WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2563/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Council. Freedom of movement for all EU citizens
C 158/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 5. 98 In particular, as the windfall tax is also being levied on the British Airports Authority, does the Commission believe that the proposed tax is contrary to, or against the spirit of, Article 129c of the Treaty concerning Trans-European Networks? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1997) The Commission is aware that the United Kingdom recently introduced a special tax (áwindfall taxí) on the excess profits arising from the floating of the privatised companies on the stock exchange. It would remind the Honourable Member that under Community law as it now stands Member States are in principle free to set the rates and conditions for the taxation of companies, provided that the principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination are observed within the framework of the basic freedoms provided for in the Treaty. From the information in its possession, the Commission cannot detect any infringement of Community law in this respect. (98/C 158/13) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Council (28 July 1997) Subject: Freedom of movement for all EU citizens Does the Council consider it necessary to inform the Italian Prime Minister, possibly through its own President-in-Office that, because of a temporary clause which has now been in force almost 50 years, the Italian Republicís present constitution contravenes the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the provisions of the Maastricht Treaty on freedom of movement for people in the EU › both of which were signed by Italy › and also goes against ordinary common sense? This clause obliges Rai TV, the Italian state TV and radio network, to commit vast sums of money in order to despatch a crew and staff to Geneva every week so that a member of its staff › Mr Savoia Emanuele Filiberto, a well known sports commentator › can do his job there, because this clause in the Constitution bans him › and his father, the businessman Mr Savoia Vittorio Emanuele, › from entering Italy. Answer (26 January 1998) It is not for the Council to give an opinion on a clause in a Member Stateís constitution. (98/C 158/14) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2615/97 by Jean-Thomas Nordmann (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Establishment of a large retail centre Has the Commission examined the compatibility with Articles 5, 52 and 59 of the Treaties of the French law of 5 July 1996 on the conditions for the establishment of a large retail centre (ensemble commercial)? What conclusions has it drawn?