§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Paymaster General what recent discussions have been held in the EEC Council of Ministers on (a) the draft directive on noise at work, (b) the draft directive on parental leave, (c) the draft directive on part-time work, and (d) the draft directive on employee consultation; what are the remaining government objections to each of these drafts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Spencer) on 25 June, at columns 370–71.
In discussions on the draft directive on noise between officials since the June Labour and Social Affairs Council, it has become clear that there are still some problems 183W concerning the proposed provisions for hearing checks and for exposure levels in new plant. These are more fully described in a supplementary explanatory memorandum (8818/84; COM(84)426) submitted to the House on 22 October.
On the draft directives on parental leave, part-time work and employee consultation the position is unchanged since my replies to the hon. Member on 17 July, at column 170.
The results of the Government's domestic consultation exercise on the draft directive on parental leave were placed in the Library on 8 November. The debate on parental leave recommended by the Select Committee on European Legislation is likely to be held in the near future.
The draft directives on noise and parental leave are likely to be discussed at the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 5 December.