HC Deb 14 February 1996 vol 271 cc634-5W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the statutory minimum wage, or collectively organised rate then statutorily made binding, in pounds sterling on a purchasing power parity basis in each year since 1979 in(a) each EU state, (b) the USA, (c) Japan, (d) Australia, (e) Canada and (f) New Zealand; and what percentage of the national average wage these levels represented. [14321]

Mr. John M. Taylor

I refer to my reply of 15 January,Official Report, columns 467–77. In addition, the minimum wage rate in New Zealand is currently NZ$250 for a 40-hour week, which translates to £107.12 at purchasing power parity exchange rates.

The other information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to the OECD "Jobs Study" which carries a discussions of development in the minimum wage rates of some countries over time, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.