§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment which other European community countries supported the United Kingdom's position on Commission proposals at the Social Affairs Council meeting on 26 November 1990.
§ Mr. HowardAt the Social Affairs Council on 26 November, the Council unanimously adopted the health and safety directive on biological agents and similarly agreed a common position on a directive to control the use of asbestos in the work place. There was also unanimous agreement on an action programme in favour of the elderly and on a resolution on the comparability of vocational training qualifications.
A large majority of delegations agreed with the United Kingdom that rapid progress could be made towards agreeing the proposed directive on the health and safety of temporary workers. A majority of member states including the United Kingdom had significant difficulties with the substance and proposed treaty base of the Commission's proposals for directives concerning the employment of part-time and temporary workers. A minority of other member states also had difficulties with proposals to amend the regulations concerning free movement of labour and social security entitlements for migrant workers; and it was agreed that the proposals should he remitted for further consideration by officials.