§ 11. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any new plans to increase the number of wages inspectors.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesWill the adoption of either of the two options in the consultative paper on wages councils result in a reduction in the number of wages inspectors employed?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe hon. Gentleman and the House will do better to wait until the consultation period is over and the Government announce their intention.
§ Mr. ThurnhamWhen my hon. Friend considers the future of wages councils, will he bear in mind that it is not just younger workers, but older workers, who want the opportunity to enter the job market free of all restrictions?
§ Mr. BottomleyI think the House will accept that, whatever decision is taken, in the end there will be a conflict of interest between those out of work who might be offered and be able to accept employment and those in employment who want as much protection as they can reasonably have.
§ Ms. Clare ShortWill the Minister admit that since 1979 the Government have deliberately and significantly cut the number of wages inspectors to encourage employers to pay illegally low rates as part of their strategy of pretending to create jobs while attacking the lowest paid people in Britain, showing that they respect only the laws that they favour?
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, Sir.