92001E0893

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0893/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Subsidies for the Sensus police project

In reply to Question P-0009/01(1) the Commission stated that it would study the information brought to its attention and assess whether it needed to reconsider its position, which might involve a financial audit being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the contract. The information to which Commissioner Erkki Liikanen refers relates to the Sensus/Lernout & Hauspie/Bundesnachrichtendienst case referred to in Question P-0009/01.

Given the serious nature of this issue, and the Commission's close involvement, will the Commission arrange for a financial audit to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the contract? If not, why does the Commission refuse a financial audit of Sensus/Lernout & Hauspie/Bundesnachrichtendienst?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

The need for a financial audit can reasonably be assessed only after the Commission has received all the cost statements covering the entire duration of the project.

According to the Commission services, all project financial records and cost claims received to date appear reasonable and within the budget foreseen in the contract.

Nevertheless, should inconsistencies appear in the incoming cost statements, in particular in the light of information brought to the attention of the Commission, the Commission may initiate a financial audit on some or all of the participants of the Sensus project, in accordance with the provisions of the contract. Directorate General Information Society has already initiated an internal review of the management of the Sensus project at the request of the Member of the Commission responsible for Enterprises and Information Society.