British on gas fittings and fittings connected with water pensioners in poor health are threatened with being and sewerage systems denied any treatment, except pain relief treatment, unless they can pay for a cure? This method of 'treatment' can Under Section 20 of Danish Law No 250 of 8 June 1978, only be described as no better than State authorized a citizen of another Member State can only be licensed to euthanasia. The Health Department has denied this practise a craft if he fulfils a series of conditions; he must allegation, but nevertheless this is obviously a matter show, for example, that he has a permanent place of which is causing great concern amongst the poor elderly business in Denmark equipped with a telephone. in Britain. No C 200/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Does the Commission have any knowledge of any such Answer given by Mr Tugendhat proposals being made in any of the Member States? on behalf of the Commission Will the Commission confirm that this type of 'treatment' (7 June 1984) will not be permitted in Member States, as it is a complete violation of basic human rights? 1. The Commission is aware that both the Belgian and the other national authorities have rules to prevent residents from using vehicles registered in other Member Answer given by Mr Richard States. on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1984) 2. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 780/83 by The Commission has no knowledge of the matter referred Mr Cohen (*), in which it deals with this question in to by the Honourable Member. The provision of detail. treatment services to the individual patient is the responsibility of Member States. 3. This practice is not in breach of Directive 83/182/EEC of 28 March 1983 (2), which grants tax exemption for the temporary importation of private vehicles only if the individual importing the vehicle has his WRITTEN QUESTION No 2298/83 normal residence in a Member State other than the Member State of temporary importation. The same rule by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE - D) applies to hire vehicles except when they are being to the Commission of the European Communities brought back by employees of the hire company. (16 March 1984) (84/C 200/24) 4. As the Commission stated in its answer to Written Question No 780/83, the Court of Justice is currently Subject: Impounding of private cars by the Belgian dealing with a similar problem in Case 134/83. As soon customs authorities as the Court has given its judgment, the Commission will examine the overall position with a view to obtaining In 1983, according to reports in the press, the Belgian further concessions for Community citizens. customs authorities impounded more than a hundred private cars belonging to travellers who live in Belgium W OJNoC335, 12. 12. 1983, p. 10. 2 and wished to import into Belgium temporarily a private ( ) OJ No L 105, 23. 4. 1983, p. 59. car registered in another Community country. A German married couple, for example, both students and living in Eupen, had a breakdown while visiting their parents in Heidelberg. They therefore drove back to Eupen in the car belonging to the man's parents. When they drove into Belgium, this car was impounded. 1. Is the Commission aware that the Belgian customs authorities, as in the above case, constantly impound WRITTEN QUESTION No 2300/83 private cars belonging to travellers who live in Belgium and wish to import into Belgium temporarily by Mr Alexandros Alavanos (COM - GR) a private car registered in another Community to the Commission of the European Communities country? (16 March 1984) 2. Does the Commission consider this practice at (84/C 200/25) frontiers within the Community compatible with the aim of creating a European internal market? Subject: EEC specifications on packaging of wine and 3. Is this practice in breach of the Council Directive of their impact on bottling undertakings in 28 March 1983 on tax exemptions for the temporary Greece importation of certain means of transport; if not, why does this directive permit the temporary importation Since applying the relevant specifications will impose a of hired vehicles by private travellers, but not of other considerable financial burden on wine-bottling private cars? undertakings, both because of the cost of destroying and 4. Is it the case that Commissioner Tugendhat, in a replacing existing bottles and because of the technical speech to the European Parliament, gave an changes which will have to be made in the bottling assurance that he would make sure that travellers procedure, could temporarily import into their country of residence a private car registered and taxed in another and since the overwhelming majority of such Community country, without tax being levied? undertakings in Greece are small industrial undertakings 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/17 which cannot afford the cost involved (approximately 3. How many vans are used to transport cantines and Dr 5 000 million), other material to Strasbourg before every part-session? Please give the figures for the September will the Commission say what steps it proposes to take to part-session: deal with the consequences of applying the relevant From Luxembourg; measures in Greece and whether it contemplates the From Brussels? possibility of the Community specifications not being applied in Greece? 4. How many tonnes of cantines and other material are transported to the monthly Strasbourg part-sessions? Take September 1982 as an example. From Luxembourg; Answer given by Mr Narjes From Brussels? on behalf of the Commission (8 June 1984) Answer given by Mr Burke on behalf of the Commission The Commission is aware of the problems raised by the Honourable Member, which are due mainly to the fact (12 June 1984) that since 1 January 1984 it has been possible to market only wines presented in the nominal volumes laid down in 1. Number of Commission trunks (cantines) Annex III to Directive 75/106/EEC 0). transported to Strasbourg for the September 1982 part-session: Council bodies are currently examining certain From Luxembourg: none; amendments to the above-mentioned directive, which From Brussels: 6. relate to wines and, therefore, to the difficulties in question. 2. Commission officials attending the September 1982 part-session: The Commission hopes that the Council will be able to From Luxembourg: 17; find a satisfactory solution „as soon as possible. From Brussels: 104. (!) OJ No L 42, 15. 2. 1975, p. 1. 3. Vans used to transport cantines before each part-session: From Luxembourg: none; From Brussels: 1. 4. Tonnes of cantines and other material transported to the monthly Strasbourg part-sessions: WRITTEN QUESTION No 2304/83 From Luxembourg: none; by Mrs Bodil Boserup (COM - DK) From Brussels: 0,8 tonnes. to the Commission of the European Communities (16 March 1984) (84/C 200/26) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2311/83 Subject: Part-sessions in Strasbourg by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S -D) to the Commission of the European Communities As rapporteur for the discharge for 1982, I should like answers to the following questions: (16 March 1984) (84/C 200/27) 1. How many trunks (cantines) are transported to Strasbourg for the monthly part-sessions? For 1982 Subject: Freedom to sell cars on the internal Community please give an estimate of the number of cantines market transported to the September part-session: From Luxembourg; 1. Is the Commission aware of the efforts of the From Brussels? French car firm Leclerc to exploit the potential of the wider internal market and to assist the consumer by 2. How many officials go to Strasbourg for each acquiring vehicles on the internal Community market and part-session? As an example for 1982,1 should like to selling them on terms other than those recommended by know how many officials attended the September the manufacturers? part-session: 2. Does the Commission agree that this procedure is in From Luxembourg; no way contrary to Community law, and is it prepared to From Brussels? support endeavours of this kind? No C 200/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
3. Is the Commission also prepared to investigate the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2321/83 procedure for such transactions in the various Member by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S - B) States from the point of view of Community law and to make sure that no trade-inhibiting practices of any kind to the Commission of the European Communities are in force in the Member States? (26 March 1984) (84/C 200/28) 4. Should trade-inhibiting practices come to light in a Member State, is the Commission similarly prepared to institute the procedure for taking action against that Subject: Drugs Member State for infringement of the Treaty, pursuant to Article 169? The head of the German Federal Criminal Investigation Office recently criticized the excessively lenient sentences given to drug dealers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. In his view, this is why these countries have become Answer given by Mr Narjes international drug-trafficking centres. He advocated the on behalf of the Commission setting-up of a police anti-narcotics organization at (6 May 1984) European level and uniform legislation and penalties in this field in Europe. 1. Yes. Does the Commission share the view that the only 2. The Commission endeavours, within the limits of effective way of combating the drugs problem in the its powers, to secure the conditions of an internal market Member States is through common measures and and thus to facilitate the purchase of motor vehicles by action? consumers and by dealers, also in trade between Member States. Work is now in progress on a block exemption What specific proposals has the Commission already Regulation for motor vehicle distribution agreements i1), made with a view to eliminating drug dealers, on the one which will set out the circumstances in which restrictions hand, and setting up a social action programme for of competition may be permitted. addicts, on the other, and with what results? The Commission is basically in favour of the purchase and sale of motor vehicles in trade between Member States. However, without a knowledge of all the details of the particular case, it is not in a position to decide whether the purchase of motor vehicles within the common market by a given car firm and resale of those vehicles on Answer given by Mr Richard terms different from those recommended by the on behalf of the Commission manufacturer constitute conduct consistent with the (14 June 1984) distribution agreements in question and to what extent these agreements might contain restrictive clauses incompatible with Community law. The task of combating the drug problem is essentially the responsibility of Member States. In this, Member States 3. Since barriers to trade may be created by private are assisted with advice and support from the United individuals as well as by public authorities, their removal Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs, the World Health involves application of various aspects of Community law Organization, the Council of Europe and specialized and the responsibilities of different national and international agencies. The Commission seeks every Community bodies. opportunity for collaborating with these organizations.
As regards application of Article 30 et seq. and Article 85 etseq. of the EEC Treaty in particular, the Commission's The Commission does not consider that there is a simple moves are usually in response to specific complaints. approach to drug abuse through regulatory control and has not made any specific proposals to date. Action When, however, the Commission becomes aware of against the drug problem needs to be pursued in a variety practices and measures in restraint of trade, it never of ways and a number of levels at the same time. Action to hesitates to take action on its own initiative. limit the supply of hard drugs should, for example, be complemented by action to reduce the demand. Action at Community or national level should be supported by 4. Yes. action at local level. (») OJNoC 165, 24. 6.1983. The recent rapid increase in the availability and use of hard drugs, particularly heroin, and the need for 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/19 measures to be taken to combat the drug problem are WRITTEN QUESTION No 2327/83 matters intended for discussion by health ministers under by Lord O'Hagan (ED-GB) the Irish Presidency. to the Commission of the European Communities (26 March 1984) (84/C 200/30)
Subject: Rabies
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2324/83 Conflicting views are expressed about Commission proposals on animal health which may make it impossible by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED -GB) for the United Kingdom to prevent rabies from entering to the Commission of the European Communities its shores. (26 March 1984) 1. Will the Commission now explain the proposals it has (84/C 200/29) in mind?
