§ 41. Mr. John Townendasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of wages councils.
§ Mr. AlisonMy right hon. Friend and I have serious misgivings about the perpetuation of minimum wage fixing machinery. However, the Wages Councils Act 1979 is the way we comply with international labour convention 26, which we cannot denounce before 1985. We will consider all the options available then. Meanwhile, all those involved in wages councils negotiations should avoid unrealistic wage settlements which can only harm jobs.