Unemployment Costs

HC Deb 04 June 1984 vol 61 cc110-1W

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the schemes by which money is provided by his Department to relieve unemployment; and if he will give, for the last year for which figures are available, the amounts spent under each of the headings in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the west midlands, (c) Staffordshire and (d) Stoke-on-Trent, giving as well as the totals, the amount per head in each of the specified areas and the amount per unemployed person.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Available information is set out in the table below. Numbers relate to the end of March 1984 while expenditure figures relate to the whole financial year. The columns can not be used in conjunction to provide costs in totals per person.

and catering trade which were inspected because of complaints from employees were found to be in breach of the wages council laws.

Mr Gummer

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies in the hotel and catering trade were inspected by the Wages Inspectorate in 1983 for compliance with wages council legislation; and of those inspected, how many investigations were as a result of complaints from employees.

Mr. Gummer

In 1983, the pay of workers was checked at 11,473 establishments covered by the three wages councils for the hotel and catering trade; 3,292 of these were as a result of complaints.

Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of companies involved in the hotel and catering business inspected on a regular basis by the Wages Inspectorate, and not as a result of a complaint, were found to be contravening the wages regulations.

Mr. Gummer

In 1983, 15.9 per cent. of the establishments covered by the three wages councils for the hotel and catering trades at which the pay of workers was checked on a routine basis, and not as a result of a complaint, were found to have underpaid one or more workers.

Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of employees in companies in the hotel and catering business inspected for breaches of wages council awards were found to be underpaid in the most recent period.

Mr. Gummer

In 1983, 10.6 per cent, of the employees in establishments covered by the three wages councils for the hotel and catering trades at which pay was checked were found to have been underpaid.