WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/00 by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Arms exports.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/181 Neither the conclusions of the European Council in Cologne nor the conclusions of the European Council in Helsinki include the implementation of a European Employment Policy within the mandate of the conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States which shall be called to amend the Treaties. (2000/C 280 E/208) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/00 by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Council (31 January 2000) Subject: Arms exports Is the Council aware that restraints on arms exports to countries such as Sudan are being evaded through licensing of arms manufacture to third country producers? What steps will the Council take about this? Reply (16 March 2000) The problem referred to by the Honourable Member has not been placed before the Council. However, the subject of arms brokering is currently being examined within the Councilís subordinate bodies. (2000/C 280 E/209) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0134/00 by Joost Lagendijk (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (20 January 2000) Subject: Influencing of staff of DG XX (Financial Control) during inquiries by the European Court of Auditors The web page of Renouveau & Democratieí includes the following questions to the Commission: ü Is it true that prior to checks by the European Court of Auditors on the DG for Financial Control the management of the DG distributes a list of possible questions and suggested answers? ü Is it true that staff are asked to report to management on the substance of the talks they have with the Court of Auditors? If the answers are in the affirmative can the Commission answer these questions: ü what were the ástandard questions and suggested answersí? ü does the Commission agree that this procedure is an impediment to proper checks by the Court of Auditors since it is impossible for staff to answer entirely freely? ü what action does the Commission intend to take in response to this procedure, and when? Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission (7 March 2000) The list of questions which was distributed was not ápossible questionsí but, at the request of the Court of Auditors, a questionnaire prepared by the audit team of the Court of Auditors. Also, what was put on the Intranet of DG Financial Control ü to be used as a basis for obtaining information ü were not ásuggested answersí but the answers to the same questionnaire by a unit of DG Financial Control