§ 27. Mrs. Ann Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure implementation of equal pay in wages council industries.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerAll the wages councils concerned have been reminded over the past year or so, that they should remove discrimination from the wages regulation orders by 29th December 1975. I recently wrote to the few who do not already specify equal rates. These few have, now made proposals and orders will be made to give them effect as soon as possible.
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§ 50. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that all employers will be conforming to the terms of the Equal Pay Act by the end of 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserThe evidence available to me suggests that most employers either comply with the provisions of the Equal Pay Act already or have plans to do so by the end of 1975.
Over the past year my Department has conducted an extensive publicity campaign in the national Press and elsewhere to remind employers of their obligations under the Act and to inform women of their rights, including the right to take their case to an industrial tribunal. Where, after 29th December 1975, an employer fails to pay to an employee the full remuneration to which she is entitled under the Equal Pay Act, she will be able to recover up to two years' underpayments, although not for any period before 29th December 1975.