Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Wales – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 March 1993.
Mr Rod Richards
, Clwyd North West
12:00,
1 March 1993
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that prospects for the long-term unemployed in Ogmore, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, are infinitely better under this Government than they would be under a Labour Government, especially in the context of the social chapter of the Maastricht treaty? If the Opposition had their way, the social chapter would be included in the treaty and, if implemented, it would drastically affect unemployment in this country.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
