§ Ms KinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to co-operate with other European Union member states on EU initiatives to tackle long-term unemployment. [1082]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe believe that tackling unemployment must be one of the EU's top priorities. Within the Inter-governmental Conference we have signalled our support for a new Treaty Chapter on employment which would provide a basis for future co-operation between Member States in this area, including on initiatives to help the long-term unemployed.