§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order from lowest to highest, all wages council awards which currently apply; and if he will also list all other categories of workers whose basic rate is less than the highest wages council awards.
§ Mr. John Grant:It is not possible to list all current rates laid down for the large number of categories or workers covered by wages councils without disproportionate cost. However, for typical adult grades—for example, shop assistant in retail trades,"other workers"in other trades—the current weekly rates are shown in the following table. Where area 213W rates are set, the rates shown are for large towns outside London.
Council and Current statutory minimum £ Fur 27.50 *Hairdressing undertakings other worker) 27.85 Coffin furniture etc. 31.20 *Licensed non-residential establishment (bar staff) 32.30 *Hairdressing undertakings (operative hairdresser) 32.50 Made-up textiles 33.00 Rubber proofed garment making 33.19 *Retail bread and flour etc. (England and Wales) 33.20 *Licensed residential establishment etc 34.00 Laundry 34.00 Cotton waste reclamation 34.00 Toy manufacturing 34.10 Retail news agency, tobacco etc.(Scotland) 34.15 Dressmaking and women's light clothing (Scotland) 34.36 Hat, cap and millinery 34.39 Lace finishing 34.40 Shirtmaking 34.40 Aerated waters (England and Wales) 34.50 Dressmaking and women's light clothing (E & W) 34.60 Corset 34.60 Retail food etc. (Scotland) 34.60 *Retail food etc. (England and Wales) 34.60 Wholesale mantle and costume 34.62 Unlicensed place of refreshment 34.92 Linen and cotton handkerchief etc. 35.20 Retail bespoke tailoring 35.46 Sack and bag 35.75 *Licensed non-residential establishment (club stewards) 35.80 Rope, twine and net 35.90 *Retail furnishing and allied trades 36.00 Boot and shoe repairing 36.50 Retail news agency, tobacco etc.(England and Wales) 36.70 General waste materials reclamation 37.20 *Pin, hook and eye etc 37.40 Ostrich and fancy feather etc. †38.00 Button manufacturing †38.00 Retail bread and flour confectionery(Scotland) †38.20 Retail drapery outfitting and footwear trades 38.50 Perambulator and invalid carriage 40.50 Flax and hemp 41.01 Aerated waters (Scotland) †41.60 Retail bookselling and stationery trades †42.50 *These councils have issued proposals for increased rates, mostly from the anniversary date. †These rates include the settlement in the 1978–79 pay round. Comprehensive information upon which to base the second list is not available.