1998 discharge: EC general budget, Parliament

The European Parliament in its decision drafted by Helmut KUHNE (PES, Germany) authorised discharge in respect of implementation of the general budget for 1998 on the European Parliament/ Ombudsman Annex. Parliament felt that its judgement to have been confirmed that postponing the discharge for 1998 had a constructive effect and spurred the administration on to greater efforts to use taxpayers money more efficiently. Many of its concerns had been addressed. It endorsed the action plan to facilitate competitive tendering, and asked for the adoption of rules governing inventory management on an inter-institutional basis. On buildings policy, it reiterated its regrets at the arrangements arrived at between governments and asked for future buildings policy to be governed by the principle of functionality, particularly as regards the regrouping of OParliament's services in each working place and the optimal use of financial resources. On the financing of political groups and parties, Parliament wanted measures aimed at radically transforming the relevant legal framework to be completed without delay in conformity with financial regulations and the principle of transparency. As a result of the Court of Auditors' findings, Parliament demanded that internal bookkeeping procedures be transparent and followed by all groups, and supplemented by specific group financial regulations. Measures must be taken to avoid the possibility that financial assistance could be provided to national political parties or other similar organisations as a result of jointactions undertaken between them and political groups.