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24 May 1993
Doc. 6848
1403-19/5/93-1-E
REPORT
expressing an opinion on the programme-budget
for the operational expenditure of the Assembly in 1994
(Rapporteur: Mr SCHIESSER,
Switzerland, Radical Democrat)
Summary
Each year the Assembly is called upon to submit an opinion to the Committee of Ministers with properly justified proposals for budget estimates for the Assembly's operational expenditure in the following year.
In the present political context, dominated by the prospect of a major geographical extension of the Council of Europe, in both the short and the medium term, the Assembly has decided to pursue the project for co-operation with and legislative assistance for the countries of central and eastern Europe which it put forward in previous financial years.
The opinion also states the Assembly's other priorities, namely matching its staffing and resources to the needs and challenges it currently faces. This entails both creating a number of posts and reorganising the Clerk's Office.
I. Draft opinion
1. The aim in the 1994 financial year must be to enable the Council of Europe, and particularly the Parliamentary Assembly, to consolidate their roles in the pan-European context.
2. In the light of past experience and with a view to the Vienna Summit, co-operation programmes with the countries of central Europe for the training of parliamentarians and parliamentary officials as well as for legislative assistance should be both continued and enhanced.
3. The preparation and implementation of these programmes and the impending enlargement of the Organisation necessitate a sufficient increase in the Assembly's financial and human resources.
4. With regard to staffing in particular, the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly should be given the means to operate effectively, which implies reinforcing and reorganising its administrative structure.
5. In the light of the prospects outlined above and having regard to the budgetary difficulties of several member states, the Assembly adopts this opinion and reiterates its priorities:
—co nsolidating and increasing the resources it needs to make a more effective contribution, through dialogue, co-operation, training and legislative assistance, to fostering pluralist democracy in the countries of central and eastern Europe;—
—ad justing the staffing and the administrative structure of the Clerk's Office to meet the demands arising from the Organisation's geographical extension and the qualitative and quantitative increase in the Assembly's responsibilities;—
—mo dernising its equipment (computerisation and office automation).As
As in previous years, the Assembly's opinion is in two parts:
i. table of 1993 appropriations and 1994 estimates
ii. detailed explanation of the changes requested.
In the second part, the Assembly also recapitulates the procedure governing the preparation of its opinion and states its budget priorities for 1994 (see the foreword).
A. Table of requested increases in real terms in 1994 compared with initial appropriations for 1993
Tableau recapitulatif des demandes d'augmentation de credits en termes reels pour 1994 par rapport aux credits initiaux ouverts pour 1993
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VOTE III of the ordinary budget - Expenditure of the Assembly TITRE III du budget ordinaire - Dépenses relatives à l'Assemblée |
Appropriations for 1993 Crédits ouverts au budget de 1993 FF |
Changes in real terms proposed for 1994 Modifications en termes réels proposées pour 1994 FF |
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HEAD 3.1 - Staff CHAPITRE 3.1 - DEPENSES DE PERSONNEL Sub-heads/Articles 3101 - Salary, allowances and social charges of the Clerk of the Assembly Rémunération, indemnités et charges sociales du Greffier de l'Assemblée 3102 - Remuneration of staff recruited on established posts Rémunération du personnel recruté sur le cadre des emplois permanents 3102 bis - Staffing changes requested in the Office of the Clerk Modifications demandées pour le cadre des emplois du Greffe 3103 - Recruitment, arrival and departure expenses - Home leave Frais de recrutement à l'arrivée et au départ - congé dans le pays d'origine 3104 - Overtime - statutory and other allowances Heures supplémentaires - indemnités statutaires et autres 3105 - Remuneration and accessory charges of temporary Conference staff Rémunération et charges accessoires du personnel temporaire de conférence 3106 - Provision for cost-of-living allowance and other adjustments to remuneration Provision pour vie chère et autres ajustements de la rémunération TOTAL HEAD 3.1 TOTAL DU CHAPITRE 3.1 |
