WRITTEN QUESTION E-0751/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Council. Rome Convention.
26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/103 The Commission has not made any assessment of how many British jobs would be at risk if Britain failed to integrate further into the Union. (2001/C 26 E/123) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0749/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 March 2000) Subject: Dutch legislation on termination of pregnancy Is the Commission aware of the proposed changes in Dutch legislation allowing abortion in pregnancies over 24 weeks on the grounds that the babies have a disability and does the Commission consider that such a law would be contrary to Article 6 of the Treaties? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (11 May 2000) The Commission has not been informed and is not aware of any proposals for changes to Dutch law with regard to abortions to be allowed after the 24th week of pregnancy. In any event, the Commission generally does not think it appropriate to deal with hypothetical questions, such as those that might be raised by draft laws that may or may not be enacted. (2001/C 26 E/124) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0751/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Council (15 March 2000) Subject: Rome Convention What meetings have taken place on the proposed legislation on non-contractual obligations (Projet de communication sur la loi applicable aux obligations non-contractuelles (Rome II)) to replace the Rome Convention in the last six months? Where did these meetings take place? Have ministers of Member States discussed this proposal in the last six months? If so, on what occasions and what were their conclusions? If ministers were not involved, what level of civil servants attended the meetings? Which officials attended the meetings? Which Council officials and/or department have overall charge of negotiations on Rome II? Is the inter- service consultation document (DG JAI D (99) 495 ü Communication de la Commission sur la loi applicable aux obligations non-contractuelles), which is in circulation at the present time, available in English? If the answer to this question is yes, from whom may a copy be obtained? If the answer is no, why is no copy available in English? What is the content of the inter-service consultation document? When is the outcome of the inter-service consultation expected? Are any outside bodies being consulted on this proposal? If so, which groups are being consulted and how are these groups selected? When is publication of a formal legislative proposal expected in this area? When is the legislative process expected to be completed? C 26 E/104 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 Reply (26 June 2000) One of the priorities laid down in the Action Plan drawn up in Vienna in December 1998 to establish an area of freedom, security and justice concerned the feasibility and advisability of introducing an instrument on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations (Rome II). Discussions on this question were entered into within the Council at working party level under the provisions of Title VI of the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty). Within the General Secretariat of the Council, Directorate-General H (Justice and Home Affairs) is the department responsible for dealing with this dossier. The Council suspended these activities pending the submission of a Member State initiative or a Commission proposal pursuant to Article 67(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Although the Council is aware that the Commission is preparing a communication in this area, it has no information concerning either the scope or the content of the measures envisaged. It is therefore unable to answer the Honourable Memberís questions concerning the Commission communication and requests her to approach the Commission directly. (2001/C 26 E/125) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0754/00 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (13 March 2000) Subject: Harp seals What plans does the Commission have to raise with the Russian authorities and Mr Putin the issue of the mutilation of baby harp seals on the White Sea, due to start at the end of February/first week in March? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (5 April 2000) The Union is intensifying its dialogue with the Russian authorities on environmental issues under the partnership and cooperation agreement using a specific sub-committee of the cooperation committee established for this purpose. The next meeting is planned for the week 15-19 May 2000. Issues of endangered species and bio-diversity are discussed in this context. (2001/C 26 E/126) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0756/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Supply of tuna loins to the Community market (13 March 2000) At the Fisheries Council meeting of 30 March 1999, the Commission undertook to launch a study to assess supplies of tuna loins to the Community market. A study of the demand for, and supply of tuna loins, with an assessment of supplies of tuna loins to the Community market in the short and medium term, was submitted on 29 November 1999. Can the Commission say what conclusions have been drawn from this study?