HC Deb 08 March 1983 vol 38 c374W
48. Mr. Watson

asked the Secretary of State for employment whether he has made any estimate of the effects of the proposed 8 per cent. wage award by the retail wages council.

Mr. Alison

My right hon. Friend wrote to the chairmen of both retail wages councils on 25 February and told them that it was abundantly clear that the proposals of their councils, if not modified, would have damaging effects on employment in retailing. It is self-evident that the higher the level at which wages councils set rates, the fewer people will be employed, but we have made no precise estimates of the effects.