§ 21. Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union regarding proposals for a national statutory minimum wage.
§ Mr. HowardI have not received any representations from the EETPU, but the union's general secretary has made it clear that his members would strongly oppose any wage restraint for higher paid workers linked to Labour's proposals for the introduction of a national legal minimum wage. If differentials were fully restored up to 2 million jobs could be lost.
§ 28. Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received seeking the introduction of a statutory minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardMost of the representations I receive are strongly opposed to any statutory wage fixing. The Labour party's proposal for a national legal minimum wage has been condemned by employers, academics and trades unions.