§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Prime Minister what specific instruction she has given to Government Departments for proposals to improve the health, safety and wage conditions of the British work force following the recent European Community call in Hanover to seek such improvements in all member countries.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I reported to the House in my statement of 30 June, the Hanover Council welcomed the initiative taken under article 118A of the Single European Act to provide better protection for the health and safety of workers. The United Kingdom is playing a positive role in the programme of health and safety directives under article 118A. In line with current policies, the Department of Employment and the Health and Safety Commission continue to develop domestic proposals to improve the health and safety of workers.
As to wages, the European Council drew attention to the prospects offered by the single European market for increasing prosperity generally, including the prosperity of wage-earners.