WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2700/97 by Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL to the Commission. CRDS levied on Dutch pensioners living in France
C 76/132 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 3. 98 As part of the proceedings, the Commission sent a statement of objections to the AAMS. The AAMS replied in writing to the statement of objections and, subsequently, put its case orally at a hearing held in July 1997. The Commission is currently examining the arguments put forward at the hearing. Since the proceedings have not yet been concluded, the Commission cannot at present answer the other questions put by the Honourable Member. (1) OJ 13, 21. 2. 1962. (98/C 76/250) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2644/97 by Otto Bardong (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Subsidy from PHARE funds for a book on the history of Slovakia and the Slovaks The Commission has subsidized with PHARE funds publication of the book by M. S. Durica: History of Slovakia and the Slovaksí (DEJINY SLOVENSKA a SLOVAKOV), Bratislava, 2/1996 (Ministry of Education), which contains materials for teaching history in primary, secondary and upper secondary schools. The Commission is asked to state: 1. What was the size of this subsidy and in which year was it granted? 2. Is it aware that this book seeks to create a national mythology out of Slovakian history since prehistoric times, constructs a hostile image towards neighbouring countries, particularly the Czechs, and emphasizes anti-Semitic tendencies? In particular, is it aware that the Tiso Regime (1939-1945), a satellite state of national socialism, is 3. described in altogether favourable terms? 4. 5. Has it since received international reviews of this book? Can subsidies for such publications intended for use in schools be scrutinized more thoroughly in future? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2469/97 by Mrs Van Bladel (1). (1) See page 14. (98/C 76/251) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700/97 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: CRDS levied on Dutch pensioners living in France On 16 October 1996 the Commission decided to instigate infringement proceedings against France for imposing the Contribution au Remboursement de la Dette Socialeí (CRDS) on Dutch pensioners resident in France who pay social premiums in the Netherlands in respect of their pensions. 1. Is the CRDS premium to be regarded as a tax on income which has to be paid in France pursuant to an agreement between France and the Netherlands, or as a social security premium which, in principle, is levied on Dutch citizens only in the Netherlands in respect of income from pensions? 2. What stage have the infringement proceedings reached, and what action is the Commission taking to compel France to comply with European legislation?