Working Time Directive

HC Deb 15 February 2001 vol 363 c289W

Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what resources are available to enforce the working time directive. [149031]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The working time regulations, which implement the European working time directive, provide for the entitlements to daily, weekly and in-work rest and paid annual leave to be enforced through the Employment Tribunals. The working time limits are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities. There is a network of local authority enforcement officers who enforce the working time regulations and other health and safety legislation. The HSE have regulatory teams based throughout the country, which include specialist working time officers who work solely on working time enforcement. Any significant risks to health and safety revealed by their investigations are referred to HSE inspectors.