Omcia^^ /*/"•• l1 Journa-w- l"I C9ISSN 0378-69896 Volume 29 of the European Communities ^Apriii**

English edwon Information and Notices

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

86/C 99/01 No 699/85 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Commission Subject: Belgian legislation discriminating between men and women: Law of 29 June 1983 on industrial apprenticeships 1

86/C 99/02 No 722/85 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Waste from the manufacture of plant-protection products 2

86/C 99/03 No 900/85 by Lady Elles to the Commission Subject: Implementation of the Treaties 2

86/C 99/04 No 1141/85 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: 'Mont-Louis' disaster 3

86/C 99/05 No 1147/85 by Mr Robert Cohen to the Commission Subject: European Investment Bank 4

86/C 99/06 No 1244/85 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Penalties for non-ratification of international conventions 5

86/C 99/07 No 1264/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Contribution to Community own resources from bullfighting in Spain and Portugal . 5

86/C 99/08 No 1278/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Bullfighting in southern France 5 Joint answer to Written Questions No 1264/85 and 1278/85 6

86/C 99/09 No 1266/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Introduction of VAT in Greece 6

86/C 99/10 No 1307/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission Subject: Tax on tree plantations 6 2 (Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued) Page

86/C 99/11 No 1449/85 by Mrs Rika De Backer-Van Ocken to the Commission Subject: Community food aid to Mozambique of 30 000 tonnes of wheat 7

86/C 99/12 No 1495/85 by Mr Jochen van Aerssen to the Commission Subject: Retention of status by Sweden following the enlargement of the Community .... 7

86/C 99/13 No 1527/85 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission Subject: Media policy in the Netherlands 8

86/C 99/14 No 1553/85 by Mr Karl von Wogau to the Commission Subject: Fine at the Italian frontier for failure to present a translation of a German driving licence 8

86/C 99/15 No 1603/85 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Ecology and development 9

86/C 99/16 No 1616/85 by Mr Gene Fitzgerald to the Commission Subject: Extraction of sea gravel for construction purposes 10

86/C 99/17 No 1621/85 by Mr Pieter Dankert to the Commission Subject: Community agricultural levies under the common agricultural policy 11

86/C 99/18 No 1629/85 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Job advertisements 11

86/C 99/19 No 1639/85 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Greek trade in protected bird species 12

86/C 99/20 No 1647/85 by Mr Horst Seefeld to the Commission Subject: Non-falsifiable car registration plates 12

86/C 99/21 No 1653/85 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission Subject: Refund of VAT by France 12

86/C 99/22 No 1661/85 by Mr lb Christensen to the Commission Subject: Community aid for house construction and urban renewal in Belfast 13

86/C 99/23 No 1662/85 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission Subject: Court of Justice proceedings against Belgium for failure to implement waste-related Directives 13

86/C 99/24 No 1676/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission Subject: Construction of an oil/gas pipeline through the Wadden Sea 14

86/C 99/25 No 1677/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission Subject: Pollution of the Scheldt 15

86/C 99/26 No 1679/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission Subject: Nitrate content of drinking water 15

86/C 99/27 No 1687/85 by Mr Raphael Chanterie to the Commission Subject: Financial help for the Belgian steel industry 16

86/C 99/28 No 1689/85 by Mr Raphael Chanterie to the Commission Subject: Aid for social measures for the Belgian steel industry 16

86/C 99/29 No 1692/85 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Planned construction of a holiday village beside the Zwin nature reserve in Belgium 18

86/C 99/30 No 1698/85 by Mr Horst Seefeld to the Commission Subject: Additional levy on vehicles travelling on Swiss roads 18

(Continued page 38) Notice No Contents (continued) Page

86/C 99/31 No 1705/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Battery cages " 19

86/C 99/32 No 1713/85 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission Subject: Voluntary internal environmental accountancy by industry 19

86/C 99/33 No 1721/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Objections on allegedly constitutional grounds 20

86/C 99/34 No 1734/85 by Mr Ray Mac Sharry to the Commission Subject: Planned development of the Sellafield (Windscale) nuclear plant 20

86/C 99/35 No 1735/85 by Mr Ray Mac Sharry to the Commission Subject: Illegal fishing by Spanish fishermen 21

86/C 99/36 No 1740/85 by Mr James Fitzsimons to the Commission Subject: Architectural heritage grants and the development of a policy for the preservation of archaeological sites ^

86/C 99/37 No 1748/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Community loyalty ^

86/C 99/38 No 1750/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Appointment of judges and Advocates-General 23

86/C 99/39 No 1772/85 by Mr Gijs de Vries, Mr Bouke Beumer, Mr Alasdair Hutton, Mrs Winifred Ewing, Mrs Hedy d'Ancona, Mr Kenneth Collins, Mr Giovanni Papapietro, Mr Pol Marck and Mr Wilhelm Hahn to the Commission Subject: Financial support for Olympus Television 23

86/C 99/40 No 1784/85 by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission Subject: Commission policy with regard to higher education establishments 24

86/C 99/41 No 1816/85 by Mr Thomas Raftery to the Commission Subject: Nutrition L^

86/C 99/42 No 1819/85 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission Subject: Forest fires •

86/C 99/43 No 1835/85 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Opening frontiers to Argentinian products 25

86/C 99/44 No 1840/85 by Mr John McCartin to the Commission Subject: Definition of a border region

86/C 99/45 No 1847/85 by Mr Roberto Costanzo to the Commission Subject: Missing repayments from the EAGGF (Guidance Section) in 1984 to Italy for indirect agricultural measures

86/C 99/46 No 1855/85 by Mr Pol Marck to the Commission Subject: Oil seeds

86/C 99/47 No 1889/85 by Mrs Margaret Daly to the Commission Subject: Unemployment benefit and pensions contributions in Member States 28

86/C 99/48 No 1891/85 by Mr Francois Musso to the Commission Subject: Integrated Mediterranean Programmes ^°

86/C 99/49 No 1909/85 by Mr David Martin to the Commission Subject: The M66 and the Rochdale Canal 29

86/C 99/50 No 1920/85 by Mr Ernest Muhlen to the Commission Subject: Purpose and activities of the Commission's liaison office at the European Investment Bank 29 Contents (continued) Page

86/C 99/51 No 1921/85 by Mr John McCartin to the Commission Subject: Unfair trade practices . . 29

86/C 99/52 No 1940/85 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission Subject: White Paper on the internal market — VAT harmonization 30

86/C 99/53 No 1941/85 by Mr Ernest Muhlen to the Commission Subject: Housing tax (taxe d'habitation) levied by certain local authorities in France .... 30

86/C 99/54 No 1952/85 by Mr Barry Seal to the Council Subject: Exchange of information to assist in the prevention of aircraft accidents 31

86/C 99/55 No 1967/85 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Quality controls on imported food products . 31

86/C 99/56 No 1973/85 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject: Admission to membership of the European Democratic Union of Anavatan Partisi 32

86/C 99/57 No 2000/85 by Mr Gene Fitzgerald to the Commission Subject: The environment of disabled people . 32

86/C 99/58 No 2003/85 by Mr Ray Mac Sharry to the Commission Subject: EEC publications 33

86/C 99/59 No 2016/85 by Mr Niall Andrews to the Council Subject: European City of Culture 33

86/C 99/60 No 2018/85 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject: Grants for the disabled . . 34

86/C 99/61 No 2041/85 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject: Anti:poverty programme 34

86/C 99/62 No 2079/85 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: European Monetary Fund 34

86/C 99/63 No 2085/85 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: The Eureka project 35

86/C 99/64 No 2091/85 by Mr Raphael Chanterie to the Commission Subject: Provision of ECSC aid towards retraining and social measures for redundant workers (Article 56 (2) (b)) 35

86/C 99/65 No 2194/85 by Mr Ray Mac Sharry to the Commission Subject: Cheese consumption '. 35

86/C 99/66 No 2211/85 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Council Subject: Mobility of Council officials . 36

86/C 99/67 No 2238/85 by Mr Alain Marleix to the Council Subject: Enrolment fees (minerval) 36

86/C 99/68 No 2277/85 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Council Subject: Progress for a renewal of sugar quotas in the Community for the period 1986-1991 37

86/C 99/69 No 2310/85 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Environmental conservation, in particular of the Zwin nature reserve on the Belgian- Dutch border 37

86/C 99/70 No 2548/85 by Mr James Ford to the Commission Subject: The status of British nationals in Hong Kong 37 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/1

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 699/85 The object of the Law of 19 July 1983 is to adapt the by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S — B) area of labour law concerned with apprenticeships to changing ideas and realities and to substitute, for the to the Commission of the European Communities outdated and incomplete provisions of Articles 9 and (17 June 1985) 10 of the Decree of 22 Germinal - 2 Floreal year XI of (86/C 99/01) the French Republican calendar relating to factories and workshops, a comprehensive set of rules to encour­ Subject: Belgian legislation discriminating between age the development of apprenticeships under the aegis of organizations representing employers and employees. men and women: Law of 29 June 1983 on industrial apprenticeships 1. Can the Commission state whether it has exam­ ined the extreme discrimination between men and The examination conducted by the Commission did women involved in the Belgian law governing industrial not reveal discrimination affecting girls which could 2 apprenticeships? constitute an infringement of Directive 76/207/EEC( ).

This law debars male and female students from such apprenticeships in very different proportions, for exam­ ple through the vocational training options, and clearly In the report drawn up on behalf of the committee on shows that the vocational options for girls lead almost employment and social policy (Lower House, 644, automatically to exclusion from industrial aprentice- p. 11), the question of the equal treatment of men and ships. women was mentioned. The Minister for Labour and Employment recalled the existence of the Law of One in two female students in vocational training is 4 August 1978 on economic reorganization, which unable to secure an industrial apprenticeship, as incorporated Directive 76/207/EEC in Belgian law and opposed to one male student in 20. stated that an explanatory circular on industrial appren­ ticeships addressed to employers would remind them 2. Does the Commission intend to take action, and of the fundamental principle of equal treatment in on what basis? access to training. The Commission has now requested that this circular be sent to it reminding the Member State of its obligation to inform the Commission under Article 9 (3) of Directive 76/207/EEC on the implemen­ Supplementary answer given by Mr Pfeiffer tation of the principle of equal treatment for men and on behalf of the Commission women as regards access to employment, vocational (11 December, 1985) training and promotion, and working conditions.

Further to its answer given on 4 July 1985 (*), the Commission has conducted a detailed examination both of the Law of 19 July 1983 on apprenticeships in occu­ Although apprenticeship in one or other occupation is pations exercised by employed persons (Belgian Official basically a question of individual choice which influ­ Gazette, 31 August) and of the preparatory discussions ences the application to differing numbers of girls and (the Lower House of the Belgian Parliament, 644 (1982- boys of the law of 25 July 1983, the Commission 83), No I, 5; the Upper House 523 (1982-83, No 1-3; understands the concern of the Honourable Member and the answer given by the Belgian authorities on who, moreover, expresses this same concern in a pro­ 2 October 1985). posal for a resolution (3). No C 99/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

The Commission has always been aware that formal In general terms, it may be noted that waste arises at equality was not sufficient to achieve genuine equality. two stages, viz.: To promote equal treatment, Article 2.4 of Directive 76/207/EEC permits positive actions and the Rec­ 4 a) during manufacture of the basic active substances, ommendation of 13 December 1984 ( ) is designed to which frequently takes place on large integrated < promote such measures in favour of women. sites of chemical manufacture, and

As regards Belgium, Article 119 of the Law of 4 August b) during formulation and packaging of final prep­ 1978 authorizes positive actions. However, the Royal arations. Decree necessary for the implementation of this article has not yet been adopted. Smaller quantities may also derive from research and development activities. The wastes, after treatment, are Industrial apprenticeships is one area in which positive mainly liquid and solid. Because of the wide chemical actions may be used to good effect. diversity of the active substances produced by the indus­ try the wastes do not differ essentially from those typical of much general and fine chemical manufacture, (!) OJ No C 263, 4. 10. 1985. except that they may have a somewhat higher content (2) OJ No L 39,14. 2. 1976, p. 40. of chlorides and chlorinated compounds and particular (3) Proposal for a resolution by Mrs Lizin on the equal treatment care has to be exercised to remove even trace amounts of men and women in vocational education and industrial of any highly biologically active components, related apprenticeship contracts, Doc. B 2-444/85 set out in E.P. to the active substances concerned, which could have 100.790 of 26 September 1985. (4) OJ No L 331, 19. 12. 1984, p. 34. ' detrimental effects if discharged into the environment.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 722/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 900/85 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC — B) by Lady Elles (ED — GB) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (17 June,1985) (5 July 1985) (86/C 99/02) (86/C 99/03)

Subject: Waste from the manufacture of plant-protec­ Subject: Implementation of the Treaties tion products

1. Does the Commission have at its disposal infor­ With regard to the decision of the European Court of Justice in Case 13/83 (transport policy), the Com­ mation and figures on the types and quantities of waste mission is asked: from the pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, fungicide and more broadly the plant-protection product industry in Europe? 1. To establish a list of Treaty areas which have not yet been implemented, Would it kindly provide this information? 2. Which proposals submitted by the Commission to 2. Furthermore, is the Commission aware of any the Council and on which the Parliament has given experiments in the recovery of pesticide packaging? If an opinion should have been implemented in order so, what means are used to destroy the packaging to comply with Treaty requirements. material?

