§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [76808]
§ Mr. Tony LloydRecords of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff choosing to sign voluntary agreements to disapply the 48-hour weekly limit for working hours are not maintained centrally. The standard 59W terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth 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 choose not to sign an opt-out agreement. It is too early to judge the likely compliance costs.