§ Q157. Mr. BowisTo ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the proposal of the European Commission in relation to a social charter.
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of the views of both British and European employers on the Commission's proposal. They share the Government's concerns that the current proposal will do nothing to create jobs and reduce unemployment; that it will restrict flexibility in industrial relations; and that there must be clear distinctions drawn between action which is appropriate for the Community, for national Governments and for collective agreements. This last point was made strongly in the agreed conclusions of the European Council in Madrid.