WRITTEN QUESTION E-2765/99 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Raffaele Fitto (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) and Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The case of Silvia Baraldini ‐ payment of a fine.
C 225 E/202 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 social and economic impact on the province and region, bearing in mind that Carrier is now one of the main industrial undertakings in Castilla-La Mancha. Furthermore, the closure plans drawn up by the firmís managers appear all the more unjustifiable bearing in mind that the company holds a significant market share and has been extremely profitable. The institutions in Castilla-La Mancha (starting with the regional government and parliament), the Spanish Congress of Deputies (in a series of declarations) and the citizens of Guadalajara, who have organised a variety of demonstrations, have all called for the closure plans to be abandoned and for production and jobs to be preserved. Can the Commission answer the following: ü does it consider that Carrier should take account of all social and economic factors in relation to its plant in Guadalajara and respond to the demands of workers, trade unions, the general public and institutions and withdraw its closure plans? ü will it take the appropriate steps and approach Carrier to that end? ü does it know whether Carrier has received any state or European aid which would oblige it to act to protect jobs? ü can it say whether Carrier has complied in this process with the directives on the information and consultation of bodies representing workers and labour organisations? ü does it take the view that this case, or the earlier Michelin case, strengthen the European Parliamentís proposals on relocations aimed at preventing socially irresponsible business decisions? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (2 March 2000) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (2000/C 225 E/229) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2765/99 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Raffaele Fitto (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) and Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: The case of Silvia Baraldini ü payment of a fine (18 January 2000) Is the President of the Commission aware of the case concerning the payment, by the Italian Government which at the time was led by Mr Prodi himself, of the $50 000 fine imposed on Silvia Baraldini? Apart from the fact that this is an exceptionally serious matter, it should be pointed out that: ü under formal authorisation from an entire Directorate-General of the ministry concerned, the budget of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was manipulated, without reasons and purposes being given; ü the Italian 1997 Finance Act ü a fundamental State law, comprising as it does the sum total of each individual ministry coming under Tables A and B thereof ü was manipulated. What is the Commissionís view of this matter, which involved a Member State and the United States? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (6 March 2000) The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned