To ask Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people and percentage of the workforce who receive the national minimum wage (a) in the UK and (b) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. (143428)

I have been asked to reply.

Based on data from the Office for National Statistics’ Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2006, the DTI estimates that, in the UK, between 430,000 and 440,000 jobs (less than 2 per cent. of the UK total) were paid at the national minimum wage in April 2006.

Data at the parliamentary constituency level are not available. However, the DTI estimates that between 10,000 to 50,000 jobs (1 per cent. to 5 per cent. of the total) held in the north-east were paid at the national minimum wage in April 2006.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of the minimum wage. (143429)

I have been asked to reply.

National minimum wage rates are set following recommendations by the independent Low Pay Commission. The Commission undertakes wide-ranging consultation and analysis before making its recommendations. Copies of the most recent Low Pay Commission report are available in the Libraries of the House.