§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made on extending reciprocal arrangements within the European Economic Community to the self-employed and the non-employed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinProposals for extending the EEC regulations on social security to the self-employed and non-employed were discussed by the Council of Ministers in Brussels in May of this year. Agreement could not be reached on that occasion because of difficulties encountered by other member States on the statutory basis for the inclusion of the non-employed and on the extension of the existing provisions relating to family benefits. Discussions have continued and the subject is expected to be considered again by the Council on 22 November.