92001E2012

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2012/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2001)

Subject: White Paper on Governance in the European Union

When will the Commission publish the White Paper on Governance in the European Union?

Who were the chief contributors to this White Paper, and will the Commission provide full details of the budget available for its production, including, for example, the cost of organising seminars, payment of experts and external consultancies, and all other related costs?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

The White Paper was adopted by the Commission on 25 July 2001(1). The text is available on the Europa site (http://europa.eu.int/governance/white_paper/index_en.htm) and will shortly be published in brochure form by the Publications Office.

The White Paper was drafted by the Commission. Preparatory work involved most departments, meeting within twelve working parties set up and coordinated by a team reporting to the Secretary-General. The themes and working methods were adopted by the Commission on 11 October 2000(2).

Preparatory work included workshops, surveys, consultations and hearings of people outside the Commission. A detailed report on these consultations has been drawn up. It will be included in the preparatory documents to the White Paper which will be published shortly. A copy of the report is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat.

The White Paper did not have a budget of its own. The necessary human and financial resources were financed from administrative appropriations regularly allocated by the budgetary authority to the Commission in order to carry out its tasks.

(1) COM(2001) 428 final.

(2) SEC(2000) 1547/7 final, published on http://europa.eu.int/comm/governance/work/en.pdf.