HC Deb 28 October 1992 vol 212 cc715-6W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will estimate the range of employment effects of abolishing wages councils.

Mr. McLoughlin

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave him on 14 July 1992,Official Report, column 626.

Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many respondents to the 1988 consultation document on the future of wages councils then supported the retention of wages councils, either wholly or in some form; whether the Government have recently contacted these respondents to inquire whether their views have altered; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

In the 1988 consultation 320 respondents favoured the retention of a wages councils system. Over 60 per cent. of employers and employers' organisations, who responded, supported abolition of the councils. There has been no exercise to contact those who responded in 1988, but employers have continued to make clear the damage done by the councils.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the oral answer of the Minister of State on 7 July,Offical Report, column 169, if she will publish evidence to show that two-thirds of the people covered by wages councils are paid more than the minimum wage set by the councils.

Mr. McLoughlin

The estimate is based on an analysis of employers' wage records checked by the wages inspectorate.

Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list those individuals or organisations who have written to her concerning the proposed abolition of wages councils indicating which are for the proposal and which against.

Mr. McLoughlin

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received 71 written representations about the future of the wages councils from April to September 1992. Of these, 17 favoured abolition, 50 supported retention and four did not come down clearly on one side or the other. It would not be appropriate for me to publish the names of those who have written to the Department.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her estimate of the number of people with disabilities whose employment is covered by a wages council order.

Mr. McLoughlin

I regret that the information is not available.

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