§ Mr. Ernest Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of home workers employed in Hackney North and Stoke Newington; and, of these, how many are covered by the Wages Council Act.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThere are no figures available which could provide a reasonable estimate for a local area. I estimate that there are between 25,000 and 30,000 home workers in wages council industries in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Ernest Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers of home workers have been fined for infringement of wages council regulations in the past year; and what was the average fine imposed.
§ Mr. Jim LesterNo prosecutions of employers of home workers were undertaken in 1978.
§ Mr. Ernest Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to investigate the wages and conditions of home workers in all trades and specify a minimum rate of pay.
§ Mr. Jim LesterMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.