§ Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he will take on recommendation 981(1984)(1) by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in respect of matters of co-operation with both sides of industry in the redistribution and reorganisation of work, vocational training, international co-operation and the North-South dialogue.
§ Mr. GummerMy right hon. Friend and I share the grave concern expressed in recommendation 981(1984)(1) about the high level of unemployment in the member states of the Council of Europe, and welcomes the opportunity it provides to discuss the problem in an international context. We will of course be looking closely at all the proposals in the recommendation before it goes for consideration to the Committee of Ministers. We do not, however, agree with all the economic analyses behind the442W recommendation, nor are we convinced that many of the proposals in it would, if implemented, have a real and lasting effect on unemployment.