2. Will the Commission guarantee that all steps taken to Subject: Veterinary expenses at slaughterhouses prevent the spread of rabies are not overturned by its decision? Are Member State governments authorized to refund all the costs of veterinary inspection at slaughterhouses including administrative expenses? Answer given by Mr Dalsager If so, can the Commission say how many of the on behalf of the Commission governments do refund the administrative expenses, and (12 June 1984) if so, which are they?
1. The Commission has no proposals in mind concerning the quarantine arrangements which are applied by the United Kingdom Government as part of Answer given by Mr Dalsager their policy to combat rabies. on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1984) 2. The Commission fully supports the Member States in the measures they have adopted in preventing the spread of rabies. No measures have yet been taken at Community level to harmonize the financing of veterinary inspection costs incurred under the Community directives governing intra-Community trade in fresh meat(x) (beef/veal, pigmeat, sheepmeat, goatmeat and meat from domestic solipeds), trade in fresh poultrymeat (2) and intra-Community trade in meat-based products (3). WRITTEN QUESTION No 2336/83 Although bound, of course, by the general rules of the by Mr Gordon Adam (S-GB) EEC Treaty, the authorities of the Member States are to the Commission of the European Communities consequently free to implement whatever method of financing they consider appropriate. The methods (26 March 1984) applied therefore vary greatly from one Member State to (84/C 200/31) another. One method involves a production levy part of which may be refunded by the public authorities. Subject: Coal-water fuel
The Council is currently studying a harmonized system It is reported that the Salzgitter Company have developed for poultrymeat and the Commission will shortly be a new liquid fuel composed of coal, water and a chemical presenting to the Council a proposal on the financing of additive. veterinary inspections of fresh meat. The Italian ENI are developing a similar technique. H Council Directive No 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964, OJNoL 121,29.7. 1964. How far is the Commission involved in these ventures? (2) Council Directive No 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971, OJ No L 55, 8. 3. 1971. 3 What estimate has the Commission made as to the ( ) Council Diective No 77/99/EEC of 21 December 1976, OJ commercial validity of these processes? No L 26, 31. 1. 1977. Has the Commission arrived at any estimate of when commercial application can be expected? No C 200/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Answer given by Mr Davignon Answer given by Mr Richard on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1984) (S June 1984)
The Commission is aware that several undertakings in the The role and contribution of 'stress' in the causation of Community and elsewhere are involved in the physical illness have been matters for much past research. development of coal-water mixtures as a substitute for The findings so far do not allow for simple statements of fuel oil, but is not involved in the developments of cause and effect. Medical research is continuing and Salzgitter or ENI and is therefore, not in a position to various elements of this are included in the Third comment on the commercial validity or date of Concerted Action Research Programme on Medical and commercial application of their respective processes. In Public Health 1982 - 1986 (*). This project encompasses general, however, the preparation and use of such more than 160 national research teams. Results will be mixtures is regarded as still being at the research and published in scientific journals. development and demonstration stage and their eventual commercial use will depend on the difference between Stress relating to working conditions is included in the coal and oil prices. Fourth ECSC Programme on Ergonomics for the Coal and Steel Industries 1979 - 1984 and in the programme A small amount of R and D on the combustion of such of work of the European Foundation for the mixtures is being supported within the ECSC coal Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The research programme and the preparation, handling and results are communicated by publication, conference, combustion of solid fuel-liquid mixtures forms one of the seminar etc. The extent and varied nature of the work topics of the proposed Community R and D programme make it impossible to summarize results and findings. in the field of non-nuclear energy which is now before the Council (l). Coal-liquid mixtures are also included in the (») OJ No L 248, 24. 8. 1982, p. 12. Community's programme of demonstration projects in the energy sector. A British project (with French and German collaboration) on coal-water mixtures was granted support under this programme in 1983. H Doc. COM(83) 311 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2344/83 by Sir Peter Vanneck (ED-GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (23 March 1984) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2339/83 (84/C 200/33) by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S-B) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Storage of nuclear waste (26 March 1984) (84/C 200/32) Bearing in mind that there is a call on the Commission to take initiatives at Community level based on current and Subject: Stress projected research programmes with a view to selecting permanent storage sites for radioactive material which is The present economic crisis and threat of employment no longer usable: leads t6 an increase in stress. Although stress is not a 1. What is the Commission's view of the relative physical illness it can nevertheless cause such illnesses and importance of geological suitability compared to the stress is one of the most significant risk factors involved in obvious unease of urban populations? heart attacks.
Stress therefore leads to higher spending on health care 2. Is the Commission aware of the deterioration in and in the field of social security. property values and the difficulty of obtaining acceptance of employment resulting from any Has the Commission already supported research into the suggestions of intermediate storage sites, let alone risk factors associated with stress? What were the results permanent storage sites, being projected for urban of this research? Has the Commission already submitted areas? any proposals in this field (for example on informing the public on the causes of stress, studies on forms of work 3. Considering the voting strength of urban areas, does organization which cause stress etc.)? the Commission feel there is any political practicability of implementing recommendations for What results were achieved? What findings emerged? storage of any sort in urban areas? 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/21
4. What is the Commission's view of the suggestion are discriminated against: out of 133 565 young people mentioned by Mrs Walz in introducing her report between 15 and 19 years old who were recruited at the that nuclear waste should be stored under the town of end of their training periods, 91 220 were male and Billingham? 42 345 female, although women accounted for more than 70 % of the unemployed in that age group, and out of 104 536 individuals recruited in general 72 226 were Answer given by Mr Narjes male and 32 310 were female although 60% of those on behalf of the Commission registered with employment agencies were women. (14 May 1984) The Italian legislation in question must thus be regarded as a form of indirect discrimination against women and Geological aspects, environmental aspects, economic therefore in conflict with Directive 76/207/EEC (x) on aspects and social aspects, among others, have to be taken equal treatment for men and women. into account when selecting the site of a radioactive waste repository. The final balance between these sometimes The Italian Government has, moreover, introduced Bill conflicting aspects is of a political nature and has to be No 665 in the chambers in which it proposes extending considered at national level. In their decision, the for an unlimited period the rule that in many cases 50 % authorities will take due account of the Community of the workers to be recruited may be recruited on an norms for radiation protection. individual basis.
As far as the Commission is concerned, a contribution is What initiative does the Commission intend to take to made to the better knowledge of the geological, ensure that Community regulations are complied with? environmental and financial aspects by means of the Community research and development programmes. (») O] No L 39, 14. 2. 1976, p. 40. The Commission was informed about the preliminary project to dispose of low and intermediate level radioactive waste into the Billingham mine by way of the Answer given by Mr Richard Nirex (Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste executive) on behalf of the Commission brochure of October 1983 which says: (S June 1984) 'In order to confirm the potential of the site an investigation programme needs to be mounted ... it will The question raised by the Honourable Member is provide additional data to check the suitability of the receiving the full attention of the Commission. Following Billingham mine'. From this, it seems clear that the Written Question No 2290/82 by the Honourable scientific and technical elements necessary for a decision Member (*), the Commission had earlier requested by the national authorities, whether or not to store additional information from the Italian authorities. radioactive waste in the Billingham mine, are not yet available. A complaint lodged by 17 Tribunale 8 Marzo on the same subject is also at present being handled by the Should the United Kingdom authorities, after obtaining Commission departments. The figures provided by the the necessary additional scientific and technical data, Honourable Member will be forwarded to the Italian draw up firm proposals for disposal of radioactive waste authorities in order to obtain further information in this at Billingham, these proposals will have to respect the respect. Community radiation protection standards. Moreover, the Commission will examine the general data on this The Commission will not fail to inform the Honourable plan within the framework of Article 37 of the Euratom Member of subsequent action taken in this case. Treaty and issue an opinion on any possible radiological H OJNoC212, 8. 8. 1983. impact on other Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2357/83 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2358/83 by Mrs Maria Lisa Cinciari Rodano (COM -1) by Mrs Maria Lisa Cinciari Rodano (COM -1) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (26 March 1984) (26 March 1984) (84/C 200/34) (84/C 200/35) Subject: Unemployment - discrimination against women Subject: Classification of unemployed workers Figures published by ISFOL in connection with Italy's Does the Commission not consider that the classification application of law No 79/1983 show clearly that women of unemployed workers given in Law No 264/49 of the No C 200/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Italian Republic which includes the category 'housewives WRITTEN QUESTION No 2369/83 seeking employment' is at variance with the principle of by Mr Leonidas Kyrkos (COM - GR) Directive 76/207/EEC(1)? to the Commission of the European Communities (») OJ No L 39, 14. 2. 1976, p. 40. (30 March 1984) (84/C 200/37)
Answer given by Mr Richard Subject: Continued financing of agricultural advisers on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1984) Can the Commission explain what provision there is to continue financing with Community resources the The Commission will ask the Italian authorities agricultural advisers employed in accordance with immediately to provide the necessary information, in Regulation (EEC) No 2966/83 (') in the coming years particular the text of the law itself and the preparatory and, in particular, during the period of implementation of documents which preceded it, so that it can determine the integrated Mediterranean programmes? whether the law is in conformity with Directive (J) OJ No L 293, 25. 10. 1983, p. 1. 76/207/EEC.
Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission (8 June 1984) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2365/83
by Mr Hans-Gert Pottering (PPE - D) On 31 March 1984 the Council of Agriculture Ministers to the Commission of the European Communities agreed in principle to a Commission proposal extending (30 March 1984) by one year the validity of Regulation (EEC) No 2966/83, entailing the training and employment of (84/C 200/36) additional advisers. This proposal, on which Parliament has still to give its opinion, makes available to Greece the Subject: Import ban on connected radio transmitters in sum of 6 million ECU from the EAGGF Guidance Section the Netherlands for 1985.
The German Red Cross in the county of Bentheim has for In addition, the Commission, in its proposal on the years had good relations with Red Cross groups in the integrated Mediterranean programmes (*), has made Netherlands. The radio transmitters which its members provision for the training, recruitment and employment carry in their vehicles in case of emergency repeatedly give of 1 600 advisers for the period of the integrated rise to difficulties at the border crossing into the programmes. Netherlands because regulations in the Netherlands prohibit the importation of operational radio i1) Doc. COM(83) 24 final of 17 March 1983 and proposal for a transmitters. Council Regulation (EEC) instituting integrated Mediterranean programmes, OJ No C 251, 19. 9. 1983, Can the Commission say what steps are being taken to put p. 1. an end to this unsatisfactory situation?
Answer given by Mr Narjes on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 2372/83 (8 June 1984) by Mr Leonidas Kyrkos (COM - GR) The Commission has prepared a communication which to the Commission of the European Communities will shortly be addressed to the Member States dealing (30 March 1984) with the application of Articles 30 to 36 EEC to the (84/C 200/38) cross-frontier transport of CB equipment.
In the meantime, should the complainant referred to by Subject: Corfu's historical records the Honourable Member wish to lodge a formal complaint with the Commission, accompanied by Recent reports in the Greek press have revealed that the appropriate details, the Commission will be pleased to Ionian Islands' historical records, located in Corfu, are in investigate the matter. danger of destruction. In view of the Commission's sensitivity where matters of the cultural and historical heritage of the peoples of the Community is concerned 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/23 and seeing that the priceless historical records of Corfu WRITTEN QUESTION No 2377/83 are in danger of destruction, can the Commission state by Mrs Winifred Ewing (DEP - GB) what measures it intends to take to support endeavours to preserve these historical records? to the Commission of the European Communities (30 March 1984) (84/C 200/40)
Answer given by Mr Thorn on behalf of the Commission Subject: Open competition COM/B/357 (proof (28 May 1984) readers)
Can the Commission state: The Commission is unable to contribute to financing the preservation of historical archives. 1. Why the correction of the proofreading section of the above competition was carried out exclusively by staff in the Luxembourg office i.e. individuals known personally to most of the competition participants?
2. Why there was no supervision of these proofreading papers by the Commission's Brussels staff? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2375/83
by Mr Pierre-Bernard Couste (DEP - F) 3. With regard to the age limit, how many derogations to the Commission of the European Communities were allowed and why? (30 March 1984) (84/C 200/39) 4. Whether the pass mark, as mentioned in the Official Journal of the European Communities giving notification of the competition, was lowered and, if Subject: Arrangement with the US on steel and the so, why? Bethlehem Steel Company's complaint
Has the Commission opened the consultations it was 5. How many participants, other than freelance instructed by the Council to conduct in an attempt to employees at the Official Publications Office of the settle the dispute with the United States concerning steel European Communities, actually succeeded? imports from the US and the Bethlehem Steel Company's complaint, which may put the settlement of this dispute at 6. How many former freelances succeeded? risk? Can the Commission confirm that it would be a flagrant Can it state how the discussions are going, whether it violation of the Staff Regulations to make appointments thinks it can bring them to a successful conclusion and other than by chronological order of the results obtained when it hopes to do so? by the candidates in the abovementioned open competition?
Notwithstanding this, can the Commission confirm that Answer given by Mr Haferkamp it has acquiesced in allowing the Publications Office in on behalf of the Commission Luxembourg to do just that, i.e. a candidate ranked, say, (25 May 1984) tenth on the list after the competition will be appointed to the detriment of the first nine (provided he/she has been The Commission has requested consultations with the doing in-house freelance proofreading for some time)? United States as provided for in Article 2 (b) and (c) of the Arrangement concluded between the Community and the United States on 21 October 1982. An initial series of discussions with the United States authorities took place on 2 and 3 February 1984. The Commission expressed its Answer given by Mr Burke concern that the proceedings initiated by Bethlehem Steel on behalf of the Commission could threaten the continuation of the Arrangement. The (7 June 1984) Commission pointed out that it reserved the right to terminate the Arrangement in accordance with Article 2 (b). The consultations entered into on this basis are still 1. The papers for Open competition COM/B/357 going on. Consequently the Commission cannot prejudge (proof readers) were not corrected exclusively by the outcome. Luxembourg staff.
2. Correction was supervised by Brussels staff. No C 200/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
3. The age limit given in the notice of competition was WRITTEN QUESTION No 2384/83 strictly observed. by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S -D) to the Commission of the European Communities 4. The criteria in section IV-3 of the notice of competition were strictly adhered to. (30 March 1984) (84/C 200/42) 5. There were 29 successful candidates in addition to the freelance employees of the Publications Office. Subject: Signposting and the customs union 1. What information does the Commission have on 6. Twenty-three former freelance employees were the signposting of the route linking Brussels and successful. Luxembourg in the town of Martelange, which lies partly in Belgium and partly in Luxembourg? On their The answer to the other two points raised by the numerous journeys by car between Luxembourg and Honourable Member is 'No'. Brussels, have the Members of the Commission noticed, as I have, that new signposts have been up for some time indicating that one part of the road belongs to Belgium and the other to Luxembourg?
2. What influence has the Commission exerted to discourage the authorities responsible for erecting these signposts from introducing such 'divisive elements' into WRITTEN QUESTION No 2380/83 the existing form of European cooperation? by Mrs Winifred Ewing (DEP-GB) 3. Has the Commission as a body taken decisions to the Foreign Ministers of the relating to the erection of such signposts and, if so, what 10 Member States of the European Communities were these? meeting in political cooperation 4. As the guardian of the Treaties as regards the (30 March 1984) customs union and tax harmonization, how does the (84/C 200/41) Commission regard such action by individual States?
Subject: The Iran-Iraq war Answer given by Mr Tugendhat on behalf of the Commission Given the continuing turmoil in the Iran-Iraq area, what considerations are the Foreign Ministers giving to a (29 May 1984) European initiative towards finding a solution to the Iran-Iraq war? Signposting is the responsibility of the Member States. The Commission further feels that merely erecting signs to indicate State frontiers in no way impedes free movement within the Community. It does not therefore consider it necessary to take any action against these Answer measures. (25 June 1984) The Commission does, however, intend to work for the rapid removal of the 'customs' signs at intra-Community The Ten have on several occasions expressed their desire borders and is at present examining the feasibility of for a negotiated settlement of the Iran-Iraq conflict. In taking formal steps in this direction. this connection, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, at their meeting on 27 March 1984, adopted a statement on the middle east, part of which deals with that war.
The Ten hope that each of the parties will at last agree to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2/84 comply with the resolutions of the Security Council and by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann (L - D) heed the many appeals made to them by the international to the Commission of the European Communities community by helping to seek a peaceful and honourable solution for both. (4 April 1984) (84/C 200/43) They hope that the United Nations Secretary-General will step up his efforts towards restoring peace and are ready Subject: Driving licences for light motorcycles (80 kmph to support him in this. - 80 cc) 1. Is the Commission aware that in the Federal Republic of Germany a licence to ride a light motorcycle 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/25 can be obtained from the age of 16, whereas this can only Will the Commission say: be done in other Community Member States from the age of 18? 1. whether and, if so, when the relevant report was concluded, 2. Is the Commission aware that this difference in rules leads to the riders of such motorcycles who have not 2. whether the results will be published or yet reached the age of 18 being prevented from continuing communicated to those concerned, and their journey or being prosecuted by the frontier authorities of countries which set 18 as the minimum age? 3. what action has been taken on this matter?
3. Is the Commission prepared to act to ensure that such licences are also recognized for 16- and 17-year-old drivers in the countries concerned? Answer given by Mr Richard on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1984) Answer given by Mr Contogeorgis on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1984) 1. The relevant report was concluded and forwarded to the Greek authorities on 27 July 1983. 1. The Commission is aware that the minimum age for riding or driving different categories of vehicle is not the 2. In their reply, sent to the Commission on 23 same in all Member States. January 1984, the Greek authorities agreed to the dissemination of the conclusions of the study. The 2. The Commission has no knowledge of the experts' report will be published very shortly. difficulties mentioned by the Honourable Member. In any case, Member States are obliged, under Council 3. The Greek authorities informed the Commission Directive 80/1263/EEC of 4 December 1980 on the that the recommendations set out in the report are at introduction of a Community driving licence (*), to lay present under detailed examination. down the minimum age for issuing a licence and may refuse to recognize the validity of a licence on their territory where the holder is under the age of 18.
3. In the light of the findings of a study on this question, the Commission does not intend for the moment to propose any harmonization of the minimum age. Its future proposals will, as a first step, relate to vehicle categories, test standards and the issuing of licences. WRITTEN QUESTION No 14/84 (») OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1. by Mrs Vera Squarcialupi (COM -1) to the Commission of the European Communities (4 April 1984) (84/C 200/45)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 6/84 Subject: Landing cards at Greek airports by Mr Aristidis Ouzounidis (S - GR) to the Commission of the European Communities 1. Is the Commission aware that the Greek border police still require all passengers landing at Greek airports (4 April 1984) to present landing cards? (84/C 200/44) 2. Will the Commission take steps (as it has already Subject: Programme of job-placement for the disabled in successfully done in other Community countries) to Greece induce the Greek authorities to adopt measures to eliminate this practice for citizens of Member States, in A year ago now, the Commission of the European view of its incompatability with the provisions of Communities began a study of job-placement for the Community law concerning the free movement of disabled in Greece. persons? No C 200/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Answer given by Mr Narjes unfortunately, be extremely modest and are guided by the on behalf of the Commission criteria and priorities set out in Parliament's (14 June 1984) resolutions.
