WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1410/99 by Mark WATTS Licensing of children's entertainers
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/53 Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1999) The Commission considers that job sharing can be a very useful means of improving flexibility and reconciling work and family life. In general, it is important, however, that the arrangements are voluntary and that all the parties concerned are fully committed and flexible enough to make the system work. In these circumstances, the Commission does not consider that a Community directive to require the introduction of compulsory job-sharing schemes would be appropriate. It does, however, consider that it would be appropriate for Member States to examine their laws and other regulatory provisions to ensure that they do not inhibit the development of job sharing arrangements, provided that adequate security continues to be provided to the workers concerned. This would be consistent with the 1999 Employment Guidelines (Guideline 17). (2000/C 27 E/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1409/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Sites of Special Scientific Interest Can the Commission indicate what percentage of its land each of the fifteen Member States currently designates as worthy of conservation and therefore of listing as Sites of Special Scientific Interest? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1999) The Honourable Member asked the Commission what percentage of their land the Member States designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. However, while that classification is used in the United Kingdom, it does not exist under Community law. On the other hand the Commission publishes a NaturabaromŁtreí stating the percentage of the land surface of each Member State that is proposed under the Community Birds and Habitats Directives, namely Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1), and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2). This NaturabaromŁtreí is updated every 4 months. It is published in the free information bulletin entitled Natura 2000í and is available on website http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg11/nature/natura. htm. (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2000/C 27 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1410/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Licensing of childrenís entertainers Will the Commission please indicate what legislation exists within the EU governing the licensing and training of childrenís entertainers, and whether such persons are required to bring safety equipment with them to performances? Are they also required to insure themselves to at least a minimum level?