WRITTEN QUESTION E-1936/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Reduced rate of VAT for catering services.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/91 (2000/C 203 E/114) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1934/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 November 1999) Subject: Progress in implementing the operational programme to combat social exclusion under the Community Support Framework for Greece From the Commissionís answer to one of my previous questions (1) it emerged that there were problems involved in implementing the operational programme to combat social exclusion under the Community Support Framework for Greece and that appropriations were moving very slowly. Can the Commission say what the current take-up rate of scheduled appropriations is? Have the problems associated with the implementation of the programme been overcome and, if not, to what are such long delays attributable? (1) P-3427/97, OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998, p. 163. Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1999) The 1994-1998 take-up rate for the operational programme on combating exclusion from the labour market (1994-1999 Community support framework for Greece) is 34 % in terms of incurred expenditure. According to information from the Greek authorities, approximately 64 % of programme credits had been committed by the end of June 1999 and it is estimated that there will be 100 % credit absorption within the deadlines imposed by the financial implementation provisions in force. There has been significant progress in programme implementation in comparison with the 1994-1997 period. The national accreditation agency was re-established and is at present functioning in a satisfactory way. There have also been improvements in programme monitoring. However, further action would still be required, also under the 3rd Community support framework for Greece, for the reinforcement or creation of appropriate implementing structures in particular labour market mechanisms and support structures. (2000/C 203 E/115) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1936/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council Subject: Reduced rate of VAT for catering services (4 November 1999) At the extraordinary Ecofin Council held in September 1999, Member Statesí Ministers discussed the list of services which would be eligible for a reduced rate of VAT. That list ü which will apply from 1 January 2000 ü contained proposals to include catering services, though these did not gain general approval. As the catering sector is important to countries with a developed tourist industry, will the Council say whether it will include that sector on the list of services to which a reduced rate of VAT may be applied and, if not, why not? Answer (24 January 2000) The Council would remind the Honourable Member that when the Directive on the possibility of applying on an experimental basis a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services was adopted, the Council noted a Commission statement whereby the Commission undertook to examine in a positive spirit a request from Portugal to apply a reduced rate of VAT to catering services