WRITTEN QUESTION P-2374/03 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Contracting and subcontracting by the Commission.
Date: 2003-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Anti-fraud Office, European Commission, Eurostat, accounting, award of contract, contract, fraud against the EU, services company, subcontracting

C 84 E/214

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Kaliningrad. In the other countries of the region, health and social sector projects normally comprise
components addressing HIV/AIDS. Because of the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS problem, the Commission
projects are closely coordinated with the activities of other donors, in particular the United Nations Global
Fund to Fight AIDS and World Bank financed AIDS programmes. In addition to these large-scale projects,
the Commission co-finances smaller projects in the health and social sectors, implemented by European
and local non-governmental organisations.

(2004/C 84 E/0258)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2374/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Contracting and subcontracting by the Commission

(16 July 2003)

In view of the recent OLAF investigation into the alleged misappropriation of about EUR 900 000 by
senior Eurostat staff, the fact that the Commission has launched a reform of the accounting system, which
is deemed to be inadequate, and that Eurostat subcontracted services to Eurogramme, Eurocost and
Planistat, can the Commission specify what services have been contracted out and subcontracted in the last
five years, how much they cost, and what the mechanisms for allocating contracts and selecting successful
contractors are?

Supplementary answer
given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 2004)

The OLAF investigations are into an allegation that Eurostat was keeping accounts outside the official

1.
accounting system.

The reform of the accounting system (cid:1) in line with the new Financial Regulation (cid:1) is proceeding
2.
according to schedule. It has the full support of the ECA and will put the Commission at the forefront of
modern public-sector accounting practices.

3.
The contracting-out of services is dealt with in the Financial Regulation. The IAS has looked into the
contracts. As regards the number of contracts, the Commission would refer to Written Questions P-3457/
02 by Mr Heaton-Harris (1), P-1705/03 by Ms Stauner (2), P-1724/03 by Mr Blak (3), P-1807/03 by
Mr Bösch (2), P-1890/03 by Mr Heaton-Harris (4), P-1978/03 by Ms Stauner (2) and P-2453/03 by
Mr Meijer (5) and information sent direct to Parliament in 2003.

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003.
(2) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 58.
(3) OJ C 58 E, 6.3.2004, p. 89.
(4) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 153.
(5) OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004, p. 156.

(2004/C 84 E/0259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2454/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 July 2003)

Subject: Eurostat: alteration of

the Commission’s position on recognising and tackling fraud and

consequences for independent investigation by OLAF

1. Why has the Commission hitherto adopted the position, with regard to Eurostat’s contacts with
dubious businesses and concealed accounts, that it could not do anything or make any substantive
statement until the findings of the OLAF investigation were published, which is due to happen shortly, and
why did it stress in its reply of 3 June 2003 to my question H-0343/03 (1) that in principle everyone is
deemed innocent until they have been proved guilty?

2. Why has the Commission now decided, before OLAF’s findings are published, already nonetheless to
refer the case to the Internal Audit Service with effect from 7 July 2003? Why did the Commission at that