WRITTEN QUESTION P-3208/03 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission. School funding crisis in Hillingdon and Barnet.
Date: 2003-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, United Kingdom, aid system, competence of the Member States, educational institution, financing

C 70 E/236

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

(2004/C 70 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3205/03

by Giles Chichester (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2003)

Subject: Formal complaint re Objective 2 funding to support the Broadband4Devon Project

Has the Commission received the formal complaint filed by Colin Coleman, of Devon, with regard to the
Objective 2 funding to support the ‘Broadband4Devon Project’ as proposed by Devon County Council?

What is the Commission doing about this issue? What is the likely timetable for a response to my
constituent?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

The Commission has received the seven letters in the course of this year from Mr Coleman dated 4 July,
8 August, 12 and 17 September, 6 and 30 October and 7 November with regard to the Objective 2
funding to support the ‘Broadband4Devon Project’ as proposed by Devon County Council. A reply was
sent directly to Mr Coleman by letter of 10 November 2003.

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the day-to-day management of programmes supported by
the Structural Funds is a responsibility that is decentralised to the authorities in the Member States and
regions once the strategic priorities of the programme have been agreed with the Commission. Under
Article 38 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on
the Structural Funds (1) the managing authority bears the responsibility for ensuring the efficiency and
correctness of the programme’s management and implementation and, in particular, the compliance with
Community policies. The appraisal procedure used to decide funding for individual projects under the
programme was adopted by the Programme Monitoring Committee, in accordance with Article 35 of the
above Regulation and the principle of subsidiarity.

These provisions seek to ensure that applicants for support from the programmes are treated equally and
that all projects selected are in compliance with Community legislation, especially with regard to state aid
and public procurement rules.

On the basis of the information at its disposal, the Commission has no evidence of an infringement of
Community law regarding the approval of the ‘Broadband4Devon’ project.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2004/C 70 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3208/03

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: School funding crisis in Hillingdon and Barnet

John Randall MP and Sydney Chapman MP have approached me about the funding crisis in schools in
their respective constituencies in Hillingdon and Barnet. Because of changes to the UK Government’s
education funding formula, money has been diverted from schools in the Greater London area to the north
of England. The Government’s increases in employers’ national
insurance and pension costs have
intensified the funding crisis with many schools obliged to lay off teachers, increase class sizes or set
deficit budgets. Schools which have been particularly badly affected include Friern Barnet School, Ashmole
School and East Barnet Comprehensive.

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/237

Could the Commission please state what EU funds are available for schools and whether any of these could
be used to avert teacher redundancies forced on schools by the Labour Government’s failure to fund
schools in the Greater London area properly?

Are there any funds available for repair and rebuilding of schools since many schools have had to use
money reserved for capital and repairs to avoid teacher redundancies?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Article 149, paragraph 1, of the EC Treaty clearly defines the respective competencies of the Member States
and of the Community in the field of education. The Community supports the development of quality
education while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the
organisation of education systems. Community financing, notably in the framework of the Socrates
programme, encourages cooperation between Member States, but cannot directly contribute to the
operating costs of schools.

Within the framework of the Structural Funds of the European Union, investment costs in the education
sector are eligible for support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) only in the least
developed regions of the Community eligible under Objective 1 in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1,
of the ERDF Regulation (1).

The European Social Fund on the other hand can support actions throughout the Union in the field of
education and training relating to the labour market, human resource development and employment in
accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the ESF Regulation (2).

(1) Regulation (CE) no 1783/1999 of 12 July 1999.
(2) Regulation (CE) no 1784/1999 of 12 July 1999.

(2004/C 70 E/255)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3209/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Clinical Trials Directive

Is the Commission aware that the implementation of the Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC (1)) will
force the abandonment of life-saving research by charitable institutions, such as Leukaemia Busters?
Will the Commission exempt non-commercial clinical trials from the Directive to stop this happening?

(1) OJ L 121, 1.5.2001, p. 34.

(2004/C 70 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3215/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 October 2003)

Subject: Clinical Trials Directive

1. With regard to the transposition of Directive 2001/20/EC (1), the provisions of which must be in
place by 1 May 2004, will
the Commission confirm whether certain Member States are seeking
exemptions for non-commercial clinical trials?

2. Will the Commission confirm whether it has been contacted by the UK Government to seek such an
exemption?

(1) OJ L 121, 1.5.2001, p. 34.