HC Deb 15 July 1999 vol 335 c271W
20. Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the effect on small businesses of the working time regulations. [90028]

Mr. Wills

A Regulatory Impact Assessment on the costs and benefits resulting from the implementation of the Working Time Regulations, which considers small business, was made prior to implementation.

We are presently consulting on amendments which are designed to clarify the regulations and help business without removing the protection that the Directive provides to workers.

Copies of both the Regulatory Impact Assessment and the consultation documents are held in the Library of the House.