§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Prime Minister is she will make a statement on her policy on the EEC's proposals on social reform, with particular reference to the draft directives on sex discrimination, parental leave and the rights of part-time employees.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government support the conclusion of the European Council that the single market offers the best prospect for promoting employment and increasing the general prosperity of the Community for the benefit of all our people, women and men. We therefore encourage those measures that help the achievement of the single market, and bring down unemployment. But we must resist unnecessary directives which would be an obstacle to growth. We believe that such matters as parental leave and terms and conditions for part-time workers are best dealt with not by inflexible directives but by negotiation between employers and employees.