WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2724/97 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. Statements by the Commission President in relation to Spanish-British joint fishing ventures
C 117/54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 Finally, the Honourable Member raises a problem that many insurance companies in the United Kingdom refuse to issue green cards for left-hand drive cars. This implies that they refuse to conclude an insurance contract with drivers owning cars of this type. Insurers assess risks in the light of information at their disposal, including the probability of an event occurring and the seriousness of the risk. In this context, and in conformity with the principle of contractual freedom, insurers may reject offers from clients who represent a very high risk. In fact, cars not responding to British specifications could be considered a serious risk for British insurers. British insurers are free to develop their commercial policy in that direction and to refuse to conclude an insurance contract or levy additional charges on their clients owning left-hand drive cars. (1) OJ L 129, 19. 5. 1990. (98/C 117/66) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2724/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Statements by the Commission President in relation to Spanish-British joint fishing ventures At Parliamentís sitting of 26 June 1997 Mr Santer stated, in relation to the letter sent by the Commission President to the British Prime Minister on the subject of Spanish-British joint fishing ventures, that Mrs Bonino, the Commissioner responsible, and he himself had taken care to ensure that the Spanish authorities were always kept informed of contacts with the British authorities (Verbatim report of proceedings, 26 June 1997, p. 31). Can the Commission say on what dates, by what means and through whom the Commission has kept the Spanish authorities informed of the contacts between the Commission and the British authorities on the subject of investment from other Member States in the British fishing industry? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1997) The Commission can confirm that the Spanish authorities have been kept aware of developments in the matter to which the Honourable Member refers, including its contacts with the United Kingdom authorities. This information has been supplied by the means normally used for contacts between the Commission and the Member States, principally the Office of the Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union. (98/C 117/67) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725/97 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Municipal elections Can the Commission confirm that it is possible for European citizens to stand as candidates at municipal 1. elections in the Netherlands even though they are not resident in that country? 2. Can it indicate the extent to which this tallies with Article 8b of the EC Treaty which lays down that: Every citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he is not a national shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that Stateí