1.019.000 27.858.000 231.000 97.000 15.540.000 2.510.000 47.255.000 |
+ 2.726.000 + 1.200.000 + 3.926.000 |
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HEAD 3.2 - Allocation to the Assembly's political groups CHAPITRE 3.2 - Dotation des groupes politiques de l'Assemblée 3201 - Allocation to the Assembly's political groups Dotation des groupes politiques de l'Assemblée TOTAL HEAD 3.2 TOTAL CHAPITRE 3.2 |
2.781.000 2.781.000 |
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VOTE III - Expenditure of the Assembly TITRE III - Dépenses relatives à l'Assemblée |
Appropriations for 1993 Crédits ouverts au budget de 1993 FF |
Changes in real terms proposed for 1994 Modifications en termes réels proposées pour 1994 FF |
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HEAD 3.3 - Supplies, services and other operational expenditure CHAPITRE 3.3 - Dépenses de matériel et autres dépenses de fonctionnement Sub-heads/Articles 3301 - Publishing and printing Publications et impressions 3302 - Representational, travelling and subsistence expenses of the President of the Assembly Dépenses de représentation, frais de déplacement et de séjour du Président de l'Assemblée 3303 - Expenditure pertaining to the Private Office of the President of the Assembly Dépenses du Cabinet du Président de l'Assemblée 3304 - Representational expenditure, other official expenditure and travelling expenses of members of the Assembly Dépenses de représentation, frais de fonction et de déplacement des membres de l'Assemblée 3305 - Official journeys Frais de missions 3306 - Expenses for inviting parliamentary delegations of non-member states Dépenses d'accueil de délégations parlementaires d'Etats non membres 3307 - Consultation of experts Consultation d'experts 3308 - Organisation of ad hoc conferences Organisation de conférences ad hoc 3309 - Strasbourg Conference Conférence de Strasbourg 3310 - Other expenditure not specifically provided for in this vote Autres dépenses non spécialement prévues au présent titre 3311 - Modernisation of the Assembly's equipment (computerisation and office automation) Modernisation de l'équipement de l'Assemblée (informatisation et bureautique) 3312 - Europe Prizes Prix européens TOTAL HEAD 3.3 TOTAL DU CHAPITRE 3.3 TOTAL VOTE III TOTAL DU TITRE III |
1.808.000 470.000 298.000 1.000.000 1.700.000 2.350.000 421.000 1.340.000 400.000 220.000 p.m. 260.000 10.267.000 60.303.000 |
+ 150.000 + 100.000 + 500.000 + 500.000 + 50.000 + 1.300.000 + 5.226.000 |
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VOTE IX - Contacts and co-operation with Central and Eastern Europe TITRE IX - Contacts et coopération avec les pays d'Europe centrale et de l'Est |
Appropriations for 1993 Crédits ouverts au budget de 1993 FF |
Changes in real terms proposed for 1994 Modifications en termes réels proposées pour 1994 FF |
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HEAD 9.2 - Parliamentary activities CHAPITRE 9.2 - Activités parlementaires Sub-head/Article 9201 - Programme of interparliamentary co-operation Programme de coopération interparlementaire a. Colloquies Colloques b. Training of young parliamentarians Formation de jeunes parlementaires c. Training of parliamentary administrative staff Formation du personnel administratif des parlements TOTAL HEAD 9.2 (Vote IX) TOTAL DU CHAPITRE 9.2 (Titre IX) |
3.010.000 3.010.000 |
+ 1.000.000 + 1.000.000 |
B. Detailed justification of the changes requested in real terms
Foreword
The Assembly is called upon, as it is every year, to give its opinion on Vote III of the Ordinary Budget of the Council of Europe, ie the part of the draft budget dealing with appropriations pertaining to its operations. The appropriations pertaining to facilities, supplies and equipment do not come under this vote.
The increases requested for 1994 should be regarded as increases in real terms over the Assembly's appropriations for 1993. As in previous years, the Assembly is leaving it to the Secretariat's administrative departments to assess in due course the adjustments that are being or will be made to 1993 appropriations as a result of changes in salary scales, the implications of such changes for 1994 and the provisions that need to be made for salary adjustments in 1994. Similarly, it will be up to the Secretary General to adjust the other appropriations for inflation.
