asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations have been received by the Wages Inspectorate and other sections of his Department from (a) employers and (b) employees as a result of the recent investigations into low pay.

There have been representations both for and against the inspections, as well as a very large number of inquiries about wages orders from both employers and employees. These almost doubled in December to 28,000; the vast majority being from employees who considered their wages and conditions required investigation.