WRITTEN QUESTION E-0519/00 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission. Transparency.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/179 In order to improve the understanding of inflation differentials in EMU, the Commission expects to launch an external study analysing the sources of sustained inflation differentials in a modified Balassa-Samuelson framework. The results of this study, which are expected at the end of 2000, will be made public. More important than providing a set of ex ante estimates of the scope for inflation differentials in EMU, the study is intended to help in improving and refining the framework used by the Commission to assess cyclical divergence and inflation differences across EMU. (2000/C 330 E/205) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0519/00 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission (28 February 2000) Subject: Transparency In the Briefing of the European Parliament Press Service for the part session 12-16 February 1996, it is stated that, regarding the matter of the Wild Birds Directiveí, áthe Commission is also proposing that in future such decisions would be taken in secret by a special committee, away from the glare of publicity and not subject to Parliamentary scrutinyí. Can the Commission provide details of the context of this statement? Has the Commission specified a lack of Parliamentary scrutiny on other occasions? If so, in what circumstances is this deemed appropriate? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (4 April 2000) The statement of the Parliament Press Service was made in the context of the first reading at the Parliament ü session of 15 February 1996 ü of the Commissionís proposal (1) to modify Article 7(4) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2). The Commission does not share the sentiment of the statement quoted by the Honourable Member. On the contrary, from the seven amendments voted by the Parliament (3), the Commission immediately agreed with amendment No 4 concerning the transmission of the composite report of the application of the Directive to the Member States and the Parliament. Furthermore, the Parliament is informed by the Commission of committee proceedings on a regular basis, as set out in Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (4). (1) OJ C 100, 9. 4. 1994. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (3) Bulletin, 1996/1/2, p. 1. 3. 152. (4) OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/206) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0522/00 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (28 February 2000) Subject: Procedure followed by Poste Italiane SpA for the award of contracts for mail delivery services Does the Commission intend to take steps to check the regularity of the procedures for the award of contracts followed by Poste Italiane SpA, the Italian postal services provider, with particular reference to the priority mail service?