§ Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's views on the European Community's Vredeling directive that will give new consultation rights to workers in large companies.
§ Mr. GummerThe Government are firmly committed to the principle of managements informing and consulting employees about matters which affect them, but believes that successful employee involvement is best introduced voluntarily. We therefore see no need for Community legislation in this field and we have made clear our profound reservations about the draft Vredeling directive on procedures for informing and consulting employees. Nevertheless the Government are at present consulting interested parties on the draft Vredeling directive and the128W draft fifth directive on the harmonisation of company law in order to ensure that the views of United Kingdom interests are fully represented during negotiations in Brussels. A copy of the consultative document was placed in the Library on 9 November 1983.