RECENTLY, I received an unsigned letter enquiring about statutory holiday entitlements.

Since there seems to be some confusion on this point in some quarters, I asked the Minister of State at the DTI, Alan Johnson MP to respond:

"The Working Time Regulations, which came into force on October 1 1998 implementing the European Working Time Directive, provides workers with an entitlement to a minimum of four weeks paid holiday per annum. This may include the eight bank holidays, as there is no statutory entitlement to time off or extra pay on bank holidays. The entitlement to paid leave is enforced through Employment Tribunals. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) conciliate where a claim occurs and will initially endeavour to help both parties concerned reach a settlement without the need for a Tribunal hearing. ACAS conciliation is free."

If constituents write to me and ask for their names not to be revealed to third parties, I will respect their wishes. Most of the anonymous correspondence that I receive is of an insulting or derogatory nature. It goes with the job!

I am receiving more correspondence on Iraq than on any other single issue at the moment. Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26, there will be a debate on the floor of the House of Commons on a Government substantive motion, before military action. My position is clear. I cannot support a war on Iraq without the full support of the United Nations, and I still need to be convinced that Saddam Hussein possesses chemical and/or biological weapons.

This is a complex issue with several dimensions; it's not just about oil. Bush only won his election campaign through the "Florida fumble" and, for obvious reasons, he supports the Israelis more strongly than any other recent American President. Consequently, Ariel Sharon has been unfettered in his attempts to destroy the Palestinian Authority and effectively remove Arafat from power. Sharon sees this as his "War on Terrorism". However, that has put him in danger of being attacked by Iraq! In my opinion, the key to peace in the Middle East is to enforce UN Resolutions on Israel! However, I still hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis, but my hopes fade day by day.

My advice surgeries are on the first Saturday of each month at 10.30 a.m. in Farnworth Town Hall (rear entrance) and on the third Friday of every month at 4.30pm in Bolton Town Hall (Dido Suite). Ring Karen (371202) or visit my website at www.brianiddonmp.org.uk for further information and news.