§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she intends to preside in her capacity as president in office of the Social Affairs Council over a discussion on the proposed Council directive on the protection of young people at work;
(2) if she will make a statement about Government policy towards the proposed EC Council directive on the protection of young people at work;
(3) what is her view on the European Commission's proposals in the draft directive on the protection of young people at work as it concerns (a) night work, (b) rest time, (c) rest period and (d) paid leave.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythDiscussion of this directive is still at a very early stage. The European Parliament has not yet delivered its opinion and the Commission's proposals may be revised before they are considered by the Council. The agenda for the Social Affairs Council in December has not yet been finalised.
The Government question on the ground of subsidiarity the need for EC legislation on young people's employment. In the United Kingdom the health and safety and educational interests of children below the minimum school leaving age are protected by existing legislation. Young employees above the minimum school leaving age are in general covered by the same legislation as adults in the same occupations. Specific health and safety protection for young employees in the United Kingdom is based on factors distinguishing them from adults. The Government also question whether the Commission's current proposal on night work, rest time, rest periods and paid leave are justified on these grounds.