91998E2587

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2587/98

by Otto von Habsburg (PPE) to the Commission

(29 July 1998)

Subject: Advertising for automobiles and motorcycles

According to a report in a leading German newspaper, the Commission has drawn up a proposal to restrict automobile and motorcycle advertising on the grounds that such forms of transport are dangerous, as evidenced by the large number of accidents involving them.

1. Is this true or is it a typical piece of disinformation by the anti-European lobby?

2. If the report is true, what is the justification for this proposal which threatens to undermine economic freedom and would really be only a further step towards a socialist bureaucracy?

3. What action will the Commission take to prevent further outbreaks of dirigistic lunacy?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 1998)

The Commission has absolutely no intention of introducing a ban on car advertising as erroneously reported in some German newspapers.

In several Member States voluntary codes of conduct are applied which encourage advertising agencies and their customers, the car industry, to limit advertisements that could be considered to be linked to dangerous behaviour on the road. Various public discussions about the possibilities of applying such a voluntary code throughout Europe may have led to misunderstanding on the part of some journalists, particularly those who did not take the trouble to make enquiries to various voluntary organisations, public authorities and the Commission before writing their stories.