Reforming the Commission: action plan, aspects concerning the Committee on budgets. White Paper

The European Parliament adopted the resolution tabled by Mrs Catherine GUY-QUINT (PES, Fr). The European Parliament expressed their support for Commission plans to modernise their bureaucracy with the emphasis on decentralisation and delegation of decision-making. The resolution supports phasing out the external technical assistance offices (TAOs). Parliament also takes the view that only those tasks not of a public service nature should be contracted out. It also wants to see administrative reforms based on performance objectives and supports the Commission's request for extra staff, in conjunction with the early retirement scheme. The Commission is requested to explain the reasons behind any intention to reduce certain activities. In future, financial control should be based on an ex-ante system, coupled with financial responsibility for the directorates general. (Please refer to the previous document for further recommendations made by the committee responsible and which were mirrored by House). �