Europe Sept99

There are 370 million people in Europe but the Member States, including Britain, cannot appoint just 20 Commissioner-designates who are competent, experienced and credible without the baggage of past misdeeds! Why should the people of Europe accept unsuccessful or rejected politicians who are recycled for positions in Europe?

Mr.Prodi and his new team should have been questioned incisively and comprehensively. Instead MEPs were denied access to Mr.Prodi. His team was subject, in the main, to questions that were too vague. Sharp questions did not produce genuine answers and assurances of action sounded hollow. Some candidates are alleged to be involved in fraud or could face criminal prosecution. MEPs were not allowed to express their assessment of the hearings and British Conservative attempts to hold an indicative vote after each hearing was flatly denied!. Such practices devalue the status of the European Parliament!

In Committees and in the EPP Group meetings, I insisted that Parliament derives authority from a popular mandate and it should not "negotiate" with Prodi the following fundamental rights:-

1. ACCESS TO INFORMATION

2. CODE OF CONDUICT

3. RIGHT TO QUESTION ANY COMMISSIONER

4. RIGHT TO SACK ANY COMMISSIONER if there is a NO CONFIDENCE motion passed by a simple majority in Parliament.

Why do we need the Parliament if Prodi can over rule it? How can Parliament be accountable to the people if it has no teeth to demand action?

Prodi must not forget that he has been appointed to SERVE - not RULE the people of Europe!