WRITTEN QUESTION No. 440/99 by Glyn FORD Lobbying regulations
Date: 1999-03-04
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: United States, interest group, non-governmental organisation

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/69

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

In complement to the information provided in response to the Honourable Member’s written question
E-3070/98, to which the Honourable Member refers, and on the basis of the latest information available to the
Commission, the following Member States require their citizens to obtain national identity cards: Belgium,
Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Further to the information provided in response to the earlier question, and on the basis of clarifications
received on this matter in the interim, as regards France, it should be noted that there is in effect no obligation
in law to either obtain or carry an identity card. However for most practical purposes, including the
accomplishment of administrative formalities, an identity card is a requirement de facto.

With respect to the addition of Germany to the list, it should be noted that while there is an obligation to
obtain a national identity card, there is, on the basis of the information available to the Commission, no
obligation to carry the identity card on one’s person, as is the case with the other Member States mentioned.

(1999/C 348/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0438/99

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Subject: Lack of transparency in the recruitment of staff at the European Central Bank

In his answer of 8 February 1999 to my Written Question E-3485/98 (1) on the recruitment of staff at the
European Central Bank (ECB), Commissioner de Silguy stated that ‘the Commission has no jurisdiction to deal
with the Honourable Member’s question’.

However, the ECB is funded out of the Community budget, is basically responsible for the smooth introduction
of the euro which the Commission is so persistent in promoting and is supported by the Commission in its
demands for financial support; at the same time the lack of transparency surrounding recruitment at the ECB
and its general working methods have been the subject of very frequent comment both within and outside
Parliament.

What measures does it intend to take to ensure that recruitment at the ECB will proceed with complete
transparency, and that obfuscation which justifiably arouses the suspicions of European citizens will be
avoided?

(1) OJ C 207, 21.7.1999, p. 76.

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

The Commission has no competence for taking measures with respect to the recruitment of the European
Central Bank. The Honourable Member may note that the European Central Bank is not funded from the
Community budget. The acts of the European Central Bank are open to review or interpretation by the Court
of justice.

(1999/C 348/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0440/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Subject: Lobbying regulations

Does the European Commission have any plans to ask companies within the European Union to include in
their annual reports details of who they lobby and how much money they spend? This would bring the
European Union in line with the US Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.