WRITTEN QUESTION P-0384/99

by Ursula Stenzel (PPE) to the Commission

(19 February 1999)

Subject: Selection procedure

Further to its answer to my question E-3079/98(1) concerning the competition held on 14 September 1998 and the cheating that occurred during it, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What security measures were taken or what checks were made in connection with the competition held on 6 February 1999?

2. Can the possibility of cheating be ruled out in this case?

3. What has the Commission to say about press reports that the police have searched homes and offices and confiscated documents and diskettes?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that on 6 February 1999 the preselection tests for the main A competitions were held under excellent conditions at all 47 centres in the fifteen Member States. The new rules on conduct and discipline operated very efficiently, no candidate had to be asked to leave and the on-the-spot organisation was very well received, winning the entire trust of the candidates who sat the tests.

Answers to the specific questions are as follows:

1. A raft of measures had been taken to tighten security during the preparation of the tests and to reinforce order and discipline at the test centres. Measures had been taken to keep access to a minimum during the preparation of the tests and to ensure that maximum security was maintained when the tests were being translated. Fewer people were involved and the test papers were translated on computers unconnected to the network, in secure rooms.

The invigilator teams were strengthened in terms of number and rank in order to ensure that the tests on 6 February 1999 would be carried out properly: over 900 invigilators were present and high-level officials were mobilised for the occasion. Training sessions were held beforehand for all the invigilators and for all those in charge of centres.

All candidates had been informed, in the letter inviting them to attend, of the new rules of conduct to be observed at the test centres. They were notified that mobile phones were forbidden in the examination rooms and that they were not allowed to move around at any time during the tests, from the moment the test papers were distributed until they had all been collected. It was also made known to the candidates that anyone who contravened these rules would be immediately required to leave the room, all their test papers would be null and void and their participation in the competition would be annulled.

2. No cheating was observed. The new measures relating to security and supervision appear to have operated extremely well.

3. Following the leak which preceded the preselection tests of 14 September 1998, the Commission immediately launched an enquiry in order to identify everyone responsible for the breach of confidentiality. A preliminary report included sufficient evidence for the file to be handed over to the Belgian judicial authorities, who are now handling the case. The internal administrative enquiry has been closed; a final report was drawn up on 20 November 1998 and transmitted to the Belgian judicial authorities. Following receipt of the report, the Belgian Public Prosecutor requested that, in order to avoid any confusion or ambiguity, all internal enquiries be suspended while the national authorities investigated the matter.

The judicial authorities requested that the immunity of certain Commission officials and the inviolability of certain Commission premises should be waived. This request was duly complied with. Other officials were authorised to give evidence on the basis of their responsibility for the organisation of the competition in question.

Subsequently, certain premises (including Commission premises) were searched. There is nothing abnormal in that. The judicial investigation is continuing.

(1) OJ C 118, 29.4.1999, p. 165.