HC Deb 13 June 2000 vol 351 cc591-2W
Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the outcome was of the Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 6 June; and if he will make a statement. [125171]

Ms Jowell

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), and I represented the UK at the Social Affairs Council meeting on 6 June.

Political agreement was reached by the Council on a Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment of persons irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin. This is the first legislative proposal brought under Article 13 of the Treaty. The Directive covers a range of issues including employment, access to social protection and social security; access to education; and access to goods and services. All member states with scrutiny reserves, including the UK, lifted them. The Presidency gave a progress report on negotiations on the other proposals brought forward under Article 13—a draft Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation and a Community Action Programme.

The Council debated its role in following up the Special European Council held in Lisbon in March and its input to the Spring European Council to be held in 2001. The Council agreed conclusions which would be transmitted to the Presidency of the EU before the European Council, in Feira. The Council noted the Employment Committee's work programme for 2000.

The Council unanimously adopted a decision setting up a Social Protection Committee. The Council endorsed a report of the High-Level Working Group on Social Protection and agreed to submit it to the European Council at Feira. The report sets out two priorities—a pensions study and the identification of common objectives and indicators of social protection.

The Council discussed three outstanding issues arising from the Commission's proposals for simplification of Regulation 1408/71. The Regulation concerns the co-ordination of member states' social security systems—including healthcare—and is aimed at assisting free movement of workers within the Community. None of the issues was resolved. Technical negotiations will continue at official level.

The Council adopted a mixed Resolution (of the Council and of the Ministers for Employment and Social policy meeting within the Council) on the balanced participation of men and women in working and family life.

The Council reached broad agreement on the draft Directive on temporary work at height (the "Scaffolding Directive").

The Commission made a presentation on its study of the implications of the European Court of Justice rulings (Decker and Kohll) concerning reimbursement for medical treatment these will be made available to member states following further relevant rulings from the Court.