Mr President, I am happy that my group is associated with the compromise. This is a very full resolution. It reiterates that social protection is a top priority, and it also sets out many threats to workers' rights and trade union rights not just in the UK but in Italy and elsewhere. It gives examples of closures and threats to pensions.

I would like to use my time to concentrate on one particular matter, which has been partly mentioned in the compromise. I was glad that Commissioner Flynn told Parliament yesterday that the opt-out conceded to Britain on European social policy should be scrapped when the Maastricht Treaty is reviewed in 1996. When my group went to Stockholm last week, we met ambassadors and all the political parties' representatives. They all expressed concern about the outcome of the forthcoming referendum. They are all worried about the possible lowering of standards in the areas of regional policy, the environment, women's interests and the social chapter. They have a high-quality social framework, and they fear they may in some way suffer in these areas should they join the Community. Let us face facts: the Swedish result will affect the Norwegian result. I would hope that this resolution could be sent to the political parties in Sweden as a means of reassuring them.