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Why Did the European Parliament Suddenly Acquire a Fleet of Top-of-the-Range Mercedes Benz During the German Presidency?
Nobody Wants to Answer the Question
For several months I have tried to get an answer to this very simple question. First the Parliament administration refused to answer the question. Then the Commission refused to answer it (nothing to do with us, Gov - honest)
So, finally, it was put to the Council itself, the president of which at the relevant time was the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
WRITTEN QUESTION from Ashley Mote MEP
Subject: German cars purchased during German Presidency
Would the Council please assist me with information which will enable me to respond properly to questions I am receiving from my constituents in the UK?
It is well known that, during the German Presidency of the Council last year, the European Parliament replaced its fleet of chauffeur-driven Renault and other marques with a new fleet of Mercedes Benz.
Why was this replacement programme necessary? How many cars were purchased? What was the total cost to the taxpayers of the UK and other nations? How much was recovered from the sale or part-sale of the old fleet?
Reply dated 16 June 2008:
It is Council policy not to comment on the internal affairs of the other Community institutions.
Ashley Mote’s comment: since the parliament and the commission have already refused to answer this question, and the Council itself is the ultimate institution concerned, this answer has to rank as one of the most absurd yet devised by bureaucrats hoping to avoid embarrassing themselves.
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