Answer given by Lord Cockfield Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1985) (25 November 1985)

The Commission does not have the information and The principal grounds upon which the Court of Justice figures requested by the Honourable Member concern­ based its finding in Case 13/83 (l) that the Council had, ing either the nature and quantities of waste from the in infringement of the Treaty, 'failed to act' within the pesticide industry or the recovery of packaging. meaning of Article 175 include the following (2): 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/3

—- '53. ... the absence of a common policy, as such, uniform manner of the EEC competition rules to the the establishment of which is required by the Treaty, sea and air transport sectors (7), notwithstanding Com­ does not necessarily constitute a failure to act the mission proposals to this effect (8). However, when one nature of which is sufficiently precise to give rise to considers that Article 87 does not specify a final date a remedy under Article 175 ... for the issue of these rules, and bearing in mind the different methods which the Council might, in the exer­ — 64. ... however, the obligations imposed on the cise of its discretionary powers, find appropriate to Council by Article 75(1) (a) and (b) include that of establish in this sector, again one cannot speak of a proceeding to the establishment of the freedom to situation such as that which obtained in the transport provide services in the transport sector and (...) the case. scope of that obligation is clearly defined in the Treaty ... For these reasons therefore, the Commission does not believe that there are any areas in the Treaties where — 65. Accordingly on this subject the Council does the obligations of the Council are sufficiently clear and not enjoy the discretionary powers which it might precise for their non-respect by the Council to be the claim in the other fields of the common transport subject of a declaration for failure to act within the policy. The result to be achieved being fixed'by the terms of Article 175 (9). combined application of Articles 59, 60, 61 and 75(1) (a) and (b), only the methods to be used to The Parliament is of course aware that in these and in achieve this result, taking into account, pursuant to other sectors, other means are available to it to encour­ Article 75, the particularities of transport, could age the Council to fulfil its duties under the Treaties. give rise to the exercise of a certain margin of discretion. (!) European Parliament v. Council — judgement of 22nd May — 66. Accordingly the obligations contained in 1985. Article 75(1) paragraphs (a) and (b), in so far as (2) Commission's provisional translation. they aim at establishing the freedom to provide (3) The latest in 1982, upon which the Parliament has not yet services, are sufficiently clear and precise for their delivered its opinion — Oj No C 330, 16. 12. 1982, p. 4 and - non-respect to be the subject of a declaration of COM(84) 606 final/2. (4) Judgement of 14 December 1971 in Case 7/71 Commission/ failure to act within the terms of Article 175'. France, 1971, ECR 1003, 1019. (5) OJ No C 43, 29. 4. 1972, p. 3 and 6] No C 309, 31. 12. 1976, p. 2 for the ethyl alcohol and OJ No C 61, 10. 3. 1976, p. 2 Turning now more particularly to the question posed, for potato markets. there are indeed areas in the Treaties where further (6) Article 87(2) (c) EEC Treaty. measures should be taken. (7) See Regulation No 141 exempting transport from the appli­ cation of Council Regulation No 17 of 1962 (OJ 124, 28. 11. 1962, p. 2753). For example in the Euratom Treaty, notwithstanding (8) OJ No C 291, 12. 11. 1981, p. 4, OJ No C 317, 3. 12. 1982, the obligation imposed by its Article 76 either to con­ p. 3, OJ No C 182, 9. 7. 1984, p. 2 for air transport and OJ firm or to modify the supplies provisions of Chapter No C 282, 5. 11. 1981, p. 4 for sea transport. VI seven years after the entry into force of the Treaty, (9) Or the corresponding Articles of the other treaties. and notwithstanding the existence of three Commission proposals to this effect (3), the Council has not yet proceeded to such confirmation or amendment. How­ ever, since, in particular, the presently established Com­ munity rules remain in force in the meantime, even if on a temporary basis (4), this situation cannot be seen in the same light as that in the transport case.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1141/85 Equally, with regard to the common agricultural policy of the EEC Treaty, the Council has still not decided on by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC — B) the proposals which the Commission presented in 1972 to the Commission of the European Communities and 1976 in order to establish common organizations (3 September 1985) for the ethyl alcohol and the potato markets (5). How­ ever, it is questionable whether, because of the wide (86/C 99/04) discretionary power given to the Council by Article 40 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the EEC Treaty, one could Subject: 'Mont-Louis' disaster consider the obligations imposed on the Council in this agricultural field as sufficiently clear and precise within During the emergency debate on the 'Mont-Louis' dis­ the meaning of the Court's ruling in the transport case. aster the Commission announced that it was forming a working party to examine the existing regulations When considering the subject matter of the judgement and if necessary to draw up new ones. in case 13/83, it also comes to mind that appropriate provisions have still not been laid down by the Can the Commission state what results the working Council (6) for the application in a satisfactory and party has achieved so far? No C 99/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis 1. When does the Commission intend to draw up on behalf of the Commission proposals for widening the scope of European (21 November 1985) Investment Bank activities outside the territory of the Member States of the European Community and outside that of the States signatory to the Lome The interdepartmental working party has on several Convention ? occasions examined the provisions in force in the field of the transport of dangerous substances and waste and 2. Is the Commission prepared, in the event of such a radioactive products. widening of activities, to make a distinction between the normal activities of the European Investment The work is not yet complete, and is continuing on the Bank within the Community and 'development basis that any necessary measures should be taken, as activities'? far as possible, at international level in the context of agreements and conventions such as ADR (European 3. Is the Commission prepared to draw up provisions Agreement concerning the International Carriage of to allow for closer supervision of development Dangerous Goods by Road), RID (International Regu­ activities by the European Parliament and the Court lations concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods of Auditors and better coordination with the other by Rail), ADNR (European Agreement concerning the aspects of the Community's development policy? International Carriage of Dangerous Goods on the Rhine), IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code), etc. which are currently in the process of (!) OJ No C 208, 19. 8. 1985, p. 6 revision. The Community is responsible, among other things, for ensuring that all Member States have legis­ lation that is at least as strict as that laid down in these conventions. Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission Furthermore, within the framework of '1986, Road (10 December 1985) Safety Year', there are already plans to invite the Com­ munity to take additional measures concerning driver training and technical inspection of vehicles transport­ 1. Apart from providing investment finance-in the ing dangerous substances. The training aspect is also Community and in the countries in Africa, the Carib­ referred to in the discussions on the introduction of a bean and the Pacific, signatories to the Lome Conven- Community boatmaster's certificate. tion^ the European Investment Bank also makes loans available in 12 countries in the Mediterranean region In addition, the Commission recently initiated a study with which the Community has cooperation agree­ on the use of modern information technology to moni­ ments, and in Spain and Portugal in the framework of tor vehicles transporting dangerous substances. Community pre-accession aid to ease their integration into the Community's economy. Except for a few indi­ In the matter of waste transport, the working party has vidual cases, all of the European Investment Bank's postponed the formulation of its conclusions pending financing outside the Community takes place in the completion of the work by the Dublin-based European context of agreements concluded between the Com­ Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Work­ munity on the one hand and the country or group of ing Conditions. Finally, as regards the transport of countries (in the case of the Lome Convention) con­ radioactive materials, the Commission has forwarded cerned on the other. In practice, the Council establishes a communication to Parliament and the Council^). the desirability of such cooperation agreements and asks the European Investment Bank to consider the (!) COM(84) 233 final. possibility of lending for investment projects in the countries concerned. On the basis of Article 18 of the Bank's Statute, which forms an integral part of the EEC Treaty, its Board of Governors, acting unanimously, authorizes lending outside the European Community in accordance with the objectives and up to the amounts WRITTEN QUESTION No 1147/85 laid down in the agreements. by Mr Robert Cohen (S — NL) 2. It is the standard practice of the European Invest­ to the Commission of the European Communities ment Bank, for example in its annual reports which are (3 September 1985) sent to the European Parliament, to distinguish between operations inside the Community and operations out­ (86/C 99/05) side the Community for which the Bank deploys funds in the broad framework of Community development Subject: European Investment Bank policy. Obviously, that distinction will continue to be x made. The answer to my Written Question No 2603/84 ( ) on the same subject was somewhat scant. 3. The European Investment Bank's role in the Can the Commission now answer the following ques­ implementation of Community development policy has tions: evolved over the years and forms an integral part of No C 99/5 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities it. There exists a continuous process of coordination With regard to the Berne Convention on the conser­ between the Commission and the European Investment vation of wildlife and natural habitats in Europe, the Bank. Bank lending inside the Community as well as Commission considers that it cannot be inferred from outside, particularly finance guaranteed by the EEC the present state of Community law that the Member budget, is verified in accordance with Article 14 of the States are under an obligation to ratify that convention. Statute by the Bank's Audit Committee on the basis of monitoring reports provided by Price Waterhouse, The Commission would remind the Honourable Mem­ independent accountants. As far as the European Invest­ ber that the Community is a party to the Berne Conven­ ment Bank manages Community budgetary resources tion and can hence ensure that Community interests under mandate, the Commission confirms that it is fully are defended. aware of its responsibility to ensure the necessary flux of information enabling the Court of Auditors and the European Parliament to perform their respective control functions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1264/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED — GB) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1244/85 (3 September 1985) by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC — B) (86/C 99/07) to the Commission of the European Communities (3 September 1985) Subject: Contribution to Community own resources (86/C 99/06) from bullfighting in Spain and Portugal

Subject: Penalties for non-ratification of international The Commission will be aware that the majority of conventions people in Europe regard bullfighting as a repulsive and degrading activity. Yet it appears to be the case that In its reply to my Written Question No 1996/8411), once VAT is introduced in Spain and Portugal, a por- the Commission states that 'the non-ratification by portion of the taxes derived from gate money collected a Member State of a joint agreement to which the at bullfights will reach the Community as a contribution Community is a signatory may justify infringement to own resources. Is the Commission prepared to accept proceedings under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty'. money which public opinion will regard as tainted by 1. Can the Commission list concrete cases of inter­ cruelty? Will they also comment on the fact that this national conventions requiring ratification where same money could actually be recycled into the admit­ tedly small area of the budget which promotes measures failure to ratify might warrant penalties under for the welfare of animals? How can the Commission Article 169 of the EEC Treaty? possibly justify such a contradiction in policy? Will the 2. Can the Commission state whether, for example, Commission consult with the Spanish and Portuguese the non-ratification by Belgium of the Berne Con­ Governments now on the issues which will be raised vention on the Preservation of Wild Life and the by VAT on bullfighting? Natural Environment in Europe would indeed war­ rant infringement procedures as provided for in Article 169 of the EEC Treaty? Could the Com­ mission kindly put forward the legal arguments involved?

(») OJ No C 189, 29. 7. 1985, p. 30. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1278/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED — GB) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis (3 September 1985) on behalf of the Commission (86/C 99/08) (6 December 1985) Subject: Bullfighting in southern France At present there are no concrete examples of cases in which a delay in the ratification of a convention by a Can the Commission state whether VAT is raised on Community Member State has resulted in proceedings gate receipts at bullfights in southern France? If that is under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty. No C 99/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86 the case, will the Commission state its opinion on VAT Answer given by Lord Cockfield raised from an activity which civilized people regard as on behalf of the Commission repulsive, reaching the Communities in the form of own (19 December 1985) resources?

In a letter sent to the Commission on 14 October 1985, the Greek Government sought a further deferment of the introduction of VAT until 31 December 1986.

Joint answer given by Lord Cockfield on behalf of the Commission The Commission will very shortly be presenting to the Council a proposal for a directive authorizing Greece (6 December 1985) to refrain from applying VAT until 1 January 1987 at the latest.

Under the Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1977 (77/ 388/EEC) establishing a uniform basis of assessment for VAT, the tax is levied as a general rule on all supplies of goods and services made in the course of an economic activity. When they meet these conditions, bullfights are treated as taxable supplies and therefore contribute to the Community own resources. The tax treatment of an activity is not dependent upon evalu­ ation of its morality. Moreover, exemption from VAT WRITTEN QUESTION No 1307/85 might be seen as favouring bullfights. The Commission by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC — B) does not intend to prepare changes in this area. to the Commission of the European Communities . (3 September 1985) (86/C 99/10)

Subject: Tax on tree plantations

Some countries impose taxes on tree plantations and on ownership of woodland.

Can the Commission indicate for each Member State WRITTEN QUESTION No 1266/85 what tax systems apply in respect of plantations, by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED — GB) ownership of woodland and the cadastral income it generates? to the Commission of the European Communities (3 September 1985) (86/C 99/09)

Subject: Introduction of VAT in Greece Answer given by Lord Cockfield * on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1985) With reference to my Written Question and answer No 245/85 (*), exactly what preparation has Greece made for the introduction of the common system of All the information available to the Commission on tax VAT in January? on tree plantations is contained in a study made on behalf of the Commission in 1976, on the systems of forest taxation and the incidence of taxation on private Is the Commission convinced that Greece will be able forest holdings. to meet the deadline? Because of the length of this study, the Commission is What information has the Commission received from transmitting directly to the Honourable Member and the Greek Government to show that the deadline will to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament an excerpt be met? of the study.

(!) OJ No C 255, 7. 10. 1985, p. 31. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/7

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1449/85 Experience has shown that the legal minimum (*) of 10 by Mrs Rika De Backer-Van Ocken (PPE — B) days between publication of the mobilization regulation and the invitation to tender date allows operators to the Commission of the European Communities sufficient time to lodge their bids. (6 September 1985) (86/C 99/11) The basis for the food aid operation was Decision E/443/85 of 6 May. The mobilization order was drawn up on 10 June, the first mobilization regulation was Subject: Community food aid to Mozambique of submitted to the Management Committee for Cereals 30 000 tonnes of wheat for approval on 13 June, and the second on 11 July.

Does the Commission, which has always recognized No contract having been awarded from the 9 July the importance of high-quality food aid incorporating tender procedure, the bidders for the 30 July invitation the maximum assurance of satisfactory delivery to to tender were: Granit (F), CEDC (F), Dreyfus (F), developing countries affected by serious food deficits, Soufflet (F), Seti Sevi (F), Maas (B), CC Andre (F), consider that in the invitation to tender for the cif Granax (F), Compagnie Grainiere (F) and delivery of 30 000 tonnes of common wheat, in one lot, Etablissements G.P. Levy (F). to be shipped from a Community port to Maputo, which was published in Official Journal of the The contract was awarded to G.P. Levy and the grain European Communities No L 168 of 28.6.1985, p. 19, was shipped on the 'Hellespont Vanguard'. The freight a period of eight working days for the submission of costs were FF 158; the total price of FF 344 included tenders was adequate, when the consignment did not the grain delivered fob in bulk, the freight charges and have to be shipped until one or two months later? Can the empty marked sacks. The ship arrived in the Commission also state when its technical committee Mozambique on 23 September. responsible for determining the conditions for the mobilization of aid, delivered its opinion in this case? (!) Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1974/80; OJ No L 192, 26. 7. 1980, p. 11. Finally, can the Commission supply the list of tenderers who submitted their tenders to ONIC on 9 July 1985, and state which of them was selected to mobilize this aid, which shipping company provided the transport and at what price (optional information) and whether the aid was safely delivered within a reasonable time?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1495/85 by Mr Jochen van Aerssen (PPE — D) to the Commission of the European Communities (7 August 1985) Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (86/C 99/12) (20 November 1985) Subject: Retention of status by Sweden following the enlargement of the Community The first invitation to tender for the supply of 30 000 tonnes of common wheat to Mozambique as food aid Can the Commission give an assurance that Sweden was published as Regulation (EEC) No 1765/85 in will retain the same status when Spain and Portugal Official Journal of the European Communities No L join the Community and that there will be no 168 of 28 June 1985, page 19. The final date for tenders discrimination vis-a-vis Sweden in the transitional was given as 9 July and it was specified that the grain arrangements that are to be laid down (e.g. on paper must be shipped in 50 kg jute sacks. and steel)?

