§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the procedures involved in the appointment of the European ombudsman.
§ Mr. David DavisThe post of ombudsman is established by article 138 (e) of the treaty which states that the European Parliament shall appoint the ombudsman. The Council decision of 7 February 1994 approved the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the ombudsman's duties. The procedure involved in the appointment is set out in rule 159 of the European Parliament's "Rules of Procedure". A copy of both the decision and the "Rules of Procedure" are in the House Library. The hon. Member should be aware, however, that the Rules Committee of the European Parliament is currently considering whether or not to amend this rule; the main change would be to allow the European Parliament's Petitions Committee to submit the names of up to five candidates to the EP plenary. The present rules allow for only one.