HC Deb 15 April 2003 vol 404 cc5-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in her Department. [109277]

Clare Short

No formal assessment has been made—nor has there been any need for one. DFID employment practices were already compliant with the Part-time Workers Directive and the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 in advance of their introduction. Other than a minor technical adjustment to the formula used to calculate hourly remuneration rates there have been no substantial consequences for DFID. DFID supports work/life balance for staff and part time working is only one of several ways in which we offer staff flexibility in their working patterns. 7 per cent. of DFID's UK based staff work part-time.