§ 1. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of wages councils.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. David Howell)The changes in the wages council legislation embodied in the Industrial Relations Bill.
§ Mr. MeacherIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one in five of establishments inspected by wages councils inspectors recently showed that they were not paying their workers even their legal entitlement, and is he further aware that some of the 57 wages councils had not even met to review pay and conditions for at least a whole year? What is the hon. Gentleman doing to redress this gross neglect of responsibilities, and, in particular, will he instruct wages councils to seek to establish basic wage rates rather than the traditional basic minimum remuneration?
§ Mr. HowellWe are aware of the deficiencies of the wages council system, and it has been the long-standing policy of both this and the previous Government to try to replace wages councils by effective voluntary machinery. The Industrial Relations Bill, as is generally recognised, will help in this way, which is yet another cause for mystification why hon. Members opposite should be against it.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I give you notice that at the end of Questions I shall wish to raise a point of order in regard to this Question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am obliged.