The amounts of the appropriations requested by the Assembly for 1994 will thus be determined by the total appropriations allocated to the Assembly for 1993 (including any additional appropriations allocated in the course of the year) plus:
—th e increases in real terms requested in this opinion;—
—th e technical adjustments made by the Secretariat.Th
The Assembly's priorities are to:
—co nsolidate and increase the resources it needs to contribute more effectively, through dialogue, co-operation, training and legislative assistance, to fostering pluralist democracy in the countries of central and eastern Europe;—
—ad just the staff complement and adapt the administrative structure of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly to meet demands on it arising from the Organisation's geographical extension and the qualitative and quantitative increase in the Assembly's responsibilities;—
—mo dernise its computer and office equipment.An
Analysis of the various estimates by budgetary item
Vote III Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly
Head 3.1 Staff
Sub-head 3101 Salary, allowances and social charges of the Clerk of the Assembly
Sub-head 3102 Remuneration of staff recruited on established posts
This appropriation covers the basic salaries, allowances (both non-recurring and periodic) and social insurance of the staff of the Office of the Clerk, which comprises the following sixty posts:
—on e A7 post—
—tw o A6 posts—
—fo ur A5 posts—
—th irteen A4 posts—
—th irteen A2/A3 posts—
—fo ur B5 posts—
—fo ur B4 posts—
—se venteen B3 posts—
—tw o B2 posts.Su
Sub-head 3102 bis Staffing changes requested in the Office of the Clerk
Estimates for 1994: (2 726 000 F)
—cr eation of two A5 posts 1 218 000 F—
—cr eation of one A2/A3 post in respect of Bulgaria 1 399 000 F—
—cr eation of one B5 post 302 000 F—
—cr eation of three B4 posts 807 000 FCo
Comments
a. Creation of two A5 posts (Head of Central Division; Head of Division V)
In Opinion No. 158 (1991), the Assembly stated the reasons for following the example of the majority of the Secretariat's operational directorates and setting up a central division. This division is to be created as part of the re-organisation of the Office of the Clerk, with a view to achieving the optimum use of human resources and improving the Assembly's efficiency and ability to implement its programmes coherently.
Following the decision of the Committee of Ministers to grant only one A4 post, the Assembly had to content itself with the creation of a section. The structural reasons just given justify turning this section into a division, especially as it is also responsible for co-ordinating the training and assistance programme for central and east European parliaments.
Secondly, still with a view to rationalising the work of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly, improving its organisation and lending it greater consistency, consideration should be given to incorporating the Committee on Agriculture into the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities Section (which at present comprises the Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities and the activities connected with the Europe Prize and the presentation of Council of Europe Flags of Honour), because the nature of the subject-matter dealt with by the two committees lends itself to interdisciplinary exchanges. It would therefore be desirable to turn this section into a division and to create an A5 post.
Consideration will also need to be given in future to documentation needs, which are becoming more and more pressing. Committee secretaries, who are asked to prepare draft reports of ever increasing complexity, are faced with the problem of obtaining the appropriate documentation. It would therefore be in the interests of the smooth running of committees if the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly were to have at its disposal a section or division specifically responsible for research and documentation.
b. Creation of one A2/A3 post (committee secretary)2
The Assembly has repeatedly argued that the staff complement of the Office of the Clerk should grow in line with the enlargement of the Organisation, as the accession of new member states entails a considerable increase in the Office's workload at all levels, and especially that of committee secretaries. The numerous reasons for this include:
—th e increase in the number of initiatives taken by the parliamentarians and political groups;—
—th e increase in the number of representatives and substitutes 3t
—th e need for the Secretariat to extend its research into a very wide variety of fields (political, economic, cultural, social, scientific, legal, etc.).Fu
Furthermore, it is highly desirable that there should be at least one A-grade staff member in the Office of the Clerk for each new country, to facilitate contacts with the new member countries and cope with the language difficulties experienced by many of their parliamentarians.
With regard to the allocation of this post, the Assembly should be guided essentially by the criteria laid down in Opinion No. 162 (1992).
The Assembly put forward the following arguments:
i. committees comprising between forty and fifty members should be able to rely on the full-time services of at least two A-grade members of staff (one A4 and one A2/A3). The committees in question are:
— Political Affairs Committee
— Committee on Economic Affairs and Development
— Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee
— Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
— Committee on Culture and Education
— Committee on Science and Technology
— Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities
— Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography;
ii. the committees other than those mentioned above, with between thirty and forty members, should have the services of at least one and a half members of staff. There are five such committees (Committee on the Budget and the Intergovernmental Work Programme; Committee on Rules of Procedure; Committee on Parliamentary and Public Relations, Committee on Relations with European Non-Member Countries; Committee on Agriculture).