On 5 July, however, after publication of the invitation to tender but before the closing date, Mozambique Answer given by Mr De Clercq asked for the 30 000 tonnes to be shipped in bulk and on behalf of the Commission the empty sacks sent with it. (16 December 1985)

The contract was not awarded on 9 July; a new in­ vitation to tender was published as Regulation (EEC) The Treaty of Accession of Spain and Portugal to the No 1968/85 in Official Journal of the European European Communities stipulates that the free trade Communities No L 186 of 19 July 1985, page 17, setting Agreement between the Community and Sweden will the closing date for tenders on 30 July with a view to be applied by the new Member States as from 1 January shipment from 1 August to 10 September. 1986, subject where necessary to transitional measures. Np C 99/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

It follows that in any event the Agreement will be unsatisfactory, and the Commission accordingly initiat­ applied in full by the enlarged Community from the ed the procedure laid down in Article 169 of the EEC end of the transitional period. Treaty for cases in which in the Commission's view a Member State has failed to fulfil its obligations under Regarding this period, negotiations are under way with the Treaty. a view to achieving a smooth transition to full application of the Agreement. Under the first paragraph of Article 169, the Com­ mission must first give the Netherlands the opportunity to submit its observations. It did this by letter on 2 December 1985. Whether or not it will be necessary to deliver a reasoned opinion, will depend on the answer to that letter. Under the second paragraph of Article 169, the possibility of an action before the Court of Justice will arise only if the Netherlands should fail to WRITTEN QUESTION No 1527/85 comply with such a reasoned opinion, if it proves necessary, within the time allowed. by Mr Gijs de Vries (L — NL) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 September 1985) (86/C 99/13)

Subject: Media policy in the Netherlands In answer to my Written Question No 978/84 i1) the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1553/85 Commission confirmed that three of the provisions of by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE — D) the Dutch law on cable transmission infringed Articles to the Commission of the European Communities 59 and 62 of the Treaty unless they could be justified under Article 56(1). In a letter to the Dutch Govern­ (25 September 1985) ment, the Commission subsequently indicated that, in (86/C 99/14) this case, Article 56(1) was not applicable and that Article 4(1) (c) of the cable transmission law should be Subject: Fine at the Italian frontier for failure to present withdrawn and no longer enforced (letter of 22 May a translation of a German driving licence 1985).

This month the Dutch Government sent a letter of reply Is the Commission aware that, at the Ponte Ribellasca/ declining to withdraw the relevant provisions. These Centovalli frontier crossing, Italian officials have in at relate to: least one case imposed a 12 000 lire fine because no Italian translation could be provided of a valid German — the ban on splitting up foreign programmes (i.e. driving licence? broadcasting a selection of these programmes to subscribers wishing to receive them), Does the Commission intend to investigate this unusual — the ban on transmitting foreign programmes with occurrence and to ensure that the payment is Dutch subtitles and reimbursed? — the ban on foreign programmes if they contain advertisements directed at the Dutch public.

Does the Commission share my view that, as Guardian Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis of the Treaty of Rome, it has a duty to initiate on behalf of the Commission proceedings against the Netherlands before the Court (10 January 1986) of Justice for this infringement of the Treaties? The Commission has asked the Italian Government (!) OJ No C 83, 1. 4. 1985, p. 5. for information regarding the matter raised by the Honourable Member. The Italian authorities have assured the Commission that the fine should not have been imposed and that the payment will be reimbursed.

Answer given by Lord Cockfield The Commission takes the view that the mutual on behalf of the Commission recognition of national driving licences by the Member States, as laid down by Directive 80/1263/EEC on the (20 December 1985) introduction of a Community driving licence (x), does not permit a Member State to demand" a translation in The Netherlands replied to the Commission's argu­ its national language of driving licences issued by other ments on 13 August 1985; this reply appeared Member States. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/9

It should be noted that the introduction from 1 January square kilometres will also be sprayed with'endo­ 1986 of the Community driving licence with the words sulfan? Is it clear what public health risks this will 'driving licence' in all the Community languages should involve? make for a better interpretation of its content even when it is issued in a language other than that of the 7. How and by whom are the potential risks to the authorities called upon to check it. population and environment assessed? Are the African scientific institutes involved in environ­ mental monitoring? (J) OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1. 8. Is it true that a major part of the work of monitor­ ing the environmental impact will be carried out by a group of biogeography experts of the Univer­ sity of Saarbrucken? What amount will be paid to this body and how much to other institutes?

9. Is the Commission aware of the scientific repu­ tation of this institute and of whether it has any WRITTEN QUESTION No 1603/85 direct or indirect links with the firm Hoechst, by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S — NL) whose products include endosulfan? to the Commission of the European Communities 10. What is the procedure for selecting institutes to (30 September 1985) carry out environmental impact assessments. (86/C 99/15)

Subject: Ecology and development (J) OJ No C 341, 31. 12. 1985 p. 13.

Further to my Written Question No 867/85 (1), I should like to put the following supplementary questions to the Commission:

1. What action has the Commission taken on the Answer given by Mr Natali findings in the report drawn up by D.F. Lovemore on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the European Community and entitled (19 December 1985) 'A regional and tsetse and trypanosomiasis control study, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zim­ babwe' which appeared in 1983? 1. The report formed the basis of further discussions with the authorities of these countries, concerning the 2. Is it true that the programme to combat the tsetse problems caused by the tsetse fly. As a result, a three- fly recently proposed and approved by the Com­ year programme to combat the tsetse fly was developed. mission and the European Development Fund con­ stitutes the initial phase in the implementation of 2. The abovementioned report describes the presence a much wider programme, as described in the of the fly in the so-called common fly belt straddling Lovemore report? the four countries concerned. What further measures will have to be taken will depend on the results obtained 3. Does the Commission share the view expressed in in the currently approved project. that report that the only permanent solution to the tsetse problem is the blanket spraying of an area of 322 000 square kilometres (10 times the area of 3. No. The report also mentions several other possi­ the Netherlands) which is partly densely populated bilities and in the project a combination of several and partly made up of nature conservation areas, methods has been chosen, while only one third of the with dangerous insecticides such as endosulfan? budget will be used for aerial spraying. The other methods that will be used are: 4. Is the Commission aware of the assessments made (a) the use of traps and baits where the tsetse flies are of similar programmes in Africa which suggest attracted by colours and odours; that eradication of the tsetse fly followed by com­ mercial livestock farming leads to overgrazing and (b) the introduction of sterile male flies in a wild desertification. population; 5. Is the Commission aware that the Government of (c) preventive treatment of the animals infected by the Mozambique, which has the largest tsetse areas, is tsetse fly; not considering any programme of spraying but (d) chemical control by aerial spraying. rather an approach based on dealing with the disease in the host itself, which means that spraying programmes in the surrounding regions would lose 4. The Commission is aware of the fragile ecological much of their effectiveness? balance that occurs everywhere in Africa. In the case of combating the tsetse fly, the Commission is equally 6. Is it true that under the Community and EDF aware of programmes that have succeeded and pro­ plan already approved a populated area of 20 000 grammes that have failed. The Commission will take No C 99/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86 into Account these lessons from the past and will pay environmental research. It has no information and special attention to future land-use planning so as to therefore no opinion about the direct or indirect relation prevent soil degradation. of this institute with the German chemical industry. As already mentioned, no institute will be solely respon­ sible for the environmental research.

5. It would be very difficult to conduct aerial spray­ ing operations in Mozambique under the present secur­ ity conditions. Moreover, the occurrence and the inci­ dence of the tsetse fly would first have to be investi­ gated. Under the project, these surveys will be conduc­ ted in Mozambique. As in other countries, the other methods will be tried out, among them profilactic meas­ ures. However, Mozambique has participated in pre­ WRITTEN QUESTION No 1616/85 liminary discussions about the project and has raised no by Mr Gene Fitzgerald (RDE — IRL) disagreement in principle against spraying programmes. to the Commission of the European Communities (30 September 1985) (86/C 99/16) 6. The exact area to be sprayed, estimated at 20 000 square kilometres but likely to be smaller, will depend Subject: Extraction of sea gravel for construction pur­ on the initial results, the availability of alternative poses methods and the results of the environmental monitor­ ing. This latter aspect was introduced from the very beginning as the Commission was and is very well In the North Sea and other areas around Europe the aware of the possible dangers for human health. The extraction of sea gravel is a large and growing business project does not express a preference for endosulfan. with considerable investments being made. The short­ When other better products are available, they will be age of available aggregate for construction purposes near main European urban centres has increased the used. But until now the use of endosulfan has given, 1 using a minimal dosage, the most satisfactory results interest in sea aggregate ( ). in the circumstances. 1. Will the Commission agree to investigate the exact extent of this business in the Community?

7. and 10. Once the project was approved, the Com­ 2. Will it further indicate if it would be prepared to mission wrote a letter to each of the EEC Member fund an interdisciplinary study into the effects of States inviting them to propose an institution which the extraction of seabed gravel in commercial quan­ they considered would be capable of participating in tities in view of the fact that the extraction of seabed the environmental control. Since then, eight of the 10 gravel can raise potentially serious environmental governments have forwarded the name of one insti­ problems including the destruction of fish spawning tution. At present, the Commission is involved in nego­ and nursery grounds where indiscriminate extrac­ tiations to work out a common programme to evaluate tion occurs? the risk to humans and the environment. African insti­ tutes will be involved in this environmental control when possible. (J) Marine Research in Ireland by Matt Murphy, 'Bulletin of Sherkin Island' No 7, May 1983.

8. It is the intention of the Commission that a com­ mon programme will be established and no single Euro­ pean institute will be exclusively responsible for this, Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis programme. However, it is likely that the University of on behalf of the Commission Saarbriicken will play a prominent role in the coordi­ (18 December 1985) nation of the activities, as this was the common desire of the institutes present at the first meeting to discuss the programme. For this reason, it is difficult to quantify The Commission does not propose to undertake the the exact amount of funds that will flow to this institute studies oh extraction of sea gravel suggested by the and how much to the other institutes, but the initial Honourable Member, since responsibility for the regu­ budget allocation is 750 000 ECU. This amount could lation of this activity lies with the competent authorities be adjusted when necessary. in the Member States. It will consider whether or not it should propose that this subject be included in the programme of the second International North Sea Con­ ference, to be held in 1987. 9. The Commission has no reason to doubt the judgement of the Federal Republic of Germany that this is the best institute available to participate in the 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/11

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1621/85 Member States: differences due to the fact that the by Mr Pieter Dankert (S — NL) criminal procedures are not the same in each country to the Commission of the European Communities do not in fact act to the detriment of competition in the Community, the uniform application of Community (30 September 1985) law or the Community budget, if the procedures are (86/C 99/17) properly implemented.

Subject: Community agricultural levies under the com­ mon agricultural policy

The Community institutions' income from current or future levies under the common agricultural policy have been part of the Community's own resources from WRITTEN QUESTION No 1629/85 1 January 1971. The Dutch Minister for Agriculture by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S — B) has stated his views on agricultural levies in a reply to to the Commission of the European Communities written questions by members of the Dutch Parliament. In this connection may I invite the Commission to (30 September 1985) answer the following questions. (86/C 99/18)

Subject: Job advertisements Does the Commission share the minister's view, expressed in the answer to Question 2, on Com­ Job advertisements are often veiled publicity for firms munity agricultural frauds, by the members of the or even attempts to give the false impression that they Second Chamber of the States General, van Dam, are in good health. This is all the more unacceptable Van der Linden and Aarts, 1982/83 session, annex since such advertisements not only incur a considerable to the debates No 733? If not, what are the Com­ loss of time and money for those seeking employment mission's views on the issue raised in Question 2? but also increase their feeling of deception and disil­ lusionment. Are the Commission's views on this issue supported and actually put into practice by the Member States? Has the Commission given any thought to this situation If not, what are the consequences for competitive in the various Member States? relations and the standard application of EEC law and the EEC budget? Does the Commission intend to put forward proposals for rectifying the problem of fake job advertisements and providing job-seekers with better information at What will the Commission do to ensure uniform European level? thinking and uniform policy in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Sutherland on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Andriessen (16 December 1985) on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1985) No evidence has been brought to the Commission's attention regarding the practices referred to by the Honourable Member. 1. Yes. The Netherlands Government's reply con­ tains, in the opinion of the Commission, a proper The Commission would be grateful for any such infor­ description of the arrangements in the Netherlands to mation although it would stress that the issues involved deal with fraud entailing the loss of levies chargeable would seem to be ones which should be dealt with under the EEC agricultural market organizations. firstly and primarily by national authorities. As regards the exchange of information about job 2 and 3. The Commission takes the view that the vacancies, the Commission operates, in conjunction Community is entitled to expect that all the Member with the national manpower services, an exchange of States should have organized and should operate effec­ information system, known as SEDOC, so that workers tive arrangements to deal with fraud in connection with in individual Member States can be informed about, these levies. It feels, however, that it cannot require and apply for, jobs in other Community countries. that prosecutions and convictions for fraud of this kind should be conducted in an identical manner in all the No C 99/12 Official Journal of European Communities 28. 4. 86

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1639/85 According to press reports (x) the German CID Officers by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S — NL) Federation has called for the introduction of non-falsi­ fiable car number plates. The papers report the Feder­ to the Commission of the European Communities ation as saying that the number of stolen plates had (30 September 1985) more than doubled in the last 10 years; about 80 % of (86/C 99/19) serious crimes such as bank, post office, shop and security van robberies, and also burglaries and terrorist attacks were carried out using illegally acquired regis­ Subject: Greek trade in protected bird species tration plates. On 23 December 1984 observers of a private Dutch bird protection organization saw in a shop in Athens at least 1. Is there any evidence to suggest a similar situation in two caged barn owls (Tyto alba) and hundreds of other Member States of the European Community? goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), twites (C. flavirostris) 2. What scope does the Commission see for an initia­ and redpolls (C. flammea, C. spinus). This offence was tive to introduce non-falsifiable registration plates reported together with photographs in the 'Vogeljaar' in the European Community? magazine No 79.33 (!) of 1985.

