HC Deb 14 December 1998 vol 322 cc368-70W
Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the range of training programmes designated as accredited training under the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement on the reasons which underlay the decision not to designate as accredited training programmes the full list of programmes recommended by the Low Pay Commission. [63701]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Government have received a number of representations on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations dealing with the training programmes which might be designated as accredited training.

The Low Pay Commission did not define accredited training and the programmes it should cover. It is important that the programmes to be designated as accredited training should be verifiable. The draft Regulations, therefore, proposed that courses specified in Schedule 2(a) to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, training in Scotland leading to an award by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and equivalent vocational training in Northern Ireland might be defined as accredited training. The consultation exercise on the draft Regulations invited suggestions for alternative forms of training which might be included and these are being considered.

Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage on the activity holiday industry; what representations he has received from the industry in relation to the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement. [63698]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Government share the Low Pay Commission's view that the national minimum wage at the levels we propose is sensible and will not adversely affect business competitiveness or employment. We have received a number of representations from the activity holiday industry and others on the draft national minimum wage regulations. We are currently considering those representations and will present the regulations to Parliament for approval shortly.

Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has conducted on the commercial cost of board and lodging; and if he will make a statement on the level to be included in the national minimum wage regulations for accommodation. [63780]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Low Pay Commission took evidence on current practice on the provision of board and lodging during its consultation exercise on the national minimum wage. It recommended that a maximum figure of £20 per week, which was not intended to be a commercial valuation, should be set for any deduction for the cost of accommodation provided by an employer. The draft national minimum wage regulations provide that, when assessing compliance with the national minimum wage, the maximum offset allowable for accommodation provided by the employer will be £2.85 per day.

The Government accepted the Commission's recommendations, subject to consultation on the practicalities of implementation. We are currently considering the representations, including those on the level of the deduction for living accommodation and will present the regulations to Parliament for approval shortly.

Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received on the amount that is deductible for meals provided by an employer under the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement. [63777]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Government have received a number of representations during the consultation exercise on the draft national minimum wage regulations on the amount that can be deducted for meals provided by an employer.

We are currently considering those representations and will present the regulations to the House for approval shortly.