§ 28. Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the Government's approach to the European Commission's social action programme.
§ Mr. EggarWe intend to take a full part in the negotiations on the individual proposals in the social action programme. We will measure each proposal against two key criteria: first, its effect on jobs and unemployment; and secondly, whether it accords with the principle of subsidiarity, which means that action should not be proposed at Community level in areas best left to member states to deal with in accordance with their tradition and practice.