§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Social Affairs Council of 3 June. [31734]
§ Mr. ForthI attended the Social Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 3 June.
In the light of the Prime Minister's statement on BSE to the House on 21 May, I was unable to agree to four items on the agenda: a Council recommendation on balanced participation of men and women in decision making; a resolution on the transparency of training certificates; a resolution on a European year against racism; and Council conclusions on a Commission report no the demographic situation. It is likely that, in other circumstances the United Kingdom would have been able to agree to the adoption of these proposals.
An interim report on employment was forwarded to the Florence European Council with no discussion.
There was a short orientation debate on a Commission communication on information and consultation, on which the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry leads. I made clear that the UK does not believe that there is any need for legislation in this area, either at national or at European level.