HC Deb 13 February 1980 vol 978 cc663-4W
Mr. John Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if public expenditure cuts have affected or will affect the Wages Inspectorate; and, if so, to what extent;

(2) when he envisages the cycle of inspection in wages council trades will be reduced to five years and four years respectively, or what alternative cycle is anticipated;

(3) if public expenditure cuts have affected or will affect the homeworking unit of the Wages Inspectorate; and, if so, to what extent.

Mr. Jim Lester

The Government are considering to what extent proposals for a reduction in public expenditure would affect the planned programme of the Wages Inspectorate and its homeworking unit. In the meantime, both continue to operate unchanged and the inspectorate's annual target remains at contacting one-sixth of the number of establishments on its lists.