Mr. SahnondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in which sectors of employment or industries a fixed national minimum wage is existent; and if he will make a statement;
(2) which sectors of employment and industries are covered by wage councils; at what levels the current basic pay is set under the influence of these institutions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is no national minimum wage in this country which is applicable to all workers. Wages councils set minimum rates of pay in certain trades and industries. The rates apply to all workers covered by the councils. Full descriptions of the relevant industries and operations are listed in statutory instruments. The legal minimum requirements of the councils are set out in wages orders which also contain a summary of the industries and operations covered. Copies of the instruments and current wages orders have been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the official definition of low pay in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is no official definition of low pay. Pay is relative. At any time, and by whatever measure, some people will always be lower paid than others.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were average earnings by region for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information is available from the annual new earnings survey reports, copies of which are in the Library.