§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he will take on the opinion adopted on 27 April by the plenary session of the 91W Economic and Social Committee of the European Community on the European Community Commission's proposals on temporary workers' employment conditions; and what effect he estimates this proposal will have on employment.
§ Mr. GummerWe will study it, but the opinions of the Economic and Social Committee are delivered to the Council of Ministers and the Commission. This opinion will be taken into account in future discussions in the Council machinery of the Commission proposal on temporary work. The proposal would restrict the uses of temporary labour and impose new statutory obligations on employers. The effect would be to introduce rigidity into the labour market, limit employers' flexibility, and reduce employment opportunities. This is of course only a proposal, and will proceed with many opportunities for amendment and discussion, as is the open way adopted in the Community.