1. Yes.
2. The Commission has asked the Greek Government to abolish landing cards; the procedure is following its course. WRITTEN QUESTION No 23/84 by Mr Alan Tyrrell (ED - GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (4 April 1984) (84/C 200/47) WRITTEN QUESTION No 18/84 Subject: Delays in the publication of Community by Mr Ernst Muller-Hermann (PPE-D), Mr Wilhelm legislation Hahn (PPE-D), Mr Olaf Schwencke (S-D) to the Commission of the European Communities In view of the statement in its answer to my Written Question No 921/83 (J) that 'it is not the Commission's (4 April 1984) practice to publish legislation in pre-dated Official (84/C 200/46) Journals', can the Commission confirm that the 11 OJ's in the L series dated 31 December 1983 were all published Subject: Aid for a Yiddish theatre on that date?
Yiddish and Yiddish theatre are a Western cultural asset If so, can the Commission explain the reasons why one of which, not least as a result of the Hitler period, is at risk of those issues, No L 381, arrived at my Brussels and being destroyed. Only fifty years ago it was still a London offices on 9 March and 12 March mouthpiece of theatre in Eastern Europe and a platform respectively? for the expression of tradition, religion and the H OJNoC335, 12. 12. 1983, p. 24. environment. Today, outside Israel, Yiddish theatres are restricted to the Socialist countries, in Warsaw, Bucharest and Moscow. Answer given by Mr Burke The World Council for Yiddish and Jewish Culture, on behalf of the Commission represented by Mr I. Korn, a member of the Knesset, the (12 June 1984) Academy of Arts in West Berlin and a group of citizens of various religions led by Mr David Kohan and Mr Walter Tschernich are attempting to create a centre for Yiddish According to a Judgment of the Court of Justice (Case theatre for the European Community. The Hebbel 98/78 Firma A. Racke v. Hauptzollamt Mainz/ Theatre in Berlin, which is unused at present, would seem 1979/ECR 69), the date of publication is the date on to be suitable for this purpose. From this base theatre which the Official Journal of the European Communities productions could go on tour round Community in question was available at the Office for Official countries. Publications of the European Communities and not the date on which it arrived in the Member States. It is Is the Commission willing and able, after officials have generally assumed that the date of publication examined the detailed documents, to make aid available corresponds to the date on the issue of the Official for such a project, which would help to maintain Yiddish Journal. traditions and customs as part of European diversity? The fact that certain issues bearing the date 31 December were not available at the Office for Official Publications until a later date has no legal consequences and should not occur again. Answer given by Mr Thorn on behalf of the Commission Official Journal of the European Communities, No L 381 (12 June 1984) of 31 December 1983 referred to by the Honourable Member contained a decision - taken by the Council and The Commission is perfectly aware of the dimension of not the Commission - the publication of which was not a the problem raised by the Honourable Members. condition of its applicability. The entry into force of an act of this kind, published for information, is not linked However, it would draw their attention to the fact that its to the date of its publication. contributions to assist regional languages and cultures and for Community measures in the cultural sector must, 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/27
WRITTEN QUESTION No 28/84 scale to developing countries by multinational by Mr Pierre-Benjamin Pranchere (COM-F) manufacturers (*)? to the Commission of the European Communities 2. Is the Commission aware that these hormonal (4 April 1984) preparations are now only used in the western world to (84/C 200/48) treat rare bone and bone marrow diseases in elderly people because of their undesirable side-effects, such as the development of masculine characteristics in females, Subject: Community rules on sheepmeat impotence in men and disorders of the liver?
1. Does the Commission acknowledge that the 3. Is the Commission aware that in the developing unbinding of customs duties under GATT is possible for countries these medicines are recommended for the fresh sheepmeat without compensation? treatment of children suffering from malnutrition, lack of appetite and growth disorders without any indication of 2. Has the Commission decided to request this the often irreversible harm done to children's growth and unbinding in order to prevent imports which would only sexual development, quite apart from the obvious fact aggravate the situation for sheep farmers? that children with such ailments should be given wholesome food and not hormones?
4. Is the Commission willing to propose a directive on Answer given by Mr Dalsager the export of medicines with provisions similar to those on behalf of the Commission called for on pesticides in the Squarcialupi report (Doc. 2 (30 May 1984) 1-458/83) ( ), adopted by Parliament on 14 October 1983? 1. The Commission wishes to point out that the (J) Anabolic Steroids, report by the International Organization binding of customs duties is a negotiated trade of Consumer Unions (IOCU), 1983. concession. Unbinding is therefore tantamount to (2) OJ No C 307, 14. 11. 1983, p. 109. withdrawing a concession and requires negotiations under Article XXVIII of GATT; the resulting negotiated settlement invariably involves compensation in respect of the cancelled or reduced concession. Answer given by Mr Narjes on behalf of the Commission 2. The Commission would point out that imports of (14 June 1984) sheepmeat and goatmeat products are currently governed by voluntary restraint agreements concluded with the 1 to 3. When properly used under the directions of a main non-member supplier countries. physician, anabolic steroids can play an important role in human therapy. However the use of these products as Under these agreements, which have so far operated body builders or tonics without medical supervision may satisfactorily, the non-member countries have pose a danger to health. Although there have been undertaken to ensure that their exports to the Community occasional reports of the improper advertising or abuse of do not exceed agreed yearly quantities and to comply with anabolic steroids in third world countries, the traditional patterns of presentation. Commission has no details of the particular allegations to Since they have not been revoked by any of the which the Honourable Member refers. signatories, the agreements are still in force, and 4. As the Commission observed in its answer unbinding is therefore not under consideration. to Written Question No 1247/83 of Mrs van Hemeldonck (J), the authorities of third countries have the possibility of satisfying themselves as to the quality, safety and efficacy of proprietary medicinal products exported from the Community and of obtaining the information necessary to ensure their correct use. WRITTEN QUESTION No 31/84 The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations has introduced a code of by Mr Doeke Eisma (NI - NL) pharmaceutical marketing practices which applies to the Commission of the European Communities throughout the world, and which has resulted in some (4 April 1984) changes in marketing techniques. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely, but proposals (84/C 200/49) relating specifically to the export of proprietary medicinal products are not envisaged at present. Subject: Exports of anabolic steroids (^ OJ No C 52, 23. 2. 1984, p. 17. 1. Is the Commission aware that anabolic steroids are being exported from the Community on a large No C 200/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 75/84 WRITTEN QUESTION No 85/ 84 by Mr Robert Cohen (S - NL) by Mr Dominique Bucchini (COM - F) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (10 April 1984) (13 April 1984) (84/C 200/50) (84/C 200/51)
Subject: Scientific cooperation with developing Subject: Growing of kiwi fruit countries A number of regions in the Community are particularly 1. Does the Commission share my view that it would suitable for the growing of kiwi fruit. appear expedient to incorporate into the next ACP - EEC Convention a chapter on cultural cooperation within the In order to meet the increase in consumption and reduce framework of which particular effects would have to be our imports, will not the Commission encourage the made to bring about cooperation in the field of education, growing of kiwi fruit in the EEC? training and research?
2. Does not the Commission also take the view that at the same time, inter-university cooperation with the Answer given by Mr Dalsager 'non-associated' should be stepped up, particularly in the on behalf of the Commission field of education and training? (29 May 1984) 3. If not, why not? Possibilities for encouraging investment in kiwi fruit 4. If so, what appropriate proposals does the production are at present available under the present Commission believe it can submit? arrangements for encouraging investment in agricultural holdings. Furthermore, in its proposals to the Council concerning the integrated Mediterranean programmes, the Commission suggests making financing more widely available in certain areas and easing the rules under which Answer given by Mr Pisani farmers qualify for Community investment aid in the case on behalf of the Commission of Mediterranean products which are not in surplus. (5 June 1984) It is expected that the measures in force and those which have been proposed will help to develop kiwi fruit 1. The Commission considers that it is still premature production. to judge the precise form the next ACP-EEC Convention should take, but agrees that it should make explicit and specific provision for cooperation in the area of education, training and research.
2, 3 and 4. It is in order to reinforce inter-university cooperation, with the 'non-associated States', that the WRITTEN QUESTION No 86/84 scope of budget line 9340 has been extended in 1984, to include'. . . support for local training centres in favour of by Mr Pierre-Benjamin Pranchere (COM - F) non-associated developing countries'. to the Commission of the European Communities (13 April 1984) To that end, the Commission had proposed an increase in the budget, but unfortunately the budgetary authority (84/C 200/52) again reduced it below the level of the preceding token amounts. Subject: Cost of derogations from Community preference The Commission is well aware of the importance of the training sector, especially in the form of scientific and In its answer to my Written Question No 797/83 (1), the technological exchange. In its recent communication to Commission says that 'it is unable to state the cost to the the Council, concerning Latin America 0), the Community budget of exceptions to Community Commission again included this sector among those to be preference'. developed. Nevertheless, in the report drawn up in response to the (>) Doc. COM(84) 105 final. request from the Stuttgart Council, the Court of Auditors estimates the cost of such derogations at between 2 000 and 4 000 million ECU. 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/29
1. Does the Commission agree with this estimate? A copy of this report is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of 2. Will it carry out a detailed investigation into this the European Parliament (*). matter at an early date? (!) Doc. COM(84) 95 final. (0 OJNoC335, 12. 12. 1983, p. 11.
Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1984) WRITTEN QUESTION No 99/84 1. The Commission has noted the Court of Auditors' by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED - GB) estimate of the cost to the Community of the derogation to the Commission of the European Communities from the Community preference. As the estimate gives no (13 April 1984) specific reasonings, the Commission cannot assess the figures put forward by the Court. (84/C 200/54)
2. In the 1984 budget (J), which Parliament debated, Subject: Commission offices in ACP countries - best use the Commission indicated the approximate cost of certain concessions such as the import of sugar under the Lome of staff resources Convention, butter from New Zealand, of beef/veal and of cereals substitutes. These four concessionary products (a) On what grounds does the Commission defend its cost, directly or indirectly, about 2 000 million ECU. policy of employing mainly non-established staff in its delegations in ACP countries, which means that (») OJNoL 12, 16. 1. 1984, p. 435. the experience which these people acquire there is eventually lost to the Commission in that they cannot be employed back in the Commission's offices in Brussels? (b) Are there not good grounds for a revision of this policy to bring it into line with the policies of most Member States and to make better use of personnel WRITTEN QUESTION No 87/84 resources? by Mr Guy Fernandez (COM - F) (c) How does the Commission defend the fact that this to the Commission of the European Communities policy means that most staff in the delegations have no experience of working in the headquarters offices (13 April 1984) of the Commission? (84/C 200/53)
Subject: Impact of MCAs on Member States' agri-foodstuffs balances
Could the Commission provide me with a detailed Answer given by Mr Pisani breakdown by country and by year since 1975 of the on behalf of the Commission impact of MCAs on the agri-foodstuffs balances of the (19 June 1984) Member States?
The present system is well suited to the need for specialization and expertise in the particular field of EDF operations, which are carried out essentially in the ACP Answer given by Mr Dalsager countries. The present policy has been confirmed by the on behalf of the Commission Council's adoption of Regulation No 3245 / 81 (J) setting (5 June 1984) up the European Agency for Cooperation, founded on Community law.
The Commission has just completed a report on the H OJNoL328, 16. 11. 1981. agrimonetary system and its effects, covering both production trends (macro-economic analysis and analysis by product) and trade. No C 200/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 102/84 They take steps, usually discreetly and principally on by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED - GB) humanitarian grounds, on behalf of individuals or groups where it is appropriate to intervene. to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities The particular case to which the Honourable Member meeting in political cooperation refers has not been examined by the Ten in political (13 April 1984) cooperation. (84/C 200/55)
Subject: Prisoners of conscience
What action are the Foreign Ministers meeting in political WRITTEN QUESTION No 103/84 cooperation taking to free prisoners of conscience held in Syria, such as Farhan Nirbich, aged 29, who has by Mr Pierre-Bernard Couste (DEP - F) reportedly been held in prison without trial for eight to the Commission of the European Communities years? (13 April 1984) (84/C 200/56)
Subject: Telex subscribers in the Community countries Answer (25 June 1984) With reference to my Written Question No 418/74 (*) and the Commission's answer, can the Commission state how many telex subscribers there are now, 10 years later, As was recently recalled, the Ten are attentive to in the Community countries? violations of human rights, wherever they may occur in the world. 0) OJNoC4, 8. 1. 1975, p. 8.
Answer given by Mr Davignon on behalf of the Commission (13 June 1984)
The Commission has monitored the increase in the number of telex subscribers in the Member States in connection with the groundwork it has done to prepare its activities in the telecommunications sector. The table below shows the number of telex subscribers in each Member State in 1982 and the average annual increase since 1973.
No of telex subscribers Average annual increase Member State at the end of 1982 since 1973
Federal Republic of Germany 150 000 4,7 % Belgium 23 600 7,5 % Denmark 10 600 6,1 % France 90 000 • 9,1 % Greece no figures no figures Ireland 6 500 13,6 % Italy * 51600(0 14,8 % Luxembourg no figures no figures Netherlands 37 500 (2) 8,2 % United Kingdom 92 100 7,5 % Community 462 000 (2) 7,5 %
») March 1983. 2) Approximately. 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/31
WRITTEN QUESTION No 107/84 show, declare or produce at frontier crossings between by Mr Pierre-Bernard Couste (DEP - F) Member States and what obligation do they have to stop? to the Commission of the European Communities (13 April 1984) 2. Can the Commission give details, including the dates and the Member States involved, of what it has (84/C 200/57) undertaken, written or issued by way of reminders to press Member States to take effective action to guarantee Subject: Commodity agreements a rapid clearance for these persons?
Does the Commission consider that the Community 3. Does the Commission think that such a rapid should join the International Sugar Agreement and play a clearance procedure is necessary for these persons to role generally in arranging commodity agreements? pursue their official duties? Has there been What obstacles are there and what implementing correspondence between the Commission and the measures does the Commission intend to take? Member States on this problem, or only between Member States, and if so, what is the content of this correspondence ?
Answer given by Mr Dalsager on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Narjes (5 June 1984) on behalf of the Commission
The Commission considers that the Community must (30 May 1984) accede to the next International Sugar Agreement as this Agreement is in line with the interests of the Community 1 to 3. The issue and use of German diplomatic and of the world market. Accordingly, the Commission is passports are not the responsibility of the Community but taking an active part, as the spokesman for the are governed by German law. Hence only the German Community, in the negotiations for a new international authorities can answer the questions posed by the sugar agreement, which began in May 1983. Honourable Member.
In general terms, the Community has already been involved in the establishment of a number of commodity agreements and plays a part in their operation (those covering, for example, wheat, olive oil, milk products and beef and veal). WRITTEN QUESTION No 130/84 by Mr Andre Damseaux (L - B) Obstacles to the establishment of international agreements generally relate to the special features of the to the Commission of the European Communities market in question and to the political complexities of (13 April 1984) negotiations affecting the interests of numbers of (84/C 200/59) countries. Subject: Community aid for research programmes
Every year the Commission gives aid for a number of research programmes in the environmental sector.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 119/84 Regarding Belgium, could the Commission state: by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S-D) — the number of projects given such Community aid; to the Commission of the European Communities — how aid was shared out between Wallonia, Flanders (13 April 1984) and Brussels; (84/C 200/58) — the sums given in aid by the Commission?
Subject: Diplomatic passports
1. German diplomatic passports contain the following Answer given by Mr Narjes passage in three official languages of the Community: 'All on behalf of the Commission authorities of foreign States are hereby requested to allow (4 June 1984) the bearer to pass freely without hindrance and to afford him or her every assistance and protection which he or she In 1982 the Commission concluded 13 shared-cost may need.' contracts with research institutions in Belgium under the What, in the Commission's view, does this passage mean Community research and development programme in the precisely? What are holders of such passports obliged to field of the environment. No C 200/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
The list of contracts and amendments sighed in 1982 will Does the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) be sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the receive any other Community subsidies, either directly or Parliament's Secretariat. in the form of individual disbursements to its representatives for attendance at meetings or taking part Negotiations for contracts under the second phase of the in work? programme (1984/1985) are still under way. What is the amount of allowances and remuneration paid to members of the Economic and Social Committee by the Community institutions? Is the scale applying to the members of Group II (workers) for this purpose the same as that for Groups I and III?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 135/84 by Mr Kent Kirk (ED - DK) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Thorn (13 April 1984) on behalf of the Commission (84/C 200/60) (23 May 1984)
Subject: Different charges for access by fishermen to port 1. The Social Partners' Office manages two separate facilities appropriations: Does the Commission think it consonant with the (a) Appropriations to cover the costs of meetings principles of non-discrimination contained in the EEC (charged to Article 250 of the budget) for European Treaty, including the Treaty of Accession, that the port trade unions and employers organizations. (1980: authorities in the British port of Lowestoft charge British 80 000 ECU; 1981 and 1982: 79 000 ECU; 1983: fishermen and those from other Community countries 118 000 ECU; 1984: 75 600 ECU). different rates for access to the port facilities? The allocation of these funds is determined by the requests from organizations; the breakdown for the years in question was as follows: 1980, 34% for employers' organizations, 66% for trade union Answer given by Mr Contogeorgis organizations; 1981, 32% and 68%; 1982, 58% on behalf of the Commission and 42%; 1983, 57% and 43%. (21 June 1984) (b) Budget Article 256 (cost of preliminary consultation meetings with trade union representatives) The Commission is inquiring into the facts referred to by introduced by Parliament in 1976 (1980: 175 000 the Honourable Member with the Member State ECU; 1981, 185 000 ECU; 1982, 1983 and 1984: concerned. It will inform him of its findings as soon as 195 000 ECU). This appropriation is to cover possible. expenditure on preliminary consultation meetings between European trade union representatives with a view to helping them form their opinions and harmonize their positions regarding the development of Community policies.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 138/84 2. The European Trade Union Confederation is not subsidized as such by the Commission. However, when by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (L - B) its representatives take part in meetings with the to the Commission of the European Communities Commission or in work preparatory to Commission (17 April 1984) activities, they receive the same daily allowance and reimbursement of travelling expenses as representatives (84/C 200/61) of other social and professional groups. The Commission has no breakdown of the allowances per organization. Subject: Subsidies to professional organizations 3. According to the Commission's information, the The Community institutions make subsidies to members of the Economic and Social Committee receive a professional organizations, particularly through a fund daily allowance of Bfrs 3 450 when they attend meetings managed by the Social Partners Office. Can the of the Committee or its bodies. This amount is the same Commission say what the total amount of funds managed for representatives of all three groups. by this Office has been and how they were shared out among the various beneficiaries since 1980, and how they are to be shared out in coming years? 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/33
WRITTEN QUESTION No 145/84 Compliance with the directive raises a number of by Mr Francois-Marie Geronimi (DEP - F) problems in the case of standardized returnable bottles. to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions: (84/C 200/62) 1. Is the Commission aware of the benefits of standardized returnable bottles in terms of Subject: Community aid to Corsica environmental protection in that they remain in What measures does the Commission intend to take to circulation for approximately 10 years and can be increase Community aid to Corsica, which is now in 11th refilled by many different manufacturers? position on the list of less-favoured regions published in 2. Is the Commission also aware that in other European the second periodic report on the regions? countries (Austria and Switzerland, for example), soft drinks in standardized returnable bottles are exempted from any date-labelling requirements?
