§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report what representations he has received in respect of remuneration for employees in the retail trades as laid down by the Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council.
§ Mr. Waddington[pursuant to his reply, 14 April 1981, c. 114]: Under the Wages Councils Act 1979, wages councils must publish their proposals for changes in statutory minimum rates and allow a period of at least 14 days in which those affected by the decision may make representations to the council. Councils must consider these representations before deciding whether to confirm or amend their proposals. Most representations about 167W minimum rates are therefore made direct to the councils, which are independent of the Government and do not publish details of the representations they receive. I have also received a number of letters from hon. Members and from retailers about the recent increase agreed by the Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council.