CELEX: 51982DC0371
Language: en
Date: 1982-06-10
Title: TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS No 17/82 (Non-compulsory expenditure)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (82) 371
Vol. 1982/0130
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                    COM(82)371 final
                                                     Brussels . 10 June 1982
       GENERAL BUDGET FOR 1982
       SECTION III - COMMISSION
                           TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS No 17/ 82
                                ( Non–compulsory expenditure )
       FROM CHAPTER B - 101 - CONTINGENCY RESERVE
       TO CHAPTER A - 27      - EXPENDITURE ON PUBLISHING AND INFORMATION
       Article A - 272        - Expenditure on the dissemination of information
                                  and on participation in public events
       Item A - 2722          - Current affairs films for developing countries
                                                                       156000 ECU
       The Financial Controller approved this proposal on 11 May 1982 in
       accordance with Article 21(4 ) of the Financial Regulation and certified
       that the appropriations were available .
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COM ( 82 ) 371 final
 ---pagebreak---                                  GROUNDS
1 ) BACKCROUND
1.1 In 1970 the United Kingdom decided . for financial reasons , to stop
       producing and distributing its news magazine "News Pictorial ".
       The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs then
       suggested to the Commission that it take charge of the magazine .
1.2 The idea was to replace it with a European newsreel for cinema and
       television in the developing countries . The content , featuring
       history , science , culture and art in Europe , would reflect , through
       current political , economic and cultural affairs , the development
     . of cooperation "between the Community and the developing countries .
       The three versions in English , French and Arabic would "be produced
       and edited by the Commission from news film supplied by the Member
       States and the Commission itself , each providing what it could ,
lc,3   After discussion and approval by senior Member States' officials
       the project was adopted by the Commission in June 1977 for a
       six-month trial period . On the strength of the results of a survey
       among Commission representatives in the countries concerned , the
       Commission decided , with the Council 's assent , to continue the
       exercise , thus creating the newsreel "Europe Pictorial ",
1.4    The operation developed normally "until December 19 80 when the
       Council , after cutting 200 000 ECU from the appropriation for
       Europe Pictorial , obliged, the Commission to revise its programme
       for 1981 .
1.5    Production was immediately adapted to the funds available , but at
       the cost of a partial suspension of the contract, between the
       Commission and the company producing the magazine : the Arabic
       version was dropped ; the length of the newsreel was cut by 15
       the number of countries served by 19% and the number of copies
       circulated by 53/£«
1.6    A careful appraisal was subsequently made of the results of the
       survey on effectiveness for the year I98O , the impact of the cut
       in appropriations for 1981 and the budgetary situation for 1982 ,
       at the end of which the Commission agreed, on 31 July 1981 that the
       operation should continue in its present form , the original
       circulation should be partially restored and the contents further
       improve :"!; provided that additional budgetary funds could be obtained!.
1.7 The purpose of this request for a transfer o ? 156 000 ECU represent t;
       the additional sura needed to meet the obligations deriving from the
       reinstatement of the original provisions of the contract , i.e * a
       total of 848 000 ECU .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 2 -
 1.8 It is impossible to obtain an ideal of the size of the budget
      required for this operation without taking into account the
      national funds ( some 400 000 ECU ) invested "by all the Member States
      together in supplying the filmed footage making up about QOji of
      the contents of the magazine .
2)  CIRCULATION
2.1  Circulation , which had steadily increased since the magazine was
      first produced , had to "be reconsidered when the appropriations
     were cut , as the table below shows .
2.2  Circulation since 1977 '
     Year     Frequency of            Number               Number of countries
              issue                   of copies
                                             *             ACP   Other
                                                                          _ ,
                                                                          Tota
                                                                          Total
     1977     Weekly                    126                 26     20      46
     1978     Weekly                    136                 35     21      56
     1979     Weekly                    172    .            44     25      69
     1980     Weekly                    1 66
                                        166                 44     20
                                                                   20      64
            J Weekly                      35
                                          35                16
                                                            16      7
                                                                    7      22
                                                                           22
     1981   ) Fortnightly               120
                                        120                 39
                                                            39      5
                                                                    5      44n
                                                                           441
            ) Average per week            77*5
                                          77.5              42
                                                            42     10
                                                                   10      521
                                                                           52
     ^"Some countries take both weekly and fortnightly issues.
