§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to increase prosecutions in the cases of illegal underpayment of wages identified by the wages inspectorate in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe 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 a deliberate or repeated disregard for the law. There are no plans at present to change this policy. Since 1953 to date there have been eight prosecutions in Scotland for illegal underpayments.