§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to take part in the next debate at the Council of Ministers level with regard to the directive on the principle of equality of treatment for men and women in social security; and what will be the attitude of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. OrmeThe agenda for Council meetings is determined by the EEC Presidency in the light of current business generally. No date has yet been fixed for discussion of this particular draft directive.
The Government's views on the propposals were explained in the debate on European Commission document R/48/77 on 13th December 1977—[Vol. 941, c. 423–454]—and in the debate on the Fourth Report of the Lords Select Committee on the European Communities on 24th January 1978 in another place—[Official Report, House of Lords, Vol. 388, c. 311–12.]