§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given to(a) the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities and (b) Industrial Tribunals, on enforcing the new Working Time Regulations. [95698]
§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry published guidance on the Working Time Regulations, which covered enforcement, in September 1998. Copies were sent to the Health and Safety Executive and the Employment Tribunal Service (formerly the Industrial Tribunal Service). Guidance is also available on the Department website.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision has been made to increase the resources available to(a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) industrial tribunals, to enforce the new Working Time Regulations. [95699]
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§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry transfers funds to the Health and Safety Executive for enforcing the working time limits. This funding is reviewed in the light of experience.
Resources are allocated to the Employment Tribunal Service taking account of the Service's forecasts of overall caseload and operational requirements. Recent forecasts take into account the implementation of the Working Time Regulations.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the enforcement mechanisms for the new Working Time Regulations. [95697]
§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry is in regular contact with interested parties about many aspects of the Working Time Regulations, including enforcement.