WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2742/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Car prices in the UK
29. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 118/131 The Council is also in contact with the Southern African Development Community Presidency (i. e. South Africa), regarding specific possibilities for EU support (including possible role for the EU Special Envoy Mr Ajello) for a political process aimed at finding a peaceful, negotiated solution. On the question of democratisation in the DRC, the EU Common Position on support for the democratisation process enables the Union to offer assistance as soon as the necessary conditions are at hand. In this regard, while the recent announcement that elections will take place in 1999 as proposed is to be welcomed, the Union is concerned that no arbitrary conditions be attached to the prerogative of all the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to exercise their democratic rights. (1999/C 118/162) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (3 September 1998) Subject: Car prices in the UK Car prices in the UK are known to be the highest in Europe. Can the Commission clarify its views on this in relation to Article 30 and indicate what steps it is taking to ensure that car prices in the UK become competitive with the rest of Europe? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1998) On the subject of car prices in the United Kingdom, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2577/98 by Mrs Anita Pollack (1). The Commission sees no relationship between high car prices in the United Kingdom and Article 30 of the EC Treaty. The Commission is currently investigating a complaint regarding the compatibility with Articles 30 and 36 of the EC Treaty of the provisions dealing with the approval of single vehicles contained in the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 as amended by the Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998. (1) OJ C 31, 5. 2. 1999, p. 150. (1999/C 118/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2743/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (3 September 1998) Subject: Printing of the euro Transporting and guarding currency is a notoriously dangerous and hazardous business, as the recent industrial action over violence against security guards in Belgium demonstrated. Given these security dangers in a relatively peaceful country such as Belgium, as well as the very high costs of transporting currency, does the Commission agree that the euro should be printed only within the borders of the European Union and, if so, what plans has it made, or will it be making, to ensure that this occurs?