Answer given by Mr Giolitti 3. Is the Commission prepared to examine ways of on behalf of the Commission ensuring that the standardized returnable bottles (19 June 1984) currently on the market in West Germany without any date of minimum durability can remain in use, Corsica counts among the regions with a priority claim on that is up to 1994? the assistance available under the main financial (») OJNoL33, 8. 2. 1979, p. 1. instruments for structural purposes, in accordance with each one's special objectives and procedures.
Corsica's priority status is borne out by the amounts of Answer given by Mr Narjes assistance granted to it under the different Community on behalf of the Commission Funds and for the pilot actions in preparation for the (6 June 1984) integrated Mediterranean programmes, detailed in the answers to Written Questions No 2193/83 (J), No Yes. The Commission takes the view that the problem 2194/83 (2), No 2195/83 (3) and No 2196/83 (4), put raised by the Honourable Member calls for the adoption by the Honourable Member. of a temporary measure under Article 19 of Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the The Commission will continue its efforts to concentrate approximation of the laws of the Member States relating the financial resources at its disposal on the less to the labelling, presentation and advertising of prosperous regions, including Corsica. foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer (*). The draft (!) OJ No C 152, 12. 6. 1984. of such a measure is currently being examined by the (2) OJ No C 144, 30. 5. 1984. national delegations; its adoption will normally require a (3) See page 9 of this Official Journal. favourable opinion to be delivered by the Standing (4) OJ No C 194, 23. 7. 1984. Committee on Foodstuffs. I1) OJNoL33, 8. 2. 1979, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 147/84 WRITTEN QUESTION No 149/84 by Mr Ulrich Irmer (L - D) by Mr Winston Griffiths (S - GB) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) (17 April 1984) (84/C 200/63) (84/C 200/64)
Subject: Standardized returnable bottles Subject: Health care in the developing world Compliance with the provisions of the Directive Is the Commission aware of the valuable medical service l No 79/112/EEC ( ) of 18 December 1978 on the being provided by Project Orbis? approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of Given the important contribution of Project Orbis to foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer requires a health care in the developing world will the Commission number of indications to be provided for all provide some funding on behalf of the European foodstuffs. Communities towards this work? No C 200/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Answer given by Mr Pisani relations at a number of levels and in a wide range of areas on behalf of the Commission between the Nordic States on the one hand, and the (30 May 1984) Community or its Member States on the other'. The European Parliament is, of course, included in this The Commission has been informed that the Project statement, being a constituent institution of the Orbis consists of providing a mobile eye surgery unit on Community under Article 4 of the EEC Treaty. board a DC 8 aircraft for use mainly in Latin American developing countries. It is funded by US private grants and by the US Bilateral Aid Agency. The Commission has never received any requests for a contribution for this action. Aid to non-associated countries being limited to 'rural development', this type of WRITTEN QUESTION No 161/84 project would be excluded anyway. Furthermore, this rather sophisticated approach to health care in by Mrs Lieselotte Seibel-Emmerling (S-D), Mr Otto developing countries is not in line with Community policy Habsburg (PPE-D), Mr Winston Griffiths (S-GB), guidelines in this sector. Mr Stanley Johnson (ED - GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) (84/C 200/66) WRITTEN QUESTION No 153/84 by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S - D) Subject: Trade in marine turtles and products derived to the Commission of the European Communities therefrom (17 April 1984) (84/C 200/65) Would the Commission clarify whether the combined provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82 (*) Subject: Cooperation between the Commission and the and Council Decision 82/79/EEC (2) effectively prohibit European Parliament commercial trade inside the Community, including the overseas departments, and between the Community and 1. In a recent answer to one of my Written Questions, third countries in marine turtles and products derived the Commission emphasized the great importance it therefrom? attached to the suggestions made by the European Parliament. H OJ No L 384, 31. 12. 1982, p. 1. 2 2. However, in its answer to my Written Question No ( ) OJNoL38, 10. 2. 1982, p. 1. 1831/83(1)on cooperation between the Community and the Nordic States, the Commission refers to a whole series of areas in which there are close relations between the two, without mentioning the European Parliament and its delegation. Answer given by Mr Narjes on behalf of the Commission 3. How does the Commission explain this (IS June 1984) discrepancy? Is it due to: All sea turtles (Cheloniidae spp.) are listed in Appendix I (a) lack of coordination between Commission to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered departments, Species of Wild fauna and flora (CITES). The Convention (b) an inadequate assessment of the work and tasks of has been in force in the Community as a whole since the European Parliament, or 1 January 1984 (x). No imports into the Community from (c) other reasons, and if so, what reasons? third countries of sea turtles taken in the wild or products derived therefrom are allowed for primarily commercial (!) OJNoC 141, 28. 5. 1984, p. 30. purposes. Such imports could only take place if the animals involved were bred in captivity or if a specified population or stock were listed in Appendix II to the Answer given by Mr Ortoli Convention as a result of the approval by the Conference on behalf of the Commission of the Parties to CITES of a ranching operation involving (20 June 1984) the population or stock concerned. No such operations have yet been approved, but proposals are currently being The answer given to Written Question No 1831/83, in discussed in preparation of the next meeting of the paragraph 3, indicated that 'there are already close Conference (April 1985). 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/35
As far as intra-Community trade is concerned, Article 6 of Answer given by Mr Narjes Regulation 3626/82 prohibits display to the public for on behalf of the Commission commercial purposes and the sale, keeping for sale, (5 June 1984) offering for sale or transporting for sale of, among other things, specimens of Appendix I species. Member States may, however, grant exemptions. Ante-natal care is practised in all Member States and as a general policy women are advised not to take any drugs or medicines during pregnancy without obtaining medical In the case of sea turtle products the following advice. possibilities for exemptions are relevant: The Commission does not have any information about Member States are allowed to use up pre-Convention specific health education campaigns aimed at women of stocks, existing in the Community, provided that the child-bearing age. export from the country of origin was legal, by permitting their internal sale or their re-export. So far as the labelling of medicinal products is concerned, under the relevant pharmaceutical Directives (*) it is for the competent authorities of each of the Member States Member States may further allow the commercial use of to decide, on a product-by-product basis, whether specimens originating in the Community (including considerations of public health require that any warnings overseas departments) if such specimens were removed should be included on the packaging or package insert. from the natural state under the legal provisions in force Warnings addressed to pregnant women or to other or with the approval of the competent authorities. women of child-bearing age may be required because of the results of the foetal toxicity and reproduction studies For Parties to the Convention on European wildlife and carried out before the product is authorized or in the light natural habitats (2) the relevant provisions of the of subsequent experience with the product. Convention may apply. (») Council Directive 65/65/EEC, OJ No 22, 9. 2. 1965, p. (J) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82; OJ No L 384, 369 and Council Directive 75/319/EEC, OJ No L 147, 31. 12. 1982. 9.6. 1975, p. 13. (2) OJ No L 38, 10. 2. 1982.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 172/84 by Mr Felix Damette (COM - F) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 164/84 (17 April 1984) by Miss Gloria Hooper (ED - GB) (84/C 200/68) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) Subject: Operation of the alignment rule for iron and steel products (84/C 200/67) Will the Commission say how the alignment rule has been working since the minimum prices were introduced? Subject: Warning labels on medicines which may be harmful to the unborn child
The taking of certain apparently harmless drugs and Answer given by Mr Davignon medicines by a mother during pregnancy can cause on behalf of the Commission damage to the unborn child. In the United Kingdom, over 900 cases leading to abortion have been reported during (12 June 1984) the last three years. The rules for aligning the prices of certain iron and Is the Commission aware of any system or education steel products on minimum prices were set out in campaign being carried out in any Member State, by communication No 84/C 37/03 (*). means of adequate warning on labels or in any other way, (!) OJNoC37, 11. 2. 1984, p. 2. whereby women of child-bearing age are alerted to the possible risks involved in taking certain drugs and medicines? No C 200/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
WRITTEN QUESTION No 174/84 which is going through a genuine price war (with by Mr Felix Damette (COM - F) reductions of over 50%) at the expense of the only French undertaking in the sector. to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) (84/C 200/69) Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (21 June 1984) Subject: Iron and steel industry - quotas and the internal market The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 2060/83 by Mr Will the Commission supply a table comparing the quotas Muller-Hermann (*). allocated to the various Member States with their internal markets for the products concerned? (') OJNoC 152, 12. 6. 1984.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 177/84 Answer given by Mr Davignon on behalf of the Commission by Mr Felix Damette (COM - F) (4 June 1984) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 April 1984) Under the quota system introduced pursuant to Article 58 (84/C 200/71) of the ECSC Treaty, the quotas fixed by the Commission Subject: Coal imports from South Africa in compliance with Decision No 234/84/ECSC of 31 January 1984 (*) are not allocated to the Member States Would the Commission supply a complete statement of as such but direct to the steel firms, some of which have coal imports from South Africa for 1983, showing the plants in several Member States. tonnage imported and sums paid for each country and import organization? The Commission cannot therefore supply a table comparing quotas allocated to different Member States Has the Commission any information as to the value of with the internal market for the various products. investments made in the coal sector in South Africa by Community undertakings, and, if so, which undertakings are involved? When fixing the quotas for each quarter, the Commission makes an estimate of the demand for the products concerned in the Community as a whole and then fixes Answer given by Mr Davignon single abatement rates for each category of products. on behalf of the Commission These rates apply throughout the Community. (29 May 1984) (>) OJ No L 29, 1. 2. 1984. Some 15,2 million tonnes of coal at an estimated cost of 765 million ECU were imported into the Community from South Africa in 1983. The table below gives the amount imported by each Member State and the corresponding sums paid:
WRITTEN QUESTION No 176/84 Imports from South Africa Country by Mr Felix Damette (COM-F) million tonnes million ECU
to the Commission of the European Communities Federal Republic 2,4 110 (17 April 1984) of Germany (84/C 200/70) Belgium / Luxembourg 1,8 102 Denmark 2,7 no figures France 4,6 224 Subject: Distortion of competition on the heavy lorry Greece 0,3 20 market Ireland — — Can the Commission give an opinion on the serious Italy 3,1 158 distortions currently affecting the heavy lorry market in Netherlands 0,3 17 Europe? The reductions given by some undertakings United Kingdom — — actually constitute distortion of competition, not to say Total 15,2 approximately 765 dumping. This particularly affects the French market, 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/37
The Commission has no information on the import WRITTEN QUESTION No 186/84 organizations in the Member States or on the sums by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S-B) invested by Community undertakings in the South African coal sector as there is no requirement to notify to the Council of the European Communities this information. (2 May 1984) (84/C 200/73)
Subject: Combating air pollution from industrial plants On 16 December 1983, the Council made substantial progress on the proposal for a directive on the combating WRITTEN QUESTION No 181/84 of air pollution from industrial plants, in particular on the by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) conditions for issuing prior authorizations and on the to the Council of the European Communities scope of the Directive. (2 May 1984) Can the Council state what types of air pollution are (84/C 200/72) involved here?
