§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been budgeted for pilot studies to demonstrate ways of implementing the European Working Time Directive in NHS hospitals. [119781]
§ Mr. HuttonA fund of £46 million has been allocated for the Working Time Directive Strategic Change Fund for the financial years 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06. This is in addition to £1.5 million allocated in 2002–03 to 19 pilot sites. For 2003–04, we have so far allocated a further £5.3 million to these pilot sites, in addition to the £12.6 million to strategic health authorities to support specific pieces of work on the Working Time Directive in their locality.