§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Ms Patricia Hewitt)A consultation document on the EC44WS Information and Consultation directive is being published today. The directive gives new rights to employees in larger firms to be informed and consulted on workplace issues which are likely to affect them. It sets out proposals for legislation to implement the directive, to come into force by March 2005. The public is invited to comment on the proposed legislation by 7 November 2003. The consultation document is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/er. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries.