92000E0256

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0256/00

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 February 2000)

Subject: European Union publicity material

In the answer given by Commissioner Oreja to Written Question E-3488/98(1) he indicated that it was Commission policy not to issue publications in the UK except upon request.

The Commissioner also indicated that one million copies of the publication Euroquest were published, targeted at schools.

Will the Commission indicate who requested so many copies?

(1) OJ C 297, 15.10.1999, p. 75.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

Euroquest, an 18-page illustrated booklet and map suitable for 7 to 11-year-old school children (Key Stage 2), was written by British teachers and published in 1998 by the Commission's Representation in the United Kingdom. A copy is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

The booklet was developed after repeated requests from teachers for simple factual material about the Community and its Member States, for teaching purposes and in line with national curriculum requirements.

In anticipation of demand, one million copies were printed. Since publication in June 1998, 460 000 copies of the booklet have been requested by primary school teachers, public libraries, local education authorities and European resource centres for schools in the United Kingdom. Orders continue to be received on a regular basis for several thousand copies a month.