This is a flagrant infringement of the Directive on bird (J) e.g. 'Badische Neueste Nachrichten', Karlsruhe, 2. 8. 1985. conservation. 1. Is the Commission aware of the situation concerning trade in birds in Greece and can it indicate what progress has been made concerning the implemen­ tation of the Directive on bird conservation in Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis Greece? on behalf of the Commission 2. In view of this infringement of Community rules, is (12 December 1985) the Commission prepared to draw the attention of the Greek Government to its duty to enforce the Since its reply to the Honourable Member's earlier rules prohibiting the capture of and trade in birds? Written Question No 1403/81 (*) on this subject, the Commission has not received any further information from the Governments concerned. In the absence of evidence to show that number plates could be made Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis completely forgery proof and that their introduction on behalf of the Commission could indeed help significantly to reduce the serious crimes mentioned in the question, the Commission does (17 December 1985) not believe there are sufficient grounds for taking a Community initiative in this field. The Commission has received several complaints about the hunting in Greece of certain species protected by 1 Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild i ) OJ No C 92, 13. 4. 1982. birds (*), but it has received no complaints about trade in birds. With regard to the hunting of these birds, the Honour­ able Member is requested to refer to the Commission's answer to Written Question No 868/85 (2).

(!) OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. 2 ( ) OJ No C 29, 10. 2. 1986, p. 4. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1653/85 by Mr Leen van der Waal (NI — NL) to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/21)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1647/85 Subject: Refund of VAT by France by Mr Horst Seefeld (S — D) France's arrangements for the refund of VAT on the to the Commission of the European Communities supply of goods and services are very unsatisfactory. The VAT refund on diesel oil is being introduced in (7 October 1985) stages (the full 18,6% cannot be reclaimed until (86/C 99/20) 1 November 1987) and there is no refund on lubricants and brake fluid — a situation unique among EEC Subject: Non-falsifiable car registration plates Member States. 28.4.86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/13

1. Does the Commission not find this situation contra­ 1985, it was revealed that separate council-housing venes the Eighth Council Directive of 6 December estates are being built and rebuilt for Protestants and 1979 on the harmonization of the laws of the Mem­ Catholics. ber States relating to turnover taxes, incorporating arrangements for the refund of value added tax to This is a fundamentally discriminatory practice, which taxable persons not established in the territory of is likely to maintain tensions between the two com­ the country (!)? If not, why not ? munities. It is therefore striking that the upper and middle classes, 2. What steps will the Commission take in the event who live in private housing, are not segregated accord­ of a positive answer to the previous question? ing to religious convictions or national allegiance; on the contrary, they live together without problems. (*) 79/1072/EEC — OJ No L 331, 27. 12. 1979, p. 11. Is the Commission aware that Community aid for house construction and urban renewal in Belfast is being used to build and rebuild separate ghettos for Protestants and Catholics?

Answer given by Lord Cockfield on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Delors (5 December 1985) on behalf of the Commission (3 January 1986) The Eighth Council Directive is exclusively concerned with procedures for refund of VAT -to non-resident The Community does not grant aid for house construc­ taxable persons; it does not create any substantive rights tion in Belfast. The Commission would refer the to such refund. Honourable Member to its reply to Written Questions Nos 33/85 to 37/85 and Nos 39/85 to 43/85 (*) by Mr As France allows, in accordance with Article 17(6) of Huckfield from which it will appear that the Com­ the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May mission does not have any particular locus standi in 1977 (*), neither a complete deduction of VAT on diesel regard to Member States' policies regarding housing fuel nor any deduction of VAT on lubricants and brake construction. fluids for resident taxable persons, it is not obliged to The Community grants aid for infrastructure projects refund VAT on those goods to non-resident taxable 2 persons; such a refund would discriminate against its under Council Regulation (EEC) 1739/83 ( ) introdu­ own residents. cing an exceptional Community measure to promote urban renewal in Belfast. The Commission is not aware In order to harmonize the great number of differences that this aid is being used to separate the religious concerning the deductibility of VAT for taxable per­ communities in the city. sons, the Commission submitted to the Council in Jan­ J 2 ( ) OJ No C 255, 7. 10. 1985, p. 14-16. uary 1983 a proposal for a 12th Council Directive ( ) (2) OJ No L 171, 29. 6. 1983, p. 1. upon which the Council has not taken any action to date.

(!) OJ No L 145, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (2) OJ No C 37, 10. 2. 1983, p. 8.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1662/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1661/85 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S — 8) by Mr lb Christensen (ARC — DK) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/23) (86/C 99/22) Subject: Court of Justice proceedings against Belgium for failure to implement waste-related Direc­ Subject: Community aid for house construction and tives urban renewal in Belfast On 23 July 1985, the Commission instituted proceedings At an unofficial meeting of MEPs and representatives in the Court against Belgium for failure to implement of town planning authorities in Belfast on 27 August four Directives: 75/439/EEC(1), on the disposal of No C 99/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86 waste oils; 75/442/EEC (2), on waste; 76/403/EEC(3), As regards Belgium's arguments to justify its failure to on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and poly- incorporate the Directives on waste into its national chlorinated terphenyls; and 78/176/EEC(4), on waste legislation, the Commission refers the Honourable from the titanium dioxide industry. The Court found Member to the Court of Justice rulings of 2 February against Belgium for the same omissions as long ago as 1982 on the cases which she mentioned, i.e. Case 68/ 2 February 1982. 81, 69/81, 70/81 and 71/81 (!).

What measures did the Commission take—in the period As for the consequences for a Member State of being between its answer to my Written Question No 331/ 5 found at fault by the Court of Justice, although the 82 ( ) of 30 March 1982 on this subject and the insti­ Community has no penal or enforcement powers of its tution of proceedings—to prevail upon Belgium to own to ensure fulfilment of obligations imposed by amend its legislation accordingly? Community legislation, the Treaty places the Member States under a legal obligation to take all the measures During the first set of proceedings before the Court— called for by the ruling. With this in mind, the Com­ Cases 68/81, 69/81, 70/81 and 71/81—Belgium argued mission has initiated fresh infringement procedures that institutional changes (regionalization) had prevent­ against Belgium for failing to act on these rulings. There ed implementation of the Directives in time. Does the is no precedent for action of this type in connection Commission take the view that this argument, which with environmental protection legislation. was indeed rejected by the Court, is now acceptable? As things now stand, the Commission considers that What are the consequences for a Member State if it is Belgium should immediately obey the Court of Justice found to have disregarded Article 171 of the Treaty of rulings and adopt the measures needed to comply with Rome? Are there precedents? the Directives, as required by the closing Articles.

What further measures is the Commission taking to urge Belgium to amend its legislation? (!) 1982 ECR, 153 to 158, 163, 169 to 174 and 175 to 182.

Does the Commission take the view that these Direc­ tives contain certain provisions which satisfy the criteria for direct implementation? If so, which provisions?

(!). OJ No L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 23. (2) OJ No L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 39. (3) OJ No L 108, 26. 4. 1976, p. 41. (4) OJ No L 54, 25. 2. 1978, p. 19. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1676/85 (5) OJ No C 167, 5. 7. 1982, p. 37. by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC — B) to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/24)

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission Subject: Construction of an oil/gas pipeline through the Wadden Sea (16 December 1985) In the Netherlands definite plans have been drawn up to construct an oil/gas pipeline through the Wadden Article 5 of the EEC Treaty requires the Member States Sea. to take all appropriate measures, whether general or particular, to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising out of the EEC Treaty or resulting from action taken' This has led to protests from various quarters. by the Community institutions and to facilitate the achievement of the Community's tasks. In turn, the Treaty assigns the Commission the task to ensuring Can the Commission state: that the provisions set out therein and the measures taken by the institutions are applied correctly. The 1. whether this project has been the subject of an Commission has special powers for this purpose, in the environmental impact assessment, particularly con­ form of the infringement procedure provided for by cerning the ecological consequences for the Wadden Article 169 of the EEC Treaty. Sea and the possible consequences for the North Sea in the event of accidents? As can be seen from the procedures referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission has fully 2. whether any emergency plans have been made to exercised the powers vested in it by the Treaty. deal with possible disasters? 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/15

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1985) (16 December 1985)

1, The company intending to construct the pipeline 1. The Commission has no knowledge of this situ­ to which the Honourable Member refers has arranged ation. for a study to be undertaken on certain environmental aspects of the project. The study is not an assessment 2 to 4. Council Directive 78/659/EEC (!) on the qual­ of the impact on the environment within the meaning 1 ity of fresh waters needing protection or improvement of Directive 85/337/EEC( ), nor does it meet the in order to support fish life permits an increase of 1,5 °C requirements of the bill on the subject currently before for salmonid waters and 3 °C for cyprinid waters. the Dutch Parliament.

However, these values apply only to salmonid and 2. According to the information the Commission cypronid fresh waters expressly designated as such by has, the competent Dutch authorities have authorized the Member States. the project subject to presentation of a contingency plan. The waters of the Scheldt have not been so designated by the Member States and are thus not subject to the (!) OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985. obligations of the Directive in question.

(!) OJ No L 222, 14. 8. 1978, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1677/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC — B) to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/25) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1679/85 by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC — B) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Pollution of the Scheldt • (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/26) Between Ruien and Zwijnaarde the temperature of the Scheldt has risen mainly as a result of thermal pollution caused by the water cooling system of the Ruien power Subject: Nitrate content of drinking water station. According to the Ecological Movement, much of our According to a scientific study carried out by the Insti­ drinking water is contaminated by nitrates. tute for Hygiene, the temperature rise in the waters of the Scheldt is 10 °C. In the Community Directive on Can the Commission provide the following infor­ the quality of surface waters containing fish a tempera­ mation: ture rise of 3°C only is authorized for such water­ courses. 1. Is a Directive in force on the nitrate content of drinking water? 1. Is the Commission aware of this situation? 2. If so, is it being respected by all Member States? 2. What view does it take of these matters? 3. If not, has a draft Directive been drawn up? 3. Is Belgium infringing the relevant Directive? 4. Do any records exist of Europe's drinking water reserves and their content? 4. If so, what steps does the Commission intend to take? 5. If so, could I have a copy? No C 99/16 Official Journal of the iean Communities 28. 4. 86

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1985) (IS December 1985)

1. The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that on 15 July 1980 the Council adopted a Between 1975 and 1984, the European Regional Devel­ Directive on the quality of Water intended for human opment Fund made no grants to the Belgian steel consumption (80/778/EEC) (!). industry.

In accordance with Article 19 of the Directive, the latter Nor were loans made under the ECSC conversion loan has applied since 17 July 1985. arrangements,, under the New Community Instrument or by the European Investment Bank. The maximum admissible concentration (MAC) for nitrates in water is indicated in parameter No 20 of However, industrial loans totalling 92 million ECU Table C of Annex I (50 mg of No3 per litre). were granted under Article 54 of the ECSC Treaty to the Belgian steel industry during that period. This amount breaks down as follows (in million ECU): 2. The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answer to Written Question No 550/85 by Mrs Bloch von Blottnitz (2) on the application of Directive — Brussels region: 0, 80/778/EEC by Member States. — Flanders: 30, 4 and 5. As far as the Commission knows, there is no European inventory of drinking-water reserves. However, the Commission has drawn up an inventory — Wallonia: 62. of groundwater and its present quality which is avail­ able from: Th. Schafer, Druckerei GmbH, Tivolistr. 4, D-3000 Hannover.

(!) OJ No L 229, 30. 8. 1980. (2) OJ No C 287, 11. 11. 1985, p. 8.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1687/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1689/85 by Mr Raphael Chanterie (PPE — B) by Mr Raphael Chanterie (PPE — B) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/27) (86/C 99/28)

Subject: Financial help for the Belgian steel industry Subject: Aid for social measures for the Belgian steel industry Can the Commission give a summary of aid and loans to the Belgian steel industry since 1975, broken down by region through: Can the Commission give a summary of the social measures since 1975 for the re-employment in other sectors of industry of former employees of the Belgian 1. ECSC conversion loans, iron and steel industry, broken down by region, by means of: 2. the European Regional Development Fund, 1. aid for retraining for ECSC employees, 3. the European Investment Bank,

4. the new Community loans instrument? 2. the European Social Fund? 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/17

Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1985) 1. The aid granted under Article 56(2)(b) of the ECSC Treaty in respect of the period 1975-84 can be broken down as follows:

(ECU) Belgium Wallonia Flanders

Amounts Benefi­ Amounts Benefi­ Amounts y Benefi­ committed ciaries committed ciaries committed ciaries

IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY Traditional readap- tadon aid 18 288 452,66 15 243 17 616 702,66 14 739 671 750 504 Social Support Pro­ grammes 26 946 000,00 8 041 26 946 000,00 8 041

Total 45 234 452,66 23 284 44 562 702,66 22 780 671750 504

COAL INDUSTRY Traditional readap- tation aid 14 224 333,13 8 388 14 224 333,13 8 388 1984 Social Support Programmes 1 000 000,00 515 1 000 000,00 515

Total 15 224 333,13 8 903 15 224 333,13 8 903

Grand total 60 458 785,79 32 187 59 787 035,79 31 683 671 750 504 (steel and coal industries)

Traditional readaptation aid, granted in accordance with arrangements agreed bilaterally between the Commission and the Belgian Government, takes the following forms:

— tideover allowances, — wages make-up payments for workers redeployed to other jobs, — aid for vocational training, — aid to facilitate mobility, — early retirement benefits, '— other benefits specific to the coalmining industry, — lump-sum payments in compensation for loss of concessionary coal, — severance payments.

Aid granted under the Social Support Programmes, in accordance with criteria laid down by the Council, relates primarily to the cost of early retirement benefits.

2. The European Social Fund primarily contributes towards the financing of vocational training operations, recruitment schemes and wage cost subsidies. Assistance is aimed in particular at workers who are unemployed, threatened with redundancy or underemployed, and more especially at the long term unemployed.

