Brussels, 04/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - "The Commission regrets the resignation of Mr. John-Temple-Lang who performed his duties in a really remarkable way. One has however to bear in mind that strengthening the position of the Hearing Officer will take time and will be undertaken in the framework of the general reform of the rules of procedure on reforms as announced by Commissioner Monti last May". It is with these words that Amelia Torres, spokesperson responsible for competition, expressed herself in answer to press questions concerning the resignation of Mr. Temple-Lang, Hearing Officer at the Commission's anti-trust department. The British press reported on this resignation, quoting the words of the senior official by which the Commission would not take the announced reform seriously enough and would not pay sufficient attention to companies during their hearing.