§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to reduce the underpayment of wages by employers which are attributed to ignorance or inadvertence.
§ Mr. NichollsMeasures designed to inform employers about statutory obligations on minimum pay include the provision of information in employer and business guides, talks and advice given by the wages inspectorate to individuals and groups, and the maintenance of a register of employers in scope of wages councils and to whom wages orders need to be sent. Given the very high level of compliance with wages orders these measures are considered adequate. However, particular efforts have recently been made to ensure that the inspectorate's register is kept up-to-date and there has been increased contact between the inspectorate and organisations which advise the public.