§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the working of the national minimum wage in the United States. [94273]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe independent Low Pay Commission in its First Report on the national minimum wage examined the operation of the minimum wage systems in a number of countries, including the United States.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further measures are proposed to ensure compliance with the minimum wage legislation. [94285]
§ Mr. ByersEnforcement powers are set out in the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. National minimum wage inspectors (comprising officials from the Inland Revenue and the Agriculture Departments) follow up complaints from workers and third parties. Since August, inspectors have also been carrying out targeted inspections throughout the United Kingdom based on risk assessments, which identify where underpayments are most likely to occur.