WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4015/97 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Misleading advertising by airlines
C 196/58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 6. 98 (98/C 196/79) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4015/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Misleading advertising by airlines The United Kingdom Advertising Standards Authority has recently ruled that airlines and travel agents must advertise the true cost to the traveller of all flights, including airport and other taxes, seasonal premiums and all extraneous costs. Is the Commission aware of the situation in other Member States, and would it consider proposing a directive generalizing what will, from 1 January 1998, be the practice in Britain? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 February 1998) The Commission was pleased to learn of the United Kingdom initiative on improved information to airline passengers relating to the true costs of all flights. The Commission has not been informed of any similar initiatives in other Member States. However, the Commission has launched a comprehensive study to assess the conditions included in air transport contracts from the perspective of consumers. The issue of the best means of giving passengers adequate notice of required information (including prices) relevant to the decision about whether to enter into the contract is amongst the matters being addressed and is now the subject of industry-wide consultation. The Commission will consider whether new initiatives are necessary in the light of the study and the consultation process. (98/C 196/80) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4018/97 by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Establishment of a Greek section in the third European School currently under construction In spite of the fact that there is a large Greek community in Brussels, there is only one Greek section in Brusselsí two existing European schools. A significant increase in the number of Greek speakers in Brussels is expected in the immediate future, owing to the transfer of the Court of Auditors from Luxembourg, Cyprusí accession to the European Union, while at the same time the number of Greeks coming to live in Brussels is constantly rising. Will the Commission say whether it proposes to take steps to establish a second Greek section in the third European School currently under construction in Brussels since this request already has the support of a large number of parents (320 signatories) and meets with no objection from the Permanent Representation of Greece? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (4 February 1998) Only the Board of Governors, the intergovernmental body responsible for the European Schools, has the power to determine the orientation and organisation of studies. Therefore, when the time comes, only the Board can decide which language sections will be in the third European School now under construction in Brussels. The decision will have to be taken in accordance with the principles underlying the educational system of the school. The Commission is a member of the Board of Governors and is very interested in ensuring the smooth operation of the European Schools; it will make sure that the principles are observed