European Working Time Directive

Part of Opposition Day — [7th Allotted Day] – in the House of Commons at 8:14 pm on 10 March 2009.

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Photo of Norman Lamb Norman Lamb Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health) 8:14, 10 March 2009

I am grateful for that helpful intervention, and I am just frustrated that I am not allowed to use the word "hypocrisy" to comment further. The Liberal Democrats' group in the European Parliament has been at the forefront in working with the Government to protect the opt-out, as the Secretary of State will know.

The irony of all this is that although the working time directive is defined as a health and safety measure, there is a risk that the imposition of a 48-hour week will put patient safety at risk. That is what we are all concerned about. I should declare an interest: I worked as an employment lawyer before I arrived in this place, and I worked with the Secretary of State on an employment Bill some years ago, which brings back happy memories. I might even declare that I know something about the subject, which is always dangerous in this place.

The first principle that we should apply is that excessive working hours are not good. We should all accept that, and I am sure that even Dr. Stoate, who clearly works excessive hours, would accept that we should work to reduce them. Exploitation of staff is unacceptable, and whenever evidence emerges that staff are under pressure to opt out, firm action should be taken against the employer concerned.