No distinction is made between beneficiaries in terms of economic sector of origin. It is therefore not possible to specify the amount granted to workers from the iron and steel industry. No C 99/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1692/85 conservation of birds in the Community. However, the by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S — B) Belgian and Dutch authorities have not yet notified this area for the network of special protection areas to the Commission of the European Communities provided for by Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC and (7 October 1985) the resolution adopted at the same time by the 5 (86/C 99/29) Council ( ). The Commission therefore requests that governments that have not so far done so should desig­ Subject: Planned construction of a holiday village nate and notify the areas of special protection as soon beside the Zwin nature reserve in Belgium as possible.

The Zwin on Belgium's North Sea coast, near the Dutch In accordance with Article 4(4) of Directive 79/409/ border, is a unique nature reserve for plant and bird EEC, Member States are obliged to take appropriate life. steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting the birds in the protection Although classified as a nature reserve and an area of areas in so far as these would be significant having natural interest, its ecological balance is being directly regard to the objectives of the Directive. threatened by plans to build a holiday village and yachting marina directly beside it in Dutch territory. Under the circumstances the Commission is of the opin­ ion that the Member States in question should look Consequently the whole Zwin area will be under threat into the effects of-these projects on the environment from various forms of pollution in the not-too-distant and, more particularly, on the conservation potential future unless the developers' plans are halted. of the ecosystems to be protected where the projects concern the special protection areas or the surrounding areas. 1. Is the Commission prepared to take practical steps to protect Europe's natural heritage, particularly nature reserves under threat? (!) OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (2) OJ No L 176, 3. 7. 1984. 2. What does the Commission intend to do to prevent (3) OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985. a construction project in one Member State from (4) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. threatening by its proximity a nature reserve in (5) OJ No C 103, 25. 4. 1979. another Member State?

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1985) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1698/85 1. Acting on proposals from the Commission, the Community has adopted several regulations designed by Mr Horst Seefeld (S — D) to protect the natural heritage: to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) — Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds which lays down certain provisions concerning (86/C 99/30) the protection of habitats (*), — Regulation (EEC) No 1872/84 on action by the Subject: Additional levy on vehicles travelling on Swiss Community relating to the environment, which roads enables the Community to make a contribution towards the maintenance and re-establisment of With regard to the additional levy of SWF 200 that the biotopes(2), Swiss Government had decided to impose on vehicles from countries that have taken counter-measures -— Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the against Swiss vehicles using the roads in their countries, effects of certain public and private projects on the the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has environment (3). commented that the increase in taxation imposed by the Swiss authorities conflicts totally with the rights of In line with the third Community action programme foreign hauliers operating international road transport on the environment (1982-86) (4), the Commission tries in Switzerland, as it places in jeopardy all agreements to make an active contribution to the estalishment of an signed by Switzerland on the free movement of people adequate and ordered network of effectively protected and goods in Europe. biotopes. Can the Commission confirm the IRU statement and 2. The Zwin is a transfrontier area which is quoted if so, what defensive action can the countries of the in the provisional inventory of important areas for the European Community take? 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/19

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis minimal conditions to protect laying hens in cages in on behalf of the Commission all Member States of the Community. At the same time (12 December 1985) the Commission has recognized the need to continue to seek for further improvements to cage systems and for alternatives which are both economically viable and As already indicated in the Commission's reply to more satisfactory from the point of view of animal the Oral Question H-528/85 of Mr Anastassopoulos (*) protection. Community financial assistance is already there are for the time being no Swiss counter-measures devoted to research in this field. The report of the Farm against Community vehicles. The Commission is there­ Animal Welfare Council confirms the Commission's fore not able to confirm the declaration of the 'Inter­ view of the need to continue this work. national Road Transport Union' as quoted by the Honourable Member. 0) OJ No C 208, 18. 8. 1981, p. 5, amended by OJ No C 187, 22. 7. 1982, p. 4. (*)• Debates of the European Parliament No 2-332 (November 1985).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1713/85 by Mr Bouke Beumer (PPE — NL) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1705/85 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED — GB) (7 October 1985) to the Commission of the European Communities (86/C 99/32) (7 October 1985) (86/C 99/31) • Subject: Voluntary internal environmental account­ ancy by industry Subject: Battery cages 1. Is the Commission aware that Dutch industry, A report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in the particularly the chemical industry, is carrying on a United Kingdom — published on 18 September 1985 campaign to give more publicity to environmental and available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office — auditing, a form of voluntary internal environmental is strongly critical of the battery cage system which it accountancy by industry. condemns as cruel in almost all respects. What is the Commission's reaction to that report and how will the 2. To what extent does the Commission consider it views expressed within it influence the Commission in important for voluntary cooperation in internal their current thinking on: environmental accountancy by industry to be given encouragement at European level, so that the manufac­ (a) battery cage sizes; arid turers may themselves more clearly appreciate their responsibilities where the environment and safety are (b) the future of the battery cage system itself? concerned?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1985) (19 December 1985)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for 1. The Commission has not been informed of the drawing its attention to the report published in Sep­ campaign mentioned by the Honourable Member tember 1985 by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in which would involve Dutch undertakings carrying out the United Kingdom. a form of voluntary environmental audit.

By its contacts with the 'Eurogroup for Animal Welfare' 2. The Commission is pleased that this step should the attention of the Commission has already been have been taken in the Netherlands and hopes that drawn to the fact that the animal welfare interests in firms in other Member States will adopt the same the Community do not approve of the existing cage approach, as the success of an environmental policy systems for laying hens on welfare grounds. requires that everyone in the Community should become aware of the problem and take on full responsi­ The Commission has already conducted an extensive bility for the environment and ^safety. study of this question and made proposals to the Council (*). so that the first steps may be, taken to adopt No C 99/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1721/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1734/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S — D) by Mr Ray Mac Sharry (RDE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (7 October 1985) (14 October 1985) (86/C 99/33) (86/C 99/34)

Subject: Planned development of the Sellafield (Wind- Subject: Objections on allegedly constitutional grounds scale) nuclear plant

1. Is it true that individual Member States have Is the Commission aware of plans for a substantial voiced objections to Commission proposals 'on consti­ development of the Sellafield (Windscale) nuclear tutional grounds' in the course of cooperating on Com­ power plant over the next decade, and, in view of the munity legislation on the basis of the Treaties, and appalling safety record of the plant and its threat to consequently refused to approve the said proposals? the health and safety of people on both sides of the Irish Sea, does the Commission agree that it is vital to 2. If so, on what occasions, and which were the ensure that there should be no increased discharge of Member States involved? waste into the Irish Sea?

3. Could the Commission state whether this also occurred in relation to the internal market (see Point 2), and particularly the 14th Directive on VAT? Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission 4. What is the Commission's attitude to such objec­ (11 December 1985) tions in view of the fact that all the Member States have ratified the Treaties and thereby accepted either that no constitutional objections exist or that they are In accordance with the Commission's recommendation subordinate to the higher law established by primary, on the application of Article 37 of the Euratom secondary or tertiary European legislation? Treaty (2), the United Kingdom Government has sub­ mitted estimates of the amounts of discharge of radio­ active waste from the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing 5. Does the Commission consider that it can exercise Plant (Thorp) at Sellafield which is scheduled to com­ sufficient procedural and political pressure to counter mence operation in 1990. dilatory action of this kind by Member States? If so, in what way? If not, what improvements could it introduce in the near future? By 1990 when this plant will come into operation, improvements to existing installations will have reduced levels of discharge to 20 % of current values. This new plant will, it is estimated, contribute less than 5 % of the total discharges in 1990.

Answer given by Mr Delors As stated in the report of the independent advisory on behalf of the Commission group set up by the United Kingdom Department of (16 December 1985) Health and Social Security and chaired by Professor Sir Douglas Black, epidemiological studies in the United Kingdom have not provided evidence of an adverse The Commission cannot give any information on the effect of discharges from the Sellafield plant on the details of the Council's discussions. It would point out health of those living in the vicinity. Studies in Ireland that the Community, in exercising its powers, is obliged have provided similar results. The recommendations of to respect fundamental rights as derived from the con­ the group for further research have been implemented stitutions of the Member States and the European Con­ by the United Kingdom authorities and the Commission vention for the Protection of Human Rights and Funda­ will consider the results of this when available. mental Freedoms (see the consistent decisions of the Court of Justice, e.g. the judgment of 13 December Finally, the Honourable Member is referred to the 1979 in Case 44/79 (*), and the Joint Declaration of intervention made by Commissioner Clinton Davis at 5 April 1977(2)). Considerations of a constitutional the end of the debate on the Bloch von Blottnitz report which took place at the plenary session of the European nature may, therefore, have to be taken into account 2 when decisions are adopted at Community level. Parliament on 9 September 1985 ( ).

(*) OJ No L 83, 29. 3. 1982, p. 15. ' (!) Hauer v. Rheinland-Pfalz, [1979], ECR 3744. 2 (2) OJ No C 103, 27. 4. 1977, p. 1. ( ) Debates of the European Parliament, No 2-329 (September 1985). 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/21

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1735/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1740/85 by Mr Ray Mac Sharry (RDE — IRL) by Mr James Fitzsimons (RDE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (14 October 1985) (14 October 1985) (86/C 99/35) (86/C 99/36)

Subject: Illegal fishing by Spanish fishermen Subject: Architectural heritage grants and the develop­ ment of a policy for the preservation of archae­ ological sites Does the Commission consider that the incident involv­ ing the Spanish fishing vessel, the 'Vera Cruz Segunda', which failed to stop when intercepted while illegally Can the Commission provide information on the num­ fishing off the Irish coast, indicates once again the ber of schemes which the Community has aided for the contempt of Spanish fishermen for the Community's conservation of the architectural heritage in each of the fishing regulations and the corresponding need to Member States to date, the value of such aid, as well increase at Community level our fishery protection as details of all ad hoc grants and loans from the capacity? European Investment Bank that have been awarded for architectural restoration projects?

Does the Commission consider that increased illegal activity by the Spaniards — 40 Spanish craft were In addition, while EEC aid has been made available arrested in the first seven months of 1985, compared to for the conservation of the Community's architectural 30 vessels in the whole of 1984 in Irish waters — heritage, will the Commission state whether or not sites underlines the urgent need for such action? of major archaeological importance in the Community, such as Newgrange in Ireland, are specifically eligible for assistance under this scheme and, if not, will the Commission now undertake to develop a policy of aid for the preservation of such sites?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1985) Answer given by Mr Ripa Di Meana on behalf of the Commission The Commission would emphasize the duty of all the Member States to ensure, within their waters, the (12 December 1985) respect of the provisions of the common fisheries policy by vessels of any flag. For its part the Commission has proposed to the Council, with a view to improving Details of aid provided by the European Community enforcement in an enlarged Community, amend­ ! specifically for the conservation of the architectural ments ( ) to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2057/82, heritage are set out below. Grants were made on an ad establishing certain control measures for fishing activi­ 2 hoc basis until 1984, when the Community's aids for ties by vessels of the Member States ( )\ In addition, the pilot projects to conserve the architectural heritage were Commission expects to adopt before the end of the year introduced. Under this continuing scheme all monu­ a number of specific enforcement measures aimed at ments or archaeological sites of European renown are ensuring the correct application of the provisions of the eligible for aid. accession treaty concerning access to fishing possi­ bilities.

Community grants for conservation projects since The increase in the number of arrests of Spanish vessels 1980(7« ECU) in Irish waters indicates the value of and need for a continuing strengthening of enforcement whether or not it derived from increased illegal activity. 1980

— United Kingdom, Edinburgh: Market Street Build­ (') COM(85) 490 final. ing— for use as a cultural centre: 100 000, (2) OJ No L 220, 29. 7. 1982, p. 1. 1982

— Greece, Milos: Museum and site: 50 000, No C 99/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

1983 — 3,65 million ECU in 1983 for restoration of the Doges' Palace in Venice as well as works of art in the — Greece, Athens: Parthenon restoration project: palace. A 470 000 ECU tranche of this loan received a 500 000, 5 % interest subsidy totalling 120 000 ECU borne by — Ireland, Dublin: Rainsford Street Hops Store — for the Community's budget. use as an art gallery: 75 000, — Belgium, Limburg: Kerkom Castle: 25 000, — 2,88 million ECU in 1984 for the restoration and protection of archaeological sites at Pompeii, Hercula- — Italy, Pieve: Palazzo della Corgna: 10 000, neum and Stabias in Campania. Gubbio: Palazzo dei Consoli: 8 500, — Netherlands: Special grant to help in raising the East Indiaman 'Amsterdam' from the Channel: 4 500,

1984

— Greece, Athens: Parthenon restoration project: WRITTEN QUESTION No 1748/85 500 000, by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S — D) — Belgium, Tongeren: Roman Walls: 33 000, to the Commission of the European Communities — Denmark, Christiansfeld: Sostrekorhuset: 33 000, (14 October 1985) — France, Ensisheim: Eco-musee de Haute Alsace: 33 000, (86/C 99/37) — Federal Republic of Germany, Soest: St Maria zur Wiese: 33 000, Subject: Community loyalty — Greece, Vasses: Temple of Epicurean Apollo: 33 000, Thessaloniki: White Tower: 33 000, 1. Does the Commission share my interpretation of — Ireland, Cork: Firkin Crane Building: 33 000, Article 5 of the EEC Treaty, namely that it enshrines — Italy, Rome: Trajan's Column: 33 000, the principle of Community loyalty, and do all Member Santa Giusta: Basilica: 33 000, States endorse this view, if not, why not? Martina Franca: 'Trulli': 33 000, — Netherlands, Gouda: Grote Sint-Janskerk: 33 000; 2. What obligations arise for the Member States in individual cases from this interpretation of Article5? — United Kingdom, Brighton: Royal Pavilion: 33 000, Can the Commission give practical examples?

3. What specific cases have arisen since 1958 involving 1985 the application of Article 5, in which the Community institutions were required to remind the Member States — Greece, Athens: Parthenon restoration project. of their obligations? Grants under scheme of aids for pilot projects to conserve the architectural heritage to be announced later in the year.

