EP Rules of procedure, rule 75: delegation to Conciliation Committee

The committee unanimously adopted the draft report containing three amendments to Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure entitled "Delegation to Conciliation Committee". The rapporteur, Mr Glyn FORD (PSE, UK), reiterated that the problems encountered in the composition of the delegation referred mainly to the role of substitutes, who may only attend committee meetings if the full members are absent. In accordance with one of the amendments in question, this requirement should no longer prevent substitutes from attending committee meetings at the same time as full members, as was the case with standing committees. Another amendment also seeks to increase the number of participants in the committee, while maintaining the confidentiality governing the committee's work; it is therefore planned to make provision for meetings which are closed to the public, rather than meetings held in camera, which have hitherto prevented the representatives of other institutions, especially the Commission, from attending votes under the conciliation procedure. Finally, the last amendment makes provision for the Conference of Presidents to be obliged to lay down further guidelines for the delegation; this could prove particularly useful given the enlarged composition of the committee authorized under the first two proposed amendments.