§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what research he has conducted into the effects of wages councils on employment prospects.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms. Short) on 21 February 1985 at column 516.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he intends to seek with representatives of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the expected effects of abolition of wages councils on work forces.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend issued a consultative paper on 21 March setting out broad options for the future of wages councils and seeking views by the end of May. The Confederation of British Industry is amongst the bodies from which comments are being sought.
§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) the proportion of female and male workers covered by each wages council order and (b) the proportion of full-time and part-time workers covered by each wages council order.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information requested is not available for each wages council. It is estimated that about four fifths of workers covered by wages councils are female and that about two thirds of workers are part-time.