§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement following the Social Affairs Council meeting on 5 December. [4940]
§ Mr. ForthI attended the Social Affairs Council meeting on 5 December in Brussels.
There was an open discussion on employment issues. The Council's report for the employment discussion at the Madrid European Council, and the paper covering that report together with reports by the Economic and Finance Council and the Commission were agreed unanimously.
Unanimous agreement was reached on a fourth equal opportunities action programme with a budget of 30 mecu. There were no discussions on the draft community programmes on older people, health and safety—SAFE—and research and information exchange in the employment field—ESSEN. There were no other votes.
There were Commission presentations on three issues being taken forward under the other member states' agreement on social policy, on a Commission communication on the future of social protection, on a draft recommendation on the balanced participation of women and men in decision making and on the work of a Commission group on the information society. The draft posted workers directive was formally remitted to the Italian presidency.
The draft directive amending the use of work equipment directive was agreed as an A point, with the United Kingdom and Italy abstaining.