§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he will publish detailed guidance on the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [71737]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyA preliminary guidance booklet is already available and we have set up a telephone helpline to deal with specific inquiries. Definitive guidance on the National Minimum Wage will be published shortly.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received in response to the consultation on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. [71738]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Department of Trade and Industry received some 300 written responses to the consultation exercise on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. In addition, officials from the Department also met representatives from a number of interested bodies, including the CBI, TUC, EEF, NFU, LGMB, UNISON, GMB, FRES and NESTOR.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated date of commencement for the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [71736]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe National Minimum Wage Regulations were laid before Parliament today and take effect on 1 April.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors underlie the delay in laying before the House the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [71731]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThere has been no delay.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the drafting of the National Minimum Wage Regulations was completed; [71734]
(2) on what date he intends to lay the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [71733]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe drafting of the National Minimum Wage Regulations has been completed and the Regulations were laid before Parliament for approval today.