§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which employment sectors are currently excluded from the 48-hour week provision of the Working Time Directive; for which of them Her Majesty's Government have tabled alternative proposals; and what maximum hours respectively are suggested in these proposals. [83839]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe employment sectors currently excluded from the Working Time Directive are air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway and lake transport, sea fishing, other work at sea (essentially the offshore oil and gas industry) and doctors in training.
It would not be appropriate for the Government to discuss specific details of its negotiating position. However, the Government are not opposed to the extension of working time in principle, although we want to ensure the new measures accommodate our concerns and do not adversely affect the competitiveness of industry or the delivery of healthcare within the NHS.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will modify the Working Time Regulations to take into account hours at work spent not continually working on account of machine breakdown, supply difficulties or for other reasons beyond the direct control of management. [83840]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThere are no plans to amend the definition of working time in the Working Time Regulations. Under the Regulations working time is defined as time when a worker is 'working, at his employer's disposal and carrying out his activities or duties'. For time to be working time all three elements must be satisfied.