§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out or commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) the Adjutant General to assess the impact on the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force of (i) the working time directive, (ii) the posting of workers directive, (iii) the parental and family leave directive, (iv) the young workers directive, (v) the burden of proof directive and (vi) the data protection directive. [18369]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Ministry of Defence takes its full part in government consideration of EU legislation. All relevant directives are examined within MOD to assess the potential impact on the armed forces, and the appropriate service authorities contribute fully to the debate. Any proposed EU directives which might affect service personnel policy are routinely referred to the Army's Adjutant General and to his counterparts in the other two services for their views. The parental and family leave directive and the burden of proof directive do not 589W apply to the UK since they are being made under the agreement on social policy. The posting of workers directive does not apply to the armed forces. The working time directive, the young workers directive and the data protection directive are all currently under active consideration within the Department.