§ Mr. HainTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many United Kingdom-based companies have adopted works councils as specified by the European social chapter. [2820]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe European works councils directive sets down requirements for European level information and consultation arrangements in companies which operate in more than one of the countries covered by the directive and are above a specified size. The directive was adopted under the agreement on social policy and therefore does not apply to the UK, but a number of UK-based companies are affected by it because they have employees above the threshold levels in the countries covered.
My Department does not hold precise information on the numbers of companies affected, but I understand that approximately 40 UK-based companies had reached voluntary agreements by 22 September 1996.