§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the sanctions proposed for firms that fail to comply with the information and consultation directive. [11004]
§ Alan JohnsonThe proposed directive requires member states to determine the provisions for enforcement of the obligations provided they are effective, proportionate and dissuasive. This part of the text was not the subject of amendment by the European Parliament. The Government will consult fully in due course on the implementation of the directive, including the question of sanctions.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the European Parliament amendments to the draft information and consultation directive which were passed on 23 October and the Government's policy in respect of the draft directive as amended. [10996]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Government believe it is unnecessary and unhelpful to try to change the text of the proposed directive agreed at the Council of Ministers in June. We will be strongly defending the Council's common position. The UK is not alone in this view. Several other member states are also opposed to changing the flexible measures previously agreed. We expect the Council to stick closely to the common position text.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make an assessment of the impact of the changes to the information and consultation directive which were agreed in the European Parliament on 23 October on the regulatory burden on small business in the UK. [10985]
§ Alan JohnsonThe proposed directive will not affect small businesses and the European Parliament's proposed amendments do not alter this fact. In the UK the directive will apply to undertakings with 50 or more employees and will, therefore, only affect about 1 per cent. of UK businesses.