§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the visits he, his Ministers and senior officials have made to European Community countries in the last year giving the main subject for discussion and the person involved in each case.
§ Mr. JackSince 1 January this year I have visited Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Portugal to meet my opposite number in each country and to discuss common social security issues, in particular with regard to the European Community. I also attended an international seminar in Spain to discuss the future of social security in 223W the European Community, where I met Ministers and officials from several European Community member states. In addition I attended three Social Affairs Council meetings. The following senior officials—grade 6 and above—have also made visits to other member states—excluding Ireland for which separate figures are not recorded.
Mr. N. Glass (Grade 6)
Attended a social security director generals' meeting in Brussels and twice went to Germany to discuss areas of mutual interest with senior German officials and a Eurostat meeting in Luxembourg.Mrs. Maunsell (Grade 3)
Made three visits for two Social Affairs Council meetings and a Social Questions Working Group to discuss the draft Pregnant Women's Directive.Miss A. V. Windsor (Solicitor)
Made four visits to the European Court of Justice.Mr. Fiegehen (Grade 5)
Attended two meetings in France and Brussels in connection with the "Barber Case".Mr. J. White (Grade 5)
Made eight visits to other Community member states. For four of these he accompanied me on my visits to the Netherlands, Paris, Lisbon and Madrid. The other visits included a conference on "Convergence", a social security director generals' meeting and visits to Germany and the Netherlands to discuss areas of mutual interest.Mrs. R. Butler (Grade 5)
Attended an EC conference on poverty in the Netherlands.Mr. D. Ramprakash (Grade 5)
Attended three Eurostat meetings and two European Commission meetings concerned with statistical research in social security.Mrs. C. Souter (Grade 5)
Made five visits to Brussels. Two meetings were held to discuss the implications of the "Barber Case". Mrs. Souter also had a meeting with UKREP, senior Dutch officials and attended a social security director generals' meeting.Mr. A. Stott (Grade 5)
Attended a social security director generals' meeting in Brussels and a Social Affairs Council.Miss P. Barrett (Grade 6)
Visited the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.Mr. C. Blake (Solicitor)
Visited the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.Miss E. Saxon (Solicitor)
Made two visits to the European Court of Justice and attended an EC/EFTA seminar in the Netherlands.As the Minister responsible for internationl social security issues, I made all the ministerial visits but one within the Community. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State discussed matters both on social security and health during a visit to Germany, in his capacity as Minister with responsibility for disabled people.