2.3  In addition , some thirty Community features were circulated each
     year in other circuits under agreements made with the International
     Newsreel and News Film Association , which numbers 34 newsreel
     producers throughout the world , and with the television news agency
     Visnews , which serves some 200 stations in a hundred countries , and
     also by means of co–productions with different associates such as
     the Italian Radio and Television Corporation ( Servizi esteri ),
     European Television Services of the Federal Republic of Germany ,
     and others .
2.4  But the six requests received in 1981 for a regular supply of a total
     of some thirty weekly copies could not be met .
3)  EDITORIAL CONTENT
3.1  Editorial responsibility lies with the Commission departments . An
      enlarged Editorial Committee made up of representatives of the
     Council 's Information Group meets periodically to coordinate the
      supply of national material and monitor development of the magazine .
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 3 »
3.2 Each week the seven-minute edition - down to six minutes since
    19 Si - usually covers three subjects , thus making between 120
    and 150 subjects a year . In I978 longer features ( ten minutes )
    were introduced .  These allow more detailed individual treatment
    of themes such as the different countries of the Community , the
    European Parliament , the Lome Convention , the UN Drinking Water
    and Sanitation Decade , and so on . Certain subjects are covered
    in co–productions , the Member States providing material at the
    Commission 's request .
3o3 The content of the magazine ranges over many different sectors ,
    which can be grouped under four headings : political , technological ,
    social and miscellaneous , which can illustrate the activities of
    the member countries , the ties between them and the links with the
    developing countries ,, Wide coverage is given to the action of
    the European institutions – the Commission , the Council and
    Parliament - ;md to the Community 's main projects and activities
    connected with development aid .
3®4 More specifically , Europe Pictorial features national activities ,
    aid to various sectors from the member countries , the EDP , the
    EIB 3,nd non-governmental organizations , as well as advanced
    techniques highlighting European potential in key areas of the
    economy .
3.5 Visits by leading figures , consultative assemblies , the signing of
    agreements and achievements in fields as diverse as agriculture ,
    fisheries , science , energy , food aid and the environment make up
    the bulk of the subjects , while cultural features and entertainment
    provide light relief and variety in a magazine , half of which
    deals with cooperation between the Community and the Third World ,
    as shown by the table below®
3o6 Editorial since 1977 ( in number of subjects );
    Themes                   1977          1978     1979     I98O     1981
                         ( six months )
    Political                  17            35       23       23        23
    Technological              34            57       53       60        57
    Social                     11            14       17       25        14
    Miscellaneous              33            52       43       37        38
    Special features            0             2        6        5         5
               Total           95           160      142      150       132
    Co-productions              0             0        2        7         3
3„7 Europe Pictorial thus satisfies the curiosity and slakes the thirst
    for information in the developing countries® And as a source of
    " cross–fertilization" – very much appreciated according to the
    surveys made – it enables everyone to learn something about his
    neighbours®
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 4 -
3 .8 To an albeit small , but nevertheless tangible degree , the magazine
      also follows the recommendations of UNESCO on the new design for
      information by showing that Europeans are closely watching events ,
      problems , activities or shows connected with the developing countries .
4)    ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS
4.1 Since Europe Pictorial was launched^ four regular surveys , the last
      covering 198O , have been made on the use of the magazine and the interest
      aroused
4„2 The results indicate that cinemas are systematically screening the
      magazine . The rate of utilization by television networks shows much
      wider fluctuations , since it unfortunately depends on the final decision
      of one programme producer .
