§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he is currently engaged in with the EEC Commission on matters for which he is responsible; and, in particular, if he will give a detailed breakdown of each topic under discussion, with special reference to EEC proposals, actual or envisaged, and their status in the Community's legislative machinery.
§ Mr. MoyleThe main topic on which my Department is currently involved are set out in the six-monthly White Paper 379W on developments in the EEC and proposals for legislation are laid before the House.
Proposals at present under consideration by the Council are directives relating to the mutual recognition of qualifications and right of establishment, etc. of midwives, amendments to EEC Regulation 1408/71 relating to social security of employed persons and their families moving within the Community (in order to extend cover to the self- and non-employed), and the second programme of research in the field of medical and public health research. My Department is also involved with others in discussion of a draft directive for the protection of employees in the event of insolvency by their employers, which is also before the Council.
My Department's on-going discussions cover mainly the co-ordination of social protection policies, the European Social Budget, the poverty programme and social security in agriculture. It is also involved in discussions arising in such organisations as the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers, the Pharmaceutical Committee, the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products, the Committee of Senior Officials in Public Health, the Advisory Committee on Medical Training and the Committee for Information and Documentation on Science and Technology.