HC Deb 13 December 1991 vol 200 cc575-6W
Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order the members of the European Community by the number of directives in the social affairs field which each country has implemented; what these directives are; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

The tables give the required information, first on the implementation records of each member state for the directives so far required to be implemented in the social field; and, secondly, on the subjects of those directives. I shall write to my hon. Friend giving more detailed information on the record of member states on each individual directive.

The United Kingdom's exemplary record is proof of its commitment to a social dimension for the European Community. The Government accordingly welcome the agreement at Maastricht to amend the treaty of Rome to strengthen compliance with Community obligations by giving the European Court of Justice the power to impose financial penalties on member states which have failed to comply with its judgments.

Member States' Record of Implementation

Of the 18 directives in the social field currently required to be implemented and their implementation notified to the European Commission, the record of member states is as follows.

Number
United Kingdom 18
Germany 18
Spain 17
Ireland 116
France 16
Greece 16
Portugal 115
Denmark 115
Belgium 15
Netherlands 15
Luxembourg 13
Italy 11
1 Out of 17.

Note: Ireland, Portugal and Denmark have either derogations from one of the directives, or a delayed implementation date.

Directives in the Social Affairs Field

  • The following directives are currently required to have been transposed into the national law of member states:
  • Directive on the banning of certain specified agents and/or certain work activities (88/364).
  • Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to noise at work (88/188).
  • Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (83/477).
  • Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to metallic lead at work (82/605).
  • Directive on electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in mines susceptible to firedamp (82/130).
  • Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work (80/642).
  • Directive on the protection of the health of workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (78/610).
  • Directive on the provision of safety signs at places of work (77/676).
  • Directive on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer (80/987).
  • Directive on safeguarding of employee's rights in the event of transfers of undertakings (77/187).
  • Directive on collective redundancies (75/129).
  • Directive on equal treatment for men and women in self employment (86/613).
  • Directive on equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes (86/378).
  • Directive on equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security (79/7).
  • Directive on equal pay for men and women (75/117).
  • Directive on equal treatment for men and women in access to employment (76/207).
  • Directive on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for workers of Member States and their families (68/360).
  • Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers (77/406).