WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1614/98 by Gary TITLEY to the Commission. Postal charges for non-commercial organizations and the REIMS II system
22. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 402/147 (98/C 402/195) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1614/98 by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission (25 May 1998) Subject: Postal charges for non-commercial organizations and the REIMS II system Given that the new REIMS II system on payments made between public post offices to cover the cost of delivering mail across national borders in the EU may, in some countries, make it likely that higher postal charges will be imposed for international mail, will be Commission propose any special treatment for non-profit making organizations, such as special lower rates, to help foster links between civil society organizations across the EU? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1998) The objective of the REIMS II agreement (Remuneration of exchanges of international mail) is to bring the terminal dues paid between the European postal operators concerned closer to the real costs of delivering inward cross-border mail, in accordance with the principle of cost orientation promoted by the Community. The use of the new terminal dues will not necessarily be followed by a general increase in the national postal tariffs paid by users, but rather will result in some cases in a rebalancing of cross-border tariffs according to the product concerned. Within the Community, it is up to the Member States to consider whether some support is needed in favour of non-profit making organisations, in case of an increase in their postal charges. (98/C 402/196) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1622/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (27 May 1998) Subject: Reduction of VAT due on repairs to religious buildings Would the Commission support a call for the reduction of the rate of VAT levied on repairs to buildings used for religious purposes from 17. 5 % to 5 %? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1998) Under current Community value added tax (VAT) legislation, Member States are not allowed to allocate repair, renovation and maintenance of churches and religious buildings to a reduced rate of VAT. A Commission proposal on the harmonisation of VAT rates, which will possibly tackle the question put by the Honourable Member, is currently being prepared. In this context, the idea of attributing a reduced VAT rate to repair, renovation and maintenance of historic buildings and churches will also be considered. (98/C 402/197) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1629/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (27 May 1998) Subject: Twenty-sixth report on competition policy With regard to the Twenty-sixth report on competition policy (1996) (SEC(97) 628 final, CES 1381/97), can the Commission ensure that, when assessing whether a dominant position exists within the context of the EU, reference is not made solely to the internal market alone when the reference market is international?