Brussels, 07/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament political groups, which is to meet on Thursday, has a particularly full agenda. In addition to the preparation of the plenary session next week in Strasbourg and a first discussion on the report by the Group of Eminent Persons concerning the statute of MEPs (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.15), it must examine the report by Vice-President James Provan (British Conservative) on internal reform of the European Parliament. The organisation of Friday's sessions in Strasbourg and the problems linked to the town's air services should also be tackled.
The report by Mr. Provan proposes:
Rationalising parliamentary activity. "Many are those concerned at the weight, rigidity and excessive complexity of official parliamentary activity", Mr. Provan writes, stipulating: "MEPs have often expressed the wish for greater freedom so as to focus of political priorities that are of importance for the electorate and for themselves, whereas that most of the time today is devoted to route tasks of parliamentary procedure". The report notes that the EP Bureau has proposed no change to the way sessions in Strasbourg and Brussels are run but that it was with great interest that it greeted the idea of abolishing night sessions. The Bureau considered it a good idea to reduce official activities so as to free MEPs for more weeks, in which they could devote their work to their constituencies. Mr. Provan proposes that the number of white weeks (without official activity) be taken to 13 instead o the current 110 To the nine traditional weeks of holidays, would be added 4 so-called "constituency" weeks. These additional weeks of local political activity should have a financial compensation, says Provan, raising the possibility of increasing general expenses by an equivalent of three days of travel expenses. And as it should be possible for the rapporteurs or the presidents of committee to come to Brussels during the "constituency" weeks, the additional yearly travel allowance would be taken from 3000 to 5000 euro.
Concerning reports, the current system of referral to committees for opinion and introductory statements would be abandoned. There could be voting on amendments by the "Assembly Commission" -the new name suggested for the Enlarged Conference of Presidents- and the plenary would only vote yes or no for confirmation. Mentioning Parliament's public image, Mr Provan pointed out the low number of Members present in the chamber, the lack of lively debates, the extenuating duration of votes and the unstimulating nature of the subjects addressed. He proposed dropping the systematic holding of a debate on every report. He also noted that it could be appropriate to continue to concentrate the "big debates" in Strasbourg, "Parliaments institutional seat and main showcase", with the Brussels sessions being used to bring routine work to conclusion. The organisation of debates would also be revised.
Improving assistance provided to Members. The report proposes strengthening of the Directorate General for Research to make it capable of providing Members with information notes and memoranda at short notice. The Legal Service should also be enlarged.