WRITTEN QUESTION P-2569/99 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Crisis in the SISMA (Società Industrie Siderurgiche Meccaniche) undertaking in Villadossola, Piedmont.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Regional Development Fund, Piedmont, aid for restructuring, business activity, financial control, iron and steel industry, management, redevelopment aid

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/169

(2000/C 225 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2569/99

by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Crisis in the SISMA (Societ(cid:224) Industrie Siderurgiche Meccaniche) undertaking in Villadossola,

Piedmont

fifty years,

For the last
industrial
undertaking in the Ossola Valley because of its high production capacity, the fact that it specialised in
the production high-quality special steels, and the numerical strength of its workforce.

the SISMA undertaking in Villadossola was the most

important

From 1947 to 1980 the undertaking(cid:146)s employment policy was one of expansion, so that it ultimately
employed 1 800 people.

In 1989, the undertaking was taken over by the Leali Group.
In 1993, the Leali Group sold the
hydroelectric power plants. The sale of those plants, which produced low-cost electric power, coincided
with the start of a management policy which led to the dismantling of the undertaking. Nevertheless, a
night shift and working on public holidays were introduced so as to save on the cost of electricity. At the
same time, Dario Leali informed the local authorities of the commune of Villadossola that he also wished
to take account of other factors affecting the steel industry and that he did not intend to put the SISMA
undertaking in Villadossola on the list of undertakings to be restructured as provided for in the European
plan for the restructuring of the steel industry. He nevertheless confirmed that the undertaking would be
able to continue production

In October 1999, the Leali Group announced that as it did not have the 200 thousand million lire
necessary for the restructuring of the Villadossola undertaking, the latter would cease production on
31 October 1999. As a result of this unexpected decision, 320 workers immediately lost their jobs, but the
Leali Group still owns all the production plants in Villadossola.

It also appears that the Leali Group received aid from the Regional Fund and /or the Funds for the
conversion of undertakings and /or the Funds for the restructuring of the steel industry.

Can the Commission provide the following information:

1. What was the amount of that aid?

2. How did the Leali Group use that aid?

3. What checks does the Commission carry out with regard to aid which has been granted?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2000)

According to the information forwarded at this stage by the Italian authorities to the Commission, it
appears that the (cid:145)Gruppo Leali(cid:146) has not received aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Commission has, however, requested additional information from the Italian authorities and will pass
it on to the Honourable Member.

(2000/C 225 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2571/99

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 January 2000)

Subject: Secretariat of the Energy Charter

The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported on 20 November that the Netherlands Government is
concerned at
in Brussels. A year ago the
management consultancy firm of Arthur D. Little issued a report on the management of the Secretariat
at the request of the then chairman of the Governmental Council of the Energy Charter, Mr Rutten.

the Energy Charter Secretariat

the poor management at