§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will defer the coming into force of the Working Time Directive from 1 October 1998 to 1 January 1999 to allow more time for consideration of the implementing regulations. [54031]
§ Mr. Ian McCartney[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The timetable for implementation was announced in February 1998. We published draft regulations for consultation in April 1998. We laid regulations on 30 July 1998, which will come into force on 1 October 1998. There has been plenty of time for consideration of the Government's proposals.