§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to 379W his statement of 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 547, on the European Council (Copenhagen), what rules govern the distribution and expenditure of EU budget funds in information campaigns. [89370]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI have been asked to reply.
Funds are available from the EC Budget to provide general information on the implications of enlargement for candidate states. The Commission, assisted by a management committee of Member States' representatives, is responsible for distributing these funds under the EC Regulations giving assistance to candidate countries. Disbursement of EC Budget funds by the Commission is also subject to the rules and principles laid down in the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, and to external audit by the European Court of Auditors.