§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the meeting held by the EEC Council of Ministers (Labour and Social Affairs) on 15 May at which Her Majesty's Government was represented.
§ Mr. PriorMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security and myself represented the United Kingdom Government. Agreement was reached on two instruments: a directive to protect employees in the event of the insolvency of their employers, and a decision setting up a joint programme to encourage the exchange of young workers.
An extension of the Council social security regulations to insured self-employed and non-employed nationals of member States was considered but agreement was not reached. This question will be considered again at a future Council of Ministers.
The main discussion centred on the Commission's communication on work sharing. I stressed that the Community's main aim must be to create more jobs 308W and that measures which led to an increase of unit costs, and hence reduced economic competitiveness, should be avoided. It was agreed that account had to be taken of the need to maintain the internal and external competitiveness of the Community and for both sides of industry to co-operate in the preparation and implementation of any measures. The Commission was asked to continue its studies and analyses in this area, taking account of the discussion at the meeting on 15 May and that of the Council of Ministers (Economic and Financial Affairs) the previous day, and to make suitable proposals.
Discussion took place also on improving relations with the social partners—that is, representatives of unions and employers—the Commission report on equal pay, including the infringement proceedings against seven member States, one of which is the United Kingdom, migration policies, and the social aspects of restructuring the steel industry.