§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment which diplomas, certificates and other formal qualifications will be subject to directives for mutual recognition under article 57 of the treaty on European union.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe treaty on European union—Maastricht—does not directly affect the principles of mutual recognition. It changes the procedure for agreement on any new directives, which might be proposed in future.
There are already two directives which cover this area under the Single European Act which is based on articles in the treaty of Rome.
The first general directive for mutual recognition came into force on 4 January 1991 for degree level qualifications—although as yet not all member states have implemented it.
The second general directive has been agreed and will be in force in June 1994. It extends the system for recognition to include qualifications awarded on completion of higher education courses of one to three years and equivalents including national and Scottish vocational qualifications.
Ratification of the European economic area agreement will extend mutual recognition to the European Free Trade Association countries.