WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3100/97 by Ben FAYOT to the Commission. Sale of newspapers at the European Parliament's newsstands
C 158/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 5. 98 7. Which European countries are financing adequate environmental clinics with public funds? 8. What value is placed in the various EU countries on the psychiatric treatment of persons injured by chemicals? Answer (20 January 1998) The Council has not so far received a proposal from the Commission on this subject and is not in possession of the data required to answer the Honourable Memberís request for information. (98/C 158/38) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3100/97 by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission (2 October 1997) Subject: Sale of newspapers at the European Parliamentís newsstands Despite efforts made by the publishers, Luxembourg newspapers cannot be sold at the European Parliamentís newsstands in Strasbourg and Brussels or at the Commission in Brussels. The reason would seem to be the excessively high charges imposed by the firms responsible for supplying these newsstands with foreign newspapers. Does the Commission not consider that this means that the firms which have a monopoly in the countries concerned are contravening freedom of movement and freedom of the press in the European Union? Has the Commission already studied the distribution of the daily and weekly press in Europe with regard to the opportunities for all publications, even those from small countries, to be sold outside the country of origin? If the Commission has ascertained infringements of the principles of the internal market, does it intend to take steps to remedy the situation and, if so, in what way? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1997) The Commission has not received any complaints or specific evidence as to improper practices by press distribution services which have the effect of preventing the cross-border sale of press publications in general and Luxembourg newspapers in Strasbourg and Brussels in particular. The Commission has now received the results of a survey which looked at press distribution systems in all the Member States, how they interact across borders and how they affect price structures. It is now in the process of analysing these results, which, while highlighting other factors, bring out the impact of distribution charges on cross-border sales of newspapers. If the Commission were to establish the existence of restrictions or improper practices incompatible with the rules on competition and the operation of the single market, it would take all appropriate steps under the Treaty and would inform Parliament accordingly