§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the Government's policy towards the European Economic Community directive on self-employed commercial agents.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe Government's policy on the draft directive on self-employed commercial agents is to reserve their position on the question of the basic need for a directive in light of the conflicting reactions to it within the United Kingdom. We shall be in a position to make a final decision only when the European Communities' Council working group currently examining the proposal has fully considered it and a clear indication of its likely form is established. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is seeking to play a full and constructive, though cautious, role in the Council working group with a view to achieving a directive that would prove more acceptable.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the outcome of his discussions with the United Commercial Travellers' Association section of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs on matters connected with the European Economic Community directive on self-employed commercial agents.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimI have held no recent discussions with the United Commercial Travellers' Association section of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs. My hon. Friend indicated in his reply of 19 October to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Spearing) that I had agreed to meet a deputation from UCTA to discuss developments on the commercial agents draft directive. This meeting has still to be arranged.