§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been prosecuted(a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully for noncompliance with minimum wage legislation over the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [113144]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 8 March 2000]: There have been no criminal prosecutions under Section 31 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1999 since it came into force 11 months ago.
This is because the Act also contains a number of provisions empowering enforcement offices to take civil action against non-paying employers and the enforcement body will always use these in the first instance. However, there will be criminal prosecutions where the enforcement body considers them necessary.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to revise the present level of the accommodation offset within the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [114974]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI have no plans to change the level of the accommodation offset. The Low Pay Commission has recommended that it should be retained at its present rate and the level considered again when the national minimum wage is next reviewed. The Government have accepted this recommendation.