Vol. 399 No. 1
28 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Labour if he has put forward proposals for consideration by the EC Summit in June in respect of the further development of the EC Action Programme arising from the Social Charter, in his capacity as President of the EC Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
If the Deputy is referring to the content of the programme, such changes by way of its further development would be for the Commission to propose in the first instance. There is the further point that the first set of commission proposals for directives contained in its 1990 work programme are being transmitted to the Council only this month; it might, therefore, be regarded as premature to consider further additions at this time.
If, on the other hand, what the Deputy has in mind is the process of its implementation certain questions concerning powers in the Treaty arise. It should be recalled that the Council already enjoys increased powers in this area under the Single European Act and these existing powers will be used to the full. The specific matter of qualified majority voting on social issues has been raised and will be considered along with other proposals submitted within the framework of the Foreign Ministers examination of changes in the Community's decision making process.
