WRITTEN QUESTION No. 772/98 by Jessica LARIVE to the Council. Book price agreements and Article 128 of the Maastricht Treaty
C 310/126 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 10. 98 (98/C 310/169) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0769/98 by Ge·rard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission (18 March 1998) Subject: Premix Alcopops were the subject of much discussion a few months ago. Although things have quietened down now, this is still a serious issue. What has been done, in the meantime, to introduce legislation banning any measures that encourage young people to drink alcohol? A hypermarket chain has banned sales of such products in its shops after consulting an áethics committeeí. Do we need to wait for the business world to introduce ethical standards? What does the Commission intend to do as a matter of urgency to combat this serious problem? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (20 April 1998) The Commission shares the Honourable Memberís concern about the health and social impact that new types of drinks such as spirit mixers may have, especially on the young. The Commission is at present working on a voluntary code of practice covering all alcoholic beverages in order to tackle the issue of underage drinking. Accompanying measures in the field of public awareness, education and training should contribute to a reduction in underage drinking. (98/C 310/170) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0772/98 by Jessica Larive (ELDR) to the Council (16 March 1998) Subject: Book price agreements and Article 128 of the Maastricht Treaty The Commission recently set up a procedure to put an end to cross-border fixed book prices between Germany and Austria. The Commission maintains that such price agreements are a violation of European competition law. On 30 June 1997 the Cultural Affairs Council requested the Commission to carry out a study, or to have a study carried out, into the relationship between the cultural affairs paragraph in the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome. To my surprise the Commission has only recently issued the call for tenders. Does the Council agree that the decision-making process should take into account not only the economic 1. arguments but also cultural aspects? Does the Council think it right that before waiting for the results of the study the Commission has adopted 2. procedures, based solely on economic criteria, aimed at putting an end to cross-border fixed book prices? If not, is the Council prepared to request the Commission to stop the procedure against Germany and 3. Austria until the results of the study are known? Answer (16-17 June 1998) In its Decision of 22 September 1997 (1) on cross-border fixed book prices in European linguistic areas 1. referred to by the Honourable Member, the Council expressly recognized áthe dual character of books as the bearers of cultural values and as merchandiseí while ástrongly emphasizing the importance of a balanced assessment of the cultural and economic aspects of booksí