The conference of the European Institute for social security, on the social security and the economic crisis, prepared by its Colloque, held in Tole do in 1981, was held from the 30th of September untill the 2nd of October in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. The Yearbook 1982 contains the reports presented at the Conference in Zoetermeer, which was opened by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, L. de Graaf. The Conference had before it ten national reports and seven synthesis reports (Paul 0 'Higgins, Benefits in general; Jan Pierik, Financing; Winfried Schmahl, Pensions; Yves Saint Jours, Health; Pasquale Sandulli, Unemployment; Martin Partington, Minimum income and family allowances; Jef van Langendonck, Social Security and Economic Insecurity). Most unfortunately Paul O'Higgins did not deliver the written text of his report and we regret that for that reason, we cannot include his report in this yearbook. The Conference, which got the hospitality of the Dutch Social Security Council in Zoetermeer, was very well organised and financed by the Dutch social security institutions and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The Institute wants to express its sincere gratitude to Mr. J. Oosterhuis and his collegues and to the ladies of the secretariat Annemie Dancot, Jose Goes, Joke Torenburg and Lisette Veldkamp.

The conference of the European Institute for social security, on the social security and the economic crisis, prepared by its Colloque, held in Tole do in 1981, was held from the 30th of September untill the 2nd of October in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. The Yearbook 1982 contains the reports presented at the Conference in Zoetermeer, which was opened by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, L. de Graaf. The Conference had before it ten national reports and seven synthesis reports (Paul 0 'Higgins, Benefits in general; Jan Pierik, Financing; Winfried Schmahl, Pensions; Yves Saint Jours, Health; Pasquale Sandulli, Unemployment; Martin Partington, Minimum income and family allowances; Jef van Langendonck, Social Security and Economic Insecurity). Most unfortunately Paul O'Higgins did not deliver the written text of his report and we regret that for that reason, we cannot include his report in this yearbook. The Conference, which got the hospitality of the Dutch Social Security Council in Zoetermeer, was very well organised and financed by the Dutch social security institutions and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The Institute wants to express its sincere gratitude to Mr. J. Oosterhuis and his collegues and to the ladies of the secretariat Annemie Dancot, Jose Goes, Joke Torenburg and Lisette Veldkamp.

The Col loque of our European Institute for social security to prepare the Conference in the Hague on the social security and the economic crisis was held from the 17th ti 11 the 19th of September in Toledo. Part II of the Yearbook 1980-1981 contains the reports presented in Toledo. The reports are focussed on the over a! 1 economic situation (Richard Draperie); the specific problems of Pensions (Bernd Schulte); the cost of medical care (Leo Crijns); unemployment insurance (Joachim Volz); the social minimum (Andre Laurent) and two special reports on the economic crisis and social security. Finally it contains my own synthesis report. Al 1 the participants had the opinion that the colloque created a fruitful 1 basis for a further in depth discussion in the Hague in 1982. The Institute once again wants to express its sincere gratitude to Antonio Chozas and his colleques for the excellent and adequate way in which they organised the colloque.

Since the 1970s social security in the European Union has been dominated by attempts at reform and cost control. In the last decade of the twentieth century these attempts have been strengthened by the coming European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This book offers an overview of the social security system and its development in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The national contributions are preceded by an introduction on the development of social security in Europe till the present day, with special reference to the postwar process of European integration and its effects. The book is concluded by two essays. The first examines the danger and opportunities of European integration for social security. The second discusses ethical aspects: what effect will European integration have on the quality of social security in Europe?

Annex and addenda 1 and 2:.