1.   It is a great shame that the social chapter has been excised from the treaty.

2.   The commission promises that its proposals under the social chapter will be squeaky-clean in their impact on jobs.

3.   The Prime Minister I most certainly agree with that view, which is why I Declined to sign the social chapter.

4.   By deleting the social protocol, Parliament would be making no inroads on British law, since the protocol excludes the UK from social chapter legislation.

5.   Contrary to some reports it does not automatically open the way for the social chapter to be drawn into British law.

6.   The majority of people voted in favour of parties that advocate the inclusion of the social chapter, but the Government rejects it.

7.   The vote is on a Labour amendment that would reinstate the social chapter to the Maastricht treaty, setting out minimum employment standards.