HC Deb 13 March 1990 vol 169 cc213-4W
70. Mr. Holt

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met his opposite numbers in(a) France, (b) Germany and (c) Italy; and what was discussed.

Mr. Howard

I met my European Community counterparts at an informal meeting of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers in Dublin on 1 and 2 March when we discussed help for the long-term unemployed and training assistance for eastern European countries.

I was also able to secure agreement that the Commission would in future present regular reports to the Council of Ministers on member states' records in implementing European legislation. This will show that the United Kingdom has an extremely good record on implementation and will help to ensure that Community legislation is effectively and fairly implemented throughout the Community.

It will also make member states think more carefully about implementation before agreeing to new directives.