The British yesterday put a six-point plan to other EU member-states for reforming the Commission after the crisis left by its mass resignation last week in the wake of financial mismanagement allegations.
The Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, tabled his proposals on Sunday night and had what was described as a "sober and serious discussion" on the Commission with fellow foreign ministers.
The British proposals suggest:
The new Commission president should be committed to reform;
One of the new Commission vice-presidents should be responsible for reforming management, personnel and budgets, with progress on reform reported every six months to the European Parliament and heads of government;
A transparent and effective management structure with promotion based on merit, fewer senior staff, a wide-ranging external audit of financial management systems and improved financial control;
A reformed personnel with more stress on equal opportunities, training and development, effective appraisal, more rewards for good performers and fair but effective systems for removing under-performers; plus an overhaul of the regulatory system to ensure all salaries are justified in terms of the need to recruit, retain and motivate staff;
The Commission should not be overloaded by ministers; directors-general should be accountable to the European Parliament and Court of Auditors; there should be a new contract-awarding system based on best practice, with more priority given to monitoring projects; and a new code of practice on using outside contractors and consultants;
A genuinely independent fraud investigation office run by a senior director with a track record of combating fraud and mismanagement; directors-general and senior managers held responsible for upholding standards; more effective disciplinary arrangements.