WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4078/98 by James NICHOLSON to the Commission. Publication 'The Raspberry Ice Cream War'
Date: 1999-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, NICHOLSON
Subjects: EU publication, United Kingdom, distribution cost, production cost

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/129

(1999/C 297/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4073/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Commission research on Agenda 2000 for ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’

The Austrian newspaper ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’ regularly publishes series and reports on Agenda 2000. In
its issue of 26 November 1998 it expressly mentions that its research into Agenda 2000 has been supported
by the Commission.

Can the Commission answer the following:

, What Commission staff member or department is responsible for PR/media contact?

, Was financial support also given for the research? If so, how much? If not, what is meant by ’support’?

, How are the subjects and data selected for channelling to the editors of ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’?

, Did ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’ have the unrestricted use of the information obtained?

, Was this information available to other media?

, Who is responsible for selecting media eligible for support?

, What is the Commission’s aim in providing this support?

, Has the Commission given support to ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’ or other Austrian newspapers in the past?
If so, on what subjects (euro, eastward enlargement, Agenda 2000, etc.) and what amounts of support
were involved?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1999)

In addition to the Spokesman’s service, the Directorate-general for information, communication, culture,
audiovisual media and information networks is responsible for relations with the media.

In 1998 the representation of the Commission in Austria supported the ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’ twice in
spring with an amount of 7 267 euros (including taxes) for an information supplement on the euro, and in
summer with an amount of 10 832 euros (including taxes) for an advertisement on the IGC.

The ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’ made its own selection of the data, provided by the Commission, the subject
being the priority information actions. The newspaper was able to use the information it received without
restriction. The same material is available to other media.

The Commission head of representation in Austria is in the first instance responsible for selecting the media,
under the authority of the centre in Brussels. The aim of this activity is to inform Austrian citizens about the
Community.

Other newspapers have received financial contributions, for basically the same purposes, to a total amount of
40 320 euros.

(1999/C 297/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4078/98

by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Publication ‘The Raspberry Ice Cream War’

Will the Commission advise what it plans to do with the copies of its publication, The Raspberry Ice Cream
War, stockpiled in a warehouse in Oxfordshire, England and advise of the costs of (a) translating and producing
the publication in English, (b) shipping the English language copies to England, and (c) storing the copies in the
Oxfordshire warehouse?