HC Deb 07 June 1996 vol 278 c581W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To 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. Taylor

Assuming a half restoration of differentials, a minimum wage set at the levels indicated would destroy in excess of 1 million jobs.

Mr. Bruce

To 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. Taylor

I 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.