WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Restricting the possibilities of members of the Committee of the Regions declaring expenses twice.
Date: 2000-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, European official, allowances and expenses, freight rate, payment, redemption

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/45

provisions. They are carried out spontaneously and at varying places (border as well as anywhere inside
national
territory) and are thus in full compliance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 4060/89 of
21 December 1989 on the elimination of controls performed at the frontiers of Member States in the
field of road and inland waterway transport (1).

If checks occur on the border itself, it is with the intention of causing the least disturbance to commercial
and other traffic because of the spacious parking and other installations available at the former border
posts. Despite these precautions, the controls may in exceptional cases lead to queues. Localised problems
with tailbacks should be seen in the context that roadside controls ensure much greater respect of the
appropriate technical standards for lorries and social legislation for drivers. This has positive effects both
on road safety and the elimination of disreputable operators.

(1) OJ L 390, 30.12.1989.

(2001/C 81 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Restricting the possibilities of members of the Committee of the Regions declaring expenses twice

Can the Commission confirm that the expenses incurred by members of the Committee of the
1.
Regions in 1998 and 1999 may only be paid directly to those concerned and not to the authorities they
represent?

2.
Is it true that those entitled to such expenses could only obtain the amounts involved for 1998 and
1999 by means of a cheque drawn on a Belgian bank, so that, if requested, they were unable to provide
evidence of the payment in respect of their declarations being entered in their personal bank accounts in
their own country?

Can the Commission confirm that payments for the years up to and including 1997 and from 2000

3.
are indeed made to the regional authorities involved and not to individuals?

4. Why have the payment arrangements been changed twice as described above?

Does the Commission agree with me that in 1998 and 1999 those concerned had no reason
5.
whatsoever also to declare their Committee of the Regions expenses to the authorities to which they
belong, since this would lead to payment being made twice?

Are the authorities from which the members of the Committee of the Regions come also notified

6.
directly of direct payments to members and of the amounts involved?

7. When the payment system is changed, are the members of the Committee of the Regions concerned
and the authorities to which they belong always informed of the change in good time so as to prevent any
possible misunderstandings or even deliberate dual declarations?

8.

If the answer to question 7 is yes, how has the relevant information been provided?

C 81 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

Answer given Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

In reply to the question from the Honourable Member, the Commission has obtained the following
information from the Committee of the Regions:

1. and 3. There are no statutory requirements concerning the final recipient of the payments, either
before 1997 or from 2000. Members of the Committee of the Regions individually receive repayment
of expenses they have incurred. The repayment is made either to a bank account notified by the
member to the Committee, or, if a member so requests, via the administration which they represent.

2. Up to 31 December 1999, several forms of payment were possible (such as a cheque or a bank

transfer). From 1 January 2000, payments are made only by bank transfer.

4. The decision of the Committee of the Regions on the repayment of travel and accommodation
expenses has been amended twice (31 March 1999 and 1 April 2000),
to improve payment
procedures, especially payment by bank transfer and bring it into line with the new rules of procedure
which entered into force in January 2000.

(2001/C 81 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1491/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Reimbursement of expenses for group meetings or party conferences incurred by members of the

Committee of the Regions

1.
Given that members of the Committee of the Regions do not represent their constituents or their
political parties but, as a national delegations, represent all the regional authorities in their country, is the
existence of political groups in the Committee encouraged and/or recognised?

2. What are the reasons for the position expressed in answer to question 1?

Are the expenses incurred by members of the Committee of the Regions for travel to attend meetings

3.
of political groups, as referred to in 1 above, reimbursed to them from European Union funds?

Can expenses incurred by members of the Committee of the Regions for travel to attend meetings of

4.
European associations of like-minded political parties reimbursed to them from European Union funds?

If the answer to these questions is yes, does the Commission consider that this situation should

5.
continue or be brought to an end?

6.

On the basis of what considerations does the Commission arrive at its answer to question 5?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

In reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question, the Commission is sending him the following answers
based on information supplied by the Committee of the Regions (CoR):

1. and 2.

It is true that there are no provisions in the EC Treaty on political groups in the CoR. However,
given that the Members are elected representatives, there is no question that sharing a political
ideology is important and an asset for members; this fact deserves recognition and support from the
CoR.