The European Parliament,

-  having regard to Article 45b(3) of the ECSC Treaty,

-  having regard to Article 247(3) of the EC Treaty,

-  having regard to Article 160b(3) of the EAEC Treaty,

-  having regard to Rule 35 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having been consulted by the Council by letter of 22 June 2001 on the appointment of a Member of the Court of Auditors (C5-0283/2001 ),

-  whereas at its meeting of 8-10 October 2001 the Committee on Budgetary Control heard the Council's nominee for the office of Member of the Court of Auditors and considered the nominee's qualifications in the light of the criteria laid down by Articles 45b of the ECSC Treaty, 247 of the EC Treaty and 160b of the EAEC Treaty,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A5-0346/2001 ),

1.  Delivers a favourable opinion on the appointment of Mr David Bostock to the office of Member of the Court of Auditors;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and, for information, to the Court of Auditors, the other institutions of the European Communities and the Audit Offices of the Member States.