Strasbourg, 27/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - MEPs' reactions to the Court of Auditors' annual report on 2005 budgetary spending (see EUROPE 9293) were quick in coming. Once again the Court gave a negative Statement of Assurance for three quarters of Community spending: for 2005 discharge rapporteur Salvador Garriga (EPP-ED, Spain), this was due in part to regulatory complexity. He recommended simplification of payment procedures, to be considered as soon as negotiations on the financial regulation were opened. The rapporteur general for the 2007 budget, British Conservative MEP James Elles regretted that the idea, supported by Parliament, of “national returns” which would make it easier to see where responsibilities lay for expenses co-managed by the Commission and Member States, had not been taken up. Various MEPs, notably Belgian Green Bert Staes and British Conservative Richard Ashworth spoke of “déjà vu”. The latter acknowledged that the Commission had improved its own methods, but Member States had to assume their responsibilities. Mr Ashworth favoured a “name and shame” system, but he added that it was more often a case of error than fraud. Around 70% of incorrectly used money came from the structural policies sector, added German MEP Markus Pieper (EPP-ED), with damages amounting to €480 million in 2003 and €694 in 2004. Mr Pieper argued for greater transparency and felt that OLAF should be able to intervene as soon as any irregularity was suspected. Silvana Koch Mehrin (ALDE, Germany) deplored the irresponsible attitude of Member States and urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to take initiatives to bring some order in this area during the German Presidency. (lg)