WRITTEN QUESTION E-0906/04 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The Threshold for British teachers in the European Schools.
Date: 2004-03-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European school, United Kingdom, pay rise, teacher

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/909

The Publications Office decided, with effect from 2000, to provide the EDCs and other information relays
with the OJ L & C series on CD-ROM free of charge. The EDCs and information relays were given the
option of subscribing to the paper edition of the OJ at a preferential rate, on a transitional basis.

In 2004, all EDCs receive the OJ L & C CD-ROM free of charge. This distribution meets the obligation
stipulated in Article 2 of the agreement mentioned by the Honourable Member which states ‘that the
Commission shall supply publications of the European Union’s institutions to the EDCs on a regular basis
and free of charge’. The CD-ROM edition of the OJ is of demonstrably high quality and is easily archived.

EDCs and information relays can also access documents in the OJ L & C series section of the EUR-Lex
Internet portal on the day of their publication. Access to documents via the EUR-Lex site has become very
widespread for the general public as well as professional and academic circles.

EDCs have also continued to have free access to CELEX, the database on Community law, which will
become generally available and free of charge from 1 July 2004 onwards.

The question of the legal validity of information in electronic form, raised by the Honourable Member,
should only arise in the event of an action or proceedings before a court. Such cases do not fall within the
ambit of EDCs.

As regards the technology required by EDCs, access to the OJ L & C CD-ROM requires a CD-ROM drive
and daily consultation via the EUR-Lex site requires an Internet connection. The Commission would expect
EDCs to have such facilities.

As the Commission is ceasing to produce paper editions of certain categories of documents, such as COM
and SEC documents,
is endeavouring to improve the electronic provision of such materials in
cooperation with the Publications Office. The Commission maintains regular contacts with EDCs and
information relays concerning their needs.

it

(2004/C 84 E/1004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0906/04

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(24 March 2004)

Subject: The Threshold for British teachers in the European Schools

Further to my questions E-2583/03 (1) and E-3295/03 (2) and the Commission’s answers, what legal advice
has the Commission received on the compatibility of the UK’s contract with Art 12.4(a) of the European
Schools’ Convention?

In Case C-6/89, Commission v Belgium (1990), ECR 1-1595, the Commission acted against the Belgian
Government for flouting Article 12 of the European Schools Statute. Will the Commission consider similar
proceedings against the Government of the UK for failure to grant eligibility for the Threshold?

(1) OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004, p. 180.
(2) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 252.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The Commission is carefully examining the issue of accessibility of the United Kingdom Threshold
assessment system to British teachers employed by the United Kingdom Government with United Kingdom
contracts but detached to the European schools. Consideration of legal issues in particular is on-going.