91998E2618

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2618/98

by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Team Europe

What is the annual budget for the Commission's Team Europe information activities? Can the Commission account for the content of the estimate of expenditure for Team Europe?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

The global annual budget for Team Europe according to the contract with Deloitte and Touche as approved by the Commission is ECU 956 413. This covers the running of the Team Europe information service. However, as the contractor is only being paid for actual expenses, the budget for 1997-1998 is just above ECU 670 000. A copy of the contract with Deloitte and Touche for support to the members of Team Europe is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's Secretariat.

The Team Europe 1997 activity questionnaire gives a very good picture of the members' activities and which audiences they reach. In 1997, the members of Team Europe were in direct live contact with over 300 000 people, who had the opportunity to question them and receive answers about Community policy. The report together with a summary is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's Secretariat.

Finally, Team Europe has just undergone an external evaluation and the Commission is awaiting the evaluation report, which naturally will be available to the Honourable Member.