§ 17. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now make a statement on the future of wages councils.
§ 24. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make a statement on the future of wages councils.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend published a consultative paper on wages councils on 21 March. This invites comments by 31 May. Decisions will be taken when responses to the document have been considered.
§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will assess the likely impact of the abolition of wages councils on the levels of unemployment.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAs we make clear in the consultative paper on wages councils published on 21 March, concern about the effect of the councils on jobs is the most important single factor in our consideration of their future. As part of this consideration we are studying all available research on this subject. The major relevant studies are listed in my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms. Short) on 21 February 1985, at column516.