§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Paymaster General what discussions his Department has had with the Hotel and Catering Wages Council and employers regarding nonbinding guidance on differential pay rates and the establishment of a single statutory rate of pay in the hotel and catering industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierNo discussions have taken place with the Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant Wages Council on these subjects, but the issues have been considered with some employers and trade associations in recent months. I understand that the council has now decided to issue guidance with the notice of the new wages order. This goes beyond the role that I envisaged for wages councils. However, I appreciate the difficulties which faced the council in its first round of discussions under the new legislation and which caused this decision to be taken, and I welcome the way that the council has stressed the non-binding nature of its guidance.