§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements will be put in place to monitor(a) how long individuals remain on the national minimum wage and (b) the average annual wage increment for people previously receiving minimum rates; [54899]
(2) what arrangements will be put in place to monitor the numbers of employees receiving the minimum rate of pay set out in the national minimum wage. [54898]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyIn her statement of 18 June 1998,Official Report, columns 507–19, announcing the Government's response to the Low Pay Commission's recommendations, the then President of the Board of Trade announced that the Government will be asking the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the minimum wage.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the statements by the Bank of England about the inflationary implications of the minimum wage. [54455]
§ Mr. Ian McCartney[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Bank of England is fully aware of the Government's labour market policies, including the National Minimum Wage. Any statements by the Bank on those policies are a matter for them. The Government do not believe that the decisions they have taken on the National Minimum Wage will have an adverse effect on inflation.