§ 54. Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report a list of wages councils that during 1975 established minimum rates of pay of less than £20 a week.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Hairdressing Undertaking Wages Council fixed a rate 469W of £19.35 for "other workers", and the Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flowers Wages Council a rate of £19.60 effective from 24th September with staged increases to £22 at 31st December and £24.40 at 30th April 1976.
The expression "minimum rates" has been taken to mean the minimum payable to an ordinary adult "other worker" for a normal working week and, where regional rates are fixed, in the intermediate area. Most wages councils set lower rates for juvenile workers, while some fix lower scales for apprentices, learners and new entrants to the trade. Account has also been taken of meals allowances.