41.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made by the Council of Ministers in its endeavours to extend the scope of the EEC social security regulations; and if he will make a statement.
The Commission's proposals to extend the scope of the European Community social security regulations to self-employed and insured non-employed persons were again considered by the Council of Ministers last November. The majority welcomed the proposals but agreement could not be reached because of reservations by some member States on the legal basis for extension to the non-employed and technical points concerning family benefit and invalidity pension.The Council directed the Committee of Permanent Representatives to seek solutions to these problems without delay, and discussions continue.