In relation to these two principles, the situation in the Office of the Clerk is as follows:
—in the first group of committees, those on Social, Health and Family Affairs and Science and Technology have the services of only one and a half staff members each;—
—wi th regard to the second group of committees, none has the services of one and a half secretaries as the Assembly recommends in its opinion.Th
The allocation of the new A2/A3 posts should ensure that the above requirements are gradually satisfied.
Among other things, consideration will need to be given to the Table Office's growing needs resulting from the increase in the number of plenary sessions and meetings of the Standing Committee. Apart from its Head, Table Office currently comprises only one other A-grade staff member on a part-time basis.
c. Creation of one B5 post (administrative assistant)
The Assembly has repeatedly expressed its concern at the insufficient impact of its activities both in the media and in national parliaments. For this reason, it would be necessary to give the Committee on Parliamentary and Public Relations greater capacity for action by creating within its Secretariat a B5 post, whose duties would include:
—de aling with the repercussions of, and follow up to, the Assembly's work in national parliaments;—
—cl osely supervising Assembly publications and helping to make them more widely known to the media and national parliaments;—
—ma king the work of the parliamentary committees more widely known to the media.d.
d. Creation of three B4 posts (administrative assistants)
The need to reinforce the Secretariat of the Assembly committees justifies the creation of a number of B4 posts (the Assembly is adopting a realistic attitude and requesting only three), involving duties going far beyond those of a committee assistant. These duties include gathering material and drafting minutes, memoranda and summaries of reports. It should be noted that some of the assistants are already performing duties going beyond those specified in the job description for a B3 post. This fact would need to be recognised and taken into account in the job description. In addition to the two aims stated (reinforcing the secretariat of the committees and acknowledging a practical reality), this measure would have a beneficial effect on the careers of the assistants in the Office of the Clerk, and hence on their motivation. As the problem of careers in the Secretariat is under consideration in the Budget Committee (and in particular its Sub-Committee on the European Civil Service), the Assembly believes that this is an aspect which should not be overlooked.
Sub-head 3103 Recruitment, arrival and departure expenses, home leave
Sub-head 3104 Overtime — statutory and other allowances
Sub-head 3105 Remuneration and accessory charges of temporary conference staff
Increase requested for 1994 1 200 000 F
For some time it has been proving impossible to meet the deadlines for the publication of working papers and official reports of Assembly debates. The delays are even lengthening, particularly as a result of the enlargement of the Council of Europe and the ensuing increase in the number of pages to be published. It is a problem which may well be aggravated by the Assembly's decision to hold a fourth part-session from 1993 onwards. The Bureau has expressed the wish that the backlog should be dealt with by the end of 1993 and that things should return to normal as from 1994. In order to deal with the backlog and meet acceptable deadlines for publication of these documents, extra temporary staff (to work on publications) are needed, at a cost estimated at this stage at + 1 200 000 francs.
Sub-head 3106 Provision for the cost of living allowance and other adjustments to remuneration
The Assembly proposes that the 1994 appropriations for Sub-heads 3103, 3104 and 3106 be kept at the same level in real terms as in 1993.
Head 3.2 Allocation to the Assembly's political groups
As this allocation has just been increased in the 1993 budget, the Assembly is adopting a realistic attitude and requesting merely that the appropriations be adjusted for inflation.
Budgetary package
Since 1975, the appropriations under the following sub-heads have been voted in a lump sum. The various amounts in this package may subsequently be altered under Article 31 of the Financial Regulations.
The budgetary package covers the following items:
Sub-head 3301 Publishing and printing
Sub-head 3302 Representational, travelling and subsistence expenses of the President of the Assembly
Increase requested 150 000 F
The President is involved increasingly in the implementation of the Assembly's general policy, particularly as regards relations with the Organisation's member and non-member countries. This greater involvement requires the President to be present more often in Strasbourg and to undertake more frequent official visits. The Assembly therefore requests an increase of 150 000 francs in real terms.
