HC Deb 11 June 1990 vol 174 cc57-8W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the questionnaire sent to wages council establishments to check compliance with the Wages Act 1986.

Mr. Nicholls

There are two questionnaires sent to wages council establishments to check compliance with the Wages Act 1986—one for catering establishments and the other for non-catering establishments. I have arranged for both to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the reasons for not pursuing arrears of wages councils' payments in all cases except those which are not pursued at the worker's request; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

Specific information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In the small minority of cases where the wages inspectorate decides not to pursue arrears the decision is taken only after careful consideration of all the circumstances, including the likelihood of success bearing in mind such factors as the employers' ability to pay and the adequacy of evidence.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average fine imposed on employers found to be committing wages council offences in 1989.

Mr. Nicholls

The average fine imposed per employer was £305.50.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the numbers of workers covered by wages councils in each wages inspectorate division for 1989.

Mr. Nicholls

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to reduce the underpayment of wages and other offences committed under wages council legislation which are attributed to ignorance or inadvertence.

Mr. Nicholls

Measures designed to inform employers about statutory obligations on minimum pay include the provision of information in employer and business guides, talks and advice given by the wages inspectorate to individuals and groups, and the maintenance of a register of employers in scope of wages councils and to whom wages orders are sent. Given the very high level of compliance with wages orders these measures are considered adequate.