§ 15. Mr. John Townendasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now review the wages council, and particularly their regulations affecting school leavers.
§ Mr. MayhewWages councils are independent and representative bodies, but the Government keep their operation under review.
All councils provide for both a minimum adult rate and a minimum rate for young persons. The differential between these rates, and the age at which the adult rate falls due, vary between wages councils, and are important matters which the councils themselves determine.
§ Mr. TownendDoes my hon. and learned Friend agree that the awards by wages councils are against the philosophy of this Government who believe that wage awards should be based on the ability to pay? Does he agree also that recent awards of 25 per cent. by some councils to young people of 16 and 17 have resulted in a reduction of jobs for that age group.
§ Mr. MayhewOf course wages must depend on the ability to pay. The councils go back to 1909. There is obviously a case for minimum wage orders for workers with few opportunities for collective bargaining. On the other hand, it is important that youngsters should not be denied the oppportunity to have a job because a minimum wage order had been made needlessly high. It is a matter for careful judgement.