Sub-head 3303 Expenditure pertaining to the Private Office of the President of the Assembly
Increase requested 100 000 F
The Head of the Private Office of the President of the Assembly accompanies the latter on most of his official journeys. The increase in real terms entered under this sub-head is a logical consequence of the increase requested under the previous sub-head. The Assembly thus requests an increase in real terms of 100 000 francs.
Sub-head 3304 Representational expenditure, other official expenditure and travelling expenses of members of the Assembly
Increase requested 500 000 F
The number of official journeys made by parliamentarians travelling on Assembly business is rising constantly. Furthermore, the Budget Committee has proposed that the cost of official visits to observe elections in the countries of central and eastern Europe should be met from the Assembly's budget. This proposal, designed to emphasise the independent and international nature of the functions performed by these missions, will have a definite impact on the Assembly's expenditure in 1994. If one also takes into account the many visits by Rapporteurs to the countries which are candidates for membership and the more limited presence of Assembly representatives at events directly related to these activities, it will be appreciated that this sum represents a bare minimum for the continued smooth running of the Assembly's activities.
Sub-head 3305 Official journeys
The Assembly merely requests that the sum be adjusted for inflation in 1994.
Sub-head 3306 Expenses for inviting parliamentary delegations of non-member states
Increase requested 500 000 F
The expenses of delegations of special guests and other guests (parliamentarians and parliamentary officials) from central and east European countries are defrayed on the basis of arrangements adopted by the Bureau of the Assembly in 1992. It was a decision designed to secure the participation of these delegations in the Assembly's activities. It is therefore of undoubted political importance. On 5 February 1993 the Bureau reviewed the refund arrangements and decided, where the meetings of the Standing Committee are concerned, to defray the expenses of two persons per delegation (one representative of the majority and one of the opposition). In the light of experience in 1993 and the recent decision by the Bureau of the Assembly, provision should be made for an increase in this expenditure of 500 000 francs in real terms.
Sub-head 3307 Consultation of experts
Sub-head 3308 Organisation of ad hoc conferences
Sub-head 3309 Strasbourg Conference
The Assembly proposes that the 1994 appropriations for Sub-heads 3307, 3308 and 3309 be kept at the same level in real terms as in 1993. With regard to Sub-head 3309 (Strasbourg Conference), the Assembly stresses the need to be able to cover the cost of short visits to Strasbourg (about one or two weeks) by parliamentary officials from states participating in the Strasbourg Conference. The organisation of these periods of training is perfectly in keeping with the specific aims of the Strasbourg Conference and can help to extend the Assembly's influence in the field of assistance to the new democracies and the countries in the process of democratisation. It should be noted that the Assembly is not requesting additional funds for this purpose, but quite simply seeking permission to allocate the funds provided for under this sub-head to the organisation of periods of training.
Sub-head 3310 Other expenditure not specifically provided for in this vote
Increase requested 50 000 F
The various expenses covered by this sub-head (hiring of cars, cost of medals and flags, receptions etc.) are increasing constantly as the Assembly acquires wider responsibilities. The Assembly therefore proposes an increase of 50 000 francs in real terms.
Sub-head 3311 Modernisation of the Assembly's equipment (computerisation and office automation)
Token entry.
As explained in the foreword to this opinion, one of the Assembly's priorities is still the modernisation of its equipment. It is therefore prepared to make a lump-sum contribution to this from its budgetary package, appropriations permitting.
Sub-head 3312 Europe Prizes
The Assembly requests that this sum be adjusted for inflation in 1994.
Vote IX Co-operation with the countries of central and eastern Europe
Head 9.2 Parliamentary activities
Sub-head 9201 Programme of interparliamentary co-operation
Increase requested 1 000 000 F
The programme of inter parliamentary co-operation covered by Sub-head 9201 of the ordinary budget comprises the following activities:
a. colloquies;
b. the training of young parliamentarians;
c. the training of parliamentary administrative staff;
d. legislative assistance to the parliaments of central and eastern Europe;
Last year, the Committee of Ministers accepted the Assembly's proposal for undertaking legislative assistance activities at the request of the countries of central and eastern Europe and in conjunction with the parliamentary authorities of those countries. Many countries have availed themselves of the opportunity offered by the Assembly. A large number of projects are currently being implemented. Half of them concern revision of the rules of procedure of the beneficiary countries' parliaments and, more generally, the structure and internal functioning of these parliaments. Other requests cover much wider fields, such as those from Russia covering several areas of economic law. To meet these requests, the Assembly has decided to set up various groups of experts, who, if necessary, visit the countries concerned, accompanied by a parliamentarian with a special knowledge of the particular subject.
