§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now reconsider his rejection of the use of local labour clauses in the light of the European Court of Justice's ruling in the case 31/87 Beentyesv. State of Netherlands; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDiscussions are currently taking place in Brussels on the issues raised by the European Court of Justice's judgment in the Beentyes case. The European Commission has expressed the preliminary view that contract clauses requiring a contractor to employ a given number or percentage of persons resident in the area in question appear to be discriminatory and contrary to the treaty of Rome. At this stage, the Government do not see any reason to alter their policy on the use of local labour clauses.