§ 12. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to improve the rights of part-time workers to paid holidays, pensions, and overtime payments.
§ Mr. NichollsNo. In general, terms and conditions of employment are matters best left for employers and employees or their representatives to determine. Pension rights are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.
§ Mr. MichaelIn view of his earlier answers, will the Minister accept that the Government are preparing people through training for part-time employment only? In this run-down economy, that especially applies to women. In the increase of those employed since 1983 there are 682,000 women out of a total of 974,000—that is 70 per cent. That offers little hope for women in the future. Part-time employment offers little hope or opportunity except to those whom it suits. All that many people want is a full-time job. When will the Government face their responsibility and provide those jobs?
§ Mr. NichollsOnce again, the hon. Gentleman makes his point, but it has no basis in fact. If we were to accept the hon. Gentleman's thesis it would amount to a belief that any form of part-time employment is bad and that only full-time employment can be good. The labour market is extremely varied. Many people find that part-time employment is right for them and many see it as a stepping stone hack into full-time employment. Obviously I should not allow the hon. Gentleman's remarks to pass without wishing him, too, the very best of success in the shadow Cabinet elections.