§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the percentage of the workers covered by each wages council who belong to a trade union.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyPrecise information is not available, but the indications from sources such as the new earnings survey, the workplace industrial relations survey and ACAS reports are that trade union members are commonly in a minority in wages council trades.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the existing procedures under which he may modify or abolish individual wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to sections 4 to 7 inclusive and schedule 1 to the Wages Councils Act 1979. Copies of the Act are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give, for wages councils as a whole, the number of independent members in each of the various backgrounds or occupations.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe backgrounds of the 47 independent members of wages councils are as follows:
Number Industry and commerce 12 Public service (administration) 5 The professions 6 Education 23 Journalism 1
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment for each year since 1979, how many workers covered by wages councils had their pay checked; how many were found to be underpaid; and how many arrears was paid by employers.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information requested is given in the following table:
489W
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions were made for failure to comply with a wages council order in each of the last six years; and for each year what was the average penalty imposed at 1985 prices.
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 Investigations resulting in prosecution and conviction 12 8 8 7 2 2 Average amount paid in fines at constant (June) 1985 prices £177 £246 £466 £238 £208 £107 The wages inspectorate's policy, endorsed by successive Governments over many years, is to seek compliance with the legislation by advice and persuasion. Prosecution is considered only where the offence is deliberate or repeated and the evidence adequate.
The level of fines is a matter for the courts.