HC Deb 17 June 1968 vol 766 c93W
Dr. David Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men earn less than £12 10s. 0d. a week as a basic wage; and how much she estimates it would cost to implement such a minimum wage.

Mr. Harold Walker

Exact information is not available, but approximate estimates based on the Family Expenditure Survey suggest that about a million men are earning less than 6s. 3d. per hour exclusive of overtime premium, which is equivalent to £12 10s. 0d. for a 40 hour week. The direct cost of increasing the rates of these men to 6s. 3d. for the first 40 hours would be something over £100 million a year. This estimate makes no allowance for any increase in overtime rates or for the possible repercussions on the pay of other employees.