HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 c373W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the total cost to business of the Social Chapter since it was implemented; and if she will make a statement. [46853]

Alan Johnson

European directives adopted as a result of the Social Chapter for which my Department is responsible are parental leave, part-time work, the European works councils, the fixed term contract, information and consultation of employees and the working time (excluded sectors) directives. The directive on the burden of proof in sex discrimination is the responsibility of the Women and Equality Unit at Cabinet Office.

I refer the hon. Member to answer given on 26 March 2002, Official Report, columns 807–809, which gave the costs of the regulations implementing the parental leave, part-time work and the European works councils directives.

The fixed term contract, information and consultation of employees and the working time (excluded sectors) directives have not yet been implemented. Estimated costs for the fixed term contract directive are to be found in the consultation document URN 02/547 published in January 2002 and estimated costs for the Information and Consultation of Employees were attached to the Explanatory Memorandum 13099–98 of 15 January 1999. Both documents are in the Library of the House. A regulatory impact assessment for the working time directive (excluded sectors) will be prepared prior to going out to consultation on the implementing regulations next year.

The regulatory impact assessment to the burden of proof directive in Sex Discrimination (Council Directive 97/80/EC) is also available in the Libraries of the House.