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Wages Councils (Awards)

Volume 972: debated on Monday 29 October 1979

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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.

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.

CouncilCurrent statutory minimum
£
Fur27·50
*Hairdressing undertakings—other worker31·35
*Hairdressing undertakings—operative hairdresser37·00
*Ostrich and fancy feather, etc.38·00
Rope twine and net39·50
Cotton waste reclamation40·00
Made-up textiles40·00
Lace finishing40·00
*Licensed residential establishment and licensed restaurant40·40
Laundry41·00
Licensed non-residential establishmen—bar staff41·00
Hat, cap and millinery41·20
Aerated waters—England and Wales41·60
†Retail newsagency tobacco and confectionery—Scotland41·70
Corset manufacture42·00
Dressmaking and womens light clothing—England and Wales42·00
Dressmaking and womens light clothing—Scotland42·00
Linen and cotton handkerchief, etc.42·00
†Retail bread and flour confectionery—England and Wales42·00
†Retail bread and flour confectionery—Scotland42·00
†Retail food trades—England and Wales42·00
†Retail food trades—Scotland42·00
Ready-made and wholesale bespoke tailoring42·00
Rubber-proofed garment making42·00
Sack and bag42·00
Shirt manufacture42·00
Wholesale mantle and costume42·00
*Retail bookselling and stationery42·50
*Retail furnishing and allied trades42·50
Licensed non-residential establishment—club stewards43·10
General waste materials reclamation43·20
†Retail newsagency, tobacco and confectionery — England and Wales43·20
Boot and shoe repairing43·50
Retail bespoke tailoring43·50
Toy manufacturing43·60
Unlicensed place of refreshment44·00
Pin, hook and eye and snap fastener44·50
Coffin furniture and cerement making44·80
*Retail drapery outfitting and footwear45·00
Flax and hemp45·73
Perambulator and invalid carriage46·00
Button manufacture46·00
Aerated waters—Scotland48·00
*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).