WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2312/97 by Jorge HERNANDEZ MOLLAR to the Commission. Inclusion of Ceuta and Melilla in the euro design
C 60/124 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 98 Sweden At the Swedish poison information centre petroleum distillates are ranked as third in the league of chemical agents most commonly causing incidents to children under ten. Some 500 inquiries per year are registered of children drinking petroleum distillates of the type used in oil-lamps. A majority of the cases involve barbecue starters. Lamp oils are involved in around 150 cases every year. (98/C 60/207) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2310/97 by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission (26 June 1997) Subject: Duty free goods allowance on goods purchased outside of the EU Can the Commission confirm what is the monetary value of the duty-free goods allowance for EU residents who have purchased goods from non-EU countries (e. g. the United States)? Does this exclude the allowance for tobacco, alcohol and perfume? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (24 July 1997) Goods carried in the personal luggage of travellers entering the Community from non-member countries may, within certain limits, be brought in free of import duties, VAT and excise duties provided that such importations are of a strictly non-commercial nature. In the case of products other than tobacco, alcohol and perfume, which are subject to quantitative limits, the total value of goods imported tax-free may not exceed ECU 175 per traveller. Where the total value of several items exceeds that limit, the allowance is granted, up to the limit, in respect of those items which would have qualified for the allowance if imported separately. The value of an individual item cannot be split up; neither can any artificial distinction be drawn (between the jacket and trousers belonging to a suit, for example). (98/C 60/208) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2312/97 by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission (3 July 1997) Subject: Inclusion of Ceuta and Melilla in the euro design Does the Commission intend to propose changing the design of the euro notes to ensure that the map includes not only the Canary Islands but also the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which, as the Commission is aware, are Community territories marking the land borders of the Union in north Africa? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997) The proposed designs of the common face of the future euro coins, which were announced recently by the Council, are not definitive blueprints, but rather artistic impressions of the coins. The working group of mint directors has studied the technical aspects of the designs and concluded that the winning series is technically feasible. However, it will need certain slight modifications in order to be produced in line with the technical specifications for the coins which are being proposed. In addition, the map of Europe will be adjusted to ensure that all Member States are happy with the image of Europe on the coins