4.3 Though interest varies from one country to another , the overwhelming
      majority of users say they are very satisfied , an opinion confirmed
      by the requests for extra copies received during the year . For some
      people Europe Pictorial performs an essential information and education
      function. For others , it has taken a place coveted by the eastern
      bloc countries , and , for a few, it is the only available source of
      information .
4 <,4 In their replies to the questionnaires the Commission representatives
      also stressed the educational role of the magazine .. Requests for
      information on a particular technique described in Europe Pictorial
      have been received back in Brussels , thus confirming the positive .
      results of the surveys .
4® 5  The two operations – cinema and television – have also been assessed
      on the basis of "contacts made", meaning the number of times that ,
      in 198O ? the magazine was seen and memorized by audiences and viewers »
      The figures , summarized below, were determined by taking into account
      the actual rates of utilization disclosed by the survey and the rates
      of memorization applicable to Europe – probably lower than those in
      the developing countries . The socio-professional category "managerial
      staff and elite" is also segregated in the summary below.
4.6 Audience of Europe Pictorial in 1980
          Number of              Cinema               TV                Total
                                                 (millions )
      Contacts "managerial
      staff and élite "            57                 47                 104
      Contacts "ail
      catégories"                 221                153                 379
      Annual audience             296                634                 930
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 5 -
5 ) funds
5„1   Th8 funds required to produce the magazine were fixed , after the trial
      period in 1977 » at 725 000 ECU . 'They were, renewed until 1-980 with an
      allowance to cover inflation weighting and an extra 5$ "to ensure further
      development .
5.2   The financial picture since 1977 :
                                     Estimated                  Budget
                                    expenditure            appropriations
                                       (ECU )                    (ECU)
       1977 Trial period
              ( six months )         292 000                   292 000
       1978                          725 000                   725 000
       1979                          800 000                   800 000
       I98O                          892 000                   892 000
      1981                         1 190 OOO1                  692 000
      1982 a) initial
                   estimate        1 073 ooo2                  692 000
               b) minimum
                   budget            848 ooo3
         1
           Including an increase in the cost of film and photographic materials ,
           which proved to be less than expected when determining budgetary
           requirements for 1982„
         2
           This figure included the sum of 692 000 ECU entered as a precaution ,
           and a reserve of 381 000 ECU ( see details in the preliminary draft
           of the 1982 budget , Volume 7 Aj page 283 ).
         ^See details of calculation in 5°4 below.
5.3   The financial contributions to the production of footage supplied by the
      Member States , evaluated at some 400 000 ECU , must be added to the budget
      granted by the budgetary authority for an overall view of the operation
5.4   The minimum budget required to produce Europe Pictorial works out as
      follows ?
      1 ) Contractual obligations                                    ECU
            Fixed costs                                           209 400
            Editing costs                                         121 200
            Production ( based on invitation to tender )          387 900
      2)    Noj>'Cont.ractxial but uoavoidabl® charges
            Eeiated production charges                             52 200
            Filming (ESC subjects )                                40 000
                                                         TOTAL    810 700
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 6 -
                                                              ECU
     3 ) Reserve for fluctuations of ECU rates
         ( roughly 4-5$)                                     37 300
     4 ) Minimum "budget                                    848 000
     5 ) Budgetary allocation – 1982                        692 000
     6 ) Transfer recruested                                156 000
6)  CONCLUSIONS
6.1  The transfer requested from Chapter 101 to Chapter A 27 ( item 2722)
     amounts to 156 000 ECU .
6.2  This additional stun will serve to revive the contractual obligations
     originally undertaken by the Commission . Counting the contribution
     in kind ftom the Member States to this information project it amounts
     to 12.5$ of the actual budget .
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 7 -
              APPROPRIATIONS IN CHAPTER B - 101
                       AT 10 MAY 1982
                                                   ECU
1. Amount entered in 1982 budget                5 000 000
2. Transfers in progress
    to Item A – 2721        141 000
    to Item B - 7130        200 000
                                                  341 000
3. Transfer authorized
    to Item A - 2988                               52 000
4. Amount available                             4 607 000