§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the employment effects in the United Kingdom of the introduction of a statutory national minimum wage set at(a) £3 per hour, (b) £3.50 per hour and (c) £4 per hour; and if he will make a statement. [31291]
Mr. John M. TaylorAssuming a half restoration of differentials, a minimum wage set at the levels indicated would destroy in excess of 1 million jobs.
§ Mr. BruceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer from the introduction of a statutory national minimum wage of(a) £3 per hour, (b) £3.50 per hour and (c) £4 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the basis for the calculations. [31290]
Mr. TaylorI have made no such assessment. However, it is clear that a minimum wage would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, which would have an adverse effect on the Exchequer.