HL Deb 03 December 1998 vol 595 cc593-4

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the circumstances in which civil servants in press and private offices can be exempted from the rules governing the 48-hour working week.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, civil servants in the press and private offices, like any other worker, can choose to work more than an average of 48 hours a week where they have agreed to do so voluntarily. As with any other worker, they can change their mind subsequently at any time.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. Is the report in the press correct that civil servants in these appointments have individually to sign agreements that they are not affected by the 48-hour rule? If so, will share fishermen be able to do the same? They still face an EU working directive which threatens seriously to damage their livelihood.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, the noble Lord's first question is not quite right. It is not that they sign that they are not affected. They sign that they voluntarily agree to work more than 48 hours a week on average. As regards share fishermen, we and the European Commission understand the difficulty because they are not paid in the same way as anyone else. It has proved impossible, for example, to use the working time directive to give them four weeks' paid holiday. But the Commission is seeking to reduce the number of exclusions from the directive. It will have to do so with our agreement; and our agreement will come only after detailed consultation with the fishing industry.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I am sympathetic to the situation of the civil servants? I was assigned by the Foreign Office to work for two years for the Prime Minister, then Mr. Churchill. The number of staff at Number 10 and the Cabinet Office was very small compared with today. Incidentally, I was succeeded in that position by the noble Lord, Lord Hunt of Tanworth, whom I am glad to see in his place. I should add that I also worked very long hours for Mr. Ernest Bevin and other Labour Foreign Office Ministers but I was happy to do so.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I should be sad to think that the noble Lord worked harder for Labour Ministers than for Conservative Ministers. He may like to know that the detailed inquiries we have been able to make indicate that workers in press offices do not normally work longer than 48 hours. It is not a problem for them. Duty press officers are on for a limited part of the time. There is a problem in the DTI where private office staff work on average 40 hours a week. That is being addressed, as indeed it is being addressed for the staff of your Lordships' House.

Lord Ewing of Kirkford

My Lords, were the press officers working longer hours yesterday?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I thought it was Conservative spin doctors and control freaks who were working overtime yesterday.

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