HC Deb 22 October 1991 vol 196 cc616-7W
21. Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union and the Amalgamated Engineering Union concerning wage levels.

Mr. Howard

None—but those unions' general secretaries have made it clear that their members would strongly oppose any wage restraint for higher-paid workers linked to Labour's proposals for a national legal minimum wage. If pay differentials were fully restored, up to 2 million jobs could be lost.

22. Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the effect of wage levels on job prospects in the different regions of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

I continue to receive representations about the adverse effect of statutory wage fixing on jobs. Labour's proposals for a national legal minimum wage would have a disastrous effect on employment. Up to 2 million jobs could be destroyed if pay differentials were fully restored.

23. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of full-time workers in the north-west earn below 50 per cent. of median male earnings.

Mr. Jackson

In April 1991, 7.4 per cent. of full time adult employees in the north-west were earning below this amount.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the extent to which job centres and employment service offices are advertising jobs with wage rates below the appropriate Wages Council minima.

Mr. Jackson

Questions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.