MEPs' questions to Commission to be filtered 

Over 2,000 written questions have already been put to the Commission by members of the 785-strong European Parliament since the beginning of 2008. For 2007, they numbered over 6,000 in total. 

Some MEPs are extremely prolific in asking questions. Non-attached UK member Robert Kilroy-Silk, for example, has put forward more than 1,000 questions since he was elected in 2004 (EurActiv 18/04/08).

One example of the kind of question asked by Kilroy-Silk, obviously inspired by a famous TIME magazine cover, reads: "Does the Commission attribute the death of culture in France to its absorption into the EU?" 

The author of the report, which will set out rules governing the tabling of questions, is British MEP Richard Corbett (PES). Speaking to EurActiv, he recently admitted that his initiative was prompted by his compatriot's inquisitiveness. 

Although bizarre questions are not the rule, other examples exist. One MEP has repeatedly asked the Commission to disclose whatever information it holds concerning unconfirmed reports about the death of Osama bin Laden. 

A colleague of his has also asked the European executive if it is planning to issue new directives on so-called "Islamic cars", complete with GPS incorporated to point the way to Mecca. 

According to the proposed changes, written questions will have to fall within the EU's competences, be concise and not contain offensive language. The report was adopted with 516 votes in favour, 143 against and 36 abstentions.