a) it is a ballast

b) it was produced in germany, I found only this page (https://houben.eu/index.php/arnold-houben-gmbh/produkte/houben-lichttechnik/betriebsgeraete/fuer-leuchtstofflampen/elektromagnetische-vorschaltgeraete/elektromagnetische-steckervorschaltgeraete-230-v-mit-kabel) where they list a very similar product

c) I would go with LED in almost all cases

​

You could simply buy a lamp like eg https://www.beleuchtung-mit-led.de/osram-4058075558106-led-lampe-dulux-d-stablampe-g24d-1-6w-600lm-warmweiss-3000k-wie-13w.html?refID=10 throw it in and if it works you can do away with your ballast