§ 70. Mr. Jack Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has received from his European Economic Community colleagues to the academic research he has sent them about reductions in the working week.
§ Mr. GummerThe research was concerned with the effect of the reduction of the working week on employment in the United Kingdom. I have received confirmation that experience in other countries does not suggest that reductions in the working week have led to additional jobs. Positive employment effects can result only if the competitive position of firms is not impaired.