HC Deb 06 December 1990 vol 182 cc174-5W
Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Labour and Social Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels on 26 November.

Mr. Howard

The Government welcome the result of this Council.

The Council formally adopted the health and safety directive on biological agents, and reached a common position on a directive to control the use of asbestos at the workplace. A decision on an action programme in favour of the elderly was agreed as was a resolution on the comparability of vocational training qualifications.

There was a lengthy discussion of the directives concerning part-time and temporary work, as proposed by the European Commission under its social action programme. A clear majority of member states had significant difficulties with the substance of the proposals; and they also agreed that article 100A of the treaty, as proposed by the Commission, was an inappropriate treaty base and that directives of this kind required unanimity in the Council.

A large majority of the delegations agreed with the United Kingdom that rapid progress could now be made towards agreeing the proposed directive on the health and safety of temporary workers.

There was also discussion of regulations concerned with the free movement of labour and social security entitlements for migrant workers. Some of the other member states had difficulties with the current draft texts.

The Council was given a progress report by the presidency on the social action programme as a whole, and the Commission gave a report on immigration and the Community.

The Commissioner of Social Affairs introduced her report on implementation of existing EC social legislation throughout the Community. It indicates that the United Kingdom leads all other member states; indeed, we are the only member state to have implemented all the Community directives in the social affairs field.

Overall, the United Kingdom was pleased to be able to agree to a number of sensible, well-prepared proposals in the areas of health and safety at work, training and improvements to the labour market. The Government will continue to oppose vigorously any EC legislation which would damage either job prospects in the United Kingdom and the rest of the Community or the competitiveness of our industries.

This Social Affairs Council was a further example of how the rest of the Community often shares the views of the United Kingdom when they address specific proposals for legislation or action.