HC Deb 23 June 2004 vol 422 cc1423-4W
Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees in his Department have(a) signed a formal opt out from and (b) are exempt from the Working Time Directive; and how many employees in his Department have recorded hours, including any accruing on a flexitime basis, in excess of the maximum allowed under the Working Time Directive in the last month for which figures are available. [178376]

Fiona Mactaggart

Employees working in excess of 48 hours per week are required to sign an "Opt-Out" agreement. Departments and agencies are required to maintain a register of all staff who have signed such an agreement.

Name of Department Agreements signed. Number of "opt-out" Number of employees who are exempt Number of employees accruing in excess of maximum hours
Home Office 71
IND
Prison Service n/a n/a n/a

Name of Department Agreements signed. Number of "opt-out" Number of employees who are exempt Number of employees accruing in excess of maximum hours
FSS n/a n/a n/a
UKPS 304

With regard to the Prison Service and Forensic Science Service the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.