WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3523/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Reforms pending in university research
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/71 (98/C 174/115) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3511/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (14 November 1997) Subject: Damage to small and medium-sized businesses as a result of the Netherlands and European postal authoritiesí abuse of their monopoly position 1. Small and medium-sized businesses face constant problems because of the postal authoritiesí abuse of their monopoly position. In several places in the Netherlands activities other than postal services covered by the monopoly, including foreign exchange operations and the issue of registration certificates, are carried out at the post office counters used for postal services. This is a serious problem for small and medium-sized businesses. Waiting times for a standard parcel may be more than 20 minutes during the peak period from 4 to 6 p. m. The manager of postal services in the Hague, W. van den Berg, does not consider this disturbing. However it means a considerable loss to small and medium-sized businesses. Is the Council prepared to ask to Commission to draw up guidelines to prohibit European postal authorities from abusing their monopoly position. How can the monopoly of the European postal authorities be broken in the interests of small and 2. medium-sized businesses and employment? 3. Is the Council prepared to ask to Commission to draw up guidelines to prohibit European postal authorities from combing commercial interests, including foreign exchange operations, which compete with commercial banks, and monopoly postal services, such as acceptance and dispatch of mail, at the same counters? Answer (9 March 1998) 1. In response to the question of the Honourable Member of the European Parliament, the Council would recall that in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty, the issue of abuse of a dominant position falls within the competence of the Commission. 2. The Council would also remind the Honourable Member that the European Parliament and the Council recently adopted, on 15 December 1997, Directive 97/67/EC, which sets out common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service (1). (1) OJ L 15, 21. 1. 1998, p. 14. (98/C 174/116) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3523/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (12 November 1997) Subject: Reforms pending in university research Nature magazine (Vol. 388, 31 July 1997) has reported that the British Government is drawing up new responses to higher education, where both improved facilities and changes in the attitude of academics are required in order to restore the trust between scientific communities and governments. The main themes set out in the Dearing report, which can be expected to resurface in a forthcoming White Paper, are not exclusive to the United Kingdom. Guaranteeing the quality and appropriateness of fundamental research, ensuring that similar value is attached in universities to achievements in teaching as well as in research, allowing for sufficient administrative costs in research, modernizing equipment and securing the participation of industry are tasks facing all the governments of the European Union and of other advanced economies. Can the Commission provide information on reforms and studies similar › to those described above for the United Kingdom › now in progress in Europe, the United States and Japan?