Written question asked by Irvine Patnick (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by John M Taylor (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: What estimates he has made of the effect of a minimum wage of £4.26 per hour with 50 per cent. restoration of wage differentials on the number of jobs in the United Kingdom. - Inc figs.

Answer: Sir Irvine Patnick: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the effect of a minimum wage of £4.26 per hour with 50 per cent. restoration of wage differentials on the number of jobs in the United Kingdom. [20318] Mr. John M. Taylor: In December 1995, my officials estimated that a minimum wage set at £4.26, as advocated by last year's Trades Union Congress, would lead to the loss of more than 1 million jobs with only half restoration of wage differentials.

Secondary information