Written question asked by Geraldine Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 1 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 February 2001. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 February 2001 on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

Treasury;Office for National Statistics

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many workers are estimated to benefit from the minimum wage in (a) Morecambe and Lunesdale and (b) the United Kingdom. - Text of letter from Len Cook of the Office for National Statistics and inc ref to http://www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour-market/nmw -lowpay-tables.asp.

Answer: Miss Geraldine Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many workers are estimated to benefit from the minimum wage in (a) Morecambe and Lunesdale and (b) the United Kingdom. [148962] Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply. Letter from Len Cook to Miss Geraldine Smith, dated 6 February 2001: As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of workers in Morecambe and Lunesdale and the United Kingdom who have benefited from the national minimum wage (NMW) (148962). The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These are based on an improved methodology using data from both the New Earnings Survey and Labour Force Survey. Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour--market/nmw-- lowpay--tables.asp No estimates are available for Parliamentary Constituencies.

Secondary information