§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost and effect on unemployment of introducing a minimum wage in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Department of Employment has estimated that the effect on employment in Great Britain of a minimum wage set at half median male earnings would be that, if wage differentials were restored by half, around 750,000 jobs could be lost. On the same assumption about differentials, a minimum wage set at two 881W thirds median male earnings could remove about 1.25 million jobs in Great Britain. On the assumption that they would be spread throughout Britain proportionately to employment below the proposed minima Welsh Office calculate that job losses in Wales could amount to 46,500 if the level were set at half median male earnings (6.2 per cent.) and 70,000 if at two thirds (5.6 per cent.) It is not possible to estimate the additional costs to employers in Wales.