Subject: Aid to non-associated developing countries Answer On 19 December 1983, the Council adopted a decision (2 July 1984) laying down general guidelines for 1984 concerning financial and technical aid to non-associated developing 1. At its meeting on 1 March 1984 devoted to countries. questions of environmental protection, the Council adopted a Directive on the combating of air pollution The geographical distribution of the funds involved is from industrial plants. This Directive includes in an as follows: Annex a list of the most important polluting substances covered by the Directive: among such substances are Asia 75 %, Latin America 20 % and Africa 5 %. listed in particular: sulphur dioxide and other sulphur compounds; oxides of nitrogen and other nitrogen Can the Council state what criteria were used to compounds; carbon monoxide; hydrocarbons; heavy determine this geographical distribution? metals etc. 2. The Honourable Member is no doubt aware that the European Parliament was consulted on the matter and Answer delivered its opinion on 18 November 1983. (2 July 1984)
The Council Decision of 19 December 1983 laying down general guidelines for 1984 concerning financial and WRITTEN QUESTION No 196/84 technical aid to non-associated developing countries, and by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S-B) fixing the geographical distribution as indicated by the Honourable Member (Asia 75 %, Latin America 20 %, to the Council of the European Communities Africa 5%), is in accordance with the Commission (2 May 1984) proposal and the previous Decisions of the Council for (84/C 200/74) 1982 and 1983. Subject: US military installations in Honduras This distribution is based on the framework Regulation of 17 February 1981, which specifies that aid shall as a Following a visit to the US military installations in general rule be intended for the least-favoured developing Honduras, Senator James Sasser stated that the US would countries and that in the light of this principle, a maintain permanent military facilities in Honduras and Community presence should be ensured in the major carry out major army manoeuvres there in the next five regions of the developing world with a view to a years. reasonable geographical balance between such regions. It is clear that this American alliance with a regime that If the Community attaches particular importance to aid in displays a total disregard for human rights is directed Asia, it is because that continent includes countries which against Nicaragua. are at the same time among the poorest and the most After years of dictatorship the Nicaraguan people have densely populated in the world. thrown off the fascist yoke; while those now in power may indeed be making mistakes, it is nonetheless important to maintain a dialogue with them. Europe No C 200/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
cannot accept that merely in order to erase a few minor Can the Council say whether it agrees that protest is called mistakes by the present regime, the whole country and its for against such a violation of human rights on the part of newly-won freedom should be trampled under foot by a country with which the EEC maintains relations? Somozist forces, aided by the CIA.
America's interests and those of the democratic and civilized world as a whole lie in a free and democratic Answer by the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States Central America. If this is to be achieved, there must be an of the European Communities meeting in political end to murder, torture, sabotage and foreign intervention cooperation (*) and efforts must be made to find diplomatic solutions. (25 June 1984) Can the Council say whether it is prepared to use its influence to make this clear to all the parties involved in On numerous occasions the 10 Member States of the the area? European Community have expressed concern about the human rights situation in the territories occupied by Israel. Both within international bodies and in representations to the Israeli authorities, they have very Answer by the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States often referred to the need for the occupying power to of the European Communities meeting in political comply with its obligations. They have emphasized the cooperation (*) importance of complying with and applying the Fourth (25 June 1984) Hague Convention of 1907 and the fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 concerning the protection The Ten have always openly stated their conviction that of civilians in wartime. the problems of Central America, in Honduras and (J) This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers Nicaragua as in all countries in that area, cannot be meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the resolved by military means but only by a political solution question came. emanating from the region itself and respecting the principles of non-intervention and the inviolability of frontiers. For that reason they fully support the current initiatives of the Contadora Group.
The Ten also stress the need to establish democratic WRITTEN QUESTION No 204/84 conditions and to ensure strict observance of human rights throughout Central America. by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) to the Council of the European Communities They do not fail to state their position each time the occasion arises, either in the context of their relations (2 May 1984) with the Central American countries or in international (84/C 200/76) for a. (J) This reply has been provided by the Foreign Ministers Subject: Accession of Portugal to the EEC meeting in political cooperation, within whose province the question came. 23 January 1984 saw the 16th meeting of the ministerial conference on the accession of Portugal to the European Communities.
Can the Council say whether any progress was achieved at this meeting and on what issues? WRITTEN QUESTION No 202/84 by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) to the Council of the European Communities Answer (2 May 1984) (2 July 1984) (84/C 200/75) During the 16th ministerial meeting of the Conference Subject: Respect for human rights in Israeli-occupied between the European Communities and Portugal held territories on 23 January 1984, the two parties made progress in dealing with the chapter on agriculture. The Portuguese An official report that was held back by the Israeli delegation replied to the statement which the Community Government for two years shows that the Arab had submitted to it at the previous ministerial meeting at population in the territories occupied by Israel effectively the end of November and which set out the transitional has no rights. The native population is exposed to arrangements to be laid down in this chapter. The aggression on the part of Jewish settlers, often under Community, for its part, amplified its previous statement cover provided by the Israeli police, army and by tackling questions relating to the structures which are authorities. of fundamental importance to Portugal. 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/39
The Portuguese delegation also stated its position on — the number of small livestock farms connected with processed agricultural products and on patents. this organization, — the credentials and qualifications of the principal local In the meantime the Conference has held two other employer? ministerial meetings, the latest on 14 May 1984, and two meetings at Deputy level. At these meetings both parties concentrated their efforts on the chapter on agriculture, developing their positions in that regard, with the result Answer given by Mr Pisani that the Conference was able to note agreement by on behalf of the Commission 14 May on the general approach to this chapter. The (4 June 1984) Community also indicated its position on that date with regard to the chapter on fisheries, with a view to The Commission's delegations do not prepare annual substantive negotiations on this chapter also. reports on the activities on NGOs.
For the rest, agreement was reached on a number of The Commission has co-financed four projects put up by points which were still outstanding in chapters already by the Bureau d'Etudes pour un DSveloppement harmonise and large settled, namely the transitional arrangements (NEDH) at a total cost of 434 473 ECU, divided as applicable to direct investment in Portugal from other follows: Member States of the Community and the detailed ONG/49/76/B — establishment of a livestock centre, arrangements for the transitional application of zero rates rural equipment for heavy livestock by Portugal in connection with implementation of the farming and extension services and Community VAT system. agricultural training in the Popokabaka area, Kwango, Zaire: 30 000 ECU; ONG/42/78/B — extension of heavy livestock farming, Popokabaka area, Kwango, Zaire: 37 598 ECU; ONG/60/79/B — extension of heavy livestock farming in the Popokabaka area, WRITTEN QUESTION No 206/84 Zaire (purchase of means of by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE - B) transport and preservation facilities): 198 047 ECU; to the Commission of the European Communities ONG/12/81/B — extension oi the rural development (2 May 1984) programme at the Tshiala Mioko (84/C 200/77) base carried out in the coastal region from the training centres at Yema-frontiere and Muanda, Subject: Report on the activities of the BOPR, Zaire: 168 828 ECU. Kinshasa Concerning the equipment and vehicles purchased by the The Institute of Studies for the Harmonization of Law, a BEDH, the Commission is only able to list the items non-profit making institution known as BOPR in Zaire, bought under the projects which it has co-financed since runs various agricultural projects in that country and is 1976, as follows: co-financed by the Belgian AGCD and the EEC. approximately 4 500 galvanized posts; approximately 430 rolls of barbed wire; Could the Commission give details of the content of the one Fiat tractor and spare parts; annual reports from its Kinshasa delegation on the one Leyland tractor and accessories; activities of this non-governmental organization? two Magirus lorries (one of which was only partly financed); More specifically, could the Commission clarify the one Leyland all-terrain vehicle; following points: three small motorcycles; two scooters&role; — the amount of grants made since 1976 and their three kerosene refrigerators; recipients, three kerosene freezers; — the equipment and vehicles purchased by the one generator; 17 pumps and various items of BOPR, sprinkler equipment; — the number of people currently employed by the one 20 m3 tank; abovementioned non-profit making organization, 11 metal shelters; including their terms of employment, respective posts two fuel tanks; and remuneration, two trailers. No C 200/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
It should be noted that the BEDH and the BOPR are two WRITTEN QUESTION No 239/84 separate organizations. The first is an 'asbl' by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S-B) (non-profit-making organization) under Belgian law and the second is a Zairean de facto association. to the Council of the European Communities (10 May 1984) The Commission is unable to provide the Honourable (84/C 200/79) Member with the information requested regarding the people employed and their terms of employment, posts Subject: Combating of air pollution from industrial and remuneration, since it does not ask for this plants information when making co-financing arrangements. On 1 March 1984 the Council approved a Directive on At present there are 1 950 head of cattle, 300 of which the combating of air pollution from industrial plants. have been allocated to trainees and trainee-owners. The small livestock consists of some 350 rabbits and 230 This Directive provides, among other things, that the ducks. Council will, if necessary, fix emission limit values based on the best available technology, which do not entail The projects are managed by a steering committee and the excessive costs and which take account of the nature, people involved in the project receive a training grant. quantity and harmfulness of the emissions in question.
