WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2455/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Rehabilitation of persons in Italy named in a notice of dishonour
C 118/80 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 4. 1999 instruments. However, the bilateral dialogue between the Community and Algeria is not yet operational, as the Association Agreement intended to provide an institutional framework for it is still under negotiation. (1999/C 118/100) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2453/98 by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission (30 July 1998) Subject: State aid The Italian Massa-based Clad la Sartoriaí cooperative, which was set up before 31 December 1996, has applied for funding under Law 49/85 (the Marcora Law). Commission DG IV has challenged the law in question, which has been deemed to constitute State aid. In November 1997 the Italian Government drew up a Decree amending Law 49/85 in the light of the comments by the Community officials. However, the DG responsible has not yet issued its definitive opinion, and the measures to protect jobs have consequently been stalled in the short term. Will the Commission and the departments concerned take steps as quickly as possible to ensure that the opinion on the above Decree is finally published? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1998) The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that, at its meeting on 15 July 1998, it decided not to raise any objection to the new aid scheme provided for in the Decree amending Law 49/85. Measures under the previous Law 49/85 scheme which had been held over and on which the Commission received updated information in June will be covered by a single decision at a later date. (1999/C 118/101) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2455/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (30 July 1998) Subject: Rehabilitation of persons in Italy named in a notice of dishonour Approximately twelve million people in Italy who have been named in a notice of dishonour have no practical possibility of obtaining credit, purely as a result, more often than not, of mistakes, delays, and negligence by banks and government departments. What is more, the disputed sums of money were frequently modest. It is undoubtedly the case that many of the persons affected, by force of circumstance, have fallen victim to usury. About a quarter of the Italian population will consequently be unable, de facto, to benefit from the new euro, since the Italian authorities have made no plans to reverse their disqualification in advance of the economic change-over. The Italian banking system likewise appears to be behind the times on this point because the Bank of Italy has failed to control the widespread practice of credit institutions, which debar persons named in a notice of dishonour from holding even a current account and making simple banking transactions, a fact which has also been criticised by SNARP, the National Association for the Abolition of Usury and the Rehabilitation of Persons Named in a Notice of Dishonour. 1. Will the Commission take steps to help persons named in a notice of dishonour who are seeking to restore their reputation? 2. Will it adopt specific measures to curb usury?