To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many employees in his Department have (a) signed a formal opt out from and (b) are 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.

No staff in the Scotland Office have signed a formal opt out or are exempt from the Working Time Directive.

The Office maintains its awareness of staff who may work close to or surpass the 48-hour per week limit and who are not subject to an opt out agreement. Details of the numbers of hours employees work are monitored locally as part of the flexible working hours system and in line with relevant health and safety legislation. Information on specific hours worked on a monthly basis is not held centrally.