§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a survey of all offices and agencies for which he has responsibility to ascertain to what extent staff supplying a service to the public are curtailing their work on a Friday afternoon earlier than other days of the week; and if he will make a statement on his policy on hours of staff working each week.
§ Mr. HowardThe staff in my Department and its agencies are conditioned to work 41 hours per week in London and 42 hours per week outside London. Both include five hours per week for lunch. In addition, if local management agree, staff can join the flexible working hours scheme. Staff who join the scheme must start work between 7.30 am and 10.00 am and must leave between 4.00pm and 6.30pm. The scheme is shortly to be amended so that staff will have the flexibility to leave between 4.00pm and 8.30pm.
415WThe hours worked by staff on any particular day is for local management to decide. This they will do taking into account the requirement, where necessary, to cater for the needs of the public. I see no need to undertake a survey.