HC Deb 19 April 1999 vol 329 c454W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those areas for which extension of the Working Time Directive is currently scheduled for discussion at the European Council, for which a qualified majority of member states have already declared their support. [81227]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Negotiations on the extension of the Working Time Directive to those sectors which are currently excluded are continuing at working group level, and are not due to be discussed at the European Council. The agenda for the next Social Affairs Council meeting, which is due to take place on 25 May, has not yet been agreed.