Minimum Wage (Hansard, 16 May 1989)

HC Deb 16 May 1989 vol 153 c172W 172W

§ 50. Mr. Boyes
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Government will implement the Council of Europe's decency threshold of an hourly rate of £3.80 as a minimum wage.

§ Mr. Nicholls
No, there is no such thing as a Council of Europe decency threshold for a minimum acceptable level of earnings.

§ 70. Mr. Jack Thompson
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to introduce a statutory minimum wage: and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Nicholls
No. A national minimum wage would raise employers' costs and destroy jobs, including the jobs of those whom it was designed to help.