WRITTEN QUESTION E-1482/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 April 1997)

Subject: Approximation of the legislation of the Member States on the protection of human health

The President of the Commission, Mr Santer, presented a Commission proposal to the Intergovernmental Conference on a new Article 129 of the Treaty on European Union. Paragraph 4 of the proposed new article provides that the Commission will adopt measures for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States on the protection of human health.

Can we assume that that paragraph also refers to the national health systems of the Member States, given that they too protect human health?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1997)

Yes, to the extent that measures, to be adopted by the Council acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b EC Treaty fall within the terms of the proposed Article 129.