The number of requests for assistance which are currently pending exceeds the Assembly's possibilities for 1993 both in terms of funds and in terms of human resources. It would therefore seem advisable and consistent with the goals which the Assembly is pursuing in this field to provide for an increase in the funds allocated to all these programmes. This increase amounts to 1 000 000 francs in real terms.
II. Explanatory memorandum
by Mr SCHIESSER
Foreword
1. In the opinion itself, I have attempted to give a detailed justification of the increases in real terms requested for 1994. I have also set out the Assembly's priorities, namely:
—to consolidate and increase the resources it needs to contribute more effectively, through dialogue, co-operation, training and legislative assistance, to fostering pluralist democracy in the countries of central and eastern Europe;—
—to adjust the staffing and the administrative structure of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly to meet the demands arising from the Organisation's geographical extension and the qualitative and quantitative increase in the Assembly's responsibilities;—
—to modernise its equipment (computerisation and office automation).2.
2. In substance, this opinion is wholly in line with the Parliamentary Assembly's budgetary opinions in recent years.
3. In drafting this opinion, I have paid special attention to two complicating factors in short-term budgetary policy. On the one hand, the various problems presented by the Council of Europe's geographical extension have to be tackled. There can be no doubt that the budget, both for the Organisation as a whole and the Parliamentary Assembly in particular, will have to increase significantly in real terms to cope with the new responsibilities of the Organisation as a whole. On the other hand, it cannot be denied that the economic and budgetary crisis in several member states is making governments more cautious and encouraging austerity. I have drafted this opinion and submit the Assembly's estimates for 1994 in the light of these two considerations, both potential sources of conflict.
a. The growth of co-operation with the countries of central and eastern Europe
4. 1993 is set to be an important year for co-operation between the Assembly and countries of central and eastern Europe. The Committee of Ministers has agreed to the Assembly's request for sufficient funds to create a co-operation programme in the legislative field. This programme is one of many other co-operation and training activities: organisation of conferences; committee meetings in countries of central and eastern Europe; training of parliamentary staff from central and eastern Europe; training of young parliamentarians; official journeys by members of the Assembly. The new activity in response to pressing requests from the presidents of several parliaments, notably in central and eastern Europe, has had a very encouraging reception in beneficiary countries. A considerable number of projects are currently under way, concerning both the drafting of parliamentary rules of procedure in these countries and various fields of legislative activity. Given the success of this initiative and the fact that the Assembly's current budget appropriations do not permit it to meet all requests for assistance in 1993. I propose an increase of 1 000 000 French francs in real terms for 1994.
5. I put under this same heading the request for additional appropriations to cover the cost of inviting parliamentary delegations of non-member states (500 000 francs). Following the Bureau's recent decision on arrangements for defraying the expenses of delegations of special guests and other guests (parliamentarians and parliamentary officials) from central and eastern European countries, this increase would seem inevitable.
b. Improving the staffing and organisation of the Clerk's Office
6. With regard to the staffing of the Clerk's Office, it should be pointed out that there is a certain amount of catching up to be done from both the quantitative (staff numbers) and qualitative (structure of the Clerk's Office) points of view.
7. With regard to the latter consideration, Opinion No. 158 (1991) clearly set out the reasons for creating a central division, such as exists in most of the Council of Europe's operational directorates.
8. Similarly, setting up a new division encompassing the present Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities Section and the Committee on Agriculture as well as work relating to the Europe Prize and awarding of Council of Europe Flags of Honour would put the organisation of the Clerk's Office on a sounder footing.
9. Furthermore, I have repeated the Assembly's oft-stated argument for the staff of the Clerk's Office to grow in line with the enlargement of the Organisation. The Assembly requests the creation of an A2/A3 post for each state that becomes a member in 1993. Obviously, the creation of these posts might be staggered. In the draft opinion, I also suggest some criteria for allocating the new posts.
