WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2522/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Grading of newly-recruited Commission officials by group and step
C 82/100 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 3. 98 The new approach proposed for the 5th framework programme is particularly well illustrated by the ákey actionsí. A contribution is needed from many areas of technology in order to achieve the objectives set, but without carrying out work on a large scale in all those areas as was the case under the 4th framework programme. Nevertheless, purely for illustrative purposes, a few examples of areas of research which might be stopped or, on the contrary, introduced in the context of the 5th framework programme are mentioned below: › raw materials prospecting, systematic sequencing of the genes of model organisms (examples of areas stopped or significantly reduced); › aircraft of the future, áeco-managementí of products, polar research, ácity of tomorrow/digital cityí (examples of areas introduced or reinforced). Mechanisms for increasing flexibility will be incorporated in the specific programmes. However, reducing in the number of thematic programmes from fifteen to three, as proposed by the Commission, should make for increased flexibility in terms of programme implementation, subject to the limits set in the programme decisions and in the context of the annual budgetary procedure. 2. A direct comparison of the funding of research areas between the two framework programmes is difficult for the reasons given above. However, the growing importance of themes related to life sciences and the ecosystem, the significant increase in the fourth activity (improving human potential) and the reduction in the share of the nuclear programmes can be noted. (1) COM(97) 142 final. (2) Decision No 1110/94/EC › OJ L 126, 18. 5. 1994. (98/C 82/164) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2522/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (24 July 1997) Subject: Grading of newly-recruited Commission officials by group and step Given the lack of transparency regarding the method by which the Commission grades newly-recruited officials by group and step, will it say: 1. which criteria are used for grading newly-recruited officials in the Commission? 2. given the vagueness of the rules governing conditions of service on this matter, which documents or publications explain in detail how officials are graded by group and step and whether the public and, above all, those immediately concerned, have free access to these documents? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997) The appointing authority takes its decision on classification by grade and step after consultation of the Joint Committee on Grading. This Committee operates in accordance with criteria applicable since October 1983 and adjusted on 7 February 1996. A copy of the decision on the criteria applicable to classification by grade and step, which is handed out on request to officials and temporary staff when they take up their duties, is being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. The Honourable Member is also being sent a copy of the regulation which makes certain exceptions for nationals of the new Member States