WRITTEN QUESTION E-2854/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Stockholm information office scandal.
C 203 E/178 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (1 February 2000) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-669/99 by Mr Marínos during question time at Parliamentís December 1999 part-session (1). (1) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1999). (2000/C 203 E/231) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2783/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Shortcomings of public works in Greece (18 January 2000) In its answer (P-2120/98) (1) to my question concerning compliance with quality standards in public works in Greece (2), the Commission pointed out that the first ESPEL (special quality control council) quarterly report found that problems of the kind mentioned do exist and stressed that it áexpects this matter to make rapid progress and hopes that any financial, disciplinary, penal or other consequences for those responsible will have a dissuasive effect in the future and will result in lasting improvements to the situation as regards qualityí. It also noted that, depending on their seriousness, the shortcomings suffered by the projects would either have to be corrected by the contractors, or the costs involved would be deducted from their payments, or else the projects would have to be rebuilt at the contractorsí own expense. Given that ESPEL recently forwarded to the services of the Ministry for Economic Affairs reports on 44 public works, of which it transpires that only four projects meet all the necessary standards: Can the Commission answer the following: 1. Will it say what progress has been made in each case in dealing with the shortcomings mentioned in its answer, on which it expected árapid progressí to be made? 2. What information does it have on further shortcomings and what measures does it intend to take? (1) OJ L 135, 14. 5. 1999, p. 16. (2) Written Question E-2592/98, OJ C 31, 5. 2. 1999, p. 151. Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (27 January 2000) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (2000/C 203 E/232) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2854/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Stockholm information office scandal Moderate Party MEP Per Stenmark was quoted in Aftonbladet on 20 November 1999 as saying that the Commission should close its Stockholm office. 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/179 Sweden is outraged at the latest scandal at the Commissionís information office in Stockholm involving payments of money to non-existent people. What action has the Commission taken against those responsible for the false payments and does the Commission consider that the then head of the office is ultimately responsible for the scandal? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (1 February 2000) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-712/99 by Mr Schori during question time at Parliamentís December 1999 part-session (1). (1) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1999)