§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what reasons Her Majesty's Government agreed at the European Council on 15 December 1990, to press ahead more actively with the action programme for the implementation of the social charter; and if he will make a statement summerising the proposals of this action programme.
§ Mr. ForthThe conclusions of the European Council on 15 December 1990 on the social action programme apply in particular to health and safety. The Council took the 407W view that proposals on health and safety at work should be adopted without delay. The Government fully support this view. We have always made clear that we were prepared to accept the health and safety aspects of the social action programme.
As to the other proposals in the social action programme, the European Council asked that in speeding up proceedings, the Community should start with the matters on which rapid progress was possible. The Council set out quite clearly that they should meet the three criteria of creating and developing employment, respect for the principle of subsidiarity and respect for the diversity of tradition and custom across the Community.
The United Kingdom has consistently advocated these principles during negotiations on the social action programme and will support proposals which satisfy these criteria.
The European Commission's social action programme covers a wide range of proposals in the labour and social field. The proposals were summarised in the explanatory memoranda submitted by the Department of Employment on 6 January 1990 and 15 March 1990 (numbers 9978–89 and 9778–89).