WRITTEN QUESTION E-0377/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Tax exemption for small firms.
C 303 E/186 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. The information supplied by the Honourable Member does not allow a thorough examination of the situation. At this stage, there is no evidence of the existence of discrimination on grounds of nationality. Notwithstanding, the Commission is ready to look into this case if more information becomes available. (2000/C 303 E/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0377/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Tax exemption for small firms Can the Commission state whether it is preparing legislative proposals whereby small firms would be exempt from the requirement of Commission clearance for State aid? If so, does this include tax exemptions? When are these proposals likely to be finalised? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (22 March 2000) By Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty (now Articles 87 and 88) to certain categories of horizontal state aid (1) the Commission was enabled to exempt by Commission regulations certain types of horizontal aid measures from the notification requirement. The categories covered by this Regulation include aid to small and medium- sized enterprises (SME). On 28 July 1999, the Commission adopted a draft exemption regulation for SME aid which is about to be published in the Official journal. The Commission intends to adopt the regulation by July 2000. The regulation will define up to which intensity certain aid to SME is exempted from the notification requirement. These intensities apply no matter in which form the aid is granted and therefore also apply to tax reductions or exemptions in favour of SME. (1) OJ L 142, 14. 5. 1998. (2000/C 303 E/212) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0386/00 by Vasco Graça Moura (PPE-DE) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: Payment to the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) Why has the Directorate-General for Education and Culture not yet paid the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) 50 % of the cost of projects for 1998 and 1999, contrary to the commitments given? When will these payments be made? What type of support will be considered for the EJTA from the year 2000 onwards?