P306 CEEFAX 306 Tue 12 Jun 21:31/30 1/3 Background on the EUROPEAN COMMISSION W Composition: Fourteen members (two from each of the so-called "major" EEC mjmbjrs and one from each remaining state) appointed by the Council of Ministers for four years The US has Labour's Mr Ivor Richard and the Consjtvativjs' Mr Chris Tugendhat. They, like their colleagues, are not supposed to act in national or party interests, but in the Community's. Commissioners can only bj removed if at least two-thirds of the Parliament votes for a censure motion. MoreP306 CEEFAX 306 Tue 12 Jun 21:14/20 2/3 Background on the EUROPEAN COMMISSION Function: The Commission is the guardian of the treaties setting up the Community and is responsible for seeing that treaties are implemented. Laws proposed are normally within the guidelines set down bz the Council of Ministers, which has the power to accept or reject the proposals. The Commission also monitors the implementation of EEC regulations bz membjt states, advising the Council of Ministers of alleged breaches. MoreP306 CJJFAX 306 Tue 12 Jun 21:18/02 3/3 Background on the EUROPEAN COMMISSION W How policies are formulated: Some 9,500 staff are employed to assist the 14 Commissioners, each of whom heads a department in charge of an area of Community policy - eg farming. Any draft proposals drawn up bz a Commissioner's department are then debated bz all 14 Commissioners, with the final draft sent to the Council. The main economic interest groups - employers, unions, farmers, consumers - sjrvj on the Economic and Social Committee, which "advises" Commission mjmbjts. More