§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the implications for care homes of the proposed European Community directive on night working.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe European Commission has not yet issued a draft of its proposed directive on working time; however, we understand that the Commission is likely to propose restrictions on night and shift working. Clearly this may have implications for a wide range of workers, including those in care homes, and in other health services, where there is a need to maintain care on a 24–hour basis. We will not be able to assess the full implications until the Commission has published its detailed proposal.