§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if the wages arrears discovered by wages council inspectors and refused by the workers concerned is included in profit margin calculations.
§ Mr. MaclennanNet profit margins under the Price Code take account of costs actually incurred in the relevant period, including wage costs, and profits in excess of firms' reference levels however they arise must be passed on to the consumer through price reductions. Most firms are currently operating well below reference levels, so this provision is of limited effect at present.