§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to receive the report of the ACAS on objections to his order of December 1975 amalgamating the nine wages councils in retail distribution; and whether he will make provision for Scottish employees covered by such wages councils to receive the higher rates agreed by English and Welsh wages councils backdated to the publication of his amalgamation order.
§ Mr. John GrantI understand from the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service that its report is likely to be submitted to my right hon. Friend in the spring. Wages councils have no powers to backdate any award to a date earlier than the date of the council meeting at which proposals for the higher rates are agreed.