WRITTEN QUESTION E-0843/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Human resources in the Commission's Transport Directorate-General.
C 46 E/58 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 vision for all those who happen to be in the vicinity when they go into action. Journalistic sources report that the grenades and spray used by the police contain CS and CN-type chemicals and the particles remain in the environment for a long time, penetrate deep into human lungs and seriously contaminate the skin. Will the Commission say: 1. What are the substances involved, where are they produced and what is their composition? 2. How long do they remain in the human organism and the environment generally and what damage do they cause to health? Is there any truth to the allegations that they cause cancer? 3. Does the Commission intend to look into this matter, particularly from the point of view of public health? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (23 May 2000) The Commission has no information on the substances mentioned by the Honourable Member. Conse- quently, it cannot assess the possible effects on human health which may arise therefrom. (2001/C 46 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0843/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (21 March 2000) Subject: Human resources in the Commissionís Transport Directorate-General In view of the expanding role being played by the Commission in seeking to bring about the improvement of passenger rail services and reverse the decline in rail freight, is the Commission satisfied that it has the staff resources in its transport division to do the job required effectively? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (15 May 2000) The new organisational structure resulting from the merger of the former Transport and Energy DGs, as approved by the Commission on 22 December 1999, broadly reflects the emphasis of European policy. The merger entailed a redeployment of staff, notably towards rail transport. Should this prove insufficient, further redeployment may be undertaken in the new Directorate-General, without prejudice to requests for additional staff. (2001/C 46 E/064) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0844/00 by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Exports of tomatoes from the Kingdom of Morocco (21 March 2000) Because tomato exports from Morocco to the Community exceeded the total quantities allowed by 190 % in October 1999 and 37 % in November 1999 (something which the leading Spanish agricultural organisations had already been pointing out for months) a system of import certificates had to be introduced, as set out in the Regulation of 23 December 1999