HC Deb 01 August 1972 vol 842 cc55-6W
18. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the large numbers of vacancies remaining unfilled in the hotel and catering industry is due to the lack of necessary skills by people registered as unemployed; and whether he is satisfied that there is adequate provision and publicity for retraining for this industry.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The monthly count is a spot check. Many vacancies included are open for only a short time. Others remain open for a number of reasons, including inappropriate skills

Most wages councils lay down weekly rates.

The statutory minimum weekly remuneration for typical grades in eight industries, in large towns outside London, are as follows:—

Wages Council Standard working week Grade Current minimum £
Industrial and Staff Canteens … … 40 Assistant cook, male … 12.95
female … 10.90
Canteen attendant, female 10.20
Licensed Non-Residential Establishment 44 Barman … … … 12.50
(from 13th August, Barmaid … … … 10.45
1972: 42)
Licensed Residential Establishment and 42 Waiter … … … 10.73
Licensed Restaurant. (from 1st December, Waitress or Chambermaid 9.30
72: 41) Barman … … … 13.78
Barmaid … … … 12.30
Unlicensed Place of Refreshment … 44 Waiter … … … 12.98
Waitress … … … 11.18
Other worker, male … 13.60
female … 11.53
Retail Food Trades (England and Wales) 41 Sales assistant, male … 13.50
(from 1st January female … 11.50
1973: 40)
Retail Food Trades (Scotland) … … 41 Sales assistant, male … 13.50
(from 1st January female … 11.50
1973: 40)
Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery 41 Sales assistant, male … 13.00
(England and Wales). (from 30th August, female … 11.25
1972: 40)
Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery 42 Sales assistant, male … 11.85
(Scotland). female … 11.35

I am sending the hon. Member copies of the relevant wages regulation orders, which set out the minimum rates in detail.

48. Dr. Vaughan

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many notified unfilled vacancies there were in the catering industry in the South-East region at the latest available date.

Mr. Dudley Smith

At 5th July, the number of notified vacancies remaining unfilled in the hotel and catering industry in the South-East region was 8,136. The figure relates only to notified vacan- and immobility of registrants. While the main responsibility for training lies with the industry, the Government are rapidly expanding the training facilities available and will be publicising them under the new training opportunities scheme.

24. Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will state the latest hourly pay for people in catering and retail food industries as agreed by wages councils.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Eight wages councils in these industries lay down a large range of rates, according to area, grade, age and sex.

Following is the information:

cies remaining unfilled and does not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.