WRITTEN QUESTION P-1460/02

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2002)

Subject: Follow-up question concerning Annex IIa to Article 10a of Regulation 1408/71

On 15 April 2002 I put a Written Question to the Commission concerning Annex IIa to Article 10a of Regulation 1408/71(1) (P-1119/02(2)). Commissioner Diamantopolou answered that question on 8 May 2002. However, she failed to deal with all the points I raised, hence this follow-up question seeking, once again, a comprehensive answer, not least to my third question, namely how the Secretary of State could have been quoting from the review at that time.

In her answer to my question (P-1119/02), the Commissioner states that no formal talks have been held. Is it possible that the Secretary of State could have learnt, in the course of informal talks, the Commission's view on the inclusion of Wajong in the annex referred to above?

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.

(2) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 254.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2002)

In its answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question P-1119/02(1), the Commission indicated that it was in contact with government experts in the various Member States, particularly the Netherlands, to discuss the details of social security benefits listed in Annex IIa to Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community(2).

These contacts are still under way and the Commission has not so far made any decision on the precise content of the proposal which it plans to adopt. The conclusions which Mr Hoogervorst, Netherlands Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment, may have drawn from departmental contacts on the Commission's position on this issue therefore seem premature.

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 254.

(2) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971.