HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 cc664-5W
27. Charlotte Atkins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she last met the Chairman of the Low Pay Commission to discuss the minimum wage. [36000]

Mr. Ian McCartney

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade last met Professor George Bain, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, on 11 February 1998 and expressed her admiration for the progress the Commission has made in undertaking the consultation exercise. And she was informed they are on course to produce their findings by the end of May.

29. Judy Mallaber

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she last met the chairman of the Low Pay Commission to discuss progress on the implementation of the national minimum wage. [36002]

Mr. Ian McCartney

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade last met Professor George Bain, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, on 11 February 1998 and she was informed that the Commission are on course to produce their findings by the end of May.

32. Mr. Dobbin

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made toward the formulation of the national minimum wage. [36005]

Mr. Ian McCartney

We are on target to fulfil our commitment to introduce minimum wage legislation within the first session of this Parliament. The National Minimum Wage Bill completed its passage through the House on 9 March and Second Reading in another place took place on Monday 23 March. The Low Pay Commission has completed the information gathering stage of its consultation exercise and will produce its recommendations on the level at which the minimum wage might be set by the end of May.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the work of the Low Pay Commission. [36007]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Low Pay Commission has completed the consultation state of its work. I have nothing but admiration for the stamina displayed by Professor George Bain, the chairman, and his colleagues on the Commission, who have visited all parts of the United Kingdom to discuss the national minimum wage and take oral evidence from a broad cross-section of employers, employees, their representatives, and other interested parties. In addition, they have received over 500 written submissions. I now look forward to reading their recommendations which are due to be produced by the end of May.