Written question asked by Mike Weir (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 10 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 January 2002. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 January 2002 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when the Government intends to take action to ensure recompense for those affected by the UK breach of its Community obligations under the 1977 Acquired Rights Directive.

Answer: Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government intend to take action to ensure recompense for those affected by the UK breach of its Community obligations under the 1977 acquired rights directive. [27273] Alan Johnson: The Government have admitted that, until the TUPE Regulations were amended in 1993, the acquired rights directive was not implemented correctly, and that this was a sufficiently serious breach of the UK's EC obligations to give rise to a liability for damages, where anyone suffered losses as a result. The Government are therefore prepared to compensate anyone affected provided that they can show that they suffered loss as a result of that breach. At present, a number of claims have been brought in the courts, but without the cause and amount of the claimed losses having been established.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 27273; 378 c322W;378 c336W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Conditions of employment Compensation Employment EU law Protection
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk