§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that employment exchanges do not send persons to firms for jobs without first ensuring that the firms pay trade union rates of pay, and observe at least the minimum conditions agreed between employers and unions for the particular industry.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that instructions to staff in all employment offices require that when a vacancy is notified the wage offered shall be compared with the standard rate of pay in the district for the work concerned, where that is known. Not all vacancies are subject to agreements or regulations as to terms and conditions, but within those that are so subject it is both policy and practice that a worker shall not be submitted by an employment office to a vacancy known to offer a rate of pay less than that agreed by any relevant national joint industrial council or wages council.