§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he intends to support the proposed European Economic Community directive on parental leave when he meets with the European Economic Community Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe are analysing the responses of interested parties in the United Kingdom to our recent consultation exercise on this draft directive, and my right hon. Friend will bear these views in mind when the Council of Ministers discusses the subject. The Government's view is that the matters covered by the draft directive are best dealt with between employers and employees according to their own priorities, needs and circumstances rather than by Government or Community intervention. The Government are also concerned at the potential costs and administrative burden such a measure would impose on employers, and we strongly believe that here and in Europe we should be focusing our energies and efforts on the main problem that faces us all — unemployment—rather than on improving the position of people who already have jobs.