§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in his Department have(a) signed a formal opt out from and (b) re exempt from the Working Time Directive; and how many employees in his Department have recorded hours, including any accruing on a flexitime basis, in excess of the maximum allowed under the Working Time Directive in the last month for which figures are available. [178369]
§ Mr. TouhigTwo members of staff have voluntarily opted out of this directive arid are therefore exempt from the Working Time Directive.
The Wales Office has a duty to ensure the health and safety of its staff. Therefore no member of staff at the Wales Office is asked to work hours in excess of the Working Time Directive (an average of 48 hours a week over a 17-week period).