The European Regional Development Fund may aid works on historic monuments and sites where these Answer given by Mr Delors contribute to the development of the region in which on behalf of the Commission they are located by increasing its attraction for tourism. (10 December 1985) Between 1975 and 1985 a total of 48 projects have been grant-aided by the ERDF in the category Cultural heritage sites and monuments. These projects, located 1. The Court of Justice, entrusted by the Treaty with in Ireland, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom have the task of ensuring that, in the interpretation and received a total of 9,1 million ECU. application of the Treaty, the law is observed, has referred to Article 5 on numerous occasions. In a judg­ 1 The European Investment Bank has contributed a total ment of 5 May 1981 in a fisheries case( ) it was con­ of 6,695 million ECU in loans towards sites of signifi­ firmed that 'according to Article 5 of the Treaty Mem­ cant European cultural heritage. This includes: ber States are required to take all appropriate measures to facilitate the achievement of the Community's task — 165 000 ECU allocated in 1982 for the archaeolo­ and to abstain from any measures which might jeopard­ gical museum on the Island of Melos (Cyclades), ize the attainment of the objectives of the Treaty'. It Greece. The loan received a 4,9 % interest subsidy total­ would seem clear to the Commission that the Member ing 50 000 ECU, and a grant of 50 000 ECU through States, as. signatories of the Treaty and in view, in the European Investment Bank, both amounts being particular, of their obligations undertaken therein with borne by the Community's budget. regard to the Court, adhere fully to this view. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/23

2 and 3. It is not possible to list all of the numerous mission has no plans for any action to amend the situations in which reference has been made to Treaties on this point. Article 5 in the Commission's dealings with the Member States. However, the attention of the Honourable Mem­ 3. The Commission is not aware of any preparatory ber is drawn to the many measures where the Com­ work in this area. mission has requested information from the Member States (2). Indeed reference was made to Article 5 in connection with such obligations of the Member States to provide information in the Commission's reply to Written Question No 1802/84 of Mr Michel Debatis- se(3) and in its reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question No 2219/83 (4).

(*) Commission v. United Kingdom (1981) ECR 1045, 1075. 2 ( ) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3254/74 of 17 December 1984, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1772/85 OJ No L 349, 28. 12. 1974, p. 1. (3) OJ No C 164, 3. 7. 1985, p. 22. by Mr Gijs de Vries (L — NL), Mr Bouke Beumer (PPE 4 ( ) OJ No C 194, 23. 7. 1984, p. 4. — NL), Mr Alasdair Hutton (ED — GB), Mrs Winifred Ewing (RDE — GB), Mrs Hedy d'Ancona (S — NL), Mr Kenneth Collins (S — GB), Mr Giovanni Papapietro (COM — I), Mr Pol Marck (PPE — B) and Mr Wilhelm Hahn (PPE — D) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1750/85 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S — D) (14 October 1985) to the Commission of the European Communities (86/C 99/39) (14 October 1985) (86/C 99/38) Subject: Financial support for Olympus Television

Subject: Appointment of judges and Advocates- The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the General creation of a European television programme, which it considers to be an important step towards the establish­ 1. Is the Commission aware of the practical arrange­ ment of a Europe of the citizens. ments and legal basis whereby the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe participates in the A pan-European satellite broadcasting consortium has appointment of members of the European Court o{ been set up by the European Broadcasting Union in Human Rights and how does it view them? order to transmit a European programme service, by the name of Olympus Television, over the ECS satellite. 2. Does the Commission, in conjunction with the In its present, initial stage, Olympus TV is in need of Member States, intend to create procedures whereby financial support. the European Parliament can participate in the appoint­ ment of members of the Court of Justice of the Euro­ pean Communities and if so, when, and if not, why On several occasions, Commissioner Ripa de Meana not? has publicly stated as his opinion that the European Commission should submit a proposal to subsidize the 3. What progress has been made in the preliminary Olympus project from the Community budget, and that work in this matter as a result of the agreements such support should not merely be of a symbolic nature. between various Council Presidents? 1. Is the Commission prepared, as asked by the EBU, to assist Olympus TV with one million ECU in 1985 and two million ECU in 1986? Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission 2. Does the Commission intend to find these funds within the 1985 budget and the preliminary draft (6 December 1985) budget for 1986 respectively?

1. The Commission is of course familiar with 3. If so, can the Commission indicate which budget Articles 39 and 40 of the Convention for the protection lines will be affected, and does it intend to propose of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. How­ credit transfers? ever, it is not for the Commission to pass judgment on the election procedure provided for in these Articles. 4. In view of the urgency of the matter, is the Com­ mission prepared to submit its reply to these ques­ 2. The procedure for appointing judges and Advoca­ tions before the first reading of the 1986 budget by tes-General has worked well in the past, so the Com- Parliament? No C 99/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana cooperation between higher education establishments on behalf of the Commission of 14 March 1984 (3) and as a follow-up to the results (27 February 1986) of the European Council held in Milan in June 1985, the Commission is preparing a proposal for a new action programme in the field of higher education with The Commision fully agrees with the Honourable a special focus on the promotion of mobility and Members on the importance of a European television exchange of students within the Community. programme as a step towards the establishment of a citizens' Europe. It is intended that the communication and proposals on this subject should be transmitted to the Council The Commission is also aware of the recent start-up before the end of the year so that the necessary decisions of the 'Europe-TV programme, formerly known as may be taken in the Council in the first half of 1986. 'Olympus TV', and follows its progress with great interest. (!) OJ No C 78, 19. 2. 1976, p. 1. Any financial contribution to Olympus TV, or any (2) COM(85) 134 final, pp. 23 to 34. other European TV channels, would have to be decided (3) OJ No C 104, 16. 4. 1984, p. 50. in the light of the budgetary appropriations allocated for this purpose.

The restrictive credits available in the 1985 budget did not permit the provision of any financial assistance in 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1816/85 by Mr Thomas Raftery (PPE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 October 1985) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1784/85 (86/C 99/41) by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond (PPE — F) Subject: Nutrition to the Commission of the European Communities (14 October 1985) Could the Commission provide details of the extent of malnutrition in the Member States? (86/C 99/40) How far is any evidence of this due tp poor health Subject: Commission policy with regard to higher education in nutrition? education establishments Can the Commission provide details of any action Will the Commission provide details of its policy with which has so far been taken in this important area, regard to higher education establishments in the either at Community level or at the level of the Member Community? States? Is it able to conclude research contracts with some of Would the Commission agree that the Community those establishments in areas falling within the terms could play a useful role in the future, publicizing this of reference of the Communities? and other important aspects of health education?

Answer given by Mr Sutherland Answer given by Mr Sutherland on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1985) (13 December 1985)

The policy of the Commission with regard to higher The concept of malnutrition covers both what is under­ education has been implemented following the action stood to be a poorly-balanced diet and what should be programme in the field of education of 9 February regarded as genuine lack of food. 1976 (!). As far as the problem of poorly-balanced diet is .con­ The most recent and concise description of the results cerned, the Commission has only fragmentary infor­ achieved is in the report entitled 'Education and mation from which no formal conclusions can be Vocational Training within the European Com­ drawn. Nevertheless, nutrition experts take the view munity'^). that a substantial proportion of the population does not enjoy a balanced diet, an assertion borne out by a In response to the resolution of the European Par­ number of health indicators (obesity, cancers of the liament on higher education and the development of colon, etc.). 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/25

Inadequate or non-existent health education on diet is In view of the importance to the economy of Portugal largely responsible for the problem of 'bad eating of the timber industry, would the Commission be pre­ habits', as it is commonly called. pared to assist the Portuguese Government financially, to enable the Portuguese to provide proper fire-fighting The Member States have taken the initiative of imple­ and other precautionary aids to safeguard their forests? menting health education programmes at different levels, in particular in the field of nutrition.

The Commission has, for its part, taken the following action: Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis — Seminar on health education at school in the Mem­ on behalf of the Commission ber States of the European Community (report EUR (17 December 1985) 7331), — Survey of school meals in the Member States of the European Community (ISBN 92/825/5331/0), The Commission is aware of the extent of the damage caused to Portuguese forests by the fires which had — Seminar on the role of doctors in health education affected 135 570 ha by 30 September this year, com­ (July 1980; report EUR 7110), pletely destroying 81 475 ha of woodland. — Seminar on the role of teachers in health education (publication of the proceedings scheduled for 1986). For three years Portuguese experts in fire prevention and control have been joining in the work of the Group In the proposal for a Council resolution on a pro­ of Experts on Forest Fires and a Portuguese delegation gramme of action of the European Communities on took part in the first European fire-fighting exercice, cancer prevention (x), explicit reference is made to the which was held in France under the name of 'Florae need for the 'development of a nutritional strategy ... 85'. to complement existing actions at Community level in the fields of food production and consumer protection'. In its proposal for a Regulation to provide forests with 1 As regards the second aspect of malnutrition, namely increased protection against fire and acid rain( ), the inadequate food intake, all the information the Com­ Commission envisaged a wide range of measures to mission has gathered through the many seminars held encourage Member States to develop their fire-preven­ in 1983 and 1984 in preparation for the second anti- tion and fire-fighting capacities. poverty programme proves that the problem has gained ground among the underprivileged, whose numbers At the 'Agriculture' Council of 16 October 1985 this have increased, in particular as a result of the recession. proposal was rejected because of the opposition which The situation became apparent during the severe winter it encountered from three Member States. This was of 1984-85, during which many appeals were made by particularly regrettable sinqe Parliament, at its plenary voluntary organizations on behalf of underfed members session on 12 September 1985, had adopted four of the population/The Commission does not have any emergency resolutions on forest fires, calling for the quantitative data on the subject, particularly because immediate adoption and implementation of the said the second programme in question, which is currently proposal. in its initial phase, mainly comprises research projects that focus on specific problems: unemployment, single- parent families and the aged. In so far as these categories The Commission is also planning forestry measures of persons are often underfed, the programme does give within the framework of a draft proposal for a Council them some relief. regulation introducing a specific programme for the development of Portuguese agriculture. (!) COM(85) 628. (!) COM(83) 375 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1819/85 by Mr Hugh McMahon (S — GB) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1835/85 (14 October 1985) - by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S — B) (86/C 99/42) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Forest fires (24 October 1985) (86/C 99/43) What measures will the Commission take to protect the Portuguese timber industry from destruction by wilful fire raising? Subject: Opening frontiers to Argentinian products No C 99/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

During his visit to Europe, President Alfonsin criticized border regions for official Commission use and under the European Community's export policy, particularly which circumstances and conditions and for what as regards meat. purposes do these definitions change? Mr Alfonsin said that this was one of the causes of the In the Commission's view, does the whole of Northern economic difficulties facing Argentina. The President Ireland constitute a border region of the United of the Commission, Mr Jacques Delors, announced Kingdom? that the Commission would suggest to the Community countries that they should open their frontiers.

Bearing this announcement in mind, will the Com­ Answer given by Mr Varfis mission state: on behalf of the Commission — what products are involved, (3 January 1986) — which Community countries have already given their assent, There is no official or statistical definition of the con­ cept of 'border region'. As stated in the communication — what effect this will have on the Argentinian from the Commission to the Council, Parliament and economy? the Member States of 15 October 1985 on people living in frontier areas (1), the Commission puts the number of people living in frontier regions within the Com­ munity of Twelve at some 48 million, or about 15% of the population. The list of regions showing their Answer given by Mr Cheysson_ populations and surface areas will be sent direct to the on behalf of the Commission Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. (20 December 1985) As can be seen from the specific measure instituted under the non-quota section of the old ERDF Regu­ Neither the Commission nor its President has any lation (2), the Commission does not consider the whole knowledge of the announcement referred to by the of Northern Ireland to be a border region of the United Honourable Member. Kingdom. It is correct that since Argentina's return to democracy, contacts have been stepped up and both sides are trying (*) COM(85) 529 final. to find ways of expanding trade. (2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2619/80 of 7 October 1980 (OJ No L 271, 15. 10. 1980) and the proposed amendment to the The information available to the Commission suggests Regulation (OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1985). that at present the possibilities include improved trade promotion for Argentine products on certain markets and the diversification of exports from Argentina to the Community.

It is the Commission's view that all the Member States of the Community are in agreement as regards improv­ ing trade with Argentina. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1847/85 by Mr Roberto Costanzo (PPE — I) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 October 1985) (86/C 99/45)

Subject: Missing repayments from the EAGGF (Guid­ ance Section) in 1984 to Italy for indirect agri­ WRITTEN QUESTION No 1840/85 cultural measures by Mr John McCartin (PPE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities The 14th Financial Report of the EAGGF (Guidance Section) states that in 1984 Italy received from the (24 October 1985) Fund repayments for indirect measures amounting to (86/C99/44). 2 042 151 ECU. This was the smallest sum paid to any of the Community countries. Subject: Definition of a border region In particular, for the so-called socio-structural Direc­ tives (72/159/EEC (!) and 72/161/EEC (2)) and Directive Can the Commission state in precise terms what it 3 means by a border region? 75/268/EEC ( ) on mountain and hill farming in certain less-favoured areas, which are the most important Can the Commission list which countries, departments, measures from the financial point of view, in 1984 Italy Lander, etc. in the Member States are used to define did not receive any repayment unlike in previous years. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/27

Can the Commission therefore state: WRITTEN QUESTION No 1855/85 by Mr Pol Marck (PPE — B) 1. In 1984 what reasons gave rise to this situation which is causing considerable confusion? to the Commission of the European Communities (24 October 1985) 2. In 1984 why did Italy alone not receive repayments (86/C 99/46) for the specific measures referred to above, despite the fact that requests for payment were regularly Subject: Oil seeds sent to the Commission's relevant departments? 3. Does it not consider that there have been failings on Will the Commission provide figures on Community the part of its departments responsible for making production in 1985? repayments? Have the guarantee thresholds been exceeded?

4. What measures does it intend to take in the future If so, does the Commission consider that its guarantee to ensure that Italy is not subjected to unfair treat­ threshold policy is consistent with the proposals contai­ ment as the result of the non-payment of Com­ ned in the Green Paper for stimulating alternative munity aid for indirect agricultural measures? crops?

(J) OJ No L 96, 23. 4. 1972, p. 1. (2) OJ No L 96, 23. 4. 1972, p. 15. (3) OJ No L 128, 19. 5. 1975, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1985)

Answer given by Mr Andriessen 1. It is estimated that, in 1985, 3,74 million tonnes on behalf of the Commission of rape seed, 1,63 million tonnes of sunflower seed and (7 January 1986) 0,37 million tonnes of soya' beans were produced in the European Community.

