WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1324/98 by Jean-Antoine GIANSILY to the Commission. Establishment of a European climate agency
11. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 386/113 effectiveness of Community measures in this area, the Commission will continue its efforts to obtain a Council Decision on a Multiannual Programme to assist European tourism, such as the one put forward in the 1996 proposal for a Council Decision on a First Multiannual Programme to assist European tourism › Philoxenia (1997-2000) (1) and the subsequent amended proposal (2). Given its existing responsibilities, however, the Commission does not consider the creation of a European Tourism Office appropriate. (1) OJ C 222, 31. 7. 1996. (2) OJ C 13, 14. 1. 1997. (98/C 386/153) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1324/98 by Jean-Antoine Giansily (UPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Establishment of a European climate agency Following the position adopted by the European Parliament on the Commissionís strategy paper on reducing methane emissions, what is the Commissionís response to the suggestion from the Environment Committee that a European climate agency should be set up and when is such an agency likely to see the light of day? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1998) The question of creating a European climate agency was raised in the Parliamentís resolution on the Commissionís communication A strategy for reducing methaneí (1). In reply to this specific question during the debate on the above communication, the Commission said that the idea of creating a European climate agency was an interesting idea and deserved consideration. However, before the Commission could take a position, such a step would require further careful examination since it raises a large number of practical and institutional questions concerning the role of such an agency. The Commission is not at the moment pursuing this issue as it is concentrating its efforts on following up the Kyoto conference which is a top priority. (1) COM(96) 557 final. (98/C 386/154) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1328/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Compulsory competitive tendering: case of Oldham Metropolitan District Council (UK) Is the Commission aware of a recent case in the UK involving a building maintenance contract awarded by Oldham Metropolitan District Council to its own Direct Services Organization without the due competitive tendering process taking place? This case was subject to the issuance of a notice under Section 14 of the 1988 Local Government Act on Compulsory Competitive Tendering in August 1995, which was subsequently overruled (early in 1998) by the incoming UK administration