§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 November to the hon. Member for Chingford, (Mr. Duncan Smith),Official Report, column 72, what was the voting record of member states at the meeting of the European Community's Social Affairs Council held on 23 November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere were no formal votes at the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 23 November. However
on the draft directive on working time, the council reached final agreement with the United Kingdom abstaining;on the draft directive on young workers, the council agreed to a common position with Spain and Italy abstaining;on the draft directive on the protection of workers on board fishing vessels, the Council reached final agreement, with the United Kingdom and France abstaining; anda declaration to end the European Year of the Elderly and of solidarity between generations was agreed unanimously.