HC Deb 14 May 1998 vol 312 cc509-10
10. Mr. Tony McNulty (Harrow, East)

When she expects the Low Pay Commission to report its recommendations for a national minimum wage to her Department. [40962]

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Mr. Ian McCartney)

I expect the Low Pay Commission to make its recommendations to the Government by the end of this month on the level at which the national minimum wage might be introduced.

Mr. McNulty

I welcome that response and the earlier response to my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson), as will the 1,000 families in Harrow in north-west London who still rely on family credit. I know that this is tedious for my hon. Friend, but will he try again to elicit the views of the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on this issue? We know that the right hon. Gentleman can be forthright because we have read his views about the Leader of the Opposition. Will my hon. Friend try to ascertain, in the interests of consensus—

Madam Speaker

Order. I have told Back Benchers before that it is for the Government to account for their policies and actions, not those of the Opposition.

Mr. McCartney

That was a good try by my hon. Friend.

Madam Speaker

No, it was not.

Mr. McCartney

You, Madam Speaker, say that it was not a good try, and I will not challenge your wisdom.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Government have, at great speed, taken the opportunity to introduce a national minimum wage. Conservative Members, particularly the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), have been wriggling on this matter for the past six weeks. The right hon. Gentleman does not want to agree with the Leader of the Opposition. He is a one-man band and a one-man party, and soon he will be the only person in Britain who does not support the minimum wage.

Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)

Does the Minister have a message for my constituents, particularly those in the hotel, catering and restaurant business, who fear that their jobs may be lost owing to the introduction of a minimum wage?

Mr. McCartney

I know that industry very well because I am a former chef who was sacked for having the audacity to ask for a £1 a week wage increase because of the birth of a child. I take no lessons about the poverty of those who work in that industry from the hon. Lady. It is interesting that the industry supports the national minimum wage. It is sick and tired of being smeared as a low-pay, low-activity industry and wants to change its image, which is why it is now working with the Government towards the successful introduction of the minimum wage.