HC Deb 18 January 1994 vol 235 cc547-8W
17. Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effects on employment levels of a statutory minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The introduction of a statutory national minimum wage of the kind proposed by the Labour party makes economic nonsense. It could cost up to 2 million jobs and would irreversibly damage the labour market.

The Government's policies are designed to create the conditions for an effective and flexible labour market.