HC Deb 22 April 1993 vol 223 cc204-5W
Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the consequences for retirement pensioners of the United Kingdom's opt-out from the social chapter.

Miss Widdecombe

Assuming the Maastricht treaty is ratified, the protocol on social policy which has annexed to it an agreement on social policy—also known as the social chapter—between the other 11 member states of the European Community will come into effect. The United Kingdom's negotiated exclusion from this agreement is not expected to result in any direct consequences for retirement pensioners.