§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible of the increase in the national minimum wage from —4.20 per hour to —4.50 per hour. [110437]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe increase in the national minimum wage will not result in any additional costs to the pay bill of the Northern Ireland Office or the 11 departments within the Northern Ireland Administration as all staff are already earning in excess of —4.50 per hour.