10. Problems regarding information are a constant source of concern to parliamentarians, who do not see enough coverage of the Assembly's activities in the European media, and argue the need for efforts in this field. The opinion advocates the creation of a B5 post (administrative assistant).
11. The creation of three B4 posts (administrative assistants) responds to organisational demands that have emerged in recent years and to a legitimate concern to further the careers of B-grade staff assigned to the Clerk's Office. I hardly need stress the link between staff motivation and the possibility of a degree of career progress within the Organisation.
12. The sizeable request (+ 1 200 000 French francs) for the remuneration and ancillary charges of temporary conference staff is designed, as I explain in the opinion, to make it possible to meet deadlines for the publication of working papers and official reports of Assembly debates. In order to deal with the backlog and meet acceptable deadlines for publication of these documents, additional funds are needed and have been estimated at 1 200 000 francs.
Conclusion
13. In the run up to the Vienna Summit, at which important decisions are to be taken with regard to the future of the Council of Europe, the Assembly would like to see its operational resources strengthened in order to allow it to cope with the new tasks it is required to perform and for which a gradual adaptation of its organisation is necessary.
14. The Assembly is, however, aware of the budgetary difficulties of several member states. Nevertheless, since the Assembly's budget estimates are modest in comparison with the Council of Europe's general budget, these difficulties should not jeopardise the smooth functioning of the Organisation's parliamentary body, particularly when it comes to promoting parliamentary democracy and political pluralism, for example in eastern European states. It should be remembered that in 1993 Vote III, which covers the appropriations to the Assembly, amounts to only 8,11% of the Organisation's budget.
15. The Assembly thus hopes that the Committee of Ministers, which is aware of the challenges facing the Council of Europe, will understand the case that has been made and be able to approve the Assembly's requests thereby enabling it to perform its statutory role to the full in the interests of the Organisation and the wider Europe.
Reporting committee: Committee on the Budget and the Intergovernmental Work Programme.
Budgetary implications for the Assembly: The Assembly requests from the Committee of Ministers an increase of its appropriations in real terms of 3 926 000 F for staff expenses; 1 300 000 F for equipment and other operational expenditure (budgetary package); 1 000 000 F under Vote IX (contacts and co-operation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe) for the implementation of the programme of interparliamentary co-operation with these countries.
Reference to committee: Standing mandate.
Draft opinion: Adopted by the committee on 12 May 1993 by 9 votes for, 1 vote against and 1 abstention.
Members of the committee: MM. Speed (Alternate: Alexander) (Chairman), Cox (Alternate: Redmond), Stamatis (Alternate: Korakas) (Vice-Chairmen), Attard Montalto, Battistuzzi, Bender, Biefnot (Alternate: Ottenbourgh), Daniel, Mrs Err, Mr Floch, Mrs Gjørv, Mrs Guirado, Mr Gunnarsson, Mrs Hacklin (Alternate: Mrs Dromberg), Mrs Hjelm-Wallen, MM. Jürgens (Alternate: Stoffelen), Maass, Martins (Alternate: Pinto), Mrs Moynihan-Cronin, Mrs Özver, MM Schiesser, Steiner, Strimitzer, Ternak, Thoft (Alternate: Gjellerod), Visibelli.
N.B. The names of members who took part in the meeting are printed in italics.
Secretaries to the committee: MM Palmieri and Sixto.
1 1 1. The Assembly also requests the creation of one A2/A3 post for each state which becomes a member in 1993.
2 1 1. This post is requested in respect of Bulgaria. At the same time (for the reasons given in the text) the Assembly is requesting the creation of one A2/A3 post for each state which becomes a member in 1993.
3 1 1. In 1988, when the Council of Europe had twenty-one members, there were 170 representatives in the Assembly (plus an equal number of substitutes). There were two observer states and no special guests.
The Assembly now has 212 regular members and as many substitutes, that is 424 members in total. Many substitutes regularly attend plenary meetings and committee meetings, even when the regular member is present. The delegations of "special guests" (who have no substitutes) and observer delegations must be added to this. The delegations of special guests (Albania, Belarus, Croatia, Latvia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia and Ukraine) consist of 79 parliamentarians.