1 and 2. The Commission can only reimburse Mem­ 2. In the case of sunflower, estimated average pro­ ber States if their applications are completed and sub­ duction over the marketing years 1983/84 (1,05 million mitted correctly within the allotted time. These con­ tonnes), 1984/85 (1,13 million tonnes) arid 1985/86 (1,63 ditions were not met in the case of Italy's application million tonnes) has been 1,27 million tonnes, which for reimbursements under Directive 72/159/EEC nor in exceeds the guarantee threshold of 1,115 million tonnes that of its application under Directive 72/161/EEC, set by the Council for 1985/86. In the case of rape, the which was submitted some considerable time after the Council has not yet agreed a guarantee threshold for due date. 1985/86, but estimated average production over the same three marketing years (2,48 million tonnes in Furthermore, the Commission had to request additional 1983/84,3,48 million tonnes in 1984/85 and 3,74 million information from Italy in connection with both these tonnes in 1985/86) has been 3,24 million tonnes, which Directives and with Directive 75/268/EEC. exceeds the threshold of 2,60 million tonnes proposed Nonetheless, the following amounts have been dis­ by the Commission for 1985/86. There is no guarantee bursed in the meatime: threshold for soya. — Directive 72/159/EEC, provisional payments of Lit 3. The Council has stated as a general principle that 4 858 863 428 for 1983 and Lit 6 147 493 510 for guarantee thresholds are important as instruments in 1984, the organization of markets not only in sectors where there is excessive production but also in sectors where — Directive 72/161/EEC, Lit 283 662 232 for 1983 the budgetary costs associated with the support (Italy answered the request for further information measures are rapidly increasing; and it is into the latter on 17 September 1985). category that the rape seed and sunflower seed sector falls. While stressing that oil seeds remain a very heavy As regards Directive 75/268/EEC, the application for burden on the Community budget, the Green Paper (*) reimbursement has been examined and several requests recognizes that oil seeds are one of the natural replace­ for additional information have been made. Italy has ments for surplus arable products (particularly cereals) not yet replied to all of them. since the potential for expanding demand is consider­ able. The Commission considers that it is necessary to 3 and 4. The Commission can only make reimburse­ establish an equilibrium between a policy of encourag­ ments when Member States have justified their expendi­ ing the development of a form of production that ture. In this connection the Commission has drawn up presents no disposal problems, and the necessity of detailed provisions specifying all the information that keeping budgetary costs within control. must be supplied. All it can do now is urge Member States to send in all the requisite documents. (*) COM(85) 333 final. No C 99/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 28.4.86

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1889/85 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1891/85 by Mrs Margaret Daly (ED — GB) by Mr Francois Musso (RDE — F) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (24 October 1985) (24 October 1985) (86/C 99/47) (86/C 99/48)

Subject: Unemployment benefit and pensions contri­ Subject: Integrated Mediterranean Programmes butions in Member States

Can the Commission state what action it has taken to 1. Could the Commission publish a table comparing: ensure the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2088/85 (') concerning the IMP, and in particular (a) the average national gross weekly wage in each what measures it intends to take with regard to the Community Member State with French Government, which has insisted that the Inte­ grated Mediterranean Programme for the Corsica (b) the basic rate of unemployment benefit paid to region be forwarded to it by 15 September 1985 at the individuals who have recently become unemployed latest, contrary to the provisions of the above Regu­ lation? stating in each case whether the unemployment benefit paid would be taxable? Is the Commission aware that the objectives of the IMP will not be attained by a programme hastily drawn up during the month of August? 2. Could the Commission also publish a table show­ ing the comparative figures for contributions normally made by employer, employee and government to pen­ (J) OJ No L 197, 27. 7. 1985, p. 1. sion funds in each Community Member State?

Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer (18 December 1985) on behalf of the Commission (3 January 1986) Regulation (EEC) No 2088/85 of 23 July 1985 concern­ ing the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes (IMP) came into force on 1 August 1985. On 9 April 1985, the Commission sent the Council a report on medium-term projections of social protection benefits and their financing (!). Chapter 5 of that report, Since that date, the Commission's departments have 'Unemployment benefit compared to previous earn­ established contact with the various parties concerned ings', contains information similar to that requested by in order to facilitate implementation of the Regulation. the Honourable Member in the first part of her ques- As a result, coordinating structures have been set up in tion. As far as the Commission knows, unemployment each of the beneficiary Member States. benefits are part of the taxable income in all Member States, with the exception of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and Greece. France has been no exception to the rule, and coordi­ nating machinery has been set up on a decentralized basis. Fact-finding visits involving the Commission's The information in the second part of the question — various departments have already taken place (Proven­ contributions to pension funds — is published in Table ce-Cote d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees, II 'Financing' of the 'Comparative tables of the social Aquitaine, Corsica, Drome and Ardeche). These visits security schemes in the Member States of the European have provided the opportunity for an initial exchange of Communities', 13th edition (2). views with local authorities on the outline programmes presented and should help France to submit suitable (!) Doc. COM(85) 119 final. programmes for part-financing by the Community. (2) ISBN 92-825-5657-3. This procedure is in keeping with the spirit of the IMP Regulation, and in particular with Article 5, which stipulates that beneficiary Member States should present their programmes by the end of 1986. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/29

In addition, Article 9 of the same Regulation, which WRITTEN QUESTION No 1920/85 stipulates that programme contracts setting out the by Mr Ernest Muhlen (PPE — L) respective commitments of all involved must be pub­ lished in the Official Journal of the European Com­ to the Commission of the European Communities munities, will facilitate public monitoring of the IMP. (5 November 1985) (86/C 99/50) Corsica has recently (end of October 1985) transmitted its outline programme, which has already been debated Subject: Purpose and activities of the Commission's by the Corsican regional assembly. liaison office at the European Investment Bank

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the 1. Has the Commission laid down the duties and fact that Greece has already officially presented its first responsibilities of its liaison office at the European IMP covering the island of Crete, which is currently Investment Bank? This office was set up in 1968 on the being examined by the Commission's departments. basis of the Merger Treaty and, following the departure of the official responsible, the appointment of his suc­ cessor was deferred from 1973 until the 1980s.

2. Can the Commission provide information on the responsibilities, activities and establishment plan of this office?

3. Is Luxembourg the actual place of employment of the official concerned and does he carry out his duties there, as provided for in the 1965 Treaty?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1909/85 by Mr David Martin (S — GB) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer (5 November 1985) on behalf of the Commission (86/C 99/49) (12 December 1985)

Subject: The M66 and the Rochdale Canal The establishment plan of the Liaison Office provides for a category A official to head the Office and a category C official for secretarial duties. Have ERDF grants been given for: The present head of the Office, who was appointed in 1. the construction of the Manchester Outer Ring 1979, lives in Luxembourg and carries out his duties Road (M66) there. or In collaboration with the various Commission depart­ 2. the restoration of the Rochdale Canal? ments, the Liaison Office is responsible for relations between the Commission and the EIB, in particular with regard to the preparation of Commission opinions If so, what are the dates and amounts? on EIB loan applications, as provided for in Article 21 of the Bank's Statute, and the operations managed by Did any applications for such funding make any men­ the Bank for the Commission. tion of bridging the canal in such a way as to maintain its navigability?

Answer given by Mr Varfis on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 1921/85 (17 December 1985) by Mr John McCartin (PPE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities No application for aid from the European Regional (5 November 1985) Development Fund has been received to date in respect (86/C 99/51) of the Manchester Outer Ring Road (M66) or the restoration of the Rochdale Canal. Subject: Unfair trade practices Is the Commission aware of or has the Commission investigated a complaint made by the Town of No C 99/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

Monaghan cooperative about legislation which pre­ Answer given by Lord Cockfield vents this cooperative from selling milk in Dublin? on behalf of the Commission What has been the outcome of this investigation? (17 December 1985)

Under existing Community VAT Directives (*) the so- called zero rate, more properly the exemption with refund of tax paid at the preceding stage, is due to be Answer given by Mr Andriessen 2 on behalf of the Commission phased out not later than the date ( ) on which fiscal frontiers cease to exist. (19 December 1985) Those zero rates which continue to exist under the transitional provisions of the Sixth Directive (5), which The Commission received from several sources infor­ includes that applied on newspapers, will thus mation concerning the 1937 statutory order which disappear. would only authorize a limited number of dairies to sell drinking milk in the Dublin city area. The Commission does not intend to propose any modi­ fication of the decisions already taken by the Council on this aspect. The Commission has investigated the Milk (regulation \ of supply and price) Act of 1936, amended by the Acts (*) Second Council Directive of 11 April 1967; OJ No 71, of 1941, 1952 and 1967, which permits the introduction 14. 4. 1967, p. 1301/67 and Sixth Council Directive of 17 May of a special production and distribution system for full- 1977; OJ No L 45, 13. 6. 1977. cream drinking milk in areas delimited by statutory (2) 31 December 1992 under the Commission's White Paper order. 'Completing the Internal Market' COM(85) 310 final, response to the European Council's request for action to achieve a single market by 1992. However, examination of these texts did not permit the (3) Article 28 (2). Commission to form a definitive judgement as to the compatibility of the Irish scheme with Community law.

For that reason, the Commission opened correspon­ dence with the Irish authorities. The new information made available by the Irish authorities is now being investigated by the Commission services. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1941/85 by Mr Ernest Muhlen (PPE — L) to the Commission of the European Communities (5 November 1985) (86/C 99/53)

Subject: Housing tax (taxe d'habitation) levied by certain local authorities in France

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1940/85 1. Is the Commission aware that certain French local authorities, such as the city of Strasbourg, levy consider­ by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S — B) able rates of housing tax, which is unknown or uncom­ to the Commission of the European Communities mon in other countries, drawing bitter complaints (5 November 1985) particularly from students studying in France? (86/C 99/52) 2. Do similar taxes exist in other countries in the Community?

Subject: White Paper on the internal market — VAT 3. What view does the Commission take of the exist­ harmonization ence of such taxes in an open Community?

In its White Paper on the establishment of the internal market, the Commission stated its intention to harmon­ Answer given by Lord Cockfield ize VAT rates. on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1985) In four of the Member States, newspapers are zero- rated. Does the Commission intend to allow this prac­ 1. The tax on furnished accommodation is a local tice to continue? tax provided for in Article 1407 of the French General 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/31

Tax Code and payable by any natural person (owner As this was nearly three years ago, can the Council: or, if the building is let, tenant) having such accommo­ dation at his disposal in the municipality. 1. report on the progress of its work in connection with this specific question? This tax is common to all French towns and cities. The Commission is not aware that it is particularly high in 2. report on the operation of the Directive in general? the city of Strasbourg.

(J) OJ No C 29, 3. 2. 1983, p. 20. 2. The Commission does not have the information 2 requested by the Honourable Member. ( ) OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 32.

3. The existence of such taxes cannot be regarded as an obstacle to the establishment of an open Community, since it affects all inhabitants of a town or city in the Answer same way, irrespective of occupation or nationality. (27 February 1986)

1. The Council can confirm that the intention was to continue with discussions on air safety and accident prevention on the basis of the amended draft Directive concerning search and rescue operations in the event of air accidents in border areas, which the German delegation submitted on 31 August 1983. Following discussion of that draft within the Council, the German WRITTEN QUESTION No 1952/85 delegation provided the Council with some further information on 10 February 1984. It was in this context by Mr Barry Seal (S — GB) that the Council intended to consider the suggestions to the Council of the European Communities made by Mr Victor Michel in Written Question No (13 November 1985) 1474/82(*). As the Council has not yet completed its discussions, these matters are still under consideration. (86/C 99/54) 2. It should also be noted that the Commission has Subject: Exchange of information to assist in the not submitted to the Council any communication on prevention of aircraft accidents the implementation of Council Directive 80/1266/ EEC (2) on cooperation and mutual assistance between On 29 October 1982 Victor Michel put a Written Ques­ Member States in the field of air accident investigation tion (*) to the Council on the 'Exchange of information which might have prompted discussion of the matter to assist in the prevention of aircraft accidents'. within the Council.

This question cited Council Directive 80/1266/EEC of (!) OJ No C 29, 3. 2. 1983, p. 20. 16 December 1980 (2) on future cooperation and mutual (2) OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980. / assistance between the Member States in the field of air accident investigation, which specifies that infor­ mation on accidents shall be exchanged in so far as it contributes to the improvement of air safety and accident prevention. .

The results of inquiries into accidents involving aircraft of more than 5 700 kilograms are published by the International Civil Aviation Organization. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1967/85 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC — B) For aircraft under 5 700 kilograms information is exchanged between the authorities concerned but is to the Commission of the European Communities only published in some States. It would however be (13 November 1985) useful it this information was made available to those (86/C 99/55) (pilots, flying clubs, specialist magazines, schools, con­ trollers, ...) who can draw useful lessons for air safety. Subject: Quality controls on imported food products In its answer (*), the Council noted 'with interest the Honourable Member's suggestion' and undertook that 1. Given that the European Community has set stan­ the Council would 'certainly consider the suggestion in dards as regards chemical substances in food products, the course of the proceedings now in progress on air are all imports of food products from third countries safety and accident prevention'. required to comply with the same standards? No C 99/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

2. Is it true that, as the law now stands, the Member Does the Commission agree that it is regrettable that States are responsible for testing imported food prod­ the European Democratic Union has included in its ucts for compliance with European quality standards? membership the Anavatan Partisi, the party currently in control in Turkey? Does the Commission not believe 3. In the absence of its own checks on the quality of that it is ironical that a government with the disgraceful imported food products, does the Commission have record of the violation of human rights enjoyed by the information on the operation thereof by the Member present Turkish State should seek to join a democratic States? Can it indicate the type of data which it may union of any form? Would the Commission not agree have collected on this matter? that the European Trade Union Confederation's decision to seek the expulsion of Turkey from the Council of Europe is a far more realistic response to the present situation in Turkey? Further, does the Commission not agree that the violation of the DISK Confederation is an issue which can only cause tension Answer given by Lord Cockfield between the EEC and Turkey? on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1985)

1. Community legislation on foodstuffs applies to products manufactured inside and outside the Com­ Answer given by Mr Cheysson munity alike. Products imported from non-member on behalf of the Commission countries must therefore comply with such legislation. (17 December 1985)

2. In pursuance of the EEC Treaty, and in particular The Commission reaffirms its well-known position Article 5 thereof, it is for the Member States to check regarding human rights in Turkey. It must point out to that foodstuffs — whether imported or not — are in the Honourable Member, however, that the issues he conformity with Community law. raised in his question are not within its competence.

