WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2389/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Car prices: disparities in car prices among Member States
Date: 1998-07-27
Institutions: European Parliament, MACARTNEY
Subjects: United Kingdom, concessionaire, exchange rate, fixing of prices, motor car, motor vehicle industry, price disparity, selling price, tax system

C 31/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.2.1999

(1999/C 31/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2373/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(15 July 1998)

Subject: Inadmissible actions by the Head of Representation of the Commission in Ankara

The Greek press has published lengthy extracts from a report by Mr Michael Lake who has, for eight years, been
the Head of Representation of the European Union in Ankara. While all European Union representatives are
undoubtedly entitled to draw up reports on their work containing their opinions, the substance of the document in
question shows that he has, on the one hand exceeded his terms of reference and, on the other, directly challenged
decisions taken by European Union institutions concerning their position regarding Turkey.

The fact that Michael Lake exceeded his terms of reference was revealed when he admitted to having (cid:145)drafted(cid:146) a
speech by Mr Demirel, who was then Prime Minister and is now President of Turkey, and that he influenced
newspapers such as the Financial Times in favour of Turkey. In addition, he challenged the European Union
institutions by adopting positions diametrically opposed to the decisions of the European Council and Parliament.

In accordance with what criteria was Michael Lake appointed to his post as Head of Representation of the

1.
Commission in Ankara and kept there for eight years?

2. Was the Commission aware of the activities of its Head of Representation?

3. What action will the Commission take following his admissions?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1998)

Mr Lake was nominated and executed his function in Ankara according to standing criteria and procedures. His
stay in Ankara was prolonged in the interest of the service.

It is not unusual for departing Heads of Delegation to express their personal views in an informal report upon
departure from a posting.

Mr Lake(cid:146)s report falls into this category and its contents do, therefore, not necessarily have to confirm in all
aspects with the positions of the Community.

After the publications in the Greek press the responsible Commissioner called the Greek Foreign Minister
Pangalos in order to ensure that there was no misunderstanding about the nature of the report.

(1999/C 31/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2389/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Car prices: disparities in car prices among Member States

A new survey drawn up by accountants KPMG and highlighted in two BBC television programmes (cid:145)Top Gear(cid:146)
and (cid:145)Panorama(cid:146) confirm that car prices in the UK are on average 6.6 % higher than in other parts of the European
Union.

Given that the Commission was previously convinced that disparities in car prices among Member States were
largely caused by the relative strength of individual currencies and fiscal policies in Member States, what steps is
the Commission now considering with a view to investigating the claims made in these broadcasts and
subsequent press reports that some manufacturers are operating (cid:145)price-fixing strategies(cid:146)?