HC Deb 02 March 1972 vol 832 c137W
7. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the failure of wages councils and other statutory bodies to maintain an adequate wage, he will introduce legislation to provide a statutory minimum earnings level for all able-bodied adult workers.

Mr. R. Carr

I have no present plans to introduce minimum wage legislation. The Government's policy is to foster voluntary collective bargaining and I have referred 15 wages councils to the Commission on Industrial Relations for its advice on whether abolition or variation of scope would be appropriate.