§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the incidence of underpayment of wages uncovered by the Wages Council Inspectorate in 1976–77; what wages arrears were paid; and whether he has any plans for saturation inspections of the kind undertaken in Great Britain.
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Mr. ConcanonDuring 1976, the last complete year for which figures are available, 11 employers, representing 1.4 per cent. of the total number subjected to a full inspection, were found to be paying wages lower than the statutory minimum remuneration laid down under Wages Councils legislation. The total number of employees found to be underpaid was 11. £287.56 was paid in arrears. The level of inspection in Northern Ireland already compares favourably with that undertaken in Great Britain and I have no plans for additional measures.