Working Time Directive

HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc834-5W

Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76806]

Mr. Straw

No figures of the kind sought by the hon. Member are currently available. The standard terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Home Office are well within the limits set by the Working Time Regulations. The Regulations do not require employers to keep records of the number of workers who refuse to sign an opt-out agreement and no central records are kept by the Home Office. Compliance costs are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.