§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the results of the consultation on the draft regulations implementing the minimum wage which ended on 6 November. [62978]
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§ Mr. Ian McCartneyOur final proposals for the National Minimum Wage Regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to reduce the minimum wage payable by those employers who make full board and lodging available to their employees. [62982]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyWe have no plans to reduce the level of the national minimum wage. We are considering representations on the deductions that could be made in respect of accommodation provided by employers made to us during the consultation process on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. The Regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from British Activities Holidays Association in respect of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [62979]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government have received a number of representations from the British Activity Holidays Association about the national minimum wage.
We have consulted business, employees and others with an interest on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. We have listened to the concerns expressed and this will be reflected in our final proposals to be announced shortly. The Regulations will be presented to the House for approval.
§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors led him to set the accommodation deductor in the draft national minimum wage regulations at its current level. [62939]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government accepted in principle the advice of the Low Pay Commission on the amounts which could be offset against the national minimum wage, subject to the practicalities of implementation and the draft National Minimum Wage regulations reflect that position. The maximum amount the Commission recommended to be offset for accommodation only was £20 per week.
§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the issue of the draft national minimum wage regulations accommodation deductor; and if he will make a statement. [62940]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government have received a number of representations on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulation dealing with the treatment of deductions in respect of accommodation provided by the employer.
We have consulted business, employees and others with an interest on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. We have listened to the concerns expressed and our final proposals will be presented to the House for approval shortly.
§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to lay before the House the statutory instrument regarding the national minimum wage regulations. [62938]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe statutory instrument to implement the National Minimum Wage regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.