§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library copies of all958W (a) relevant academic and departmental research papers relating to the impact of working time on health and safety at work on which the Government have based their response to the European directive on working time and (b) departmental studies he has commissioned with regard to working time and its effects on health and safety. [12774]
Mr. John M. Taylor[holding answer 30 January 1996]: The Government commissioned Professor J. M. Harrington of the university of Birmingham institute of occupational health to identify and evaluate pertinent medical and scientific literature relating to the effect, if any, of hours of work on employees' health. The study forms part of the Government's legal challenge to the working time directive, 93/104/EC. I have been advised that, in accordance with established practice, it should not be published now; I expect to be able to do so after the case has been concluded. No other studies have been commissioned with regard to working time and its effects on health and safety by this Department.