WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The elderly in the United Kingdom.
C 225 E/214 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 (2000/C 225 E/244) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The elderly in the United Kingdom While respecting the principle of subsidiarity in operation in the health sector, the Community institutions have a duty to see to it that Member States ensure a high level of quality in the services supplied to their citizens. From this perspective, I would like to draw the Commissionís attention to the accusations, reported in all the Member Statesí main daily papers, made by a well-known London doctor, who states that in some British hospitals downright áinvoluntary euthanasiaí is being practised. From the serious allegations made it would appear that the situation is of the utmost gravity, with elderly people being left to die, deprived of the slightest assistance and even of food, to allow beds to be freed. In the light of this: ü does the Commission not think that the practices revealed constitute a brutal breach of human rights and that because of this they fall within the Commissionís sphere of authority? ü What action does it therefore consider advisable in this particular case? ü Does it not consider it essential to set in motion a thorough investigation in all Member States which would finally throw light upon the actual circumstances in which elderly people who are no longer independent live in European Union countries? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) It is for each Member State to organise their health systems as they wish, and to determine the conditions for entitlement to benefits under those systems. Therefore, although the Commission is not aware of the details of the press coverage cited, there does not seem to be an obligation arising from Community law that would be involved. Therefore it would be more appropriate to contact the United Kingdom authorities directly with any further questions on this subject. (2000/C 225 E/245) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0006/00 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Recognition of Commission President Romano Prodi Is it true that when Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, arrived at the royal wedding on 4 December 1999, the Belgian television French language service (RTBF) introduced him as the Prime Minister of Portugal? If so, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that Belgian television recognises the Commission President in future? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (11 February 2000) It is true that when Mr Prodi, President of the Commission, arrived at the Cathedral for the royal marriage on 4 December 1999, the commentator for the Belgian television channel RTBF referred to him as the President (not the Prime Minister) of Portugal