§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all the wages councils and, against each one, set out (a) the number of workers covered, (b) the date of the last wages order, (c) the percentage increase over the previous wages order and (d) the date of the institution of the council.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe information is shown in the table below. Wages orders determine minimum rates only and do not express any increases in percentage terms. The percentage increases given in the table have been calculated from the orders. They do not necessarily apply to workers paid above the minima.
631W
Wages Council Estimated number of workers covered Date of last wages order Percentage increase over previous wages order Date Council was established Hairdressing Undertakings 128,600 26.11.79 4.7 1947 Hat, Cap and Millinery 7,800 4. 6.79 19.8 1963† Lace Finishing 700 17. 4.79 17.4 1910 Laundry 39,200 1. 2.80 16.6 1919 Licensed Non-Residential Establishment 470,000 20. 2.80 21.9 1945 Licensed Residential Establishment 530,000 9.11.79 24.1 1945 Linen and Cotton Handkerchief 5,600 2. 6.79 19.3 1920 Made-up Textiles 6,500 1. 2.80 12.5 1920 Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower 1,500 7.11.79 18.4 1921 Perambulator 2,100 24. 5.79 13.5 1920 Pin, Hook and Eye and Snap Fastener 900 28. 1.80 17.9 1920 Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring 114,700 21.12.79 12.5+5.0* 1920 Retail Bespoke Tailoring 5,000 23. 1.80 12.5+5.1* 1977† Retail Food and Allied Trades 522,800 3. 3.80 7.7–16.3* 1979 +5.4–13.8 (1.9.79)‡ Retail Trades Non-Food 563,700 7. 3.80 10.6 1979 (1.9.79)‡ Rope, Twine and Net 4,000 13. 6.79 10.6 1919 Rubber Proofed Garment Making Industry 800 1. 2.80 12.5+5.0* 1956 Sack and Bag 1,800 29. 5.79 17.4 1921 Shirtmaking 24,400 13. 2.80 12.5+5.0* 1914 Toy Manufacturing 23,300 5. 7.79 17.2 1920 Unlicensed Place of Refreshment 121,900 13. 7.79 29.4 1944 Wholesale Mantle and Costume 46,000 29. 1.80 12.5+5.0* 1919 * Cumulative increases effective from different dates. † Previously there were separate councils for England and Wales and for Scotland. ‡ These two councils determine minimum wages for workers previously covered by nine councils established between 1947 and 1953. The ranges given relate to different sectors of the Retail Food and Allied Trades. Note: The percentage increases given in the table relate to the minimum rates for the lowest paid grade of worker employed in main provincial areas.