§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the level of compliance by employers with the new Working Time Regulations. [95696]
§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 25 October 1999]: The level of compliance with the Working Time Regulations is difficult to assess at this early stage. When the autumn Labour Force Survey is available (early in 2000) it will provide information for some assessment of 25W the Regulations to be made. The enforcing authorities are also collecting data, which may be indicative of compliance.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to amend the Working Time Regulations in respect of(a) record-keeping by those who opt out of the 48-hour week and (b) extending the scope of the unmeasured working time exemption; and if he will make a statement. [96700]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonDraft regulations to amend the Working Time Regulations, in respect of the requirement to keep records for workers who have opted out of the working time limit and extending the scope of the unmeasured working time exemption, were laid before Parliament on 19 October. They will be debated in both Houses before being made.
The extension of the 'unmeasured working time' derogation provides greater flexibility for workers who can determine their own hours of work, but have an element of their working time predetermined. The second amendment replaces the requirement to keep records for those who opt-out of the working time limit, with a single requirement to keep a list of those who have signed an opt-out.