§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order from lowest to highest the wages councils' awards currently in operation, as they apply to the main categories of workers in each trade.
§ Mr. Jim LesterIt is not possible to list all current rates laid down for the large number of categories of 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 401W area rates are set, the rates shown are for large towns outside London.
402W
Council Current statutory minimum £ Fur 27.50 *Hairdressing undertakings—other worker 31.35 *Hairdressing undertakings—operative hairdresser 37.00 *Ostrich and fancy feather, etc. 38.00 Rope twine and net 39.50 Cotton waste reclamation 40.00 Made-up textiles 40.00 Lace finishing 40.00 *Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant 40.40 Laundry 41.00 Licensed non-residential establishmen—bar staff 41.00 Hat, cap and millinery 41.20 Aerated waters—England and Wales 41.60 †Retail newsagency tobacco and confectionery—Scotland 41.70 Corset manufacture 42.00 Dressmaking and womens light clothing—England and Wales 42.00 Dressmaking and womens light clothing—Scotland 42.00 Linen and cotton handkerchief, etc. 42.00 †Retail bread and flour confectionery—England and Wales 42.00 †Retail bread and flour confectionery—Scotland 42.00 †Retail food trades—England and Wales 42.00 †Retail food trades—Scotland 42.00 Ready-made and wholesale bespoke tailoring 42.00 Rubber-proofed garment making 42.00 Sack and bag 42.00 Shirt manufacture 42.00 Wholesale mantle and costume 42.00 ‡*Retail bookselling and stationery 42.50 ‡*Retail furnishing and allied trades 42.50 Licensed non-residential establishment—club stewards 43.10 General waste materials reclamation 43.20 †Retail newsagency, tobacco and confectionery — England and Wales 43.20 Boot and shoe repairing 43.50 Retail bespoke tailoring 43.50 Toy manufacturing 43.60 Unlicensed place of refreshment 44.00 Pin, hook and eye and snap fastener 44.50 Coffin furniture and cerement making 44.80 ‡*Retail drapery outfitting and footwear 45.00 Flax and hemp 45.73 Perambulator and invalid carriage 46.00 Button manufacture 46.00 Aerated waters—Scotland 48.00 *These councils have issued proposals for increased rates. †These councils have been amalgamated into one council as from 1 September 1979. The
new council is the Retail Food and Allied Trades Wages Council (Great Britain). †These councils have been amalgamated into one council as from 1 September 1979. The new council is the Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council (Great Britain).