§ 9.17 p.m.
§ Lord Hunt of Tanworth rose to move, That this House takes note of the report of the European Communities Committee on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment in the European Community (7th Report, HL Paper 43).
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, I thank the noble Viscount, Lord Caldecote, for providing the opportunity for this debate today. It has been most valuable and interesting. After a long debate I would add only one short personal comment.
§ I do not think that anyone who has spoken said that in relation to structural unemployment, as distinct from arguments about the latest figures for cyclical recovery, we were too gloomy in the Select Committee. Nor has anyone argued that we missed a magic solution which was just round the corner. Therefore, I believe that the problem will remain, and at some stage there will have to be new thinking about patterns of work and the labour intensity of work. That is not the same as saying that work has run out, but the whole question of the nature of work in our society will need further thought. However, that is for another day. I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That this House takes note of the report of the European Communities Committee on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment in the European Community (7th Report, HL Paper A3).—(Lord Hunt of Tanworth.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.