§ 38. Ms. Clare Shortasked the Paymaster General how many young people are employed in industries covered by wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIt is estimated that 500,000 young people aged under 21 years work in jobs covered by wages councils.
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§ 39. Mr. Ashdownasked the Paymaster General what research he has conducted into the likely employment effects of abolishing wages council protection for employees reaching the age of 21 years.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Government's intention is to exclude those aged under 21 years from wages council regulation. There is a body of evidence which indicates that, if the pay of young people relative to that of adults declines, their employment opportunities will increase. Some of this increase will be at the expense of older people.
§ 41. Ms. Richardsonasked the Paymaster General how many women are employed in industries covered by wages councils.
§ 50. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Paymaster General how many women are employed in industries covered by wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAbout 2.2 million.
§ 42. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Paymaster General which organisations representing workers in wages council industries supported the Government's decision on the reform of wages councils.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleySince the announcement of the Government's decision to reform wages councils one representation has been received from an organisation representing workers in a wages council industry. This did not support the decision.