§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of the effect the removal of wages council legal protection for young people has had on low pay and youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthSince 1986 young people have no longer been subject to the minimum rates of pay decided by wages councils. The average earnings of young people have continued to increase in real terms and the greater flexibility resulting from the removal of wage restrictions will have improved their job prospects. However, we have no information which distinguishes between the effects of wages council reforms and other factors in the labour market on young people's pay.