WRITTEN QUESTION E-1754/02 by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) and Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Improper use of the European Social Fund in training courses for waitresses and waiters in Tenerife.
Date: 2002-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Canary Islands, EU aid, European Social Fund, catering profession, professional association, seasonal employment, use of aid, vocational training

C 277 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

concerning the procedures carried out using own resources (cid:16) which was published in 17 December last (cid:16)
and the other regarding technical assistance contracts, which has not yet been published.

The UAFSE auditing team issued both audit reports. From the first provisional report notified to the IMEFE
on 20 December 2001, concerning the internal courses run by the IMEFE, it emerges that because of
irregularities discovered, the IMEFE will have to pay € 5 800 000 back to the ESF. The second report on the
external courses contracted out to outside firms by the IMEFE under the heading of technical assistance
was not notified as it should have been in order to comply with the compulsory counterclaim procedure,
as a result of a decision adopted by the Director-General for Promotion of the Social Economy and the ESF
(cid:16) on which the UAFSE depends (cid:16) requesting that Madrid City Council carry out an additional audit. This
meant
the contents of the second report were unknown and the relevant period allowed for
counterclaims could not be initiated. Furthermore, the decision to request an audit from the City Council
itself, which is an interested party, could mean that the second report drawn up by the UAFSE auditing
team about the IMEFE would not be delivered, which would constitute an infringement of the relevant
Community law.

that

What view does the Commission take of the complaint submitted by the ‘Socialist-Progressive Municipal
Group of Madrid City Council’? If it considers the allegations made in the complaint to be true, what may
the implications be for the application of Community law?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2002)

In the light of information revealed by the Spanish press at the start of 2001 the European Anti-Fraud
Office (OLAF) launched a coordination investigation concerning suspected irregularities in the manage-
ment by the IMEFE of actions cofinanced by the European Social Fund.

Since then, in order to ensure that the case is followed up appropriately, there have been regular contacts
with the national authorities. As part of these contacts, the national authorities supplied OLAF with the
audit report produced by the Intervención General de la Administración del Estado (IGAE) as well as that
produced by the UAFSE on ‘own resources’. The Commission is awaiting the audit report produced by the
UAFSE regarding the ‘technical assistance contracts’.

On Friday June 2002, OLAF received a complaint lodged by the Socialist Group of Madrid City Council
concerning failure by the Spanish Ministry of Labour (UAFSE) to observe Community law concerning the
management of structural funds by the IMEFE.

The investigation is still in progress, and the elements mentioned above form part of this investigation.

(2002/C 277 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1754/02

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) and Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Improper use of the European Social Fund in training courses for waitresses and waiters in

Tenerife

The Canary Islands Government in Tenerife’s programme of training courses for 2002 includes training
courses for floor waitresses and restaurant waiters that are financed by the European Social Fund. The
in
training programme will be run by Ashotel (Asociación de Empresarios de Hostelería de Tenerife)
various hotels on the island. Training is to be provided in two specialist areas: ‘floor-waitress’ (335 hours
in 4 months) and ‘restaurant waiters’ (800 hours in 9 months).

Does the Commission feel that this is exploiting Community funds to dress up seasonal employment
contracts as training courses?

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/243

Does the Commission consider that, by economising on staff costs during the tourist season, hotel
operators are profiting greatly from these funds?

What measures will the Commission take to gauge whether Community funds are being used in an
appropriate manner?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2002)

The integrated operational programme for the Canary Islands includes a measure to develop the tourism
sector. The actions mentioned in the Honourable Members’ written question follow on from the vocational
training measures provided for in order to develop the skills of the workforce in this sector. The
programming documents contain undertakings by the Spanish authorities to ensure compatibility with
Community policies, also with regard to aid for training.

Following the reform of the Structural Funds, and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, project
management and selection procedures are the responsibility of the Member State. The Commission does
not therefore have any information to support the reservations put forward by the Honourable Members.
It will make the necessary arrangements with the national authorities to ensure that the Community funds
in question are used properly, and the Commission will inform the Honourable Members accordingly.

(2002/C 277 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1765/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Weight loss supplements

The availability and use of weight loss supplements has increased considerably in Europe in recent years,
and has generated substantial income for the companies which manufacture them.

The advertisements for these products are often misleading and send out an uninformative message on
dietary matters, through the illusory promises they make concerning slimming timescales and methods.
One should also point out that erroneous dieting often triggers serious psychophysical illnesses such as
anorexia and bulimia.

Can the Commission therefore:

1.

2.

state whether there are any guidelines, studies or research regarding this issue;

indicate whether it intends to take any initiatives in this area to prevent the proliferation of products
whose nature is uncertain and whose effects cannot be scientifically proven;

3.

give its general view on this matter.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

The Commission has not prepared specific guidelines and has not carried out studies or research on

1.
these products.

2.
The Commission is currently drafting a proposal to regulate the use of nutrition, functional and
health claims made on foods in order to ensure that the possible beneficial nutritional or physiological