91997E3869

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3869/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Irregularities in the tender procedure for the Italian Ministry for Education

In two previous written questions, P-1972/97 ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 132.)) and P-2841/97 ((OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 76.)), the Commission's attention has been drawn to alleged irregularities in the tender procedure for computerization of the Italian Ministry for Education. Given the importance of this tender both as regards its size and the number of Ministry services to be computerized and bearing in mind also that a complaint has been lodged with the Community on this matter:

1. Has the Commission received information from the Italian authorities on possible breaches of Community law with regard to the tender procedure?

2. Does the complaint referred to by the Commission in its reply to the previous question contain new and significant elements that would help to clarify this case and, if so,

3. By whom, and in what capacity, was the complaint in question lodged?

4. Will the Commission provide updated information on the outcome of the inquiry it has launched?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 February 1998)

1. The Italian authorities replied to the Commission's request for information on 12 November 1997. They would seem to suggest that the change of ownership of the shares of TSF, which took place at the same time as the tender procedure for computerisation of the Italian Ministry of Education, did not have any effect on the technical capacity of the group of firms to which the contract was awarded. However, further details will be sought from the Italian authorities with a view to shedding full light on the matter.

2. The complaint lodged with the Commission did not contain any particularly significant elements that would help clarify the case.

3. The Commission guarantees confidentiality to any complainant.

4. The Honourable Member will be informed as soon as possible of the results of any further contacts that the Commission has with the Italian authorities with a view to clarifying matters.