What steps his Department is taking to ensure that employees' rights are adhered to in the workplace; and if he will make a statement.

Last year, the Government launched a £6 million, three-year information campaign to make sure that vulnerable workers are aware of their rights and of how to report abuses. As part of our efforts, we recently launched the pay and work rights helpline on 0800 917 2368. It combines the functions of five previous helplines, making it easier for vulnerable workers to report bad treatment at work. Today, we are also announcing specific plans to ban up-front fees in the modelling and entertainment industry, to stop agencies trying to exploit young people who are trying to break into those industries.

I welcome that response, but may I remind my right hon. Friend of his words in July? He told the BBC:

"We know that there will be a minority of employers out there who will try to get around the law and perhaps that temptation increases in a recession, but we are determined that the recession must not be an excuse for people to be denied their basic employment rights."

Does my right hon. Friend therefore agree with the 156 people who have signed early-day motion 2099, and will he implement the agency workers directive now?

It is perfectly normal for member states to be given three years to implement such directives. We will legislate to implement the directive in the coming months, but I have to tell my hon. Friend that if the Opposition had their way, the issue would not be whether the measure was implemented next year or the year after that, but whether it was implemented at all. The Leader of the Opposition said last week-

Order. The Minister's responsibility is to answer questions appertaining to the policy of the Government, not the Opposition.

Will the Minister confirm that the helpline number that he has given to the House is available to hon. Members' staff who are threatened with redundancy by the recommendations of Sir Christopher Kelly?

The helpline is open to all. It will, of course, be up to the enforcement agency to decide whether to take up cases referred to it.