Written question asked by Patrick Hall (Labour) on Thursday, 28 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 November 1999. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on enforcement of the national minimum wage. - Includes figure.

Answer: Mr. Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on enforcement of the national minimum wage. [96916] Mr. Alan Johnson: The national minimum wage is in force and it must be paid by all employers. There is no hiding place for employers who act unlawfully and fail to pay it. I particularly welcome the recent employment tribunal decision, where a worker in a Bognor Regis sports shop became the first person to benefit from the enforcement officers' powers; that is, to take an employer to an employment tribunal and force them to pay the underpaid worker all the money that is owed them. This power is over and above the powers of officers to issue enforcement and penalty notices against employers. Ten enforcement notices were issued in September, and £67,000 of back pay obtained for workers.

Secondary information