WRITTEN QUESTION E-0716/00 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The compliance of the payment of tuition fees in the UK with EU competition law.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/209 (2000/C 330 E/242) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0716/00 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission (17 March 2000) Subject: The compliance of the payment of tuition fees in the UK with EU competition law Following devolution in the UK, Scottish Universities now reduce and defer the payment of tuition fees for European students (with the exception of the English, Welsh and Northern Irish), whereas all other UK universities are obliged to demand the payment of fees on enrolment. The dissimilar conditions applied to the financing of students in the UK offers Scottish Universities an unfair competitive edge over their counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most particularly in attracting international students. Could the Commission therefore confirm whether this situation fully complies with the principles of the Communityís competition law as laid down in the European Treaties? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (3 April 2000) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-0374/00 (1). (1) See page 143. (2000/C 330 E/243) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0719/00 by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission (17 March 2000) Subject: Accidents at work Analysts and observers generally agree that, by definition, work is a risk. Obviously, the risk is greater in certain sectors than in others. Clearly, also, despite existing measures designed to prevent risks resulting in accidents, accidents do occur all too frequently. National politicians with responsibility in this area recognise both the virtue of these laws, and the fact that they do not go far enough. Job creation is a priority for the European Union. Those created must be quality jobs geared towards the aim of eliminating accidents at work. Does the Commission plan to implement or coordinate new measures aimed at reducing the number of accidents at the workplace? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (25 April 2000) The Commission fully shares the Honourable Memberís view on the importance of the measures designed to protect the health and safety of workers in order to reduce the number of occupational accidents. The Commissionís policy in this area has always pursued this objective. The directives in the area of áhealth and safety at workí that have been adopted by the Council on the basis of proposals from the Commission constitute a minimum foundation of measures for protecting workers from occupational accidents and occupational diseases. It is the responsibility of the Member States to ensure appropriate monitoring and surveillance of the application of the national provisions that transpose these directives