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Mr. Ralph Howell
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order from lowest to highest the wages councils' awards currently in operation, as they apply to the main categories of workers in each trade.
Mr. Jim Lester
It is not possible to list all current rates laid down for the large number of categories of workers covered by wages councils without disproportionate cost. However, for typical adult grades—for example shop assistant in retail trades, "other workers" in other trades—the current weekly rates are shown in the following table. Where area rates are set, the rates shown are for large towns outside London.
| Council | Current statutory minimum |
| £ | |
| Fur | 27·50 |
| *Hairdressing undertakings—other worker | 31·35 |
| *Hairdressing undertakings—operative hairdresser | 37·00 |
| *Ostrich and fancy feather, etc. | 38·00 |
| Rope twine and net | 39·50 |
| Cotton waste reclamation | 40·00 |
| Made-up textiles | 40·00 |
| Lace finishing | 40·00 |
| *Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant | 40·40 |
| Laundry | 41·00 |
| Licensed non-residential establishmen—bar staff | 41·00 |
| Hat, cap and millinery | 41·20 |
| Aerated waters—England and Wales | 41·60 |
| †Retail newsagency tobacco and confectionery—Scotland | 41·70 |
| Corset manufacture | 42·00 |
| Dressmaking and womens light clothing—England and Wales | 42·00 |
| Dressmaking and womens light clothing—Scotland | 42·00 |
| Linen and cotton handkerchief, etc. | 42·00 |
| †Retail bread and flour confectionery—England and Wales | 42·00 |
| †Retail bread and flour confectionery—Scotland | 42·00 |
| †Retail food trades—England and Wales | 42·00 |
| †Retail food trades—Scotland | 42·00 |
| Ready-made and wholesale bespoke tailoring | 42·00 |
| Rubber-proofed garment making | 42·00 |
| Sack and bag | 42·00 |
| Shirt manufacture | 42·00 |
| Wholesale mantle and costume | 42·00 |
| ‡*Retail bookselling and stationery | 42·50 |
| ‡*Retail furnishing and allied trades | 42·50 |
| Licensed non-residential establishment—club stewards | 43·10 |
| General waste materials reclamation | 43·20 |
| †Retail newsagency, tobacco and confectionery — England and Wales | 43·20 |
| Boot and shoe repairing | 43·50 |
| Retail bespoke tailoring | 43·50 |
| Toy manufacturing | 43·60 |
| Unlicensed place of refreshment | 44·00 |
| Pin, hook and eye and snap fastener | 44·50 |
| Coffin furniture and cerement making | 44·80 |
| ‡*Retail drapery outfitting and footwear | 45·00 |
| Flax and hemp | 45·73 |
| Perambulator and invalid carriage | 46·00 |
| Button manufacture | 46·00 |
| Aerated waters—Scotland | 48·00 |
| *These councils have issued proposals for increased rates. | |
| †These councils have been amalgamated into one council as from 1 September 1979. The | |
| new council is the Retail Food and Allied Trades Wages Council (Great Britain). |
| †These councils have been amalgamated into one council as from 1 September 1979. The new council is the Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council (Great Britain). |