To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible of the increase in the national minimum wage from £4.20 per hour to £4.50 per hour. [110440]

In the current financial year, the lowest salary level in the Scotland Office is £10,300, which equates to an hourly rate of £4.71. The effect of a minimum wage of £4.50 would therefore be nil.