HC Deb 20 November 1997 vol 301 cc439-40
4. Mr. Lock:

If the provisions of the working time directive will apply to British employees of private companies.[15392]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Yes. The directive covers all sectors of activity, both public and private, with the exception of those involved in the following activities or sectors of activity: air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway, lake transport, sea fishing, other work at sea, and doctors in training.

Mr. Lock

Does my hon. Friend agree that paid holiday is a basic right, which should be available to all civilised people in a civilised country, and that it is a scandal that the previous Government failed to bring that most basic right into United Kingdom domestic law, leaving 8 million people without paid holiday? Does he agree that the directive, which will bring paid holiday to 8 million low-paid workers, will be welcomed? Is it not a shame that the directive has not yet been introduced because the previous Government attempted instead a futile challenge in the European Court of Justice?

Mr. McCartney

My hon. Friend is right. The previous Government tried to turn Britain into sweatshop Europe, as a consequence of their inactivity. I give a commitment that we shall end the exploitation. It is time to end the imposition of long hours for low pay, and to ensure that workers have the right to minimum paid holidays and decent working conditions. That is one of the reasons why we are on the Government Benches and Conservative Members are on the Opposition Benches.

Mr. Ruffley

Do Ministers support European Commission proposals to extend the scope of the working time directive by ending exemptions from it?

Mr. McCartney

The hon. Gentleman knows full well that consultation is taking place—the European Commission has issued a consultation paper, to which we shall respond. At the end of the consultation, we shall ensure that the British Government put the case in relation to those sectors. One thing is absolutely certain: we have made a priority decision to end the previous Government's opt-out on the working time directive and the young workers directive and to make resources available. We shall participate in the consultation process in respect of those sectors that are excluded, to ensure that workers in Britain will be covered in the same way as workers in Europe