WRITTEN QUESTION E-0256/00 by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European Union publicity material.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/203 How does it propose to investigate the suspicion that money is being laundered in European banks, 2. especially in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg, and enlighten the European public as to the facts of the matter? Does it know of any other cases of subsidy fraud and distortion of competition connected with 3. privatisation of State-owned businesses in the former GDR? If so, what further investigations does it intend to carry out? Have persons implicated in the German funding scandal attempted to influence political decisions of 4. the Commission or other EU bodies in favour of particular firms? 5. Will the Commission investigate whether money from the illicit accounts and other dubious channels was used for the CDUís European election campaigns in 1989, 1994, and 1999? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (23 February 2000) In the framework of its responsibilities for state aid control, pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 (ex Articles 92 and 93) of the EC Treaty, the Commission is currently investigating whether the cost of the construction of the Leuna 2000 refinery by Elf was artificially inflated. Elf could have received aid payments which go beyond the 35 % aid ceiling permitted in Eastern Germany. If this were to be the case, the Commission would request the reimbursement of part of the aid. As regards the investigation of possible fraud in relation to the granting of state aid, it should be noted that such investigations are the responsibility of the national authorities in Member States. The Commission will study with interest any conclusions such investigations may lead to in order to see whether it has to draw any consequences. However, it is only if the fraud is allegedly connected with the use of direct Community subsidies that the European antifraud office (OLAF) could intervene pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European antifraud office (OLAF) (1). (1) OJ L 136, 31. 5. 1999. (2000/C 280 E/239) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0256/00 by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: European Union publicity material In the answer given by Commissioner Oreja to Written Question E-3488/98 (1) he indicated that it was Commission policy not to issue publications in the UK except upon request. The Commissioner also indicated that one million copies of the publication Euroquestí were published, targeted at schools. Will the Commission indicate who requested so many copies? (1) OJ C 297, 15. 10. 1999, p. 75. Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (3 March 2000) Euroquestí, an 18-page illustrated booklet and map suitable for 7 to 11-year-old school children (Key Stage 2), was written by British teachers and published in 1998 by the Commissionís Representation in the United Kingdom. A copy is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat. C 280 E/204 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 The booklet was developed after repeated requests from teachers for simple factual material about the Community and its Member States, for teaching purposes and in line with national curriculum require- ments. In anticipation of demand, one million copies were printed. Since publication in June 1998, 460 000 copies of the booklet have been requested by primary school teachers, public libraries, local education authorities and European resource centres for schools in the United Kingdom. Orders continue to be received on a regular basis for several thousand copies a month. (2000/C 280 E/240) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0257/00 by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Intergovernmental Conference Can the Commission list those areas where it would like to see an extension of qualified majority voting at the next Intergovernmental Conference? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (23 February 2000) As it made clear in its Opinion adopted on 26 January 2000 (1), the Commission believes that, apart from cases where the Council decides by simple majority, decision-making by qualified majority should be the general rule in the Council, and insistence on unanimity the exception. In Annex 1 to the Opinion the Commission listed the provisions of the EC Treaty that might remain subject to unanimity on the grounds that serious and lasting reasons justify departing from the general rule. Annex 2 to the Opinion lists the provisions of the EC Treaty which would then be subject to qualified majority voting in the Council. (1) Adapting the institutions to make a success of enlargement. Commission Opinion in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union on the calling of a Conference of Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to amend the Treaties ü COM(00) 34 final. (2000/C 280 E/241) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0261/00 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (2 February 2000) Subject: Slaughter of animals at Eid-el-Kabir Each year tens of thousands of sheep are religiously slaughtered outdoors in France at the Eid-el-Kabir festival. This is in breach of Council Directive 93/119/EC (1) on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing, which specifically prohibits outdoor religious slaughter. Film footage supplied to the Commission by animal welfare organisation shows not only that the slaughter takes place outdoors but also that the sheep are often roughly and cruelly treated prior to slaughter. They are dragged by one front leg, carried upside down, carted in wheelbarrows and often have their front and back legs tied together. All this is in breach of Article 3 of Council Directive 93/119. What steps does the Commission propose to take to ensure that EU law is observed at this yearís Eid-el-Kabir festival? Does the Commission intend to issue infringement proceedings against France under Article 226 in respect of its failure to enforce Council Directive 93/119 in its territory? (1) OJ L 340, 31. 12. 1993, p. 21