WHEN Winston Churchill introduced the principle of state regulation against low pay, through the Wages Councils in 1909, presumably he felt there was a basic unfairness and inequality in society to justify intervention.

The removal of the Wages Councils has inevitably reduced the levels of pay and there is a lower number of jobs in the industries formerly covered by the Wages Councils. After 17 years of continuous Tory rule there is the largest inequality and distribution of wealth since records began. Twenty per cent of UK families live below the established poverty line, affecting 36 per cent of children.

The Sunday Times revealed earlier this year, that the combined wealth of the top 500 British tycoons amounted to £70,587 million. That bonanza shared amongst the 57 million British people would amount to £1,238 each.

In the North West, Accrington and Blackburn have amongst the largest number of families qualifying for family credit as a result of poverty pay - Accrington 37 per cent and Blackburn 33 per cent. The arguments for the introduction of a national minimum wage are overwhelming and irrefutable.

The UK is the glaring exception in the European Union as having no legal protection against poverty pay.

The North West CBI in a recent circular described the national minimum wage as a "blunt and inefficient mechanism for dealing with poverty."

Perhaps they may wish to comment on the Wages Councils, the Poll Tax, Job Seekers Allowance and their effectiveness in creating or alleviating poverty.

COUN DON RISHTON, Chairman, Lancashire South European Constituency Labour Party, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

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