§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress in negotiations between his Department and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents regarding regulations affecting newspaper delivery. [74626]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyMy Department has not been in negotiations with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. I have previously stated that newspaper delivery boys and girls are not entitled to paid annual leave under the Working Time Regulations if they are below minimum school leaving age; anyone aged 16 or over who delivers newspapers is, like any other part-time worker, entitled to paid annual leave but only pro rata according to the hours they normally work.