§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he intends to enforce minimum wage protection in Wales.
§ Mr. NichollsThe level of compliance with wages orders in Wales is, as in the rest of Great Britain, very high. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the present policy of
672W
Gross weekly earnings in real terms Manufacturing Non-manufacturing 1970 1979 1989 1970 1979 1989 Manual males Lowest decile 115.3 136.8 141.0 98.0 115.7 122.4 Lower quartile 139.1 162.8 174.6 117.8 138.2 152.0 Median 169.0 194.7 217.9 146.4 171.5 193.1 Higher quartile 203.4 233.1 269.6 180.5 214.5 245.8 Highest decile 240.5 278.8 333.3 220.7 267.2 309.6 Average earnings 174.6 203.0 230.6 154.4 183.8 207.5 Non-manual males Lowest decile 126.5 148.3 179.0 110.7 127.4 151.0 Lower quartile 158.0 181.1 226.2 141.2 162.6 205.9 Median 198.1 221.7 289.5 189.6 212.7 282.9 Higher quartile 250.0 279.8 384.5 255.0 273.8 377.4 Highest decile 337.0 360.0 515.4 340.0 349.2 517.4 Average earnings 224.3 243.4 331.5 216.6 230.9 321.1 Manual females Lowest decile 60.9 85.0 90.7 50.8 74.6 82.8 Lower quartile 71.5 99.6 106.4 59.4 86.7 98.4 Median 83.9 118.7 129.7 72.1 104.0 121.4 Higher quartile 98.8 139.6 159.0 89.7 126.1 153.4 Highest decile 115.8 161.4 197.7 114.8 151.2 193.9 Average earnings 86.9 121.6 138.2 78.3 109.4 131.4 Non-manual females Lowest decile 66.6 94.2 110.3 63.5 89.6 108.1 Lower quartile 77.9 108.0 132.2 78.5 105.2 133.8 Median 91.1 126.2 162.3 103.8 130.1 176.0 Higher quartile 109.9 148.2 206.0 135.4 166.5 242.3 Highest decile 135.2 178.2 269.8 182.4 209.3 304.7 Average earnings 98.8 132.9 182.8 114.8 141.2 196.7 targeting the resources of the wages inspectorate towards those employers most likely to underpay is the most effective way of enforcing minimum wage legislation.