§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for all the member countries of the EEC the average number of working hours per week for(a) 10 years ago (b) five years ago and (c) the latest year for which he has figures.
§ Mr. NichollsEstimates from Community labour force surveys as requested, are shown in the table:
Persons in employment in member countries of the EEC Average hours1 usually worked per week, 1979, 1984 and 1987 1979 1984 1987 hours hours hours United Kingdom 38.5 38.3 38.6 Belgium 41.4 39.9 38.9 Denmark 37.9 36.7 36.1 Federal Republic of Germany 41.2 40.1 39.6 France 42.4 40.0 39.4 Ireland 46.2 43.1 43.2 Italy 40.8 39.9 39.7 Luxembourg 40.8 40.5 40.2 Netherlands 39.7 4n/a 33.9 Greece2 — 44.7 43.4 Spain3 — — 41.6 Portugal3 — — 44.3 1 Basic usual hours 2 Not member country of EEC in 1979 3 Not member country of EEC in 1979 and 1984 4 Did not participate in 1984 Labour Force Survey