§ 15. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he proposes to deal with the variation in the incidence of low wages in different parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GummerPay levels do, of course, vary between different parts of the country. What we must ensure is that unrealistic wage levels do not affect job prospects.
§ Mr. CanavanWhat will the hon. Gentleman do about the recent low pay unit report, which suggests that about three quarters of Scottish workers are being paid below what should be the legal minimum regulation wage? The Government are hell-bent on using statutory legislation against workers in Stockport and elsewhere. Why do they not use the available statutory legislation to increase the size of the Wages inspectorate and to introduce greater enforcement of minimum wages legislation on low-paying employers, who are paying employees less than the statutory living wage? Why are the Government doing this?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That was a very long question.
§ Mr. GummerThe hon. Gentleman must accept that pay and jobs can be found only if we produce goods and sell them at a cost that the customer is prepared to pay. Those are the only circumstances in which we can achieve that which the hon. Gentleman desires. In so far as I can detect any meaning in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, that must be the answer.