WRITTEN QUESTION E-0288/00

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Furniture for Commissioners

According to reports in the press, Commissioner Nielson has said that he still cannot do his job properly because the Commission administration has not yet supplied him with new furniture for his office.

1. Did Commissioner Nielson really say this?

2. Does the Commissioner not have any furniture at all, or is it that he has not yet received some different furniture which he wishes to have?

3. Does each new Commissioner have a right to new furniture?

4. If so, what is the cost of this?

5. What happens to the old, discarded furniture?

6. What is the Commission's view of the suggestion by Commissioner Nielson that the failure to supply him with furniture is indicative of the old-fashioned character of the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2000)

1. In an interview published in Commission en Direct (No 150, 21-27 January 2000) Mr Nielson is reported to have remarked on the fact that his furniture had been stuck in a container in transit from Denmark for two months. Contrary to the reference made in the question, Commissioner Nielson did not say that he had been prevented from working because of this delay. Neither that nor anything else would prevent Mr Nielson doing his job.

2. The new Commissioners were preparing to start to work before the departure of the previous Commission and Mr Nielson, like the other proposed new members of the Commission, was first provided temporarily with new furniture of the same type available to Directors in the Commission. After the departure of the previous Commission, he was able to make use of the furniture of a former Commissioner. This furniture was less than five years old. Mr Nielson was given the opportunity to indicate his preference for having part of it replaced.

3. and 4. All new members of the Commission were provided with office furniture left by former Members. Those whose predecessor's furniture was more than five years old were given the possibility of receiving new furniture to be used throughout their period of office at a maximum cost of 25 000. Those who received furniture which was less than five years old had the possibility of renewing a part of it up to a cost of 12 500.

5. Those items of furniture from former members that have not been kept by their successors have since been re-used by the services, either to equip areas such as reception halls and waiting rooms for visitors, or, where necessary, to meet the office furniture needs of officials, mainly directors-general.

6. As the above replies demonstrate, the Commission has a clear policy on the provision of furniture for members of the Commission which facilitates replacement on a satisfactory basis. Any expenditure made from the budget of the Commission is subject to strict adherence to the rules laid out in the Financial Regulation. The average time needed to pass the financial procedures for standard furniture ordered in Belgium through the relevant services of the Commission is at least two weeks plus delivery time. Mr Nielson's furniture was ordered in Denmark directly which caused a further delay. The length of delay in transit experienced by Mr Nielson is regretted.