3. In December 1978, the Commission held a sym­ posium on the inspection of foodstuffs, on which it is sending the Honourable Member and the Secretariat of the European Parliament a copy of the report. The Commission is currently endeavouring to update the data on national inspection departments set out therein.

The Commission would also refer the Honourable WRITTEN QUESTION No 2000/85 Member to point 29 of its communication entitled by Mr Gene Fitzgerald (RDE — IRL) 'Completion of the internal market: Community legis­ lation on foodstuffs' (^ in which it stated its intention to the Commission of the European Communities of submitting in 1986 a new proposal for a Directive (13 November 1985) on the general principles that should govern public (86/C 99/57) inspection of foodstuffs. Subject: The environment of disabled people (!) COM(85) 603 final. Will the Commission state what progress it is making with regard to its second policy initiative on behalf of disabled people which concerns the environment of disabled people and in particular the questions of housing, access and mobility?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1973/85 Answer given by Mr Sutherland by Mr Stephen Hughes (S — GB) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (19 December 1985) (13 November 1985) (86/C 99/56) The Commission is founding its proposals on the environment of disabled persons on the basis of four studies which will bring together for the first time an Subject: Admission to membership of the European up-to-date and comprehensive body of data on this Democratic Union of Anavatan Partisi complex domain. 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/33

A study on the distant travel problems of disabled 50 to 58 of the Financial Regulation (*) and under the people has been completed, and a parallel report on supervision of the Advisory Committees on Procure­ day-to-day mobility will be submitted before the end of ments and Contracts. the year. The latter will take into account the November 1985 conclusions of the European Conference of Trans­ The response to invitations to tender and the level of port Ministers on this issue. competitiveness of the Irish printing industry have not so far allowed it to gain a significant share of the A third study, concerned with access to public facilities, market. The Publications Office has been in contact has been launched and the fourth study, to cover trends with the Irish Printing Federation on this matter. of policy and practice in housing, will be commissioned in 1986. (!) OJ No L 356, 31. 12. 1977.

A synthesis report will be discussed by a multi-represen­ tative meeting of officials, professionals, experts and representatives of associations of and for disabled people late in 1986, and the Commission intends to submit its proposals in the light of the conclusions of that discussion in 1987. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2016/85 Meanwhile the Commission is also developing its infor­ by Mr Niall Andrews (RDE — IRL) mation initiative on mobility, housing and access in the framework of the Handynet project. to the Council of the European Communities (13 November 1985) (86/C 99/59)

Subject: European City of Culture

According to the resolution adopted by Ministers responsible for Cultural Affairs, meeting within the Council on 13 June 1985, it is proposed that an event, WRITTEN QUESTION No 2003/85 'European City of Culture' should be held each year by one Member State. by Mr Ray Mac Sharry (RDE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities Will the Council indicate the origin of this proposal, (13 November 1985) the extent of EEC funding, if any, the purpose of such an annual event, the present situation with regard to (86/C 99/58) the actual holding of such an event and will the Council give consideration to the designation of and support Subject: EEC publications for a European cultural year?

Can the Commission provide an indication, on an annual basis, of the level of expenditure by the Com­ munity on official publications printed or ordered by Answer the institutions of the European Community and can it also show to what extent Irish printers have been (27 February 1986) awarded EEC printing contracts? 1. The idea of a 'European City of Culture' was launched at an informal meeting of the Ministers responsible for Cultural Affairs of the European Com­ munity held in Athens in November 1983. Answer given by Mr Mosar 2. The resolution referred to by the Honourable on behalf of the Commission Member is part of cultural cooperation between the (17 December 1985) Member States; it provides a broad outline of the way in which this event is to operate without any reference to Community financing. The funds allocated to the institutions for expenditure on the printing of publications by contract printers are 3. Regarding the purpose of the event, this is shown in Chapter 27 of the different sections of the indicated in part I of the resolution. general budget of the Communities. 4. Work on organizing the 1986 event, which will Printing contracts are concluded by the Office for take place in Florence, is being carried out by the Italian Official Publications in strict compliance with Articles authorities in accordance with the programme they No C 99/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86 have drawn up. The cities of Amsterdam, Berlin and Answer given by Mr Sutherland Paris have been designated for the years 1987, 1988 and on behalf of the Commission 1989 respectively. (19 December 1985) 5. A 'European Cultural Year' has not so far been considered; 1985 was, however, 'European Music Year' The selection of a package of cross-national projects in and 1986 has been designated 'European Cinema and the framework of the anti-poverty programme was Television Year'. based solely on merit and suitability and there was no a priori quota for individual Member States or specific regions.

Consequently the only regional connotation was in accordance with Article 2 (a) of Council Decision 85/ 8/EEC(1), which stipulates that in exceptional cases, and notably those occurring in particularly underprivi­ WRITTEN* QUESTION No 2018/85 leged regions, the limit of Community financial support by Mr Stephen Hughes (S — GB) may be raised to 55% (as against 50%). This was to the Commission of the European Communities relevant in 12 selected cases which had applied for the exceptional status. All 12 projects are located in (13 November 1985) underprivileged areas and have all been granted 55 % (86/C 99/60) funding.

Subject: Grants for the disabled The Commission selected 14 of the 251 applications from the United Kingdom but none of those from Would the Commission provide details of any Social County Durham were judged by its expert consultants Fund monies that have been granted to the disabled in to be of sufficient quality to be included in the package. the Durham constituency?

(!) OJ No L 2, 3. 1. 1985. Answer given by Mr Sutherland on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1985)

There was one grant of aid to disabled people in the Durham constituency in 1985. An amount of £ 12 536 was agreed by the Commission in favour of Durham WRITTEN QUESTION No 2079/85 County Council for disabled people under the age of 25. by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S — B) to the Commission of the European Communities No amounts were granted in 1984. (18 November 1985) (86/C 99/62)

Subject: European Monetary Fund At the intergovernmental conference on the reform of the Treaty of Rome, the Commission tabled amend­ WRITTEN QUESTION No 2041/85 ments with a view to securing the financial resources by Mr Stephen Hughes (S — GB) required for the creation of a European Monetary Fund, to the Commission of the European Communities which would have institutional autonomy. (13 November 1985) Could the Commission indicate what would be the role (86/C 99/61) and mode of operation of this new European Monetary Fund which these amendments are seeking to institute? Subject: Anti-poverty programme Bearing in mind the Commission's own statistics relat­ ing to poverty and deprivation within the United Kingdom and more specifically within the north-east Answer given by Mr Delors of the United Kingdom, how does the Commission on behalf of the Commission justify the allocation of monies under the anti-poverty (18 December 1985) programme within the United Kingdom? More specifi­ cally, how does the Commission justify the decision not to include the Durham area in the anti-poverty The amendments to Article 107 of the EEC Treaty programme despite its high rating on the Commission's proposed by the Commission refer to the Bremen and own synthetic index of deprivation? Brussels instruments setting up the EMS. •28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 99/35

Those instruments provided that in a second phase countries but it does state that 'Eureka is open to all the arrangements agreed and the existing institutions efficient capacities including those existing in small and should be consolidated into a European Monetary medium-sized enterprises as well as in smaller research Fund, which would also replace the present European centres'. Monetary Cooperation Fund. The Commission has always emphasized the need for The instruments in question, like the draft amendment, complementarity between Eureka projects and Com­ do not go into details, since the EMF's precise role munity programmes. remains an open question which will have to be dis­ cussed both by Community bodies and by national authorities before its creation is ratified.

Clearly, however, one of the EMF's main features will have to be its institutional autonomy.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2091/85 by Mr Raphael Chanterie (PPE — B) to the Commission of the European Communities (27 November 1985) (86/C 99/64) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2085/85 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (L — B) Subject: Provision of ECSC aid towards retraining and to the Commission of the European Communities social measures for redundant workers (Article 56 (2) (b)) (18 November 1985) (86/C 99/63) Can the Commission indicate how much aid has already been received for this purpose by Belgium (giving the amounts for Flanders and Wallonia respectively)? Subject: The Eureka project How many people have benefited from these measures? Officials of the various countries concerned with Eureka, the European advanced technology pro­ gramme, are meeting in Bonn.

For the moment, the outlook appears somewhat Answer given by Mr Marin blurred. on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1986) What will be the role of the small countries? Will the European Community be given an overall supervisory The Commission would refer the Honourable Member role enabling it to guarantee an exchange of information to its answer to his Written Question No 1689/85 (l). among the partners?

What attitude did the Commission take on this subject (!) OJ No C 99, 28. 4. 1986. at the full meeting of the Ministers concerned in Hannover on 4 and 5 November 1985?

Answer given by Mr Narjes on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 2194/85 (7 January 1986) by Mr Ray Mac Sharry (RDE — IRL) to the Commission of the European Communities The Eureka ministerial conference in Hannover on 5 and 6 November settled a number of points concern­ (5 December 1985) ing the objectives and implementation of Eureka pro­ (86/C 99/65) jects. Some matters are still outstanding, such as the question of a Eureka secretariat to centralize and dis­ Subject: Cheese consumption tribute information on projects. The relationship between this secretariat and the European Communities Can the Commission state the national per capita con­ has not yet been decided. The Eureka Declaration of sumption of cheese in the Member States of the Principles does not distinguish between large and small Community? No C 99/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 86

Answer given by Mr Andriessen 2. Since the Staff Regulations came into force, 13 LA on behalf of the Commission officials have transferred to category A after passing (15 January 1986) external or internal competitions.

The per capita consumption of cheese in the Member It is therefore incorrect to assert that in practice internal States was, in 1984, as follows (kilograms): competitions in the Council afford LA officials no opportunity to transfer to the A category, while B Belgium and Luxembourg: 12,8, officials do have this possibility. Denmark: 12,3, Federal Republic of Germany: 15,1, Furthermore, the results of internal competitions, as of France: 21,3, all competitions, rest entirely with the Selection Boards. Greece (a): 20,3, Ireland (a): 3,4, Italy: 15,3, Netherlands (a): 13,7, United Kingdom: 6,5.

For the Community as a whole, the per capita cheese consumption in 1984 can be estimated at 14,4 kilograms compared with 13,6 kilograms in 1983.

Source: EUROSTAT, (a) estimate. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2238/85 by Mr Alain Marleix (RDE — F) to the Council of the European Communities (11 December 1985) (86/C 99/67)

Subject: Enrolment fees (minerval) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2211/85 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S — B) Despite the judgment issued by the Court of Justice of to the Council of the European Communities the European Communities on the system of enrolment (5 December 1985) fees (minerval) (Gravier Case No 293(83) on 13 Feb­ ruary 1985 and the summary order by the President of (86/C 99/66) the Court of Justice of 25 October 1985 on the same subject the Belgian authorities are still demanding pay­ Subject: Mobility of Council officials ment of an enrolment fee (minerval) particularly in infant and primary schools. The mobility of officials within the Council has always been accepted as a basic principle. Will the Council provide details of the action it intends Can the Council provide precise figures on how many to take to put an end to this discrimination against officials from the LA category have so far transferred nationals of other Community countries? to the A category?

Can the Council explain why internal competitions in the Council in practice afford LA officials no oppor­ tunity to transfer to the A category, though B officials do have this possibility? Answer (27 February 1986)

The Treaty does not provide the Council with powers Answer to ensure the enforcement of the decisions of the Court (27 February 1986) to which the Honourable Member refers. In any event, these decisions apply neither to infant education nor to primary education. 1. Under Article 45 (2) of the Staff Regulations an official may be transferred from one service to another or promoted from one category to another only on the basis of a competition. No C 99/37 28. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2277/85 endangering the ecology of the nature reserve which is a nesting place and point of observation for 125 bird by Mr Hugh McMahon (S — GB) species and a vital 'staging post' for European birds to the Council of the European Communities during migration. (12 December 1985) Given the international and European nature of this (86/C 99/68) reserve could the Commission not make representation to the Belgian and Dutch authorities in order to save Subject: Progress for a renewal of sugar quotas in the Community for the period 1986 to 1991 the Zwin and retain its unique quality as a coastal biotope? Will the Council inform the House what progress was made at the meetings of the Agricultural Council of Ministers on 17 and 18 November and 8/9 December towards a common organization of the markets in the Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis sugar section period 1986-1991? on behalf of the Commission (29 January 1986)

Answer The Commission would refer the Honourable Member (27 February 1986) to its answer to Written Question No 1692/85 by Mrs Duryf1). At its meeting on 18 and 19 November 1985 the Council examined all aspects of the Commission proposal on the Community's future sugar arrangements. In the (!) OJ No C 99, 28. 4. 1986. light of that discussion the Commission submitted to the Council an amendment to its original proposal on the basis of the second paragraph of Article 149 of the Treaty. On the basis of that amendment the Council, at its meeting on 9 and 10 December 1985, and without prejudice to the opinion to be delivered by the European WRITTEN QUESTION No 2548/85 Parliament, reached a consensus on the amendments to be made to the common organization of the markets by Mr James Ford (S — GB) in the sugar sector. to the Commission of the European Communities The Council will take a final decision on this matter (21 January 1986) on receipt of the European Parliament opinion on the (86/C 99/70) Commission proposal. Subject: The status of British nationals in Hong Kong

Is the Commission aware that Britain, under the pro­ posed nationality arrangements for handing Hong Kong back to China in 1997, will effectively make another 10 000 British nationals stateless? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2310/85 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (L — B) Does the Commission agree that Britain's policy should to the Commission of the European Communities bte brought into line with that of Portugal, which is also negotiating the return of its colony Macau to China (12 December 1985) and has granted the ethnic Chinese full right of abode (86/C 99/69) in Portugal? Subject: Environmental conservation, in particular of the Zwin nature reserve on the Belgian-Dutch border Answer given by Lord Cockfield The dunes and the wetland coastline of Zwin straddling on behalf of the Commission the Belgian-Dutch border, where the districts of Knokke le Zoute (Belgium) and Sluis (Holland) meet, are (3 March 1986) endangered. The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the An international day of nature conservation organized question asked by the Honourable Member, which is a on 23 September last at Knokke protested against plans matter solely for the national authorities concerned. to set up a holiday village on Dutch territory directly