§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Employment what recommendations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry during the past year concerning wages councils; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the International Labour Organisation's convention 26 on wages councils; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn June last year the Confederation of British Industry submitted proposals for major reform of the wages councils system, or, failing that, its abolition.
Our adherence to International Labour Organisation convention 26 limits our freedom to act in the way we may judge best. We therefore propose to de-ratify the convention subject to the consultations required by International Labour Organisation rules.
Decisions on the future of wages councils will be taken when responses to the consultative paper issued on 21 March have been considered.