§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes he has introduced, or plans to introduce, arising from the proposals of the European Community Commission to the Council of Ministers concerning part-time work, as outlined in Council document 4138/83, published on 11 January 1983; and if he will make a statement about the implications for social security structures.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe amended proposals of the European Community Commission to the Council of Ministers concerning part-time work to which the hon. Member refers have not yet been adopted by the Council. We have no plans, therefore, to make any social security changes at present to carry out what has been proposed.
The implications of the proposals are set out in the explanatory memoranda dated 3 February 1982, 29 November 1982 and 1 February 1983 presented to Parliament and relating to the Council document 4138/83 and to the earlier document 4053/82 which contained the Commission's original proposals.