WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2139/98 by Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER to the Commission. Minority languages
C 50/130 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 2. 1999 (1999/C 50/187) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2136/98 by Mireille Elmalan (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Creation of a European áhandiplageí label (3 July 1998) In 1995 the Commission recognised the value of an experiment carried out in Hendaye under the Helios II programme to improve access for disabled persons to the beach. Other local councils and associations have created áhandiplageí sites. In order to help improve access to beaches, with information campaigns and the provision of the necessary infrastructure, is the Commission also prepared to propose the creation of a European áhandiplageí label alongside the blue flag for bathing-water quality? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1998) In the context of promoting equal opportunities for disabled people the Commission attaches great importance to the elimination of all obstacles which can hamper their access to public places, including those for leisure purposes. Accordingly, in 1995, within the competition organised annually by the Helios II programme to promote the integration of disabled people, the Commission supported an experiment designed to improve access for disabled people to the beach. The Commission encourages and applauds the proliferation of similar initiatives launched by other councils in cooperation with associations for the disabled. As part of its future integration strategy for the disabled, the Commission intends to look actively at the question of eliminating the obstacles that disabled people encounter in their everyday lives. (1999/C 50/188) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2139/98 by Friedhelm Frischenschlager (ELDR) to the Commission (13 July 1998) Subject: Minority languages 1. Does the Commission consider that Article 126 of the EU Treaty should be recognized in principle and used generally as the legal basis for budget heading B3-1006 and in particular for the long-term subsidy to the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages? 2. What funds will be available to the Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages for the financial year 1998? Does the Commission consider that special attention must be paid to the subject of lesser-used languages, in 3. particular in view of the forthcoming enlargement to the east? 4. What practical steps are planned in this connection and what funding will be made available by the Commission? Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1998) Budget line B3-1006 in support of regional and minority languages and cultures in the Community is the 1. outcome of Parliamentís constant support. Article 126 of the EC Treaty stipulates that áthe Community shall contribute to the development of quality education. while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the