Working Time Directive

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 3:31 pm on 12 November 1996.

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Photo of Ken Purchase Ken Purchase , Wolverhampton North East 3:31, 12 November 1996

Does not the Minister use the techniques of cant and hypocrisy when he says that employers and employees should be free to reach agreements? In the past 17 years, the Government have emasculated the trade unions, and created an imbalance of power in companies. The agreements—purely as they are—would have been met years ago if properly prepared and constructed trade unions had enjoyed the confidence of the Government. Instead of that, the Government take a 19th-century view of working conditions. It is appropriate to meet that with a 19th-century quotation: "The Conservatives will do everything possible to help the workers, except get off their backs."