HC Deb 04 July 1991 vol 194 cc203-5W
Mr. William Powell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the outcome of the meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 25 and 26 June; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

The Council had a useful and productive meeting. On the first day, the Council formally adopted its common position on the directive concerned with the health and safety of temporary workers and a directive to control the use of asbestos in the workplace.

Agreement was reached on an amendment to a regulation on social security arrangements for migrant workers; on a decision relating to the PETRA programme concerning vocational training exchanges for young people; on a directive concerning the provision of medical assistance on board ships; and on a decision on the European Year of Health and Safety.

Agreement in principle was also reached on a proposed directive on proof of employment relationships. Formal adoption was not possible since the European Parliament had failed to deliver its opinion in time for the Council.

A regulation to bring forward by one year to 31 December 1991 the full free movement of workers between Spain and Portugal and the rest of the Community was also adopted.

There was a protracted discussion, in which divergent views were expressed by a large number of member states, on one article of the proposed directive on the protection of pregnant women at work, but no agreement was reached. Almost all member states continue to have serious concerns on many aspects of the substance of this proposal.

Contrary to a number of inaccurate newspaper and broadcast reports, there was no discussion of the proposed directive on working time.

On the second day dealing with youth affairs, when my noble Friend Viscount Ullswater represented the United Kingdom, the Council agreed a decision on the Youth for Europe programme and a resolution on priority action in the field of youth.

Overall, the outcome of the proceedings demonstrated once again that the United Kingdom is far from isolated on even those proposals under the social action programme which cause us the most difficulty. Many member states are now experiencing difficulties and are working to keep important and sensitive areas of employment and social policy within the bounds of national law and practice. It is to be hoped that the Commission will take heed of these developments and concentrate its efforts on bringing forward proposals which will increase employment and reduce burdens on business.

The meeting also showed that the present treaty is perfectly adequate to enable sensible progress to be made in those areas where the Community has a proper role.

To date the Council has reached a decision on eight of the 19 social action programme measures so far submitted by the Commission.