§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff will be employed by the European Environment Agency; and how many will be(a) seconded staff and (b) new recruits.
§ Mr. TrippierAbout 20 professional staff, some of whom will be transferred from the Commission, together with a limited number of support staff will be employed by the European Environment Agency. The precise total numbers, secondments and new recruits have yet to be determined.
§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the cost of establishing and running the European Environment Agency will be additional spending by the European Commission.
§ Mr. TrippierThe cost of establishing and running the European Environment Agency in its first year is estimated at 5.5 million ecu, equivalent to about £3.8 million. It is likely that part of this expenditure will be met through transfer of expenditure on existing Community programmes.
§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the European Environment Agency will have powers to obtain information from companies and individuals.
§ Mr. TrippierThe European Environment Agency will not have powers to require companies and individuals to provide information.