Regional policy commissioner, Michel Barnier has rejected Tony Blair's proposal for a second EU chamber drawn form national parliaments.

Barnier, the commissioner responsible for drawing up constitutional proposals ahead of the Laeken European summit on December 14, said the idea was overly complex and had little support in other EU countries. The commissioner backs measures to develop the powers of the council of ministers, increasing its effectiveness, clarifying its legislative role and making its deliberations less secretive.

The Laeken gathering will start a two-year process to draw up a constitutional settlement for the EU by 2004. Former commission president, Jacques Delors and former French president Giscard d'Estaing are expected to head up a convention tasked with producing final proposals.