European Community (Council of Ministers) (Hansard, 21 December 1981)

§ Mr. Tebbit

On behalf of the United Kingdom Presidency, I chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Labour and Social Affairs) on 8 December 1981. The Government were represented by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment and my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Social Security.

The Council adopted an amending regulation extending certain social security arrangements to self-employed migrant workers and their families. The amendment will assist the free movement of labour in the Community. An important feature of the amendment is that it will enable self-employed persons to receive urgent medical care if they fall ill when visiting another member state on the same basis as insured nationals of that state. Proposals dealing with other aspects of benefits for migrant workers were,also considered and remitted to officials for further discussion.

The Council considered a Commission communication on the social integration of disabled people and agreed a resolution of the Council and member States within the Council broadly endorsing the Commission's proposals. As a result the Commission, in consultation with member States, will be developing proposals for a number of experimental projects concentrating on the improved coordination at local level of services for disabled people.

The Commission will continue its programme of pilot projects on the rehabilitation and housing of disabled people. It will also devote resources to the pooling and dissemination of information from these projects and other sources within the Community which is likely to be of value for those concerned with services for disabled people.

The Council had a useful discussion on a proposed directive concerning the protection of workers from lead. The main outstanding difficulties were significantly narrowed down, and I hope that this will make it possible finally to agree the directive in the near future.

The Council discussed the forthcoming review of the European social fund, with the object of identifying the main themes which the review should take into consideration. It was agreed that the limited resources of the social fund should be directed to the most serious problems which it was capable of assisting. Top priority should be given to meet the needs of young people without jobs by support for vocational training and other appropriate measures. There was a general welcome for the Commission's proposal that the fund should promote a more medium term strategy designed to provide a more satisfactory vocational and educational priority for all young people moving from compulsory full-time schooling to entry into the labour market.

The discussion also covered the basis for the future regional allocation of fund aid; the response of the fund to needs and opportunities arising from the introduction of new technology; and the role of the fund in supporting innovatory and demonstration projects. There was also a general welcome for the Commission's proposals to simplify the mechanisms of the fund.

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The Council also had an opportunity to hear and comment on the French Government's ideas for a renewal of European social policy.

The Council noted the ninth annual report on the activities of the European social fund and a progress report on a draft directive on the protection of workers from risks associated with asbestos.

From the point of view of the United Kingdom Presidency the meeting brought about or confirmed substantial progress on a range of proposals, particularly in the field of employee health and safety. The resolution on the disabled marks a useful contribution towards meeting their needs from the Community and member States in the International Year of Disabled Persons. The amendments to Community social security regulations increase the effectiveness of free movement of labour and extend to the self-employed benefits already enjoyed by employed persons.

Finally, the discussion on the social fund will help the Commission to identify the main issues to be taken into account in ensuring that the fund is responsive to the changing circumstances and needs of the European Community.