WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2271/98 by Bill MILLER to the Commission. Excise duty
29. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 118/49 Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 October 1998) The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the matters raised in his question fall completely within the area of competence of the Greek supervisory authorities, so that there is no action that Commission can usefully take. (1999/C 118/058) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/98 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (22 July 1998) Subject: Excise duty Does the Commission consider that the present regime of excise duties in the different Member States is satisfactory or does it believe that further coordination in this area is necessary? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (2 October 1998) With regard to the harmonisation of excise duty rates and structures the Honourable Member is referred to the first paragraph of the reply to his written question E-1898/98 (1). With regard to the question of co-ordination in respect of the control of movements of goods subject to excise duty, the Commission believes that greater co-operation is necessary and is actively working with the Member States to achieve this. In this context, it would refer the Honourable Member to its 1998/1999 work programme on the fight against fraud (2) which sets out several measures which the Commission intends to initiative in order to reinforce co-ordination. (1) OJ C 50, 22. 2. 1999, p. 111. (2) COM(98) 278 final. (1999/C 118/059) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2272/98 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission (22 July 1998) Subject: Strengthening of the Sefton Coast Road bridges in Southport Can the Commission confirm that it has instituted a pre-Article 169 investigation into the proposed strengthening of the Sefton Coast Road bridges in order to ascertain whether it constitutes an upgrading of the road without the environmental assessment required under the Habitats Directive to ensure that there is no negative impact on the Sefton Coast candidate Special Area of Conservation? Has there been a response to this investigation from the relevant UK authorities? If not, would the Commission agree to press for the issue to be resolved as soon as possible in view of the projected start of the works in September 1998? Does the Commission agree that it would be desirable either to stop the works before then if they are illegal or, if they are not illegal, to ensure that they can go ahead without fear of subsequent legal action?