Can the Council say why it did not fix European emission limit values immediately? This is the only method that will prove to be effective since, in the absence of European emission limit values, the national authorities still turn a blind eye to many abuses for economic reasons and to protect the competitiveness of domestic industry. WRITTEN QUESTION No 224/84 by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED - GB)
to the Commission of the European Communities Answer (10 May 1984) (2 July 1984) (84/C 200/78) The Council's subordinate bodies are currently Subject: Liaison office in Namibia examining a Commission proposal on the limitation of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from Noting that the United States has now set up a liaison large-scale combustion plants. office in Windhoek, Namibia, will the Commission now set up a similar office in anticipation of needs for aid from This proposal provides for the fixing of emission limit the European Community to Namibia? values at Community level for the following three pollutants: sulphur dioxide, dust and nitrogen oxide.
The Council is scheduled to hold an initial policy debate on this proposal at its next meeting devoted to Answer given by Mr Pisani environment questions on 28 June 1984. on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1984)
The primary function of the US liaison office in Windhoek, which is not accredited to the South African WRITTEN QUESTION No 241 / 84 Administration in Namibia, is to liaise with the Joint by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S-B) Monitoring Commission established by the Governments of Angola and South Africa in February 1984, which to the Council of the European Communities is currently coordinating arrangements for the (10 May 1984) disengagement of forces in southern Angola. (84/C 200/80) Because of the illegal status of the present administration Subject: Misleading advertising in Namibia under international law, EEC Member States have no formal diplomatic representation in the territory, On 2 March 1984 the Council continued its examination and the Commission would not propose to establish a of the proposal for a Directive on the approximation of delegation in Windhoek for development cooperation the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the purposes in the immediate future. Member States concerning misleading and unfair advertising. The purpose of this Directive is to protect consumers, persons carrying on a trade or business or 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/41 practising a craft or profession and the interests of the Are the Foreign Ministers aware of this piracy on the high public in general against misleading advertising. To this seas? Have they taken any steps to bring pressure to bear end, the Directive provides that consumers or on the Thai authorities to put a stop to this barbaric and competitors have a right to take legal action against mediaeval practice and to punish those responsible? misleading advertising or refer the matter to an administrative body.
It seems to me that the proposal for a Directive should also give the public authorities the right to check the Answer accuracy and reliability of the services, contracts or goods (25 June 1984) recommended and, in the case of misleading or unreliable advertising, to take administrative or, where appropriate, 1. The 10 Member States of the European legal action. Can the Council say whether it intends to Community are aware of the acts of violence mentioned grant the public authorities this right? by Mr Vernimmen. Similar occurrences over the past few years have arrested the attention of the European governments, which have not failed to inform the Thai authorities individually and repeatedly of their concern Answer and of the feeling caused thereby in their respective (2 July 1984) countries.
The proposal for a Directive currently being examined by 2. Since June 1982 six Member States of the the Council bodies does not contain Community rules Community have helped to finance the action to combat governing the powers of intervention and control of piracy which has been taken under the aegis of the United public authorities in the case of misleading advertising. Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Red Cross in cooperation with the Thai The draft provides for the possibilities of action against authorities. The programme includes providing the Thai misleading advertising available to either consumers or Navy with means for controlling its territorial waters. competitors. It does not, however, prevent Member States from maintaining or adopting provisions designed Nevertheless, the States concerned consider that this to ensure wider protection against misleading programme must be made more effective. That is why its advertising, including intervention and control by the renewal, currently under consideration, should involve public authorities. some changes.
3. This matter and that of the application of the principle of non-expulsion of refugees were recently raised on the occasion of the visits made by the Thai Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to several European countries. WRITTEN QUESTION No 245/84 by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities meeting in political cooperation (10 May 1984) WRITTEN QUESTION No 247/84 (84/C 200/81) by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B)
Subject: Boat people to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities Thai pirates are continuing to attack boats containing meeting in political cooperation Vietnamese refugees off the coast, raping, robbing and (10 May 1984) murdering their occupants. At the end of February, for example, pirates attacked a boat with 60 refugees, (84/C 200/82) kidnapping 20 young girls and throwing the remaining passengers overboard. This was recently stated by a Subject: Aid to Nicaragua spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Seven survivors of this act of piracy were rescued and The Nicaraguan economy is in serious difficulties as a were able to recount their ordeal. The Thai government result of the continuing attacks against Nicaragua and its has taken no effective action against pirates. Those steps economy by ex-Somozans openly supported by it has taken are merely intended, according to observers, Washington. While this open aggression continues to mollify foreign critics, but have no effect Nicaragua urgently needs additional manpower and whatsoever. funds. No C 200/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 7. 84
Do the Foreign Ministers not consider that it is possible Have they already taken any steps to protest against these and desirable to help the Nicaraguan people in their outrages committed by the Paraguayan regime or to bring difficulties by providing both manpower and funds? pressure to bear in any way?
Answer Answer (25 June 1984) (25 June 1984) The Foreign Ministers of the Ten are aware of the facts Nicaragua's economy is indeed in serious difficulties due quoted in the brochure published by Amnesty to external and internal causes aggravated by the effects International in February and are carefully following of the world crisis. developments in the domestic situation and in the human rights situation in Paraguay. In this regard, they have The Community has been granting financial assistance to learnt with satisfaction of the recent release of Sergeant Nicaragua for several years, including annual food aid, Ovando who, although having served a sentence of 15 some forms of emergency aid and loans for years' imprisonment, had been detained since 1977 under specific-development projects. The competent EEC law 209 relating to participation in subversive bodies are currently studying the future of economic activities. cooperation between the Community and the five The representatives of the member countries at Asunci6n countries of Central America, including Nicaragua. are in close touch with one another and make regular representations to the Paraguayan authorities. In the interests of effectiveness, however, such action has always been discreet.
The Ten are naturally prepared to intervene, if necessary, in the manner and through the channels which appear to them most satisfactory and appropriate. WRITTEN QUESTION No 255/84 by Mr Willy Vernimmen (S - B) to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities meeting in political cooperation WRITTEN QUESTION No 304/84 (10 May 1984) by Mr Jens-Peter Bonde (CDI - DK) (84/C 200/83) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 May 1984) Subject: Violation of human rights in Paraguay (84/C 200/84) On Wednesday, 15 February 1984, the human rights organization, Amnesty International, began a new Subject: Anti-Community propaganda in a pamphlet campaign in defence of Paraguayans who have been published by the Commission's Press and arrested and in some cases tortured for attempting to Information Office in Athens exercise their fundamental political rights. By publishing J a report describing violations of human rights in In its answer to Written Question No 1145/83 ( ) by Paraguay, Amnesty International is trying to put pressure Mr Mihail Protopapadakis, the Commission states that on the Paraguayan authorities. instructions have been issued to avoid the publication of texts which could provoke justified negative reactions. Will the Commission forward the relevant instructions to Pamphlets recently published by Amnesty International the undersigned? furnish evidence of the murder, arbitrary arrest and torture of people from all sections of the population under H OJ No C 84, 26. 4. 1984, p. 2. the emergency powers which have been in force since President Stroessner seized power in Paraguay 30 years ago. Answer given by Mr Natali As a democratic Community we must collectively bring on behalf of the Commission maximum pressure to bear on all regimes, in whichever (19 June 1984) part of the world they may be, to respect fundamental human rights. We know that the Paraguayan regime has The departmental instructions to which the Honourable an infamous record on human rights. Member refers are for internal use only.
Are the Foreign Ministers aware of the above facts? 30. 7. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 200/43
WRITTEN QUESTION No 361/84 Member States for the deployment of French naval forces by Sir Peter Vanneck (ED - GB) in the Gulf protecting the Community's oil supplies? to the Foreign Ministers of the 10 Member States of the European Communities meeting in political cooperation Answer (15 May 1984) (25 June 1984) (84/C 200/85)
Subject: Protection of the Community's oil supplies from The question put by the Honourable Member regarding the Gulf States the possibility of deployment of a Member State's naval forces in the Gulf is not within the field of competence of Would the French Presidency welcome support by other European political cooperation.