§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those countries in the EC which have minimum wage legislation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthBelgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain have statutory national minimum wage laws, though in Belgium the legal minimum applies only to those not covered by local sector-led agreements reached by both sides of industry. In the United Kingdom and Ireland minimum wage rates are set for some industries. Statutory wage fixing destroys jobs and should have no permanent place in the labour market.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for breaches of the minimum wages legislation have been undertaken so far to the most recent practicable date in 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthUp to 17 July, eight employers have been prosecuted for offences under wages council legislation during 1991. The policy of the wages inspectorate under all Governments has been to seek compliance by advice and persuasion and to consider prosecution only where there is deliberate or repeated disregard for the law.