WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1604/99 by John PURVIS Results of Research on Risks for Plutonium and Nuclear Accidents
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/145 Joint answer to Written Questions P-1602/99 and E-1663/99 given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1999) The Commission agrees with the Honourable Members that urgent action is needed to improve the conditions for passengers in the event of overbooking. It has therefore already proposed (1) amendments to Council Regulation (EEC) 295/91 of 4 February 1991 establishing common rules for a denied-boarding compensation system in scheduled air transport (2). In its amended proposal (3) the Commission also agreed to suggestions made by the Parliament. However, adoption of this proposal is still pending in Council. Nearly all of the points specifically mentioned by the Honourable Member are covered by this proposal. Only the issue of a defined percentage of allowed overbooking has not been included since the airlines themselves define this percentage according to their own statistics of no-shows. These numbers vary from airline to airline and route to route, and it would not be possible to define a percentage suitable for all situations in Europe. The issue of compensation for delays is not covered by the proposal. However, the issue will be discussed in connection with a consultation paper on passengersí rights in air transport that will be launched shortly. This consultation paper will also raise the question of the acceptability of the present conditions of carriage used by the air carriers. Finally, the recent Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999 includes updated provisions on damage and delay to baggage. The Commission is proposing that the Community adheres to this Convention and is specifically considering whether an initiative should be taken in this context in respect of baggage. (1) OJ C 120, 18. 4. 1998. (2) OJ L 36, 8. 2. 1991. (3) OJ C 351, 18. 11. 1998. (2000/C 27 E/177) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1604/99 by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 September 1999) Subject: Results of Research on Risks for Plutonium and Nuclear Accidents It was reported (The Times of London 9. 8. 1999) that the EU Radiation Protection Unit was sponsoring research at the UKAEA research laboratories at Harwell, which included the injection and inhaling by human volunteers of radioactive plutonium in order to simulate the effects of a nuclear accident on the body. Can the Commission advise what (if any) effects have been observed in the people concerned and what are the broader implications regarding the risks from plutonium and nuclear accidents? Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1999) The Commission has provided financial support for two projects within the Third (1990-94) and Fourth (1994-98) Framework Programmes, which included studies requiring the inhalation and injection by human volunteers of specific plutonium isotopes. These projects were part of a broadly based research involving up to 12 institutions in the Member States, the purpose of which was to improve the quantitative understanding of the behaviour of radionuclides incorporated into the human body (biokinetics), and to contribute towards more reliable dose and risk assessments for occupational and accidental exposures. The studies were carried out after appropriate approval by an ethical committee, based on an assessment of the possible health risks. The total committed doses to the volunteers does not exceed 0,1 milliSieverts