§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government are taking to ensure that the UK opt out from the EU Working Time Directive is not amended or abolished. [153542]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe opt out is important to the UK as it maintains flexible labour markets and gives choice to individuals to work longer hours if they so wish. I, and my colleagues, are working in Europe to stress the importance of the opt out to both employers and employees and to ensure that key decision makers understand the benefits of an approach which provides protection to workers who do not wish to work long hours without restricting those who wish to make a different choice.