§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible of the increase in the national minimum wage from £4.20 per hour to £4.50 per hour. [110431]
§ Ms HewittFor permanent employees, there will be no cost implications for the Department, its agencies and its NDPBs.
It is too early to assess the implications of the increase on the cost of contracts.