To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the vote in the European Parliament scheduled for 17 December 2008 on amendments to the EU Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. (241085)

The Working Time Common Position that was agreed by the Employment Council in June of this year represents a good outcome for Europe—it provides a fair deal for workers, without damaging competitiveness and so putting jobs at risk. The UK remains fully committed to that Common Position, in particular its maintenance of the right of individuals to opt out of the maximum 48 week if they wish. UK Ministers have maintained regular contact with counterparts across the EU on this issue, and hope the European Parliament will vote to support the Common Position on 17 December.