§ Q88. Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Prime Minister if the EEC Commission is now empowered to issue the social charter directives to the various Councils of Ministers in light of the majority vote at the recent meeting of the European Council at Madrid; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Commission of the European Communities has the right to put forward proposals to the Councils of Ministers in areas within its competence at any time. No decision was taken on the Commission's preliminary draft proposal for a Community charter of fundamental social rights at the Madrid meeting of the European Council. The conclusions of that meeting are a reflection of the views of all the heads of Government present, who noted that at the Social Affairs Council on 12 June, 11 delegations had accepted draft conclusions on a preliminary draft Community charter submitted by the Commission. The United Kingdom made clear that it was not prepared to accept those draft conclusions.