§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has made or is planning to make to the European Commission in response to the Commission's review of the employee acquired rights directive; whether he sought the views of the trade unions whose members are affected by the directive; and if he will publish the representations he has made.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Government welcome the review of the acquired rights directive. The European Commission has not yet published any results of the review and the Government have not, therefore, made any representations in response to it. Any response will accordingly depend on any proposals that the Commission may bring forward following its review. The normal practice is for the Commission to consult social partners on any proposed changes to a directive, and for the Government to present an explanatory memorandum to Parliament. It is expected that this will be done in due course.