HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc221-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the minimum wage rates in each of the

Expenditure on the Science Budget 1979–80 to 1997–98
£ million
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
Cash 329.4 394.0 439.4 468.7 503.2 535.4 571.0 602.7 658.2 706
1997–98 prices 891.8 901.6 916.7 912.9 936.7 948.9 959.5 983.1 1,019.3 1,025.1

EU and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, expressed in sterling, at (a) current exchange rates and (b) as a percentage of average wages in that country; and what is the current unemployment rate in each country. [11347]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The information requested about wages is not routinely collected by my Department. All the latest figures available to me are set out in the table.

Country Minimum wage £1 Percentage of average wage2 Unemployment rates3
Belgium 699 monthly 60 9.6
Canada £2.17 hourly n/a 9.5
France 621 monthly 50 12.6
Greece 12 daily 62 9.7
Japan 26 daily n/a 3.6
Luxembourg 732 monthly 56 3.7
Netherlands 651 monthly 55 5.4
New Zealand 2.45 hourly n/a 5.9
Portugal 191 monthly 45 7.2
Spain 8.84 daily 32 20.8
USA 2.85 hourly 39 4.8
Notes:
NA=Not Available.
1 Converted at current exchange rates 25 July 1997.
2 Dolado et al Economic Policy No. 23
3 Eurostat and OECD for May 1997 except Netherlands (May) New Zealand (Q4 1996) and Greece (1996)

Mr. Bercow

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the business organisations that have made representations to her supporting the minimum wage and the social chapter. [11345]

Mr. Ian McCartney

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 5 June 1997,Official Report, column 235.