Michael Howard has called on the prime minister to disown Labour MEPs who support measures which could lead to the loss of British jobs.

Ahead of next month's European elections the prime minister was asked why Labour MEPs had voted in favour of measures which run contrary to official government policy.

Howard said the government "has given up completely" on its members of the European parliament.

Despite Number 10's opposition to the directives, he said Labour's European MPs had backed moves to extend the working time directive which would cost British business £9 billion per year.

The temporary workers directive, which was also backed by Labour MEPs, would cost 160,000 jobs, Howard told the Commons.

"Isn't it true that the government have given up completely on their members of the European parliament?" asked Howard.

"After all this trouble from Labour members of the European parliament, won't the prime minister be as relieved as the rest of us when there is fewer of them after June 10?"

Tony Blair accepted that "changes are necessary" to both directives.

But he insisted that the government would act "in the interests of the British economy and jobs".

"It is this government that has managed to increase employment in British industry," Blair added. 

"And it is not this government that put 17 per cent interest rates on British industry.

"That is why this government continues to operate in the interests of the economy and jobs."