HC Deb 25 November 1994 vol 250 c388W
Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what directives are expected to be issued by the European Commission over the next six months which effect rights and conditions at work; and when they are due to be published.

Miss Widdecombe

The European Commission's recent White Paper on the future of European social policy states that a new work programme will be presented during 1995 following consultations on the White Paper's proposals. It is not yet known whether draft directives affecting rights and conditions at work will form part of that work programme, and the White Paper makes it clear that there is no consensus between member states about the need for further legislation on labour standards at European level.