HC Deb 29 April 1971 vol 816 c171W
Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many wages councils' proposals are waiting to be made into orders; and what is the longest waiting period involved.

Mr. Bryan

Proposals submitted by the following seven Wages Councils have not yet been embodied in wages regulation orders:

Wages Council Proposals submitted
Rope, Twine and Net 3rd February, 1971
Retail Drapery 6th April, 1971
Retail Bespoke Tailoring (E. & W.) 7th April, 1971
Pin, Hook and Eye 13th April, 1971
Keg and Drum 14th April, 1971
Brush and Broom 16th April, 1971
Licensed Non-Residential Establishment 16th April, 1971
The proposals from the Rope, Twine and Net Wages Council were referred back to the Council for reconsideration because less than a year had elapsed since the submission of the previous proposals. They were resubmitted on 15th April and an order giving them legal effect will be made on 4th May.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many wages council orders have been made since June, 1970; and what has been the average percentage increase involved, expressed at an annual rate, for both wage rates and earnings.

Mr. Bryan

Forty-three wages regulation orders have been made since June, 1970, of which 38 concerned increases in statutory minimum remuneration. On an annual basis the unweighted average increases in minimum rates for the lowest paid adult workers were 10.3 per cent. for men and 13.4 per cent. for women. No information is available about the likely effect of these orders on earnings.