§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the consequences for the construction industry in the United Kingdom of(a) a minimum wage at a level of £4 an hour and (b) implementation of the social chapter. [15442]
Mr. John M. TaylorI have been asked to reply.
The introduction of a statutory minimum wage and the implementation of the social chapter in the United Kingdom would impose substantial extra costs on British business, which, in turn, would destroy jobs. This would be a double disaster damaging employment and prosperity across the economy, including the construction industry.