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National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2005.   

I, too, thank the Minister for his explanation of the regulations. I have two brief points. First, the minimum wage model adopted in the United Kingdom—a modest minimum set on the basis of advice by the Low Pay Commission to reflect overall economic conditions—has worked well in practice. We favour a continuation of the present arrangements but we would like to see the full minimum wage extended to those aged 16 to 21 who are fully in work, unless they are on an apprenticeship or training scheme. One good aspect of the regulations is that it deals with gender inequality. Low paid workers are often part-time and therefore often women. So the national minimum wage regulations address gender inequality in wages. Secondly, there is a growing pressure to look afresh at regional dimensions as there are big disparities between labour market conditions in the south-east and other regions. Are there any plans to examine that aspect in terms of wage regulations?