26. Mr. Evenettasked the Secretary of State for Employment what responses his Department has received to the consultative document on wages councils.
§ 41. Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received on the future of wages councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse) earlier today.
§ 27. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now estimate the effect on the employment of young people of the abolition of wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere is general agreement that the abolition of wages councils would slow down pay increases resulting in an increase in employment for both young people and adults. Employment opportunities for young people are initially limited to the balance between the value of their contribution and the costs of their employment, including pay levels.
§ 32. Mr. Dixonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has received any further representations from Trades Union Congress affiliated unions regarding the future of wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI have received 693 responses to our consultative paper on wages councils from a number of trade unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.
§ 54. Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has received any representations from employees covered by wages councils, or their representatives, in favour of abolishing wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyYes.
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§ 67. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the maintenance of retail trades wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations from employers’ bodies, trade unions and others about the maintenance of retail trades wages councils. These are being studied.