WRITTEN QUESTION E-2556/99 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Transmission masts.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/163 Germany: 7 %; Greece: 8 %; Spain: 7 %; France: 20,6 %; Ireland: exempt; Italy: 20 %; Luxembourg: 3 %, 15 %, exempt; Netherlands: 17,5 %; Austria: 0 %, 10 %; Portugal: 17 %; Finland: exempt; Sweden: exempt, 25 %; United Kingdom: exempt. In other cases, the normal rate of VAT is applicable. Council Directive 1999/85/EC of 22 October 1999, amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the possibility of applying on an experimental basis a reduced rate of VAT on labour-intensive services (2), also enables Member States, upon request, to apply a reduced rate to domestic care services from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2002. Greece, France, Italy and Portugal have submitted requests for these services. (1) OJ L 145, 13. 6. 1977. (2) OJ L 277, 28. 10. 1999. (2000/C 225 E/180) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2556/99 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission (11 January 2000) Subject: Transmission masts In view of the scientific evidence of possible health effects from the use of mobile telephone handsets, is the Commission concerned that there may be health effects from the stationing of mobile telephony transmission masts near to groups of people, particularly on educational premises, and does it intend to propose any minimum standards or safeguards in this respect? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (27 January 2000) Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (O HZ to 300 GHz) (1) sets up a system of basic restrictions and reference levels to prevent the occurrence of established adverse effects on human health of fields such as those generated by mobile phone base stations. The Recommendation is addressed to the Member States which should take the necessary steps to ensure the high level of human health protection under the exposure limitation system that has been recom- mended. It is expected that it will also lead to the establishment of standards for equipment emitting electronic radiation of the type covered by the Recommendation. (1) OJ L 199, 30. 7. 1999. (2000/C 225 E/181) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/99 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission (11 January 2000) Subject: Discrimination in the workplace Would the Commission please state for each Member State whether there are laws forbidding discrimina- tion in the workplace on the basis of: a) race, b) religion, c) gender, d) sexual orientation? Can it also state in each case the means of redress, and whether any case has been successful prosecuted in each of the four categories over the last year?