The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission report (COM(2000) 457 - C5-0010/2001 ),

-  having regard to Article 137 (1) of the Treaty,

-  having regard to Rule 47(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A5-0021/2001 ),

A.  whereas Article 17 (1) (b) of Directive 94/33/EC on the protection of young people at work(1) establishes a transitional period for implementing certain provisions of the Directive in the United Kingdom,

B.  whereas the transitional period expired on 22 June 2000 and the Commission submitted a report on the effects of this provision on 20 July 2000,

C.  whereas the report from the Commission on the effects of the transitional period is based on meetings with the social partners (the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have been consulted) and the Department of Trade and Industry,

D.  whereas according to the report no evidence was provided that employment opportunities for young people were affected by the non-implementing of the relevant provisions of the Directive,

E.  whereas Articles 8 (5) and 9 (2) of the Directive allow derogations of regulations on maximum hours of work and on night work of adolescents,

1.  Agrees with the Commission's view - expressed in its report on the transition period- and considers the possibilities for derogation sufficient in order to provide the necessary flexibility and does not therefore expect adverse effects on employment opportunities for young people following a full implementation of the Directive;

2.  Supports the Commission's view that as the deadline for implementing the provisions concerned by the transition period expired on 22 June 2000, the UK must ensure the full implementation of the provisions of Council Directive 94/33/EC;

3.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.

(1) OJ L 216, 20.8.1994, p. 12.