§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment has been made of the effect on employment of the introduction of a minimum wage based on two thirds of male median earnings.
§ Mr. ForthOfficials in my Department have estimated that the introduction of a minimum wage of two thirds male median earnings could over time lead to the loss of over 1 million jobs if wage differentials were restored by 50 per cent. They have also estimated that in the extreme case of full wage restoration the losses could be of the order of 2 million jobs.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what would be the cost to the public sector wages and salaries bill of the introduction of a minimum wage of two thirds of male median earnings.
§ Mr. ForthWe do not have the information to provide a full answer, and even a partial answer could only be provided at disproportionate cost.