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All reappointments commence on 14 December 2006
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Trade and Industry
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Jim Fitzpatrick):
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council was held on 7 November in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, represented the UK for discussions on an
amended proposal for a directive concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time.
Negotiations focused around the opt-out from the 48 hour working week and the need for a solution to the problems caused by the European Court judgments SiMAP and Jaeger. The presidency sought views during the morning discussion on a draft presidency text of the directive. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the presidency and their subsequent tabling of an alternative section of text, it proved impossible to reach agreement due to the refusal of a minority of five countries to agree any text that did not set an end date for the opt-out.
Transport
Service Areas and Other Roadside Facilities
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Dr. Stephen Ladyman): I have today launched a public consultation on roadside facilities on England’s strategic road network. The consultation will run for 12 weeks and comprises a call for evidence on a number of issues for consideration, with a view to improving services for road users. In particular the document seeks views on:
The location of motorway service areas (MSAs)—determining the need for such sites and the spacing interval between them;
facilities at MSAs—the type of facilities, how they are signed and their standards;
service areas on trunk roads;
motorway picnic areas;
lorry parking; and
the provision and use of laybys.
Following the public consultation, new draft guidance will be issued for consideration before the final new policy is published.
Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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