91998E3508

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3508/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Community Statistical Programme

With reference to the proposal for a Council decision on the Community Statistical Programme (1998-2002) (COM(97) 735 final - 98/0012 CNS and CES 800/98-98/0012 CNS), can the Commission stress the need for a common methodology for collecting statistics on the development of consumer prices and purchasing power parity and provide more information as to the statistics required with a view to the adoption of a permanent VAT system at Community level?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 1999)

The need for comparability in Community statistics, which carries with it the harmonisation of methodologies and nomenclatures, is clearly stated in the third recital of the proposal to which the Honourable Member refers, and runs as a common thread through all themes of the Community statistical programme. It is thus a fundamental component of the work on consumer prices and purchasing power parities.

The Commission has yet to finalise its proposals for a permanent system of value added tax in the Community. In view of the possible solutions retained, Eurostat has already engaged preliminary discussions with the national statistical institutes on the possible impact on statistical indicators and this aspect is fully covered under Title V in Annex 1 of the programme. Following the opinion of Parliament, the text on this part of the programme was reviewed and clarified by the Council working party.