HC Deb 12 November 1984 vol 67 cc95-6W
Mr. Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in respect of the consultations he is to carry out in respect of proposals for the protection of wages legislation, he will list the organisations and individuals that responded to the original consultative document, indicating (a) those who broadly supported repeal of the existing right of manual workers to be paid in cash and (b) those expressing concern about malpractice in respect of deductions from pay.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Department received over 100 letters from organisations of employers and workers, and from other bodies, in response to the original consultative document issued in March 1983. Of the five options put forward in the paper, a substantial majority of respondents favoured repeal of the Truck Acts with the enactment of up-to-date legislation to protect workers from arbitrary deductions from wages. Those views were taken into account when preparing the more detailed legislative proposals concerning deductions from pay issued for consultation on 31 October.

Mr. Baldry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report details of the legislative and administrative measures which have been adopted by the other member states of the European Community for the implementation of their obligations relating to low pay and minimum wages under the convention of the International Labour Organisation.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In addition to the United Kingdom the following member states of the European Community have ratified international labour convention No. 26 concerning the creation of minimum wage fixing machinery — Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Details of the legislative and administrative measures used to apply the convention in individual member states are not readily available, without disproportionate cost.