92000E2108

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2108/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Reforming the Commission

Paragraph 55 of the Van Hulten report calls on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive reform of human resources policy, including the introduction of a significant independent external element to the disciplinary procedure.

What does the Commission plan in response to the recommendation for this external element?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

The Commission's plans for reform of rules on disciplinary proceedings are set out in the White Paper Reforming the Commission(1) adopted on March 1st.

The document identifies shortcomings in the present system which include the fact that it is based around a disciplinary board that varies in composition and is purely internal. The introduction of an independent external element could contribute to remedying such shortcomings and enhancing consistency and professionalism in the conduct of disciplinary proceedings.

A consultative document on reform of the discipline system, and the adoption by the Commission of a draft decision on administrative improvements to disciplinary proceedings, are scheduled in the Reform Action Plan (published with the White Paper) for October 2000. The consultative document will include proposals for improving procedures and making relevant amendments to the Staff Regulations.

Meanwhile, the nomination of people who are not serving officials to serve as chairpersons of the disciplinary board is, together with related matters, under consideration. Under the present Staff Regulations that is the only way to introduce an independent external element into disciplinary proceedings because the provisions of Article 5 of Annex II of the Regulations require that the members of the board must be serving officials.

Further to that, the Honourable Member will have noted that the intention to propose the establishment of an inter-institutional Disciplinary Board was set out in the White Paper. That proposal will be included in the forthcoming consultative document with the purpose of increasing the continuity and consistency of the Board by ensuring that it will be composed of a single group of officials, for all cases, who are chosen for a period of office of up to three years, and come from the administrations and from staff representation.

(1) COM(2000) 200 final.