§ Mr. KinnockTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards encouraging employers to allow employees paid time off from work to permit them to fulfil elected and non-elected public and community duties on statutory bodies.
§ Mr. DorrellEmployees who serve in a public capacity as specified in section 29 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 are generally entitled to reasonable time off work to carry out their duties. Whether they should be paid for such time off is for employers and employees to agree between themselves. However, we encourage employers who are able to assist employees to undertake these important duties by whatever means are appropriate to their circumstances.