§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application of the Luxembourg compromise to the introduction of a maximum working week.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe have no plans to introduce legislation to implement a maximum working week. The Government secured significant improvements to the working time directive which met Britain's main concerns. It is challenging the legal base on which the directive was adopted. The Government reserve the right to invoke the Luxembourg compromise where it considers that very important national issues are at stake.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the scope of the Luxembourg compromise following ratification of the Maastricht treaty.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Luxembourg compromise was not affected by the Maastricht treaty.